British migrant, gypsy quarter, mid life adventure, exploring Almeria, Andalusia, Spain
Summer 2021 It is almost three years to the day since I decided to reinvent my life and myself in Almeria city. Suffering from empty nest syndrome, mid-life crisis, jobless and in need of a boost, what I had in mind was a cute little flat in an old-fashioned square in the city. What fate… Continue reading Taking a chance on La Chanca: blog commissioned by Almeria Living Magazine for their 100th edition
This is it. The year is up. At the 12th stroke of midnight will my La Chanca Life turn into a pumpkin or will it be the fairytale ending I was searching for at the start of the year? In many ways my move to the gypsy heartland of Almeria has been like a fairy… Continue reading A year in La Chanca
I've said goodbye to La Chanca for a couple of weeks, swapping the view of the castle for the view of the Cariatiz hills. It's Sunday morning and finally after a hectic few days I can feel peace and goodwill to all (wo)men. I'm back home with an average of three teens at any given… Continue reading Home for the holidays
Ever since I moved to La Chanca people have been telling me about the Chanqueñan singer Sensi Falan and last week I finally got to meet her. She is quite a special person. Born into a family of 'marineros' she was brought up in La Chanca, and despite becoming pretty well known, still has her… Continue reading Entering La Chanca society!
Yes, I'm still alive and kicking in La Chanca, where it's actually been quite peaceful recently. No more fights or murder reports, just me nearly dying from the shock of returning to real life with an almost proper job! I decided to supplement the freelance legal-admin work I've been carrying out over the last few… Continue reading Still alive
Things have been a little volatile in La Chanca. A murder and a fracas to be precise. This was the headline in the local news this week: “Suspected murderer from La Chanca-Pescaderia arrested in Roquetas de Mar”. They showed this police photo of the suspect: And the story goes that on September 4 a black… Continue reading The darker side of La Chanca
I can hardly believe that I've been living in La Chanca for six months now. On the one hand it seems like only yesterday that I was packing up my things and saying a tearful goodbye to the pets, but on the other it feels an age away. Now is a good time to take… Continue reading Six months in!
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
La Chanca Life 