COFFEE AND CAKE Yesterday we popped out to do some shopping in Norwich and decided to stop for a coffee.  Two drinks and two cakes left us with little change from a £7!  We were in an ordinary coffee shop in a small department store, nothing fancy.  We joked that in Spain we often wander down to the sea front and look at blue sea, blue sky and palm trees whilst enjoying a tea/coffee and ‘cake of the day’ for 1.50 euro each (£1.35).  What a difference!  Another regular ‘luxury’ when in Spain is going out for breakfast.  There are several places where we can enjoy a full English with a drink for 4 euros each (£3.60).  Compare that to a well known roadside café that charges £8 each for a similar breakfast with a drink.  Eating out remains remarkably inexpensive in Spain.  Menu del dia meals can be found for well under 10 euros (under £9) per person for three good courses and a glass of wine if you look around.  Lunchtimes are often less.  In the UK 3 courses in even the cheaper café/restaurants will be twice that price, often three or even four times as much in better establishments. So, even with the pound fairing badly against the euro, the cost of those little luxuries that make your holiday that much more enjoyable are still affordable. But what if you live in Spain and need to buy everyday essentials?  Recently a leading magazine ran comparisons between countries and Spain came out considerably cheaper overall when compared to the UK. PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH This 2 bedroom apartment has a small front garden, terraced for easy maintenance.  On a community with a pool and gardens it is conveniently situated close to the market street in Playa Flamenca.  A great holiday home option.  On the market at 79,950 euros, but you can make an offer - it's a buyers market. Property number two is up the road in Los Balcones Plenty of space inside and outside this detached 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa.  On a plot of 890 square meters with a private pool and a garden laid out with mature shrubs and trees it is an ideal re-location villa.  Just over a mile to the beach.  The villa is fitted with double glazing, heating, an alarm, air conditioning, and has both telephone and broadband connections. Call us now! 0843 289 6384 (low rate call) Or visit www.spanishdreamproperty.com