As a Brit who is fortunate enough to live in Spain, the difference in lifestyle is dramatic, because of the high temperatures, often over 30 degrees Celsius, the famous siesta is essential, the working day is usually something like 9am till 2pm and then 5pm till 9pm while some offices and banks and even town halls open at 8am and close for the day at 3pm.

At the beginning of August the Spanish traditionally take their vacations, leaving the cities during the hottest part of the year, and making for the coast or inland. Because of the way inheritance works in Spain, many families have second, third, and even forth homes dotted around the country.

The cost of living in Spain is another area, of major difference to England, while food and drink are a little less local taxes are so much less they are almost insignificant, my water and rubbish bill was 29.00 Euros this year (2009) and my general contribution was 145 Euros for the year, and for that my bins are emptied twice a week, if I lived in town that would be daily.

Spanish children stay up as late as their parents, particularly in the summer, and they learn to appreciate good food at an early age being taken out rather than left with babysitters, in fact its not unusual to see a family of three generations arrive at a restaurant at 11pm for an evening meal, and because of the strong family ties, they are quite happy to participate in traditional pastimes and fiestas as well as the music and dance of youth culture.

Travel is easy in Andalucia, with good motorway connections and several international airports it is no trouble to get a round.