It is exactly (as exactly as one can be with time) EIGHT years ago today that we left the UK, and our little flat in Brockley to start our new life here in Spain. Our plan had been to come out here for a year's sabbatical, but after just three or four month's we knew which side our bread was buttered.
Just before leaving Brockley we had a farewell dinner at the Brockley Barge with Mikey and Olga. Sadly we have since lost contact with Mikey, but happily still are in contact with Olga.
We spent the morning packing up our old Berlingo with our cherished possessions and left Brockley in the middle of the afternoon. I must admit to having a tear or two run down my face as we said goodbye to 'Foxberry Road'. Martin (with whom we have also lost contact) joined us on the drive down to help with the driving -along with us we brought Xali, and Sam and Spike - two of our Brockley cats who have since died.
We had lived in Brockley for over twelve years, and had always loved living there, but knew a better life awaited us in Spain. Before living in Brockley we had lived (for over four years) in a small bedroom (bedsit) in Shaftesbury Avenue, Central London (opposite 'MacDonald's' for anyone who knows the area) and had been happy there too. I am pleased to say that wherever we settle and call home we are happy. How lucky is that?!
We arrived late to Dover for an eleven o'clock crossing to Calais on the eurotrain shuttle, a journey of just over half an hour. The journey was a fairly stressful one- the animals had been sedated, but after about twelve hours that began to wear off, and although Xali was quite happy on the adventure, peeing his way across France, each time we had a comfort break, the cats clearly found it quite stressful, which upset us and increased our stress levels too.
Samm and Spike on the garden bench. They soon settled in to enjoy the warmth of the Spanish sun.
Xali, playing with his favourite toy- yep his cock.
Although we were sad to leave our first proper home together we were excited, and a little scared, to be moving at last into our (as previously was) holiday home in El Tacó, Vilanova i la Geltru.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave me a comment: