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On the brink of retirement, John and his wife Sally are determined to end a life at the grindstone in grimy and wet Lancashire. Together with their beloved Jack Russell/Staffie cross, Freddie, a rescue dog from the local RSPCA, they embark on the journey of a lifetime and relocate to the island of Tenerife. Selling up, they make the move to the north of Tenerife, a part almost unknown to the casual tourist, their very own hidden paradise, a world away from the ‘tourist trap’ that is the south of the island. Relaxed and surrounded by stunning coastal views, life in their new home, set amidst orange groves and banana plantations, is very different indeed! The weather is fantastic, the temperature idyllic, the people so friendly and the cost of living outrageously low… what more could they ask for? Adjusting to life abroad, and all of the costs that come with it, are explained in the book, from buying a new home and sorting out living taxes, to integrating into the local community and taking the dreaded Spanish driving test. Follow John and Sally as they learn a new language and take on a couple of new hobbies, while Freddie takes off on some unbelievable (but true!) exploits with his new canine friends. With a colourful collection of characters, travelling anecdotes that stretch from the English Midlands and all the way through mainland Spain in an old classic car, and some not so perfect moments that bring us back down to earth from time to time, this is a series of adventures that you will not want to miss. Dog Days In The Fortunate Islands is an ideal read for those contemplating retirement, moving to the Canary Islands or an extended trip through Spain. The book will also appeal to any dog lovers and holidaymakers who enjoy an interesting story.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
If you love dogs, cars, travel and northern Tenerife then this is the book for you. It tells you the story of John and Sally's journey to their new life in Tenerife, family, friendship, the ups and downs of life in the unique paradise that is northern Tenerife (a personal favourite holiday destination) and their dog Freddie. It also has reviews of restaurants on the Island should you decide to visit.
A 5 Star Serendipitous Adventure! Feeling burnt out after years of working hard and living under the grey, grimy skies of Lancashire England, John and Sally decide to make their dream come true: retiring permanently in a land of sunshine! As retirement beckons, they fly to Tenerife for a holiday and fall in love with the unspoiled northern part of the island. They make a list of "pros and "cons over a bottle of claret, and voilà! a five year plan is firmly in place. They seek and obtain family approval, and get a nod from their beloved dog Freddie (who won John's heart when he peed on John's new shoes while being viewed for adoption at the local animal shelter). They sell their joint business venture, arrange a long lease for their Victorian home, and pack their belongings. All is clear for their departure to paradise! Well, there are a few ups and downssuch as proving they have a right to purchase a car, dealing with reams of Spanish paperwork, taking a driver's exam on a weird rolling road machine, learning the lingo and the true meaning of mañana, and mastering the local "Canary shrug. John Searancke's retelling of these and other seismic upheavals along the way make for a delightful read about enlightened people, with a plan, determined to make their dream a reality. And remind, or instruct, us that there is no paradiseonly more serendipitous adventures. Susan Joyce Reviewer
"Sceptic" is my middle name so when "Dog Days in the Fortunate Islands" was recommended I signed into the old habit of being suspicious of holiday destinations. Why? Tenerife to me was bracketed with Magaluf and Torremolenos as destinations for the fish, chips and alcohol loving Brits. How wrong can a food loving Doubting Thomas be? VERY wrong. What an insight into the glorious life experienced by the author John, his wife and of course Freddie the dog. John takes his readers wonderfully through the trials and tribulations of settling in the Northern Tenerife lifestyle, passing through hilarious experiences fitting into what seems to be a foody's paradise; yet not leaving his previously very colourful life behind. A joyous, informative and almost home style read which should be enjoyed by all fellow sceptics!
This author is a restaurant reviewer and it shows in his writing... no poor grammar, no spelling mistakes and the book has been proof read thank goodness! Nothing puts me off reading a book than errors on the first page. This book tells the tale of a couple and their dog who actually make plans to do it right and move to Tenerife. It wasn't one problem after another although there were a couple of hitches. Included in the book are restaurant reviews as the author was employed as reviewer "Warts and all" and this also included the toilets which for many people is important... We never eat anywhere without using the loos first and on more than one occasion we have told the staff that the loos lack soap, paper towels etc... only to see that the staff are using them too!!! Exit.... I have visited Tenerife many times its lovely to hear of places we've been to that are off the beaten track. It's a lovely book.
I've read countless examples of 'let's move to a sunnier climate' memoirs, and it's a very variable genre. But John Searancke can write - he's a restaurant reviewer - so this one is a cut above. And his move from England was carefully-planned, not a mid-winter whim. He's a colourful character, and knows how to tell a good tale. A lively read if you'd like to know more about Tenerife, or if you enjoy non-fiction that spans history, culture, and a realistic look at the ups and downs of a later-life move to the Canaries - the 'Fortunate Islands' of the title.
