Bargain hunters and charity shop lovers around Calahonda have a great reason to visit El Zoco this weekend. Age Care Costa del Sol is stepping outside its usual shop doors to hold its very first outdoor pop-up market. Volunteers have recently cleared out the back storerooms and found boxes of fantastic items that simply would not fit onto the regular display shelves inside

Storeroom clear out yields exceptional wardrobe finds

Volunteers have spent much time going through physical donations, unearthing brilliant stock that deserves a proper viewing. Shoppers attending the Saturday event will find racks packed with practical items, including sturdy coats, tailored jackets, warm jumpers, and specialised golf wear suited for local courses. Parents can browse delightful children’s clothing options priced to clear quickly. Organisers designed this morning-to-afternoon gathering to accommodate everyone looking for wardrobe refreshments without breaking household budgets. Who knows what you might find, with Christmas creeping closer you may find something suitable for a different gift or a stocking filler? Or something that may be perfect to finish off your outfit for Halloween?

Community spirit and charity support in El Zoco

Age Care relies entirely on shop proceeds to fund vital welfare assistance and support networks for elderly expats across Mijas Costa and surrounding towns. Building on the recent success where the Age Care fashion show raises €2,400 for charity, team members hope this weekend market brings in another boost.

Locals can drop by outside the main shop between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, October 31st. Organisers invite neighbours to pop over, say hello, have a little mooch around, spend some euros, and support a brilliant local cause.

Age Care Costa del Sol, El Zoco, Calahonda. For more information on this pop-up and other events you can visit the Age Care Costa del Sol pages on Facebook.

British people with second homes in Spain could benefit if the UK eventually restores freedom of movement with the European Union, following Andy Burnham’s call for an “honest discussion” about the country’s post-Brexit relationship with Europe.

The UK Prime Minister’s comments have reopened a debate that could have practical consequences for thousands of Britons who want to spend more time at their Spanish properties without applying for residency or arranging a long-stay visa.

However, Burnham has not proposed a specific change to the rules for British homeowners, and no agreement has been reached.

Why Burnham’s comments are interesting to Brits in Spain

In an interview with The Sunday Times, published on October 25, Burnham said Britain needed an evidence-based discussion about whether to restore free movement with the EU. He argued that migration patterns had changed since Brexit, suggesting that before the UK left the bloc, more people came to Britain for a few years before returning home.

Burnham wants Britain to consider its future relationship with Europe as a whole, rather than treating freedom of movement as a separate issue. He is due to meet EU leaders in Brussels on November 20, according to the UK Government’s announcement of the next UK-EU summit.

The debate could be important to British people living between the UK and Spain, particularly those who own holiday homes but do not have Spanish residency.

Could free movement remove the 90-day limit?

Since Brexit, British visitors have generally been limited to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area. Time spent in Spain, France and other Schengen countries counts towards the same allowance, as explained in the European Commission’s official guide to Schengen visa rules.

Owning a property in Spain does not exempt British citizens from the restriction. Those wanting to stay longer generally need an appropriate visa or residence status. The UK Government’s Spain entry requirements explain the rules for British visitors and those planning longer stays.

A genuine restoration of free movement rights could potentially allow British citizens to live in Spain without being subject to the current short-stay limit. Britain did not need to belong to the Schengen area to enjoy free movement when it was an EU member.

However, the outcome would depend on the terms of any future agreement. A limited mobility deal would not necessarily restore the same rights as full free movement. EWN previously examined efforts by MPs to change the 90-day travel rule for Britons in Spain.

Is a change likely anytime soon?

Burnham’s comments do not mean the rules are about to change. Labour’s 2024 election manifesto ruled out restoring free movement, joining the EU single market or re-entering the customs union. The Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto set out its position on Britain’s future relationship with the EU.

The debate about closer ties with Europe has continued, but that is not the same as a government decision to restore free movement. Any major change would involve political and diplomatic negotiations, with the EU likely to expect Britain to accept reciprocal rights and other obligations.

Burnham has also said he cannot imagine recommending that Britain adopt the euro or join the Schengen area. Neither decision, on its own, determines whether a separate agreement on free movement could be reached.

For UK owners of second homes, the distinction is important: a discussion about closer EU ties is not the same as a deal restoring the right to spend unlimited time in Spain.

What could complicate talks?

For the time being, British second-home owners should continue to plan around the existing 90-day limit unless they have another legal basis for staying longer.

Immigration rights and Spanish tax residency are also separate matters. Spending more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year will generally make someone tax-resident there, although other circumstances can affect that assessment. The Spanish Tax Agency’s guidance on tax residence explains the main criteria.

Burnham’s intervention has reopened a debate with potentially important consequences for Britons in Spain. Whether it leads to any change for second-home owners, however, will depend on what Britain and the EU are prepared to agree.

A huge British aircraft carrier, a clear blue sky and hundreds of people eager to step aboard made for a memorable Sunday in Gibraltar on October 25.

HMS Queen Elizabeth opened its doors to the public, giving visitors a rare opportunity to explore the 65,000-tonne Royal Navy flagship and get a closer look at the people and technology behind Britain’s naval strength.

The response was striking. Around 1,000 free tickets for the open day were snapped up in just four minutes, according to local reporting. For many, the occasion was about more than seeing an impressive piece of military engineering. The sight of a British aircraft carrier flying the flag is a powerful reminder of the Royal Navy’s place in Britain’s history and its continuing role around the world.

A reminder of British pride

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH making an impressive sight as she nears into Gibraltar this morning #shipsinpics #shipping #shipspotting #naval @air_intel @WarshipCam
@NavyLookout @UKForcesTracker @seawaves_mag @HMSQNLZ
@RNGibSqn https://t.co/lq2azot613

— Daniel Ferro (@Gibdan1) October 24, 2026

There is something distinctive about seeing a ship of this size arrive in port. Its vast flight deck, towering structure and imposing presence make it difficult to ignore, even from the surrounding coastline.

For British visitors and expatriates watching the photographs from Gibraltar, the occasion may also stir a sense of familiarity and national pride. The Royal Navy has long been part of Britain’s identity, from its maritime history to its modern role in protecting national interests and working with allied forces.

That connection is particularly strong in Gibraltar, where British military personnel have served for generations and the Royal Navy has played an important role in the territory’s history.

The arrival also follows Gibraltar’s recent celebration of its distinctive British identity, including plans for traditional red telephone boxes and London-style bus stops. In a recent EWN report, Gibraltar’s plans for red more telephone boxes and London-style bus stops explored how familiar British symbols continue to have a place in the territory’s public life.

A flagship with a serious role

HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived in Gibraltar on Saturday, October 24, at the start of a three-month deployment after leaving Portsmouth in September and visiting Belfast earlier in October.

The carrier is capable of operating up to 40 aircraft and is serving as the afloat command platform for NATO’s Allied Reaction Force. Its programme includes advanced operational training, including work involving RAF Chinook helicopters and emerging uncrewed technologies.

The deployment is part of the Royal Navy’s preparations for future operations alongside NATO allies. The service has published further details of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s deployment to strengthen NATO readiness, explaining the carrier’s role in training and collective defence.

The visit gives the public a glimpse of a working warship rather than a museum exhibit. The crew are preparing for further training and multinational exercises with NATO allies, with the programme continuing into 2027.

Gibraltar’s enduring connection with the Navy

The relationship between the Royal Navy and Gibraltar stretches back centuries, and the territory continues to provide important support for British forces operating in the region.

The latest visit offered residents a chance to see one of the UK’s two aircraft carriers at close quarters, while the ship’s crew had an opportunity to meet members of the local community.

Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation described the arrival as another demonstration of the long-standing links between Gibraltar and the Royal Navy.

For those who associate the Royal Navy with British history, service and tradition, the open day was also a reminder that these connections remain very much alive.

Under the bright October sunshine, HMS Queen Elizabeth provided a striking sight in the harbour. The thousands of people who wanted tickets may have been drawn by curiosity about the technology and scale of the vessel, but for some, the attraction will have been more personal: the chance to see a major symbol of Britain up close.

The carrier is due to remain in Gibraltar for seven days before sailing back into the Atlantic for the remainder of the year.