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Online therapy, home security systems, and travel insurance

On Thursday evening, I would usually be lying on a sofa watching television, in between blogging of course; however this week, I took part in something a little different. My employer Tesco had organised an evening, where employees could see where all the food and other consumables it donates, goes to. The local store I am a part of, based in Fratton has much to be proud of, community is at its heart and can be seen in store everyday. It is the first time in many years I have felt a part of a team, that works together to make a difference to the people that they serve. Like all areas, Fratton has its fair share of deprivation and poverty; there is a need for large organisations like Tesco to play a part in helping those less fortunate. On Thursday I witnessed 'community in action' as my colleagues pulled out all the stops to make peoples lives a little easier for one evening; where they could sit, have something to eat and enjoy each others company, forgetting their difficulties for a few hours.

I spent an evening, with colleagues at 'Food Cycle' in Fratton, one of the charities Tesco champions. I helped prepare a meal for around fifty local residents, made from the food Tesco and other large businesses donated. Chopping vegetables, peeling potatoes and helping serve the guests at Kings Church in Portsmouth, all part of this unique occasion. It was a busy evening, but I did find the time to share a few words and conversations with those in attendance. Everyone was grateful and pleased at what Tesco was doing to help their local neighbourhood. Shaking hands, a pat or two on the back and a smile of appreciation from the people that took time to attend this humbling evening, on such a rainy night, was all I needed to understand the importance of such local benevolence.

I am proud to work for an organisation that puts people first and works to make the community it serves a little better to live in. I have personally worked for many different businesses and charities, but haven't experienced this kind of community undertaking before. Being able to see just where charitable donations go is important for people like me, who have a moral compass to uphold. I have always volunteered in one capacity or another; as a society I feel we have a duty to do so. I am not a millionaire and struggle to get by, just like everyone else, but if I can spare some time, to help others I will. Life isn't just about money and how much we have, it is about doing what we feel is right and playing a small part in helping to change peoples lives. I understand what it is like to fall on hard times, we are all at the mercy of events, our own circumstances could change quicker than we think; for that reason we need to understand the significance of giving back to those who need it, as Tesco did tonight and will continue to do in future!

I've had another busy weekend with barely time to think. It was football day at The Newcome Arms, as Portsmouth played at home to Oxford United. I walked into a busy pub, after a long shift at Tesco, working through to 11.30pm; seventeen hours on my feet; I thrive on days like this and enjoy the vibrancy and excitement around me. This Saturday the locals were celebrating yet another win for their city.

As a novice where football is concerned, I have little comprehension about the game, football players or the politics involved. Most of the time I have no idea what customers are talking about. However my ability to listen and extemporise in these situations serves me well. For the most part I have meaningful conversations about a subject I have little understanding of, without making myself look an idiot and of course I can talk the hind legs off a donkey. Adapting to situations and circumstances without a slip up is one of my best abilities; when one couples this with my love of people, you can see I am on to a winner; I am a people person in every sense of the word!

Saturday night was full of high jinks and good spirits in the main and I thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie of the day. This weekend was a little more boisterous than usual, but nothing good bar staff couldn't handle! After fourteen hours of work on Saturday, I collapsed in bed, sleeping like a baby. My usual insomnia just disappeared. I am of course a firm believer in hard work, despite spending too long in Spain not working. Talking to a friend today about my situation living abroad, they were in agreement, it was the best decision I ever made to come home. Employment opportunities are few and far between on the Costa Blanca; your face has to fit or you wont get a job and I wasn't prepared to 'suck up' any longer, if truth be told. As a 47 year old man, with a proven job record and work ethic, I shouldn't have to beg and grovel for work. Thank god working practices are more equitable in the UK; it really is a pleasure to be back in the real World! If you enjoy your job, labouring alongside decent people and are appreciated for your endeavours, you really are not going to mind working hard. In Spain, I became rather disheartened by the amateur way in which some employers carried on their business activities. I can only speak about my own experiences; once again I picked the wrong path in life!

I do seem rather bitter towards Spain don't I? Well I really don't mean to sound negative. Most people and businesses were decent individuals, who went out of their way to help and give people a chance; especially the many Brits who arrive in Gran Alacant each year. Had I been in the right place at the right time, I may well have settled in Spain much easier. One of the readers to my blog asked me only this morning, what advice would I give someone of my age, thinking about taking the plunge and moving to Europe. All I can say is be careful, very careful indeed. There are a lot of unscrupulous people in this World, people who take advantage of others good, honest nature; get out of holiday mode straight away. Remember no one is your friend and you should always keep your wits about you. Do not be bullied or persuaded to do something you don't feel comfortable with and above all if you aren't a good judge of character, don't move to Spain in the first place.

As you can see I am extremely happy to be grafting again for a living. After a long tiring weekend, it was lovely to come home on Sunday and settle down for a fantastic roast dinner, cooked by my Cousin Rachel, spending some much needed time with family. This was the side of life I missed living abroad. The only real contact you have with people is in a bar or restaurant, there is very little chatter that isn't centred around alcohol and that is a real shame. Many of those I knew were only acquaintances; they patronised the bar In which I worked and that isn't any real grounding for friendship in the main. Luckily I have some good memories from those who did become close, including some customers I used to serve on a daily basis, but I can't help lamenting the missed opportunities, the lost years of loneliness and the hardships endured, only to leave the continent with nothing. I don't regret living in Spain, but I do feel remorse for not grasping the connections I could have had here instead. Since returning to the UK, I have had to reassess every aspect of my life; today I have reached a point where I can say I am happy and content to have made my own choices, the right choices and not the knee jerk reactions to circumstances that were out of my control!

Here are the official photographs from our family gathering at Funtley Hall and Social Club, near Fareham, my home town. My Cousin Carrie-Anne, professional photographer, was able to capture the day perfectly; the pictures are truly outstanding. I would like to thank my dear Cousin for allowing me to publish her work on my blog, showcasing it to a wider audience. Most of us today, have a smart phone with inbuilt camera, recording moments and milestones in our life, but nothing prepares you for the magic of beautiful images, taken by a professional. These are pictures to cherish for a life time.

I hope to see my family once more, before I leave the UK, but like most things in life, nothing is guaranteed. I am however happy to have been included in such a memorable day, spent with those I haven't seen in many years; equally I have met many new Cousins, who I haven't seen before. Carrie-Anne's photography skills are without question; I have seen a lot of her work online and congratulate her on her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment, to a vocation she enjoys.

Thank you Cousin for organising the day, inviting me along and taking such beautiful photo's. You have made my stay here in the UK a joy; something I shall always remember, as I know everyone else will, who attended on the day!

Local  painting and decorating contractor, Andy Stewardson has been doing his bit for charity. Accompanied by his colleague Paul Stokes, they have been working at S.A.T. Animal Rescue in Delores, (SAT Sociedad Protectora para Animales - Dolores) painting their office building for free, providing all the materials and labour, with no cost to this local charity; hat's off to them both. I have included links to both Andy's business and S:A.T. Animal Rescue, above. Just click on the advertisements, to take you straight to their pages. You can also click on the facebook icons, to take you to there respective pages on the Worlds largest social networking site!

Andy and his wife Katie, moved to Spain nearly two years ago; both have a love of animals and would like to offer their full support, to everyone at S.A.T. Animal rescue for their invaluable voluntary work. Without volunteers, this and many other charities wouldn't be able to do the good work they do. All of us at 'Spanish Views,' would also like to wish everyone at S.A.T. best wishes for their future endeavours.

Andy Stewardson currently has an office in Plaza Mayor, (Popularly known as Masa Square,) in Gran Alacant. Andy's services are always in high demand by local residents; his work is always competitively priced and finished to a high standard. One click on the facebook icon, will take you to a list of testimonials, from many of those who have had work done on their properties; do take a look; Andy will be delighted to give you a quote. Examples of his projects can also be viewed; all enquiries welcomed!

​The "Protective Society for Animals of Torrevieja" (or SAT) is a charity whose objective is to alleviate the local problem of lost and abandoned dogs. It was formed in 1992 by a group of like-minded people and registered in Valencia as a charity with the number: 3463. It is also registered in the City Council of Torrevieja.

SAT was founded in 1992 thanks to a group of people of all nationalities who saw the need to create a sanctuary for the abandoned dogs that roamed the streets of Torrevieja. Nowadays, with its kennel in Dolores, it is still a multinational organization and a charity institution of the Valencian Community. Our goal is to avoid unnecessary suffering and find a home for many of the abandoned dogs in the Costa Blanca area. We no longer just cover Torrevieja, but also  Murcia and other places more inland such as Pinoso and Sax. Luckily, there are now more places like us that shelter abandoned animals and so we can more easily take care of the immediate problems of the Vega Baja.

We have a large number of volunteers who do almost anything, making sure our "guests" stay in Dolores is happy. There are those who walk the dogs, who pick up the poop, who wash them, who work in the store, who collect funds, ... In general everything that has to do with collaboration. Although it never hurts to have more help and always need volunteers for our stores in Guardamar, Urb La Marina, San Luis, Los Montesinos, Cabo Roig, Benimar and San Miguel to collect funds. Since these are our only sources of income, this whole part of SAT is important.

If you can help us in any way, please call the kennel at 966 710 047 and they will put you in touch with the corresponding person. But remember that there is an answering machine, so follow the instructions that are indicated in the message because the staff may be working around and not answer your call at that moment.

Dolores shelter is only for dogs, but SAT helps other animals when necessary. We work closely with other charities and individuals who deal with other types of animals, so even if we can not accommodate them, we can advise them if you wish.

SAT is a non-profit organization. We raise funds from different events such as dinners with dancing, dog shows, charity sales, fairs and, of course, donations.

Please look for a little while, visit us and have a look at our animals or donate as much as you can to a charity that is worth doing.

www.satanimalrescue.com

"I entered my sons birthday cake in this competition & made the f...inals!
It’s now down to public votes to win the baking weekend in London! 👨🏻‍🍳
I’m asking people to please take 20 seconds to vote for me🙏🏼
You simply click on the link provided & press on the heart❤️ on my Alice in wonderland cake & that is all.
It closes on 20th so every vote counts!
Please help me!"
Thank you

Rich Leach

Yesterday it was a quick shopping trip to Elche to buy a new freezer. I still like to cook in bulk, freezing what I can, making my own roast potatoes and freezing my own vegetables; it makes for far more economical cooking. I started this economy drive last year, when Darrell went to Australia and I was surviving on very little money. I don't intend to go back to my old wasteful ways. In Spain you can cook as cheap or expensive as you want; I prefer cheap. We are both saving money hard, hopefully to buy a house in the very near future, so every penny counts right now.

I hate going to Elche at the best of times. It is a large sprawling city, with a spider like network of roads, many of which lead nowhere. As usual we got lost driving in and lost coming back. 

We went to Carrefour first; I had seen a relatively competitively priced chest freezer, for 199'00€. Darrell thought it was  over priced, so we went to Media Markt, similar to Curry's PC World in Britain, where they had an upright freezer for 149'00€. It looked like an own brand model, called 'ok!' Having squeezed it in the back of our tiny Opal Corsa, removing all the packaging at the shop, just like a pair of pikeys, transporting it in the worst way possible, we finally got the thing home. Leaving it to settle overnight, we turned it on this morning. Fingers crossed it will still work and I can get back to being the perfect housewife that I am!

Just a quick blog this morning, as I have to pop into work to help put the Christmas decorations up. I wanted to ask any readers of 'Spanish Views,' if they have any top tips for cooking and eating in or out economically, please can you message me, using the form below, with your suggestions, for an upcoming blog and I will be sure to add your comments.

​Thanks as always!

Have a great Tuesday y'all! 

For Sale - MOTHER GOOSE – Baby Equipment Hire Business

Loss of premises forces reluctant sale.

Currently based in Gran Alacant since 2002, it could be relocated anywhere within the Costa Blanca with an active family holiday maker customer base.  It has proven to a successful business, whether based in a shop or run from a property with storage space available.

We are fully stocked with a large range of good quality equipment, a lot of which is new or nearly new, much of which has been purchased this year, in readiness for another busy season in 2018.

To help the new owner we have a website: http://mothergoosehire.wix.com/mothergoose , a facebook page, business cards and an e-mail address and phone exclusively for Mother Goose business.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, please e-mail [email protected]