Today marks the day of a full month of lock down here is Spain.
It’s been a strange time for me – a time of reflection, a time of planning, a time of preparation, a time of family bonding, a time of action and a time of sorting and clearing.
But it’s also been a time of uncertainty and concern, especially if I don’t take careful control of my thoughts. My business is dependent on people visiting us here on the Costa del Sol, viewing and buying properties – that’s not so easy if no one can get here!
But I consider myself more fortunate than many. After I do my morning meditation, I spend a few moments thinking what about what I am grateful for and who I am grateful to have a relationship with. It includes, all my family, friends, clients who have bought properties from me in the past, clients who will buy properties from me in the future, clients who have entrusted me with selling their property, partner agents (who are sometimes my competitors) and everyone that I come into contact with.
I want to extend that gratitude specifically to you for 1) agreeing to receive my daily blog email (who needs more email in their inbox?!!) 2) reading my prose (even if it is not every day) and 3) especially for your ideas, encouragement and sharing. It means a lot to me.
Apart from that, writing this daily blog means I do actually know what day and date it is!
My father had visited the Costa del Sol many times over the years for golfing holidays with friends. He finally bought an apartment here in 2002 and it literally changed his life in terms of how he lived his latter years. The warm, outdoor Mediterranean lifestyle suited him – lunching al fresco, walks on the promenade, bustling cafes, tapas bars and wonderful golf courses. I am convinced he lived 10 years longer because of it.
So he bought an apartment in San Pedro and the following March I visited him. We had the most wonderful weekend. A level of stress evaporated from my shoulders, dissipating in the spring sunshine. On the plane home, still contemplating my life and new possibilities! A thought kept recurring in my head that wouldn’t go away...
What am I doing grinding it out in London?
We came down again in July for a couple of weeks and stayed at my Dad's apartment. I researched the opportunities and it was clear that property was the business to get into. An opening presented itself with one of the big players of the day.
This wasn’t going to be an easy one to sell to my lovely wife! A year earlier she had given me our twin boys and was full of anticipation yet some apprehension about resuming her career. We were both very happy living in the suburbs of London.
“A year out”, I promised her… And that’s how we moved to Spain.
It’s probably the worst conceived life plan I know of! But you know what - it’s turned out pretty good. I’ve had the privilege to see my twin boys grow up, had the gift to be a hands-on dad, spent plenty of time with my father in his latter years, as well as enjoying a fantastic lifestyle the Costa del Sol has to offer. I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Keep safe,
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