What a lovely way of looking at life, Martha. I hope that's what Wendy and I do already. It is our combined efforts that will get us here, then either keep us here or return. Whatever happens we follow that quote without even knowing it.

Thank you

stuart

You're very welcome Stuart

I wish you and Wendy all the very best in your life's journey together,
Martha

Thanks Martha it makes sense.
Perhaps without pressure from me to persuade her ,maybe she will warm to the idea on her own.
If its a case of her happiness or mine.
I,d be willing to make the sacrifice and stay in uk.
Especially as i dont think without us both being certain to give it 100% it would work out in the long run.

You'll be lucky. Took me about 5-7 years to even convince it was a good idea............. no vision!

Theres enough of a challenge coming over here without having to allow the added stress of one of you not being fully committed ........ If one of you isn't sure, as has already been said, its just not worth the risk.

I was not sold on the idea at all and came on a viewing trip determined to hate the area and not find a house that we could purchase.

We found a house and decided to go for it and came back one month later to four days of constant heavy rain and signed the papers. Feb 2004.

Visited for holidays and decorating Sept 2004, March 2005 and Sept 2005
Moved in permanently July 2006.

It is me that will not even go back to UK on a visit and if the subject of us returning is broached I turn a deaf ear.

Sometimes it is not possible to know what another person will see or think about a place and trying to talk someone into something as huge as leaving what they know and throwing themselves into the deep end is an unnecessary risk to a relationship.

Maybe your partner will find something about Spain that you and others would never think of or maybe she will dig her heels in even deeper but it looks like you will respect her reaction and decision and she cannot ask for better than that.

I hope you both find something somewhere that suits you both and that you continue to be able to talk openly as you obviously do.

Good Luck

Rosemary

hi there wot about the almeria area we are in the filebas mountains used for bike races though out the year the views are to die for lots of traditional villages to go through you could set up in sorbas a very famouse village lots of tourist in the summer but very spanish good luck.

Just an update.
After many recce missions and numerous coming up against "brickwalls" it looks like after 3 years of planning we have pretty much decided on the canary islands for the all rear round sun as this is vital to our business.
There are already cycle hire shops but we have also got 1 or 2 other business ideas to incorporate.
Thanks for your helpful comments.
If it works out i,ll offer a discount for British Expat Forum members to show my gratitude for your help.
Kevin

hi kevin i know the cycling shop is shutting down in torre del mar it is very popular and my husband is a cyclist he could maybe help you he knows everything about cycling

Good Luck.

Hope all goes well for you and that you enjoy living on the island.

Rosemary