A couple of weeks ago, I asked my three kids what they missed most about the UK.
My eldest said she missed “Shortbread” and my middle child reported
that she would prefer a more regular supply of “Percy Pigs”, a jelly
sweet from M&S. My youngest decided that the lack of “Fruit
Winders” – which any parent or grand parent will know have a permanent
supergluing effect to the normal seat fabric of any car built after
1990 - was his greatest regret. Then again, he is only 4.
Rarely, thank God, are we confronted with events of such
overwhelming tragedy that they threaten the very fabric of our ways of
life. A year ago yesterday, 07/07, as part of a cynical terror plot to
destabilise the morale of the British people, acts were committed of
the most heinous kind. Lives were lost and shattered. Despite the
carnage the morale, I believe, still remains intact.
Being aware of the date but going about my busy tasks in Gibraltar,
after a couple of early meetings, and a trip to M&S, I found myself
in Morrison’s Supermarket. The tannoy announced that it was 1.00 (CET
12.00 GMT), and in line with the act of remembrance being held in the
UK, a one minute silence would be observed.
The effect was startling. In that vast supermarket, the World stopped.
Several hundred shoppers, who moments before were going about their
hectic trolley filling, stood with their heads bowed. The sense of
common grief is most profound. A dropping pin could easily have been
heard.
At 1.01 PM the tannoy thanked their customers for their observance and the clatter of trolleys started again.
I confess that I am, not in any prurient sense, a bit of a people
watcher. At the check out, which by the time I got there, was perhaps
ten deep I spent some quality day dreaming time looking at my fellow
shoppers.
This was Friday lunch-time, so the great and good of Gib who were not
eating at Sacarellos, off Main Street, were topping up the family’s
fridge for the weekend. In addition to the local shoppers, the vast
majority were expats getting their hit of McVities’ Digestives and
Heinz’ salad Cream.
What is interesting about this group is the diversity of ages.
The local International school’s, of which there are at least 8 within
a 50 km strip from Gib, broke up either yesterday or the previous
weekend. As a consequence there were a number of Mum’s with a range of
little ones. The majority have that healthy glow about them, born out
of an intensive first week at the pool side. Pester power was in full
swing and I thanked my lucky stars that I had left my brood at home in
San Pedro - otherwise we’d probably still be shopping!
However, the majority of expat shoppers are in the 60 to 80 age group.
They live, I expect, within a 100 km radius of Gib which covers much of
the Costas de la Luz and del Sol and the inland regions from Antequera
to Ronda, Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera.
They are a very interesting crowd. The ladies are clearly enjoying
their retirement very much. Their trolleys are full with high fibre,
low calorie products and plastic trays straining with the best fruit
and vedge available. Their health and well being are clearly a priority
and let’s be honest it’s paying off - they look great. A number of
their reluctant male shopper partners have deep golf tans and wear a
variety of shorts and polo shirts. They are shot dark looks when they
linger a little too long near the pork pie counter and can only dream
of returning on their own to stock up on Melton Mowbray’s best.
A recent report carried on the excellent New Sky’s site has told us
that the UK Civil Servant’s at the Department of Work and Pensions has
calculated that over 1million Britons retired abroad over the last
decade. Spain has been identified as the most popular European
retirement destination with 74,433 pensioners moving here since 1996.
Additionally, Mutual Assurance has reported that one third of those
approaching retirement hoped to buy property abroad. Overall, we are
told, there has been a 50% rise in 'overseas OAPs'.
With properties in the South of Spain ranging in price from the very
affordable to the uber expensive many former UK residents have seen
that they can sell up even the most modest house “back home” and buy in
this marvellous part of the World. In addition to their existing
pension arrangements, these more mature settlers often find that they
can often bank a sizeable chunk of residual equity - making life just
that little bit sweeter.
For mature clients, as for the majority, the advice is the same. Obtain
as much background information as you can obtain before making the
jump. An old adage from the commercial world “failing to plan is
planning to fail” is particularly apt. Such a move is far too important
to fail to take into account of all aspects. Location is essential. The
proximity to health, preferred leisure facilities and communication
links are also high priorities.
A friend of ours in Marbella was this week admitted to hospital for
tests. He speaks a very small amount of Spanish and was obviously
concerned by his care. The hospital retains a bank of official
translators to ease the stress on non Spanish speaking patients seeking
comfort at such a worrying time.
Old Spain was very much about “Mañana” but it is no longer backward
looking. New Spain is much, much more about “Tomorrow”. It is fast
realising that the influx of new residents of all ages have a wholly
different set of requirement to the bucket and spade brigade of the
1970’s.
Written
© Mark FR Wilkins 2005 (Marbella)
Mark FR Wilkins
The Rights Group SL
mark@therightsgroup.com
www.therightsgroup.com
0034 600 343 917