El Lunes por la mañana y la vida es una playa!

Petrol and diesel was up until a month or so ago comparatively cheap compared to Britain, and although it still has the same face value in Cents as Pence, it's costing more due to the poor exchange rate and a weak pound. Example, price at the pump in England £1.25, price here 1.27. At this time last year the exchange rate was upwards of 1.50 to the pound which meant fuel was about 2/3 the price. Now however with the exchange rate at only 1.23 at best, its hit the ex pats here more than most.

As a resident, you can ride this out if you're earning a living as the exchange rate makes little difference to your cost of living. However, if you're like a great deal of people out here who are living solely on a pension or investment transfer from Britain, it's shortening the money in some pockets to the tune of hundreds of euros a month meaning people are starting to feel the pinch or are not as well off as they once were.

This has the knock on effect of less business for the retailers and especially for the ex pats that have business or mortgages whereby they are now struggling to keep their heads above water. I try not to delve or view my politics too much in an article of this nature because the situation is pretty bad all over with the signs suggesting things will get worse before they get better.

However, for those of us who escaped for a better way of life and a chance to start over on a new adventure, we still may have to bear the brunt of a recession like everyone else. Although for Rose and I things are far from desperate, especially now with our business up and running, there are those who are contemplating selling up to head back in the hope that anything in the way of earnings or profit gained here, may give them another start in Blighty.

My own view is I doubt whether in the current climate, moving back to Britain is a wise bet, anyway, my philosophy is you don't jump ship at the first sign of a leak!

Let's not forget life here is blinking good, the cost of living is cheaper overall, it's hot and sunny easing my joints and there is still plenty of opportunity if you want to work, (though the option of work takes third place to rest or play for me!) When I get down or depressed, which I have to admit is not very often, I think back to what we did, what we had and what the future held for us in England. Then I look at our lives here and I smile.

(Oh, and as a footnote, spare a thought for the people of Venezuela who have just had to endure another price increase in their fuel. It has gone up from 2p to 2 p a litre! Yes, you're reading it right, bless them.)

Rose and I had made no secret of the fact that one day we may take up the option of moving abroad to live even if only temporary. In fact, we had discussed with family and friends the idea of 'giving it a go' with a 'nothing to lose attitude', but the reality is always different. It's funny, but people really do change when they hear of someone they know is about to attempt something out of the ordinary. Lots of people knew we had bought a place abroad and some had asked if they could use it for a holiday. I of course stated that yes; there was no problem with them using my home, as long as while they were away, I could use theirs! Requests soon fizzled out though my retorts were more for humour than shock value. After all, this was a second home for us and not just a getaway pad.

Investigating the thoughts of all those we knew or spoke to brought a wide range of opinions ranging from 'you must be mad!' to 'well good luck, hope it works out', though the latter was rarely voiced with conviction or meaning. No, it appeared that the 'crab in the pot' syndrome reared it's head on lots of occasions with no amount of reasons or excuses given as to why it wasn't for them and why should it be for us?

I don't mean to sound bitter in any way, as I've stated many times, a change of life style is not for everyone and we can't all be the same. But I did get angry when people resented what we were planning to do, especially after declaring I was not looking to be employed on a full time basis ever again.

One day I was working in Weymouth magistrates Court when I got into conversation with one of the more amicable solicitors that frequented the defence bench. He asked how soon it would be before the move, as he was sure I was about to skip town. I replied that it could be within the year whereby he asked what I intended to do in the way of work. I replied I intended to do nothing; in fact I was planning to retire fully and never work again!

His eyebrows went up as he smiled saying, 'but you're too young, how can you retire?' I heard a man once say, 'retirement has nothing to do with age, it's a decision you make based on your financial means and your quest for a better life! Remember, no man on his deathbed ever said he wished he'd spent more time at work!'

How true that statement is, my only regret is I wish I'd headed the sentiments earlier. We had opportunities years previous when I first left the Royal Navy, but I chose to take the safe option which meant putting on another uniform and working for the man. I know that there are persons, who absolutely love what they do for a living, be it a successful businessman, sportsman, or the un-ambitious that lives life as just one big party. That's great and I don't knock it, but then again, I don't expect to be knocked.

I think the biggest downer for us came by the way of some of the comments made to the effect of, 'well, if you're such a close family, how can you leave your boys behind?' That sweeping statement could certainly hurt and place doubts in your mind, but you have to stay practical, resolute and above all focused.

I have always believed, as someone who left home at 16 to join the Navy that life is for living and the planet to be explored. Both our sons craved adventure and a life outside of the box and the only way for them to do this was to fly the nest. I got absolutely sick of people telling me that the best place for children was at home where they could be looked after and not missed. 'Hogwash!' is the cleanest way I can put that. Each to their own, but my ethos is as long as your kids are living at home, they're living, and in some cases, running your life and not their own! I raised many an eyebrow when asking in return if the reason for wanting the family at home was for them or for the kids. (Controversial Al, making no friends here!)

But it's the truth. I don't really care how other people run their lives, I don't care what people think about us, I don't care if people thought it was heartless, condemning us as poor parents, the proof is in the pudding as they say. Take a look at our boys today and see where they are and what they have achieved. I doubt they would have done so much had we not skipped town. We could never put into words the feelings of sadness and emptiness we initially experienced watching them leave, but time proves a mistake or a point, and the point is justified when we see how happy they are now living their own dream. But it's not for everyone! And before you resent me too much, I also understand that in some cases and in this climate of high cost of living and expensive property prices, it makes perfect financial sense for the family to live together to spread out the hardship, that's after all what family is about.

Outwardly supportive at the time, I believe the in-laws resented the fact that the family split was down to me alone and that I was to blame for the boys having to leave home and for taking their daughter away. But on a recent visit over here just a few weeks ago, my father in law stated that leaving England was probably the best thing we could have done. Yes, there were still tears and regrets, but he agreed that our boys are better off doing what they are doing now and we are better off living out here.

So reaction was a mix of condemnation, insincere and sincere wishes of luck and indifference. But who cares, if you're looking to move, do it for the right reasons which are your own reasons. I've said it before; the soothsayers are usually ignorant by association with the bias media coverage. We never stopped planning in that last year, never stopped questioning the facts and fiction no matter from what quarter. We were going to go; we just needed to be as prepared as possible, though as you'll see, you can't plan for everything.

Useful tip
Public transport here is brilliant! Trains and buses are relatively cheap running frequently and on time. On the coast, the shuttles are everywhere and drop off frequently. The bigger hinged buses travel in and around the cities while the blue campo buses are really air conditioned coaches and are very comfortable.

All the trains run on overhead electric pantographs, so it's a common sight to see old ladies crossing the tracks with their bags of shopping as if they were crossing a road. There are no security fences because there's no kids playing chicken or trying to derail a train for fun. Penalties for criminal damage on or to the public transport system are harsh and anyway, if you're stupid or woeful enough to do it, you deserve to get hurt or punished (Spanish logic).

The most up to date train in the world, the Spanish AVE, is a state of the art masterpiece of travel technology. The new line between Malaga and Madrid opened this year and you can travel from one to the other (at 170 miles an hour) in just over 2 hours. Economy class is lovely but Club class is something else, with private movie screens, Champagne and seats the size of an armchair. The prices of a ticket is equivalent to between £50 & £100 depending on class, and remember, the guarantee is if the train is over 30 minutes late, you get 50% of your money back. Over an hour and it's all your money back. Gives 'Renfe', the national train company, a little more incentive to get it right don't you think? (Since the service began in December, only one train has been late, how come they can and we can't?)

Useful hint
'Don't drink the water, it's full of bugs and gives you the trots!' Well, that's half right. The Spanish water supply has come a long way since those early seventies programmes where the butt of jokes was about all the things that made you sick abroad. We drink the water straight out of the tap, and have done since we arrived to live though to begin with during visits we always used bottled water until the summer came. That's when we found that twelve litres consumption a day to stay hydrated began to get expensive. Bottled water is relatively cheap and to be fair, we tend to get the 'Brita' filter out whenever the in-laws are here because it puts their mind at rest. (Though I doubt whether anything short of hemlock could give the mother in law an upset stomach!)

They also say babies and young children are susceptible to the change in water so it's possibly a good idea to get some bottled stuff for them. But remember, dehydration makes for a great percentage of the casualty figures in the hospital A & Es during the hot months here so drink whenever you can. There are public faucets dotted around everywhere and they're marked (no potable) if not fit for human consumption.

Also, don't be surprised if the water comes out your tap fizzy, especially in the campo. The high mineral content does this and can also act as a mild laxative so you'll have no problem 'going!'

Spanish facts
The main fishing catches here consist of sardines, mussels, tuna, hake and squid, oh, and of course, lots of giant prawns (langoustines)

Approx. 50% of Spain's electric come from fossil fuel plants. Approx. 18% from hydro electric and approx. 27% from nuclear reactors. However, last year, 28% of the total national grid electricity was generated by wind turbine power, you know, the ones people are always complaining about in Britain. There are farms of them all over the place, especially on the hills and less populated areas, you can see them as you come in to land at Malaga airport.

In 1969, the border with Gibraltar was closed.

Useful phrase
Perdóneme, queria un vidrio de agua corriente, yo estoy muy sediento, gracias
Pronounced: peyrdonaymay, kayria uhn bidreoh day agwah coree-enteh, yoh esstoy moi saydiehntoh, grathiass.
Meaning: Pardon me, I would like a glass of tap water, I am very thirsty, thank you

Next week: A move was now up for serious consideration.