British migrant, gypsy quarter, mid life adventure, exploring Almeria, Andalusia, Spain
That was my friend Juan Jo's main comment when he came to visit La Chanca at the weekend! That combined with daughter Ellie spending a whole day asking me if I thought I would die from getting shot in the street brought a few doubts to my mind, but I roundly dismissed them. Personally I… Continue reading There’s a strong smell of weed!
It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I'm awaiting the arrival of my third set of guests in almost as many days, and I'm feeling the love. La Chanca has its moments (usually just when I'm trying to get to sleep at night) but the days are actually very peaceful here. Sitting on my balcony it is… Continue reading La Chanca charm grows
I've finally joined a local association - La Guajira, a cultural group that runs a venue for flamenco and music events. It's not exactly a residents' association, but it is just round the corner opposite the Alcazaba castle and it has a good ethos of promoting local culture in an inclusive and low cost environment.… Continue reading Time of my life V. my time of life
Exciting news this week! La Chanca Life is expanding, with the acquisition of the house next door! Jeanne's father, Vic (see the About page for a reminder on the characters in this story!) has bought it as when it came on the market it seemed like too good an opportunity to lose. Not only will… Continue reading The house next door
I went away for a week back to England, and it feels as if I have been away for a year! It was an important trip to mark Dad's birthday, one year after he died, so maybe the milestone aspect made it seem longer. We did him proud, my mother, sisters and myself, celebrating his… Continue reading Back to La Chanca
This blog will be of interest (and importance) to people living in Almeria only, especially those who have yet to register as residents - sorry everyone else! I will aim to create a new blog for legal matters in the near future to keep La Chanca Life for entertainment. For some time now it has… Continue reading Residency Appointments: new category available
La Chanca Life has mostly been La Working Life this week. With a glitch in La Cycling Life as my trusty steed had to go in for repairs. Almost everything was wrong with it, although apparently the transmission will last a little longer. Phew. I actually had no idea what the transmission was but the… Continue reading La Working Life
They say a leopard doesn't change its spots, and I guess the same can be said of me! After years of alternative pursuits – full time mother, piano teacher, journalist, to name a few – I have come back to my original profession of soliciting (and not on the street corners of La Chanca, I… Continue reading Back to the law!
Since pioneering Almerían photographer Carlos Pérez Siquier first captured his haunting images of La Chanca in all its poverty and beauty in the 1950s, the area has been somewhat of a mecca for photographers – and this month it has its very own photo competition. Photography is not one of my major talents, but I'm… Continue reading Calling all photographers!
Almeria city boasts hundreds of bars lining the cobbled boulevards and hidden away down side streets - and why only go to one when you can go to many on a tapas trail! A tapas trail is basically a more glamorous version of the good old pub crawl, with slightly less alcohol and slightly more… Continue reading On the tapas trail
La Chanca Life 