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    Aging!

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    I saw this old photograph on Timehop this morning.  It is horrifying how much one changes over the years.  I didn't recognise myself and nearly passed it by. Maybe I'll try and get back to how I was, at least, maybe I'll try!
            Luke 27 April 2016
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    Zest!

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    It's been another blazing hot day today, so having time off meant only one thing, an afternoon at Zest.  I closed my bank account down first today.  I was paying a fee on it each month of 24€, as a non Spanish resident.  Since I do not get any wages paid into my account and no bills are paid from it, I thought I would shut it down, there was no point wasting money. Good with money? what Luke? I hear you say.  Well yes I am these days, budgeting and everything.  It's what you have to do here, to get you through the winter months!

    We walked to Zest afterwards for a few drinks.  Bloody Mary for me, white wine spritzer for Jamie and coffee for Darrell.  We had a quick lunch there and a few more bevvies.  It was a hot day, so why the hell not!  Jamie got a bit drunk as he usually does and I spilt tomato juice all over me, when walking into the bar.  Oh and I wasn´t drunk, just clumsy!

    I cooked everyone dinner when I got back to Casa Caprice, Irish Stew!  Not as good as I usually make it, I have to say.  I've just finished cooking up meals for the rest of the week to stick in the freezer and with Jason off to work later, I'm going to chill and watch a good film!

    ​Peace and love always!
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    Work!

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    Work

    I am still working at Dunbars, Family Restaurant and it is going well.  Last night was the busiest night I had worked there, since starting nearly two months ago.  I was working front of house waiting on tables, meeting and greeting customers and serving their food.  Now to be honest, I haven't done this sort of work in twelve years and I never expected to be doing it again.  It is a complete departure from what I have done in recent times, but I am actually enjoying it.

    Dunbars have some of the nicest customers around here.  They are polite and tend to leave large tips. Most also agree that the food we cook is the best in the whole area.  It is a great restaurant and I am very happy working there.
    When I first came to Spain, I had no idea, quite what I wanted to do.  Retirement would have been nice, though practically impossible.  We have to work to pay the bills, just like other people.  The compensation package we were informed about, after what happened at work never materialised!
    Wages, like in the rest of the mediterranean are a lot lower than those in The UK.  I knew this before I came to live in Spain, so personally was under no illusions.  You have to understand I was not coming to Spain to earn a fortune, I was coming to get away fro some of the worst people I had ever met.  I really didn't care too much about the sort of work that I did.  I am pretty flexible and versatile and can put my mind to most things.

    ​Coming out to Spain at the beginning of the year was important to secure a job for the summer.  The work here in seasonal and in reality one can earn enough money in the summer months to sustain oneself through the winter.
    So far my working life in Spain has gone well.  I had a job from the second week I lived here and am enjoying the new experiences, that come with forging a new path in life!

    Everything is so different to The UK.  Not all of it is better, I have to say.  But to enjoy a fantastic lifestyle, with 320 days sun a year, I would choose here over Britain any time!

    ​Peace and Love always!
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    My ex employer acted so disgracefully, that I was left not only out of pocket, but also homeless, jobless and Countryless. The harsh reality is I have to work, I have no choice in the matter.

    Working life is of course very different in Spain , for many reasons. Unemployment is extremely high here and employment laws are very restrictive.  This makes obtaining employment hard!
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    Yes it is a completely different way of working.  No I am not used to it and of course it isn't the best way to run ones life, but our options were quite limited at the time we decided to come here.  None of us knew what to expect, so we are just going to try this year, and see how it goes, how much the cost of living is and whether we could do it differently next year!
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    Beautiful Day!

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    Another beautiful day on The Costa Blanca.  One of those feel good to be alive days, and what a place to feel alive.  Perfection in every way!

    Spain is nothing like I expected and everything I hoped it to be.  I feel like I'm home now, finally comfortable in my surroundings.  My heart is certainly here, far away from there!
           
    ​        Luke 26 April 2016
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