It was an early start, for me at least, this morning; we went with Dawn, to Carrefour, in Santa Pola; first, we stopped at a local  merchant, so Dawn could get some locally produced red wine; at 1,40€ a litre, you can't go wrong. We were getting supplies for the 'No Wives Club' party tomorrow. Once again, it is all change here in Spain. Andy has already left, Gran Alacant, returning to the UK today. Pete, Dawns husband, flies in from Africa today and Darrell leaves on Tuesday.

With the summer season on the horizon, our new bar opening soon and people, once again on the move, Dawn suggested, it was time, to sit and relax at her villa and have a get together.  The weather is gorgeous at the moment, so it is a perfect opportunity, for us all to spend time in each others company, before everyone departs, on  their separate ways.

Dawn and myself are making the main meal; I am preparing a lasagne today; Paul and Michele are making the starter and Katie is dealing with desert.  With Dawn also providing the alcohol, it's all systems go, for a party, by the pool, in the sun tomorrow afternoon!
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Thank you to Paul and Michele, for a delicious meal this evening, at their lovely villa in Gran Alacant. it was fantastic reminiscing about the old days, living in Britain; the way things used to be. Stories about school dinners, cooking with lard, growing ones own vegetables, carpets and central heating. All the things, that seem a long time in the past now, as all of us make a new life in Spain! 

Had a wonderful evening at Zest last night. Most of the 'No Wives Club' were there, enjoying a glass of red wine or two. It was good to see Katie, who I haven't seen for a few weeks, since she started working at Jet2; all going well, by all accounts; After a long day out, we were home relatively early.  Darrell made me an avocado, emmental, red pepper, tomato and herb, toasted baguette.  He wouldn't tell me, what the herbs were, but it tasted gorgeous. Considering Darrell never cooks, I was pleasantly surprised. He will most certainly, be cooking more in future!

A big congratulations to our friends and members of the 'No Wives Club', Paul and Michele Stokes on the opening of there new shop at the Santara Life Resort, in Gran Alacant.

After our trip to Santa Pola market, myself, Darrell and Dawn, stopped off at Michele and Paul's shop, in Gran Alacant.  It was their opening day; we were offered a free glass of wine, while we had a look round. The shop is light, bright and airy, with a modern  feel, situated, just off the main road, near the reception of the resort.

Paul is offering mobility scooter leasing, for the exceptional price, of 70€ a week or 15€ a day.  You can also hire a range of kitchen equipment, for your stay, self catering in one of the bungalows at Santara.  Paul is also offering the rental of DVD's and other essentials. to make your stay more relaxed and trouble free!

Half of this spacious shop, is dedicated towards holiday and travel gifts; hats, scarves, toiletries, adapters and other items for the discerning traveler.  Managed by Paul's wife, Michele; always welcoming, ready to help and look after you, while you browse around. As the season progresses, Paul and Michele, aim to offer an extensive range of goods, including swimwear, books, maps, greeting and postcards!

I would like to wish  Paul and Michele every success, for their new venture. I have only known these two, for a short period of time, but their generosity, positivity and sense of purpose, has always shone through. Two people, who I have the pleasure of calling friends!
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It was an early start on Saturday.  We popped to Santa Pola market with Dawn, to have a mooch around.  I have been to  Gran Alacant market, but never the one in Santa Pola.  It was mighty impressive, I have to say. The strangest thing for me, was the stall selling real fur, coats and stoles. You just would not get that kind of thing, in the UK, Britain would never allow it.  The stall was packed; Dawn bought a leather waistcoat. 

Prices at the market were fantastic.  I bought a very large Paella pan for 11,50€, which was cheap as chips.  On one stall they were selling leather jackets for 10,00€, and all the clothes on sale, were at bargain prices. As the season progresses here in Spain, so to the market,  will get bigger and bigger; there were only a small proportion of stalls, in comparison yesterday.  I look forward to returning when it is busier, in the summer months!

Before we left, we had something to eat in a Spanish cafe.  A cheese burger for 3,00€, a lot cheaper than the food on offer, in the tourist areas. If you want value for money, always eat in Spanish places. Santa Pola market is definitely, one of the best I have been to in Spain.  If you get the chance, pay it a visit, next time you are there!

We had a couple of drinks and a catch up with Dawn and Andy last night. I actually don't think I've chatted so much for ages.  We must have totally chewed Steve's ear off, behind the bar.  I don't think he minded too much and was happy to join in our conversations, commenting 'We do chat about some strange things, don't we?' Our chatter did range from 'what was your favourite time, in your life?' 'motorbikes,' 'religion' and 'death.' The thing I like about Zest, is the staff, their welcoming nature and the relaxed atmosphere, always a pleasure having a drink or two.....Thanks Steve for putting up with us! 

Dawn popped over yesterday, while I was cooking up my weekly meals, to invite us out for lunch. We went to our favourite restaurant in Gran Alacant,  the Dutch owned El Hatsikidee, next to the GA Centre. After lunch, we rushed home to rescue the food I had left in the oven; returning to Dawns villa afterwards for a few drinks.

It was good to talk to Dawn, as  always. Myself and Darrell are still very much playing a waiting game here, which can't continue for much longer, so people like Dawn offer invaluable advice, as well as a platform in which to relax, taking away some of the stress and worry, that we currently have.

We must have got through about six bottles of red wine, sat out on the veranda; I had a lovely day.  Sometimes, other people, can  give you that bit of encouragement, you need, to get through the next day. Dawn is good at giving out those positive vibes, we all need someone like that, in our lives, from time to time!

Andy finally flew in to Alicante for the summer on Sunday, the last of the 'No Wives Club' to come back to Spain. Only Pete is now out of the country, working abroad. It was a day of drinking at Zest, after picking Andy up from the airport, with Paul and Michele joining us in the afternoon and Dawn in the evening.  The weather was glorious in the main; it was lovely, sat in the sun chatting; nearly all of us back together in the same place.

For myself and Darrell, the hard work starts now.  We have a mountain of paperwork to sort out for Darrell's Residencia, here in Spain. As readers are aware, I got my residents status on my Birthday, last year. Darrell however, chose not to; that was a bit of a mistake, one we are rectifying now.  The process however, is not easy and we have a lot of documents to sort out, before he can even apply for his green card. In order for everything to complete successfully, I have to obtain suitable employment, sooner rather than later now, so will be hoping to overcome this hurdle very soon.  Waiting is no longer an option for me; I need to do what ever is necessary, to secure our life in Spain. Important documents also have to be legalised.  These will include our Marriage certificate and possibly birth certificates.  The legalisation Office in Britain will legalise the documents by attaching a stamped official certificate (an ‘apostille’) to it.​

The Legalisation Office (UK)

The whole process should take a few months to complete, then finally we will  both be legal in Spain. We do seem to spend our whole life, filling in forms, because of the relationship we have; that is something, that will continue for a lifetime.  This is just how it is, if you have a foreign partner, who is non EU; on top of that , Brexit will have its own problems, for our ability to stay in Spain.  Other factors that are aggravating the issues we are facing, include, Australia  not recognising gay Marriage and  Darrell's 'Indefinite Leave to Remain' visa, expiring once he has been out of the country, for two years. Added together, we have quite a few hurdles to overcome, still.

We have a busy few months ahead, that's for sure. Hopefully we will finally be able to relax in a few months, when we have both overcome, all we need too, fingers crossed!

Had a lovely time with Dawn yesterday, sat at her new villa, drinking red wine, on a warm spring day.  Life always seems better when the sun is out. It was great to catch up with Dawn, it has been a couple of weeks since I last saw her. In the evening we spent time with Katie and her lovely Mother and Father, which is always a pleasure.  Politically myself and Pete, her Dad get on, like a house of fire.  I don't get to talk politics much out here, so relish the opportunity, when it arises!

Dawn's husband has now left Spain for work, Darrell returns home from Australia, tomorrow afternoon, after being away for a little under, seven months.  On Saturday, Paul and Michele, return to GA, from Dubai and on Sunday, Andy, Katie's husband, flies to Gran Alacant, from the UK. March, is certainly turning into, a month of change, for all of us at the 'No Wives Club!' 

Today I am cleaning my casa for Darrell's arrival.  I am also getting the mounds of paperwork needed for immigration, together.  The one thing Darrell and myself have always endured, for twenty two years, is the spectre of red  tape at boarder control, whether in our former home of Britain, or here in Spain.  It is something we will always have to deal with.

Fingers crossed, all will be well, when he enters Alicante; when you have a life like ours, you can never be too careful!