Hola Funky Media listeners, It's Michelle/Essex once again with this week's update from the Costa Del Sol and things seem to be pretty hunky dory here at the moment I've got to say, although it's very quiet, residents and we have a few tourists out here are venturing out to eat, socialize and support their local restaurants and businesses, which is fabulous but I have to say is a very different coast to this time last year, I was in Fuengirola on Saturday night and it was unusually quiet, but yet still a nightmare to park, its strange. Very few people but so many cars.

Of course masks have become the norm here, as they have all over the world. Some of them are actually quite pretty but it's funny how the beginning of 2020, we looked at the odd person wearing one as overreacting and now it's become mandatory law, which is subject to fines if you don't wear one. Even the looky looky men have now jumped on the bandwagon and are selling them, so they have a new line this year, aside from Sunglasses and Bags, they're now flogging Masks. I do feel a bit sorry for them they've had a really bad summer of course with no tourists out here so let's hope it picks up for next year. I myself would be thrilled if we could all get back to a "normal normal" instead of this "crazy normal". Anyway, yesterday I was at the beach, taking Lolly the spoilt animal, yes the one that's sitting there looking at me with daggers at the moment, for a leisurely stroll in a spot of lunch, as you do, and I was, I was actually quite surprised at how warm the Mediterranean Sea is at the moment. It was so serene there with the waves washing slowly up on the shore. This is starting to sound like a travel brochure, but for the moment I've got to say gazing out in that water. It made it feel like all this craziness had gone away. Well, one can wish eh ? I do consider myself being lucky living here though, when you wake up in the sun shining in the sky is blue, that already lifts your spirits. Anyway, let's get into this week's happenings.

Now where in the south of Spain we've been quite fortunate, the people in the north of Spain have not been so lucky. This weekend because of two Spanish regions that border France, Catalonia and Nevarra have announced new coronavirus restrictions on public life to try and tame the rise in COVID-19 infections. Now in Nevarra, that's home to about 650,000 people. Gatherings as of tomorrow will be limited to six people, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm and their capacity will be limited to 30% as will cinemas, theaters and libraries but supermarkets will be limited to 40%. Now unfortunately for Navara. They recorded their worst case numbers since the pandemic started. They actually recorded 463 new COVID cases on Saturday. So, that's what's put them in trouble. In the northeastern region of Catalonia, which is home to about seven and a half million people, Companies have been urged to encourage their employees to work from home for the next 15 days and Universities have also been asked to move their classes online for the next 15 days in order to reduce any social interactions. Spain's central government on Friday declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region to enforce a partial lockdown in and around the Spanish capital. Now, Madrid is currently one of Europe's COVID-19 hotspots. So they've been put into partial lockdown to stop the Madridleaños from traveling south, which is what I spoke to you about a few weeks ago. This particular weekend is a Bank Holiday weekend. In fact, today the day I'm broadcasting to you. Monday is a National Bank Holiday here and I believe that's for the Virgin Pillar now it's hard to keep track of these because there's so many virgins, and so many holidays. I think that's why Richard Branson named his company Virgin you know it's all starting to make sense.

Well social media strikes again, a Canadian businessman was left surprised and confused when Facebook pulled his ad, because his photo was flagged as an "overtly sexual image". The company submitted an ad to Facebook to promote his Walla Walla, Onions. Now these things kind of like spring onions in case you didn't know what they were. I didn't know what they were I had to Google them but the image they submitted was rejected by the social media giant because the photo was of the group of Onions was said to be overtly sexual. They got notified the other day about the image, and it was banned from the site, and the company think has something to do with the fact that it was two round shapes that could be misconstrued as boobs, or something like that. Now considering they look like spring onions Facebook's anti nudity algorithm, picked them up in an error and the company appealed to the of the decision of course I mean who wouldn't ? and the spokeswoman from Facebook confirmed the ads rejection was indeed an algorithm error. She said they use automated technology to keep nudity of our apps but sometimes it obviously doesn't know Walla Walla Onion from a pair of, well you know what, you get the idea. They did restore the ad, and they apologize for their error and any trouble caused, which is good to know, isn't it, but how many of us have seen offensive posts on Facebook, and they've done absolutely, absolutely nothing about it. I mean, and that's quite regular. Do us a favor Facebook, go look for criminals and terrorists, leave the WALLA WALLAS alone. I mean it just makes you wonder what the world's coming to.

Finally, I heard Prince Harry's on his way home, and Frogmore Cottage is being prepared. Anyone want to bet that Meghan and Archie won't be accompanying him ? I reckon hes being called back to get a slap on the wrist and told to rein it in, no pun intended. Okay, let me move my soapbox nearer. Someone needs to explain to this pair that you can't have members of the British Royal Family, getting involved in American politics. Royalty are supposed to remain impartial in British politics, let alone other countries which have nothing to do with us but our rogue Prince is not making the UK look too great and I gotta say, apart from any future damage he might also be doing. When you guys finally get Brexit together. Britain is going to want to do trade deals with the US, so it doesn't do for us any favors if you've got somebody upsetting whoever is sitting in the White House. Even if Orange is the New Black ! I'm guessing, as I lived in California for 15 years that without a Green Card Harry's visas expired, and he has to return for so many days to the UK before returning to the States or he's going to be facing a very, very big fine in taxes from the IRS for overstaying. So will the Queen give him a rap on the knuckles, that he deserves ? or should she stripped them of their titles, and then they can go and live their lives as Mr and Mrs Mountbatten-Windsor in Malibu in private, as they wanted to in the beginning, remember, and earn their own living like the rest of us. Ahhh except they have an incredible Netflix deal and they live in an 11.8 million dollar mansion in Malibu. Huh ! isn't life tough !

Okay, my lovely amigos. That's my news from sunny Spain. That's my rant of the week. So until next week, have a really good one, everybody. Be kind to others, unless they really wind you up. Stay safe and as always, Hasta luego from the Costa del Sol.

www.funkymedia.agency