British migrant, gypsy quarter, mid life adventure, exploring Almeria, Andalusia, Spain
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
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!
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
...And this could be one of the reasons why! Twice this week my street has been completely blocked by lorries delivering building materials. Poor Vic had to squeeze past the latest cement truck on his crutches which was no mean feat! The whole street was out in force checking the overhead electricity cables which had… Continue reading Correos express doesn’t come here…
Going out from La Chanca into the middle of town on a Friday night is like crossing a divide between two worlds. I get on my bike, make up done for a Friday night out, my attempt at glamour slightly undermined by my green cycle helmet (but I must be safe for the sake of… Continue reading Between worlds
This week La Chanca Life has mostly been La Cycling Life, as I got to grips with my power assisted mountain bike.For four days I cycled everywhere, developing an obsession with following the impressive network of cycle lanes (a brownie point to Almeria city council) to the stage where I could hardly bear to leave… Continue reading Castle, caves and cycling
It's now been officially eight hours since I have been on my own in the new house. And I am loving it! I know it's hardly long enough to tell, but it beats being alone in a massive house where you have to keep two wood burners going to stop your breath clouding in the… Continue reading I’ve moved!
La Chanca Life 