The End of Cozy Valencian Civilisation

Usually we talk about really positive things on this page from Valencia's perspective but for me the latest thing to happen is a negative personally. Starbucks is opening soon in Valencia. I really don't see the point of Starbucks in Spain when really the most awful looking greasy spoon cafe will do far superior coffee at a third of the price. Nevertheless, branding seems to win out again as the place is a huge success in Madrid and some close friends commented that their daughter was ecstatic about the news; and she doesn't even drink coffee!!
On a more positive note for anyone visiting their house next year or thinking of buying one, we will have first division football every weekend as Levante were promoted yesterday, meaning we now have two representatives in the first division.

Updates and the World Cup

Obviously updates have been thin on the ground recently. Let's blame a couple of factors, being very busy and the World Cup.
We were preparing a couple of signings for last Friday which finally went through at the same time although one of them meant four hours of tension in the Notary's office and we have had quite a lot of visits and new properties coming in. I 8Graham) seem to spend much too much time in front of the computer updating files and databases since Sal had to leave us so I cannot wait for September.
As for the World Cup, it's the world upside down. Every day it has been hotter in Germany than in Valencia which just doesn't seem right to me. The last World Cup in Germany in 74 was characterised by rain, rain and more rain and the unusual sight of Aussies playing football. This time the Aussies are there again but the rain at the moment has deserted the planet. Global warming strikes again.

Formula One in Valencia

Bernie Ecclestone visited a couple of weeks ago to look at the racetrack at Cheste and see if it was OK for Formula One. It seems that he decided that it was but he still wouldn't have the race there, he would have it around the port, avenida de Francia and Science Park in order to promote what he described as the "hidden jewel" that is Valencia. Apparently he was so impressed that he said it would be better than Montecarlo. It looks as if the circuit will be 4300m long and pass by the new Marina and beachfront as well as the science museum. All seems set to go for 2008 replacing the European Grand Prix in Germany. We shall see but again it looks like big events in Valencia will increase the exposure of the area giving another push to prices and it would seem to be good news for investors in the city above all.