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00:01For over 22 years, A Place in the Sun has been helping couples
00:05find their dream homes abroad.
00:07I'm getting a bit of a tingly feeling, isn't it?
00:10Loving it, loving it.
00:12Creating hundreds of happy households across the world.
00:15Oh, it's gorgeous, isn't it?
00:16Beautiful.
00:17Shall we do it?
00:17Yeah.
00:18Look, we're all welling up here.
00:20In this series, we'll be revisiting some of them
00:22to find out what happened next.
00:25Can I get a high five?
00:26Yeah.
00:27Oh, yeah.
00:29Today, Dani Mingers is in the beautiful coastal town of Denia
00:32on Spain's Costa Blanca, catching up with Alison and Brian,
00:36who she helped to find a magnificent holiday home
00:39for them and their family and friends to enjoy.
00:43Hello.
00:45So good to see you both again.
00:47Oh, my gosh.
00:48Well, Jasmine Harman is in Cyprus with Bill and Sandra,
00:52finding out how they've settled into the island
00:54since buying a holiday home there four years ago.
00:57How's your Greek coming along?
00:59It's not.
01:01Do you know how to order a drink or anything like that?
01:03It's never been a problem.
01:13As I paddle along the stunning coastline of Denia,
01:17I can't help but think how much natural beauty this part of Spain has.
01:22Brian and Alison thought the same and I can proudly say
01:25that I helped find their perfect holiday home for themselves and their perfect little doggies.
01:32While it would be a bit of a long kayak, Denia is really easy to reach from the UK
01:37with tons of flight options into Alicante or Valencia airports.
01:41It's then an hour's drive or taxi from either option.
01:45The coastline here stretches for around 12 miles with a great combination of rocky bays
01:51and sweeping beaches of golden sand.
01:54It's home to some great seafood restaurants, many centered around its pretty marina,
01:58overlooked by a castle originally built in the 11th century.
02:02Back in 2020, husband and wife Alison and Brian were looking for a three-bedroom place in Denia,
02:09where they could holiday with their two dogs, Hector and Betty,
02:13and somewhere their three grown-up children and friends could also enjoy,
02:17working with a budget of up to £180,000.
02:21We kick things off with a quick look around the old town.
02:25Denia is recognized by UNESCO as a creative city for gastronomy.
02:30Throughout the whole of Denia, I think there's about 400 different restaurants.
02:34Is there really? Yeah. Are you foodies?
02:36Yeah, we do like food, yeah.
02:37I like looking at the menus before we go in,
02:39quite like the ones which haven't got an English translation
02:41because then it's a little bit of eating blind.
02:44So you get a bit of surprise when your dish comes.
02:47Yeah, get a bit of a surprise, yeah.
02:49I was keen to surprise Alison and Brian with some delights of the property kind,
02:53and the first of them was on a new development on the edge of town
02:57in the form of this three-bedroom apartment.
03:00So, come on through. Brand spanking new.
03:04It's very nice.
03:05Really nice, nice and clean.
03:07Very modern. Very modern, yeah, everything's in place.
03:10And out on the terrace...
03:11It's a lovely view.
03:13Yeah, it's really nice, isn't it? Perfect.
03:14Is this the kind of thing that you're hoping to view?
03:18Yeah.
03:18Yeah? Definitely, yeah.
03:20Is there any negatives so far?
03:22Because it feels like it's going really well.
03:24No, I don't think there is.
03:26No.
03:27Good.
03:28No.
03:28I'm loving it.
03:29I'm loving it.
03:30You're loving it?
03:30Yeah.
03:32A solid contender at my first attempt.
03:35My next offering was 20 minutes outside of Denia,
03:38in the village of El Vergel.
03:40It had access to loads of great facilities,
03:42and the apartment itself had three bedrooms and two terraces.
03:46Different to what I was expecting completely.
03:49Light, bright, it's larger.
03:51Comparing it to what we saw earlier.
03:53Does it come furnished?
03:55Yes.
03:56Would you keep it as it is, or would you have a rainbow?
03:58I think there's too much furniture.
03:59I mean, I wouldn't have a sideboard like this,
04:01and Brian wouldn't have a coffee table.
04:03We don't like coffee tables.
04:04No, he doesn't like coffee tables.
04:05Why?
04:06Where'd you put your coffee on your feet?
04:08It goes on the floor.
04:10On the floor?
04:11You've got two dogs.
04:12They're trying.
04:13Coffee on the floor.
04:13Oh, my word.
04:16Yeah.
04:16And once they'd seen it all...
04:18Interesting.
04:19Yeah?
04:19Yeah.
04:20The price is really good.
04:21That makes us think.
04:22Nice, big, open space outside,
04:24which you can do everything with.
04:26It's just...
04:26It's not a big compromise for you, isn't it?
04:28What is it?
04:28It's the...
04:29It's the kitchen being closed in.
04:31Ah.
04:31And I really am in a dilemma
04:33whether I can make that compromise.
04:35I don't know.
04:39While Alison and Brian put that one down as a contender,
04:42Alison's concerns meant that I knew there was still some room for improvement.
04:48After a quick stop off at a cycling cafe that was right up their street,
04:52or should I say path...
04:53On a scale of one to ten, Brian, how fit would you say you are?
04:56At the moment?
04:57Yeah.
04:58About seven.
04:58About seven.
04:59That's pretty good still.
05:01Quite generous, actually.
05:02Is it generous?
05:06We headed to our third property, a little closer to Denia in Els Poblitz.
05:11It was a rather modern bungalow with three bedrooms.
05:15This is the...
05:18OK, so where's the one we're looking at?
05:20This is the one we're looking at.
05:22This is the one we're looking at.
05:23This is wonderful.
05:23Nice.
05:24It's really nice.
05:25Where's the swimming pool, I'm thinking?
05:26Well, it's got a swimming pool.
05:27It's a shared swimming pool, but it is just along there.
05:30We'll have a look at that in a little bit.
05:31That's fantastic, Danny.
05:32Once we got inside, it only got better.
05:35Nice room.
05:36Nice view out into the garden.
05:38Open the door, go straight out into the garden.
05:39It sort of brings the little patio area into play with the front of the room.
05:43Now, at the moment, the furniture isn't included with the price.
05:46The owner has said that they'd be looking for about an extra £20,000
05:49for all the furnishings and the hot tub.
05:52I like it.
05:53I like the colours with a modern home like this.
05:55I'd even keep those little coffee tables there, Brian.
05:58Ooh!
06:00Kitchen all right?
06:01Have a wee look at that.
06:02It's quite a small kitchen, similar to the first apartment we looked at.
06:06I could definitely live with that.
06:08You could live with that.
06:09You're getting good feels on here, aren't you?
06:10She's still living outside, looking at the front of the property.
06:14And once we'd seen it all...
06:16So, still smiling, how did it go?
06:18It didn't feel too impressed.
06:20I love the interior.
06:21It's nice and modern.
06:22I like the way it was furnished.
06:23The bedrooms are all good sizes.
06:25I can't find fault, I'm afraid.
06:27That's fabulous news.
06:29I think it's really, really nice.
06:30I've just got a few issues with that £20,000 they want for the furniture.
06:35We now had a clear front runner,
06:38although the brand-new apartment we started with was still being considered.
06:41We headed back to El Vergel for our fourth option
06:45to view this semi-detached house with three bedrooms.
06:49But...
06:49I just don't feel comfortable.
06:51It just...
06:52The previous property just had such a nice feel.
06:56And I just felt really good there.
06:58The kitchen was very dark.
07:00A bit sparse in there.
07:01Even could have done with a coffee table to fill the rooms up a little bit.
07:05While it was looking more and more like we'd already found our winner,
07:09I had one last chance.
07:10And I went all out to impress with this upside-down house
07:14up in the hill overlooking Denia,
07:16with three bedrooms that was just a touch over their maximum budget,
07:20but negotiable to within.
07:21I'm very interested.
07:23Yeah?
07:23Yeah.
07:24What are you thinking, Brian?
07:25I'm thinking... I'm interested.
07:26I like the other property.
07:27I like where it was.
07:28I really like where this is because it's in the hills
07:30and it's...
07:31I've been in a little...
07:33...Pueblo Blanco, isn't it?
07:35Looking out over there.
07:37We had a good look around,
07:38but unfortunately it wasn't the one for Alison and Brian.
07:42The interior with its spiral staircase
07:44and the lack of a door on the main bedroom meant it was no.
07:48But I still had that modern bungalow
07:50and the brand-new apartment in the running.
07:52When we sat down the next day to pick a winner,
07:55I was feeling good and wasn't surprised
07:57to hear the bungalow was their fave.
07:59So have you made a decision on that one?
08:01Yeah, we'd like to put an offering on that one, please, Dan, if we can.
08:04Well, that's very exciting.
08:06So that property was on the market at just over £177,000,
08:11which is in the wiggle room.
08:13Sure.
08:13So what are you thinking?
08:15I'd say £160,000 to start with.
08:17OK.
08:17I think that's a really good starting point.
08:19Are you happy for me to just put the offer forward?
08:22I mean, they said that the furniture would be a further £20,000.
08:26Yeah.
08:27So are you just happy to go for that on the property
08:29or is that to include anything?
08:31At the moment, let's secure the property.
08:33OK.
08:34We'll see where that goes.
08:35All right, OK, cool.
08:38Unfortunately, that offer was rejected.
08:41The owners wanted closer to £174,500.
08:45Alison and Brian tried again with £170,000,
08:49but that was also rejected.
08:51So they've said they'd come down to £173,400.
08:56OK.
08:57Ah.
09:00I think I'd like to make one last offer of £172,000.
09:03Yeah.
09:03And leave that offer on the table.
09:05What do you think?
09:06All right.
09:07Do you want to go for the whole thing?
09:10Oh, sorry.
09:11Just buy it.
09:16Right, OK.
09:17OK.
09:20Hi, Maria.
09:22We've got a deal.
09:23Thank you so much.
09:25Well done, love.
09:27Bye.
09:29Congratulations.
09:30So there we have it.
09:31We did it.
09:32The relief on your face, Alison.
09:36I can't take the suspense.
09:39Oh, you both look, like, instantly so much more relaxed.
09:43I'm really, really happy for you both.
09:45Here's to you and long holidays in Spain with Hector and Betty.
09:50Cheers.
09:50Cheers, Danny.
09:54That was a rather tense negotiation,
09:56but I'm really pleased we got there in the end.
09:59And nearly four years later,
10:01we're back and meeting up on the beach.
10:03While I'm excited to find out how Alison and Brian are getting on,
10:06it's their four-legged friends I heard so much about
10:09that I really want to see.
10:12Hello.
10:13Hello.
10:13So good to see you both again.
10:16Hi.
10:16Oh, my gosh.
10:17So I've heard all about Hector and Betty.
10:19Which one's which?
10:20So that's Betty and that's Hector.
10:23Lovely.
10:24He looks like a Hector, doesn't he?
10:26Yeah, he does.
10:26He's very much an old man.
10:28And how are you getting on with the property?
10:30Really good.
10:30It's absolutely perfect for everything we wanted to do.
10:34Amazing.
10:35That's so nice.
10:35We've done a few little changes, haven't we?
10:37Yeah.
10:38Yeah, since we moved in.
10:39Perhaps go around and have a look.
10:40See what you think?
10:40Yes, please.
10:42Let's go, gang.
10:42Come on, Betty.
10:45Coming up, we're going to do just that.
10:48Do you remember this, Danny, when you showed us this a few years ago?
10:51I do, indeed, because I loved it.
10:54Come on in.
10:55It's such a cute, cute place.
11:03Today, I'm just outside Denia on the Costa Blanca in Spain, catching up with Alison and
11:09Brian, a couple who I helped find a wonderful holiday home perfect for them to enjoy with
11:14their children and two dogs nearly four years ago.
11:18It sounds like they're really happy with the place and have made a few changes to make it
11:21their own, so I can't wait to find out more.
11:25Do you remember this, Danny, when you showed us this a few years ago?
11:28I do, indeed, because I loved it.
11:30Come on in.
11:31It's such a cute, cute place.
11:33Do you know what I also really remembered was your reaction?
11:36Yeah, I know.
11:37Yeah.
11:38When I watch that back, yeah, it's quite emotional, yeah.
11:42Oh, is it?
11:42Yeah.
11:43This is why I wanted the house, as soon as we walked through those gates.
11:46You got the feeling?
11:46Yeah.
11:47This is the one.
11:48It's perfect for the dogs, isn't it?
11:50Yeah.
11:50Oh, perfect, yeah.
11:51They've just got enough space.
11:52Yeah.
11:52And it's easy to maintain.
11:54It's just great.
11:55And I'm noticing that you've got, you've named the property.
11:59Yes.
11:59That's right.
12:00Well, it was after our first-granddaughter, then the second one came along, so we've had
12:03to amend the name.
12:04And have they been out here?
12:06Yes.
12:06Yeah, yeah.
12:07They love it.
12:08They love it, yeah.
12:09They love it.
12:09They love it having the pool, and yeah, it's great.
12:11I mean, what we loved about this property was the fact that it was turnkey, ready school.
12:16Did you change much?
12:17Not really.
12:18No.
12:19Anything out here?
12:20Just made a few things more comfortable with the sun.
12:22We've got three shades out the front here.
12:24Do I remember correctly that the guy who owned this property wanted like £20,000 for his
12:29furniture?
12:30He did.
12:30Yeah.
12:31The air conditioning units and everything.
12:33So we've negotiated a deal on the stuff we wanted.
12:36And it sort of came down to, we want the air con.
12:39If we don't take what's in there, we're going to have to get it sorted anyway.
12:42Yeah.
12:43Yeah.
12:44Well, I'm keen to see if you've changed anything on the inside, okay?
12:47Shall we go and have a look?
12:47Yes, please.
12:48Come on, dogs.
12:49Shall we go?
12:49Come on, doggies.
12:57We haven't really made many changes.
13:00We didn't really need to, no.
13:01No, you didn't need to.
13:02No, no.
13:03It was ready to go, this place, wasn't it?
13:05Yeah, yeah.
13:05Well, you have obviously changed the furniture.
13:07Yeah.
13:08How did you find that?
13:09Well, we did a bit of bargain hunting on Marketplace.
13:13Yeah, a few bits and pieces.
13:14Yeah.
13:14Cleaning chairs and such like.
13:16Yeah.
13:16I love a good bit of bargain hunting.
13:18Yeah.
13:18How much do you reckon you spent?
13:21More in the hundreds than the thousands.
13:23A hundred?
13:23A hundred here, yeah.
13:24Just for these rooms, yeah.
13:26I love that.
13:26Oh, you did go bargain hunting.
13:28Yeah, yeah.
13:29Very good.
13:30And the kitchen, I mean, the kitchen, nothing's changed, was it?
13:33No, we just added a little unit in there.
13:35Perfect.
13:36If I remember right, Brian, you weren't quite sure about it.
13:38Yeah, I think it was a bit small.
13:40But we've adapted around it and we've got a barbecue outside and we've got a paella ring.
13:46Perhaps we could do a paella later on.
13:48Oh, yes.
13:49Do you mind doing a veggie?
13:50No, we could do a veggie one.
13:51No problem at all.
13:52It's very Spanish to have a paella ring.
13:54Yeah.
13:55I know.
13:55As soon as I bought the house, it was one of the things I really wanted.
14:00I just wanted the paella ring.
14:01Love that.
14:02And is it well used?
14:03Yeah.
14:03Well, I love a paella, so I'm definitely going to say yes to that.
14:07Okay.
14:07But first, can we see a little bit more?
14:09Come this way.
14:15This is lovely.
14:17Very good.
14:18How does it compare waking up in Spain to back home?
14:23It's a dream.
14:23It's a dream.
14:24It's more relaxing.
14:25Yeah, relaxing.
14:27So, so quiet.
14:28And usually it's sunny.
14:29And you haven't changed anything in here because you didn't need to?
14:32No.
14:33No, it's had a lick of paint since we've been here.
14:35Okay.
14:35Just because it needed it.
14:37Did you do it yourself?
14:37Yeah, I did that myself.
14:39Nice.
14:40Would you like to see where the families stay when they come over?
14:42Absolutely.
14:42You know I like a nosy.
14:46Perfect.
14:47So, again, not much has changed.
14:50No, it's the same as it was, pretty much.
14:52A few mirrors on the wall that we've put some paintings up, different things.
14:55It is very nice and bright in here, isn't it?
14:57Yeah, it's really good, isn't it?
14:58The light's really good.
15:00Yeah.
15:00Yeah.
15:01Lovely.
15:02You hungry?
15:03Always.
15:03Let's go and put the cooking on.
15:04Woo!
15:06While paella is one of Spain's best known dishes, its origins go back to southern Spain's
15:12Arab rulers who first started cultivating rice in what is now known as Andalusia in the
15:1710th century.
15:19By the 15th century, it had become a staple of Spanish cuisine and led to the dish we have
15:24today.
15:25The name paella actually refers to the pan used for cooking it rather than the dish itself.
15:30So, with this, how did you learn to do it?
15:34From online, really.
15:35Just an online recipe.
15:36And it's a bit of sort of throw it all in, really.
15:39Right.
15:40Okay.
15:40Well, I'm good at that.
15:41Yeah.
15:41Oh, I nearly forgot the tomatoes.
15:43Oh.
15:44Oh, yeah, you can't forget the tomatoes.
15:45No, I can't.
15:46Okay.
15:47In goes the tomato.
15:48Beautiful.
15:50Oh, that looks so good.
15:52What would you say are the yearly running costs of your property?
15:56Because obviously you've got your communal fees as well.
15:58Yeah, communal fees, obviously, then you've got the electricity, the water rights.
16:04The council tax.
16:04Council tax.
16:06Insurance on the property.
16:07It's probably about two and a half thousand.
16:09Okay.
16:10Per year?
16:11Yeah.
16:11Yeah.
16:11Fine.
16:12All right.
16:14We're at the socorat, or scorched part of the paella process, where the rice at the
16:19bottom starts to burn, which adds a bit of texture and flavour to the perfect paella.
16:25This looks so good.
16:28I'm excited.
16:29Very, very excited.
16:30Who's serving?
16:31You are.
16:32I am.
16:33Yes.
16:33Oh, yeah, I've got to do you first.
16:35Can't do me first.
16:37Oh, it's sticking.
16:38It's sticking.
16:38Oh, it's sticky.
16:39It's got a sticky bottom.
16:41Perfect.
16:42That looks so good.
16:43Is that enough for now or more?
16:44Yeah.
16:44No, that's great.
16:45I know a restaurant up the road that needs a waitress.
16:47Been there, done that.
16:49I think I've done my time.
16:51Lovely.
16:53That's better than I thought it was going to be.
16:55It is good.
16:56Cheers to you, Ayrson.
16:58Cheers, guys.
16:58Thank you for this.
16:59This is such a lovely, lovely treat.
17:02Thank you for coming.
17:03I love that you're embracing the Spanish lifestyle.
17:05So you're driving over rather than flying with the dogs, right?
17:08It's not difficult, because when we got here with them the first time, we went and we
17:16got them Spanish passports, so they're now Spanish dogs.
17:19Yeah.
17:20If you don't have a passport, a European passport, you have to have the health check on the dog,
17:25which is really expensive.
17:27I see.
17:28And quite difficult, depending on where you live, it's quite difficult finding a better
17:33vet that can do that for you as well.
17:35I see.
17:36So when you're out, this is actually like really, really good to know.
17:39So when you're out here, you find you just apply for the Spanish passport for the dog.
17:43It's obviously easier than getting a human one.
17:45No, you just go to the vet.
17:46You go into the vet.
17:47And they just give it to you?
17:47Yeah.
17:48Is that easy?
17:49They'll examine the dog, and then they'll give you your passport, and then they keep
17:53the rabies up to date for you.
17:56And how much was that?
17:58Cheap.
17:59About...
18:0035.
18:0130 euros each.
18:02Well, that sounds like a blinking good investment to me.
18:05Yeah.
18:05So what else do you get up to when you're not doggy walking and eating paella in your garden?
18:11Oh, well, we do the walking.
18:13We've got some of Brian's friends who live out here.
18:16We go walking with them, with their walking group, which is lovely.
18:20We get to explore different places maybe you wouldn't have gone to.
18:23Yeah.
18:25And, well, I've had a go at paddle boarding.
18:28How did that go?
18:29Well, my balance is not brilliant.
18:32Brian's mastered it better than me.
18:33I'm better than that, yeah.
18:34But, yeah.
18:35Our neighbour's got a paddle board we borrow.
18:37Yeah.
18:38Fab.
18:38Fab.
18:38Yeah.
18:39And you've been at kayaking, haven't you?
18:41Yeah, we've been kayaking as well.
18:42Yeah.
18:43I love a bit of kayaking.
18:45We talked about cycling a lot when we were on the house hunt.
18:48We even popped by that cafe, didn't we?
18:50The bike cafe.
18:51The one down in Denia.
18:52Yeah.
18:53So do you get out a lot now that you're actually out here in reality?
18:56We do, because we bought bikes out here.
18:59I've actually bought an electric bike so that I can keep up with him.
19:03Love that.
19:03And, yeah, so we like to get out quite a bit.
19:06You fancy coming out with us tomorrow?
19:08Yeah.
19:08We go for a ride.
19:09And the cafe, the cafe where we filmed at, they do a hard bike out there.
19:13Oh, of course.
19:13So you've got your bike, so I'll grab a bike in the morning and then meet you.
19:16We'll meet you at the cafe, perhaps.
19:17That sounds like a great plan, guys.
19:19Okay.
19:19So let's have a cheers.
19:20Cheers.
19:20Cheers, Danny.
19:21Lovely to see you.
19:22Lovely to see you as well.
19:25After waddling home with a belly full of paella and a good night's sleep, the next morning
19:30I've got myself a bike, costing around £25 for the day, and I'm raring to go.
19:36Aye, aye.
19:37Aye, aye.
19:37Hello.
19:38How are you doing?
19:40We're good.
19:40All good.
19:41Can I try it down?
19:42Lovely.
19:42All the gear.
19:43Yes.
19:44And hopefully some idea.
19:46I reckon you're definitely leading the way this time because I might get lost.
19:50Yeah, we will.
19:50It's a really lovely scenic ride.
19:53Lovely.
19:53Let's do it after you.
19:55Come on.
19:55We're heading out for a little tour of Denia from one side to the other.
20:08Just pulling by this chair up here.
20:13First stop, the marina.
20:16All right, guys?
20:17You know what?
20:18That is such a beautiful run along the coast.
20:20I can see why you'd love doing that.
20:22I just feel so safe from recycling.
20:24Yeah, you do.
20:25And you've just got a lovely view.
20:27And I think it's just the Spanish are so much more considerate, the cyclists.
20:32And you don't have lots of potholes in Spain.
20:35And this thing's out a lot as well, the sun.
20:37Oh, that helps.
20:38Just enthuses you to get out and go cycling every day, which is really, really good.
20:43All right, guys.
20:44Well, that was a nice little pit stop.
20:45Where are we heading to next?
20:46Carrying on up to La Rotas.
20:48Lovely.
20:48Let's do it.
20:49We're to have a look up there.
20:51You lead the way, Bri.
20:53Are we all ready, guys?
20:54The boss.
20:54We're ready.
20:57Las Rotas is a wonderful little beach at the southern end of Denia, popular with those
21:02in the know.
21:05What a spot.
21:07Fantastic place, isn't it?
21:09Well, this is just glorious.
21:11What do you think is the highlight of having a holiday home out here for you guys?
21:17This.
21:18This?
21:18This.
21:19Yeah, yeah.
21:20It's almost a familiarity a little bit.
21:22You get to know where places are.
21:23Yeah.
21:23Yeah.
21:24And you drop straight into it.
21:25You're not spending hours trying to find everything.
21:27It's just straight into it.
21:28Yeah.
21:28Yeah, because that's right.
21:29When you go somewhere new, you've got that time where you need to sort of work everything
21:32out and settle it.
21:33But here you're like, boom.
21:34And all that stuff's here as well, isn't it?
21:35It's great.
21:36Yeah.
21:36Home from home.
21:37Yes.
21:38And it's been amazing to see you guys out here doing it and a little bit of what your
21:42life looks like when you're out here.
21:43And the dogs.
21:44Yeah.
21:45And the dogs.
21:45I love that you bring the dogs.
21:46It makes me so happy.
21:49So what's the plan for the rest of the day?
21:51I think we're going to head off up that way and keep cycling.
21:55All right.
21:55Well, I'm going to go out that way because that was enough exercise for me today.
22:01But I have absolutely loved catching up with you guys.
22:04Loved meeting the dogs in person.
22:05And I heard so much about them the last time.
22:08And it was so nice to go back to your beautiful property.
22:11Thanks for coming.
22:12It's been really lovely.
22:13Right.
22:14Bye-bye, Danny.
22:14Enjoy your cycling.
22:16Thanks.
22:16Adios.
22:16That's the way you go.
22:17And hopefully I'll bump into you again out here, guys.
22:19Bye.
22:20Bye, guys.
22:20See you later.
22:21Bye-bye.
22:26It's been so lovely catching up with Alison and Brian and finally meeting their gorgeous
22:31dogs.
22:32I think this new lifestyle really suits them.
22:35And I think they're a great example of if you can make it happen and get out there and
22:39enjoy that active life, you should just go for it.
22:46Coming up, Jasmine Harmon is in Cyprus with Bill and Sandra, finding out how their lives
22:51have changed since buying a holiday home four years ago.
22:54Took a leap of faith and it worked out.
22:58What's it like then having your little pad out here in Cyprus away from Durham?
23:03It's lovely.
23:04It's just like home from home for us.
23:06Is it?
23:07It's lovely.
23:07I like it.
23:23Swimming along this sun-kissed shore of Caparis in Cyprus with the warm Mediterranean waters
23:30all around is nothing short of bliss.
23:34It's easy to see why Bill and Sandra fell in love with this beautiful island when I came
23:39here house hunting with them to find their dream holiday home.
23:45To get to Caparis on the east coast of Cyprus, you fly into Larnaca Airport, which takes
23:50around four and a half hours from the UK.
23:53Then it's less than an hour's drive.
23:55Caparis is a relatively new resort on the outskirts of the town of Paralimny, set around
24:00three lovely golden sand beaches and full of lots of things to see and do away from
24:06the sun, sea and sand.
24:07There's also a large British expat community here.
24:11It was in 2020 when Sandra, who was close to retiring from the passport office, and Bill,
24:17who'd recently finished working for the prison service, asked us to find them a holiday home
24:21in Caparis despite only having been there once before.
24:25They had a budget of £80,000 and they were celebrating 40 years of being together.
24:30We met at a local bar, I decided to make a move, as you do.
24:38She didn't reject us, which was quite common in them days, but she didn't have her glasses
24:42on, so I could have been anybody.
24:45I first met them overlooking the sea in Caparis to find out what sort of property they were
24:50looking for.
24:50A two bedroom property would be lovely, outside space.
24:54I think that's quite important, if not one of the top priorities.
24:57Enough to get like a table and chairs.
24:58And my first place, this top floor, two bedroom apartment, had lots of room on its big balcony,
25:05though it was missing something Bill and Sandra were after.
25:09Don't take it, there's no swimming pool with this one.
25:11No swimming pool with this one, I'm afraid.
25:14Sandra wasn't super keen on the inside.
25:16A little bit smaller than I thought, originally.
25:20And as often happens with first properties, looking around the whole place made my house hunters
25:24realise what their real priorities actually were.
25:28If I brought my granddaughter Emily out here, and she says, oh this is nice, but where's the pool,
25:34Granda?
25:34And I couldn't give her that pool.
25:38I think the look of disappointment on her face would be, I would have to bear that for the rest
25:43of my life.
25:44So, I knew I needed a pool to impress Bill and Sandra, and their granddaughters.
25:49On the way to property two, we stopped off at a very special stretch of sand.
25:54This beach is called Fireman's Beach, because actually if you just walk around the bay, the fire station is just
26:01there.
26:01And if you come and visit this beach early morning or late afternoon, sometimes you can see the fireman training
26:08on the beach.
26:09Oh, very nice.
26:11Before visiting my next place, this two bedroom penthouse style apartment, which came with, as promised, a great communal pool.
26:19Oh, it's absolutely lovely.
26:20Lovely.
26:21Kids would love it.
26:22Kids would love it.
26:23I would love it.
26:24If they're happy, we're happy.
26:25Makes our life easier, doesn't it?
26:27And I was also pretty happy with their first impression of the apartment.
26:30I think it's really nice.
26:32It's nice that it looks over onto this greenery here, because I like me gardening.
26:36They both seemed keen on the open plan living, dining and kitchen area.
26:40I do like this one.
26:42It's got a bit of a penthouse feel about it.
26:44You've got a separate area for the kitchen, which looks, from here, nice, good size.
26:49Yeah.
26:49Breakfast bar, really handy, and it kind of splits that from the living.
26:53The space is good.
26:54I think you can use it well.
26:57Yeah.
26:57The spacious main bedroom was a big hit.
27:00This is nice.
27:01Yeah, good size.
27:02It's big on the wardrobe back home, right?
27:04Yeah, it is.
27:04That would be great when I put one each.
27:06As was the balcony.
27:08Oh, this is nice.
27:09Yeah, good size.
27:10Really good size.
27:11You haven't got the same views of the last one, but it's not a bad view.
27:15And I was feeling positive as we met back up outside.
27:18What are you two thinking?
27:19You've seen it all now?
27:21Yeah, really nice.
27:23I was quite impressed, actually.
27:25Why are you so surprised?
27:27It is.
27:28It's lovely.
27:28Yeah.
27:28It is, eh?
27:29Lovely space.
27:30Really like it.
27:31I mean, this one sounds like it's a definite contender.
27:35Oh, yeah.
27:36I would say so.
27:36I would rule this one definitely in.
27:38So things were looking good as we headed to property three, this two-bedroom apartment
27:42with a lovely roof terrace, but we didn't get off to the best start.
27:47How do you like this pool?
27:49Not as much as the last one.
27:51No.
27:51No, I don't think.
27:51It's a bit plainer.
27:53Not as eye-catching.
27:55It's okay.
27:56It does the job.
27:57You could have a dip, but it just hasn't got any well factor.
28:00And there wasn't much improvement once we got inside.
28:04It's big, but it does look a bit dead and a bit tired.
28:08It's a bit bland looking, I think.
28:10It could do with a bit of revamp.
28:12It just needs a bit of TLC, I think.
28:15So, no contender there.
28:17And I thought it was time to change things up a bit by shifting locations to the village
28:21of Zilofago, where I'd found them this two-bedroom ground-floor apartment, which Bill and Sandra
28:26looked around on their own.
28:29It hasn't really got a well factor, has it?
28:31It's okay.
28:32It's quite square.
28:34Yeah.
28:35The kitchen, again, is one of them.
28:37It's stuck at one end of the room, isn't it?
28:42Oh, this is hairy.
28:43This is bright though, isn't it?
28:45It's bright.
28:46Again, it's a bit square, isn't it?
28:48Before giving me the final verdict.
28:50It's okay.
28:52Oh, just okay.
28:54Yeah.
28:54If I'd seen this one first, I would have been maybe thinking contender, but because I think
29:00we're being spoiled.
29:01Yeah.
29:02I don't think it's for us.
29:04After that, I knew I really needed to push the boat out with my fifth and final place.
29:09This two-bedroom apartment close to the beach in Caparis.
29:12Priced a bit over budget, but negotiable to the top end of Bill and Sandra's.
29:17The location's fabulous.
29:19A ten-minute walk from the beach is, you know, just what we asked for.
29:22They really love the apartment's huge balcony.
29:26Oh, this is nice.
29:27It's lovely, this.
29:28It's a really good size, isn't it?
29:29I can see myself on an evening sat there with a nice glass of wine, watching the sun go
29:34down.
29:34You've done well with the outside space, gentlemen.
29:38And both its bedrooms.
29:39Oh, this is nice.
29:40I like this.
29:41Oh, this is smart.
29:42This is really nice.
29:43It's really nice, isn't it?
29:44Bright and hairy again.
29:45It's the best one we've seen so far, though.
29:49Oh, this is a nice room as well.
29:51I like this.
29:52It's thrown a bit of a spanner in the works, though, hasn't it?
29:55Yeah.
29:55Oh, it's grown on us more and more now.
29:57Yeah.
29:57That spanner meant I finished up the house hunt with two contenders.
30:01But the next day, Sandra and Bill decided it was property two, priced at just under £77,500,
30:08that was the one for them.
30:09You were thinking of about £71,500 to go in at first.
30:13However, that cheeky offer didn't work.
30:16They have come back with a counter offer.
30:18Right.
30:21£72,700.
30:24That's more than acceptable to me, anyway.
30:27Yeah.
30:28And just like that, Sandra and Bill had their holiday home.
30:32That's it, guys!
30:33Excellent.
30:34Thanks for all your help.
30:35You're lovely.
30:37Congratulations!
30:38Oh, my God!
30:39Yes, that's me happy.
30:43I have a real affinity with this island.
30:46My mum's Cypriot and lots of my family live out here.
30:48It's great to be back and I'm super excited to catch up with Bill and Sandra
30:54and find out what's been happening over the past few years.
30:59Hello!
31:00Hello!
31:01Love you to see you again.
31:02Love you to see you both.
31:04How are you?
31:05I'm good.
31:06It's been so long.
31:07Four years.
31:08Four years.
31:08Four years.
31:09This is all looking a bit familiar.
31:11We came here, didn't we, in Fireman's Beach.
31:14Yes.
31:14Have you seen the firemen training?
31:16We have, actually.
31:17Yeah, we have.
31:17And was it all?
31:18It was cracked up to be.
31:19Yeah, it was really good.
31:20They were doing some training exercise and they needed some volunteers and then a lot
31:24of these older ladies.
31:26Shall we see you all step forward to volunteer?
31:28I'm not surprised.
31:29I would have volunteered as well.
31:31Yeah.
31:32So how's everything?
31:34I'm a bit tired.
31:34Amazing.
31:35New granddaughter.
31:36So now, just devoted grandparents.
31:39Yeah, we've still got our childcare responsibilities back home, so we don't get out here as long
31:44and as much as we would like.
31:47Oh, I can't wait to go back and have another look.
31:49Yeah.
31:50We'd love to invite you.
31:51Do you want to go and have a look?
31:51Yes, please.
31:52Come on, dude.
31:56Coming up, I take a tour of Bill and Sandra's holiday home and find out what changes they've
32:01made over the past four years.
32:05Something's missing.
32:06A mural of a waterfall still there, just under about five layers of paint.
32:17Today, I'm in Kaparis on the east coast of Cyprus with Sandra and Bill.
32:22Four years ago, I helped them find a holiday home here and I'm looking forward to seeing
32:26what it looks like now and how their lives have changed since buying it.
32:31Can you remember this?
32:31I remember this very well.
32:34I mean, it very quickly became apparent that although you said, oh no, we don't need a pool,
32:39we like the beach.
32:40Actually, you did really want a pool.
32:42Yeah, we said the grandchildren wouldn't forgive her.
32:45No.
32:45And have the older grandkids already been ours?
32:48Yes.
32:49Yeah.
32:49Yes, they've both been there.
32:50They loved it.
32:51It was quite a brave move to come and buy a place here when you'd only been like once,
32:57hadn't you?
32:57You'd been a couple of times.
32:58Took a leap of faith and it worked out.
33:01What's it like then having your little pad out here in Cyprus away from Durham?
33:06It's lovely.
33:07It's just like home from home for us.
33:09Is it?
33:09Yeah, we've got it just nice and cosy and how we like it, haven't we?
33:12Yeah, it's been excellent.
33:13Would you like to have a look at the apartment?
33:15Yeah.
33:16Come on, let's do that one.
33:17Just up there?
33:17Just up there on the corner.
33:18Fantastic.
33:19Well, I'll follow you.
33:25Ah, I remember something's missing.
33:30Wasn't there a rather big statement feature wall there?
33:34A mural of a waterfall that was loved or not loved.
33:39It's still there, just under about five layers of paint.
33:42Gosh, how long did that take you?
33:44We were on nearly ten days painting here.
33:47My friend came, Steve, he helped a lot.
33:51I just did the fetching and carrying and cups of tea.
33:54You've obviously put your own touches on it.
33:57It was just a general spruce up, really.
33:59Just lift it, brighten the place up.
34:01Have the family been out to visit?
34:04Not all at once, but we have had six in here at once.
34:07Yeah.
34:07How did you all fit?
34:08It's only two bedrooms, isn't it?
34:09Yeah.
34:10They all were in one bedroom.
34:11We had one bedroom, thankfully.
34:13And I had to go and buy an airbed.
34:15Airbed on the floor.
34:16Okay.
34:16The old infamous airbeds.
34:18Everybody has them in these apartments.
34:20The youngest daughter's coming out next month as well with the new baby.
34:23With the new baby!
34:24So that would be a different experience.
34:26Still be chaotic, but in a different way.
34:29Yes.
34:29You know, a nice way.
34:29Make sure you catch up on your sleep beforehand.
34:32Yeah.
34:33So where should we look at next?
34:34Do you want to have a look in the bedrooms?
34:35No.
34:36Come this way.
34:36Refresh my memory.
34:41Oh.
34:43You've redecorated in here as well, haven't you?
34:45Yeah.
34:45Where's the wallpaper?
34:46It was a different colour, wasn't it?
34:48Yeah.
34:48Green and orange.
34:49That was horrible.
34:50So everything was white.
34:52I mean, it looks so inviting now.
34:55Are you keeping it for yourself or would you ever think of putting it up for holiday lets?
35:00I think we both had a good feeling that no.
35:03We didn't want to.
35:04No.
35:04Once you've sort of put your stamp on it a little bit, I think, you think, no, it's mine.
35:08Oh, family, friends, fine, but not on the open market.
35:11No.
35:12I've always felt very at home in Cyprus because of my family heritage here.
35:17But do you feel like, it feels a bit like a home from home for a lot of English people,
35:21I think, drive on the same side of the road with the same plug socket?
35:25That's right.
35:25And everyone speaks such good English, don't they?
35:28Good English, they do.
35:28How's your Greek coming along?
35:30It's not.
35:32Very badly.
35:33Do you know how to order a drink or anything like that?
35:35I've never failed to order a drink, yeah.
35:37It's never been a problem.
35:38This is looking lovely.
35:40Where to next?
35:41Shall we go and have a look at the balcony?
35:43Let's do it.
35:44Is it?
35:44Come on.
35:47It's amazing to see how they've made this place feel like home,
35:52and even though they haven't learnt much of the language,
35:55they're definitely embracing the lifestyle.
36:03It's nice out here actually, now I remember it.
36:07It wasn't the biggest one we saw, was it?
36:09No.
36:10No.
36:10That was a compromise, yeah.
36:12Perfect for two.
36:13For the push.
36:13Not bad for the push, and that's about it really.
36:17It's got a nice little view.
36:18Go nice on.
36:18Yeah, it's very pleasant.
36:20So do you use it out here quite a lot?
36:22Afternoon when the sun's on, like now, it's too hot.
36:27But mornings, breakfast, nice to sit out here.
36:30Lovely.
36:31And in the evening, just have the music on,
36:33and just sit and have a drink.
36:35We'll eat out here.
36:35Eat out here in the night time as well.
36:37And so when you're sitting out here eating, are you cooking?
36:41Yeah.
36:41Or are you using local produce and things?
36:44Yeah.
36:45We do a lot of cooking, don't we?
36:46I've even actually made a traditional separate dish for you.
36:50Green beans, potatoes, tomatoes.
36:53You might not know the name.
36:54Nice.
36:54You'll probably pronounce it better than me.
36:55Is it Fasalagya?
36:56Exactly, Fasalagya.
36:57You've made Fasalagya?
36:58Yes.
36:59Would you like to try some?
37:00Well, I'd love to try some.
37:02I might be a tough audience though.
37:04I would see.
37:04That's like a family recipe for me.
37:07Oh, yeah.
37:07Want to take a seat?
37:08We'll go and get some for you.
37:09We'll go and fetch it for you.
37:12This place didn't need much doing to it in fairness,
37:15but it's lovely to see how Sandra and Bill have made it their own,
37:18with just a bit of decorating and a few touches.
37:21Now, I'm looking forward to Bill's take on Fasalagya
37:23and finding out more about what their life's like here in Cyprus.
37:27Beautiful.
37:28That's proper Cypriot cooking, isn't it?
37:30It is, yes.
37:31You've got some stiff competition.
37:33Well...
37:34I'm going to see how yours compares to my grandmother's.
37:41Mmm!
37:43There's always plenty of fresh produce in the supermarkets.
37:46Even on the roadside, everything's fresh.
37:49You're obviously getting into the Cypriot way of cooking.
37:52Yeah.
37:53So, what was it like then after we last saw each other
37:57and you two obviously made an offer on the place?
37:59You got it for a really good price, didn't you, in the end?
38:01It was 72,700 or something.
38:05Yeah.
38:06The buying process went on a bit because of Covid
38:09and everything had to be done remotely.
38:12So, email, telephone call, power of attorney for the solicitor.
38:15And by the time we did actually change the money,
38:19the exchange rate was back in our favour.
38:21So, what did you end up paying for it then
38:23with the better exchange rate?
38:25I think it was just over 70,000.
38:28That's great.
38:28And so, then you had legal fees and all that on top,
38:32buying fees.
38:33So, the difference sort of paid for...
38:35More or less paid for that, really.
38:37Oh, brilliant.
38:37So, that worked out really well in the long run for us.
38:40It took eight months, I think, for the...
38:42To finalise the deal.
38:43Original viewing and putting the small deposit down
38:46to actually getting the keys.
38:49Yeah.
38:49So, how much do you reckon you've spent,
38:51once all told, to this point?
38:53Ooh.
38:53Probably about...
38:54Five?
38:54Four or five thousand euro.
38:56Yeah.
38:57A big chunk of that was with a hot water system
38:59and air con units,
39:02needing repaired and parts replaced.
39:04And so, all told then, you think it's probably about...
39:0875,000?
39:10Yeah.
39:1076,000 with the fees?
39:11Yeah.
39:11Yeah, I would say so.
39:12And how much do you think it's gone up since then?
39:15They've sort of gone up around about £110,000,
39:18even a bit more.
39:19Wow.
39:19And they sell very easy as well.
39:22They seem to be a popular development.
39:24Gosh, that is quite a good capital appreciation.
39:27Yeah.
39:27If you ever wanted to sell it,
39:28you're not thinking about selling it.
39:29Not at the moment, no.
39:30Would you ever think about moving out here full-time?
39:33Yeah.
39:33It's crossed we might apply for the visa.
39:36Mm.
39:37You've just got to comply with the regulations to get it.
39:39Yeah.
39:40So, how do you cope with that restriction of 90 days and 180?
39:44At the moment, because we're still at home...
39:47After the grandchildren.
39:50...we get out here for, I think the longest we've been here is about three weeks.
39:53Yeah, at a time.
39:53Yeah.
39:54Yeah.
39:54Yeah.
39:54What's the healthcare like here?
39:56Have you had any experiences of it?
39:58It's really good.
39:59Is it?
39:59Yeah.
40:00Because I did have to use it last year, wasn't it?
40:03I tripped on some stairs and I gashed in front of my leg.
40:07And we went to the doctors and he said,
40:09oh, that definitely needs stitches in.
40:11And literally, they said, there's an ambulance out there.
40:14And you were saying, well, how much is that going to cost?
40:17You had €50 on the insurance.
40:19That's all it costs.
40:20Even if you've got the temporary visa, you have to have an annual cover insurance.
40:25It was literally in two hours.
40:28Amazing.
40:29Done.
40:29Stitched up.
40:30Back on my sunbed.
40:31Back on your sunbed?
40:32Back on my sunbed.
40:34Two hours.
40:34So, have you got any things that you'd love to do out here that you haven't had a chance
40:39to do yet?
40:40We like a boat trip, don't we?
40:41Yeah.
40:42So, we'd like to get out and about a bit more, like maybe it's up the coast or something
40:45like that.
40:46So, if you would like to do that this afternoon, that would be fantastic.
40:48That would be a real treat.
40:50We eat up and, yeah.
40:51Yep.
40:52Let's see if we can go and get a boat.
40:54We can do that then we'll do, I guess.
40:57I'm really pleased to see how much Bill and Sandra are enjoying having a holiday home
41:01here in Cyprus.
41:02And it also seems to have been a great investment.
41:05Bill's food went down really well, so I'm hoping we have a fairly smooth ride.
41:09Oh, this looks fun.
41:14This is lovely, isn't it?
41:16It is.
41:17It's so relaxing.
41:18So, where are we heading?
41:19The Lagoon, I've heard it's really nice up there.
41:22So, is this something you'd do with the grandkids, do you think?
41:25The two bigger ones, definitely.
41:27It'd be a nice treat for them.
41:28I think they'd like it.
41:29I've got a confession.
41:31I'm not normally that good on boats.
41:33Now she tells us.
41:35Now I get a bit seasick.
41:36I can't even go in a jacuzzi.
41:38How about you?
41:39Do you enjoy going out on the water?
41:41Yeah, I don't mind it.
41:42Yeah.
41:42I find it quite relaxing, actually.
41:43Yeah.
41:44Sometimes we get to see some nice things over the side.
41:46Dolphins and, you know.
41:48There's been dolphins spotted along here this year.
41:50Yeah, there was.
41:50So, we're not lost, are we?
41:52Apparently, there's a little church we've got to look out for.
41:54Okay.
41:54But, unfortunately, the coastline's covered with little churches.
41:57So, we'll make sure we pick the way.
41:59I think I know the one.
42:00Right.
42:01Next to the Blue Lagoon.
42:03That's the one.
42:04To hire a boat like this costs around £83 per hour.
42:08You can do self-drive like we are or hire one with its own driver.
42:11Not that we need that with Bill behind the wheel.
42:14This is lovely.
42:15So, this is the Blue Lagoon, isn't it?
42:18This actual bay.
42:19Yeah.
42:20This is nice and peaceful, though, isn't it?
42:21It's lovely.
42:22What's the best bit about having your place here?
42:27The simple things, I think.
42:28Yeah.
42:28Just a day out at the beach, knowing that you're going to keep looking at the weather forecast
42:33because 99% of the time, it's the forecast you want.
42:36You can sit outside and just listen a bit of music and have a drink and just have a natter.
42:41Yeah.
42:42You're not stuck inside the climate.
42:45You see how the family's enjoyed it as well because they've had the chance to come out.
42:47I suppose, you know, the beauty of it is that you'll get the chance to create new traditions
42:53and make new memories that involve being out here in Cyprus.
42:58It is a bit corny, but it is all about making memories and seeing not just us enjoyed, the family,
43:05my friends come out here.
43:07So, it's good to see people give positive feedback as well when they see the place.
43:13What advice would you give to anyone who was thinking about doing what you've done?
43:18Just go for it.
43:19Would you?
43:20Yeah, go for it.
43:21Any regrets?
43:22No.
43:22No.
43:22No.
43:23I think we've all had the right time because Sandra was coming up to retirement then.
43:29So, I think it was just all our ducks came in a nice little boat at the right time.
43:36I think we should head on back.
43:37Do you want to head on back now?
43:38Yeah, let's go back before it gets dark.
43:40I don't fancy being lost out at sea.
43:42I'm not very good in the dark.
43:44I'm not very good in the light.
43:53What a lovely day.
43:56It's been so much fun.
43:57The boat trip, traditional Cypriot cuisine cooked by your own fair hands.
44:02But the best bit for me has been catching up with the two of you.
44:05It's so nice to see you.
44:07It's been brilliant, hasn't it?
44:08I'm really excited.
44:09I'm pleased you've had a lovely day as well.
44:10Oh, it's been lovely.
44:11I'm so thrilled that everything's worked out so brilliantly for you.
44:14I'm so pleased, you know, we made the leap of faith.
44:17And we've been able to show you a bit of our life out here when we're here.
44:21It's been so nice to see you.
44:23It's been lovely.
44:25Oh, look, we're doing it all the Cypriot way now.
44:27Two kisses.
44:28See you.
44:28It's been great.
44:29Take care of yourselves.
44:31Bye.
44:31Bye.
44:37I've had the most wonderful day and night with Billy.
44:41Bill and Sandra.
44:42It's great to see how the stars aligned for them.
44:45Because looking back, they took a big leap of faith in very uncertain times.
44:51But just look at the joy and happiness it's brought them.
44:56If you'd like to be on a place in the sun to find your own dream home, go to channel4
45:01.com
45:01forward slash take part.
45:04And.
45:14And.
45:18And.
45:24And.
45:26And.
45:29And.