Attempting to ride my bicycle! by Kay on 25 August 2025 Posted in Life abroad After weeks of saying I’m going to do it, I’ve finally gotten on my bike – with a little help from a colleague! I am finally attempting to ride my bicycle! So, one Friday afternoon at work, just as we’d seen the children off for the end of the week, one of my colleagues appears Read More
So far, so good! by Kay on 24 July 2025 Posted in Life abroad It’s been roughly a month now since I moved here to start my new job. And as anyone who’s moved to another country knows, it takes a while to find your feet. But I’m slowly getting there. I feel more comfortable and at ease than I did a month ago, at least! At the moment, Read More
The art of making friends when you’re a second-time expat! by Kay on 29 June 2025 Posted in Life abroad The art of making new friends when you’re a second-time expat is daunting and never going to be plane sailing! Being an introvert, making new friends hasn’t always been my strong point! Having said that, I do have some strong friendship groups from where I grew up, university and work. Although we don’t get to Read More
The washing line is where now? by Kay on 1 March 2025 Posted in Life abroad A new concept! The idea of how the Spanish wash their clothes, particularly in the cities, was quite a new concept to me. Yes, most apartments had washing machines as part of the furnishings when looking for a rental, some even had driers. This was a handy feature so that I didn’t have the faff Read More
Hour of need, or just another gormless ‘me’ moment? by Kay on 25 February 2025 Posted in Life abroad Homesick… Sadly, my time at home for the Christmas break had come to an end. My flight was at 7:15 pm. After the long 3-month term, I had no idea just how homesick I had been and how much I’d missed home. I guess the whole moving overseas and starting a new job had kept Read More
Spanish bank experience and why I can never return! by Kay on 7 February 2025 Posted in Life abroad Needing to transfer money home… On starting my new job, I needed to set up a Spanish bank account in order to receive my salary. Well, the school HR team set it up on my behalf! During the first week, a member of HR made the appointment at the local branch and then accompanied me Read More
Mobile credit aggravation! by Kay on 7 February 2025 Posted in Life abroad Duo SIM… Before moving to Spain I opted to buy a duo SIM phone. I wanted to still be able to use my English number, but also to have a Spanish SIM card to avoid extra costs and ensure I got the network coverage that I needed for work and when out and about exploring. Read More
It’s all still very much a work in progress… by Kay on 26 January 2025 Posted in Life abroad Coffee and lingo… Saturday morning and I have arranged to meet up with one of my language exchange friends for coffee. She has very good English as a result of many years of language exchange with English Teachers who have come and gone again. She has been attempting to help me with my Spanish since I Read More
Lessons in bus etiquette! by Kay on 19 November 2024 Posted in Life abroad Travel cards are a go… Unfortunately, I don’t have a car in Spain and have no intentions of driving here. (It’s scary enough as a pedestrian, let alone being a driver amongst scary traffic and also having to be mindful of pedestrians!!). So, my new (and just generally getting out and about) job requires me Read More
Bye bye Blighty! by Kay on 19 November 2024 Posted in Life abroad Last day of term… So, here I am. The last day of term. Sitting in the assembly hall as my name is being called by the head to stand at the front for everyone to say goodbye. I have butterflies and am trembling as I make my way onto the stage to join the head. Read More
