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.