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Short filmTranscript
00:01For over 22 years, A Place in the Sun has been helping couples find their dream homes abroad.
00:07I'm going to be a tingly family. Are you?
00:10Loving it, loving it.
00:12Creating hundreds of happy households across the world.
00:15Oh, it's gorgeous. Beautiful.
00:17Shall we do it?
00:18Look, we're all welling up here.
00:20In this series, we'll be revisiting some of them to find out what happened next.
00:25Can I get a high five?
00:26Yeah.
00:27Oh, yeah.
00:29Today, Danny Mingers is in the beautiful coastal town of Denia on Spain's Costa Blanca,
00:34catching up with Alison and Brian, who she helped to find a magnificent holiday home
00:39for them and their family and friends to enjoy.
00:43Hello.
00:44Hello.
00:44So 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 since buying a holiday home there four years ago.
00:57How's your Greek coming along?
00:59It's not.
01:01Did you know I told you a drink or anything like that?
01:04It's never been a problem.
01:13As I paddle along the stunning coastline of Denia, I can't help but think how much natural beauty this part
01:20of Spain has.
01:22Brian and Alison thought the same and I can proudly say that I helped find their perfect holiday home for
01:28themselves 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 with
01:38tons of flight options into Alicante or Valencia airports.
01:42It'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 and sweeping beaches of golden
01:53sand.
01:54It's home to some great seafood restaurants, many centered around its pretty marina overlooked by a castle originally built in
02:01the 11th century.
02:02Back in 2020, husband and wife Alison and Brian were looking for a three bedroom place in Denia where they
02:10could holiday with their two dogs Hector and Betty and somewhere their three grown up children and friends could also
02:16enjoy working 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 it really? Yeah. Are you foodies?
02:36Yeah, we do like food, yeah.
02:37I like looking at the menus before we go in, quite 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 desk comes? Yeah, I get a bit of surprise, yeah.
02:49I was keen to surprise Alison and Brian with some delights of the property kind.
02:54And the first of them was on a new development on the edge of town in the form of this
02:59three bedroom apartment.
03:00So, come on through. Brand spanking you.
03:05It's very nice. Really 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.
03:12Yeah, it's really nice, isn't it? Perfect.
03:14Is this the kind of thing that you're hoping to view?
03:18Yes.
03:18Yeah? Definitely, yeah.
03:20Is there any negatives so far? Because it feels like it's going really well.
03:24No, I don't think there is.
03:27No.
03:27Good. No.
03:28I'm loving it, I'm loving it. You're loving it?
03:30Yeah.
03:32A solid contender at my first attempt.
03:35My next offering was 20 minutes outside of Denia in the village of El Vergel.
03:40It had access to loads of great facilities and the apartment itself had three bedrooms and two terraces.
03:46Different to what I was expecting completely. Light, bright, it's larger.
03:51Compare 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 side board like this and Brian wouldn't have a coffee table.
04:03We don't like coffee tables. No, he doesn't like coffee tables.
04:05Why? Where do you put your coffee? You're in your feet.
04:08It goes on the floor.
04:10On the floor? You've got two dogs and coffee on the floor.
04:14Oh my word.
04:15Yeah.
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 which you can do everything with.
04:26It's just...
04:26It's a big compromise for you, isn't it?
04:28What is it?
04:29It's the kitchen being closed in.
04:31Ah.
04:32I really am in a dilemma whether I can make that compromise.
04:35I don't know.
04:39While Alison and Brian put that one down as a contender, Alison's concerns meant that I knew there was still
04:45some room for improvement.
04:48After a quick stop off at a cycling cafe that was right up their street, or 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.
04:58At seven.
04:58At seven.
04:59That's pretty good still.
05:01It's quite 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...
05:19OK, so where's the one we're looking at?
05:20This is the one we're looking at.
05:22It's wonderful.
05:23Yeah.
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.
05:32Once 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 for all the furnishings and the
05:51hot tub.
05:52I like it.
05:53I like the colours with the 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 in here, aren't you?
06:10I'll be impressed.
06:10She's still living outside looking at the front of the property.
06:14And once we'd seen it all, so still smiling, how did it go?
06:18It didn't feel too impressed.
06:19Yes.
06:19I love the interior.
06:21Life's 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, although the brand new apartment we started with was still being considered.
06:42We headed back to El Vergel for our fourth option, to view this semi-detached house with three bedrooms.
06:48But I just don't feel comfortable.
06:52The previous property just had such a nice feel and I just felt really good there.
06:58The kitchen was very dark.
07:00A bit sparse in there.
07:02I even could have done with a coffee table to fill the rooms up a little bit.
07:06While it was looking more and more like we'd already found our winner, I had one last chance
07:10and I went all out to impress with this upside down house up in the hill overlooking Denia
07:16with three bedrooms that was just a touch over their maximum budget but negotiable to within.
07:22I'm very interested.
07:23Yeah?
07:23Yeah.
07:24What are you thinking, Brian?
07:25I'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 and it's...
07:31I've been in a little Pueblo Blanco, isn't it, looking out over there.
07:37We had a good look around but unfortunately it wasn't the one for Alison and Brian.
07:42The interior with its spiral staircase and the lack of a door on the main bedroom meant it was no.
07:48But I still had that modern bungalow and the brand new apartment in the running.
07:52When we sat down the next day to pick a winner, I was feeling good and wasn't surprised to hear
07:57the 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, Danny, if we can.
08:04Well that's very exciting.
08:06So that property was on the market at just over £177,000, which is in the wiggle room.
08:13Sure.
08:13So what are you thinking?
08:15I'd say £160,000 to start with.
08:17Okay.
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 or is that to include anything?
08:31At the moment, let's secure the property and we'll see where that goes.
08:35All right.
08:36Okay, cool.
08:39Unfortunately, that offer was rejected.
08:41The owners wanted closer to £174,500.
08:46Alison and Brian tried again with £170,000 but that was also rejected.
08:51So they've said they'd come down to £173,400.
08:56Okay.
08:59I 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...
09:08Do you want to go for the whole thing and...
09:10Oh, sorry.
09:11Just buy it.
09:12LAUGHTER
09:16Right, okay.
09:20Hi, Maria.
09:22We've got a deal.
09:23Thank you so much.
09:25Well done, love.
09:27Bye.
09:29Congratulations.
09:30There 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 instantly so much more relaxed.
09:43I'm really, really happy for you both.
09:46Here's to you and long holidays in Spain with Hector and Betty.
09:50Cheers.
09:50Cheers, Danny.
09:54That was a rather tense negotiation, but I'm really pleased we got there in the end.
09:59And nearly four years later, we're back and meeting up on the beach.
10:03While I'm excited to find out how Alison and Brian are getting on, it's their four-legged
10:08friends I heard so much about that I really want to see.
10:12Hello.
10:13Hello.
10:14So good to see you both again.
10:16Hi, good to see you.
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, see what you think?
10:40Yes, please.
10:42Let's go, gang.
10:43Come on, Betty.
10:45Coming up, we're going to do just that.
10:48Do you remember this, Dani, when you showed us this a few years ago?
10:51I do indeed, because I loved it.
10:54It's such a cute, cute place.
11:03Today, I'm just outside Denia on the Costa Blanca in Spain,
11:07catching up with Alison and Brian, a couple who I helped find a wonderful holiday home perfect for them to
11:14enjoy with their 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 their own,
11:22so I can't wait to find out more.
11:25Do you remember this, Dani, 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 to 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 in the pool, and yeah, it's great.
12:11I mean, what we loved about this property was the fact that it was turnkey, ready to 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 furniture?
12:30He did.
12:30Yeah.
12:31The air conditioning units and everything, so we've negotiated a deal on the stuff we wanted.
12:36And it sort of came down to, we want the aircon.
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.
12:59We didn't really need to, no.
13:01No, you didn't need to.
13:02No.
13:03It was ready to go, this place, wasn't it?
13:05Yeah, yeah.
13:05Well, you have obviously changed the furniture.
13:08Yeah.
13:08How did you find that?
13:09Well, we did a bit of bargain hunting on Marketplace.
13:12Yeah, a few bits and pieces.
13:14Yeah.
13:14With table and 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?
13:23Yeah, just for these rooms, yeah, yeah.
13:25I love that.
13:26Oh, you did go bargain hunting.
13:28Yeah, I did, yeah.
13:29Very good.
13:30And the kitchen, I mean, the kitchen, nothing's changed, has it?
13:33No, we just added a little unit in there.
13:35Perfect.
13:35Yeah.
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, no, that's fine.
13:50We could do a veggie one, no problem at all.
13:52It's very Spanish to have a paella ring.
13:55Yeah.
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.
14:07But first, can we see a little bit more?
14:09Come this way.
14:15This is an hour break.
14:17Lovely.
14:17Very good.
14:18How does it compare waking up in Spain to back home?
14:23It's a dream.
14:24A 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.
14:31No.
14:33No, it's had a lick of paint since we've been here.
14:35Okay.
14:36Just 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 family stay when they come over?
14:42Absolutely.
14:42You know I like a nosy.
14:46Perfect.
14:47So not, 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 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 is 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.
15:18By 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, just an online recipe and it's a bit of sort of throw it all in really.
15:39Right, okay, well I'm good at that.
15:41Yeah.
15:41Oh, I nearly forgot the tomatoes.
15:43Ooh.
15:44Oh yeah, you can't forget the tomatoes.
15:45No, I can't.
15:46Okay, in goes the tomatoes.
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 rates.
16:04The council tax.
16:04Council tax, insurance on the property.
16:07It's probably about two and a half thousand.
16:09Okay, per year?
16:11Yeah.
16:11Per year, yeah.
16:11Fine.
16:12Alright.
16:14We're at the soccarat or scorched part of the paella process where the rice at the bottom
16:20starts to burn which adds a bit of texture and flavour to the perfect paella.
16:24Yeah.
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, no, 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, Alison.
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?
17:08Yeah.
17:09It's not difficult, because when we got here with them the first time, we went and we got
17:16them 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.
17:30Yeah.
17:30Depending on where you live, it's quite difficult finding a better vet that can do that for you
17:34as 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?
17:48It's that easy?
17:49They'll examine the dog and, yeah, and then they'll give you your passport and then they
17:53keep the rabies up to date for you.
17:56And how much was that?
17:58Cheap.
17:59About...
18:0035.
18:0130 euros.
18:01Well, 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've got.
18:37Yeah.
18:38Fab.
18:38Yeah.
18:39And you've been out kayaking, haven't you?
18:41Yeah, we've been kayaking as well.
18:42Yeah.
18:43I love a bit of kayaking.
18:45Yeah.
18:45We talked about cycling a lot when we were on the house hunt.
18:48We even popped by that cafe, didn't we?
18:50Yeah.
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.
19:04Yeah.
19:05Yeah.
19:05So we like to get out quite a bit.
19:07If you fancy coming out with us tomorrow, we go for a ride.
19:09I would love it.
19:10The cafe, the cafe where we filmed at, they do high 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.
19:16And we 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.
19:21Cheers, 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,
19:29the next morning I've got myself a bike, costing around £25 for the day and I'm raring to go.
19:36Aye, aye.
19:37Aye, aye.
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.
19:51It'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.
20:25Yeah, you do.
20:25And you've just got a lovely view.
20:27And I think it's just the Spanish is so much more considerate to cyclists.
20:32And they don't have lots of potholes in Spain.
20:35And this thing's out a lot as well, the sun.
20:37Oh, yeah, 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 Las Rotas.
20:48Lovely.
20:49Let's do it.
20:49We'll have a look up there.
20:51You lead the way, Bri.
20:53Are we all ready, guys?
20:54Who's the 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.
21:24And you drop straight into it.
21:25You're not spending hours trying to find where everything'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?
21:36It's great.
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.
21:45I 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 up that way and keep cycling.
21:55All right.
21:55Well, I'm going to get out that way because that was enough exercise for me today.
22:00But 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.
22:11Thank you, Jenny.
22:11It's been really lovely.
22:13Right.
22:14Bye-bye, Jenny.
22:14Enjoy your cycling.
22:16Thanks, Eddie.
22:16And hopefully I'll bump into you again out here, guys.
22:19Bye.
22:20Bye.
22:20Bye, guys.
22:20See you later.
22:21Bye.
22:21Bye-bye.
22:22Bye-bye.
22:22Bye-bye.
22:22Bye-bye.
22:23Bye-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.
22:45Coming 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.
22:55It took 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.
23:05Yeah.
23:06We've got it just nice and cozy and how we like it.
23:23Swimming along this sun-kissed shore of Kaparis 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 hunting plan.
23:45To get to Kaparis on the east coast of Cyprus, you fly into Larnaca Airport, which takes around
23:50four and a half hours from the UK.
23:53Then it's less than an hour's drive.
23:55Kaparis is a relatively new resort on the outskirts of the town of Paralimny.
23:59Set around three lovely golden sand beaches and full of lots of things to see and do away
24:05from the 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 Kaparis despite only having been there once before.
24:25They had a budget of £80,000 and they were celebrating 40 years of being together.
24:31We met at a local bar.
24:33I decided to make a move, as you do.
24:37She didn't reject us, which was quite common in them days, but she didn't have her glasses on.
24:43So I could have been anybody.
24:45I first met them overlooking the sea in Kaparis to find out what sort of property they were looking for.
24:50A two-bedroom probably would be lovely outside space.
24:54I think that's quite important, if not one of the top priorities.
24:57It's enough to get, like, a table and chairs.
24:59And 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.
25:09I'd 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 realise
25:25what their real priorities actually were.
25:28If I brought my granddaughter, Emily, out here, and she says,
25:32ooh, this is nice, but where's the pool, Granda?
25:35And I couldn't give her that pool.
25:38I think the look of disappointment on her face would be...
25:42I would have to bear that for the rest of 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,
25:59the fire station is just there.
26:01And if you come and visit this beach early morning or late afternoon,
26:06sometimes you can see the fireman training on the beach.
26:09Oh, very nice.
26:11Before visiting my next place, this two-bedroom penthouse-style apartment,
26:15which came with, as promised, a great communal pool.
26:19Oh, it's absolutely lovely.
26:20Lovely.
26:21Kate would love it.
26:22Kate would love it.
26:23Yeah.
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.
26:31I 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.
26:53And 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 bigger than our wardrobe back home, right?
27:04Yeah, it is.
27:04That would be great.
27:05We'd have one each.
27:06As was the balcony.
27:08Oh, this is nice.
27:10Yeah, good size.
27:10It is.
27:11Really good size.
27:11You haven't got the sea 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.
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.
27:29It is, eh?
27:29Lovely space.
27:30I really like it.
27:31I mean, this one sounds like it's a definite contender.
27:35Oh, yeah.
27:36I would say so.
27:37This one's definitely in.
27:38So things were looking good as we headed to property three.
27:41This two-bedroom apartment with a lovely roof terrace.
27:44But we didn't get off to the best start.
27:47How do you like this, Paul?
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.
28:01And 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, and I thought it was time to change things up a bit by shifting locations to
28:21the village of Zilofagu, where I'd found them this two-bedroom ground-floor apartment, which Bill and Sandra looked around
28:27on their own.
28:28It hasn't really got a well factor, has it?
28:31It's okay.
28:32It's, er...
28:33It'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, I like, 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.
28:55If I'd seen this one first, I would have been maybe thinking contender, but, because I think we're being spoiled.
29:01Yeah.
29:02I don't, I don't think it's false.
29:04After that, I knew I really needed to push the boat out with my fifth and final place, this two
29:09-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.
29:17Location's fabulous.
29:18A 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.
29:27Ah, it's lovely, this.
29:28It's a really good size, isn't it?
29:30I can see myself on an evening sat there with a nice glass of wine, watching the sun go down.
29:34You've done well with the outside space, gentlemen, thank you.
29:38And both its bedrooms.
29:39Oh, this is nice.
29:40I like this.
29:42Oh, this is smart.
29:42This is really nice.
29:43That'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.
29:57That 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 that was
30:08the 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!
30:34Excellent.
30:34Thanks for your help.
30:35Yeah, lovely.
30:37Congratulations!
30:37Oh, my God!
30:39Yes, that's me, hubby.
30:43I have a real affinity with this island.
30:46My mum's Cypriot and lots of my family live out here.
30:49It's great to be back and I'm super excited to catch up with Bill and Sandra and find out what's
30:54been happening over the past few years.
30:59Hello!
31:00Hello!
31:01Lovely to see you again.
31:02Lovely to see you.
31:04Oh, my God.
31:04How are you?
31:05I'm good.
31:05It's been so long.
31:07Four years.
31:08Four years.
31:09Four years.
31:10This is all looking a bit familiar.
31:11We came here, didn't we?
31:13Fireman's Beach.
31:14Yes.
31:14Have you seen the firemen training?
31:16We have, actually.
31:17Yeah, we have.
31:18And was it all?
31:18It was cracked up to be.
31:19Yeah, it was really good.
31:20We were doing some training exercise and they needed some volunteers and then a lot of these older ladies should
31:26we see 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.
31:35You, granddaughter.
31:36So, now just devoted grandparents?
31:39Yeah.
31:40We've still got our childcare responsibilities back home, so we don't get out here as long and as much as
31:45we would like.
31:47Oh, I can't wait to go back and have another look.
31:50We'd love to invite you.
31:51Do you want to go and have a look?
31:52Yes, please.
31:53Come on.
31:53Come on.
31:54Come on.
31:56Coming up, I take a tour of Bill and Sandra's holiday home and find out what changes they've made over
32:02the past four years.
32:04Something'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 what it looks
32:27like now and how their lives have changed since buying it.
32:31Do you remember this?
32:32I remember this very well.
32:34I mean, it very quickly became apparent that although you said, oh no, we don't need a pool, we like
32:40the beach.
32:40Actually, you did really want a pool.
32:43Yeah, we said the grandchildren wouldn't forgive us.
32:45No.
32:45And have the older grandkids already been ours?
32:48Yes.
32:49Yes, they've both been there.
32:50They were and they loved it.
32:51It was quite a brave move to come and buy a place here when you'd only been like once, hadn't
32:57you?
32:57You've been a couple of times.
32:59Took 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?
33:34Yeah, there was a mural of a waterfall that was love it or not love it.
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.
33:55You've obviously put your own touches on it.
33:57It was just a general spruce up really, just 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'd be a different experience.
34:26It'd still be chaotic, but in a different way.
34:29Yes.
34:29You know, a nice way.
34:30Make sure you catch up on your sleep beforehand.
34:32Yeah.
34:32Yeah.
34:33So where should we look at next?
34:34Do you want to have a look in the bedrooms?
34:35Yeah.
34:36Come on this way.
34:36Refresh my memory.
34:41Oh!
34:43You've redecorated in here as well, haven't you?
34:45Where's the wallpaper?
34:47No.
34:47It was a different colour, wasn't it?
34:48Yeah, green 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.
35:03No.
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.
35:22Drive 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?
35:27Good English, they do.
35:28How's your Greek coming along?
35:30Badly.
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.
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.
35:44Come on.
35:47It's amazing to see how they've made this place feel like home.
35:53And even though they haven't learnt much of the language, they'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 out.
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 and just sit and have a drink.
36:35We'll eat out here.
36:35We'll eat out here at 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.
36:57You've made Fasalagya?
36:58Yes.
36:59Would you like to try some?
37:00Well, I'd love to try some.
37:01I 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, but it's lovely to see how
37:16Sandra and Bill have made it their own with just a bit of decorating and a few touches.
37:21Now, I'm looking forward to Bill's take on Fasalagya and finding out more about what
37:25their 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, even on the roadside.
37:48Everything'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, and you two obviously made an
37:58offer 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, and everything had to be done remotely.
38:12So, email, telephone call, power of attorney for the solicitor.
38:15Yeah.
38:15And by the time we did actually change the money, the exchange rate was back in our favour.
38:21So, what did you end up paying for it then, with 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, buying fees.
38:33So, the difference sort of paid for, more or less paid for that, really.
38:37So, that worked out really well in the long run for us.
38:39It took eight months, I think, from the original 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 once, all told, to this point?
38:53Probably about €5,000.
38:56Yeah.
38:57A big chunk of that was with a hot water system and air-con units being repaired and parts replaced.
39:04And so, all told then, you think it's probably about £75,000, £76,000 with the fees?
39:11Yeah.
39:11Yeah.
39:12I would say so.
39:13And how much do you think it's gone up since then?
39:15They've sort of gone up around about £110,000, even 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 if you ever wanted to sell it.
39:28You're not thinking about selling it.
39:29Not at the moment, no.
39:30No.
39:30Would you ever think about moving out here full time?
39:33It's crossed we might apply for the visa.
39:36You've just got to comply with the regulations to get it.
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.
39:49Yeah.
39:50We get out here for, I think the longest we've been here is about three weeks.
39:53Yeah, at a time.
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.
39:59Yeah.
40:00Because I did have to use it when, last year, wasn't it?
40:03I tripped on some stairs and I gashed me, in front of me leg.
40:07And we went to the doctors and he said, oh, that definitely needs stitches in.
40:11And literally, they said, there's an ambulance out there.
40:13And you were saying, well, how much is that going to cost for him?
40:17Oh, it was.
40:1750 euros on the insurance.
40:19Yeah.
40:19That's all it costs.
40:20Even if you've got the temporary visa, you have to have an annual cover insurance.
40:26It was literally in two hours.
40:28Amazing.
40:29Done, stitched up, back on my sunbed.
40:31Back on your sunbed.
40:33Two hours.
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.
40:49That 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 and do that then.
40:55Will do, thank you.
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.
41:10Oh, this looks fun.
41:14This is lovely, isn't it?
41:16It is.
41:16So relaxing.
41:18So where are we heading?
41:20The Lagoon.
41:20I'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.
41:33No, she tells us.
41:35No, 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, I find it quite relaxing, actually.
41:43Yeah.
41:44Sometimes we get to see some nice things over the side, dolphins and, you know.
41:48There's been dolphins spotted along here this year.
41:50Yeah, there was.
41:51So 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, so we'll make sure we pick
41:58the way.
41:59I think I know the one.
42:00Right.
42:01Next to the Blue Lagoon.
42:03That's the one.
42:03To 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.
42:14And this 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?
42:27It's simple things I think.
42:28Yeah.
42:29Just a day out at the beach, knowing that you haven't got to keep looking at the weather
42:32forecast because 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
42:40nap.
42:41Yeah.
42:41Yeah.
42:42You're not stuck inside.
42:44The climate.
42:45You see how the family's enjoyed it as well because they've had the chance to come out.
42:48I 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 enjoy, the family,
43:05friends come out here so it's good to see people give positive feedback as well when
43:11they 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.
43:23I think we were born at 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.
43:43I'm not very good in the dark.
43:43In the dark.
43:44I'm not very good in the light.
43:53What a lovely day.
43:55Hi.
43:55It's been so much fun.
43:57The boat trip.
43:59Traditional 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 really enjoyed it.
44:09I'm pleased you 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.
44:15I'm so pleased we made the leap of faith and we've been able to show you a bit of our
44:19life
44:20out 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.
44:27It's been lovely to see you.
44:28Two kisses.
44:28It's been great.
44:29Take care of yourselves.
44:31Bye.
44:31Bye.
44:32Bye.
44:37I've had the most wonderful day and night with Bill 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.
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