Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real Spain
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
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
The Vicar's Last Confession Episode 3
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 2
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 1
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
Sunshine, Secrets and Carnaby Street Sleuths
This summer, Spanish Practices takes a different turn. Join me for the first of The Marlborough Court Mysteries, a series of bite-sized 1960s detective stories featuring private investigator Horace Finch. From Cold War conspiracies beneath London to pirate radio murders and the first package holidays to Spain's Costa del Sol, these atmospheric mysteries blend real history with classic British crim
The Great Spanish Summer Getaway
What really happens in Spain after San Juan? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the great Spanish summer getaway — from midnight sea rituals and bonfires on the beach to empty town halls, vanished officials, delayed paperwork, Amazon delivery chaos, packed beaches and fiestas everywhere. A funny, affectionate look at why Spain seems to shut down for summer… and why normal lif
The Customer Is Always Wrong in Spain? Tales of Fridges, Refunds and Red Tape
Have you ever felt that the customer is always wrong? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the fascinating, frustrating and often hilarious world of customer service in Spain. From a refrigerator that was dropped down a flight of stairs, to a missing-key tuna tin that somehow found its way back onto a supermarket shelf, these are real stories of refunds, complaints, bureaucracy and cons
Why Is There a Cow Outside Every ALE-HOP? And Who Owns Spain's Chinese Stores?
Need a phone charger, a frying pan, a garden hose and a plastic flamingo during siesta? In Spain, there's a shop for that... If you've ever wandered into an ALE-HOP for a phone charger and emerged twenty minutes later carrying a flamingo-shaped lamp, a beach towel and a notebook you didn't need, this episode is for you. This week I explore two of the most familiar sights in modern Spain: the famou
In praise of ibérico ham - ExPat life in Spain
Why is jamón ibérico considered one of the world's finest foods? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the fascinating 2,000-year history of Spain's most prized ham, from the Celts and Romans to the Reconquista and modern luxury dining. Discover why the famous black Iberian pig produces such extraordinary flavour, how hams are cured in mountain villages like Trevélez, the role pork playe
Barcelona Is Killing Airbnb? Where Smart Holiday Let Investors Are Moving Next - Real ExPat Life - Real Spain
Barcelona wants to phase out thousands of tourist apartment licences by 2028, but is this really the end of Airbnb in Spain's most visited city? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the truth behind the headlines, the growing backlash against overtourism, and what record visitor numbers mean for property owners and investors. I also look at whether holiday let investing still makes sens
Smoking in Spain: Cigarettes, Cannabis and Chaos
Is marijuana really legal in Spain? Why do so many Spaniards still smoke cigarettes? And how big is the illegal tobacco trade from Morocco? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore Spain's complicated relationship with smoking. From packed café terraces and rising cigarette prices to cannabis clubs, marijuana laws, health risks, cigarette smuggling, and the devastating wildfires caused by d
The Great Paella Scandal – Spain vs Jamie Oliver!
PAELLA ON TRIAL! This week I put three legendary British TV chefs before the Spanish culinary courts for possible crimes against Paella. Mary Berry goes elegant but dangerously oven-friendly… Jamie Oliver commits the ultimate Spanish sin by adding chorizo… while Keith Floyd cooks dangerously close to authenticity with wine in hand and chaos in the pan. But who creates the MOST authentic Paella? I
The Dark Side of Benidorm, Drugs, Muggings and Prostitution
Benidorm is famous for sunshine, cheap beer and wild nightlife — but beneath the neon lights lies a darker side. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the reality of drugs, muggings, organised prostitution and tourist scams in Benidorm's notorious English Zone and "The Strip." I also take a look at Spain's unusual prostitution laws, the rise in police raids, drink spiking concerns, and w
The Biggest Mistake Visitors Make at the Alhambra in 2026
OFFICIAL ALHAMBRA TICKETS - https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es Discover the magic of the Alhambra in this insider's guide to one of Spain's most breathtaking landmarks. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the stunning Nasrid Palaces, the peaceful Generalife Gardens, the ancient fortress of the Alcazaba and why the Alhambra is considered a true wonder of the world. I also reveal pra
"Wish You Were Here" – From Prawn Cocktail Spain to Infinity Pools - Judith Chalmers
I remember Judith Chalmers and the golden age of Spanish package holidays? In this special edition of Spanish Practices, I take a nostalgic trip from the prawn cocktail resorts of the 1970s to today's luxury infinity pools, boutique hotels and Instagram-ready Spain. From Benidorm and Torremolinos to Mallorca and the Costa del Sol, discover how Spain became Britain's favourite sunshine escape — and
Why does Granada keep shaking? The Hidden Fault Line beneath the Costa Tropical
In this episode I explore the fascinating and sometimes frightening history of earthquakes along the Costa Tropical and Granada province. From the devastating 1804 Motril earthquake to the constant small tremors still detected today, I look at why southern Spain is one of the most seismically active regions in Europe. Discover the science behind the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, the recent
Spain Just Shifted Right… Should British Expats In Andalusia Be Worried? Special Edition
Spain has shifted politically — and Andalucía may never look the same again. In this Special Edition of Spanish Practices, I explore the shock election results in Andalucía, the collapse of the PSOE in its historic heartland, and the growing influence of the far-right Vox party. Could Conservative PP's Juanma Moreno now be forced into a deal with Vox? And what might that mean for British and Irish
