Why did we end up buying a house where we did? well lets start with me first, after years of trying to get me to go "abroad" my then wife Helen managed after a few small trips to Holland to agree to go on holiday to Spain this was back in 1992 or 3. She had booked us into a holiday village on the Costa Brava called "La Ballena Alegra" We took our own camping gear with us and we had a great time, the place is still there just click on the link. It has changed a bit since we were last there but I loved it, I loved the location, I fell in love with the Mediterranean Sea and the people and the way of life, Over the years we re-visited the area many times using other centres for our stay. We have many happy memories of our times in Spain so much so the kids, I know they are all grown up now but I still call them kids, would love to go back in fact two years ago Lorni and I went back to our favourite Holiday Village "Castell Montgri" in the same area with my eldest Grandson Joe and step Daughter Bethany.
The main pool at Castell Montgri
Lorni and Joe at the Olympic Stadium Barcelona
Now Lorni has spent far more time in Spain mainly in Madrid with her "Spanish" family who didn't speak English so Lorni learnt Spanish at an early age, her late Father Len also spoke Spanish and spent a of of time in Spain. So it is no surprise to learn that Lorni wanted to retire to Spain. I don't think that sums up Lorni's passion for Spain, Lorni lives, eats and drinks Spain, the moment we arrive in that Country her eyes light up, a huge smile makes its way across her face, and you can see her physically relax and you can watch all the stress's and strains of her life just lift away. I think I can safely say that Lorni really really loves Spain
A few years back Lorni's Father passed away and we went looking for a property in Spain with his blessing, Of course we wanted the typical villa with a swimming pool but then we started to get practical. It would be better to part of a Spanish community near local amenities, shops, doctors etc. Then we looked at where we would like to be and we decided we didn't want to be in the middle of an ex pat community or I would never learn the language. In the end we looked at the Valencia region, we got hold of someone who knew the area and is an advisor on TV programmes like Homes in the Sun Nick Snelling, a lovely guy who guided us through all the homes we wanted to look at with information on all the villages in the area. What we found was all the properties we wanted to look at were in fact the worse ones and the last property we looked at was the one. The moment we walked though the door we knew it was the one for us.
The village had a really feel to it everyone was friendly, there was a small supermarket in the village a once a week market and a bank a pharmacy, doctors and a vets and a few bars and cafes. There was also a large sports complex complete with two swimming pools...sorted. From our terrace you could see the Med.
Front Door
Downstairs Living Room (Yes there's an upstairs one too)
The village had a really feel to it everyone was friendly, there was a small supermarket in the village a once a week market and a bank a pharmacy, doctors and a vets and a few bars and cafes. There was also a large sports complex complete with two swimming pools...sorted. From our terrace you could see the Med.
View from upper roof terrace
Both Lorni and I have been both been out to the house I have met the neighbours and they are great we both can't wait to get out there and start our new life.
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