Well here we are into March - where does the time go? The Almond Blossom was absolutely fantastic this year and with the mild dry wind free days it seemed to last much longer than previous years. Spring approaches and the garden is really starting to "move" so that will need constant attention up to the time it does "slow" down in the full summer sun - then it's just plenty of water. We are so lucky to have two wells on our property that supply an endless flow of water for the garden - even so we don't waste it - remember water is precious anywhere in the world but especially so here. Use what you have to but don't waste it.
With Spring coming, "FREESAT", the new transmission system for UK TV should be coming on line - the promoters have said it will be Spring 2008 - but still no more concrete detail on the technicalities or the content. One snippet I did see was that the transmissions will be exactly as they are now - no extra or "doubled" transmissions - it will be the digibox that will decipher what you watch - a SKY box will list all channels as per now and the "FREESAT" box will list just the channels that "FREESAT" will offer - it would be nice to know what they will be!!! However this also indicates that dish sizes will remain the same - Brits will still be "blot on the landscape" with the 1.5meter plus dishes. Has anyone seen any news on the bill going before European Parliament "Radio and TV without frontiers"? I reported on it some months ago and it was due to be passed this Spring but I have seen or heard no more - if it does what it says, then this should really open viewing to all without the "stupid" legal restrictions we currently suffer.
Are you fed up with no BBC2, 3 and 4, poor SKY 3, ITV 4 and much of your SKY pack (if you have one) being a problem? - then you probably have a 1.35m dish. Upgrade to a 1.45m, probably using the same bracket and cable and at reasonable cost and alleviate most of those problems - there is some good stuff on BBC2!!!
BBC 3 is having a relaunch and new logo! There will be more programmes made specifically for 3 including six pilot drama shows - the most popular being made a series.
ITV 4 is also having a shake up. It will be 24 hours instead of the evenings only. It was launched as a "man" channel but the new "Dave" channel soon took over that slot and ITV are revamping trying to get you men to watch.
For all my criticism of SKY HD (high definition) last year, it is taking off. SKY has half a million subscribers and more and more channels are going HD - channel four being one of the latest. It is good but not as good as it could be. My advice - don't rush out and buy yet. However, if you have to replace any TV viewing equipment then make sure it is HD compatible and eventually when you have all the "bits", or it really is worth going for, then you will have good equipment. "Ugly Betty ain't nearly so ugly in HD!!" I did recently see an HD set up on a 60 inch TV - it was superb - thanks Phil for showing me that.
Lastly, SKY+ now has over 3 million subscribers. It really is a brilliant piece of equipment with TV recording/pausing made so easy. I have yet to find anyone who has it, say that it's not all it's cracked up to be. If you have a SKY contract then think about SKY+ - it will cost you a little to set up, but there are now no ongoing extra charges.
That's it for this month. Article sponsored by RAINBOW SATELLITES- all your UK TV needs for the whole of the Murcia Region. Call Alan or Matt for any free friendly advise on 686 358 475 or email rainbowsats@terra.es. Our web site www.rainbowsats.com has lots of basic information on UK TV in Spain.