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00:01For over 22 years, A Place in the Sun has been helping couples find 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?
00:18Look, 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 Mingus is heading to the Greek island of Corfu to catch up with friends Sarah and Jo, who
00:35she enjoyed a house hunt with three years ago.
00:37Hello, ladies. So good to see you.
00:40Oh my gosh, you too.
00:42I have been so excited to catch up with you.
00:45While down on the Costa Tropical in southern Spain, Leah Charles King is meeting up with a couple.
00:50She helped find a magnificent holiday home with a stunning sea view.
00:55You know what? First of all, thank you for bringing me back here.
00:58You're very welcome.
00:58One of my favourite places of all time, Celebrenia.
01:02Yeah.
01:02You fell in love with it.
01:03You did.
01:03I fell in love with it because of you.
01:05How can you not?
01:06All right.
01:15There are worse ways to spend your time than strolling along the stunning coastline of Corfu.
01:20I can see why Sarah and her lifelong friend Joe were so drawn to this idyllic island.
01:26And when I went house hunting to find Sarah and her family the perfect holiday home, well, there were a
01:32few twists and turns along the way.
01:35Corfu is one of the largest and most northern Greek islands, positioned in the Ionian Sea between Greece, Italy and
01:42Albania.
01:43Just over a three hour flight from the UK.
01:47Green and leafy with a spectacular mountain backdrop, the north of the island has a relaxed vibe, while the south
01:54is more popular with tourists.
01:56Traditional villages and small resorts dot the coastline around its perfect mix of long sandy stretches of beach and more
02:04secluded coves.
02:05All lapped by crystal clear water that you can't help but dive into.
02:10Back in 2021, Sarah was the one taking the plunge as she was looking to buy a holiday home for
02:16herself, her husband Mark and their grown up children.
02:19As Mark was busy working, Sarah's best friend of 45 years, Joe, came along to help spend the budget of
02:26up to £180,000.
02:28And we started with a chat on the beach.
02:31Have you got a clear idea of what it is that you're after?
02:33Yeah, yeah, I have got it in my head, a kind of traditional style, but inside, modern.
02:40If it needs work, that's absolutely fine, I'm more than happy to do that.
02:44And really lovely outside space, that's really important.
02:47Sarah also wanted two to three bedrooms, a garden for green fingered Mark and an annex or outhouse to rent
02:53out.
02:54We started a ten minute drive from the coast in one of the island's most picturesque villages, Ducades, with this
03:00hilltop house bursting with potential.
03:04Come on in.
03:06What do you think when you're looking round?
03:08My initial thoughts is it's really small, right? OK.
03:13Yeah.
03:14I think it's quite dark as well.
03:15And out on the terrace, outside space isn't working, it's not big enough, there's not enough green.
03:23OK.
03:24You basically want to rip it all up and I'm just feeling it's a lot of work for a house
03:30that you're not loving anyway.
03:32So that was a long way from a good start.
03:35I felt I needed to try something with a bit more Greek charm.
03:38So we headed closer to the coast to the village of Kavardades to view this house with a couple more
03:43bedrooms than our last.
03:46Right, here we are.
03:47Oh, I think we might be cooking on gas here. What do you think?
03:51Yeah, it's gorgeous. It's really pretty.
03:54It's cute, isn't it?
03:56Yeah.
03:56And all of this space.
03:57Exactly.
03:58And we've got lemon trees, orange trees.
04:01Oh, gosh, yes.
04:01Two lemon trees.
04:02You make your own jams.
04:03She is a jam maker.
04:04Well, I was thinking more gin and tonics, but whatever.
04:08She does that as well.
04:10So we're feeling a bit better at this one, I'm getting that vibe.
04:13This is Knox property number one into a tin can.
04:17This is amazing, I think.
04:18And the good vibes continued inside with the bright living room, spacious kitchen and bedrooms with balcony access and views.
04:26And once they'd seen it all...
04:27So much potential.
04:29Yeah.
04:29Ticked a lot of your boxes.
04:30Yeah.
04:31It's got a nice feel up there, doesn't it?
04:32I love the little balcony that goes round and the views from there are just amazing.
04:38Good.
04:38So it's all sounding quite positive.
04:40Yes.
04:41Would you say that this one's in the running?
04:44I think so.
04:45I think so.
04:46I've got something lined up next.
04:48Now that I'm starting to get an idea of what you like, but it is a bit of a project.
04:52How do you feel about that?
04:53That sounds brilliant.
04:55Yeah?
04:55Yeah.
04:55Absolutely up for that.
04:56Okay.
04:58Let's do it.
04:58Let's go have a look.
05:01I love a project.
05:03It was in the village of Villanades and in the form of this house with a small olive grove that
05:09had three bedrooms as well as an outbuilding stroke pool house.
05:15If you'd asked me to describe my dream, property in Corfu, I'm looking at it.
05:22That is my heart.
05:23That is my heart speaking.
05:25I can hear my head and my husband going, what the heck.
05:31I love it.
05:32This looks really, really exciting.
05:35And things only got better.
05:38Great space.
05:40Yeah.
05:40Isn't it?
05:40Yeah.
05:41These would polish up beautifully.
05:43Yeah.
05:43So that's one very expensive thing off the list, which is quite good.
05:47So, what would Mark say right now?
05:49I think you might say, Chuffin Nora's there.
05:54What have you done now?
05:58Even the potential pool house got a thumbs up.
06:02Right, girls?
06:06Wow.
06:08Absolutely lovely.
06:10Look at the beams.
06:12You could do so much with this.
06:15You're not wrong.
06:16I know.
06:16Wow.
06:17And once they'd seen it all, we had ourselves a super strong contender.
06:22Something was telling me Sarah and Joe had fallen in love.
06:25Although they asked me if I could show them something ready to go and closer to the coast
06:29to compare.
06:30So, we headed to the village of Agios Stephanos to view this modern bungalow with two bedrooms.
06:36But it didn't stand a chance.
06:39We both fell in love with the olive tree property.
06:42Right.
06:42And Joe wants to come in on it with me.
06:45So, the both of you.
06:47Right.
06:47We are thinking that because our family is very close, Sarah has the bigger house and
06:54I might take the pool house.
06:57No.
06:58That's amazing.
06:59Both got the same vision.
07:01Our husbands are on the same page with us as well.
07:03And we just think we could make that something absolutely amazing.
07:06So, have you had a quick chat with the hubbies about this already?
07:08Yeah.
07:09This is like every little girl's dream.
07:11When I grow up, I'm going to buy a really nice house for my best friend.
07:14We're going to make it amazing and have lots of parties.
07:16Love it.
07:17I certainly hadn't seen that one coming.
07:19And while I was super pleased they loved that place so much, I still had one more property
07:24to show.
07:25It was this rather impressive villa in the village of Ashurabi with an outhouse and some pretty
07:31gardens.
07:32I think I could have shown Sarah and Joe Buckingham Palace at this point and it wouldn't have made
07:37a difference.
07:38Their hearts were already taken.
07:40in.
07:40So, I sent them off to chat things through.
07:42And the next morning.
07:44So, what we're going to do is we're staying on for a few days.
07:47Right.
07:48And we're going to meet a lawyer who's going to talk us through the legalities of how we
07:53can actually buy the properties together but they are actually separately owned.
07:59So, in the event of us needing or wanting to sell in the future, it would be a clean sale
08:04with no surprises.
08:05Okay.
08:06I think what you're doing is absolutely the most sensible thing as well because having
08:09everything in writing done properly just so that things are really straightforward in
08:14the future seems like the absolutely right way to go about it.
08:17Yeah.
08:17And so, are the husbands going to come out before you go for it or are you just going
08:21to go for it once you know how it's going to work on paper?
08:23If legally it's pretty straightforward, we just go for it.
08:26Yes.
08:26Love it, girls.
08:27Why not?
08:28Here's to busy mates.
08:30Here's to busy mates.
08:31Cheers.
08:31Cheers, girls.
08:33And not long after that, with all the paperwork in place, they made an offer together and it
08:37was accepted.
08:38I knew they'd make it happen and I was over the moon.
08:46And three years on, I'm back on the sunny shores of Corfu.
08:50I think this is going to be the biggest renovation I've seen on the show and I cannot wait to
08:55catch up with them.
08:59Hello, ladies.
09:01Hi.
09:01So good to see you.
09:03Oh, my God.
09:03You too.
09:04I have been so excited to catch up with you.
09:07How's it all going?
09:09I can't believe it's been three years.
09:11Honestly, nor can we, but what we've done in that three years.
09:13It's been a journey.
09:15It's been a journey.
09:16And you're still friends?
09:17Just about.
09:18That was a big curveball on the show that we did, wasn't it?
09:21I can actually say, hand on heart, I don't think we've fallen out once.
09:25That's amazing.
09:27I'm absolutely buzzing to see it.
09:28Let's go and have a look then.
09:29There, let's go.
09:30Let's show you.
09:32Coming up, this is going to be so exciting.
09:36Right, OK, stop.
09:39Oh, my gosh.
09:42Wow.
09:50Today, I'm on the Greek island of Corfu, catching up with friends Sarah and Joe,
09:55who three years ago while house hunting for a holiday home for Sarah and her family,
09:59ended up buying a place together, with Joe taking the pool house and Sarah the main one.
10:04Both properties needed a complete overhaul, but the excitement Sarah and Joe had for this project was so infectious.
10:12I really can't wait to see the transformation.
10:17Keep your eyes closed.
10:18Keep going.
10:19Right, OK.
10:20Stop.
10:23Oh, my gosh.
10:26Wow.
10:28Girls, you have been busy.
10:30Busy little bees.
10:31It looks absolutely phenomenal.
10:33Gosh, I'm a little bit lost for words.
10:35Do you remember what it was like?
10:36It was falling down.
10:37Yes.
10:37I mean, none of it was livable.
10:39Awful.
10:39And this was just a shell.
10:41It was literally a barn.
10:42Yeah.
10:42We actually ended up doing new roofs.
10:45Yeah.
10:45New outside, new insulation, new windows.
10:48Did we tell you that my son and his wife ended up buying the annex?
10:52What?
10:52Oh, right, OK.
10:53So, yeah.
10:55That freed up more budget, so that enabled us to actually literally go to town.
10:59This is absolutely amazing, guys.
11:02Have you had some time to enjoy the property?
11:04Well, we've actually now turned it into a business, so it's out for rent.
11:08Oh.
11:09So, we have been renting it out really successfully this summer.
11:13Do you know what?
11:13This will work so well for so many families.
11:15Absolutely.
11:16You know, you want to be together, but you don't want to be on top of each other.
11:18You've got your own space.
11:19So, how many people max could you rent this to?
11:21So, ten people actually in the bed comfortably.
11:25Yeah.
11:25And then max two people on the sofa bed, two children.
11:29Loving what you've done out here, girls.
11:32Desperate to see what you've done on the inside.
11:33Do you want to start in the house?
11:34Absolutely.
11:35Lead the way.
11:36OK, come on.
11:37OK, Dan, come and see what we've done.
11:40Wow, what a difference three years makes.
11:44Just a bit.
11:45Just a bit.
11:46This is beautiful.
11:47So, the floors are the same original flooring.
11:50Yes, we were so lucky with the floors.
11:53The original marble floors all through the house and outside.
11:57Yeah.
11:57So, when we came here with Spiros, our builder, he was like, wow, they are, you know, priceless really.
12:02It's lovely.
12:03I think what you've done is beautiful.
12:04I love your taste.
12:05Things like this.
12:07Just gorgeous.
12:08Where we can, we've gone to local people.
12:10So, this was made by a lovely olive wood guy up the road.
12:13So, we've mixed and matched, you know, with practical stuff and it's gone for quite modern vibe.
12:19But, you know, the lamps are this fantastic guy in Corfu town.
12:24We had to stop buying lamps from him because there's quite a lot.
12:27That's what he does.
12:29I can totally see why.
12:30That is so cute.
12:31Yeah.
12:31That must have been really fun, picking out bits together.
12:34Massive fun.
12:35Yeah.
12:36It's like Christmas.
12:37All right, where are we heading next?
12:38Upstairs.
12:39Yes, please.
12:40Okay, follow me.
12:41After you.
12:46This is the guest bedroom.
12:48Oh, your taste is fab.
12:50I love that you've just kept it really nice and simple.
12:53It feels quite Scandi vibes.
12:55I think that's what we wanted.
12:56Yeah.
12:56Really nice.
12:57It's absolutely gorgeous, girls.
12:59It really, really is.
13:00I am...
13:01Oh, I'm just loving it.
13:03I really am.
13:04All right, where are we heading next?
13:06Er, do you want to go outside onto the balcony?
13:08Yes, please.
13:08It's actually one of my favourite places in the whole build.
13:11Is it?
13:11I'd love you to see it, yeah.
13:12Let's do it.
13:15Right, Dani, here's the balcony.
13:18Oh, gorgeous.
13:19And you've got the views.
13:21Yeah.
13:21It's all around 360.
13:23Oh, yeah, I can see why this is your favourite spot.
13:26You've got...
13:26It's so peaceful.
13:28I sit there with a coffee or a tea or a glass of wine
13:31or a gin and tonic or whatever.
13:33Very nice.
13:34So we've had a bit of a nosy around here
13:35and I'm desperate to see what's happened over the road
13:37because that hadn't even been lived in before.
13:39So I'm really keen to see what you've created.
13:41OK, let's go.
13:43All right, after you girls.
13:45Wow.
13:47What an amazing job they've done here.
13:49It is absolutely stunning.
13:51And all I can really say is I can't wait to book my holiday.
13:56Right, come in.
13:57Wow.
13:58It's absolutely beautiful and I love that you kept the mezzanine
14:01because it's still got that kind of, like, barn feel, doesn't it?
14:05Yeah, yeah.
14:06And whole new roof here as well.
14:07Whole new roof, which I absolutely love.
14:09And it makes it very light.
14:11And it goes through into the kitchen and out onto the terrace.
14:14It just brightens everything up.
14:15Was the tree there before?
14:17No, the tree was the builder's kind of...
14:20He went off on his own journey.
14:21It's there to support the railing and the roof.
14:23So, yeah, it all goes really well.
14:25Love that.
14:26That's so, so fabulous.
14:27Great feature.
14:28Now, I'm really keen to see what you've done
14:29with what we called the granny annex because...
14:32That was somewhere you would never put your granny.
14:35Yeah.
14:35Oh, my gosh.
14:40Right.
14:41Here we are.
14:43The granny annex.
14:44Oh, that's better.
14:47Isn't it?
14:47Just a bit.
14:48Wow.
14:49Understatement of the century.
14:51Would you put your granny in here now?
14:52My granny would love it.
14:53So, how's it working for your son and his growing family?
14:57Yeah, it's really lovely.
14:58So, he's got two children, Atticus and Annie.
15:01And so, it's lovely for them.
15:03So, last year, Atticus's birthday is September.
15:05So, we were all out in September.
15:07He had a pool party for his third birthday.
15:10And what we envisaged, you know, he'll probably be having his 30th birthday party here.
15:14So, it's just lovely.
15:16It's really nice for our children and then their children.
15:19Yeah.
15:20And so, it goes on.
15:21What a lovely thing to be able to sort of provide for your growing families, you know?
15:25Yeah.
15:25Well, I'm so glad that you've got to the point where now you can relax and enjoy the fruits of
15:30your labour.
15:31It's been a hard road, but well, well worth it.
15:34So, would you like to do that?
15:35Would you like to come and have a drink with us by the pool?
15:37You don't need to ask me twice.
15:39Great.
15:39And we might be being joined by Mark, who's just on his way back from the shops.
15:43Mark's here.
15:44I got to meet the famous Mark, finally.
15:46Yeah.
15:46Sounds good, girls.
15:47Love that.
15:47Okay.
15:48Come on, let's go.
15:50What a transformation.
15:52It is great to see that vision Sarah and Joe had has come to fruition.
15:56Time to meet another cog in this holiday home building machine.
16:00Hi.
16:00So good to meet you, Mark.
16:02Pleased to meet you.
16:02The most trusting husband on the planet.
16:05Nice to meet you at last.
16:06So lovely to meet you.
16:09How did you feel letting the girls go on the search together without you?
16:14Very happy.
16:15Really?
16:16Yeah.
16:16But we knew what we wanted.
16:18We had something in the back of our minds and this was it.
16:22When Sarah called you and said that Joe was going to get him on the property, what were
16:25your thoughts there?
16:27Go on.
16:28Fantastic.
16:29The right answer.
16:31Fantastic.
16:32No, I'm not taking the mic.
16:34Seriously, if we wanted anybody to come on board, it would have been Joe because that
16:38was the first thought when I couldn't make it in the first instance.
16:41Yeah.
16:42Joe was, you didn't hesitate really, did you?
16:45Yeah.
16:46And the idea, it just fell into, everything then fell into place with our son coming on
16:51board as well.
16:52Yeah.
16:52So we ended up getting three properties in one, essentially.
16:56Yes.
16:57Three different owners.
16:58How have you worked that out?
17:00Is there separate deeds, the grounds around your property?
17:03Yeah.
17:04So basically we have like a metre around the perimeter of each property, which is ours privately.
17:10But then the communal area is communal to all three.
17:15A bit like an apartment.
17:16Yeah.
17:16You know, you have your gardens and your communal pool and all that in an apartment.
17:20So that's the way it worked out.
17:23Yeah.
17:24Yeah.
17:24So it was relatively straightforward.
17:26If I remember right, you got the property for just over £140,000.
17:30Is that right?
17:31Yeah.
17:31Yeah.
17:31I'm going to guess you spent a fair old whack on it.
17:35Mm-hmm.
17:35And you've had it valued since then?
17:37We did have a valuation from an agent and he put it at around £750,000.
17:44So we have more than doubled our investment.
17:47Love that.
17:48Yeah.
17:48Does that not make you feel quite good?
17:50Because you're like, yes, I've got good taste.
17:52We did a good job.
17:53Well, you don't want to sound too smug.
17:54It's more of a relief if you want it.
17:56Yeah.
17:56It makes sense, though, because if you think about how this looked when you got it and
18:01how it looks now, I mean, it's a world apart.
18:03Yeah.
18:03An absolute world apart.
18:05Yeah.
18:05What do you rent it out for?
18:06Because, obviously, I'm very interested.
18:09So let's say high season.
18:11It's around £5,000 a week.
18:13High season down to about £2,200 in low season and then in the middle.
18:18Yeah.
18:19Perfect.
18:20So that makes, you know, your running costs are well covered.
18:23You know, it's great to have that return on the property.
18:25And, I mean, you must be really proud.
18:27When you look around, you must be really proud at what you've created.
18:30I still wake up and I go on my balcony in the morning and I sit there, I go,
18:34I can't believe this is ours.
18:36It's really like, wow.
18:38It's fabulous.
18:39It is.
18:40It's even nicer than I imagined it would be.
18:42So you've absolutely nailed it.
18:44We were very, very lucky that we got a great team behind us.
18:47I think that's why the process over the last three years has been so smooth.
18:51The builder was great.
18:54Very communicative.
18:55Sent us photographs.
18:56Kept us informed the whole way, the whole process.
18:59And, you know, the builder gave us lots of options.
19:02You know, high, medium, low.
19:03And with the extra budget, we did end up going high-end with everything.
19:08Totally worth it, in my opinion.
19:09Absolutely, yeah.
19:10Stunning.
19:10Well done, team.
19:12Love it.
19:13So now that you've got everything finished off, you can relax, enjoy it with your friends
19:17and family.
19:18What would you like to get up to in your downtime?
19:21Lots of exploring because we didn't know it was part of the island.
19:24Our sort of latest, what we were quite excited about is my daughter was out here recently
19:27and she went on a boat to a beautiful little bay called Porto de Moni.
19:32Oh, nice.
19:33Well, we're planning on going today if you want to join us.
19:35Oh, yeah.
19:36I'd love to.
19:37Are you coming too, Mark?
19:38I'm going to dip out of this one.
19:40Are you?
19:40Yeah, yeah.
19:41It's a girls' boat trip.
19:42It's a girls' boat trip, yeah.
19:43All right.
19:44Well, I'm so glad that I finally got to meet you.
19:46Cheers.
19:47Cheers.
19:48Likewise.
19:49Cheers.
19:49Cheers.
19:50We can go wild now, girls.
19:55Porto de Moni is actually two beaches, back to back, separated by a walkway and only accessible
20:01via a 30-minute hike or boat.
20:04Boat definitely sounds more fun and at this speed, it won't take long.
20:09Woo!
20:13This is just beautiful.
20:15Look at that view with the rocks that you've got behind.
20:18Yep.
20:19It is fantastic.
20:20It is fantastic.
20:21And just the whole of the greenery and the rocks, the terrain is fantastic.
20:26Beautiful.
20:29Oh, wow.
20:30Love it.
20:30Bye-bye.
20:31See you soon.
20:32And after disembarking rather elegantly, we found ourselves a lovely spot on the calmer
20:36of the two beaches.
20:38There we go.
20:40Do you want us to try?
20:41That was definitely worth the bumpy ride because this is glorious.
20:45Isn't it?
20:46Sublime to the ridiculous.
20:47Beautiful.
20:48How nice is it to be able to do something like this with your best mate?
20:51It's beyond kind of anything that you could imagine.
20:54It's just great.
20:55It's just so much fun.
20:56We're just having so much fun.
20:58What I love about this is buying a property with your busy mate is like an adventure in
21:03itself and then all the family getting involved and then actually doing the renovation and
21:08now it's like another adventure is starting because now you can actually enjoy the island.
21:11Yes.
21:12And we haven't done much of that because over the last three years, every time we've been
21:15here, we've been great.
21:18We can tell you about every DIY shop.
21:20We've found some absolute treasures.
21:22We've kissed some frogs and now we know exactly where we need to go for X, Y and Z.
21:26So we are the go-to core food DIY queens, aren't we?
21:31We might not be able to do it but we can tell you where to buy it.
21:33We don't do it but we're very good at buying it and then getting someone else to do it for
21:36us.
21:37Love that.
21:37So if someone was thinking about doing what you've just done with their best friend, would
21:42you have any words of advice?
21:44Good communication.
21:46We knew that, you know, a project like this could be bumpy.
21:49There's money involved.
21:50You know, people fall out, families fall out over money.
21:53But because I trust Jo 100% with everything and she does with me because we're more like
22:00sisters than best friends.
22:02Yeah.
22:03I think that's what's made it so, I won't say easy but so good.
22:07Do you know what?
22:08I'm so glad that I got to come back and see you both and see what you've done with that
22:12property
22:12because it is phenomenal.
22:14I will be booking a week at some point.
22:17Please do.
22:18100%.
22:19Please do.
22:19It's amazing what you've done and I know that you're really proud of what you've achieved
22:24and it is beautiful.
22:26All right.
22:26Shall we get on that boat?
22:27I'm going to give them a wave.
22:28Yeah.
22:29That's great.
22:29Yeah.
22:44It was so good catching up with Sarah and Jo and wow what a transformation on all of their properties.
22:51They really do have a beautiful friendship and now they've got a beautiful holiday home
22:56to enjoy with all their families.
23:00Coming up, we're heading to Sala Bruna, a gorgeously traditional town on the Costa Tropicale
23:05in southern Spain where Leah Charles King is catching up with a couple she helped find
23:10a stunning holiday home with a sea view nearly three years ago.
23:15So whenever I think of you guys, I'm going to think of Gareth and his man and I'm going
23:19to think of Hannah sat here reading one of her books, having a drink, looking at the views.
23:24Looking at the views.
23:24So nice.
23:35Sat here overlooking stunning Sala Bruna on Spain's Costa Tropicale is like a dream come
23:42true.
23:42No wonder Hannah and Gareth wanted to find their own oasis here when I went house hunting
23:48with them to find their perfect holiday home.
23:54It's around a three hour flight from the UK into Malaga airport.
23:59And then Sala Bruna is about an hour's drive east from there.
24:03And this is a rather dramatic stretch of coastline with the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop
24:08running right down to the sea where this area has a number of stunning beaches.
24:13At its heart is the town of Sala Bruna packed with rich architectural heritage alongside everything
24:20you'd expect, but perhaps a more traditional vibe than other nearby holiday locations with
24:25its 10th century castle and whitewashed houses.
24:29Back in 2021, after nearly 10 years of visiting the town, Gareth and Hannah, whose mum already
24:35lived in the area, were looking for a traditional two bed place to enjoy holidays for their budget
24:40of up to £160,000.
24:43The perfect place.
24:45What does it look like?
24:47In my mind's eye, it doesn't look like anything other than the fact it's got a nice big outside
24:51space, whether that be a roof terrace or a sun terrace.
24:56I love to be warm, but I don't always like to be in the sun, so somewhere that we can
24:59have a shade,
25:00somewhere that we can cook, somewhere that we can eat, relax.
25:06With a workshop come man cave for Gareth and sea views for Hannah, also fairly high on the list,
25:12we set off to find the perfect place and started in the Albicene neighbourhood of Sala Brenya's old town,
25:18with this bungalow right next to the castle.
25:21What's your best impression?
25:22It looks good.
25:24It looks old.
25:25It looks whitewashed.
25:26It looks like it's got a really good roof terrace.
25:29I love all the different levels, all the houses in different positions, all the planting.
25:33It's so nice.
25:34It's absolutely gorgeous.
25:35So is this the kind of vision that you had when you're thinking of your life and celebrating?
25:39Yeah, absolutely.
25:40Little cobbled streets.
25:41Perfect.
25:42And the good vibes continued as we looked around the open plan, living space and two bedrooms.
25:47But it was the terrace that I knew these two would be most interested in.
25:52Oh my goodness.
25:53Wow, that's amazing, isn't it?
25:54I could spend a long time just sitting there looking out to see.
25:58There isn't going to be another house in Sala Brenya that we can afford with a view like that.
26:03We don't think.
26:04We don't think.
26:05That's your challenge.
26:07It certainly is.
26:08It's really set a benchmark.
26:11That was a near perfect start.
26:14Although Gareth and Hannah did say they'd have light a touch more space inside.
26:19I had just the place in the La Loma area at the lower end of the old town.
26:24This more modern house with three bedrooms and a bigger living space.
26:28Come on in.
26:30Fully equipped kitchen in there.
26:32And then you've got your living dining space.
26:34I like that.
26:35It's really interesting.
26:37A really good blank open space.
26:39Already it feels so much bigger than the previous one.
26:43Yeah, it does.
26:44With a covered terrace, two open ones and two balconies, there was plenty of outside space.
26:50The sea view that you dream of.
26:53Yeah.
26:53The one we weren't expecting.
26:54No.
26:55I thought that was going to be the hatch.
26:56You thought that was going to be the compromise.
26:58Very nice.
26:59I like to surprise you and keep you on your toes.
27:02You've certainly done that.
27:05And once they'd seen the large bedrooms and the garage for Gareth's man cave come workshop.
27:10I'll fight tomorrow.
27:11Wow.
27:12So this is a contender for you then.
27:14The contender.
27:15The contender.
27:16This is the one to beat.
27:17It is indeed.
27:18I don't think either of us thought you would find something so perfect.
27:23I love that.
27:24I think it's the garage that's done it.
27:27I was going to ask actually, Gareth, how was the garage?
27:30The garage was fantastic.
27:32It was a man cave and more.
27:35Our next option was closer to the coast in the Las Fuentes area of Salabrenia.
27:40This townhouse with views had four bedrooms and two terraces, both with a great view.
27:46However, it didn't seem to get Gareth and Hannah that excited and went down as just a maybe.
27:51I decided it was time to leave Salabrenia and head into the neighbouring village of La Caleta
27:56to view a house with two bedrooms, a nice little garden area and a terrace.
28:01They had a look around on their own and when we met up at the end...
28:05Yeah, it's definitely up there.
28:07Yeah, you've obviously given us another thing to think about.
28:10Well, you know what I want to ask?
28:12Is it a contender?
28:14Yes.
28:16Really?
28:17Yeah.
28:17I think we've ruled everything else out.
28:19OK.
28:20So I think it's the three bedrooms...
28:22And the garage.
28:23Yeah.
28:23And this one.
28:25Two completely different houses.
28:29My final property was back in the old town of Salabrenia.
28:33This time in the Elbracal neighbourhood.
28:35It was huge with a spacious basement and three bedrooms.
28:38But as with everything we'd seen, it was the terrace.
28:42Well, one of two that really excited Gareth and Hannah.
28:46Oh, wow.
28:51Gosh.
28:52Oh, what are you doing to us?
28:54It's a Britney Spears, isn't it?
28:56Yeah.
28:57Oops, you've done it again.
28:59It's a lovely big size, isn't it?
29:02Yeah.
29:02That left us with three contenders at the end of the day.
29:05And when we sat down the next morning, they quickly picked a winner.
29:09When it came to practical and sensible...
29:12And living.
29:13Then we picked house number two.
29:17No way!
29:18The modern house!
29:20No way!
29:21Do you know what?
29:21I think you've made the perfect choice.
29:23Oh, it was so hard.
29:24Knowing what...
29:25Yeah, I could imagine it.
29:26So at this point then, I guess you want me to call the agent
29:28and make an offer?
29:29Yeah.
29:29Yeah, we think we do.
29:30Yeah?
29:31So the modern house is on the market for just over £143,500?
29:36It is.
29:38So what would you like me to do?
29:39Well, we want to start perhaps quite cheekily, but hey...
29:43Is it?
29:44You don't ask, you don't get.
29:45Yeah.
29:45Um, £130.
29:46Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to make this call!
29:49Let's do it!
29:52Unfortunately, that offer was rejected,
29:54as was their next one of £134,000.
29:57Let me ask you first, what's the highest that you're willing to go to at this point?
30:01Mm-hmm.
30:02So the £140 mark.
30:03Their counter offer is £139,500.
30:10Are you going to go for it?
30:12Yeah.
30:14Am I making the call back?
30:16There's tears.
30:17There's tears.
30:18I'm making the call back.
30:20Yes.
30:20We're doing this.
30:21We're getting ourselves a house in Celebrenia.
30:26Hi, Esther.
30:27Hannah and Gareth are willing to accept £139,500.
30:33You've got yourself a deal.
30:35Yes?
30:37Brilliant.
30:40Excellent.
30:40Thank you so much, Esther.
30:44We'll be in touch again.
30:47Guys, you've done it.
30:49You've got yourself a house.
30:51I'm so happy for the both of you.
30:53Do you know what?
30:53We would have never looked it without you.
30:55It's something we would have never considered, which is so amazing.
30:58I'm so pleased that I've been part of this journey with you.
31:01I'm not going to forget it.
31:03We definitely will.
31:06True razor glass to your life in Celebrenia, the Costa Tropica.
31:11Cheers.
31:12Cheers.
31:12Cheers.
31:14What fun.
31:15I'm so, so happy they got their dream place.
31:18And I was part of the journey.
31:21And nearly three years later, we're back and meeting up on the beach.
31:25Oh, hello.
31:27Hi.
31:27So fantastic.
31:30Wow.
31:31You both look so well.
31:34Look how tanned you look.
31:35I know, I know.
31:36Do you know what?
31:37First of all, thank you for bringing me back here.
31:39You're very welcome.
31:40One of my favourite places of all time, Celebrenia.
31:43Yeah.
31:43You fell in love with it.
31:45Yeah, we did.
31:45I fell in love with it because of you.
31:46How can you not?
31:48Seriously.
31:49The man cave, is that going strong?
31:51Oh, I've got a big surprise for you.
31:53Big surprise for you.
31:55I can't wait.
31:57Have you been spending a lot more time out here then?
31:59We have been spending a lot more time out here.
32:01Funny you should say that, our holiday home is now...
32:05Our home.
32:06Our home.
32:06It's your permanent home.
32:08Our only home.
32:10You've sold up everything.
32:11You've done this full time.
32:12You're here.
32:13Yep.
32:13Got the visa, lived here.
32:15Nearly six months now.
32:16I'm so happy for you.
32:17Are you going to come and have a look?
32:18Yes, please.
32:19There's so much to show you.
32:20Oh, I can't wait.
32:21All right.
32:22After that bombshell, coming up, I get the full tour.
32:26This is gorgeous.
32:28Oh, look at these views.
32:37Today, I'm in Salabrenia on the Costa Tropical in southern Spain.
32:42Catching up with Gareth and Hannah, a couple I helped find a wonderful holiday home many
32:47three years ago.
32:48I just found out they've now moved here permanently.
32:51So I can't wait to find out how life in the sun is working for them.
32:55I remember this so well.
32:58Yes.
32:58Hopefully it's changed a little bit.
33:00It has.
33:00Straight away, I see just the beautiful plant leaf outside.
33:03It looks very fresh and it looks welcoming.
33:06Oh, yes.
33:06Which I know is what you wanted as well.
33:08Absolutely.
33:08Yeah.
33:09Do you want to get in and see it?
33:11Absolutely.
33:12Let's go.
33:14And here we go.
33:15Straight into the man cave.
33:19The man cave.
33:20Yay.
33:20He has a sign and everything.
33:22Absolutely.
33:23And here we are.
33:24Look at this.
33:27Yes, Gareth and his man cave.
33:29What have you done in here?
33:30I can see a lot.
33:31Well, nearly all the furniture in here was in the lounge upstairs.
33:36Yes, it does look familiar.
33:38This bench, for example, was the coffee table.
33:40So I brought it down, made some legs and turned it into my workbench.
33:43But I have something really special to show you.
33:46Yes.
33:46So you talked about a man cave.
33:49Yeah.
33:49Which we're in.
33:50How about...
33:52He did say a surprise, but where is he going?
33:55No.
33:56You need to come and look.
33:57Oh.
33:58So you ready?
33:59Yeah.
34:00What is this?
34:01How about a cave?
34:03What?
34:04Within a cave.
34:06I love this.
34:08So you ready?
34:08Oh my gosh.
34:09I bet you were well impressed when he showed this to you.
34:12He said, sweet, I'm going to go and do something, come down in about an hour.
34:14And there it was.
34:16Shocked me.
34:16That has.
34:17Very clever.
34:18Just the fact that you got this space, like you said, for you, was important.
34:21It's a good head space.
34:22Yeah.
34:22Good for you.
34:23We'll venture up.
34:24Yeah.
34:24Absolutely.
34:25After you.
34:26I'm impressed with this though, Gareth.
34:28Fantastic.
34:28Good job.
34:31Okay.
34:32Into the lounge.
34:33The layout wasn't like this, was it?
34:36No, no, no.
34:36We've changed things, obviously, because we've moved a lot downstairs.
34:39But even when we've had a house full, the table extends and we can move things around.
34:43Oh.
34:44And it's working, isn't it?
34:46It is, yeah.
34:46Yeah.
34:46We like it.
34:47And we brought nearly everything, sadly, from our old home in the UK.
34:52That's not savvy.
34:53That's really thrifty.
34:54That's good.
34:55Well, it is.
34:56Which is why, sort of, the minute we had it all in here, it felt like home.
34:59Yeah.
34:59So we bought new sofas.
35:00New sofas.
35:00Certainly, as a guest, it feels homely, but it's very welcoming.
35:04So you've done a great job.
35:04Oh, that's fantastic.
35:05Yeah, you've done a great job.
35:06Really good.
35:07Well, do you want to go up and see the next bit?
35:09Yes, please.
35:10Yeah?
35:10Come this way then.
35:17Here we are in a speakeasy.
35:19Ooh, I love a speakeasy.
35:22Just a lovely place to come and sit and look at the beautiful view.
35:25Oh, the views are incredible here.
35:27And that was what was so beautiful about this place and partly why you fell in love with it, wasn't
35:31it?
35:31Because you were like, we don't really want a modern place.
35:34We want someone that's very traditional.
35:35And then you chose the only modern place I chose.
35:39But it was because you've got all these views as well.
35:42The sea right there.
35:43Yeah, yeah, yeah.
35:43So whenever I think of you guys, I'm going to think of Gareth and his man, and I'm going
35:47to think of Hannah, sat here, reading one of her books, having a drink, looking at the views.
35:52Looking at the views.
35:53So nice.
35:54There is somewhere else to have a drink.
35:56Yeah?
35:56Yeah.
35:56One floor up.
35:58Do you want to come and have a look?
35:59More floors?
35:59Oh, yes.
36:00Last one.
36:01I promise you.
36:01I should have known.
36:02I did bring you to this house in the first place.
36:04But yes, we do have the routine.
36:06Follow us.
36:14Loving out here.
36:16This is gorgeous.
36:18Oh, look at these views.
36:20You can never get bored, surely.
36:22No.
36:22Never.
36:23I'm a mountain person, so I love that view.
36:25I can see you definitely painted up here.
36:27Lovely outdoor kitchen space.
36:30And you're growing lots of stuff.
36:32This is the edible terrace.
36:34Oh, is it?
36:34So everything on this terrace can be eaten.
36:37I love this.
36:38So when you're out here then, run me through how you use this space.
36:42So, to be fair, the cooking over there is mainly Gareth.
36:45He's got his lovely barbecue, and then we've got a hot plate and a gas burner as well.
36:50So we can cater for quite a lot of people.
36:52We have breakfast, lunch, and normally dinner up here.
36:54Really good.
36:55I'm so impressed with that here.
36:56I think you've done such a great job.
36:57Oh, thank you.
36:58Honestly.
36:58Well done to the two of you.
36:59Genuinely.
37:00So lovely.
37:01And I'm privileged to have been invited to stay for lunch.
37:04In fact, Hannah's mum, who lives about an hour and a half away, is going to be joining us.
37:09What a treat.
37:10What's it like to have Hannah close by now?
37:13Because you've been living in Spain for quite some time.
37:16Is that right?
37:16Quite a few years.
37:17Yeah?
37:18I like living in the warm.
37:20But having Hannah here is lovely.
37:22Have you ever stayed overnight here?
37:23Oh, yes.
37:24A couple of times.
37:25Yeah.
37:25It's nice, isn't it?
37:27It's lovely.
37:27I just have a bit of a problem with all the stairs.
37:30Too many stairs.
37:31Too many stairs.
37:32Quite a few stairs.
37:33Yeah.
37:33Yeah.
37:34I could imagine.
37:35But there is that lower room downstairs.
37:38That's where I would stay.
37:39You said that's where you hang out.
37:40Yeah, yeah, yeah.
37:40And she has a little terrace off the back, so she can still get a view of the mountains.
37:44Oh, yes.
37:44There's a little terrace there.
37:46Yeah.
37:47I'm sorry if it's a little rustic looking.
37:49Oh, it's perfect.
37:50But we have here albondigas con tomate.
37:54That's meatballs in tomato sauce for the non-Spanish speakers out there.
37:59It smells delicious.
38:00Thank you, darling.
38:01Can we help yourselves to bread?
38:03Oh, wonderful.
38:03And forks.
38:04So we've got local herbs and spices in these.
38:07When you say local.
38:09Very local.
38:10Very local.
38:11Very local.
38:11From our herb rack.
38:13Mmm.
38:14Well done.
38:16Really, this is really good.
38:17Good.
38:18Really lovely.
38:19It's the sauce.
38:20Hannah made the sauce.
38:21Really, really lovely.
38:22So remind me, how much did you get this place for in the end?
38:26I think it was about a hundred and...
38:27Well, our top limit was 140 and I think we got some change.
38:31That's right.
38:31They've got £500.
38:33Yeah.
38:33So £139,500.
38:35Pounds.
38:35Worth every penny?
38:36Yeah.
38:37Yeah.
38:37I think so.
38:38There's a detached house just on our road.
38:42And other than detached, it's no bigger.
38:44It's only three bedrooms.
38:44That's on for €290,000.
38:47So that's about £250,000.
38:50Yeah.
38:50Something around that.
38:51That's a massive difference.
38:52Yeah.
38:53Wow.
38:54How much would you say you've spent on it since moving in?
38:58Well, we've not had anybody in to do any work.
39:00Oh, that's good.
39:00That's sometimes a big cost.
39:02But I would say if we include furniture, which has been a big expense, less than €7,000.
39:10Oh, yeah.
39:10That's great.
39:12Pretty much everything that you've done so far and buying the bits that you've needed.
39:16Yeah.
39:16Our future plans are to take out the very small baths and put in big walk-in showers.
39:21Ooh, good idea.
39:21Yeah.
39:22So that's something that's in the future that's on our radar.
39:25Are you going to get rid of the pink and blue tiles in there?
39:28We may get rid of some of the pink and blue.
39:31The pink's grown on me.
39:32Has it?
39:33Oh, the yellow kitchen's grown on us dreadful.
39:34Oh, yeah, the yellow kitchen.
39:35I love the yellow kitchen, I have to say.
39:38Don't change that.
39:38It's nice.
39:39So once I left you then, how quick was the process to when you got the keys?
39:44Between us seeing the house and buying it was four months?
39:48Yeah, we bought it in January as we filmed in September.
39:51After about six months of coming backwards and forwards quite often, we'd said, right, that's it.
39:57Do we need to work?
39:58We looked at a plan where we didn't need to work, which involved selling our house in the UK and
40:04just got on and did it.
40:05I think it's just wonderful.
40:06It's so nice to see how you're living.
40:08It's so nice to see what you've done to the place.
40:11The fact, Hannah, as well, that you're close to Mum is really good.
40:14So what else are you doing then?
40:15We are planning on going for a game of Patanka.
40:19Patanka?
40:19We've spoken about.
40:20Is that the one with the balls?
40:21With balls, yes.
40:22French balls.
40:23Oh.
40:23You fancy coming along and having a game?
40:25Wayne, I have no clue what I'm doing.
40:27Well, funnily enough, we've only been playing a few months.
40:29Oh, OK.
40:30So we're all beginners.
40:32Fine.
40:32I'd love to join you.
40:33Mum's probably going to just relax here while we go and do that.
40:36Fair enough.
40:36Is that all right with you?
40:37Yeah, that's fine.
40:38Thank you for lunch.
40:39It was wonderful.
40:39Oh, you're welcome.
40:40Very good recipe.
40:43Gareth and Hannah have started playing Patank, a very popular and accessible game with an international club, a group they've
40:51joined which meets every Friday morning.
40:53So I've played balls and I've seen this being played about Spain before, but I've never really gotten into it.
41:01What is it?
41:02What is it exactly?
41:03I suppose it's a Spanish version of balls.
41:06It is.
41:06You throw a small ball and then take it in turns to throw a bigger ball and get as close
41:11as you can.
41:12That's, in a nutshell, is Patank.
41:14And if you're lucky, like I'm about once in every 20 goes, you get close, otherwise somebody else wins.
41:21I'm up for it.
41:22A lot more rules than that, but that's the gist of it.
41:24Well, do you know what?
41:25It sounds straightforward enough.
41:26At least it's what you two make it sound easy.
41:28The international club play much more strictly, but we do it for fun.
41:31Good, good.
41:32We'll have some fun.
41:33All right, brilliant.
41:37Why am I going first, Gareth, when you're the pro?
41:39Yeah, go on, Gareth.
41:40Show us how it's done.
41:41Yeah.
41:42Whoa.
41:43Too late.
41:45Yeah, you see how it slopes.
41:48Gracias.
41:49Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
41:52Yes, Hannah.
41:52Well done, Hannah.
41:53Hannah's winning, then.
41:54Yeah.
41:55Look at that.
41:56Oh, look at that.
41:58That's a winning shot.
42:00Oh, my God.
42:01You won.
42:02There's been a ten there.
42:03We're done.
42:03We're done.
42:04I won.
42:05Best of one.
42:05Thank you, everyone.
42:09Unbelievable.
42:10Best of one.
42:11Beginner's luck.
42:12Let's be honest.
42:14Nothing wrong with quitting when you're ahead, and it's pretty hot.
42:17Time for a sit down.
42:18I can see why you love it down here, especially in the sunshine, the fresh air.
42:22I know there's a few guys here from your international club as well.
42:26Yeah.
42:26So do you tend to bump into people when you come down?
42:28We do bump into people all over, actually.
42:30It's quite nice.
42:31Yeah.
42:31Because you know people and you're bump into people in the supermarkets, just walking
42:34on the roads, on the beach, and that's really nice.
42:37I actually feel that you've got a group of people that, yeah, it's not just on a Friday
42:41morning.
42:42Yeah, yeah.
42:42It's kind of throughout the week.
42:44It's really nice.
42:45Do you feel like this is home now, like you've integrated?
42:48Oh, I don't think we're fully integrated, but we've certainly got a good community of
42:52friends.
42:52For me, the thing that will make us integrate, and it's one of our, it's our next step is
42:56to learn more Spanish.
42:58I don't just want to integrate with expats.
43:00And we're doing as much as we can.
43:01We know we're shopping at the local butchers.
43:04We're shopping at the local greengrocers and the fish market.
43:07The town hall does free classes.
43:09Mm-hmm.
43:09So I think, come on, the autumn, we will be joining the free classes there twice a week.
43:14Oh, great.
43:14Good idea.
43:15Hopefully, you'll learn super fast.
43:18I think you're on the right track, aren't you really?
43:19Oh, definitely.
43:20Yeah, you're on the right track.
43:21So any regrets?
43:23No.
43:24None at all.
43:25No, I don't think so.
43:26Not at all.
43:27There's not many places where you can sit on the beach in the sunshine and look up and
43:30see the snow on the Sierra Nevadas.
43:32So for that, we are so, so lucky.
43:34It's pretty spectacular, isn't it?
43:36If you could give one bit of advice to somebody who's watching you guys' story, they saw you
43:42the first time, they're looking at you now, what would you say to them?
43:45Do it.
43:46Yeah, I would say, don't be afraid of the visa, don't be afraid of all the paperwork.
43:51If you've got, if you can meet the criteria, do it.
43:55Do it, absolutely.
43:57I mean, look at it.
43:58Why wouldn't you?
44:00Well, you two are both glowing.
44:01From the minute I've seen you, seeing your place, coming out here, it just suits you both
44:06so well.
44:07And I'm so glad that you took the plunge.
44:09And next time I'm in sunny Celebrunia.
44:12Speakeasy is there with your name on it.
44:15Music to my ears.
44:17Music to my ears, Hannah.
44:19Thank you very, very much.
44:20Yeah, it's home.
44:21Give me a hug, you two.
44:24Aw.
44:24Thank you, Hannah.
44:25Aw, thank you.
44:26It's been brilliant.
44:27Thank you for lunch as well.
44:29Oh, you're very welcome.
44:29It was delicious.
44:31Your famous meatball recipe.
44:35Until then, adios amigos.
44:37Adios.
44:38Hasta luego.
44:39Bye, guys.
44:40Bye.
44:40Bye.
44:42It's been wonderful catching up with Hannah and Gareth again.
44:45It seems that they're embracing everything that stunning Celebrunia has to offer.
44:50And they've created a beautiful home here too.
44:53I wish them many more years of happiness.
44:57If you'd like to be on a pace in the sun to find your own dream home, go to channel4
45:01.com forward slash tape heart.
45:18To stay the boys of��면.
45:19Take the boys of Arthur and Jill Kades and Jill Kade.
45:19Go to the brows of Arthur.
45:23Go to the website.
45:23She's faced with her photo andAND victor's cat first to find your own dream.
45:23Go to theCS.
45:29And the other thing of mine today is to play the first 1976.
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