Hola otra vez lectores

I've met people who have come in search of making their fortune, some for their health, some to escape or reduce stress, some to retire, some because they can't afford to live in old blighty, some for less than honest motives, some even come to try and escape from their past, but a great number, like us, have made the move because it was a chance to experience, live and explore something and somewhere else completely different, and as the old sayings go, you only get one life, nothing ventured nothing gained!

After hearing of our house purchase confirmation, it was only left to tell friends and family of our venture, though this was met with different reactions from both. Apart from some far removed distant relatives, I have no family either alive or am in contact with. Rose however has quite a large family though she would be the first to admit that some of them could hardly be described as the adventurous foreign travel types. I can only say that our news was met by a greater part of the family with a sceptical acceptance at best, most basing their judgement on sensationalist and limited media coverage or indifference to anything or anywhere outside of Dorset.

That was fine because to be fair I hadn't really expected anything else. Then there was the reaction from closer friends and work colleagues from both sides. Some were pleased for us, some smiled through clenched teeth, some came straight out offering to take it off our hands, last week in August and first week in September, whilst others just shrugged stating that they could never consider doing anything so radical as mixing with all those foreigners! Yes, mixed reaction is right. Most of the negative comments were based on non aggressive ignorance while support actually came from the least likely sources. It's amazing how some people who you thought you knew well can suddenly show their true colours, good and bad.

We now had to sit down and plan a strategy for immediate improvement and liveability of the property to make it comfortable for a family of four to holiday in. Mark had sent us a number of photographs of the building inside and out and it wasn't until we looked over them closely that we realised there may be more work involved than we first thought. Apart from the obvious decline and drabness of the interior décor, the outside needed more than a good tidying up and there was one glaring eyesore which we both agreed needed attending to though is was possibly going to be the most expensive. The front garden, almost 300 sq mtrs of it, was taken to soil and rubble dumped out of the hole where the small but deep swimming pool now was. The end of the garden was some eight feet above the road with a number of spruce pines being the only thing holding the debris back.

A driveway sloped down to the road covered by an overgrown but beautiful honeysuckle plant suspended by four arched metal supports. We estimated that over 240 sq mtrs of tiled terracing was required and some 60 mtrs of wall to make the side and frontage safe, practical and more appealing to the eye as well as adding to it's security. At the rear there was a covered woodshed and a large roomy stone shed with a lockable metal door which would come in handy later. As well as this there was a small number of lemon and orange trees with a large banana plant in the corner, all of which would supply us with plenty of fruit as time went on. (The man from Del Monte lives on!) As for the money? Well, forever the optimist much to the annoyance of my ever frustrated better half, I suggested we get a price for all the work to be done that we could not manage ourselves and look for the money later.

We booked our first flight to Malaga from London Gatwick as that had been the cheapest and easiest flight at the time. We had to be at the airport at 5am in the morning for take off at 8am. That meant leaving home at 2am which didn't go down too well with the boys who were 16 and 14 respectively. We also had the added challenge of carrying as much luggage with us as possible containing everything from bread and butter to knives, forks, plates, even some bedding. Remember, we knew nothing of the area and had nothing but a couple of chairs and rickety beds in the way of furniture. Coupled to the fact we had no idea about the water or power situation or even how to get there, it was looking more like an expedition up the jungle than a holiday.

We picked up the hire car and proceeded to follow the sketchy directions Mark had supplied turning instead onto the main dual carriageway and immediately getting lost in Malaga's city centre.

We were tired and lost but after gaining instructions from half a dozen bewildered looking Spaniards looking in at the boys stacked up with bags, a 25 minute journey took nearly two and a half hours, (that's after realising derecha' meant right and izquierda' meant left! We had little or no Spanish at this time which made even the smallest request difficult).

On arrival, Mark, along with Sally his wife, greeted us and helped with the bags. They had also very kindly brought a few shopping supplies to tide us over.

After receiving all the keys and a quick run down of where everything was, Mark and Sally said they'd see us in the week and left.

We sat on an old couch with the boys looking around before looking at us, their faces betraying their feelings of utmost dismay. Forever the optimist I asked Well boys, what do you think, great eh?'

Luke my eldest son could only stare disbelievingly before answering, Dad, what have you done?'

To be fair, I could understand everyone's misgivings, but I still believed that it could be turned into something far removed from how it looked now. We squared everything away best we could and made up the beds before lighting the fire to warm and air the property through. It was a cold and damp February and the house was freezing. Though tired and drained, we all chipped in with the work until after a few hours the inside was tidy and clean enough for us to relax, and after a slap up meal from the local Chinese and a bottle of wine the outlook didn't look so bleak.

Next day was spent putting what little belongings we had away before going down to the solicitors to hand over the original documents in exchange for our deeds.

The solicitors and bank we had chosen were situated in another small town some 10 kms away along with the estate agents office. We signed the last of the papers making sure all was legal, double checking the transcripts which had been thoughtfully supplied in English. Although some people believe legal services here are expensive, we had to admit that apart from the normal legal stuff associated with the purchase, our lawyer had set up direct debits for the water and electric, had our phone reconnected, set up our rates and registered the house with the main Ayuntamiento (town hall) in Malaga.

All in all, they had left very little for us to do so I classed it as money well spent especially as time was short and our understanding of the system and language over here was limited. A month later after everything had been paid we had the added surprise of nearly a third of the money advanced to them for fees in the beginning refunded to our account as unused funds'. Happy with that!

The rest of the week was a mixture of work and pleasure. We continued to work to straighten the place out by day, by night we'd explore the town or drive down to the coast, the last couple of days of our stay being sunny and quite enjoyable. I chose every opportunity to swing by the airport to practice our home run to find an easier or quicker route! We ate lunch choosing to stop off at a number of quaint Ventas' (café/restaurants) dotted along the roadsides. By the end of the week we had achieved a great deal with the family agreeing that it looked a lot better already, there, what did I tell them?

The day we left, Mark gave us the name of a local Spanish builder he had used in the past and suggested on one of our future visits that we meet him to discuss possible improvement ideas.

First visit was over but we were all a little more confident that our new holiday home venture would work out for the best. Even Rose!!

Useful hint
Eating and drinking out is synonymous with continental life. Meals are usually unhurried with dishes arriving at long intervals which can be lethal if partaking of a good wine! (Well, in my experience anyway!) Ventas, as I have mentioned, are great places to eat any time of the day. Most are open all day for meals but try out the Menu Del Dia' (dish/menu of the day). I haven't found an eatery be it town or Campo that doesn't have one yet, even other foreign food outlets serve them.

It's a set menu usually with multiple choices and can cost as little as 5 and up to around 10 euros, some including a drink. This is what the locals order so it's going to be good and believe me, some of the MDDs we have experienced have been remarkable and very tasty. And don't be put off by an establishments outward appearance, some may look run down but the food and service inside will be splendid.

Useful tip
You're going to hear this over and over because I believe it's important and my best tip by far. Learn the language! However little or much you choose is up to you but in my experience, knowing a few key phrases and words can make life so much easier. There are people that have lived here for ten years or more without attempting to learn to speak the lingo and in my opinion they are the ones who complain about not getting on more than most, and anyway, what's the point in not trying to communicate with the locals?

Irrespective of what the media reports, my experience has been one of understanding and patience from my Spanish neighbours (of which most are) and local businesses alike at our attempt to communicate in their tongue. In fact, it's amazing how the service and language improves, and the price drops when ordering or buying using the indigenous dialect. Think, how would you feel in Britain if a foreigner came up to you and ranted and raved because you could not or did not speak to them in their language? When in Rome...?

Spanish facts
The most famous dishes in Spain are La Paella (the world famous rice dish), El Jamon Serrano (Spanish Ham), El Gazpacho (cold vegetable soup) or La Tortilla (Spanish potato omelette) and the many different sausages. I eat them all and they are delicious.

Spain has the second highest mean altitude outside of Switzerland, there are mountain ranges everywhere. The highest peak in Spain is Pico de Teide' which is actually situated on Tenerife.

And remember the Spanish drive on the wrong side which is the right, which had a whole new meaning when I tried to use a roundabout clockwise on my motorbike!!! Don't ask. But beware the zebra crossings which are everywhere. There is no obligation on the part of the driver to give way to pedestrians and as has happened on more than one occasion, if you're knocked over by a car you may find a bill drop through your door or hospital bed ordering you to pay for the damage to the vehicle!

Useful phrase
Queria una mesa para dos/treis/cuatro por favor. Tienen un menu del dia?
Pronounced: Kayreea oona maysa para dos/trays/kwatro poor faboor. Tee-enen un menu del deeah?
Meaning: I'd like a table for two/three/four if you please. Do you have a menu of the day?

Next week
Meeting with our new friend the builder? Soon be summer and what a summer!