Welcome 2020 and a Happy New Year to all.
New year, new decade, new challenges, new goals and new milestones.
The first is that I will officially become a sexagenarian later this year. No, the police are not charging me with anything, it’s my 60th birthday in October and that is the official term for someone of such advanced years. Still a while off my pension but, having said that, if the government keep moving the goalposts that are the pension age then I may never collect it, however long I live.
Another biggie is celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in August, which is an exciting milestone for Deb and I and very special for many reasons.
The majority of our vists to Spain have already been organised for this year and we have ensured we are at our Spanish home for both of these important events. Special place for special times.
A bonus to being in Spain is that we avoid paying for two expensive parties back in the UK. Celebrating in Spain will be far cheaper as we have fewer friends there. Up to now anyway.
We have even managed to persuade our Son, Josh, to come with us in August for our anniversary celebrations. He’s not really shown that much enthusiasm for our Spanish purchase, I think mainly because he saw it as us squandering his inheritance. He’s too young at 22 to appreciate the peace and quiet of our future home, but give it thirty years and he’ll relish the idyllic tranquility of the location. What did help in getting Josh to agree to come with us was our choice of celebration activity for our anniversary.
Deb and I were sat on our patio early on a Sunday morning during our visit in August last year, having a morning coffee and admiring the view. Then, above the distant mountains appeared, very slowly, two hot air balloons. Perfect blue skies, just the slight hint of wind and we watched them leisurely progress into the air. ‘That looks fantastic, don’t you think?’ Deb said. ‘Can you imagine what it must be like up there.’ ‘Bloody cold I would’ve thought.’ I said. ‘It’s still early and not exactly red hot down here at the moment.’
Deb ignored my, almost, sexagenarian grumblings and carried on. ‘I wonder if the wind will carry them over here?’ We sat there watching the progress of the balloons as they drifted away from us. ‘Wouldn’t it be great to do that’ said Deb, ‘and drop lucky with the wind direction and drift over our house.’ Despite the prospect of freezing to death in a wicker basket a couple of thousand feet above the mountains, I had to agree. ‘I actually really fancy giving that a go.’ I said. ‘They seem to come from the Bocairent area, we should look into it.
Research done and, sure enough, early morning balloon flights from the nearby beautiful and historic town of Bocairent. ‘That would be a perfect thing to do for our anniversary next year.’ Deb said. I had to agree. ‘You’re right hun, let’s get it booked.’ Josh also thought it was a great idea and is really looking forward to it, which means the three of us will be spending a really special time together.
I just hope we don’t have to drive through the town to get to the launch site. Bocairent may be outstanding but the roads through it look like a scary labyrinth that nightmares are made of.
We had six visits to our house in 2019 and have already booked six for this year, with a seventh planned for late November/early December as soon as Easyjet release the flights. Car hire is proving to be quite expensive with so many visits so we have decided to purchase a car in Spain and leave it at Valencia airport long term parking.
But which car? We have spent the last few months test driving cars in the UK with a view to purchasing our choice in Ontinyent. We were very open minded about which car as long as Deb, at a slight 4’11’, can drive it and it can accommodate my 6’6”, and slightly paunchy, frame.
The only car I absolutely drew the line at considering was the Nissan Juke (or Joke). In my opinion, singularly THE most hateful piece of crap on the road currently. I actually don’t care how it drives, although I would imagine it’s going to be awful. I just wouldn’t be seen dead in this, the vehicle equivalent of a Quasimodo/ Kermit the Frog love child, it looks ridiculous.
Anyway, we have eventually made our choice and hope to complete the purchase this coming year, but that will be dependent on the cost of remedial works to our plot following the damage caused by the Gota Fria and the decision made by the insurance company to avoid paying out. No surprise there then.
Which reminds me, for those travelling from the UK to the EU after 31 Jan, don’t forget your International Driving Permit, or you won’t be hiring a car at all. Only a few quid from a post office in the UK that provides the service. You see, I also try to make this blog useful and informative.
The amount of visits we have planned for 2020 has meant that Deb has had to re-think her career. She is a Technical Administrator in the construction and Civil Engineering industry. She works, on Contract, on large sites administrating construction projects. However, when she mentions that she will be having 63 days holiday in the coming year, the employers are strangley reluctant to accommodate this.
We have decided therefore, that she is going to come and work with me, organising my day to day life, handling all my paperwork and making me more productive. My relaxed attitude to holidays also helps, I’m hardly likely to say she can’t take the time off am I?
Our next visit will be in February when Deb has promised to finally fulfil her threat of dragging me to Valencia on public transport and also to complete the painting, in black, of any metallic item on our plot that stays still long enough.
So those are our plans for this year. In between times we will carry on with slowly transforming our little finca into our cosy retirement home and, barring any more Acts of God as destructive as the aforementioned Gota Fria, it should be good to go within the next couple of years, with a little help from Julian and Marijse of course.
Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous 2020.
Moving to Spain? Help! 