Welcome to DigameXtra !
The Most Popular English Language Daily Newsletter In Andalucia
Content in this newsletter blog site comes from its Editor, Sponsors & Supporters (Holiday Fundraiser Donors). Submissions are subject to editing and posting at the Editor’s discretion. If I don’t want to post something, I won’t, and I do not owe you an explanation. Content from other sources is credited. The Editor is Naythan, aka DoctorLaptop.
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DigameXtra Featured Sponsor
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Please share DigameXtra with your friends: Simply copy & paste this link into an email or message and send it to all your friends. https://digamextra.com/
Your contacts can read DigameXtra on the website without a subscription. They may also subscribe for free to receive daily issues by email. Subscribers must be a “DigameXtra Donor” of at least €20 in the current year to make posts. Refer to the submission rules page for more info regarding how to make donations & post submissions: https://digamextra.com/about/
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ANNUAL HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER
I can only produce DigameXtra with the financial support of my readers. Once a year, during the year end holidays, I do an 8 week fundraiser to help pay production expenses throughout the whole year. This year’s goal is to receive donations from 4% of subscribers. This “4% Club” finances DigameXtra for the 96% group that don’t donate. Which group will you belong to? The generosity of the 4% Club members is greatly appreciated.
Just like your morning coffee,
what would you do
without your morning DigameXtra?
– Holiday Donation Info, 2 Methods –
DigameXtra subscribers must donate at least €20 (39 cents per week) to gain annual submission posting privileges.
#1. You may drop cash donations off in person and say hello, by appointment, or place them in my mailbox beside my door anytime. Please be sure to include your name on the envelope so I can put you on the list of subscribers with submission posting privileges for 2025-2026! Due to health reasons, unannounced drop-ins are inconvenient for me. But if I am expecting you, no problem! My mailbox has the name HARRIS on it. Email me for map and directions. Cash donations are strongly preferred.
#2. Alternatively, you may send me an Amazon ES (Spain) “eGift card” by email. You need to have an Amazon.es account. The only info you need is my email address and your name (the sender’s name). Remember, this is an “eGift card” you buy that Amazon.es emails directly to me, don’t buy a plain “gift card”. Use the link provided below to access the “eGift card” purchase page.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND AMAZON UK eGIFT CARDS. NO BANK TRANSFERS OR PAYMENT APPS.
Here is the Amazon.es eGift Card Link, (NOTE: YOU CAN CHOOSE ANY AMOUNT YOU LIKE ON THE FORM, THE DEFAULT IS €60):
https://www.amazon.es/Cheques-Regalo-Amazon-es-mail-Amazon/dp/B07SS5PFJK/?th=1&gpo=60
On the eGift card purchase form, enter the DigameXtra email as the recipient, as shown below in Spanish and with English translation.
Para/For : digamextra@protonmail.com
Please do not ask me about gaining posting privileges by making small donations of under €20, several times a year. Several people promised to do that for each of the last two annual fundraisers, and not a single one followed up.
Total Donations Received As Of Today: 122
Target, 4% of subscribers = 200 donations
This year’s fundraiser will be extended until the end of January. This will give readers who have been out of town for the holidays a chance to get their donations in. The very modest target is donations from 4% of subscribers, currently the tally is just over 2.4%. Thanks again to those that have donated, it is much appreciated!
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2026 HOLIDAY INFO
Work calendar for towns in Malaga for 2025 and 2026– public holidays and long weekends:
– Visit this website, then scroll down to the section titled “2026 Malaga working calendar: public holidays and long weekends” and choose your town to see the 2026 calendars: https://www.lavanguardia.com/calendario/andalucia/malaga/#lv-2026-titulo
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Editor’s Holiday:
– DigameXtra will be closed Monday, 2 February.
Items scheduled for posting on Monday, 2 Feb, will appear the following day, Tuesday, 3 Feb.
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WHAT’S ON
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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Burns Night at St George’s church, Malaga:
Saturday, 24 January
At the event, which celebrates Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns, author of Auld Lang Syne, guests will be served a traditional three-course meal of Cullen skink, haggis imported directly from Scotland, with tatties and neeps and cranachan for dessert. The meal will be accompanied by whisky, poetry, bagpipes and dancing, all inside the church itself. Guests are encouraged to wear some tartan.
The bar will open at 7.30pm and dinner will be served at 8pm. Tickets cost 60 euros. Info, map & tix: www.stgeorgesmalaga.com/events
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Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/
Tap or click image for updated forecast with more details
Warning Note: Possible high winds & waves until 7am Wednesday.
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NOTICE!
Submissions for posting in sections below
must be signed like this or they will be returned !!!
Sender’s First Name / Nearest Town
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SERVICES WANTED / OFFERED
Check the DigameXtra Sponsor’s list whenever you need a service. By using these services you are helping support DigameXtra.
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COMPARE FUNERALS
Compare Funerals cover the whole of Spain:
ruthforder@comparefuneral.org
* Direct Cremation €2,250
* Collection of deceased and conveyance to Funeral Home
* Supply of coffin
* Preparation and care of deceased
* Registration of death and certification of all legal documentation
* Cremation and any doctor’s fees
* Supply of Urn
* Delivery of Urn and associated paperwork to family (death certificate, cremation certificate etc)
This plan is exclusive to a number of provinces, please ask advisor for more information.
Contact Ruth Forder on 0034 693 715 718 ; funeralplansbyruthforder.com
Your questions answered by Ruth from Compare Funerals Spain
– Why should I have a funeral plan? Having been funeral planning for over 10 year I’ve experienced some very sad and upset families when nothing is in place. A Spanish funeral plans will ensure that all costs are covered for your funeral service. Getting a prepaid plan will help you feel assured that your family will not be under any financial strain when it comes to paying for your funeral. A plan also means you can have peace of mind that everything has been organised in advance, so your loved ones do not have to make any difficult decisions.
– Why choose Compare Funerals? There seems to be a gap in Spain between independent funeral directors, offering plans at a good price but lacking the security of an established Trust or ability to cover a client overseas and Providers who seem to charge more than necessary. We want to be right in the middle and offer the best of both worlds. Our best-priced plan is only 2,250€ and does the essentials.
– Can I do a payment plan? All our plans are payable in full or over up to 5 years interest FREE. The interest free periods are based on initial deposit. The higher the deposit the less your monthly repayments will be.
– Can I transfer the plan? The answer is YES. You could name 2 people on one plan however if you had a friend/family member pass away we can transfer the plan into a 3rd party’s name.
– What happens if I move? All our plans offer the equivalent service in Spain (including the islands), Portugal, Republic of Ireland and the UK. If you moved to the UK, we would transfer the plan to one of our many partners at no extra cost to you.
– Is paperwork included? Yes, your family will receive a death certificate in Spanish and an international certification in English. We also provide a cremation certificate that allows the ashes on board a plane.
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BUY / SELL / TRADE / RENT / WANTED
Click on pics to enlarge
How to post more photos than the rules allow – use collages. The limit is one pic per item/event. You can combine several of your photos into a
single collage photo by using this free online collage creation tool. It’s very easy to use, give it a try! https://www.photocollage.com/
Are you still dealing with scammers on Fakebook Marketplace?
Sell your items here, to locals, for cash, without the shenanigans.
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For Sale: Brand New Powerful Business Grade Laptop
HP 15-FD0079NS
Special features for seniors: Large characters on keys + extra large touchpad.
15.6″ premium FHD Intel iRISxe display, 250 NIT.
Windows 11 Pro installed in English; Keyboard is Spanish.
1000Gb SSD M.2 hard drive, lots of room for large media collections.
16Gb ram, extra fast at 3200MHz.
Intel i5-1334U processor, 10 cores/12 threads, up to 4.6GHz!
Wifi 6, USB 3.2 x 2; USB-C x 1; HDMI; Dual speakers.
Battery, 7hrs, with fast-charge. Weight 1.59kg, 18.6mm thick.
Price €450 cash. DoctorLaptop, Torrox Costa
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
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For Sale: New Powerful Laptop- Acer Aspire Go 15 AG15
Windows 11 Pro. System, UK English. Keyboard, Spanish.
15.6″ Full HD IPS LCD (1920 x 1080) display with Acer BluelightShield to reduce blue light exposure.
512Gb SSD MVMe; 16 Gb RAM
AMD Ryzen 5 5625U (2.3 – 4.3GHz), 6 core, 12 threads
3x USB 3.2; 1x USB-C; Wifi 6; HDMI 2.1; Bluetooth 5.1; Ethernet
Weight: 1.8kg. Mfg. date: 15Mar25 (Win 12 ready)
Ref: https://store.acer.com/en-gb/acer-aspire-go-15-laptop-ag15-42p-silver
Price: €420 cash, a very good price for a solid, mid-line laptop! DoctorLaptop, Torrox Costa
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
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RECOMMENDATIONS, REQUESTS & COMMENTS
When making a recommendation always include the phone number or website of the biz, service, etc., so readers can reach them. Note: I can’t post third party email addresses.
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NEWS & ARTICLES
(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }
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SPAIN
The death toll in the Adamuz train accident rises to 42 after a body was found in the rubble of the Alvia: {Translation, summary}
– The rescue services have recovered four more bodies from inside the Alvia train that crashed in Adamuz on Tuesday, according to sources from the Junta de Andalucía, bringing the death toll to 42. Regarding the causes of the accident, the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, explained that the investigation has just begun and it is too early to know if there was a failure in the train or on the track. “All hypotheses are open,” he said. Source, Spanish: https://elpais.com/espana/2026-01-20/ultima-hora-y-reacciones-tras-el-accidente-de-tren-en-adamuz-cordoba-en-directo.html
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The end of ketchup or sugar sachets in restaurants will come in August 2026– this is the new EU rule that will come into force: {Translation, summary}
– Single-use sachets of sauces, sugar, salt, oil and vinegar have long been common at Spanish restaurant tables, accompanying dishes like burgers or salads and daily coffee. From August 2026, however, front-of-house hospitality in the EU will change under a new rule aimed at cutting plastic waste and promoting sustainable consumption. The regulation, part of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 known as PPWR, will prohibit these sachets in restaurants and bars from 12 August 2026. The phased timetable also targets other sectors by 2030, including hotel amenities and cosmetic or food packaging.
– An exception exists for meals ordered for delivery, where sachets may be included for take-away orders due to hygiene and transport concerns, and similar allowances apply in healthcare or residential settings. All packaging must bear labels showing correct waste handling and recycling instructions.
– The European Union will conduct an environmental and health impact assessment in 2032 to measure the regulation’s effects on plastic waste and overall sustainability, with potential adjustments based on findings. This assessment will monitor reductions in waste, a major contributor to Europe’s solid waste and pollution. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/lainformacion/consumo/fin-sobres-ketchup-azucar-restaurantes-agosto-2026-nueva-norma-ue-entra-vigor_6923441_0.html
ANDALUCÍA
The Andalusian fishing sector celebrates the partial agreement reached with the Ministry to solve EU controls: {Translation, summary}
– José María Gallart, president of the Andalusian Federation of Fishing Associations (Faape), stated that Spain’s fishing sector is partially satisfied after reaching limited agreements with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to address issues under the new European Fisheries Control Regulation, which took effect on 10 January.
– The regulation introduced strict requirements that the national fleet deems “impossible” to meet, including an electronic fishing logbook, on-board weighing of species with a 20% error margin, and notifying port arrival four hours in advance.
– The Ministry agreed to remove the rigid port notification times, now requiring notice only once a vessel sets course to harbour. However, other complex control obligations remain unresolved. Gallart thanked the Ministry for its efforts despite little room for manoeuvre and confirmed fishermen would resume activity gradually from Tuesday after Monday’s halt, while broader negotiations over the EU regulation continue.. Source, Spanish: https://www.teleprensa.com/articulo/sevilla/sector-pesquero-andaluz-celebra-acuerdo-alcanzado-ministerio-solucionar-controles-ue/202601191832322319479.html
MALAGA PROVINCE
Storm Harry brings rain to Malaga until Sunday and strong winds: {Translation, summary}
– Aemet warns that Málaga will shift from a short period of stability to a wet spell as storm Harry moves toward the Iberian Peninsula. A yellow alert covers the Axarquía with westerly winds up to 70 km/h and rough seas, foretelling widespread rainfall from Wednesday through Sunday across all districts. This marks the end of the prior calm after last weekend’s light snow.
– Jesús Riesco, Málaga’s Aemet regional director, notes a notable temperature drop expected on Saturday, with lows around 2°C in Antequera and maximums near 13°C along the coast. The meteorological pattern will be driven by Harry, which is forecast to descend and trigger a sequence of rain-bearing fronts that will affect even the Costa del Sol. Initially, Tuesday may remain relatively stable, but winds will intensify in Axarquía. Rain is set to occur daily from Wednesday onward, with models suggesting continued precipitation through much of the week, and even international forecasts hint at similar patterns around the turn of the month. Temperatures should rise modestly with the rain, but Saturday will bring a sharper cold snap. Source, Spanish: https://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/malaga/2026/01/20/borrasca-harry-trae-malaga-lluvias-125874023.html
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Two of the worst water supplies in Andalucia are in Malaga- They don’t even use tap water for cooking or cleaning: {Translation, summary}
– D’Vida Water, a company specialising in water analysis and treatment, has identified the five worst tap waters in Andalusia, two of which are in Málaga province. The study assessed the dry residue content, which measures the amount of dissolved minerals and salts in each litre of water. High residue levels indicate hard water, which affects both taste and household use.
– Balanegra (Almería) topped the list with 1,800 mg/l, followed by Álora (Málaga) with 1,090 mg/l and Cártama and Estación de Cártama (Málaga) with 890 mg/l. El Ejido (Almería) and Motril (Granada) completed the ranking with 670 and 520 mg/l respectively.
– Residents in these areas avoid using tap water for drinking or cooking, remarking on its poor taste, high lime content and even unsuitability for cleaning or watering plants. Doctors recommend water with very low mineralisation for health reasons, contrasting sharply with these high readings.
Source, Spanish: https://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/malaga/2026/01/20/peores-aguas-andalucia-malaga-agua-grifo-para-cocinar-alora-cartama-dv-125873505.html
GRANADA
The Alhambra in Granada organizes a guided tour of its restoration workshops next week: {Translation, summary}
– The Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife is organising a free guided tour of its restoration workshops to mark International Conservator-Restorer Day, which is celebrated on 27 January.
– The Alhambra’s restoration workshops are responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the plaster, ceramic and wood decorations that adorn the interior of the monument’s various spaces. Much of their work is carried out “in situ” when the works need to be restored in their original location, while pieces that have had to be dismantled or form part of the Alhambra Museum collection are restored in the workshop.
– During the visit, visitors will be able to see the different workshop facilities and learn about the restoration processes and methodologies used on pieces made of different materials. The planned itinerary includes the plasterwork and tile restoration workshop and the wood restoration workshop, lasting approximately an hour and a half. The visit will be conducted by restorers from the Conservation Service of the Alhambra and Generalife Trust.
– The activity is free of charge upon registration and is designed for people over the age of 18. It will take place on 27 January at 11.30 a.m. Places will be allocated in strict order of application and confirmed by email. The application form will be open to the public on Thursday 22 January at 12 noon.
Info: +34 958 027 971
Website: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en/
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HUMOUR & DIVERSIONS SECTION
Free Comic Strips provided by https://www.arcamax.com/comics
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Exploring Nether Worton, A Hidden Village in the Cotswolds:
– Nether Worton is an estate village in the north east Cotswolds, hidden near the popular settlements of Banbury, Chipping Norton and Soho Farmhouse. It has a lovely chapel and old school, as well as a manor house once owned by a celebrity. Video Link
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EXCHANGE QUOTES FROM Xe.com
Click here to see updated quotes & more currencies
Last updated Jan 20, 2026, 17:12 UTC
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Fun & Games
National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages (New Link), worldwide: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here
Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles.
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio
Useful Links, Info & Numbers
2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view: (Will be updated to 2026 when the town halls get around to posting them)
Algarrobo
Competa
Malaga
Nerja
Rincon
Torrox
Velez-Málaga
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2026 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html
Petrol Prices, updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html
Andalucia Reservoir Data, updated daily:
https://www.redhidrosurmedioambiente.es/saih/parte/diario/embalses
Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot
Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231
Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112
Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238
Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm
Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily.
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/
DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/
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Get Windscribe Pro or Free Versions Here
Mandy’s Tel: 680739577
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