Discovering a new life in Costa Almeria

Having made the decision that full time work really is bad for your health,my husband convinced me that we should get 2 puppies and retire early. What I hadn't anticipated was that retirement would see us in Almeria, in southern Spain. This is our story from making the decision to move to our life here. For more posts read the full blog at http://relocatetospain.blogspot.com. What I hadn't realised was that I wasn't ready to retire so after 2 years we are back in the UK. However, when I am finally ready to retire - Spain is still in the mix.

For my Dad
Sunday, August 24, 2008 @ 12:29 PM

The hardest thing about moving to Spain was leaving my Dad, but we spoke often on the phone and when he was in hospital I came back to visit him. He was always so keen to hear how we were getting on and when I was back in Sheffield visiting he was always telling me to fly back to Spain, as that was where my life is now.

Well, the benefits of only being a couple of hours away could not have been more apparent than when I phoned him last week and realised how poorly he sounded. I was booked on a flight and back with him at home within a few hours. It meant I could have a last cup of coffee and a chat with him before he went to sleep for the last time.

Anyone with family and friends who you've always been meaning to ring but never got round to it, ring them today for me - you never know when it will be too late.

I know my Dad was happy to see how well we had settled in Spain, he was pleased at how much my health has improved since we moved here and I know he had total faith in Neil to look after me - Dad's job was done and he could finally slip away as he wanted to, in his sleep with me there to look after him.

Sleep well Dad.

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3 Comments

Janice & Chris said:
Sunday, August 24, 2008 @ 10:51 AM

To our lovely friends, Jacqui & Neil ... we both really feel for you & hope you have received our condolences.

Your dad played such an important part in your life, I know Jacqui, & you're going to miss him so much ( I miss mine who was taken by the same illness).

But your dad knew he was much loved & he was so proud of you, moving to Spain. Do him proud, attack your brand new life with all he knows you're capable of.

He is watching you & you know that. He will never be far away & he'll be willing those golf balls to find those elusive holes.

Love from us both x

Karensun said:
Sunday, August 24, 2008 @ 3:46 PM

Jacqui,
What a lovely post. Peter's ( my OH ) Mum died last week and he had 'popped' back to see her too and she died just after he left, but he will always know he was there for her.
It's always hard to say Goodbye tho, even if it's just seeing your kids go home, like mine did on Saturday evening, many tears !!
I still miss my Mum who died nearly 13 years ago, but boy ! she would have loved it here and I know she would have been happy for me.
Thinking of you a lot, love, Karen xx

Sue Chester said:
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 @ 10:49 PM

I don't know you Jacqui, but to have posted such a public thing on EOS was truly a statement of your love for your Dad.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
I lost my Dad in Oct 2005, not through an illness, suddenly, unexpectedly. IT was hard...
I am now supporting my Mum (85) with secondary breast cancer, diagnosed July 08.
I am not sure which is best, unexpected, or expected............both are hard, the loss is the same whatever.
Be strong, that is the greatest gift you can give to the living or the deceased.
Kind thoughts..............
Sue (FibbyUK)

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Jacqui
After being advised by doctors that not working and living somewhere warm would significantly improve my health, I took the decision to retire early with my husband and move to San Juan de los Terreros in Almeria. After 18 months we decided to move to the mountains near Velez Rubio and renovate a mountain property. While my husband found Spanish life suited him I could not settle and we returned home a few months ago and now Spain wil be a fond memory and a place to holiday again. I began keeping a blog as a diary of our move which friends and family could share and now, I can't stop.