This lovely couple arrived in Spain on Saturday.  Their circumstances, although very different from ours, are not that dissimilar to our own.  It is always good to meet  new friends in Spain.  We have so many already, it was just a bonus stumbling aacross these two, after a few drinks in our local square.  They don't live too far away from us, and it was great to be invited back to theirs for drinks after Zest closed.  Natalee and I stayed for a good few hours, chatting away, finally getting home at 4am.    These two are an inspiration for many reasons.  They have made it to Spain, with their daughter Lexi.  They, like us all, have bothered to try and make something of their lives.  Good luck to them!

I always enjoy speaking to Pete.  He is naturally cheerful and happy and always puts a smile on my face.  I offer him a Mojito cigarette every day, which he is fascinated with, clicking away for the desired taste.  We generally, always pass the time of day and have time for a quick chat!

Pete had just finished work and as it happens, I had a little more time on my hands than usual.  I have always said, that everyone has a story to tell, Pete is no exception.  He has lived in Spain for about thirty years, having moved here, because of stress.  This man had made a lot of money, certainly more than I have ever dreamed of having, but during  the process of making it, he became ill.   Coming to Spain for him should have been temporary, instead he spent a life time, living and working here.  He knew no Spanish when he came and now speaks it perfectly, showing that a new life is possible for all of us.

We both swapped stories, offering an explanation, as to what exactly had happened in our lives, to make us, upsticks and leave.  My story is completely different to his, yet for some reason, we are both living in this place, having turned up after terrible times. He was a success in every sense of the word, achieving everything I would have loved to.  I am at the beginning of my journey, with a Euro in my pocket, yet I am sat, talking to a man, who quite frankly, is an inspiration.

Pete is an artist, who spends his time doing the things he wants to do, rather than the things, he was required to do, in the past.  This person has grafted and worked hard, when people like me, were partying too much.  He was a forward thinker, when I was negative, looking back at past mistakes, but most of all he was a success, when in life, I was a failure.  When someone explains how they 'did it', it really does seem simple. Had I been a little more canny in life, given away a lot less and concentrated on building a future, I could have been where he is today, but then not everyone has my story to tell.

When I explained to Pete, what exactually happened to me, he seemed a little gobsmacke. Although, like everyone, when one explains the true nature of what occurred, he didn't actually seem that surprised.  Pete has really been the first person, I have ever spoken to about the last five years of my life, apart from those who were there, suffering with us, during our final year in  The UK.  Some times you have to trust your own instincts and if you trust someone, you have to go with it.

Like Pete and myself, most people I have met in Gran Alacant have a story to tell.  GA is full of colourful, some eccentric, warm characters.  In fact Pete told me there are over one hundred nationalities, living here, in this Urbanization of ten thousand people. It really is like a small town.  Everone knows everyone else and everyone, goes out of their way to help others, who are finding adjusting to life in Spain difficult.  Pete was full of advice and encouragement, even after the story I told him.  He is a very positive man, because that is what Spain does to you.  It really does make one feel exhillerated, even after the most traumatic of times.

I love to meet new people.  At the moment, new people are coming in to Gran Alacant all the time.  The summer season has started, and finally I am seeing coach after coach of holiday makers arriving for the summer.  These people are here long term.  Two or three months at a time, is not unsual and I am relishing meeting such a melting pot of people.  When one lives in this place, which is a tourist trap, one can not help but feel happy, everyday.  After all people who are here, indeed anywhere, on holiday, generally, in the main, are joyful to be on vacation.

Pete told me on Sunday, about the old Gran Alacant,  The area used to be mountainous and used for goat farming.  Masa, one of the large builders of homes in Spain, bought all the land, which at the time, was practically worthless and turned it into the large sprawling urbanization it is today.  Literally they made money out of thin air.  These are all facts, about the area I call home. I want to know, as much as I can about this place. I really am not like most people.  I need and have questions for everything.  I like to learn!  

We spoke about the Euro Referendum, The Royal Family, Homosexuality, Sociopathy, art and most interestingly about the psychology of those from different Nations, that live and make up the population of Gran Alacant.  The regimented Germans, the expressive Spanish and the harsh Norweigens.  We said nothing derogetory towards any one group, at all, we saved that for charities and their failure, abuse and treatment of vulnerable people.  Pete said he felt we had made the right decision in coming to Spain.  He agreed there was no point in fighting against ruthless people, who try at any cost to protect themselves, but he also said my story has to be told, something I am working on, every day.

The expat community, also became a topic for discussion.  I have said it before and will say it again, they have been instrumental in our success or failure in Spain.  Pete used to live in a more rural location, but moved to an urbanixation, because, like us all, he needed interaction.  He had made many Spanish friends, but they were still, just not able to offer the synergy, that we all need as human beings.  The expat community, go a long way to solve these problems.  We both agreed that the advice given by people sat drinking in squares all day, was probably not the best advice to take.  Within five years, Pete deviated from the local British Community and forged his own way in Spain.  Each person is of course different.  I enjoy my interaction with British people and always listen to good advice, no matter who it is from.  There is a first time for everything as they say, but I am listening and acting as and when I can!

Finally we spoke about relationships.  The most important factor at play, between couples who move here, is the make or break nature of their lives together.  Pete remarked at how many relationships, not least his own, had broken down, within the first six months of moving to spain.  It seems that the newness of it all makes for new starts in every respect.  Like Pete, I tend to think, what will be, will be.  If you are supposed to stay with your partner forever, you will, otherwise it will fail, no matter what.

Many congratulations to my dear friends Nils and Sara on their Marriage in Bath today. I have known these two for quite a while now and they are very special to me.  Darrell and myself were so disappointed, to not be able to attend on your big day, as you did on ours, but you have certainly been in our thoughts.  May you have a life time of happiness together.  Grow old and wise with one another and above all always be happy.  We hope to see you both again one day, but until then we all have the memories of our friendship with one another.  

Mucho Amor

​Daz x

This is a video of Los Arenales, just down the road from where we live, it is our local beach, which in my view is stunning.  This is the place I call home, where I am happier, than I have been for many years!

We popped into Barloko, after I finished work.  We don`t get down to The GA Centre much these days, as we are working every day.  It was nice to see Roger, who has been a great source of inspiration for both myself and Darrell, since we moved tp Espana. Roger has always given great advice, telling us exactly how it is here.  Roger is a gentle soul, I know he wont mind me saying that, who has lived in GA a long time.  He started off, rather like we did, and he now owns the most successful bar in Gran Alacant.  It is always a pleasure to see him.

We grabbed a bite to eat, from Get Fresh.  Pizza for Darrell and I had a madrass curry. The curry was delicious.  I had a couple of drinks, a quick chat and just relaxed on the terrace, on a hot May evening.

If you are ever in Gran Alacant, you really must go to Barloko.  It is a welcomming venue, the first one we went to, when we arrived.  It is an expat haven, where the great and good from the area meet.  It really is a home from home and we always enjoy our time at 'Rogers Place'......

Darrell dropped me off down Carabassi, on the way home.  Jamie was working at Brothers and I was meeting Natalee down there after work.  The Pianoman, Tony was playing down also, which was a bonus, as I really enjoy his music.

Now I rarely get drunk these days, but last night I did.  Red wine, beer, bloody Mary's and various cocktails.  I stumbled home at about 1am, not long after Natalee arrived.  I know when enough is enough, so left to walk home, up 'Heart Attack Hill', as the locals call it.  Apparently, people have died on that journey and after last night, I can see why. Going up a mountain, in the dark, with a deep casm on one side, was an extremely bad idea..  It was dark, I was drunk and deviated from the rocky path, heading for the sheer drop on the other side.  Luckily, I slipped and fell, before I reached the end.  I was able to get my bearings, after lying there for twenty minutes, and eventually, after falling several more times, reached the top, and home!

Today I am battered and bruised, have a sore eye, having had to pull out a piece of shrubbery from my eye socket, covered in scratches and have one pair of ripped jeans. I had a great night though, so it was all worth it!

​Have a great weekend y'all.  Peace and love, as always!

Just a quick blog tonight, as I am in bed, still nursing a hangover from our time in Benidorm last night.  With Henry and Saffy staying with us, Jamie had booked a hotel in Benidorm for an over night stay.  We stayed at The Michael Angelo Apartments.  It only cost 60€ for the night, for all four of us,  The rooms were clean, tidy and functional, all you need for a short stay.

The weather was scortching hot, as it is every day at the moment and we started off walking down to the promenade, frequenting many of the bars along the way, as we headed towards the main strip.  My blog readers are fully aware of my feelings on Benidorm, although at this time of year I find it far more bareable and actually, I didn't mind going to Jumpin Jacks, having dinner at The Rovers Return and consuming copious amounts of beer at The Cabaret Bar.  I thoroughly enjoyed it in fact.

We went to visit our old friend Martin in The Gay Village, in the old town.  It is always great to see him.  Jamie and myself spent the evening with him, not getting in to the hotel until 6am.  I had the keys on me and poor Saffy and Henry ended up sleeping in reception.  I literally grabbed half an hours kip, before getting ready to leave!

It was the train journey from hell on the way back.  Alicante to Benidorm, just happens to be the worst journey in the World and I was so relieved, when we arrived back home. It takes me a lot longer to recover these days, so have spent the day in bed.  Back to work it is tomorrow, to earn a crust! Sadly Henry and Saffy, will also be leaving us, returning to The UK.  It has indeed, been a pleasure having them!