This is where is all began… a thought… of how I had always wanted to live in Spain, but never got the chance.

When my daughter was 9 months old we went to view the apartment that my ex-outlaws, (sorry ex-inlaws, cough, cough) had purchased; the space offered 2 bedrooms and 180 degree view of the sea. It was nestled slightly up a hillside, in beautiful village of Mojacar, Almeria and it was the perfect place to holiday.

It was a stunning place. The whitewashed buildings remained low rise, the beach was shaley and beautiful and my senses were filled audibly by the crashing sea waves, the rustle of the palm trees and chatter of the locals; whilst breathing in the air I was filled with slightly salty but fresh and clean air; and my palate zinged and danced by the flavours of fresh locally sourced seafood and vegetables purchased in the markets. The laidback feel where shorts and floaty dresses were de rigueur made me instantly relax. I loved it! It also made me wonder… what if we lived here and enjoyed a better quality of life?

We visited every year with my son and daughter for a number of years and I always suggested a jaunt out to see all of the local nearly by villages. One we only drove past was Bedar (as the ex-husband didn’t fancy driving around the narrow streets), and I always wondered what it was like. I did meet a property estate agent, Jo, who did show us some properties on the outskirts but it was always a no from the ex. Something had been ignited in me… the thought of warm winters and lazy days by the beach had me gripped.

I buried that dream for 18 and a half years… but in November 2022, I decided the time was right. I was happily divorced and my kids were both in uni. So I contacted Jo, the estate agent who I had kept in touch with all these years, in the village of Bedar – Olive Properties and enquired if there was anywhere for me to rent with my pooch Evie for 3months from January 2023.

After a couple of weeks she came back with a resounding yes! Her daughter had a house and she had consented to Evie being there.

I looked at the ferries and the road trip down… was I really going to do this? They say you have to take the first step. Nothing happens until then and it’s sooo true!!!

So I booked the P&O ferry and the dog lounge – £6.00 and you had dog biscuits, drinks for you and a walking area if they needed to go outside. It was brilliant! I pressed the button on the keyboard and it was booked. No going back now… you’ve just got to take that first step.

I told my parents what I was doing and my Dad’s reaction was “yeah right, do you see that pig flying”. I told him it was all booked and eventually it sunk in… Wendy’s off to Spain for three months and she’s driving there.

In the meantime i had my house valued, videoed and photographed… just in case i fell in love with the village.

January 5th Evie and I drove off to Dover… Spain.. we’re a comin’!