The economic recovery in Spain continues to be tepid with a 0.2% increase in GDP in the second quarter. This came on the heels of a 0.1% increase in the first 3 months of 2010. It looks like Europe's 5th largest economy is slowly coming out of its worst recession in years, however it still constitutes around 2.6% of the world economy according to the World Bank, which means that in percentage terms it occupies the same significant place.

We are passionate about golf, but Spain's basketball match yesterday had us on the edge of our seat. Spain lost by one point to the USA team in the World Cup Games in Turkey, in a result that was hanging until the last second. Gasol's foul in the last moments enabled the US team to win 86-85.
Better luck next time!

It seems that we are marking the high temperatures for the year, near 40 degrees Celsius on the coast. Luckily in Los Arqueros we are about a degree lower - under the circumstances even one degree is much appreciated! Remember your hat and suncream when you go golfing.

It's well-known by now that the Obama family (though not the president himself) will be staying at Villa Padierna in Benahavis for their holiday. At a stone's throw away in Los Arqueros Golf we hope to feel some of the positive impact that this prestigious visit will have. There are hopes that the Obama family visit confirms the recovery of the status of the Marbella area as a luxury destination.
One thing for sure for the more cynical amongst us, many roads around the area have already been repaved and widened! Let's hope we see more of the same.

And not just for the bullish real-estate market variety. The Catalonian parliament has declared that bullfighting will be banned in Catalunia from 2012. While not being a clear majority vote (48% were against the ban), it does send a clear signal of change in the attitudes of Spanish people and will hopefully spread to other regions too. We expect Andalucia to be the last to accept such a ban, given their history, but the pressure is surely felt nevertheless.