Madrid is open!!

More to follow in coming days, but last night we slept in an apartment we bought and signed for a few hours earlier. Been an adventure so have not posted on the process as there were a number of complications along the way. Yesterday the possibility was that we made a payment before signing – the owner then did not need to sign, would have his mortgage paid off, still own the apartment and we be a sum of money down and no apartment. There was approximately an hour when this could happen. The estate agent, who sought to help us all along, came up with a plan. It was to trap him in the back of their car – it being a two door car would mean he could not escape!! Eventually we were able to complete in 2 hours. The critical part being able to buy without the debt on the apartment being transferred to us. As far as we are aware we are successful…

Last night we opened the letter box.’You have 2 days to settle the electricity bill before legal proceedings begin’… Nice one!! So off to the bank – can only be paid at certain banks (don’t ask why!) and told – sorry you can only pay this on certain days, at certain hours – next slot is next Wednesday. Quick count and that is more than 2 days away… Found another way to do it, so we will continue to have electricity. PHEW.

A few more practical things to go of paying of bills and taxes. At least in Madrid one only (?) pays 6% of the cost of purchase in tax to the government (in Valencia we paid 10%!).

A couple more nights on a blow up mattress… but happy.

10 years ago we moved to Spain. 7 years ago we left Mallorca en route to Madrid via Cádiz. Had another diversion via dreams to Oliva and now!!

In the summer it became very clear that we cannot see the shifts we need remotely from Oliva but needed to be in Madrid to do so. If you have followed a little of our journey then you will know that the ‘success’ of the passing in parliament to get Franco’s body removed from the Valley of the Fallen was then responded to the push to have him reburied in Madrid. We went to the actual site in the crypt where he was to be reburied and prayed last time in Madrid. Breaking news from this morning is that the government has now blocked that possibility. Madrid is open and we are no longer just pushing ‘lock / unlock’ remotely.

Much more to come I am sure.

The photo… We were given a prophecy that our arrival in Madrid would be on a magic carpet. Gayle bought a carpet a while back. We have sat on it in Oliva and the photo is of the landing (well at least in our imagination!).