Marbella with Him & Her

Restaurant closures in Marbella, and shopping spree in Malaga

It is episode 110 of the weekly Marbella lifestyle podcast presented by expat husband and wife PJ Lopez (@pjlopez1marbella) and Hannah Murray (@radiohannah). If you are new to Marbella with Him & Her, PJ is a marketing consultant in Marbella and Hannah is a radio presenter on Talk Radio Europe, as well as being a weekly contributor on TV on the show Good Morning Spain. In this week’s episode they talk about a controversial discussion that took place on the TV show I'm A Celebrity South Africa in which David Haye, the former boxer, spoke about a thing he has called 'Ugly Duck Syndrome'. Hannah also chats about a couple of interview highlights she did during the week, one of which was with Rock and Roll icon Marty Wilde who is still recording albums at the age of 87. She also chatted to the inspirational Franck Benhamou about his upcoming walk around France where he aims to sample the food and drink of each location he stops. A very apt interview she did was with last year’s Apprentice winner Dean Franklin who has just been to Marbella on holiday with his family. She chatted to him about the Apprentice, his air conditioning business and this year’s finalists (the day before the winner was crowned)  They talk about the International Theatre Studio play reading they went to during the week which was based on a popular British sitcom set during World War 2. Hannah opens up about it being 4 years since her mum passed away and discusses how she felt and the struggles with grief and what form it takes over the years. The 4 year anniversary of her passing was on a Friday, so she met with her father as normal, but this time at Kalima on San Pedro beach front. PJ mentions some of the restaurants that have closed down, one of which was a favourite of theirs, Benisty. He also speaks about the Taco place closing which was of no surprise as they had never promoted themselves or did any social media. On Friday PJ met up with his work friends Ysa and Joshua for drinks at Soul by Breathe at the NAC Padel Club in San Pedro where they enjoyed some amazingly crispy sweet potato fries and chicken fingers. They then moved on to the beach for a drink at Alabadero, PJ and Hannah's wedding venue which looks nothing like it did when they got married. Hannah joined them after she had been for a catch up with good friend Audrey. They started at The Hogan Stand for Happy Hour (which happens every Friday between 5pm and 7pm). They then went to Boulebar which is just on the corner before the pedestrian area. At the weekends it is heaving with local Spanish as they have live music. They then headed to Bar Guerra for tapas before finishing in La Kasita Bar and Tapas. Saturday, they headed to Malaga to McAurthur Glen the designer outlet which is part of Plaza Mayor. Hannah managed to have some successful purchases as did PJ. Listen to hear what they bought and why. After they went to IKEA to get a few items. Hannah mentions a great event coming up in Malaga called the Malaga Book Fair from 30 April to 10 May in which Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh will be one of the guests. This week’s articles from their collaborators The Euro Weekly News include grants for renovating homes in Spain, the upcoming petrol station strikes and the average number of enquiries a property listing receives in the area.

Marbella Youth Entrepreneurs & DJ Hugel

Welcome to this week's episode of Marbella with Him & Her, your weekly Marbella podcast presented by PJ Lopez (@pjlopez1marbella) and Hannah Murray (@radiohannah). Hannah's father and Sheila went over for Easter lunch, and PJ attempted to make some corn ribs. Find out what Hannah thought about his attempt. They are already addicted to the Celebrity Jungle in South Africa, and their cat Poppy seems quite taken by it as well. But they are not sure whether it is Ant and Dec or David Haye naked in the shower that is keeping her attention. PJ shared some information on the San Pedro Guide (@sanpedromarbellaguide) about a festival coming in up in May at the San Pedro feria ground called the REVE festival with French DJ Hugel. There seems to be quite a lot of interest because within just a few days the post had 70,000 views. Some interview highlights from Hannah this week, included one with a lady called Gill Whitty Collins talking about her book How To Win At Work. It was about how few women there are at the top of many big companies, which led onto a good discussion between Hannah and PJ. She also chatted with Helen Thorn from a popular podcast called Scummy Mummies about her book, How To Face Big Change And Come Back Stronger. Another interview highlight from the week was with Dallas Campbell who is a science and space tv presenter who covered the recent Artemis II space mission. Hannah's exercise quest continued with two Pilates classes at Studio 34 this week. She went to an additional full body class on Friday, which she said was definitely one of the hardest she had ever done. Will she go back? Listen for her thoughts. Her Friday brunch was not at Amber Chou it was next door at Kookento, which was delicious. They have news about why Amber Chou is closed at the moment. Both PJ and Hannah joined the Friday Frolics group for a lovely meal at Bombay Grill Indian restaurant in San Pedro to celebrate their friend Paul Wharmby's birthday. They also discuss Hannah's hormones and a very strange experience she had on Thursday night and then a different experience on Friday after Pilates. They have news about what is happening at the former Sisu Hotel complex between San Pedro and Puerto Banus. Saturday, they went to watch The Marbella Youth Entrepreneur Cup at the Pool in Marbella hosted by The Pool of Talents (@thepooloftalents). It was a Dragon's Den style format where young school aged entrepreneurs had three minutes to present their business or business idea to a panel of three judges / investors. The winner received €3,000 seed money for their project. Listen to see who won. They went for a stroll on Sunday morning before recording this latest episode of Marbella with Him & Her. They noticed that there is a new information centre pod on the paseo and more sets of toilets. They also noticed that Tantra Indian Restaurant is now just Exotica, an extension of the main Exotica eatery. This week's news articles from collaborators The Euro Weekly News included the upcoming air traffic control strike which will be affecting certain airports throughout Spain, a new rule that about texting while crossing a road which could result in an €80 fine and the temperature jump expected in the next few days in Spain. PJ also includes something he saw online that says overtaking in a tunnel could result in a €500 fine. As always, we ask to please give the podcast a follow as well as their sponsors @thehoganstand their San Pedro Guide, the podcast Instagram @marbella_with_him_and_her and their private accounts (if you want to).

Sun's out in Marbella, and latest magical mystery tour!

Welcome to a bumper edition of Marbella with Him & Her, your weekly insight into the lives of husband and wife duo PJ Lopez (@pjlopez1marbella) and Hannah Murray (@radiohannah). They recorded the podcast a day early the previous weekend and there were a few extra things to take into account, starting with the monthly Urban Chai quiz which was won by PJ's team The Sham Rockers. who also went on to win the money round as well along with another team. Sunday evening, they headed to Fuengirola with friends to see the Salon Varietes production of Chicago starring Toni-Leigh Dempsey as Roxy. Listen to hear what they thought about the performance. Monday morning Hannah was back at Studio 34 with Amy for their Pilates which was, in Hannah's words 'the hardest she has ever done'. Monday evening Hannah was back at rehearsal for Ladies Day and PJ was involved in the Wednesday rehearsal. Some interview highlights from the week included Hannah's Entrepreneur of the Week, which was Kelly Newton, talking about her brand Nixi Body. It was a great interview and Hannah shares some of the background of the brand and some of what they spoke about during the interview. Hannah also chats about another great interview she did with a lady called Katy Hassel and her book 'The Story of Art Without Men'. Another interview highlight of the week was with former Five Star member Denise Pearson and her solo career, as well as some fun anecdotes from her days with the group. Thursday was a bank holiday in Spain so PJ was not at work which meant he and Hannah could go for a walk in the morning and have breakfast at Kalima Beach. On Friday, Hannah's brunch with her dad Bernie was at Gym Junkie, which turned out to be quite an expensive experience. Listen to hear how much the breakfast cost them. The Thursday quiz was the busiest in the history of Hogan Stand quizzes with 19 teams and over 90 people taking part. PJ was back in his normal team Director's Cut (minus Janet) and they won both the quiz and the money round!! Hannah had a beach day on Friday and rented a bed from Nuevo Reino which only cost €7.50 before heading to Kala Kalua for a catch up and lunch with friend Charlotte. Saturday, their friends Jamie and Beverley Stonehewer picked them up just after 10am for their regular magical mystery tour. They ended up at Laberintus Park which was home to the largest maze in Spain and the second largest in Europe. Find out what their sense of direction was like and how long they were wandering around the maze! Also at the park was a play area which incorporated lots of challenges such as throwing bean bags into a hole, putting along a narrow strip of wood, horseshoe throwing and much more. After the park they went to a fantastic restaurant in Campillos called YerbaGuena which is listed in the Michelin guide for its wine cellar. They explain their experience and what they ate and drank, and also their chat with owner Javi who was a massive fan of Northern soul. Articles they discussed from their collaborators The Euro Weekly News this week included new EU travel rules for pets and the stricter documentation required. They also discussed the article about some of the worst habits from Spanish drivers thanks to a study by CEA. Hannah also mentions a couple of upcoming charity events such as 'the climb for CUDECA' which is a  walk up one of the highest points of the Sierra de las Nieves, Torrecilla on 26 April. She also mentions the beach Olympics for the charity Collective Calling taking place on 2nd May.

Champion Burgers in Marbella

Welcome to the very latest episode of Marbella with Him & Her, your weekly Marbella podcast hosted by married couple PJ Lopez and Hannah Murray. Each week they bring their unique reviews of things that have happened to them during the week, combined with some highlights of Hannah's radio interviews and some articles from their collaborators the Euro Weekly News. Hannah starts with some highlights of her interviews with former X Factor runner up Ray Quinn who was performing at La Sala in Puerto Banus, and her latest entrepreneur of the week was the bubbly video production talent that is Sam Teale. She also mentions her interview and possible regular collaboration with Brenda Navarro of Be Spain Savvy (check out the FB group), and a great interview she did with her colleague’s daughter who is studying medicine at Galway university. They also chat about Hannah's recent trip to Dorset in the UK with her father, and some of the things they got up to while there. Once Hannah was back it was straight into rehearsals for the upcoming play Ladies Day, and their publicity photo shoot in which they had to where their costumes. During the week they also attended the International Theatre Studio's AGM where they were both presented with special awards for their performances in previous play Abigail's Party. There was no Hogan Stand Thursday quiz as Ireland were playing in the World Cup play-offs, so they headed to La Heredia to play their weekly quiz held at The Heredian. Listen to see how they got on. After the quiz they popped next door the Hannah's friend Headley's new restaurant The Village for a quick drink and a look at the menu. They also went to the All Star Champions Burger festival at the fairground in San Pedro to try one of the amazing burgers. This week's articles from the Euro Weekly News include a piece about the number of expected journeys across Spain over Semana Santa. There was also news that the UK government is set to increase the cost of passport renewals for people in Spain from April. There is also a reminder that the bank holidays for Easter in Spain are Thursday and Friday.

Marbella Mother's Day Lunch at La Sala and St Patrick's Day at The Hogan Stand

Welcome to the latest podcast episode of Marbella with Him & Her, a Marbella lifestyle podcast that brings you lots of information and banter from husband and wife duo PJ Lopez (@pjlopez1marbella) and Hannah Murray (@radiohannah). Hannah was away in the UK with her father this weekend so they recorded some of the podcast earlier in the week while PJ added a few extra snippets from his own antics while Hannah was away. They start by chatting about their lunch at La Sala in Puerto Banus with their friend Nikki as they have all lost their mothers over the last few years. After a lovely lunch they hung out in the bar watching a some great live music from The Wall Street Band.  Monday morning Hannah was back to her fitness regime at Studio 34 for Pilates while PJ was up early for a morning jog.  Tuesday night, after a day at work, they rushed home, go into some green clothing and headed to The Hogan Stand (@thehoganstand) for St Patrick's Day celebrations. It was very busy and many of their friends were already there. They joined the merriment, had a few pints of Guinness, had a dance and then went home for some much needed sleep. Wednesday evening Hannah was at rehearsals as they were blocking act one of the play they will both be in, in May called Ladies Day. Hannah started her entrepreneur of the week segment on her radio show and kicked it off by chatting to the inspirational Francesca James (@frankie_j4y) about her different awards, the Ideas Fest and of course this year's rikshaw rally with the Sisterhood. Other interview highlights from the week included speaking with Jo Bradshaw  (@_jobradshaw) who is a 7 summiteer. She also chatted to former Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton (@natashahamiliton) about her solo project and new record label. There is an update in the Guayaba chiringuito situation in San Pedro thanks to Mark Wilkins and also information on the opening of Kalima Beach in San Pedro. PJ chats about his Friday night out with colleagues Ysa and Joshua to La Kasita (@lakasita_tapas) for more Indonesian meatballs, and their mini tapas crawl which also included D'Aquino (@d.aquinos.restaurant). On Saturday they met up again for some brunch and enjoyed eggs benedict at Pandora in San Pedro (@pandorarestolunch) before PJ went shopping for steak and some dinner for the week. This week's articles from their collaborators The Euro Weekly News (@euroweeklynews) included the fact that many countries are experiencing one of the coldest winters in 14 years except in Spain where February broke 6 heat records in Andalucia. There is also an article about Spain launching free wifi in hospitals. Hannah also adds some information about seeing scooter drivers being stopped at the San Pedro roundabout and being fined.