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It’s hardly a secret…
Published December 20, 2011 | 
Billy with his new 'brothers'!
…that it was Elle and I took on the recently abandoned Boxer puppy who, to all intents and purposes, was left to die on a terrace without proper water or food. We’ve been told that, had a friend of ours not found him when he did, little ‘Billy’ as he is now known would have been dead by the end of the weekend. It was pure chance that our friend turned up at the house when he did on the Friday, as he hadn’t originally planned to visit the house until Monday.
Well, here’s an update to the story!
We read with interest Jane Burke’s article – inspired in part by Billy’s story – in the December issue of the Gazette (page 32), in which she passionately appealed to Lanzarote to ‘name and shame’ those on the island who mistreat animals in such a way. Jane cited some other horrific atrocities in the article too, which really do make the blood of any reasonable human being boil. She also pointed out that, despite the urban mythology, many expats are as guilty as the locals. We’ve all seen them come and go, they arrive with their rose tinted glasses, dash off down to SARA or the nearest pet shop and adopt a dog or cat – only to realize a few months on they can’t make it on this island so many of us are proud to call home. The lucky animals will get re-homed, the not so lucky ones wind up at Sara, and the downright unfortunate ones like OUR little ‘Billy’ just get dumped.
We hadn’t planned to do this, but perhaps Jane has a point. We were offended today to be pointed at this… Is this ‘person’ coming back? Maybe she is, maybe it’s all talk. But you know what, just in case, we thought we’d get the ball rolling in light of Jane’s comments. We’ve decided to go public in the hope that if we do this irresponsible and heartless individual is prevented from taking on another dog or cat on Lanzarote.
Remember, as the old saying goes “A dog is for life not just for Christmas”!
Please, please – to anyone moving here, think long and hard and make sure you know what you are doing when you take on a pet. Would you do this to kids?! Personally I’d neuter anyone who can treat an animal in such a way as they can’t possibly be trusted with children either.
NVQ qualifications available throughout Spain and the Canary Islands
Published December 1, 2011 | We’ve just completed a website for a service that I genuinely believe has the potential to be a great benefit to many in Lanzarote, and throughout Spain!
Shirley Fletcher who until recently was living on the island, and has now moved to the Peninsula has set up Fletcher Europe, an extension of her UK business Fletcher Consultancy, a market leading training and development company (who deliver over 2500 NVQs each year). Through Fletcher Europe Shirley is bringing UK NVQ qualifications to Spain.
For those not familiar with NVQs, they are a work based qualification which are assessed on proven competences and observations of performance in the workplace. For companies, NVQs have been proven to improve productivity and staff retention, and for individuals the NVQ qualification will open up new opportunities.
Okay, we should all speak fluent Spanish – but many of us don’t. And, due to this, education and training opportunities are limited for our kids post school without the ability to speak Spanish fluently – the introduction of the NVQ will now allow them to further their education whilst here. Additionally, should they have to return home for any reason, they will have obtained a UK recognized qualification.
Fletcher Eaurope are offering NVQ qualifications in;
- Administration
- Contact Centre
- Customer Service
- Hospitality
- Learning and Development
- Management
- Sales
We think this is a fantastic idea and a great step forward, and we wish Shirley every success!
Self Storage in Playa Blanca
Published September 30, 2011 | 
Our friends Dave and Ange have recently launched a secure self-storage facility at their MVP Pool and Spa warehouse in Playa Blanca.
Options range from a 1 cubic metre boxes up to 27.5 cubic metre lock-ups. Storage is in a secure warehouse and there is unlimited free access during MVP office hours.
Their service is reasonably priced and ideal for local businesses and for personal belongings. Of particular interest to those of you reading this site who are moving to Lanzarote, the service enables you to send your personal effects in advance knowing they will be safe and secure until your arrival. MVP can also arrange delivery to your new home when you get here. It also opens up another option for anyone returning the UK.
A 1 cubic metre box is 20€ a month.
A small lock up of approximately 9 cubic metres is:
1 week or part thereof 45€
1 month or part thereof 85€
3 months plus 75€
6 months plus 65€
Large lock up of approximately 27.5 cubic metres:
1 week or part thereof 50€
1 month or part thereof 125€
3 months plus 115€
6 months plus 95€
Like everything else Dave and Ange do – we are sure they’ll be successful with the new venture!
Siete Islas
Published September 24, 2011 | 
Many people who read this blog on a regular basis will know that I walked from the north to the south of the island last year, and I’m pleased to say raised a little bit of money for a couple of worthy charities. I’m now planning on doing something similar in spring of next year.
It’s a little more ambitious. Around March or April – exact date to be confirmed – I’m going to walk up, down, or across the ‘Siete Islas’, the seven main islands that make up the Canary Islands. That’s, in order, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, la Gomera, El Hierro and finally la Palma, the obvious finish point because of the airport.
If you’d like to follow the build up and the walk when it happens we’ll be posting some brief updates on here but most of the information about the charites, and the walk will be being posted on my blog – www.alangandy.com. You’ll also be able to keep up with the news on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you to everyone who supported me earlier this year, wish me luck – I’m probably going to need it! 
…and a special thank you to David White of Axia FX who is very kindly funding my travel and expenses for the expedition, and also to personal trainer Mitch Mitchell for his guidance and advice.
Five Years Already??
Published September 24, 2011 | Well… here we are… finally at our fifth anniversary of living in Lanzarote. The UK seems so very long ago sometimes… and at others it seems like only yesterday. So what have we learned? Done? Achieved? Been disappointed with?
Ah… you don’t want to hear all that stuff! I did write out an essay this week about our business… our dogs… our personal stuff. But you’d have been stuck reading forever! At the end of the day… are we glad we made the move? Absolutely! Would we ever move back to England? Hell no!
- We moved here with plans to start a business, and to build it to such an extent that we could at least be looking at semi-retirement in an achievable timescale. Thankfully we are actually ahead of schedule on that… despite the credit crunch.
- It is NOT easier here to live day to day than it is back in the UK… but the better weather helps, the fresh air and warmer climate certainly has helped my health (asthma all but gone, and my hip issues are rarely a problem now). Because we have our own business, we can take a day off when we damn well please – and enjoy a stroll along a beautiful promenade just a few minutes walk from home with the dogs.
- We have access to so many beautiful parts of the Island now, and I’m so pleased I took up walking here… I’ve discovered so much that you would miss if you stayed in the resorts, or only explored in your car.
- Alan walked from the northern tip of the island to the southern tip… for charity – look out for another post later today about his next project fundraiser – it’s a goodun!
- We have been interviewed by a number of UK newspapers and magazines about our experiences… as well as the internet interviews.
- We’ve got two amazing dogs – Guido (Beagador) and Pepper (Labrador)
- We’ve made some amazing friends… both online and offline… and we meet new amazing people all the time. There are some of you moving over in the next couple of years that we are very excited about… both for the Island… and on a social basis too – you know who you are!
- We have been able to offer a choice to Alan’s teenage sons – of where to live. Only Sam has taken us up on it… but is now very settled here full time, has an amazing girlfriend (Terrie) and a great job too.
- I’ve learned how to cook – and more importantly to ENJOY cooking! Back in Blighty we rarely got in before 9pm, and were so exhausted that we generally either got a takeaway, ate out, or whipped up a ready meal. Apart from Sundays, that is… when I would do a roast dinner. When we moved here, it was much harder to get instant meals… and we knew we didn’t wish to exhaust the Island’s restaurants quickly or we’d get bored (and broke!) quickly… so I learned to cook things from scratch. Now it’s a pleasure, not a chore – and we cook for friends at least 2 or 3 times a month.
Anyway, it’s our 5th anniversary today – so we’re going to head up to Puerto Calero for a spot of lunch seeing as we have a dogsitter (thanks Sam) … and then maybe nip out this evening for a drinkie or two!
We hope you enjoy the photo gallery – it is simply a few photos of us over the past five years with some friends too… people who live here, and some that we have got to know online too. Apologies that Alan isn’t in very many – he usually prefers to be behind the camera. There are also a couple of photos of this beautiful island that we now call home. Enjoy!
Have a great weekend everyone!
KItten in Playa Blanca needs a home
Published September 22, 2011 | 
As you know we’re not cat lovers… so if there’s any way that someone can help this bundle of teeth and claws find a happy home away from our little town, we’ll be very grateful!
Only kidding of course… but it’s actually a serious request. This young cat has been spayed today, so no risk of extra visitors. She is currently living in Playa Blanca but desperately needs to find a new home.
If you can help – then please contact Bernie from 9 Lives Charity on 0034 928 520 781.
Even if you already have too many pets of your own… or perhaps don’t want one… then please pass this information on to someone who may find it useful. All pets deserve a loving home – yes, even cats 
Buying pet products online
Published September 19, 2011 | Living in Lanzarote we’ve found that there isn’t that much choice when it comes to buying the dogs. And pet products are damned expensive!
We’re planning a trip away soon and want to take the dogs with us. So I’ve been looking around for a proper dog guard – I really don’t want to risk the fines! At times like this, so many of us ex-pats gravitate to ebay and Amazon back in the UK. But, as I’m always spouting on about using local businesses I thought I’d have a look at what online pet stores there might be on the peninsula. My thinking being that it would be cheaper on postage as well as being more convenient that buying from the UK. I am glad I did – I found TiendAnimal.es. Good prices, great selection and they deliver to the Lanzarote as well as the other Canary Islands – they also refund the appropriate taxes automatically, something few UK site seem capable of. Continue reading
Puppy looking for a home!
Published September 13, 2011 | 
This is ‘Dolly’, who along with her four siblings was found left in a bin recently – and she is looking for a home. I’ll refrain from expletives, but really, what kind of monster can do that to other creatures. It’s disgusting, no, disgusting doesn’t go far enough!
Sadly, one puppy has died as a result of their ordeal – but the other three have found homes already. Best guess is that the litter are Staffy, Boxer crosses, and we are told they are extremely well natured.
Please, don’t just go and and buy dogs (or cats) on this island – there are far to many, just like these cute little guys and girls looking for a home already. If you’d like to meet Dolly with a view to adopting her, please drop us an email and we will pass on the appropriate contact number!
Due Diligence
Published September 6, 2011 | Due Diligence: A term most people who’ve been in business at any point in their lives will be familiar with. A simple definition in business terms might be “due diligence refers to the process of making sure that someone is what they say they are and can do what they claim (eg, does the product really work, do they really have customers, etc. )”.
If you’re moving to Lanzarote, you may want to take this a bit further and apply this to your everyday life!
I’ve written before about the sharks on the island, but here’s a recent example.
A friend of ours came over to stay last year for a number of months. At first he loved it, everyone was really nice, friendly and welcoming. But, before long, once people realised he was here for a while, it started….
“Who’s cleaning your pool”?
“Do you have a cleaner”?
“Are you buying a house”?
These statements, of course not always, but often, translate to – “give me a job” (nothing wrong with that really, that’s just networking)….
Or, far more cynically, “I have a mate that does that”… and they will give me a few Euros for the introduction (In which case the quality of the work or the service is irrelevant to the person making the introduction – they only care about the percentage offered).
Newcomers should always be aware that people all too often have an agenda – what seems like an innocent and helpful bit of matchmaking results in a proverbial ‘brown envelope’ for the introduction. What does that mean in real terms? YOU are paying for that.
There’s a real ‘back-hander’ culture on the island (as we’re sure there is anywhere you get a gathering of ex-pats) – personally we don’t like it, or get involved, but lets face it, it happens everywhere. Caveat Emptor!
But, perhaps worse than that there’s an element, albeit a small element looking to fleece the newcomers… Please, please be on your guard. Trust no-one – including us – until you know them. Do your Due Diligence, take nothing at face value… Or you may pay a high, or sometime catastrophic price. Not everyone is what they seem. We talk about taking off the rose tinted glasses on the home page of this site – you’re risking a lot coming out here, with good reason.
Alan
As a note on the content on this site – we only recommend people and businesses we know and trust. If we find out they haven’t lived up to expectations we will either drop the article, remove details or take some other action. If we do not know them we’ll make that clear, if we know that they are untrustworthy, then they won’t be on here – and if asked a direct question – as we would giving a job reference in the UK – we will not comment rather than get involved in some of the petty back-biting that rears its ugly head here from time to time.
Regular payments from the UK
Published August 17, 2011 | A few days ago I was talking with David White the MD of AxiaFX, one of the currency exchange companies we use from time to time (David has done me an enormous favour recently – more on that to come in another post soon).
Without going into our own circumstances in any detail, apart from putting the economies of Europe to rights, we were discussing generally the best way for expats to move money regularly from the UK.
One of the few BIG mistakes we made when we moved to the island was not to properly research currency exchange, and doing it through the high street banks cost us dearly. We’ve learned since though.
As well as those big payments these companies can also organise for regular payments to be automatically transferred, free of bank charges, and at better rates. So if you’ve got a mortgage on a property here paid from your UK accounts, or perhaps a pension you regularly transfer, over a period of time the savings must be huge! I asked David for some figures to illustrate this point. Here’s the example he gave;
|
Amount |
Exchange Rate |
Fee |
Total |
|
| Axia FX |
€ 1,200 |
1.14 |
£0.00 |
£1,052.63 |
| UK High Street Bank |
€ 1,200 |
1.09 |
£25.00 |
£1,125.92 |
That’s one hell of a lot of money over the lifetime of a mortgage or years of pension payments being transferred!
It’s frankly just insane not to do it through a currency exchange company – no bank charges, better rates – it’s as simple as that. It is a proverbial ‘no brainer’.
If you would like a currency exchange quote or have any questions the form below goes directly to David’s email address at AxiaFX.
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