Sell up, move abroad, and live the good life. How difficult could it be?
"I found it hard to put down laughed, smiled & loved the journey."
"Funny, interesting and hugely enjoyable read."
"I have read a lot of travel books and this one is up there with the best."
"A great read describing life in Spain wonderfully."
"This is an exceptionally well written book and the author paints a vivid picture of the people and the country."
Craig Briggs dreamt of a new life, free from the stresses and strains of modern living. Unlike most of us, he decided to follow his dream.
In May 2002, Craig, his wife Melanie and their dog Jazz packed all their worldly belongings into their ageing executive saloon and headed off to Spain. Not for them the tourist-packed Costas of the Mediterranean or the whitewashed villages of Andalucia. They chose Galicia, an unspoilt paradise in the northwest corner of Spain.
With help from the locals, they quickly settle in to their laidback lifestyle. Long, lazy lunches fill their days and lively village fiestas keep them up until the early hours.
It's only when they start searching for a new home that the problems begin. They encounter a freelance estate agent of dubious character and risk life and limb tiptoeing through dirty, derelict, and dangerous buildings.
Worse follows: a brush with the law, a builder who downs tools, a floating swimming pool, and the mysterious disappearance of their life savings.
Join Craig, Melanie and Jazz along a colourful, bumpy and sometimes perilous journey and immerse your senses in the sights, sounds, and tastes of a Spanish adventure.
"I loved this book and found I just could not put it down. I just can't wait to read the next one."
"Well written and fun to read."
"Absolutely couldn't put this book down and really didn't want this 'journey' to end."
"I can't wait for the sequel!"
About the Author: Craig left fulltime education aged eighteen and began a career in retail. At the age of 28, he found his true vocation after buying into a small printing business. After 13 years of blood, sweat, and holding back the tears, he sold up to pursue his dream. In May 2002, two months before his fortieth birthday, Craig, his wife Melanie and their pet dog Jazz, squeezed all their worldly goods into their aging executive saloon and headed off to Spain. Not for them the tourist packed Costas of the Mediterranean coast or the hills of Andalusia, no, they headed for Galicia, a remote and little known region in the northwest corner of Spain. Craig began writing a weekly column for an online magazine in 2004. Over the last few years he has written a number of articles for the Trinity Mirror Group and online publications such as: CNN, My Destination, and Insiders Abroad. In 2013 he published his first travel memoir Journey to a Dream. It tells the story of a turbulent first 12 months in Galicia. His latest book, Beyond Imagination, continues the adventure as they settle in to their new home and surroundings. As well as writing, Craig and his wife Melanie own a traditional Galician farmhouse which they rent to tourists from around the world. He's also an enthusiastic wine maker and currently works two small vineyards.
