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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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Settling into Expat life, in Gran Alacant!

5/1/2023

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Walking down Heart Attack Hill!
We had a house full of furniture and two cats to bring from the UK, to our new home in Gran Alacant.  The easiest option for us, was for Jamie and me to fly from Southampton Airport and for Darrell and close friend Dale to drive from Britain, down through France, into Spain and onto the Costa Blanca; two days in a van with me, Darrell and the cats, was likely to end in bloodshed otherwise.

This was a journey that took Dale and Darrell several days to complete. In France, halfway through the journey, they stopped at a cat friendly hotel and rested as long as they could, before completing the journey. When they arrived, it was a frantic few days of unpacking, before Darrell dropped off the van in Alicante, and we could finally start to live our lives, far away from the troubles of the past.

Sitting in the tiny lounge, surrounded by boxes, slightly shivering on a cold February day, I remember how happy I was to finally be away from Britain. Our last few months there were not the best, and Spain was just the new start all of us needed. None of us knew the area at all, so once Dale had left for the UK, the three of us began to explore our new home of Gran Alacant.

The 'Rehab,' or 'Recovery train,' (recovering from life in The UK) was our first venture into this quiet urbanisation. This miniature train, on wheels, would circumnavigate Gran Alacant several times a day, and we could hop on and off as and when we liked. After a particularly wobbly walk down Heart Attack Hill, to Molly Malone's Irish Pub, the first pub we visited in GA and one of our favourite haunts, We caught the train, just outside the bar and travelled the short distance to the Centro Commercial. This modern town had everything you could need, including several supermarkets, Mercadona and Lidl, the obligatory tobacconist, where I would by my Mojito flavoured cigarettes at 4.35€ a packet, half the price they were in the UK, and of course plenty of bars and restaurants.

Barloko, as it was named then, was situated at the top of the main shopping centre and during our first few weeks we went there several times. We hadn't yet found our own neighbourhood local, Sierra Mar, which was actually hidden away in a small gated community, down the bottom of a rather steep incline, a few minutes from our house in Calle Canarias.

At Barloko, or Roger's bar as we liked to call it, we met many of the locals at this popular venue and of course the amazing Roger himself, who was always a friendly face, even when things weren't going our way. He would often sit and chat with us, explain a bit about Gran Alacant and help us find our way around. Roger is one of those characters you just can't forget, and it was always lovely to see him.

We also spent a lot of time in Alicante itself, just a forty-five-minute bus journey away. This cultured city, full to bursting with architectural wonders, a beautiful castle and our favourite part, the marina, was just what we needed to get over the UK. It was a World away from the drudgery of Britain and even in winter, we could sit in our preferred venue of choice, 'Soho Mar,' just passing the time of day, forgetting our worries and feeling every bit like we were on holiday.

Of course, we weren't on vacation, we were there to start a new life in the sun and by the beginning of March, it was time to start building a future, and looking for work in Gran Alacant.

Out of the three of us, I was the first person to find a job in GA, at 'The Easy Horse Care' Charity shop in Plaza Mayor, at the bottom of Heart Attack Hill, a fifteen-minute walk from Carabassi. I worked several days a week and was paid a small wage to keep me going while I looked for something more permanent. The charity did what it said on the tin, rescuing horses and donkeys in the local area; this magnificent shop, consisting of furniture on one level and clothing above, was my first real foray into the neighbourhood of Gran Alacant. At first, I was a bit dubious about taking on the position, after my bad experience working for a charity in the UK, but my reluctance soon passed, as I made friends, worked hard and began to integrate into a community that welcomed me with open arms.

The Charity shop opened my eyes to the well established Expat community, and it wasn't long before I began to venture out more and more. Sierra Mar, was a short walk from my house on the hill, so I wandered down to this friendly square whenever I had the chance. It wasn't long before 'Zest,' a newly opened bar, became my second home. Lee and Brett were the perfect hosts and always welcoming, as were Steve and Paul behind the bar. Along with Aunty Pam, who cooked the best comfort food and was always free for a hug or two, they soon became akin to family in Spain; these were familiar faces in an unfamiliar World. When confronted with a new beginning, it is important to find your niche, somewhere to feel relaxed and at home and for me at least, Zest was it.

It wasn't long before I got to know the locals and when Darrell was called away to Australia, a few months after we arrived, these were the people that got me through. Darrell's Mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and although we didn't know it then, our time would be cut short in Spain because of her illness. With Darrell travelling back and forth to Perth, I made the best of a bad situation. Settling into life in Gran Alacant was the most important factor, in me staying there for as long as I did. Had it not been for my Mother in law's illness, in all probability we would still be there now.

Of course, part of settling into a new neighbourhood is establishing lasting friendships. Luckily I met long term friends Andy and Katie, who lived just around the corner from me and then there was Paul and Michelle, who were instrumental in making me feel a part of their lives, especially when Darrell wasn't there. It is true to say I went into myself a lot more and became very withdrawn at times, but when you see your dream ebbing away, it is all you can do to cope with the changing landscape.

Gran Alacant was an easy place to settle down, it had everything I ever wanted and more - people I cared about, a community of like-minded individuals, helpful friends and local residents, and the perfect location on the Costa Blanca that worked for us. It wasn't in the throng of Benidorm, it offered a more relaxed place to live, but with a busy social scene that came into its own, especially at night, making you feel you were actually somewhere bigger. With so many nationalities living in one place, it was the best choice for us, and I am so glad we lived there, even if it was for only a few years. The memories I made, and the friends I still have today, are a tribute to the place I was honoured to call home, and a fitting homage to the Expat community who looked out for me, in a way nobody had done before!
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The Casa on the top of Heart Attack Hill!

2/1/2023

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We must have been driving around for what seemed like hours, all the while trying to find free Wi-Fi, so we could contact the letting agent; frustrated, I threw my hands in the air, in the back of the cab and asked the driver to stop and drop us off in the centre of Gran Alacant. By this time I was red with rage; no one seemed to know where the house was, and worst of all, all the bloody street names were exactly the same. What sort of place was this? Even the taxi drivers didn't know where they were.

It was early on Monday morning, the sun was shining, but it was cold, not 'British cold,' but chilly enough to shiver. Now, when one considers moving to Spain, one never actually believes it is cold in winter, but it was the 1st February and the chill was biting. Stood by the kerb side, phone in hand, frozen, tired and thoroughly fed up, I shrugged my shoulders with despair; can this day actually get any worse?

As I walked up and down the pavement I managed to get a signal, and after a bit of frantic googling, to my surprise, I discovered the real estate agent was literally just around the corner, and luckily for us, he had just opened the shop. I must have looked a right state that morning, as I traipsed in to the OP Group office with Jamie and two suitcases in tow, but as I collapsed on the chair in the office, a smile crossed my face; we had done it, finally done it, moved to Spain, away from a life that had kept us trapped for so long, and I couldn't be happier.

In the office, I took a large wad of Euro's out of my handbag and handed them to the gentleman behind the desk, apparently this is how they like to do business in Spain. Cash was king and to be honest, I was finally relieved to offload it. Luckily for me, the contract was in Spanish and English and seemed self-explanatory, but then I never bothered to read the small print anyway, just wanting to get to the house and finally start to unpack!

Our Agent was English, having moved to Spain with his Spanish wife, and he was pretty knowledgeable about the area, full of useless information and the odd word of advice. Right from the get go, I realised this place was going to be very different to what I imagined, and I could tell an element of 'ducking and diving' was called for. Nevertheless, this wasn't Britain, and I didn't really care how challenging the next few weeks would be, I was just glad to be in Spain, a country where Darrell and I had always wanted to live.

The drive to our casa in Calle Canarias was short, probably about ten minutes, but it was up hill all the way. We drove through most of Gran Alacant on route to the house, and the views were spectacular, as far as the eye could see. Turning left at Sierra Mar Square, we drove the short distance to where we would be living. Up until now, we had only seen a photograph on a web page. Heading down a small side road, we arrived at the top of 'Heart Attack Hill,' appropriately named by the local Expat community. Our casa sat proud on the left-hand side, overlooking Carabassi and Alicante beyond. As he stopped the car, still nattering away, I was struck by the most awesome view I had ever seen. Opening the car door, gingerly walking towards the wooden fence, the only barrier between us and death, I stood there for several minutes, just looking out at the vista before me and fell immediately in love.

Through the gate and up to the front door, we walked inside the small terrace house, or quad as they are called, with a tiny backyard, no bigger than a cupboard and a smell of damp like you wouldn't believe. The agent said an airing would sort that out, but I seriously had me doubts. There was no central heating, insulation or ventilation; the windows were single glazed and the floors were marble; the house was colder, than anything I had lived in before.

After saying goodbye to the agent, practically throwing him out the door, still talking away, we started to explore, what little there was to explore. Essentially we were living in a two up, two down, which was a lot smaller than I was used to. The saving grace was the rooftop solarium, which took two flights of stairs to reach. As I pushed open the door at the top of the house, a freezing cold gust of wind nearly blew me off my feet. Once again I stood there aghast at the stunning, panoramic views; this time I could see right out towards the sea. The stale, mouldy odour throughout the house paled into insignificance as I took it all in. Despite its many faults, this house at the top of Heart Attack Hill felt like home already, and I was happy and content in a way I hadn't been before, living in Britain!

We lived in the house for a little over a year, by which time, the novelty of the views had really worn off. In winter the windows leaked like a sieve and I would often come home to a deluge in the lounge. The mattress in the front bedroom was so damp, it had to be replaced, and the condensation was horrendous. Worst of all however was the freezing cold winters, of which we saw two. The lack of heating was so bad, I walked around with a duvet wrapped around me and our two cats, Precious and Lily, wouldn't leave my side, draining my body heat away faster, than I could make it. This was like living in the UK, back at a time before central heating and double glazing, akin to my childhood in 1970s Britain.

Despite this, the summer was amazing, hot, up to 45 degrees, but with each small urbanization having its own swimming pool, it was easy enough to cool down. My enduring memory, will be the amount of times I climbed up and down that mountain to get to the bars in Carabassi, no wonder it was called Heart Attack Hill. Climbing back to the top, filled with cheap Spanish beer, was always a challenge, especially on one notorious evening where I stumbled and fell, hitting my head on the edge of the chasm, waking up moments later half hanging over the edge. Just one step closer and I would have been a gonna.

One of the locals said to me one evening, after a few too many sherbets, that the amount of people who went missing in the mountains around Gran Alacant was incalculable. Of course, I didn't believe a word of it, as they winked, just before my expedition back up the hill. It was a reminder, however, of just how different this place was, and as much as I complained about it at the time, today that tiny little casa has more memories within its four walls, than I would have collected in a lifetime. This house will always be a part of me and vice versa, and I look forward to the day when I can finally visit Gran Alacant once again. As humans, we do form emotional attachments to homes, and despite moving over thirty times since 1992, my first Casa in Spain is the one I will remember most. It was a brutal introduction to Spanish life, but it was also a positive one. When I dream of Gran Alacant, I dream of the house on Heart Attack Hill; memories that will live on in perpetuity!
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This is the time of year, I think about Spain the most!

10/1/2022

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It's cold, miserable, and overcast outside; this is the time of year, I think about my old home in Spain the most. I still have many regrets about this period, living in Gran Alacant and for the most part, they are all about dreams unfulfilled. I understand the reasons why I had to return to the United Kingdom in 2018, but it leaves me with an uneasy feeling, as I dream about a future, away from Britain. Living in Spain was hard in every respect, but it was also liberating, soul-searching and a time to grow into a better, more accepting individual.

Friends constantly ask if I will ever return to Spain, and it is a difficult question to answer. If the World was as it was in 2018, then the answer would be yes, without a doubt yes, yes, yes. I miss my life in Alicante greatly. It wasn't a period filled with wine on the terrace, sun-drenched beaches and colourful festivals 24/7, but it was memorable for all the right reasons. Darrell and I achieved everything we needed to in such a short space of time – we both had jobs, earned good money, became Spanish residents and felt included as part of a community, unlike any other we had experienced before. The month before I made the decision to leave, I felt the happiest I had ever felt in years. The Costa Blanca was home, I was happy to be alive and the people in my life, were generous, accepting and nurturing; in all but name, they were the family I didn't have in Britain.

As an individual, I began to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Being around like-minded people from the expat community was a joy. Each of us had a story to tell, all living in Gran Alacant for very different reasons. It was indeed a melting pot of views and cultures, but most of us seemed to get on well. I really miss that sense of belonging, camaraderie and solidarity, something sorely lacking in the UK. I suppose, on a day like today, with the sun barely poking through, you do turn to better times; even if I didn't think it then, Spain was better in every respect. It is the people I miss the most – being able to walk out of my front door, and slowly meander down to the local square; stopping along the way, I'd pass the time of day with friends and neighbours, eventually sitting quietly in Sierra Mar Square, with a good book and glass of Vino Tinto. Untroubled in an urbanization I adored, I was content with my new life in the sun.

Today, I really do lead a busy, hectic life. I rarely sit down to blog as I would like, because I just don't have the time, and that makes me sad. In Spain, I blogged every day and always had something to say. I also had a monthly column in a magazine  and to be perfectly honest, I was achieving my dreams, in a way I hadn't before. Spain opened doors that in Britain remained closed. The informality of Gran Alacant and the relaxed lifestyle gave me time to breathe and think about life. My thoughts weren't always positive, but the fact I had time to ruminate, was a sign my life was significantly better than it was.

Like Darrell, I tend to suffer in cold weather; I hate the British winter with a passion. Having not left this country since 2019, I have become more resentful than ever at this country, that for me projects a feeling of anxiety, melancholy and depression, especially at this time of year. I am a traveller at heart and always have been, so being confined to Britain, in the middle of a pandemic, has been a dreadfully unsettling time. I am left feeling deflated, often with very little hope, wishing I had stayed firmly in Spain when I had the chance.

Brexit is also another factor that has determined our future direction. There is no chance of returning to Spain in the same way we have in the past, because we just don't have the option to do so. The laws have changed and whether we like it or not, neither of us can work to support ourselves in Europe, we have literally had our choices taken away. I was one of those idiots who voted for Brexit, and it was a huge mistake; there isn't anything I can do about that, so Darrell and I will just have to live with the consequences of my actions.

Brexit is a huge regret for me, but so is leaving Spain in the first place. Both Darrell; and I agree, that I could have stayed on in Spain when he returned to Australia, even during the pandemic, but I remain unsure about that. Britain leaving the EU and COVID-19 has changed all our lives, without exception. Despite reflecting about the amazing life I used to have on the continent, I am aware about just how difficult circumstances would have been for us, had I stayed in Gran Alacant. The hope is, we can one day live abroad, maybe not Europe, and have a similar accomplished existence. We are however realistic about the future and realise time is no longer on our side. Now in our fifties, we may just have to accept the inevitable and create our own small piece of paradise in the UK.

The month after Christmas is traditionally the most challenging time of any year. I do feel depressed and down in January, and that will not change anytime soon. Interestingly when I lived in Spain, January was no exception, I also found it the hardest month, so this probably isn't unique to Britain. Yes, I think I possibly found it easier to cope with, living in a sunnier climate. I will always have fond memories of my time in Gran Alacant, I am still in contact with many of those I met there and enjoy seeing their photographs and hearing their stories on facebook and Instagram every day. I may not be a part of their lives now, but those three years, living and working in Europe, remain firmly in my heart. They are a reminder of what life can be like, if I persevere enough and embrace another country's culture and traditions, Somewhere to spread my wings, somewhere to call home!
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June Menditta - Raising money for Cancer Research!

8/5/2021

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It has been three years since I lived in Gran Alacant, but I always keep in touch with the wonderful community on the Costa Blanca when I can. Gran Alacant was full of wonderful characters, many of whom remain friends today. One such person is June Menditta, who I have written about before. This is a lady who helped Darrell and I tremendously when we first moved to Spain in January 2016. June often posts photographs and memories from my time in GA, and I am always interested to see how she is getting on.

As a pivotal part of the Expat community, June is a big personality and has always done what she can, to help charities that she holds dear. She was always the centre of information and a 'go to' place when needing advice. She is someone I hold in the highest regard and miss terribly. June will be one of the first people I visit when I return to Gran Alacant and is a person I am glad to call a friend.

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June sent me a message the other day detailing her charitable efforts, raising money for Cancer Research, a charity I have taken to my heart back home in Britain. Her 10,000 steps a day challenge has raised 750€ for important research, with June completing a final step count of 376,824, which is a staggering 147 miles. This is an amazing achievement for June and certainly tugged at my heart strings, as I read about her endeavours.

My memories of Spain are wide and varied, but the people who live and work in Gran Alacant are always on my mind. Throughout this pandemic, I have often thought about them and the lives they have forged in Europe. The contribution Expats make to local life, wherever they are based, is often overlooked by the vast majority of the British public; most have no concept about living abroad. However, throughout Spain and beyond, there are small enclaves of British Ex patriots doing their bit to raise money for good causes, even if life is a struggle for them. The mark of true altruism, is selflessly helping those in greatest need, despite our own obligations and demanding lifestyles. The people of Gran Alacant always go that extra mile, to give back, even in an unforgiving World.
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Remembering Life in Gran Alacant - Luke Martin-Jones In Conversation!

6/2/2021

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Is Spain Really Right For Us? - The Brexit Aftermath!

2/1/2021

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I've had a number of things on my mind recently, especially over the last few days, with the dawn of Brexit. Darrell and I intended to return to Spain to live, once this pandemic is over. It is a country we both love and were proud to call it home for several happy years. I often think of my time there and the friends I left behind. Both of us worked harder than anyone to achieve our resident status, retaining our respective residency permits, even today. It does look as though Brexit may well have changed all that, and a return to our old life in Gran Alacant, is just an unobtainable dream.

After looking into the subject of residencia, it would appear our Spanish status has already lapsed, because we have been outside the country too long. This isn't entirely set in stone of course, and I have messaged a legal representative to discover if we would have to reapply for residency, or if we could carry on where we left off. Our intention was always to return one day, once our family circumstances had changed and the pandemic was over, but we just aren't sure if it is viable any more.

Both of us fought very hard for our aspirational life and neither of us want to give it up that easily, but the truth is it may not be right for us now, as it was when we left in 2016. Neither of us are getting any younger and my reliance on the National Health Service, since I returned to Britain has been palpable. I'm not sure I would be able to have access to the Spanish system in quite the same way. Navigating the health care system in Spain, was proving difficult, whilst I was living in Gran Alacant; when my social security contribution was cancelled by my employer, without informing me, I was left with little choice, but to get private health insurance, of a sort.

The expense involved for Darrell and I, having to fund my own health care, was particularly hard. Having to work in a job, that was out of my comfort zone was also difficult, especially when you have an employer who lacked the dignity, compassion and empathy of a decent organisation, with morals and a real sense of direction and purpose. Struggling on the Spanish minimum wage, having to deal with unscrupulous svengali type characters, is not something I want to have to do in my fifties.

Both Darrell and I still have our hopes for the future, and they remain very much the same as they always have done. We continue to be travellers at heart and do not want to live in the UK full time. We have never really settled anywhere, buying property in France, living in Australia and Spain as well as moving to the north. I suppose Spain became the closest to the home I have always wanted, but that's not to say we can't have that somewhere else, abroad, with a better climate, more congruous to our way of thinking.

I have a feeling that the end of Britain's membership of the EU will be the beginning of a new adventure for both of us. When things get back to normal, we will once again have to make a decision about where our future lies. Brexit may well have closed European doors, but it has opened many more as a result. There is a whole World out there and if Spain or any other Continental nation isn't a possibility, then moving further a field maybe the answer. There are many parts of the planet we haven't explored, and we may just keep travelling forever, only settling when circumstances so desire. For now all dreams are open, all destinations a probability!
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Lockdown Life - Holiday at Home!

28/5/2020

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It was absolutely glorious in Portsmouth today; the weather was perfect for a stroll down to the historic dock yard, which is sadly closed at the moment, due to Coronavirus. Nevertheless, you could still see HMS Warrior and take in the sea air, just the tonic for making you feel alive. It felt good to be out and about once again, as I walked around the streets of Portsmouth and Southsea; the coast really does suit my sensibility. I have always lived close to or near to the sea and find myself drawn to coastal regions, wherever I am in the World.
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I still have friends living in and around Gran Alacant and Alicante in Spain and it has been good to keep in touch with many of them, during these testing times. Of course Spain has started to move out of lockdown and it has been amazing to see happy faces and laughter once again throughout the Costa Blanca on facebook.

People eating in restaurants and drinking in the bars, I used to frequent when I lived in Gran Alacant, is hopefully a vision of the future for us in the UK. After what Spain suffered during this first wave of the pandemic, normality is greatly needed and appreciated. It wasn't that long ago, that I was sending messages of condolences to my friends in Spain, expressing my horror at what was unfolding. Today I am the one receiving emails and telephone calls asking me to stay safe and take care, as Britain's death toll soars ever higher, day after day!

The death toll in the rest of Europe is falling dramatically; in the UK, we still have over four hundred deaths a day, which emphasises our Governments failure to get to grips with this terrible virus. We have more deaths per million than every other country in the World and with our abject failure as a nation to get COVID under control, I seriously fear for the future. On my walk today, the Country seemed to be back to normal and when non-essential shops open again on 1 June, it is likely we will see a huge spike in fatalities once again and that is frightening.

Speaking to Darrell on the phone earlier, he expressed concern about Western Australia reporting four new cases of COVID-19 and how they were not out of the danger zone yet. My reaction was, a wish we were dealing with similarly low numbers and told him not to worry too much. The scale of the problem in Australia is so small compared to here, I am thankful he is safe in his home state. Looking back now, I wish I had travelled to Australia when I had the chance, then at least we would be living our life together, rather than apart, which is the hardest part of this pandemic.

I am still considering plans to go to Australia in the future when we are allowed to travel, but that is dependent on a number of factors. I can not afford to fly to Perth and have to self-isolate for two weeks, as well as doing the same on my return to the UK, that will be a whole month before I even spend time with Darrell. These restrictions will need to be lifted before I even think about making the journey, but the reality is, our death toll will need to fall significantly, before any changes are implemented and I can't see that happening presently.
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On Saturday I was due to fly to Japan to meet Darrell during a two-week stay. This holiday has now been cancelled and after a lot of wrangling with the airlines and travel operators involved, we are now just awaiting a full refund. This isn't the ideal situation for Darrell or me, we were both looking forward to seeing one another this Saturday, but like many millions of other people, we just have to live with this scenario. To be honest I am not even sure I want to get on a plane at the moment, but I know Darrell and I have time constraints and my husband has to return sooner rather than later, in order to comply with the terms of his visa, that allows him to remain with me here in the UK.

As yet we have no plans to rebook any holiday to Asia, until this situation is over, probably when there is a vaccine in place. Both of us are hoping the timing of events are now favourable, and we can finally pick up where we left off in November, when Darrell left the UK for Australia. Until that time, we will just have to continue living as we do now and hope it isn't too many months before everything returns to normal.

In a couple of days I have two weeks off and like the rest of the population I will be spending it in my home city of Portsmouth. I have discovered much about this city, that I never knew before and it is good for the soul finding out more about the place you live in. When I moved to Spain, I also spent time exploring this beautiful urbanisation. I researched its history and also looked closely at the demographic of the population. By the time I left I knew more about my adopted home, than most people who lived there.

Despite my fondness for Portsmouth, I am missing travelling, something I really enjoy and was a huge part of my life up until recently. It will be awhile before things change for the better and it is likely the travel industry will be decimated and the cost of flying could well be prohibited for most. For me however, my life will continue to involve a lot of toing and froing, because of the nature of my relationship. For that reason I am making the most of my time here in the UK and continue to enjoy experiences, I wouldn't otherwise of had.  I want to be able to look back at this time and say I achieved something and began the process of connecting, with the place where I was born!
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Steve Dale - The Planet Stupiter!

18/5/2020

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Steve Dale, author of 'The Planet Mirth Adventures One' has just had his second children's book, 'The Planet Stupiter' published. Steve's latest creation, is a charming story, detailing a dream, where Granny Beetroot, then a child, is transported to another world, meeting a girl from Earth called Princess. After telling her three Grandchildren of her adventures, they too travel to 'The Planet Stupiter,' meeting strange looking creatures, Queen Bella and the Gnomes who live there. Discovering the peculiar and wondrous World is in danger of disappearing, Niamh, Mia and Miriam hatch a plan to save the planet before hope is lost!

I met Steve, while living in Gran Alacant in Spain. I was working in a bar in Plaza Mayor, he and his lovely family were regulars, and we got to know each other well. The stories Steve told, were the tales I loved as a child and his amazing imagination was an inspiration for me, as I concentrated on my blog at every given opportunity. His words of wisdom and advice during a particularly difficult time in my life, were always accepted with thanks and I have always done my best to support Steve in his endeavours, as he has for me, commenting on my blog whenever he can.

Steve's first book transported me to my childhood and at 49 years old, I enjoyed every word. I often read children's books, for the imaginative stories they tell. Anything that takes me back to better times, especially today is welcome. As I focus on the future, I am always inclined to focus with fondness at my youth and the stories I was told and read, encapsulating a brief moment in time. These books have remained a part of my life and occasionally I will remember a saying or passage in a chapter that has as much meaning today as it did then. Steve's books are memories of the future, for children of today. In a World so ravaged by COVID-19, 'The Planet Stupiter' offers the chance to escape and enjoy the innocence that all of us crave. Children of any age, right up to forty-nine years old and beyond, will enjoy these wonderful books of magic, wonderment and an imagination running wild!
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Please click on the Amazon icon above, where you can purchase Steve's new book 'The Planet Stupiter.' Do leave a comment and of course a review of Steve's latest work. You can of course email me at Roaming Brit, if you have any questions or comments you would like me to pass on.

Happy reading!
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Gran Alacant - The Square!

6/4/2020

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Gran Alacant had numerous personalities living and working there, people who became good and close friends. There was of course a large British Expat contingent, but there were many other nationalities represented, from Norwegians, Dutch and even Russians. GA was a diverse enclave, far more multicultural than its British equivalent and despite the many differences, there was very little trouble and everyone lived together in relative peace and harmony. Whenever I think about the years that I lived there, I am always amazed by the camaraderie and common sense of purpose everyone had, living in a place that we all called home, enjoying a life style that we could only dream of in our respective places of birth. This was a time to explore and get to know the locals and establish oneself as part of this welcoming neighbourhood that was very much the life blood of this urbanization near Alicante!

Community life was centred around the squares in Gran Alacant. My nearest, just a short walk from my Casa was Sierra Mar, hidden behind a gated community, tucked away from prying eyes. Whenever I had the time, I would pop up the square and have a few drinks, chatting with the locals and staff alike; I found myself in a setting akin to home, comfortable, harmonious and full of good cheer. Like everyone else, we had our favourite bar and being the creatures of habit we are, we would spend our time settled, relaxed and chilled in our favourite setting.

Zest was our Oasis and a place where we always felt welcome. The staff always went above and beyond and in a relatively short space of time became friends to unwind with, a shoulder to cry on and a catalyst for advice when things weren’t going so well. Despite living on my own in Spain, while Darrell cared for his Mother in Australia, the customers and staff at Zest were always there to lend a helping hand. This was a location that I returned to time and time again and somewhere I miss very much today.

Saturday afternoons became a bit of a pilgrimage, as I made my way to Sierra Mar for drinks with neighbours Katie and Andy. These two became very close over my time living in GA and with both of our husbands away for a good chunk of the year, Katie and I established a great and important friendship. Katie was always on hand to take me shopping, the cats to the vets or to sit and have a glass or two of wine in the blistering Spanish sun. The square was also the perfect place to meet others and I gained many wonderful friends, while sat having a drink, many of whom still remain close today. The close-knit community wasn’t something I was used to, but it was a breath of fresh air coming from a large city in Britain. The locals and tourists did seem genuinely interested in me and were always there to offer guidance if they could. The reason we got on so well in Spain, was because of the encouragement we were given by others, when all else failed. Advice from people in the square was invaluable to us as we began to navigate our way around GA.

The square was a focal point for celebration as well as a hub for local life. Ladies Day celebrating June's Birthday, Christmas Carols around a central Christmas tree, Bingo on a Tuesday afternoon, charity events, raising money for worthy causes, including Elche Orphanage and Sunday lunch with friends at Zest. I spent more time in The Square than I did at home; this was an outdoor lifestyle that we can only dream of here in the UK and it is a time I always look back on with fondness.

Recalling my first tentative months living in Gran Alacant, I am reminded of just how important Sierra Mar was to my sense of well-being. I had arrived in Spain, shattered and broken after a year of torment living in the UK and this small square began my process of recovery and acceptance, giving me back my faith in humanity at what could have been a deeply damaging period. Within a short space of time, I felt accepted and a sense of belonging that I couldn’t have felt anywhere else. Spain changed my outlook forever and gave me back the life I lost. I long for the day when I can once again drink cocktails in the sun and enjoy the company of those who played such an important role in my life; reliving the good times, remembering the milestones and recalling events that made me the person I am today!
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Gran Alacant - Making The Right Choices!

23/2/2020

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It has been nearly two years since I left Spain to return to the UK, after what I can only describe as a manic time living and working in Gran Alacant. As I look back at that period I am reminded of the difficult journey that Darrell and I travelled, trying to forge a new life in a country both of us loved but knew little about. In this new section of Roaming Brit, I want to relive my experiences in Spain and try to understand just what went wrong. It is true to say our move in 2015 was brought about by adverse circumstances, and we started off our new life in a rather negative way. On the surface this could well have signalled the beginning of the end of our adventure before it even started, but of course our move was significant for many other reasons, not just the turmoil that was the catalyst for our decision to move.

We left Britain behind with some apprehension, neither Darrell nor I knew if our move would work and really had to take a chance, leaping into the unknown and trying to salvage what was left of the life we once had. After a terrible time working for Oxfam and the bullying we endured for many years, we both decided a fresh start was necessary to begin the process of rebuilding and repairing our sense of self-worth. After much research we decided Spain would offer us the best chance of a new life away from the memories of the past. By the time we left the UK, we were both exhausted, ill and shadows of our former self. As I stepped onto the plane with Jamie, a friend who had decided to move with us and Darrell had left Southampton with a single van load of stuff, we were both really unprepared for what happened next. Spain was nothing like we had imagined, it was the beginning of the most difficult time in our life.

After a brief stay in Alicante, we took a taxi to our new home in Gran Alacant, a destination we chose through luck. We saw a house we liked online and immediately contacted the agent a few weeks before our departure. We knew nothing about this small urbanization in the Valencia region, except it was close to Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja in the South. It was the ideal choice for our relocation, being close to work and links to Britain. This seemed like the perfect raison d'être on paper and as we drove up to the new house, I was positive about our decision.

The weather was cold, very cold and the house even colder inside. This was the beginning of February and all of us were unprepared for the freezing temperatures that greeted us. When one thinks of Spain, one never imagines for a minute the British like conditions, howling wind and icy cold nights, but Spain in the middle of winter was as bad as Britain, if not worse. The houses were cold, without central heating or carpet and the single glazed windows let in the cold and damp air. Our location at the top of Heart Attack Hill overlooking a ravine was indeed idyllic, but it also left us exposed and vulnerable at a time when the weather outside was decidedly unwelcoming. The first few weeks took some getting used to and all of us suffered to differing degrees.

It was important for me to get out and about as soon as I arrived and not dwell on the past. The predominantly British Expat community would be our home, and we needed to find our place within it, meet the locals and discover just what life was like in Gran Alacant. It didn't take too long to find our way around and introduce ourselves to residents. Daily activities were centred around one of three squares, Plaza Mayor, Sierra Mar and the Centro Commercial, as well as a strip of bars and restaurants at Carabassi at the bottom of the hill we overlooked; everywhere was within walking distance. With beautiful white sandy beaches, just a short walk away, the lifestyle this enclave offered was inviting and popular among the many tourists and second homeowners who lived there! The streets were safe and clean, the locals would say hello, pass the time of day and were generally more approachable. At first this was a little disconcerting, but as time moved on, I became used to this friendly community vibe and grew to love its charm.

The characters that lived and worked in GA, as Gran Alacant is affectionately known were varied and full of surprises. Within a short space of time I had made friends with some incredible people, who went out of their way to help me fit in and adapt to Expat life. Sitting in Dick Turpin, looking out across the square, winter sun high in the sky, warming my cold hands from the night before, I was suddenly at ease, safe and feeling at home. This was the first amicable bar we had stumbled across and I can't fault it in any way. In reality, this was how I pictured life living in the sun and I wanted to make this adventure work. An instantaneous feeling of determination overwhelmed me and I made a pact with myself to do everything possible to remain focused, at a time when I could have so easily let go. After such a horrendous time in the UK before we left, this is when the weight of the World lifted from my shoulders and it was all thanks to those locals who made our first few weeks so memorable, happy and inviting. Gran Alacant was my home, as it still remains today, firmly in my heart, rooted in the memories of an altogether better time!
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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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