Was going to Spain from start to finish but now I, Luca have taken over

Was about researching about where to look & about living in Spain I am here. So was for anyone interested here are the good & bad things that happened to me. But now I (Luca) will tell you about my experiences, both very bad, better and good.

Waiting, what a drag!
Saturday, February 9, 2013 @ 10:45 PM

Today I went to watch my beloved Saddlers (Walsall Football Club) youth team play & we won 6-2 against Bury Youth & then I realised that this one of the things I'll miss. Although I certainly won't miss having to put on the thermals, two coats, scarf, woolly hat, thermal socks & gloves just to combat the bitter cold. I hope Malaga have a youth team!

Things are progressing with my defection to warmer climes although really not fast enough for me I fear. As said earlier I just want to get into my car leave everything - but I can't as we all know.

We have to vacate our place on 31st March but will have the keys to the one in Spain from the 1st March so it will give us plenty of time to clear everything. Fortunately I no longer have to worry about any large furniture, that is dealt with, it is just mainly clothing light furniture, sentimental things, books, loads od books & anything else I've forgotten until I complete things.

Most of the utilities are taken care of & in fact I think some probably owe me which is always useful. The Electric is a nuisance, can't do it on line as it requests a forwarding address & doesn't recognise european post codes.

We will be driving to Spain, twice, firstly on 4th March, returning about 14th March then finally on 31st March & both occasions the car will be packed full.

Richard, do you remember Richard? The geezer who came with me in October & was looking for properties but changed his mind. Well he's changed his mind again & will be driving with us on the 31st to "revisit the situation". Good news that, what a Salesman!

We decided to take the Ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre, it's only 8 hours on the water whereas its 24 to Santander & we hate the pokey cabins. We have booked an overnight hotel at Toulouse. Personally I would just continue driving as it's only about 2000 kilometres (1250 miles) but the rules of Phets Scengen Visa says we must stay overnight in France. (Don't ask it's complicated!).

So the tickets are all booked for the Ferry & the Hotel and all we need now is that pesky Schengen Visa for Phet & the appointment is made for 11.30am on Monday 25th February.So its fingers crossed this time its the French Embassy not the Spanish & I'm aware thet they have tightened up considerably.

Then when we return to England there's just the last piecesof secretariat's to finalise with some already completed.

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Maddiemack said:
Sunday, February 10, 2013 @ 6:00 PM

I know what you mean about those pokey cabins..so claustrophobic, and the price of the ferry to Santander beggars belief.

Many people find that, once they return to the UK after spending time in Spain, they start to make comparisons and begin wishing for more of the Spanish experience. Of course, it's not quite the same if one has to work for a living but for retirees with a half-decent income, Spain is a fantastic option.

Gerald said:
Sunday, February 10, 2013 @ 6:24 PM

Thanks Maddie, last time we went overnight we both had splitting headaches from the cabin & very very uncomfortable. We have booked the very comfortable reclining easy chairs this time by the windows so I can watch things.
I'm also hoping for the Spanish experience in fact can't wait.
I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas.

Louise said:
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 @ 10:58 PM

Patience is a virtue, or so I'm told! The time will soon pass and you'll be on your first trip. Can't do boats myself :( Planes are my means of travel! Are you going to take your Uk car over for good or sell and buy a LHD? I find that if I'm driving a LHD I know which side of the road I should be on so must for us and safer too. You need everything that can help you be safe when driving in Spain! They're mad! :)

Gerald said:
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 @ 11:09 PM

No Louise I am taking my car as it is a super car, old, but has all the "men gadgets". I have driven thousands of miles in most European countries in it & neve having a problem. It is also automatic so no horrible changing of gears in the foothills. I hate LHD manual cars as I am forced to change gear with my right hand I'm very left handed. As for driving I drove in London for years & also Bangkok so I know all about driving lunacy. Just the lack of indication that annoys me, its inconsiderate & thoughtless.

Lin said:
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 1:05 PM

Hi Gerald
I have just found the EOS website and I have started to read the blogs on here. Myself and my husband Alan are moving to Spain at the beginning of May. We have taken a rental property for a year near to Velez Malaga and are in the middle of sorting out what to take, sell, give away or skip!
So it is with great interest that I have read your blog this morning, as it seems very similar to some of our own experiences. We are booked on the ferry to Bilbao, this coincides nicely with the date for taking over our new home, and it also allows us to load up the car with personal belongings as well as our three small dogs. It seems you will be arriving at your new home a couple of weeks before our move so I am looking forward to hearing how your move goes. KR lin

Gerald said:
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 10:33 PM

Hi Lin,
I hope you & Alan get along fine & if I can help in any way please let me know. I am only about 20 miles from Valez-Malaga going north so maybe we could meet up when we are both settled. There are already several of us meeting up throughout Axarquia so possibly if you wish I could include you in that list.
Interesting you are taking a Ferry to Bilbao, perhaps you'll let me know how you got on. I though, don't have much to write about at the moment certainly not enough for a post.

Lin said:
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 11:15 PM

Hi Gerald
Yes it will be great to keep in touch and meet up with everyone once we are in situ. We decided on the ferry to Bilbao as the timings are better than the one to Santander. We arrive on the Tuesday morning and take possession of our new home on Wednesday. We have booked kennels on board for the dogs and can visit them as often as we want to during the crossing. Our place is just on the outskirts of Canillas de Acientuno so we are closer to Sedella than velez Malaga. Alan has been in touch with the local British Legion who are in Torre del Marr and the have proved very helpful. They also seem to have lots going on in the area. We are at the 'time dragging' stage that you described in one of your earlier blogs. Alan is counting the days to finishing work he's just told me its 39 days now. When we first returned from Spain after finding our place it was 25 weeks we are now at 9 and 5 days so I'm sure as there is still a lot to do that it will pass quickly.
Thanks for you offer of help I might be back to you for that.
Cheers Lin

Gerald said:
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 @ 12:08 AM

Lin, small world eh! I know Canillas de Acientuno have driven through it a few times its only about 10 minutes away from us, although you say you are on the outskirts of the village.

I will be sending you a private Message for one or two items.

Patricia (Campana) said:
Monday, February 25, 2013 @ 9:40 PM

Hello Gerald!

So glad to hear all your plans are going ahead so well. Again, the very best of luck with everything.

I've not had a chance to look in much on the blogs (you, Tamara, etc.) as I have been so busy over the past month or so.

All the best
Patricia

Gerald said:
Monday, February 25, 2013 @ 10:22 PM

Thanks Patricia I do appreciate your supporti it's excellent.
There are a number of us meeting up firstly in March than again as the year pregress's. I you want any particulars PM or send an email (gezles@aol.com) & I will elucidate.

Bruca said:
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 @ 6:20 PM

I am 2 days late to wish you a good journey! Hope it all goes well and look forward to hearing your news.

Gerald said:
Friday, March 8, 2013 @ 9:09 PM

Thanks Bruca for your good wishes,the next episode is coming up in the next few minutes

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Gerald
Was a retired old fart who still likes to be fairly busy but now at a more sedate pace, as my occupation always ran at 90 mph often working above 55 hours per week. Love to see new country areas & ain't afraid of change. In England was secretary of quite a lot of institutions. But I'd be lost without my laptop & am lost without my Sky television. Gonna be interesting learning Spanish (or trying anyway!). But now taken over by me Luca, superdog!!