It's been a busy few weeks , zipping about from one Cortjio to the next constantly being told this needs a little work and a lot of vision to see its true potential . Most needed a lot of cash and a magic wand just to make them fit to be called a slum !
Our second visit with the builders to the first Cortjio we saw went well it would appear that the work we had in mind to re jig the bedrooms and create 2 en suites is all possible , as is the removal of a wall to create a large kitchen diner of about 40m2 .
The pool location was agreed and the type and style discussed , this the lovely wife's domain as it's her gift to her self , so 10 x 5 with a 3m perimeter terrace and a modesty wall around ( to keep the draught off really ) a proper sun trap as it's all south facing.
My attention turned to the space required to fit a solar water heater and the PV electric panels and of course the obligatory 2.4m satellite dish . This could all be tucked away at the rear that's the advantage of having a few spare acres of land with the house !
So this is all looking good the only niggle is weather permission would be granted for a pool as the Cortjio is on campo land ? So after discussion with the agent and builder it's agreed that we would need to be sure before proceeding.
The next day we went to the town hall with our lawyer to see the town architect for our area , the lawyer had copies of all the deeds and maps etc so I thought that this would be a one shot deal - yes or no . I was forgetting that this is Spain so why do today what will keep for a month or so . We left all the copies with the architect along with €30 and we are awaiting a letter to say yes or no to the question of permisio.
We have since made an offer and had it accepted with the reservation contract stating the sale is void if the answer regarding the pool is no , so we wait and wait so far we have waited 15 days .
Every time we pass the area we pop to the Cortjio and sit at the end of the drive checking out the noise etc and the freshness of the air being a farming area ! So far it's all good . The almonds are currently in flower all 300 of them and they look stunning the lovely pink and white blossoms covering up the years of neglected pruning . Are we going into the almond business no I hope not apparently a neighbour my be interested in managing the crop and ploughing the fire brakes on the open areas in return .
The builders quote came in , and fell in the zone of expectations, inc a double car port with tile roof and a large retaining wall , casita and 1000m2 of Chipping's a modest €45k :-/ that only leaves the kitchen and another bath room plus the solar hot water and PV electric system and satellite dish . Good job the vendor came down €32k to accept our offer , it had been on sale for 30 months .
So all of that is now on hold awaiting the permisio from the town hall , every one says they have not known any one be refused but there's always a first.
To pass the time on we have had my oldest friend of 32 years and his lovely wife to stay for a week and who should pop up on the same day but number 1 daughter so a real house full , round all the sights as usual and a meal out with a flamenco show. Rich is a semi pro photographer so was snapping away all week he particularly liked the old workings along the coast at villaricos and for Feb the weather was very pleasant .
They were both delighted with the area and the local life style , choosing to hover around estate agents windows when not being watched ? Who knows a convert ?
Our whirlwind romance with the replacement internet provider has crashed just like their service keeps doing after 3 weeks of on and off when the on rarely reached the advertised rate a quickie divorce was agreed and their gone . We have found a new provider who won't advertise and rely on word of mouth recommendations who their clients claim can offer double the rate for the same price to a select few , so a temp trial agreed and now we await their eng. , who says the Brits aren't patient ?
The final straw ! As most will be aware the grinch stole the BBC & ITV the other night and our land lord Fagin won't increase the dish size claiming that the ad said sky TV not UK tv and as we still get sky channels nothing has changed .
I can't wait to MOVE !