Stick or twist?

It’s been seven years since we made the move from England to Spain. It’s hard to believe or comprehend everything that we’ve been through in that time. Strangely it’s the difficult times that I remember most when I look back on our time here, but not entirely with a sense of annoyance, more often with a sense of pride and appreciation of what we have survived and overcome. That sounds far more dramatic and exaggerated than it should be, but even so it was still a brave move to embrace the adventure and take ourselves out of our comfort zone.

I always said, with unwavering focus, that I would never return to the Uk once we’d moved here, but now I cannot say that I am so sure. It would take far too long to describe the ins and outs of life here that have slowly eaten into my resolve, but if you have read any of the previous posts in this blog over the last seven years, you will understand that we have been pushed to the limit regularly. A life in the sun with beaches and cheap beer and wine was always part of the dream and, believe me, it still carries a lot of weight when I think of the alternative.

The turning point came in August when we took our family holiday in the Lake District. We’d been several times before but on this occasion we based ourselves in Keswick and were unbelievably blessed with blue skies and sunshine for the two weeks. Don’t worry, I know the reality of the Lake District weather, but it gave us two weeks of heaven on earth. During the two weeks there we had conversations about moving to Keswick and it’s the first time I had entertained the idea, or would even enter into a conversation about leaving Spain which, in itself, was a milestone.

After a two week holiday, upon returning home to Valencia, I was immediately conflicted. How could we possibly leave this behind? The weather, the space, the lifestyle.

Anyway, I didn’t want this to be a long and detailed tale of our last eighteen months here (it’s been that long since I have written) but suffice it to say that life here has tested us as always but we have been very happy regardless.

I know I make a habit of being overly dramatic and letting things get to me but, trust me, some things can grind you down.

I’ve made (or started – as it’s not exhaustive) a list of ‘pros and cons’ of life here and in Keswick, which I will post below.

List below – feedback welcome.

PS – I won’t be going back to the Uk – the actual logistics and practicalities are far too complicated for me to get out of my deck chair and consider. Why would I put myself through that?!

(A house to sell in Spain and a house to sell in the UK which we / I would have to ‘live in’ for six months before selling to avoid huge tax hit.)

SPAIN – PROS

• Weather
• Prices – eating and drinking
• Beaches on our doorstep
• Lifestyle – outdoors / more relaxed
• Motorbike – all year
• Swimming pool in the garden
• Caxton College – good school for Lizzy & Selena

SPAIN – CONS

• Water – we buy bottled water as you can’t drink the tap water, and the running water comes from a local ‘deposit’ – we spent four days without – unable to shower, wash dishes, flush the toilet, brush teeth, wash hands etc etc – and that happens fairly regularly without warning or apology.
• Internet – slow and intermittent
• Language – we survive and continue to learn – but with Valenciano and village slang it’s not the same as chatting in English.
• Storms – twice a year destructive downpours – Dana flood
• Roads – our local roads are dreadful and badly maintained
• Dogs! – Every evening, night, morning – barking nonstop – people here have dogs as guard dogs to protect their property, so they’re left outside 24/7, often protecting unoccupied houses.
• Bins & Rubbish – it’s like living in a Johannesburg ghetto – rubbish dumped at the roadside (including opposite our house) with no thought for recycling
• Caxton – poor pay (Selena would earn much more in UK)
• Spanish bureaucracy – where to start? Unable to complete simple tasks online, you have to go in person.
• NIE/TIE problems – an ongoing problem with corruption and inefficiency means we can’t renew our residency forms – what should be a free service is costing nearly 500 euros
• Winters – no home insulation / carpets / central heating – it’s like living in a cave
• Car prices

UK – PROS

• Language – being able to converse with everybody without thinking
• English pubs!
• Scenery – The Lakes etc – green and beautiful
• Family – closer to all of our family
• Work options – I could work if necessary
• Pay – Much better pay for Selena
• Car prices

UK – CONS

• Weather
• Traffic
• My motorbike – I can use it all year round in Spain – but rarely in UK
• Drunken louts – we experienced a harsh reminder in Keswick of the worst of UK drinking culture and the UK Chavs
• Lifestyle – culturally different in terms of outdoor living / being relaxed
• Prices – eating and drinking