A Lifetime of Legacy: Molly's Years in Spain

Here at Canwick House Care Home, we understand that some treasures cannot be held in the hand or carried in a suitcase. We celebrate the lifetime of legacy that our wonderful residents bring with them, and enjoy reminiscing on these special memories.

One of our wonderful residents, Molly, kindly shared with us the time she made the brave choice to relocate to Spain. Moving to the outskirts of Benidorm, she recollects fondly on this time.

Well, we had the chance to sell the bungalow. My husband had a bad chest due to TB when he was a child and we thought the sun would do him a bit of good, so we sold the bungalow and moved to Spain!

Whilst living there, my husband's health was amazing, he completely stopped coughing. He was doing all sorts of jobs, when he couldn't even work before. I spent so much time gardening. Over there, everything you put in the ground, it just grew. English tourists would ride a tour bus and stop at the end of our garden and remark "Ooh this looks very English!"

We also joined an English club, where we would meet up with other English people, mainly on a Sunday, to a theatre in Benidorm. Variety type shows, at the Palladium. Some of the English used to get paralytic and make fools of themselves, but the Spanish could drink and drink yet never seemed drunk.

Molly quickly settled into her new life, learning some Spanish which she tells us she hasn't retained, shopping and eating like a local.

We would cook Spanish food like paella, however I couldn't bear to watch people eat snails! I enjoyed shopping, I would go to outdoor markets, often approached by curious locals who noticed my accent and asked what I was doing there. Usually on a Sunday we would go out to eat, and the food was always so fresh and cooked to order.

We really got on with our neighbours, Conchita and Primo, they had two teenage daughters also. They were all so easy going, all of the Spanish actually, people coming and going for dinner. We didn't see as much of Primo as he worked a lot, but Conchita was the boss, she would make me laugh. Primo would drink a bit too much on the Saturday, spending Sundays sat on the front steps, nursing a hangover and making it up to her. They were very noisy people though. The two girls going out on a Saturday night, coming back and very loudly (and badly) singing in the showers at midnight. Or they would turn the radio on loud at early hours, it would make us jump awake!

As much as they enjoyed their life in the warmth of Spain, being apart from family was very challenging for Molly.

The sunshine was beautiful, I'd do it all over again if I could, it was smashing. I began to miss our kids, I was longing to be back with them. We would visit for a month and stay with them, but in the end we decided to move back. I was used to eating all of my meals in the sunny garden, it was difficult getting used to eating inside again!

Memories such as this are so precious. They are a reminder that behind each face is a rich history of experiences and moments. Thank you Molly for sharing with us.