As an expat and a dog lover, the way that dogs and other animals are treated in Spain often distresses me. As far as dogs are concerned, with the help from expats from other countries, much has been learned about animal welfare, and although the number of dogs abandoned each year remains at appalling high …more

The whole concept of ‘Brits in Europe’ is a controversial area that I know many expats living in Spain get very heated about. Indeed, it is one subject that is a hot topic of conversation in many Brit bars and gatherings. However, it is also fair to say that many expats really don’t care at …more

Sorry about the title, but after several weeks writing about Wills, Death and Cockroaches for expats, I thought it was time to move on to something a little more cheerful, and that this would catch your attention. Let us consider a subject that I know is very dear to the hearts of many expats, and …more

I was recently asked to speak at a meeting for expats. It was one of those question and answer forums, which provided the opportunity for established expats to bare their souls about things that they both liked and disliked in their new lives, as well as providing an opportunity for newly arrived expats to learn …more

Expats often write to tell me of the many and varied experiences that they face when beginning a new life in the sun. Often it is about their frustrations and misunderstandings with town halls, lawyers, as well as a lack of a decent Internet connection that prompts readers to write to me. However, a message …more

So what do you want done with your body when you have finally drunk your last gin and tonic? Yes, I know that this is not the cheeriest subject to read, but it has to be said and the issue has to be faced. This is an area that few expats consider, and recent personal …more

When planning a new life abroad, many expats forget to seriously consider the implications of disability, advancing age, serious illness and death of a partner later in their lives. These are all issues that readers often tell me about and many realize too late that their new life in the sun has turned into a …more

Several of our friends have died this year. It comes to us all eventually; death, that is. As the old adage goes, ‘the two certainties in life are death and taxation’, and the death of family and close friends certainly concentrates the mind. Without being too morbid about the issue, I guess the only way …more