Hola!

Hopefully through this blog, we can give you a little taste of what our life in Spain is all about.

Its not all play and no work by the way.

We came here to taste a different kind of life, and it has been far from easy.

Perhaps you saw us on the Channel 4 TV programme, No Going Back? We had a great response from it, and since then have given many people the, "lets move to Spain bug!"

It was four years ago when we arrived here. Hot on the trail of a place to live, and using our caravan as a base until we found somewhere.

Well we did find somewhere. It was badly built, had no electricity, and water that isn't drinkable.

It needed glass in the windows, holes in the walls repairing, and a lot of cleaning to remove any trace of the goats and mice, that had inhabited it for the previous 12 months.

On the plus side, it had a fabulous orchard brimming with all kinds of fruit trees. Apples. Oranges, lemons, pears, and over twenty wonderful old grapevines.

There is also a field of over sixty olive trees, a huge patio, shaded from the heat of the sun by the vines; Oh, and views to die for.

It is our haven. When times get rough, and yes they do get rough! We all take refuge in our little corner of Spain and relax.

Relaxation is something we had to learn.

The sudden disappearance of the hustle and bustle of England, the fast pace of our jobs, and no television took a bit of getting used to.

But in return, we have found family life can actually be fun.

Hopefully, I have now set the scene for you. So that done, let me bring you up to date with what we are all up to.

My husband Greg and I, set up the estate agency. It's a great job, and I can view houses to my hearts delight.

We meet lots of lovely people, Spanish and British, and now that we have learnt the language, it enables us to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle much more.

As for our two sons, they have been learning how to become builders.

They worked for the first couple of years with Spanish builders, and now are learning even more tricks of the trade, working with an English master builder, who I might add, has also learnt much about building out here, from our boys.

They speak Spanish better than us. Ben is quite happy to chat on the phone to his friends, and sounds like a local.

We always said if it all went wrong, and we had to return to the UK, at least we would have learnt a new language.

Living here with so much space around us, has enabled us to have the pets we always wanted. We do have great fun playing with the dogs.

Dave, the biggest reddest, dog in the world, we rescued. He was going to be put to sleep, an unwanted one day old puppy.

We bottle fed him, and he started to grow, and grow, and grow. He is lovely.

Ruby, the Rottweiler, was actually a present from our local vet. We had one previously but she died at six months old.

The lads were devastated. The vet rang Ben about six weeks later and asked us to go and see him. We couldn't believe it when we saw Ruby in his arms. She is a wonderful dog.

She demands a lot of cuddling in the morning though. We have to make up for having made her stay in the kennel all night.

And then there is my baby, Chica. Again rescued. She was six weeks old, covered in lice and ticks, undernourished and frightened.

She was the smallest dog I have ever seen. Now a healthy 3 year old, she is the boss, and keeps both Dave and Ruby in line.

OK, so that's about it for now. I've covered the house, the family, the language, and some of the animalsyes, there are lots more animals to go yet, but hey...I have all the time in the world to chat about them.