Having become an ex-expat myself in December 2011, I know some others on this forum are also in this position.

It would be interesting to know, who is an expat, who is an ex-expat, and who is a pre-pat (someone who hasn't got to Spain yet)?

Bit of fun, I thought.

What about a name for a fourth category, (polite suggestions only please), for those of us who having previously spent time in the above mentioned categories,... now prefer to split our time 50/50 between Spain and the UK ?

Yes, we did this for a couple of years.... how about half-pats?

Well I've been back in Blighty some time, but still hope to move back out to Spain (not just for holidays either). Looking out over the Navarra countryside last week made me realise how grotty London life is (even allowing for the parks, shops, theatres etc).

Hmm,better than cow pats I suppose.

What about all the wannabee ex ex-pats...the thousands who are trying to sell up and go home

There you go again Steve, starting off another p!ssing contest.

Why not instead compare the run down areas of Spanish big cities with the English lake district for example ?

Is the house that you advertise on your profile yours? You could live there.

Nope, not mine! But thanks for drawing people's attention - I should buy you a bottle for that!

well yes, fair dues, could have put it better. Just jealous of the couple's lifestyle we stayed with - they actually live on the edge of the city of Pamplona. Mountains in the distance, river walks nearby, and spacious well-built apartments - far bigger than an equivalent couple could afford in London or in much of southern England. But yes, you're right, larger properties are more affordable in other areas of the UK (although not, I suspect the Lake District).

Or of his beloved Madrid,
http://www.france24.com/en/20080515-...e-caring-spain

Do I detect that we have gone off topic again.

I am an ex Pat

The operation was expensive but worth it

Fred

They could be people who spend half the year farming.

'God loves a trier' (tryer?) is one of my favourite sayings, although I can't even spell it.

Well, I've tried. We've got visitors at the moment, two ladies from Surrey. They went out last night and made their way to a KFC outlet for a meal, passing a dozen Spanish and international restaurants on the way.

Hard as I tried, I couldn't make any sense of it, yet they came back happy and we spent the midnight hours sitting on the terrace, with suitable ammunition, to discuss the finer points of life. It was mainly about Poles in Crawley, and I was educated.

Never mind the stunning scenery in beautiful places around the world, when it comes down to it it's only about fried chicken and those diabolical Poles nicking work from the industrious English.

I've travelled a bit, but I've never been to Poland. I'm going to make amends if I can.

...and the other half up to their necks in bullsh!t on B.E.