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From a new life in spain, to an old life in britain, 'roaming brit' documents uncertain times!

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On 31st January 2016, my partner and I left Southampton to start a new life as Expats in Gran Alacant, on the Costa Blanca. This blog will document our journey, as we navigate the Spanish system, travelling a path untried and untested. With Brexit looming, political turmoil in Europe and an unpredictable future, harsh decisions have to be made. Illness, family bonds and a Change of heart all make for challenging times in a life of a 'Roaming Brit!'

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Making Spain work for you!

1/1/2017

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​How to make the most of your time in spain


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So you have made the choice to move to Spain, 2017 is going to be your fresh start, your big new adventure and a dream that you finally get to follow. You are excited, can’t wait for your new life to start, rearing to go; but wait, you have done no research, you don’t really know a thing about Spain and are scared stiff about what to do and where to go. Suddenly feelings of doubt enter your mind, you don’t know what you are doing, you have made a big mistake; Spain can never work!

Spain has the biggest British Expat population in the World: with Brexit only a short number of years away, many people are deciding now is the right time, to leave Britain, while they still can, starting a new life on the Costa’s. Spain has much to offer, both old and young alike. I of course arrived in Alicante, just under a year ago; like the scenario above, I did very little investigating, preferring instead to take pot luck. Not being familiar with the area, myself and Darrell literally stuck a pin in a map. We knew roughly where we wanted to be, an area between Benidorm in the north and Torrevieja in the South.

Our choice of area, was a practical one. If you have to work in Spain, you will need to be near to large urbanizations, where you can find suitable employment, the Costa Blanca seemed ideal for relocation. There were plenty of Expat enclaves, along the coast and it was really just by chance that we picked Gran Alacant. We had no experience of this place, the people who lived here or the possible opportunities, but we had to pick somewhere, and this seemed as good a place as any.

Writing this blog entry today, I can safely say, we made the right decision, at least on a personal level. The most important aspect of life in Spain, at least for someone who can not speak Spanish, is to be around English speaking people. When choosing somewhere to move, look at the local community, spend some time getting to know the locals, then make a choice about where to live. Of course we made the choice to come here off the cuff, we were just lucky it worked. Had we chose somewhere else, like La Marina for example, things may well of been very different.

Once you have made that move, it is important to get involved with the local community, of which you are a part. The Expats in Gran Alacant organise many events, both for charity and otherwise and most of those who live here all year round are active in one way or another. I have to admit, I am not as dynamic as I could be, living here, but then my circumstances are very different to most. Networking is important. Get to those who frequent the bars and restaurants, speak to the patrons and understand the issues that bind a community, like Gran Alacant together, after all it is going to be your home and I believe you should try to fit in from day one!

Each urbanization works independently from each other, even though they may well be in close proximity to one another. An urbanization will have it’s own President who will be able to help you adjust to Spanish life, which is very different to life in Britain. Ask questions; if you are feeling a little bit lost then speak to people, who can help you, point you in the right direction or can contact someone who can help. If like us, you are a complete novice at Expat life, then you will need all the input you can muster. All the initial information I obtained, was done through conversation, during my first few weeks on the Costa Blanca. During that period I got to know many different characters, who were not only a joy to speak with, but have also, remained friends during our first year in Spain. The Expats I know pride themselves on speaking their mind, that I appreciate, and also pride myself with the same attribute. Saying it, how it is, is important. You have to remember, the people who live in these communities, have seen people come and go all their lives. Most of those I know have lived in Gran Alacant for many years. Life is not easy as an Expat. There are many harsh realities, one has to face on a day to day basis. The one thing you need is honesty and straight talking. You need that in most places to get by, here it is more important than ever. Never be afraid to say what you feel, if others don’t like it, they will be quick enough to tell you so, but, they will appreciate your views and opinions.

Start off on the right foot! I have seen so many people come out here, with the same attitude they had when they left the UK. Change your outlook, embrace new perspectives and adjust your standpoint; in order to get on anywhere, you will need to mix with people. The young, especially, arrive in holiday mode and generally leave in the same way, having run out of money and caused damage to their reputations as workers, as well as running rough shod through a community that does not take kindly to opportunists. The majority of residents are older and are very well aware of those individuals who are just here to take from others, in order to get where they want to be. I know people like this, I had one live with me and have been witness to their aggressive, abrasive nature, to my cost.

If you intend to come out to Spain and get drunk everyday, then my advice is, don’t bother. People around here don’t appreciate the loutish behaviour exhibited by the British. If you want to act like you are still in the UK, then stay there, don’t even consider coming here. Alcohol is cheap, but wages are low and as a seasonal destination, the winter months can be difficult. Presently we are in the middle of winter. At this time of year, when one should be celebrating the festive season, I am having to stay at home, look after the cents and wait for Spring, when tourists and residents alike, once again start to come out to Gran Alacant. Personally I am not adverse to living on a small income, but others in my position, have no idea how to survive and end up in bad situations, that they can’t get out of. If you work in the summer, you need to save for the winter, if you don’t, you cant expect any help at this time of year. Unlike the UK there is no access to benefits, you will have to rough it, like you have never done before!

The Spanish way of doing things, is always something to be considered. Even after a year, I am not used to Spanish ways. Everything is so much slower here. If you really want to make the most of life in Spain, you will need to adjust to the different pace. You will be living along the mediterranean, will enjoy a southern European culture and a far more relaxed way of doing things. In Britain I would be running around, constantly and like most people, spend most of my time stuck in traffic. I had a huge amount of stress and suffered from sleepless nights, all because of the speed, that we had to do things. Spain has changed me into a much more placid creature, who has actually enjoyed slowing down!

One of the many reasons we chose to come to this particular region, was the health benefits attached to life in the Alicante area. Myself and Darrell suffer with arthritis; the climate, salty air and protection from harsh weather has in the main been a godsend. Of course if you want to enjoy all the benefits that come with living here, you will have to change your lifestyle completely. I have never eaten healthier, rarely eat chocolate and candy and walk far more. The mediterranean diet is synonymous with good health and longevity. At the moment I eat a mixture of English and Spanish food, but hope to gradually change my diet over time, removing the English elements altogether. That will allow me to make the most of what is on offer here. English food is far more expensive and difficult to get anyway, so it is only natural that it should be phased out.

When you get on that plane in 2017, make sure you have done all the research you can to make your move work for you. Spain has so much to offer anyone thinking about moving abroad. For us it has been a gentle introduction into Expat life. Myself and Darrell aim to live in Gran Alacant, at least for the medium term, making a success of our life, in a foreign country, like never before. I have lived in Australia twice; Darrell as an Australian citizen, lived with me in Britain for twenty years; so we are not adverse to starting a new life on foreign shores. For me, Australia didn’t work out, at least at that time, that is not to say it wont in the future. Like anywhere you move to, integration into your new community is a must. Adapt to your new circumstances and do not react negatively towards your new way of life. Try new things, attempt new experiences and above all embrace change; then you can’t fail!

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Feliz Año Nuevo

1/1/2017

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So here it is, 2017.  May I wish everyone a Happy and successful New Year!  I have made only none New Years resolution this year; to make 2017 my year.  I am determined to right the wrongs of 2016 and work harder than I ever have done before, to make the new bar work. I want 2017, to be a prosperous and efficacious year, for myself and Darrell, and to you also! 
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Thoughts for New Years Eve!

31/12/2016

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It’s that time of year again; New Years Eve 2016, heading into 2017. I have already done my New Year review, so don’t want to talk about the year ahead, what I want to do is talk about New Years Even itself. I have never really been a fan of this time of year. This is the time bars make money, by charging extortionate amounts to enter their establishments, buying even more alcohol than usual; another date in the calendar, commercialised!

For as long as I remember I have never really celebrated New Years Eve. Don’t get me wrong, I have gone through the motions, occasionally going out to a pub or club and suffering with a massive hangover the next day. We used to attend a fancy dress party at a friends house, every year, for about four years, which I did enjoy. I love dressing up as a rule anyway, and would much rather spend the time attending a small intimate party, with close friends, than stood up in a bar, crushed against a wall, because there is no seating.

The most memorable New Years Eve for me, was spent with friends in Southampton, two years ago. It was actually the last great time I had during the whole festive season. We never went out, we spent time together at my home in the City. Being able to choose, who you spend time with, is a must for me. I don’t want to be associated with people I don’t get on with. Southampton is a small place, relatively, and it goes without saying, that the gay scene, of which I was a part, was even smaller. You were likely to bump into people you didn’t get on with, on a regular basis. For me, celebrating at home, with those you appreciate and love was always preferable. I have never understood the two faced World, where you have to pretend to enjoy someone’s company, when you clearly don’t. In truth, if I don’t want to be around a person, I make it quite clear.

Tonight, I really am not sure what I will be doing. In reality, I will probably stay in, watch a bit of television and then go to bed. With Darrell not here at the moment, I am not really in the mood for celebrating anything, that will come, when he returns home. Jamie is working tonight, so I am quite content to stay at home and let others celebrate.

Now here’s the thing; what are people celebrating on New Years Eve? I am not even sure they know themselves. For me, the thought of celebrating, the possibility of another terrible year to come, is not top of my list of priorities. I do sometimes think, people are deluded at this time of year. Spending too much money they can not afford, pretending that everything in their life is wonderful and not really wanting to change any aspect of it, expecting everything, to just fall in their lap. I’m sounding a bit bitter to be honest with you, aren’t I? I guess it could be partly bitterness, but it is also a reality check. In truth, this year, I have nothing to celebrate. I have been through tough times and just want 2016, to pass by quickly, with no fuss. Of course I wish my family and friends a Happy New Year, but I don’t need to be drunk to do that. There is a very big drinking culture here, with many people drinking every day. I don’t have a problem with that, but I know people who do have a problem with alcohol and it is affecting their life, in a big way. For me, I drink rarely, I can’t actually afford to.

As we slowly drift into 2017, I have no desire to repeat the mistakes of the past. I will be running a new bar in 2017 and want it to be a success. I do not intend to drink my days away or ruin what is left of my life. 2017 for me, is an opportunity to start a journey that will finally allow, both myself and my partner to enjoy the success, I feel we deserve. Maybe next year, I will see in 2018, with a real sense of achievement!

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Thoughts for New Year 2017!

30/12/2016

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Here's to 2017; another chance to get right, what you buggered up in 2016!
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Gran Alacant!

30/12/2016

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I've been sat on the balcony today, blogging, gazing at this gorgeous view; I never get tired of looking at it.  It may well be winter here at the moment, cold inside, but outside it is as beautiful as it always is.  This is Gran Alacant, this is home!
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Cats!

30/12/2016

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The cats, enjoying the warmth  at Casa Caprice!
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Carrie Fisher!

30/12/2016

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A few words, from my Bipolar mentor, the late Carrie Fisher. Rest in Peace!
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The Fork!

30/12/2016

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The Fork

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There were boxes everywhere, as far as the eye could see, every room was packed, with every type of box, cardboard, wooden trunks and those cheap ones you find in pound land, storage crates, easily stackable. I was as prepared as I could be, organised agitation, would be a perfect phrase to use; each casket numbered, named and added to a list; I knew where everyone was going. This wasn’t just a short break, this was moving to foreign shores, away from the past, that just continued to linger, on and on, never seeming to clear, hanging over ones head like a dark cloud. This was something we had to do. There were no options, no going back, no second choice, this was our way to a fresh start, a new journey towards an uncertain future.

It was heading towards Christmas 2015, we had been planning our move to Spain, since the summer. Much of everything we had collected and bought together over the years was gone. For the first time in my life, I had been able to think the unthinkable, and part with the hoards of collectables, antiques and memories, I had acquired over our twenty years together. Every single item, I had, a precious memory or a link to the past, that I held so dear. These items, cherished for so long, no longer seemed important. The security I felt, by having them around, was no longer there. They had not served their purpose, it was time to let go; someone else could enjoy the fruits of my labour; hopefully it would bring them more luck in their life.

Packing up a life time of memories was not easy. Deciding what to keep, throw away, donate or sell was a difficult task for me, especially coming at such a dark time in my life. The blackness, had opened my eyes to the possibility of moving away, restarting my life and also forced me to part with some deeply personal objects, that I have to admit, I regret parting with. During times of great upheaval, stress and pressure, one does tend to make rash decisions, that one later laments, as one remembers just what they meant. Yes these are just ‘things’, but they make me who I am, they are a part of my psyche and without them, as I sit here today, recovered from bad times, I feel a little bit lost.

Nevertheless, we have made many impulsive decisions in our life, none of which I personally, look back on with regret. How could I, each mistake and success has made me the man I am today. I am still here, while many of those, I have known, are not. Like me, growing up at a difficult point in history, for the gay community, I so looked up too. My mistakes, were the same mistakes, my peers made, we were made of the same stock and suffered similar endurances; each time, moving on, mainly backwards, as I did for many years. This time we were moving forwards, starting on a completely new path. Yes it was a radical solution to what had transpired, but it was not of our own making. Things are just things; inanimate objects, with no real value and easily parted with. When ones life is at stake, there can only be one line of focus, to deviate from its path would be foolish; we knew that.

Our last Christmas in the UK, would not be like any other we had known before. There was a kind of inevitability; a finality about what was playing out in front of our eyes. I felt detached from my surroundings, a spectator to events running their course; not quite able to comprehend what was going on; indeed what would come next. I remember very little about day to day events, they were just no longer important to me. I do remember the many friends, we had built up, over such a long period of time, coming to visit, to say their goodbyes. It was a similar feeling to being visited by someone, as you lay in a hospital bed. People you rarely see, coming to pay their respects. I would imagine that when I finally leave this mortal coil, a similar level of feverish activity will take place. The usual phrases come to mind; ‘you will be sadly missed’ and ‘it wont be the same without you’, all the things said when there is a death in the family or someone is gravely ill. Of course we are very much alive and well, living our life as we have to; at that time, a deeply emotional and disturbing time, there didn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. It really was like going to ones death.

Saying goodbye to loved ones was hard; harder than one would ever imagine. It was made more difficult, knowing that we would not be returning for a very long time, if at all. Most of those who spent time with us during those last few months were extremely happy about where we were heading. For so long, those closest had been witness to our gradual decline, bought about through inaction by those who should have been there for us. It was not a period I look back on too often, but it is part of this story, that began many years before. Of course there were a few voices of decent, who had an opinion, completely at odds with what we had decided. These were very close friends at one stage, but seemed determined to wreck any chance, we had of starting a fresh.

I understand that people have different views. I completely accept that one should always speak ones mind, but what I didn’t bargain for, was the absolute detachment, through grief and incandescent vitriol thrown our way. The contempt that was directed towards us, as a couple, through manipulative behaviour, hurtful comments and the determination of others, trying to isolate us, during those last few weeks was dreadful. To this very day, I will never understand, why people, who claimed to be close, tried so hard to destroy their friendships with us. I can only suggest, that pushing people away is the easy option. I have done it myself. Sometimes in order to move on, I would cause as much trouble as I could for friendships, so their was literally no window to return; no going back! For people who can’t show emotions it is a great get out clause.

I have a lot of amazing memories from the later half of 2015. I made some very close bonds, with people I would have never thought possible. People who I had clearly misjudged and due to the upheaval in my life, had bothered to give a chance. My previous pompous, overbearing stance on many individuals had all but disappeared and I had the pleasure of finding myself in company that I only wish I had sooner. There was a kind of willing acceptance, that things were going to change very drastically and I was playing the final act, before the curtain fell. I enjoyed so many experiences, had innumerable, memorable conversations: abundant happiness, from those wanting to see us do well and copious gathering of people I had known for as long as a generation; all there to wish us well.

The negative voices did pale into insignificance towards the final day we left British shores; for that I am grateful. We were able at least to depart on a positive note. That final night, before we left, sleeping on the floor, was scary, I grant you. It wasn’t about the fear of failure it was about the anticipation, of what was to come, the unknown, what has yet to happen. That is a good, healthy fear, one we should all experience in our life time, The forks in the road, the crossroads we forge, the paths we make our own are builders of character. They are the times in our life, that make or break us. Whatever the outcome, from these enduring times, I, at least am safe, with the knowledge, that I finally stood up and was counted, today making my own journey, without the need or desire to return to a place that I called home for so many years. Funny I normally, always run back there, this time, it only exists in my memories!

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Thoughts for New Year 2017!

29/12/2016

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With 2017 just around the corner, it's time to put this year to rest. Forgive, forget, move on and look forward; don't look back, focus on the new challenges ahead
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Shopping!

29/12/2016

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A spot of shopping today, picking up the groceries for the week.  Thought I would include the photograph on the left; the price of wine in Lidl.  62c for a bottle of Rose. Rather than eating, it's actually cheaper to drink alcohol, not great as a rule, but  most people drink sensibly in Spain, unlike the British!
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    51-year-old Author and professional blogger. Expat formerly living in Gran Alacant on the Costa Blanca! Currently, residing in my adopted home of Perth, Western Australia.

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    A place to call home
    Finally, a place we can call home.  A community of like minded individuals, who used to call Britain home.  Now Spain is our choice, an altogether gentler, happier, sunnier and safer experience!
            Luke Feb 16
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