Year: 2021

99 icecream and flake with British coastline
Background
Personal

There is no place like home – but where is home?

We have just been fortunate to go back to our native UK (well native for my husband and I at least) since the pandemic started. About 20 months since we last saw our parents, my siblings, niece and nephew. It felt weird planning to go and constantly preparing ourselves that it might not happen due […]

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graffiti person being lifted by a red heart self care self love
New start
Personal

Self Care: Setting Boundaries

So I haven’t written the blog for quite some time now and decided that today was the day to start getting back into the rhythm of it again.  The past several weeks have been hectic as we have bought a house (yippee after renting for 10+ years!) and had quite a lot of stuff to […]

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leaves changing transitions for children
Family

4 tips to help with transitions for children

Being a parent we have to deal with 101, sometimes 1001 transitions a day with our children. Whether it is getting them up and to school or childcare in the morning, moving them from technology to the dinner table or the bedtime routine to name just a few.  These all require a lot of patience […]

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Findng life purpose path options
New start
Personal

Finding Life Purpose. Finding ‘It’, Finding me

As an expat mum over the last 13 ½ years I have been fortunate enough to explore the possibilities of how to use my own time.  I have been a mum of two too, so it has not all been lunches out and sipping cocktails by the pool, but there has been a degree of […]

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Background
Family
New start
Personal

The fear of Settling down

So, we have just put down a deposit to buy a house here in Spain.  For us – the husband, two kids, dog and I to live in.  Forever (as much as forever can be).  How exciting, you might say, especially after renting and living abroad as an expat for so many years.  Finally being […]

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hola in lights learn spanish lessons free
Personal

How to learn or get Spanish Lessons free (or cheap!)

Learn Spanish: Whether you are living abroad as an expat in Spain, South, Central America or the US, plan to live overseas or just want to learn Spanish for fun, we have some tips for you on some easy and tried and tested ways to do just that.  Learning the language certainly helps with day […]

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you belong here in neon lights
Family
Personal
Relationships

Where do expats belong?

One question that I have been asking myself a lot recently, is where do I belong?   I have lived in the UK most of my life, but leaving there to live abroad in Australia nearly 15 years ago, then Costa Rica and now Spain.  I am relatively used to the feeling of not belonging […]

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globe showing best place to live in Spain
Background
New start
Personal
Spain

Where is the best place to live in Spain?

In 2018 we decided we wanted to live and work in Spain, to be back living in Europe, closer to family in the UK and settle for the long term.  We were fortunate that we could choose where we wanted to live in Spain due to my husband working remotely so our main priorities were […]

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heart sad split family christmas expat
Family
Festive Season or Christmas

Special occasions (or the festive season) apart

So, in late November whilst I was idly wandering around a supermarket, some jaunty Christmas music of old started playing over the sound system.  Quite suddenly I felt tears spring up in my eyes.  Where on earth had this come from?  I was quite surprised and, no it wasn’t because they were playing Slade in […]

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covid christmas away from family and home
Family
Festive Season or Christmas

Celebrating when not together

Ok, so we have felt our feelings and talked about them (and if you haven’t yet, then read this post here!)  The next step is how can we still have a meaningful Christmas, New Year, Easter or Birthday (any special occasion really!) with whoever we spend it with and also develop connection with those other […]

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