Allan and Elaine
Allan and Elaine Day relocated to Lanzarote in 2006 and are amongst the most popular, and well liked, smiley faces seen around Playa Blanca. A big thank you goes out to them both for agreeing to share their experiences of moving to the Island.
Name/s
Allan and Elaine Day
Where did you relocate to Lanzarote from?
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Where on the Island do you live now?
Playa Blanca
Who came with you?
Spouse of 6years - Elaine
Why did you decide to move to Lanzarote?
Lanzarote felt right somehow. I had been visiting Lanzarote on and off for the past 17 years for holidays living in various hotels, villas and apartments. Every year the holidays became more frequent. We were both in demanding jobs in the UK. I was a police officer with 17 years in and Elaine was a civil servant with 22 years service. We decided we needed a change of lifestyle.
How long before deciding to move, did you actually arrive?
We discussed the option during a three week holiday in June 2005 and decided that we would move out in between 2 and 5 years. At Xmas 2005 I was searching the internet for long term accomodation and we found a lovely villa which was available but we had to decide by the January 2006. After we discussed it we decided to put down the first months deposit to secure the villa for the 21st September, 2006. We then sold the house and in the May we moved in with my parents in Lauder, Scottish Borders. As it turned out whilst on holiday in June that year, Elaine was offered a job at Legends Karaoke Bar in Playa Blanca. This would mean she would have to start in July, 3 weeks later. After long discussions we decided to accept the offer.
Elaine moved out here in July 2006 leaving me at home to complete all the paperwork and oragnisation for the move. She was given temporary accomodation by friends who owned a villa in Playa Blanca as our villa would not be free until September.
I was again on the internet looking for companies who could ship out our possessions at a reasonable price. I eventually went with a local firm in Hawick who dealt with everything from packing to customs.
I moved out on the 21st September, 2006 to join my wife in our new home.
Did you rent or buy your first home here?
Rented - found via internet
How did you choose your home? And what were your experiences?
We saw photos on internet. My parents who holiday here a lot were asked by us to go and have a reckie which they did. They also photographed the villa from the outside. We went to look at the villa in June 2006 and we were shown around and took photos of the inside so we could remember the layout and furniture etc.
Why did you choose Lanzarote?
I have been coming here for years and Elaine fell in love with the Island also. We had made a large number of friends on the Island and it felt like a home from home. As a boy I was facinated by volcanoes and I even completed a sixth year studies project on a Scottish volcano called “Arthur’s Seat” which is sited next to Edinburgh Castle which sits on a volcanic vent…blah blah blah so you see I was amazed by the landscape here too !
Is there anything you miss from your old home?
Allan - A bath, The Borders Big Band an 18 piece band whom I sang alongside for 4 years, Trout Fishing, friends and family.
Elaine - Decent clothes shops, friends and family.
What are the real benefits to you personally in having made the move?
We now see more of each other than we used to, feel healthier, no shifts, walk more, less rain, less stressful working enviroments, huge choice of restuarants, happier in all areas, wonderful friends who strive to achieve the dream!
What are the downsides if any, of having made the move?
Irregularity and insecurity of work. After leaving your own country with secure employment and the knowledge of having a wage packet every month it is hard to accept the fact that you are now on your own and have to seriously think about where your next wage will come from.
Your friends in Lanzarote - what country are they from, predominantly?
Predominantly England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland and Germany.
Could you speak Spanish before you arrived?
Si - that was about it
Have you had Spanish lessons since you arrived?
Elaine has - I have been learning songs since my arrival but plan to start very soon!
Is your lifestyle healthier… or less healthier… since moving to Lanzarote?
Our lifestyle is much more healthier.
How often do you return to your old home?
Not returned yet ! We do have a wee break planned soon though as its my parents 50th wedding anniversary soon so we will be going back for that and to visit some friends.
With hindsight… is there anything you would have done differently?
Brought out more photographs (Elaine says). Learned Spanish before arrival - Nothing much else really.
Are you working here? If so, what line of work are you in?
Elaine works in Aromas Cafe in Commercial Papagayo and I sing at Las Brisas in Playa Blanca on a Sunday Night and at Weddings throught the year - the work can be a bit irregular for entertainers here- If “swing is your thing” then gimmie a ring!
Singing at weddings gives me the most pleasure. It feels great to have performed well for the bride and groom and its so nice to get positive feedback from the newlyweds after they return home. I always up my game for wedding performances !!
Is this the same line of work that you were in previously?
I did sing at weddings and a number of social events before moving out. As I said earlier too I also sang with a Big Band from 2002-2006 - Amazing experience which gave me good grounding for the show I currently perform - Swing, Jazz, Ballads, Classics
Are you working shorter/longer/same hours as before?
Much shorter hours
What is your website address (if you have one?)
www.lanzarotevocalist.com
