How did you end up living in Spain?

We previously went to the Silver Coast in Portugal to a little seaside place with a horseshoe shaped bay called Sao Martinho de Porto, but although there was a small expat community there they didn’t do much and there was not much of an infrastructure, so we came to the singing and dancing Costa Del Sol!

Where is home now?

We live in Torrequebrada, Benalmádena where it is quieter than elsewhere, especially in the summer!  We are just a 5 minute walk down to the promenade where we enjoy walking by Sunset Beach hotel as it has recently had a facelift.  Benalmádena Port is very lovely as is the Pueblo.

What was the biggest challenge for your move?

After a year I think, we qualified for the healthcare system, but they wouldn’t let us join up even though we had all the necessary paperwork.  The problem was our Spanish wasn’t up to arguing the toss, so a good friend who refused to stand for any nonsense got us in!

What is your advice for Women thinking about making the move?

Please, please, please, don’t think in terms of wanting to ‘live the dream’ as there really are cons as well as pros.  Apart from doing loads of research, I would speak to lots of expats here. That way you can find out the cons and also you can learn from others’ mistakes and experience.

How do you spend your days?

There are 2 U3A groups for English speaking people over 50, on the coast and inland and Covid permitting they run a whole host of activities some of which we enjoy.  We also meet up with friends for a tapa or two! 

At long last I have published my beautiful first book containing 2 stories for 5 -10 year olds about The Shoeshuffles:  shoes which spring to life as shoeman beings.  In Alive and Kicking the ‘Shoes’ build a town of their own and get up to mischief.  In ‘All Aboard’ they all escape Shoeville on narrow boats after it rains and rains and rains, and they have adventures based on the fun my family and I have had on narrow boat holidays. 

Once the stories are read there’s some serious colouring-in to do!  (Some illustrations are coloured, whilst others have been left black and white for the children to colour-in).  Older children will enjoy reading the stories to their younger siblings.

Something you are grateful for?

My husband’s and my good health.  I have Diabetes but it does not trouble me, although just recently my sugar level and cholesterol level have been elevated but I have found a natural remedy that have got both down, plus my weight.

Your special dinner party – who would you invite?

My friends.  They are very special to me!  We’d have chicken casserole and tiramisu for dessert.

What is your secret weapon?

Maturity.

Favourite song?

I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony… Because i would!