Greetings, one and all, and hello to all members who have joined since I've been off the airwaves so to speak. I have been checking out the threads, however got out of the habit of posting. I've been a bit preoccupied with my flat sale which has turned out to be quite complicated, involving extending the lease, and other issues, which have made it a bit touch and go. However it is looking as if it is going to go through by 20th April, which means that I can hand my notice in and apply for my pension. Yippee!!!

The work is happening on my place in Alhaurin E G, and should be sufficiently done for me to move in by the end of May (hopefully) Have booked a carrier, and am sitting amidst boxes and boxes of stuff, thinking 'Oh God, it's happening at last. I guess I've been so silent, as I have hardly dared believe that everything will be ok, or really been able to get excited in case I had to go back on the market yet again. Although I guess it could still go pear shaped, it's looking less likely. I've been over this month to finalise details on rewiring, plumbing,and window/door replacements. Was also able to get to know the town a bit, and gladly I really like it a lot, and think I will be able to settle well.

Anyway, apologies for not being around, and supporting people as I should. I say that as someone who has recieved a great deal of support from everyone.

Brenda.

PS, thinking about renaming myself 'Compost Mentis'. Can I do that JDR??

Hi Brenda,
what sort of placeare you getting please?

Hi, it's a townhouse, about sixty years old. It needs quite a bit of work doing, but is structurally sound, and tucked away at the back end of the town as the road skirts round the Sierra de Mijas. I went for it because it had some nice features and was cheap enough to allow me to develop it along my own lines. Also near enough to facitlities, airport etc, but as I say tucked away a bit.
I am really looking forward to the move, and just want to get on with it really.

Hi Brenda,

We are in the same position, though we bought a house further inland than yourself, in the Jaen province. It's a 100 year old townhouse which we have had partly renovated with new windows and doors and we have also arranged transport to take our belongings over in late May early June.

Good Luck

Welcome back Brenda, hope all goes well, we are not too far from you.

Welcome back Brenda, glad to hear things progressing well

Thanks, yes it is a good feeling that things are under way, if a bit scarey.

Hi Brenda, just a thought, is the compost bit regarding gardening???? Or have I lost the`plot ??? There is a great gardening centre near where you are going to live, on the Coin Road, from Coin to Fuengirola, on a sharp bend on right hand side, it is HUGE and has a lovely cafe there as well. Well set out and everything you need for the garden

Hi Brenda

Hope things are going well for you We have friends who live in Alhaurin El Grande, they love it there. We are hoping to move over to Spain September, house sale permitting.

Hi Compost Mentis,

Glad to see you back and with a new name to boot! You have certainly demonstrated a degree of mental acuity by choosing your retirement date just after the 5th April. You will get a full year tax allowance in UK and more than half a year in Spain.

You could of course be a tourist for the first 182 days in Spain hop over the border to Portugal for a long weekend and come back to set your years income allowance against the last three months of the Spanish Tax Year.

Do remember though take your lump sum in UK before you go to Spain and it is tax free at both ends and if you have back pay or holiday pay to come as long as it does not exceed £5000 that is covered by your personal allowance so will be tax free as well. Have you made arrangements to have you State Retirement paid direct into your bank in Spain so that it does not attract handling charges in UK or spain and you bbenefitfrom the bulk buying rate that the Treasury obtain?

ALL the BEST and warmest Regards,

John.
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Hello Brenda,
My name is Bigbhudda69..I am new, How do you do ?
Your place sounds fab..bet you can't wait to start work....enjoy !...

Yes Mrs jdr, it is. I was contemplating returning from lurker mode, but feeling a bit put off by some of the posts I was reading that felt less than supportive, when suddenly the new name was born. So it was partly because of the garden thing, and partly association with some of the words and terms I was hearing at the time. I won't actually have a garden, but the roof terrace is big enough for me to grow quite a lot of stuff, both ornamental and edible. Steve in Pago recommended me a great book, which reassured me that I could grow vegetables in spite of the climate, even things like leeks and carrots. Will have a go anyway. It's good to know that there is a large garden centre nearby.

Could you tell me how far Alhaurin is from Fuengirola. The reason I ask is that I will be cycling, as I don't drive. Not sure how I will get on with the hills, and if I need to carry lots of stuff would get a bus or taxi. I have a timetable for buses to and from Fuengirola, and am hoping that I could maybe get a bus to somewhere near the garden centre, and then get a taxi back. Will work it out somehow, anyway. Might even get one of those trailers that can be fitted to a cycle. So if you see a mad woman with a bike and trailer walking up the mountainside, it is likely to be me.

Hi Kaylee, thanks, that's good to know. Are you moving that way yourself?

you are brave Brenda,
the garden centres sell most things, i bet in the village you will find a shop selling seeds and stuff and if you have a market they generally have spants for sale
Good luck and have fun

Brenda,
just a thought.
If yo can ride a bike with a trailer (which I have seen before as bike prams)
Why cant you ride a motorised bicycle or small three wheel scooter?
Just a thought.