Moving Ahead

The grapevine in bloom along the front patio fence was a sight to behold as it threatened to thread its way around the house. Across the olive fields you can see the Ermita or Hermitage sitting proudly above the little pueblo. It is this that gives the village its name, La Ermita, nestled on the banks of the dried up river bed or Rambla of Oria province. Each hour its bell chimes sonourously, ringing out across the valley to the numerous campo communities.

I had made another trip cross -country, 500k along traffic and bollard free motorways (England take note) to the cortijo in Almeria. The reason this time was to meet and greet Dave the builder who with a van load of furniture from his house in Valencia was preparing to set up base in Almeria prior to the renovation. As his house was now sold he was between homes and his initial idea of renting a villa for the duration of the work had been dismissed as unsuitable for a variety of reasons (cost mainly). Instead he suggested moving into the house while the renovations took place using the garage as a storage facility whilst also basically furnishing the property with his old furniture which I could possibly buy at the end of the work. This way we would both win out which suits me perfectly. His plan is to buy another property with his house profits but is not particular about any specific region in Spain. As I told him, nor was I, when researching properties I just wanted best value for money and after long internet searches it just happened to be Almeria, where there is also a strong British presence. They could be potential purchasers of the Cortijo when finished.

Funnily enough Dave had been doing his research on his next property purchase and it turned out one house that had turned up was in Chiclana de la Frontera, only 15 min drive from my home in Vejer de la Frontera in Cadiz province. Strange. So Daves plan was to drive over to check it out which could mean I could surrepticiously load up his van with some of my belongings here including some antique doors I had been stripping for use in the cortijo. So again everyone wins. It is always a surprise to me when a synchronicity of events occur so that everything drops into place at the right time but then again as I have always said things happen when they are supposed to happen.

So anyway, Dave turns up at the house in Ermita with a huge van full of sofa, dresser, kitchen table and chairs, bedding, garden furniture etc etc which we unload in minutes. A quick tour of the house reiterating the work schedule and Dave was back in the van and off back to Valencia. He had been at the house for approximately ten minutes. He doesn't mess around. His plan is to come back the following week from Valencia (300k) with his last load of furniture plus tools, drop them at the house, then next day drive straight across country 500k to check out the Chiclana property!! As I said he doesnt mess around. A man after my own heart. After all he is an ex yachtie like me and we relish being on the move. Onwards and upwards.

Daves work mission in the cortijo is to create a country style kitchen around the log burning stove but also to put some funky features within the walls such as lintels, bookshelves also rewiring and plumbing. Upstairs I also want him to create a modern, swish ensuite bathroom alongside the massive, beamed master bedroom. Working with Dave will be Daniel, an Argentinian builder, who has diligently organised the architect, plans and permissions successfully. He will be in charge of the upper floors, bulldozing the rockface to create a patio area behind the house and also renovating and re-roofing the winter lounge with massive fireplace and another bedroom. When finished we should have 3/4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms, 2 lounges, 2 terraces and front and upper patio areas and parking for 3 cars. There is also a large garage and room off it that could in future be a self contained apartment alongside the house. Daniel is a busy cortijo renovator and will be ready to start after he has finished his latest project, should be 2 weeks. So the puzzle pieces fall into place. Now I have permissions, Dave moving in and onto the job, Daniel almost ready, monies in place at the bank, I am ready also eager to finish the renovation before my next big project materialises......the birth of my daughter in September.

Permission Granted

This is the land behind the house, rocky and rugged with king cactus, olive and plum trees and wildflowers, needs landscaping....any takers??

As I write a wry smile is on my lips. After emailing Daniel my project manager about my frustration about the tardy permission approval and whether we can just carry on regardless with the rebuild, he replied to say the town hall has today granted full approval. Yabba Dabba Doo!!! We can begin. Anyone involved in renovations will know the sometimes lengthy process involved with plans being revised and resubmitted especially in England where it can take years. It has actually taken about 5 months here in Almeria, Spain since the architects plans were first submitted and its been relatively painless albeit slightly frustrating as I have Dave ready and waiting to help in Valencia as well as Daniel here in Albox.

But first rule of Renovation Club is if you are going to do it, do it LEGAL as in Almeria there are the worst examples of fleeced expats who thought they were all legalled up till finding their new villa was built on rustico land and not urban. Buildings and land should be on urbanised land with a full escritura recognised by the land registry. Then for renovations get full architects plans authorised by town hall and pay all TAXES. This is what prospective buyers will want to see. Even after doing all this you should feel reasonably safe and certain but there is always a small element of doubt as we all know how corrupt some of the town halls are, it goes all the way to the top. But as Albox has had a bad reputation my theory is that now they will be more transparent in their transactions as they have drawn so much attention to themselves.

The story of Dave in relation to his helping me on the cortijo has been getting increasingly complex and convoluted. He is helping an Irish couple near him him renovate their flat while at the same time he is in the process of selling his house. The house is now sold with Dave having to offload his furniture to the Irish couple and some to me whilst also trying to decide his next move. With his girlfriend in the process of moving from Mexico to Valencia to see him she could find him (and her) homeless. Does he move to Almeria in readiness for my forthcoming work, no not yet I said, as permissions arent ready (well they are now) or does in hang on in Valencia to finish off his house move and help the Irish and greet the girlfriend? With me so far? As always in life things come together when they are supposed to not when you want them to. So its looking like the pieces are falling into place starting today. Daves house is now sold, hes out in two weeks then he can truck a vanload of furniture down to me in Oria and look for a place to rent for a few months near the cortijo so we can crack on. He is in charge of rewiring and plumbing and kitchen fitting downstairs whilst upstairs Daniel is doing some creative demolishing and rebuilding a large winter lounge with fireplace, outside patio area and spacious bathroom. As for me I will be stripping old wooden doors and windows and co-ordinating proceedings. It all sounds good in theory and shouldnt be too drastic especially compared to the Fes mission which involved 5 stories, 5 bathrooms 2 kitchens and endless stress but thats another story, refer to http://www.louis-fes.blogspot.com/ for 150 pages of fun and games.