After writing our first blog post we received so many warm, kind comments. That did us a lot of good. And, honestly, it was also special to put it all into words. Because when you’re right in the middle of it, it can sometimes feel like you’re just living from to-do list to to-do list.
In the meantime, we’ve moved several steps forward.
And we can no longer deny it:
it’s becoming real.
No more “someday, later”.
No more “maybe this year”.
Just concrete dates. Moving trucks. Signatures on the transfer papers. A route mapped out to Spain.
And two cats who are now officially world travellers in training.
Two worlds at once
The past few weeks have revolved entirely around getting ready. And for us, getting ready means: everything at once. Packing boxes (and discovering just how much stuff you actually own), comparing quotes, making plans, adjusting plans — and, all the while, still building the future. Because as we’re finishing up here, we’ve already started over there. The website is growing right along with us, just like the plans.
It feels like we’re living in two worlds at once:
the life we’re slowly letting go of in the Netherlands,
and the life that, piece by piece, is taking shape in Spain.
Farewell party with family and friends
On 17 January we held our farewell party with family and friends. We really needed that moment. It was warm, heartfelt, sometimes a little emotional, and above all, so special to feel how many people are living this with us. One of those evenings that puts everything into perspective, in the best way. The kind where you think: yes… we’re really leaving. But also: look how much love we’re taking with us.
And then there are our cats. Because of course, they’re coming with us. All their vaccinations are in order, the paperwork is ready, and they’re officially “fit to travel”. On 3 February they’ll go to the groomer one last time, so they can start their adventure fresh and comfortable. We don’t know exactly how they’ll handle the journey, but one thing we’re sure of: we’re doing this together. And this will be a road trip we’ll never forget.
The date everything revolves around is 10 February. That’s the day the removal truck arrives in the Netherlands. Everything we’ve built up over the past few years — furniture, boxes, memories — literally sets off for Spain that day. Just thinking about it still sometimes feels unreal.
The next day, 11 February at 12:00, we officially say goodbye to our house in the Netherlands. Handing over the keys. A moment that feels like one door closing while another opens at the same time. And precisely because a moment like that means so much, we chose not to rush it. After the handover, we’ll have a meal together with our dear neighbours Robert and Miriam. One last moment of calm, closeness and company, before we truly set off. After that, they’ll wave us off on our way to Spain — and that’s when the real adventure begins.
The good news is we can already get into the house in Spain. That gives us room. To land. To put the first things in place. To pause for a moment and feel: we’re here.
Official handover of Posada Aurora
The official handover in Spain is scheduled for 16 February. A huge milestone for us. The end of a long period full of paperwork, waiting, hope and perseverance. And, at the same time, the beginning of something we’ve been living towards for months.
And as if the calendar wasn’t already full enough, on 19 January another piece of good news arrived: the official application for the tourist licence has been submitted. From the outside it might look like just another piece of paperwork, but for us it feels like laying a foundation. Confirmation that what we’re building is truly starting to take shape.
After the handover, Gaia and I will fly back to the Netherlands one last time on 28 February. To wrap up the last loose ends, to let go, to tie everything together. Dyango stays in Spain with the cats, to keep building and keep things on track. It feels strange — living in two countries at once — but it’s exactly what this phase calls for. A dream, after all, isn’t built in a day.
Gaia finds it exciting… and also funny. And honestly, that goes for all of us. We feel nerves, excitement, busyness and joy, all mixed together. Sometimes we think: what have we gotten ourselves into?
And five minutes later: this is the best idea we’ve ever had.
But one thing we’re sure of:
we’re in the final phase.
And the next blog post…
we’ll probably be writing it from Spain already.
