I'm now deep in research for my move back to London after 8.5 years (many of them miserable) in Barcelona. As anyone who has moved abroad and then moved back home again will know, there is so much to organise and consider that it's very stressful and I can see now why many stick it out as it's the easier option. We had planned to move back this year but the plans are now more urgent as I lost my job end January and our funds will run out by September. Sadly, the move back will take up all our hard earned savings from years of sacrificing our lifestyle here but what's done is done.

Aside from the nightmare of trying to sell our flat (prices dropping still and the market is saturated) and now the resignation we'll have to rent it out for the next few years, the big dilemma is how we move back with our cat. She is 14 and we brought her with us by plane - BA from Heathrow. At the time it was a fairly easy process and I don't remember it costing a fortune - she had her pet passport and necessary documents and these have been maintained as we always knew we'd move back.

I have had a huge shock after calling BA World Cargo here in Barcelona for a quote and have been told it's much more complicated than it was and won't cost less than 1000 euros - 3 times what I'd expected! On top of that we'd be forced to pay for flights which are more expensive than Easyjet just to fly with her. I have now discounted this idea as quite frankly we just don't have this amount of money.

I am now investigating other options, one of which is a specialised pet courier which will be cheaper but means we can't travel with our pet. Neither of us drive so hiring our own vehicle is out of the question. I may be able to get a relative or friend to drive us all back (paying of course) but am wondering what other options there are - anybody got any comments or ideas? Thanks!

One of the van companies in Free Bear carry's pets. The one in Javea, Way2Go. Make sure all the injections are up to day (I think it has to be six months) He took one back recently that got stuck in quarantine, as the owner hadn't completed all the necessary

Sorry to hear you feel the need to go back and good luck with the move

I think getting someone to drive you all is best as the cost should be less than BA want just for your cat!! Ferry companies take pets at resonable rates (less than 100 euros usually)

Check out one way van rentals , I`m sure you will find some one looking for 2 days driving for not to much money.
Good Luck.

A good friend or relative is the best bet, always. We found when looking that one way van hires were simply outrageous, and that paid pet transport wasn't much cheaper than flying.

Don't forget there will be the petrol, B&B and toll fees as well as ferry costs, - eurostar was the cheapest option for us.

To get down to deepest Spain that way still ended up costing the thick edge of a grand.

I dont want to sound cruel.If it was me I would do the cat in.its the practical soluion

Are you for real

I wasnt talking about one way van hire .. that would be useless, as they dont drive. They actually do transportation as well.

Well considering the OP's clear love of their cat, it sounds absolutely cruel tbh and very inconsiderate.

PLEASE READ

Thanks to all of you who sent their sensible suggestions, very helpful and I am definitely leaning towards getting a friend or relative to drive us with pussycat home, I'll check out all the possible costs, such as petrol, tolls, ferry crossing etc - luckily Barcelona is closer to France than those of you who've had to travel from down south so that's a bit of a saving. I imagine all in it'll cost near to 1000 inc. paying something to the driver but still a lot cheaper and easier than the extortionate BA rip off - not only did they quote at least 1000 euros just for our cat but they told me I would have to bring her to the airport in the travel box the day before flying in order they could check everything, what a nightmare!

To the moronic poster who suggests I get rid of my cat, clearly they don't know what it is to have a pet, still that's their loss!

From Barcelona to London

Toll 85.25 EUR | Petrol approximately 96.54 EUR, maybe more depending on vehicle
Time 14hours
Distance 891 miles

Then you have your ferry cost on top of that, I think you have to pay extra for having the cat with you and whatever the driver wants

Thanks Mitzyboy, I am very impressed with your detailed break-down, fantastic, although my brother has driven over many times and he's fast and road savvy and even then it's taken at least a day and a half without stopping over night so 14 hours seems a bit quick. However, it gives me a really good idea of what the possible costs are and I will now do some research into the ferry or eurotunnel - hopefully I'll be able to do the trip for a bit less than I am thinking, which would be a big relief.

Dont thank me, thank www.viamichelin.com

You can also use Monarch But they only fly to Manchester from Barcelona. But could give them a ring to get their price.

sorry.i didnt sujest they should do there cat in.I said if it was me I would do the cat in.after all its only a cat

One can only hope and pray then that with an attitude like that you never have a cat!