Just Rambling Along

Let’s explore what it takes to travel slow enough to notice the journey, experience the local culture, color, and pace of life and grow along the way.

When we retired in 2017, we imagined that we'd live in Valencia, Spain until we learned Spanish. After three years we hadn't mastered Spanish. It takes more time and effort to learn a language than we ever imagined. What we did learn by living in Valencia is that Jamie isn't cut out for urban life.

Then came 2020 to challenge and change how we all experienced life. Next thing, our good dog Lizzie passed and, unexpectedly, we were two people and two cats. We thought it high time to see more of the world. Of course Covid made rambling difficult so we haven't ventured as far as we have wanted to. Nothing unusual there.

Along the way both Ricco and Teej, our two old cats "shuffled off this mortal coil" (at 19 and 21 years old), and today we are two together. We aren’t quite sure where our rambling will lead us in the unforeseeable future, but so far we aren't quite ready to settle down.

Rambling in France: Fall 2021

When we came back to Europe in the Fall of 2021, we were ready for a year or more of rambling. We had plans for Christmas in Munich, January in the Italian Alps and a month or more on Sardinia. What we managed to get in was a couple of months in eastern France before new Covid outbreaks and our aging vaccines forced us back into Spain. Nevertheless, we enjoyed France enormously while we were there.

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Back in the USA: Summer 2021

We were struggling with trying to get Covid vaccines in April 2021 when back in the States they were begging people to come in to the pharmacies and clinics. And it had been nearly four years since we'd been back so we decided on a summer interlude in Wisconsin where Jamie was born and spent the first 27 years of his life. Most of his relations still live in or near the Badger State. Everyone agrees Wisconsin is a delightful place to spend the summer. Winters - not so much.

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Mairena, Spain 2020-2021

Mairen, a village in the Alpujarra region of Spain

The village of Mairena in Spain's Alpujarra region is our first long-stay stop on what we expect (hope) will be a very slow, long journey. What a difference there is between urban life in Valencia and the tranquility of a small village perched on the flanks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Our hosts, David and Emma Illsley of Las Chimeneas have gone out of their way to make our stay memorable.

More About Mairena, Spain

Valencia, Spain 2017-2020

We lived in Valencia, Spain from September 2017 until the end of October 2020 when we decided to give slow, long-stay travel a go. We chose Valencia because it offers so many opportunities: wonderful public transportation, safe and easy walking, culture and nearby nature. You name it, the city ticks nearly every box for retired urban living.

If you are considering a move to Valencia, you will find tips on how to get a senior buss pass (for 20 euros/year), who to contact for health insurance, other useful tips, and few interesting tidbits too.

More About Valencia, Spain

Moving to Spain 2017

Moving to Spain with pets from the United States

In 2017 we packed up five pets and set out for Spain. Along the way we learned a lot about what to do, and just as importantly what not to do when retiring and moving abroad. Many readers have told us they found our posts helpful when they made their move to Spain. You might as well have a look. It won't hurt.

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Finding our food in a small Alpujarran village

A Daily Dozen

Streets of Stairs

Volunteering at Vaughan Day Town

Why we came to the U.S. for the vaccine

Teej (TJ)

A room with a view

Stopping In Eagle River, Wisconsin

Adventures in Applied Spanish – Buying Cat Grass