It's been too long.
We last left our home in Vera in 2018, little knowing what was awaiting an unsuspecting world generally, Or us, in particular.
We had decided to sell our lovely narrow boat in the UK, as we're getting on a bit, and buy a lodge in the beautiful Welsh countryside. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, proper toilets, water you don't have to fill via a hosepipe and roomto walk about in.
The very nice young couple who owned the lodge park assured us that we could come and go as we please, provided we had another permanent address. We signed the contract and looked forward to a blissful retirement shared between Spain and our 'idyllic retreat'.
Then everything turned pear shaped. Covid hit town and the park closed - but this was ok as our home is in Spain and we were prevented from returning there due to Covid restrictions, so we were allowed to stay.
Then disaster struck. My partner of 25 years, Mike, was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the oesophagus.
As if this wasn't enough, the very nice young couple sold out to a large holiday park outfit who immediately started a regime of unpleasant emails implying that we would be evicted from our holiday lodge as we were using it as a residential address which was against the contract agreement. We explained our circumstances, including Mike's diagnosis but this was met with callous disregard and even more arrogant and threatening emails.
It is difficult enough living with cancer, as I'm sure many of you will know. The harrowing effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are debilitating for all concerned; but to be continually harrassed and threatened with eviction when you are already at your lowest point is really too much to bear. We have had lots of love and support from family and friends, which is wonderful, but, at the end of the day, there is little they can do.
We know we are not alone with this problem. Holiday parks are not regulated in the UK and there is no legal redress for the unsuspecting static caravan/lodge owner mis-sold the dream of a tranquil place to spend their well earned retirement. We paid £83.500 for our lodge. If we are forced to sell to the owners, the list price is £35 maximum. Depreciation is the same as a car. You're paying for the pitch and your surroundings.
Anyone thinking of purchasing a static caravan, or lodge in the UK, PLEASE, PLEASE think again. The land may be owned by a' nice young couple' now but large, unscrupulous and maverick traders are cashing in on the trend for 'staycations' since the pandemic and are ruining people's lives as a consequence. I must point out, though, that, to my knowledge, this kind of practice does not occur in Spanish parks.
We are looking forward to making the trip out to our apartment in September, Mike's health permitting, to check with our solicitor re our legal position in applying for residency. We do know that it's highly unlikely, given the Brexit rules, but we can only live in hope.
Being bullied out of your own country is a harsh thing to accept. We are not defeatist by nature but until this pervasive black cloud of a greedy and ruthless industry is regulated, our choices are limited.
We just ask that we spend what's left of our contaminated retirement in peace.