Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real Spain
John Metson 50 episodes Nov 11, 2026
John Metson, a former London radio producer, shares his real-life adventures after moving from a Victorian house in Essex to a tiny flat in an Andalusian village. He recounts his encounters with celebrities like Richard Hammond and J.K. Rowling, and offers a brash, colorful perspective on life in Spain. The podcast blends personal anecdotes with observations about Spanish culture, sometimes fictionalizing events for effect.
Episodes
The Illegal House Trap: Could Your Dream Home in Spain Be Demolished? Real Spain. Real Life.
You've found your dream home in Spain. The villa, the swimming pool, the Mediterranean views. But what if the house you've just bought is actually illegal? And what if the authorities could make you demolish it? It sounds like a nightmare, but it's a very real problem in Spain. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I look at the murky world of illegal property in Spain, where houses can have deeds
The Illuminati, Secret Societies and Who Really Runs Spain? Real Life, Real Spain.
What if the people really running Spain aren't the ones you vote for? Forget the politicians on television. Forget the official explanations. What if there's a secret network of powerful people pulling the strings behind the scenes? The Illuminati? The Freemasons? Opus Dei? Or something even more mysterious? In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I go down the rabbit hole of
Have I Destroyed My Beautiful Mediterranean House by the Sea? Real Life, Real Spain
What happens when you start renovating your dream home in Spain and discover that the roof might not be strong enough to support the next chapter? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I take you behind the scenes of our latest building project on the Costa Tropical. We're adding a self-contained bedroom to our Mediterranean house by the sea, but first we've had to rip off almost the entire terrac
Spain's Train Tragedy: Facts, Speculation and the Lives Lost.
This weekend on Spanish Practices, I reflect on Spain's devastating train tragedy near Toledo and the lives lost. As speculation and accusations begin to circulate, I ask why we can't wait for the evidence before deciding what happened or who might be to blame. With All Saints' Day tomorrow, when families across Spain remember those they have loved and lost, I believe our attention should be on th
Buying a Home in Spain? 7 Costly Mistakes Americans Must Avoid Real Life, Real Spain.
Dreaming of buying a home in Spain? Perhaps you're an American looking to retire in the sunshine, escape the rat race, or finally make that move to the Mediterranean. But before you fall in love with a Spanish villa, a whitewashed village house or a beautiful coastal apartment, there are some things you really need to know. In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I take you t
Healthcare in Spain Explained: How to Access the Spanish Health System. Real Life, Real Spain.
If you're moving to Spain, retiring to the Costa del Sol, or already living here as an expat, understanding how the Spanish healthcare system works is essential. But how does Spain's public health system compare with the UK's National Health Service and the American healthcare system? And, more importantly, how do you actually get access to it? In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Rea
Importing Your UK Car to Spain: Is It Worth It? Real Life, Real Spain.
Thinking of bringing your British car to Spain? Before you start dreaming about saving thousands of pounds, I think there's one important question you need to ask yourself: will importing your car actually save you money? In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I look at the costs, complications and occasional absurdities of bringing a UK-registered car to Spain after Brexit.
Spain vs America — Who's Getting the Good Life? Real Life, Real Spain.
Is Spain's socialist government delivering a better quality of life, or is America's capitalist approach offering a better route to financial security? In Episode 215 of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I compare the economies, lifestyles and competing ideas shaping life in Spain and the United States. Spain's economy is performing strongly, but behind the impressive GDP figures lies a g
The Forgotten Dead of Salobreña - Real Life, Real Spain.
There's a cemetery just outside Salobreña that I drive past all the time. It looks peaceful enough. Whitewashed walls, flowers, rows of graves and you can see the castle and the Mediterranean down in front of you. But beneath that ground may be the remains of people who have been waiting nearly ninety years to be found. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the forgotten history of the S
Hispanic Day in Spain: The Controversial Story of Christopher Columbus
Why does Spain celebrate Christopher Columbus — and why is his legacy still so controversial? Today the 12 October, Spain celebrates Hispanic Day (Día de la Hispanidad), its national day, with a spectacular military parade in Madrid. But behind the flags, fighter jets and public holiday lies a much more complicated story. In this short episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I explor
Expect the Unexpected: The Magic Roundabouts of Spain - Driving in Spain. Real Life, Real Spain.
Driving in Spain can sometimes feel like an exercise in expecting the unexpected. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I take a humorous look at what it's really like behind the wheel in Spain — from the mysterious art of navigating Spanish roundabouts and the sometimes flexible relationship with lane markings, arrows and indicators, to the motorbikes that seem to appear from nowhere and the ever
Building Your Dream Home in Spain: The Real Cost, Builders & Bureaucracy. - Real Life, Real Spain.
What does it really take to build your dream home in Spain? When we bought our Spanish house in 2016, we thought we'd found paradise. A wreck of a house, yes… but with spectacular views across the Mediterranean to Morocco. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, as it turned out. There was no electricity, no proper drainage and the house had actually moved more than two centimetres after the Sp
Look Up! The Naughty Architecture of Spain. - Real Life - Real Spain
Look Up! The Naughty Architecture of Spain Think Spanish architecture is all cathedrals, castles and grand Gothic buildings? Think again. Look closely — or, more accurately, look up — and Spain's historic buildings reveal a much cheekier side. In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I go hunting for the rude, ridiculous and downright outrageous details hidden in Spanish archi
The 87-Year-Old Spanish Woman Evicted From Her Home: What Really Happened?
In this episode of Spanish Practices, I look beyond the shocking images to ask what actually happened. Why did Maricarmen lose her tenancy? Was she offered alternative accommodation? Who is Urbagestión, the company behind the property? Were the police and social services right to proceed as they did? And what does being forced from the home you've known for more than seven decades do to an elderly
Why Spain No Longer Wants Party-Going Brits Real Life, Real Spain.
Is Spain falling out of love with the British tourist? From Magaluf and Ibiza to Benidorm, Spain is changing the way it deals with drunken party tourism. I'm going to take a look at the crackdown on excessive drinking, pub crawls and all-inclusive booze holidays — and ask whether Spain now wants fewer tourists spending more, rather than millions arriving for cheap beer and sunshine. With personal
Casual Cruelty in Spain - Dogs, Birds and Bullfighting - Real Life, Real Spain.
Casual Cruelty in Spain - Dogs, Birds and Bullfighting Eight puppies in a rubbish bin. A dog abandoned on a piece of string. Birds shot for sport and a little rescue dog called Skippy who survived unimaginable abuse. In this unsettling episode of Spanish Practices, I ask why casual cruelty to animals still exists in Spain — and whether attitudes are finally changing. PLEASE subscribe ot follow thi
Bloody Foreigners: The Migration & Economic Growth in Spain in 2026 Real Life - Real Spain
Spain's economy is booming in 2026 — and foreign workers are playing a surprisingly big role. Why are migrants filling jobs, paying taxes and helping drive economic growth — and what does it mean for Spain's future? From immigration and employment to Spanish schools, education and the future of our children, I will ask and try to answer a really tough question...whether Spain can turn today's gro
Are You Living in Spain… or Just Living in a Little Britain? Real Life, Real Spain, Andalusia
Am I really living in Spain — or have I simply created a little Britain in the sunshine? In this episode, I'll explore what integration really means, from language and Spanish culture to friendship, acceptance and belonging. I'll ask why so many expats stay inside familiar British bubbles — and whether that can quietly limit our happiness and wellbeing. I'll also look at the reality of being an o
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition… in America! 🇪🇸🇺🇸 Real Life in Spain Andalusia
Think the Spanish Inquisition was something that happened in a dark corner of old Europe? Think again. Spain's infamous religious police crossed the Atlantic — and its reach extended into territories that are now part of the United States. In Episode 204, I uncover the surprisingly American story of the Inquisition: the denunciations, secret accusations, torture, confiscated fortunes and spectacul
Moving to Spain? Let AI Do Your Homework - Real Life, Andalusia
Moving to Spain? Don't buy that dream home just yet! 🇪🇸 Could AI save you from making an expensive mistake when buying property in Spain? John Metson discovers how AI can investigate Spanish estate agents, solicitors, directors, reviews, town halls, local news, planning issues and even the Spanish bureaucracy. But there's a catch: AI can be spectacularly wrong. So how do you use AI for Spanish pro
The Rescue Donkeys Fighting Spain's Wildfires - Real Life in Spain, Andalusia
🔥 Could a donkey help save your Spanish home from a wildfire? Spain is facing a new generation of wildfires — hotter, faster and increasingly impossible to fight in the traditional way. So what happens when climate change, abandoned countryside and 40°C+ summers collide? And if you're dreaming of buying a home in Spain, should any of this change your plans? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I'
Ceuta is Burning — but should it change your decision to buy a home in Spain? #201
In this special report, we look at the escalating crisis in Ceuta, the conflicting reports over how many migrants remain, violence on the beaches, people-smuggling boats, Spain's €25 million response, the planned Ceuta Day protests, and the complicated relationship between Spain and Morocco. But what does any of this mean if you're thinking about buying property in Spain?
Why Americans Get Spain Completely Wrong
Thinking of leaving America for the perfect life in Spain? Cheap healthcare, endless sunshine, affordable living and a slower pace of life? Think again. After nearly ten years living in Spain, I will reveal the reality behind the romantic Spanish dream — from 230-volt disasters and language barriers to nudist beaches, Spanish bureaucracy, healthcare, shopping, customer service and a very different
What's That Smell? The Peculiar World of Spanish Plumbing
Why Does My Spanish Bathroom Smell? The Plumbing Mystery Explained There comes a moment when you realise you've properly moved to Spain. It's not your first fiesta. It's not ordering a café con leche in Spanish. It's standing in your beautifully clean bathroom, sniffing suspiciously and asking: "Why does that smell of drains?" Welcome to the peculiar world of Spanish plumbing. In this episode of S
Can You Really Live Rent-Free in Spain in a Motorhome?
Live Rent-Free in Spain? The Motorhome Loophole That Isn't Buy a motorhome. Drive to Spain. Park beside the Mediterranean. Open the door, make a coffee and congratulate yourself on discovering the ultimate way to live in Spain without paying rent. Simple. Except Spain may have a few questions. Motorhome and campervan living is booming, fuelled by rising property prices, scarce rental accommodation
Goats, Romans & the Spanish Inquisition: Spain in 10 Minutes
Three thousand years of Spanish history. Ten minutes. What could possibly go wrong? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I'm attempting the almost certainly foolish task of explaining the history of Spain without drowning you in kings, dates or men with impressive facial hair pointing at maps. Instead, we're following the ordinary people who didn't make history — they simply had to survive it. Me
Want to Live in Spain? The Digital Nomad Visa Could Be Your Ticket
Spain Wants Digital Nomads – But Is It Really That Simple? Imagine swapping the commute for a laptop overlooking the Mediterranean. Spain has become one of the world's most attractive destinations for remote workers — and its Digital Nomad Visa offers non-EU professionals a legal route to actually live here while working abroad. But before you pack the laptop and sunglasses, there's rather more to
Carry on Abroad - The Return of the Package Holiday - Real Life, Real Spain
OR - The Bikini That Changed Spain: How the Package Holiday Conquered the Costas! OR - Bikinis, Benidorm & Brits Abroad: How Tourism Changed Spain How did Spain go from a buttoned-up dictatorship suspicious of bikinis to one of the world's great holiday destinations — and have we now loved it a little too much? In this summer repeat of Spanish Practices, I travel back to the birth of the great Bri
Why Everyone in Spain Ends Up Loving Mercadona
Ever wondered why Mercadona is often called one of the most profitable supermarkets in the world? In this light-hearted episode of Spanish Practices, we explore its fascinating history—from a humble family butcher's shop in Valencia to a retail powerhouse across Spain. We dive into how Mercadona has reinvented the supermarket experience with energy-efficient stores, hot takeaway food, and even pla
Thunderbirds over Franco's Spain – When British TV Invaded Spain - ExPat life in Andalusia
What was it like watching television in Franco's Spain? In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, John looks back at the early days of Spanish TV and the surprising influence of British favourites including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, The Avengers, The Prisoner and Doctor Who. Plus, a personal encounter with Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson — and the day Lady Penelope and
THE SHOCKING BEEHIVE - Episode 5 - A Bolt from the Blue, The Finale - The Marlborough Court Mysteries
A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the ch
THE SHOCKING BEEHIVE - Episode 4 - Short Back and Sides - The Marlborough Court Mysteries
A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the ch
THE SHOCKING BEEHIVE - Episode 3 - The Blue Nun - The Marlborough Court Mysteries
A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the ch
THE SHOCKING BEEHIVE - Episode 2 - Have You Tried Radio? - The Marlborough Court Mysteries
A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the ch
THE SHOCKING BEEHIVE - Episode 1 - Miss Helena Hart! - The Marlborough Court Mysteries
A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the ch
The Gruesome Prisons of Franco's Spain
What was life really like inside Franco's Spanish prisons? As Busman's Holiday reached its dramatic conclusion, we step away from the beaches of the Costa del Sol and behind the walls of one of the darkest chapters in modern Spanish history. In this special episode of Spanish Practices, we explore the harsh reality of Spanish prisons under General Franco's dictatorship. Discover how political pris
THE BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY - Episode 5 - the Finale
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets aw
THE BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY - Episode 4 - A Bus Tale
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets aw
THE BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY - Episode 3 - Liar Liar
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets aw
THE BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY - Episode 2 - The Mijas Drop
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets aw
THE BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY - Episode 1 - Sun Sea and Sir Basil
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets aw
Package Holidays, then and now! ExPat life in Spain Andalusia
Let me take you back sixty years to some of the first Package Holiday's to Spain, Malaga airport is nothing more than a terracotta roofed whitewashed building a rusty Pegaso coach takes you to your hotel, your bed is weirdly firm and breakfast is just coffe, rolls and jam. So much has changed. This is an introduction to another FREE Audiobook, while we take a little break, maybe walk across the n
DEAD AIR - Episode 5 - The Finale
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. P
DEAD AIR - Episode 4 - Roll Out The Barrel
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. P
DEAD AIR - Episode 3 - A Tender Moment
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. P
DEAD AIR - Episode 2 - You Hurt Me!
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. P
DEAD AIR - Episode 1 - Tulipa from Amsterdam
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. P
DEAD AIR - The Prologue
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. P
The Vicar's Last Confession Episode 5 - The Finale
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storyte
The Vicar's Last Confession Episode 4
Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storyte
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