How strange that from the last weekend of August to this the first in September Spain's Costa Tropical returns to normality and the crowds of tourists dramatically fall off. The beaches may still be filling but at least you can now find someplace to put your towel!

The soaring temperatures of the last two months dropping a few degrees to a more comfortable 25 to 27 degrees, the Costa Tropical returns to its more conventional pace and with the arrival of September we can move around with greater ease and comfort. Even the weekly supermarket run becomes pleasurable – with less queues and fewer people to get in the way of your trolley.

Speaking of supermarkets, it was reported this week that for the first time ever here In Spain a supermarket chain Mercadona has recorded more net profit than the national department store El Corte Ingles. Mercadona say that sales rose 5.8% while El Corte Ingles saw only 0.3% growth in the last 12 months, and while El Corte Ingles profits were down to 319 million Euros those of Mercadona rose by 47% to 398 million Euros. Interesting too is that while El Corte Ingles continues to be the national leader for turnover at just under 16.5 billion Euros, the Mercadona supermarket chain has seen its turnover doubled in the last five years to almost 12.5 billion Euros. Mercadona has applied a cost cutting policy and rationalised many of its stock items and ranges over the past two years, yet they still have over 1,310 stores throughout the country. Ironically, with just over 100 stores nationally, El Corte Ingles employs 102,699 workers, almost 40,000 more than Mercadona. This may change in the coming years as traditional shopping habits switch ever more towards the internet.

As Spanish unemployment continues to rise to over 20%, and of that figure more than 50% are under 25 then it is no surprise to learn that many workers are looking outside of Spain for a job. A recent statement from the British Government raises concerns in this trend as a growing number of Spaniards are now signing onto the British Social Security system, after immigrating to the UK from Spain for work. They report that there has been an increase as much as 85% in the last twelve months to April 2011, with just over 25,000 people registered. In the last year then this makes Spain the country which has produced the largest increase in immigration to the UK, ahead of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Lithuania and Ireland. Spain is now 6th in the list of immigrant workers in the UK, a list headed by Poland and India, and followed by Pakistan, Lithuania and Latvia. The numbers however do not include students or temporary workers who are not registered for Social Security. Sources claim that the increase from Spain is likely to continue over the next couple of years as the economic crisis bites in the south of Europe.

National inflation rates in the UK have risen again in the last month to just short of 4.4%; and yet here in Spain inflation has fallen for the fourth consecutive month. Coming in now at just below 3% in August , it is suggested that this reduction in the annual rate comes in part due to falls in the prices of petrol, foodstuffs, and some non alcoholic drinks. Here though the official numbers will not be published until September 13.

Usually real estate businesses report that August is traditionally the poorest month of the year for sales, but we have been more than luck this year having seen over 6 properties sold in the last 3 weeks. Buyers were in the main Spanish and French – apart from a single cash blessed British couple who were able to get a bargain property at a lower price simply because they could exchange within days rather than weeks. A trend which seems to be making a radical impact on the movement of local property at all levels…

On the party side of things here this month, there will be plenty to keep you occupied. As the local ex-pat communities who escaped the heat and crowds of summer begin to return to their second homes then the cultural life shifts from beach to more sedate activities. Many of the events are usually posted here  on the Almunecar Town hall site under the cultural programme section – with the Cultural Centre and Majuelo park in the centre of Almunecar, the main venues for classical concerts, flamenco and jazz.

The fiesta of San Miguel in Almuñecar old district takes place the last weekend of September, with various events, processions and parties centered around the historic castle of San Miguel – the old quarter set on the hillside above the town hall square. No doubt there will be fireworks, and plenty for the revelers to enjoy this year.

Also keep your eyes out too for the date of this years Almuñecar Día del Turismo (Tourists Day). Usually it is commemorated in The Palacete de la Najarra, in the tourist information office near to San Cristobal playa and hosts various activities and then later in the afternoon there is a presentation that sees awards passed to those businesses and their employees who have contributed most to promote tourism and hospitality in the town.

Looking for something different to do with family and friends this month then why not invest 10 Euros, and pick up a copy of the useful pocket guide – Granada Tapas Tours: 100 Tapas Bars in Granada; researched and written by Vernon Grant & Gayle Mackie. With 18 routes of 4 bars each to choose from, and 72 bars in various parts of the city where you will be treated the same as the locals. The book guides you away from popular tourist bars, and as you stroll from one to the other (using the simple to follow directions given), then you are made aware of some of the lesser know attractions of Granada city. The book also offers 28 bars that you can drive to in the vast and varied province of Granada, including the Costa Tropical, the Lecrin Valley, La Alpujarra and some that are hidden in spectacular countryside locations. The book also offers tapas tips to ensure you get the most pleasure from your tapas experience, a glossary of the dishes you are most likely to be served and, crucially, how to pronounce them.

The book is for sale via www.guiribooks.blogspot.com ,

www.lecrinlet.blogspot.com  and

www.granadagardens.blogspot.com

And then for a more individual experience you can contact Vernon to arrange guided tapas tours and, or, tours of Andalusian gardens around the area.

For the latest news and updates, you can find me at www.twitter.com/SpainCostaTrop