As some of you will know, we have recently moved into a nice detached house (we rent so we can move as and when we want to, and we always get a good price).
Again, as some of you will know, we have cats. We are also aware that some people don't like cats so BEFORE we decided to move in, we spoke with our neighbours to be to see if they have an issue with cats. "Oh, we have a few cats that pass through the place" says he. Not satisfied with his answer, I pointed out that we have cats and asked if he had a problem with that. "Oh no" says he so we went ahead and moved in.
Guess what, it turns out that he was lieing through his teeth (assuming they're his). It turns out both he and his wife HATE cats with a vengeance.
The two times our cats have dared to set paws on their property, they both lashed out at us with so much verbal abuse it really took me by surprise, demanding that we keep our cats off their property. Asking how we are supposed to do that, they bawl and shout at us to keep them locked up in the house!!
Is it our fault they make their property inviting to cats? Is it our fault they make little or no attempt to keep animals off their property? We have put screening up to deter the cats from going into their property but cats will get there if they want to.
This is a retired couple who have nothing better to do and obviously believe the world revolves around them.
They are not prepared to discuss how we can work together to reach a satisfactory conclusion, all they can do is shout and bully so it seems I will have to put them in their place. Norman & Betty beware!

Brotherly love, it don't exist on this urbanisation - and that comes from the letting agents I've subsequently spoken to.

In case you've not been reading the newspapers or you've missed this wonderful piece of news I'll reiterate it here for you.

On 1st September 2012, the Spanish government will be raising the level of IVA (VAT) from its' current level of 18% up to 21%. This means that ALL electrical products and services will be subject to the new higher level of tax. OUCH!!

Unlike the UK, ALL businesses have to charge and pay IVA regardless of level of income - there are no exceptions.

Most businesses will pass on all of the increase regardless but we are looking at ways to see if we can absorb any of the rise in other areas of our operation.

We won't be able to absorb it all but we'll be keeping it to a minimum as we bit the bullet and took the full rise last time around in 2010. We found this to be a good move because we increased our business which meant we didn't notice the extra taxes we were paying which in turn meant our clients got a better deal which is what we're all about.

OK, bottom line. We cannot absorb the tax on your phone calls but as they cost so little to start with the rise will be negligible anyway, you will still have call rates starting at less than half a cent a minute. On everything else, we should be able to absorb all or some of the rise so you will find very little difference overall.

So, if you've been thinking about taking up any of our services, now is the time to take the plunge and beat the increases!