{"id":46801,"date":"2026-06-27T08:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T08:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/46801\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T08:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T08:04:28","slug":"my-second-home-in-spain-is-too-hot-to-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/46801\/","title":{"rendered":"My second home in Spain is too hot to use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rising temperatures in southern Europe are forcing many Brits with holiday homes to rethink their summer plans. Andrew Taylor, 61 , a care company owner from Liverpool who owns a villa in Alicante, Spain<\/a> and a townhouse in Cianciana, Sicily, tells Silvia Marchetti how it is affecting him. <\/p>\n

I should already have been in Europe<\/a> by now, as I come and go often to visit my holiday homes \u2013 but this summer it\u2019s just too hot<\/a>. I never thought it could get so hot in June in Spain \u2013 usually, at this time of year it\u2019s in the 20\u00b0Cs. The heatwave is forcing me to delay \u2013 I won\u2019t go until September.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I bought my first holiday home in Spain<\/a> in 1999, and have since owned and sold five homes in Cabo Roig, in the province of Alicante. My current house, purchased last year for \u20ac276,000, is a three-bedroom seafront villa with a pool and roof terrace. <\/p>\n

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The UK has one of the most stable\u00a0electricity grids\u00a0in the world.<\/p>\n

But no country\u2019s energy system is 100 per cent secure and large-scale blackouts, although rare, are possible. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to prepare, and what could happen, if we do have a blackout.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

The immediate effects <\/p>\n

If the UK\u2019s power went down tomorrow, these are the ways it is likely to impact you first.<\/p>\n

You\u2019d get stuck in lifts, wherever you are in the lift shaft.<\/p>\n

Trains would be stopped as the signals depend on electricity.<\/p>\n

Traffic lights would stop working on the roads \u2013 leading to congestion or crashes.<\/p>\n

Contactless payments are likely to fail.<\/p>\n

Your Wi-Fi at home would stop working and communication becomes difficult.<\/p>\n

Fridges and freezers will turn off \u2013 unless you have a standalone generator \u2013 and food will spoil over time.<\/p>\n

Hospitals and water treatment works have their own backup generators so will keep going until their supply runs out.<\/p>\n

How transport would be affected<\/p>\n

\"ThisCaption: This photograph taken on April 29, 2026 shows people charging their electric vehicles at a charging station in Kathmandu. As global fuel markets reel from the Middle East war, motorists in Nepal are increasingly turning to electric vehicles, with high demand putting a strain on dealerships. (Photo by Prakash MATHEMA \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ TO GO WITH \u2018Nepal-Transport-Automobile-Energy\u2019 FOCUS
Photographer: PRAKASH MATHEMA
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

For EV owners that are already on the road, Professor Keith Bell, who works in electricity planning, recommends that those with an EV with reasonable charge use it as a generator, like your own store of electricity. <\/p>\n

In the case of the power system going down, petrol isn\u2019t a totally safe option as queues at petrol stations could be huge and places are likely to run out of fuel. <\/p>\n

\nThe longer term effects\n<\/p>\n

The longer the power takes to return the worse things are likely to get. In 2021 Storm Arwen physically damaged power lines across the UK.<\/p>\n

\"AWithout nuclear to take the strain, that exposure to gas is costing us dear (Photo: Catherine Falls Commercial\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"FILECaption: FILE PHOTO: A row of electricity pylons is seen near the Frodsham on shore wind farm in Frodsham, Britain, September 5, 2023. REUTERS\/Phil Noble\/File Photo
Photographer: Phil Noble
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS<\/p>\n

During the 1977 New York blackout, which lasted 25 hours, there was civil unrest, resulting in widespread looting and arson, although intense heatwaves are thought to have exacerbated the situation.<\/p>\n

\nThings to buy now to prepare\n<\/p>\n

\"GreatThe Russian state-owned Sputnik news agency took over the BBC\u2019s radio frequency in Lebanon (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Battery radio<\/p>\n

To get updates during a power cut \u2013 a car radio can be used, but in severe weather it might be safer to stay inside.<\/p>\n

Bottled water<\/p>\n

A minimum of 2.5-3 litres of drinking water per person per day is recommended.<\/p>\n

\"PlasticCaption: Plastic bottle with clean water on a blue background.
Photographer: SimpleImages
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

\"TOPSHOTA Cuban rides his bike during a nation wide blackout in Havana on 21 March (Photo: Yamil Lage\/AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Wind-up torch<\/p>\n

The Government recommends opting for torches over candles, for safety reasons.<\/p>\n

\nHow to prepare\n<\/p>\n

A blackout is unlikely but we should make small changes.<\/p>\n

If possible, don\u2019t let your petrol tank run down to almost empty. Keep it over half full so you\u2019re never caught short.<\/p>\n

Always have a portable power bank, and spare batteries, to charge your phone and other essentials.<\/p>\n

As card machines could fail, keep some cash at home.<\/p>\n

To keep yourself distracted and entertained, keep board games and a pack of cards handy to play. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Eight easy ways to stop
your child spending summer glued to their devices<\/p>\n

Not all screen time is bad<\/p>\n

Using screens in a way that benefits your\u00a0child\u2019s development\u00a0is key and balancing educational content and entertainment with offline activities ensures a well-rounded routine.<\/p>\n

DR GUMMER<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nHow to keep your kids off screens\n<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Outdoor activities<\/p>\n

For younger children, try scavenger hunts, garden games and nature walks. For older ones, hikes
and biking trips.<\/p>\n

Create a schedule<\/p>\n

Designated screen-free times helps children develop a routine that balances screen use with other activities.<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: Mid adult man with eyeglasses sitting on a comfortable sofa at home, thoughtfully writing notes in a small notebook while natural sunlight illuminates the room
Photographer: Milan Markovic
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Family game nights<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an excellent way
to bond and develop critical thinking skills.<\/p>\n

\nHow to keep your kids off screens\n<\/p>\n

Creative hobbies<\/p>\n

Getting creative, through drawing, painting or model construction, enhances cognitive skills and offers an alternative to screens.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Social interaction<\/p>\n

Arrange playdates or group activities with friends, or for older kids try an overnight camping trip in the garden.<\/p>\n

\nHow to keep your kids off screens\n<\/p>\n

Lead by example<\/p>\n

Showing that you value offline time encourages your children to do the same.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Have a reward<\/p>\n

Implement a reward system where screen time is earned through positive behaviour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Open conversations<\/p>\n

Discuss the importance of balancing screen time with your children so they understand the reasons behind the rules.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Can following a particular diet
help prevent or delay\u00a0dementia?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some studies suggest so. <\/p>\n

These are the eight brain-boosting foods registered dietitian\u00a0Fareeha Jay
recommends people consume as part of a weekly diet\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nFoods that can cut dementia risk\n<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A detail of cracked egg falling into the pan as woman holds egg shells in both hands.
Photographer: SimpleImages
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Eggs<\/p>\n

They contain several nutrients thought to\u00a0support brain health, including choline, vitamin B12 and iodine.<\/p>\n

Coffee<\/p>\n

Caffeine can reduce inflammation and
slow the degeneration
of brain cells.<\/p>\n

\"BaristaBarista hand making cappuccino Coffee with espresso machine in cafe \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"RoastingCooking fruit and vegetables (Photor: GMVozd\/Getty Images\/E+)<\/p>\n

Broccoli<\/p>\n

It\u2019s packed with antioxidants and high in vitamin K, which is essentially for healthy brain cells.<\/p>\n

Fibre is overlooked in dementia prevention<\/p>\n

\"CookieCaption: Cookie jar, tea, wine, nuts, books, lit candles and Christmas decorations on the table. Cozy Christmas hygge at home. Selective focus.
Photographer: Jelena990
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

To increase fibre intake, include wholegrains, nuts, seeds, lentils, and legumes.<\/p>\n

Fermented foods also support brain health by improving the gut microbiome.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\nFoods that can cut dementia risk\n<\/p>\n

\"\"(Photo: Joff Lee\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Oily fish<\/p>\n

Your brain uses Omega-3s to build brain and nerve cells \u2013 so a diet rich in them may\u00a0slow age-related mental decline.<\/p>\n

Walnuts<\/p>\n

These improve heart health markers, which is linked to a lower risk of neurological disorders.<\/p>\n

\"VariousHealth professionals are nuts about nuts \u2013 with good reason!<\/p>\n

\"ASupermarkets report increasing demand for blueberries (Photo: RHS\/Guy Harrop)<\/p>\n

Blueberries<\/p>\n

They contain compounds which have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, cognitive function, and memory.<\/p>\n

\nThe Mind diet\n<\/p>\n

The diet aims to reduce\u00a0dementia risk\u00a0and the decline in brain health.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was created in 2015 by Dr Martha Clare Morris and colleagues at Rush University Medical Centre and the Harvard Chan School of Public Health.<\/p>\n

It encourages vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish, beans, and poultry.<\/p>\n

These foods contain nutrients that promote good brain health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.<\/p>\n

\"D?sseldorf,The Midlife MOT is open to all and covers three key areas: work, wealth and well-being (Photo: Westend61\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Feeling insecure at work
in your 50s? You\u2019re not alone <\/p>\n

The final decades of work<\/p>\n

There\u2019s this assumption about being put out to pasture\u2026 but now that we\u2019re living and working longer, we have to challenge myths around ageing and remember that over-50s are a crucial part of the workforce\u2026<\/p>\n

LYNDSEY SIMPSON, AUTHOR OF AGE REBELLION AND FOUNDER OF 55\/REDEFINED<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe current situation\n<\/p>\n

By 2030, almost half of all employees in the UK workforce will be over 50.<\/p>\n

36%<\/p>\n

Now one in three workers are over 50.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yet more than a third of those between 50 and 69 believe that their age puts them at a disadvantage when they apply for jobs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

37%<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Age Without Limits\u00a0study from 2024 shows that 37 per cent of workers between 51 to 70 felt badly treated in work because of their age.<\/p>\n

\nThe things to do, says Simpson\n<\/p>\n

\"OnlineMore and more people are using AI for counselling (Photo: Oscar Wong\/Getty\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

Keep learning new skills<\/p>\n

We need the same level of career planning in
our fifties as our twenties. It\u2019s possible to reinvent yourself again.<\/p>\n

Embrace technology<\/p>\n

It\u2019s nonsense that older people can\u2019t pick up how to use new tech.<\/p>\n

\"John?rCaption: John?r Bildbyr? AB
+46 8 644 83 30
www.johner.se
info@johner.se
sales@johner.se
Photographer: Johner Images
Provider: Getty Images\/Johner RF
Source: Johner RF
Copyright: John?r Images\/Lisa ?berg<\/p>\n

\"ThisCaption: This is a photo of a woman clutching a pink piggy bank labelled pension. See PA Feature FINANCE Pension Pots. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FINANCE Pension Pots. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Alamy\/PA<\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FINANCE Pension Pots<\/p>\n

Photographer: Alamy\/PA
Provider: Alamy\/PA
Source: PA<\/p>\n

Think about money<\/p>\n

Do you need a pay rise? Could you trade some of that money you earn, to work a bit less, and do more things you enjoy?<\/p>\n

\nThe things not to do\n<\/p>\n

Become full-time childcare<\/p>\n

Grandparenting on the horizon? If you don\u2019t want to do childcare, have the conversation early \u2013 even before a child becomes pregnant \u2013 that you plan to continue working and love your job.<\/p>\n

\"IndoorCaption: Indoor image of thoughtful puzzled senior woman with gray hair in glasses looking at paycheck holding head in hand, upset with high rent charge, sitting at kitchen table in front of laptop
Photographer: shurkin_son
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

\"GrandparentsGrandparents and granddaughter gardening together \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Accept redundancy too quickly<\/p>\n

It\u2019s going to be so much harder to get back into work if you don\u2019t have a plan before you take that leap.<\/p>\n

\nThe things not to do\n<\/p>\n

Rush into retirement<\/p>\n

\"SeniorSenior bed woman problem pain headache home elderly mature pain bedroom upset unhappy female caucasian adult relationship retirement old difficulty ache head sick migraine hangover sleep \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Everybody thinks early retirement is the dream but the reality can be different. There can be loneliness, lack of purpose and a sense of invisibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

By November, UK food prices\u00a0will be 50 per cent higher than they were at the start of the\u00a0cost-of-living crisis\u00a0<\/p>\n

With that in mind, food editor Sophie Morris shares how she saves money on her weekly shop<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nEasy ways to save on the weekly shop\n<\/p>\n

\"NORTHWICH,Caption: NORTHWICH, ENGLAND \u2013 JULY 06: Whole chicken sit on display in a Tesco supermarket on July 06, 2022 in Northwich, England. The British Retail Consortium recently said food manufacturers and supermarkets are having to pass on some of the cost of soaring raw materials to consumers, leading to the price of basic goods throughout the UK rising at the fastest pace since September 2008. Fresh food prices increased by 6% in the year to June 2022 coupled with an increase in inflation, and fuel and energy prices to create a cost of living crisis. This is leading to millions of low-income households going without essentials items, falling behind on bills and taking on debt. (Photo by Christopher Furlong\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Christopher Furlong
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n

Avoid chicken breast<\/p>\n

Boneless chicken thighs are all meat and a much tastier product.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t plan everything<\/p>\n

If you plan every meal all week, there\u2019s no leeway for necessary last-minute changes of plan (or leftovers).<\/p>\n

\"ManMan Cooking By Woman Chopping Carrots In Kitchen \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"YoungGovernments are not all powerful when it comes to huge international forces like those increasing global food prices (Photo: Oscar Wong\/Getty Images\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

Shop alone<\/p>\n

There are so many products that children want to fill the trolley with \u2013 all kinds of exciting eye candy.\u00a0It\u2019s cheaper to go alone.<\/p>\n

\nEasy ways to save on the weekly shop\n<\/p>\n

Consider a vegetable box delivery<\/p>\n

Having a Riverford box delivery helps Morris avoid impulse buys and go to the shops
less \u2013 even though the box is pricey. \u201cIt is expensive, but of great quality\u00a0and organic\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"AMilk and potatoes prices are expected to increases sharply later this year, say supply chain experts (Photo: Kate Wieser\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"LowLow carb, FODMAP diet food background with vegetables, fruits, smoked salmon, chicken fillet, greens, nuts, olives. Menu for healthy eating . \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Track your spending<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t need to be an elaborate spreadsheet but without some kind of metric, it\u2019s impossible to spot where you
can or must make cutbacks.<\/p>\n

\nEasy ways to save on the weekly shop\n<\/p>\n

\"LoyaltyThe supermarket loyalty schemes vary in their generosity (Photo: Paul Childs\/Reuters)<\/p>\n

Look for yellow stickers<\/p>\n

You can save plenty
over a year by never buying branded products at full price.<\/p>\n

Take stock<\/p>\n

Do a quick cupboard stocktake. You might find you already have three jars of one thing. <\/p>\n

\"Mid-AdultMid-Adult Couple Calculating Their Finances On The Laptop In The Kitchen \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"dieting\u201cSoft restrictions\u201d aren\u2019t infallible; we can always make the effort to get a ladder and get the biscuit tin down from the highest shelf (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Avoid packaged snacks<\/p>\n

Packing fruit, biscuits, and nuts etc into a Tupperware to take out is more cost effective than buying tiny packaged portions.<\/p>\n

\nEasy ways to save on the weekly shop\n<\/p>\n

Be wary of DIY treats<\/p>\n

\u201cFaking\u201d a takeaway at home can sound like a cheaper option, but if it\u2019s something you don\u2019t usually cook \u2013 that needs new ingredients \u2013 it could work out pricier.<\/p>\n

\"AWhatever you buy, buy British if you can. That will help boost fishermen\u2019s finances (Photo: Betty Laura Zapata\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A customer looks at packages of chilled chicken cuts in a part-empty refrigerated display unit at a Lidl supermarket store in Walthamstow, west London, on September 21, 2021. (Photo by Tolga Akmen \/ AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN\/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: TOLGA AKMEN
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Do you need it now?<\/p>\n

Returning a few things to the shelves that you won\u2019t need in the near future can save you a healthy amount.<\/p>\n

Skip a shop<\/p>\n

Every time you make do with what\u2019s at home,
you save big.<\/p>\n

\"ShoppingSupermarkets will find ways of holding down the price of the basics, and try to make their money on the fancy lines (Photo: Roy James Shakespeare\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\nEasy ways to save on
the weekly shop\n<\/p>\n

Try a week or a month of shopping local,
and you might be surprised at the results,
in terms of cost and other benefits like supporting local businesses, and
avoiding car journeys and traffic.<\/p>\n

\"Supermarket,Defenders of the triple Lock point to the fact pensioners are often asset-rich and income-poor. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Go shopping when you\u2019re not in a huge rush so you can make relaxed and informed decisions. Don\u2019t expect to stick to your\u00a0plan or make great choices when you\u2019re in a hurry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a cleaner for 30 years \u2013 these are the 10 products I swear by<\/p>\n

Rebecca Jones has tried most cleaning products in her
decades-long career. <\/p>\n

She shares the ones she can\u2019t
live without. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe 10 best cleaning products\n<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Best vacuum<\/p>\n

Henry is a classic.
It has fantastic filters, sucks up pet hair quickly, and is great at cleaning up fine dust.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best mop and bucket<\/p>\n

The Vileda H2PrO set is light, manoeuvrable and keeps clean and dirty water separate.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"PortraitA reader has asked whether or not she should sack her cleaner because she isn\u2019t doing a good job anymore (Photo: stock image of a man cleaning a window via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Best glass cleaner<\/p>\n

The HG Glass and
Mirror cleaner removes stains without leaving smudges or streaks. <\/p>\n

\nThe 10 best cleaning products\n<\/p>\n

Best multipurpose cleaner<\/p>\n

Method\u2019s multi-surface cleaner is plant-based, cruelty-free, and works great on grease, sinks, sealed wood surfaces, hobs, bins and sealed laminated floors.<\/p>\n

\"DeepDeep cleaning glass door handles for Covid-19 disease prevention. alcohol,disinfectant spray on Wipes of Banister in home for safety,infection of Covid-19 virus,contamination, germs \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Best toilet brush <\/p>\n

Unlike a regular toilet brush, nothing gets stuck in the bristles of Ibergrif M34152 Silicone brush. It also dries quickly, so
there\u2019s less odour.<\/p>\n

\nThe 10 best cleaning products\n<\/p>\n

Best mould remover<\/p>\n

Jones uses the HG Mould Spray on walls, tiles, grout, windows and outdoor furniture.<\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: boonchai wedmakawand\/Getty\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Best cloths<\/p>\n

The Seep Eco Bamboo clothes have a streak-free finish and last.<\/p>\n

Best carpet cleaner<\/p>\n

Every home should have a bottle\u00a0of Dr Beckmann\u2019s stain remover, says Jones.<\/p>\n

\"DrCaption: Dr Beckmann Power Brush Stain Remover
Image from https:\/\/www.dr-beckmann.co.uk\/products\/pre-wash-stain-devils\/<\/p>\n

\nThe 10 best cleaning products\n<\/p>\n

Best stain remover<\/p>\n

The Mr Siga Multi-Functional Eraser Sponge acts like fine sandpaper to\u00a0lift
dirt, stains, and scuffs\u00a0using only water.<\/p>\n

\"hand(Photo: Viktoriya Skorikova\/Getty Images\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Best kept secret<\/p>\n

Jones uses Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser to polish stainless-steel, scour sinks and clean her fridge and cookware. <\/p>\n

Around 957,000 people aged 16 to 24 are classed as NEET ie. not in Education, Employment or Training<\/p>\n

But as youth unemployment rises, not all companies
are looking to universities to find their new recruits. Meet the people who have benefitted. <\/p>\n

\"UniversityPoorer graduates will be hit hardest by the changes, the National Union of Students says (Photo: Andrew Fox\/Getty\/Image Bank)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

For young people unable to attend uni<\/p>\n

My whole life was being a carer, so I was very lost\u2026<\/p>\n

From the age of around 10, Bruce Devlin took responsibility for everything at home \u2013 from administering his mother\u2019s medication, to doing the shopping, cooking, cleaning and supporting his mother\u2019s mental health.<\/p>\n

He scraped through school, leaving with the lowest grades.<\/p>\n

Now, aged 26, he has secured a job by pursuing an unconventional route. <\/p>\n

The charities helping them<\/p>\n

Bruce followed an unconventional route.<\/p>\n

Getting a foot\u00a0in the door seemed impossible with his qualifications, lack of experience and connections.<\/p>\n

His Job Centre work coach put him in touch with Generation, a non-profit which partners with companies to identify roles which they are struggling to fill.<\/p>\n

He landed a place on Generation\u2019s first IT support boot camp and benefited from CV and interview coaching.<\/p>\n

Bruce is now a level three senior quality engineer with 2i Testing, a company which tests other companies\u2019 software.<\/p>\n

The result<\/p>\n

Getting a full-time salary and being a contributing member of society is an amazing achievement. Without this, I\u2019d be just another person on jobseeker\u2019s allowance, wasting any potential I had.<\/p>\n

BRUCE DEVLIN, 26, GLASGOW<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe apprenticeship route\n<\/p>\n

Jessica Andrea Carvalho had an offer to start a media and marketing degree but she rejected it at the last minute to avoid huge debt and years of classroom learning.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Avoiding increasing
NEET numbers <\/p>\n

\"YoungYoung woman at her first job interview with the owner of a coffee shop \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Generation placed 700 people
like Bruce in jobs last year.<\/p>\n

The number of placements has jumped 20 per cent from last year.<\/p>\n

42 per cent of their learners come from the UK\u2019s most deprived areas.<\/p>\n

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Big Read<\/p>\n

10 min read<\/p>\n

\"YoungPlan 5 applies to students who began university courses on or after August 2023
(Photo: Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez\/Getty Images\/
Source: Moment RF)<\/p>\n

What do employers think?<\/p>\n

Creating more routes in is not just about opportunity \u2013 it helps bring in talent with different experiences.<\/p>\n

Paula Cunnington, the chief talent officer for Publicis Groupe UK, a network of marketing agencies that has hired 79 apprentices, says curiosity and real-world experience are far better indicators of future success.<\/p>\n

Up to 75 per cent of us in the UK are not drinking enough water.<\/p>\n

The human body can survive for a time without food, but it cannot survive for long without water.<\/p>\n

Here are the signs you need more fluids, according to a GP.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nHow much we should drink\n<\/p>\n

Water is the most vital component for life.<\/p>\n

6-8<\/p>\n

NHS guidelines advise we should be drinking six to eight glasses of fluid per day.<\/p>\n

This does vary depending on our activity levels, the weather, and if we are ill.<\/p>\n

80%<\/p>\n

An estimated 50-80 per cent of our bodies and brains being made up of water.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It allows us to deliver nutrients to cells in our blood, lubricates our joints, regulates our temperature and much more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHow to stay hydrated\n<\/p>\n

What to drink<\/p>\n

Not all fluids are the same \u2013 water takes top spot, as it hydrates without sugars or calories, but lower-fat milks,\u00a0sugar-free drinks\u00a0or moderate amounts of tea and coffee can all count towards fluid intake.<\/p>\n

\"AsianCaption: Asian girl grocery shopping in supermarket. She is choosing fresh fruit juice along the beverage aisle, reading the nutrition label and checking ingredients on the bottle. Making a healthier food choice and balanced diet. Healthy eating lifestyle
Photographer: d3sign
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

\"CheerfulA reader bemoans that his children spend money on fancy coffees and holidays with friends, never having a penny left each month
(Photo: Getty\/Gorica Poturak)<\/p>\n

What to avoid<\/p>\n

Limit smoothies and fruit juices to 150ml per day because the sugar causes dental decay.<\/p>\n

\nSigns you\u2019re not drinking enough\n<\/p>\n

1. Our brains<\/p>\n

\"AThe pain from migraines is sometimes described as feeling like you\u2019ve had an axe blow to the head (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

When dehydrated, we can display an exaggerated response to pain and experience\u00a0headaches. Concentration, attention, reaction times and short-term memory can also all be negatively impacted.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

\nSigns you\u2019re not drinking enough\n<\/p>\n

2. Our bodies<\/p>\n

Another common sign of dehydration is constipation. Our skin can look duller, be less bouncy to the touch and be less elastic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TiredTired Asian businesswoman working on a laptop computer in the office \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Closeup(Photo: Ekaterina Demidova\/Getty).<\/p>\n

3. Our psychology<\/p>\n

Research has shown that even mild dehydration can lead us to feel more moody, stressed and irritable. We can also feel more tired than usual, with less energy and motivation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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My one-bedroom home in Cianciana, rural Sicily \u2013 bought in 2014 for \u00a340,000 \u2013 is simpler and located in the village\u2019s old district with a panoramic roof terrace. I visit Alicante about six times per year, for beach and sunshine. Sicily \u2013 which I love for culture and tradition \u2013 a bit less. <\/p>\n

I never gave much thought to the risk of rising temperatures when I was younger, but now my perspective has changed. There have always been moments when it\u2019s been insanely hot in Spain<\/a>, but it\u2019s now difficult to refute the evidence that the planet is getting warmer. Back in the noughties, the heat was still somewhat bearable in Spain. In summer, it never reached more than 30\u00b0C, but last year it was shockingly stifling along Alicante\u2019s coast, peaking at 40\u00b0C in July. In that kind of heat you can\u2019t function, mentally nor physically. All of Spain has gotten hotter, with Madrid now often touching 45\u00b0C during heat peaks. <\/p>\n

I struggle to cope with the heat as I get older. Today, I find anything over 30\u00b0C to be too much really to bear. After all, I\u2019m British \u2013 if you\u2019re an Italian, Spaniard or Greek who was born and brought up in such an environment, then you\u2019re more acclimatised to it.<\/p>\n

So, the hot summers are limiting when I can use my holiday homes. Last summer, in Alicante, I found it incredibly difficult to do anything at all during the day. I would go out at 7am in the morning to avoid the sultry hours, then go back home at 9am and have lunch with friends or just sit around till 7.30pm, when the heat slightly abated and I could go out again. I avoided peak hours of direct sun, I couldn\u2019t sleep well and enjoyed dozing off in a post-lunch siesta like the Spanish do. <\/p>\n

All you can do during the day is try to stay out of the sun, in air-con. Or in an ideal scenario, spend the day in the sea, on the shallows.<\/p>\n

So, I\u2019ve decided to write-off going to Spain in July and August. You spend over the odds to travel because of the cost of a plane ticket during the UK school holidays, and then when you\u2019re there you spend the whole day trying to stay out of the sun and heat. I feel frustrated, but it is even harder for families. I see them on the beach, running across the sand to stop their feet getting burnt.<\/p>\n

Last summer, it also was hot in September in Alicante, so I started thinking that perhaps there was no point anymore in paying to get on a plane to fly to a burning hell. But I love the place and have made nice friends \u2013 I would never abandon it. Ultimately, I don\u2019t regret buying the homes, and am not considering selling right now. <\/p>\n

While Cianciana is on the same latitude as Alicante, it\u2019s warmer in winter and hotter in summer. I was there one year when temperatures hit 45\u00b0C. Even the locals, accustomed to heatwaves, complained they couldn\u2019t cope with it. <\/p>\n

Now, though, even the UK is getting too hot. I\u2019ve been holidaying in Jersey this week, and it\u2019s been 36\u00b0C. I\u2019ve used the same habits I do in Spain \u2013 only going out in the early morning and at night. I decided to visit the Jersey war tunnels, to avoid the heat in a cool underground spot.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t have air-con here, of course. When I return home from the shops I\u2019m soaking wet from sweating. I struggle to sleep, and take a siesta just like in Spain. I guess the Mediterranean climate has invaded the UK.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rising temperatures in southern Europe are forcing many Brits with holiday homes to rethink their summer plans. Andrew…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":46802,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1936,418,4496,17],"class_list":["post-46801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-spain","tag-expats","tag-features","tag-heatwave","tag-spain"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46801\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}