A CATTERY IN SPAIN

Chapter Two

The Purchase

So we purchased the villa in 10 days as buying a property in Spain doesn't usually tend to be a long drawn out affair.  Normally it involves obtaining a Nota Simple Informativa from the Property Registry to ensure the property is free of debt and if it really belongs to the seller.  Then a contract is made between the buyer and seller whilst waiting for a public deed of purchase to be prepared.  At this stage the buyer normally pays a percentage of the purchase price to the seller.  If the buyer backs out, they lose their deposit.  If the seller backs out, they have to pay double the deposit.  A Notary will certify the property transfer.

Back in the early 90s the village of Albir was small.  There was only a tiny supermarket and a few bars and restaurants in the village. Nowadays it is bustling with 4 large supermarkets, the ubiquitous McDonalds, as well as a choice of excellent restaurants, 4 star hotels and more recently the Sha Wellness Clinic, where guests can expect to restore a harmonious balance between mind, body and spirit.  Kylie Minogue and Naomi Campbell are rumoured to have stayed.

There are countless restaurants nowadays in a small village.  On the Paseo de Estrellas along the seafront, there is the gastronomic Belgian favourite called Dos Lunas, situated next to Albir's very own "The Ritz", which provides a stylish setting with good food and entertainment on occasion.  At the end of the promenade is the family orientated Restaurante Country Ribs.  As the name suggests, Ribs are their speciality served with a variety of sauces, including Guinness curry!  For curry lovers, opposite the Albir Playas Hotel and Spa, is an Indian restaurant called Haweli which has a great Sunday buffet, served in a lovely atmosphere. 

Close by is Gran Chino Wok, where raw food is displayed for you to choose.  You place the items you would like to eat on a plate and then take them to the chef who will then cook it in front of you with your chosen sauce, placing them on a clean plate.

Albir is split into two sections, one housing the beach area and one housing the older style Spanish shops and the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall).  Restaurants near the Town Hall are not so abundant, but the Pizza4u offers Skandinavian style pizzas, served on tables with red check table cloths.  As it is set on a main road (not exactly busy), the best time to visit it is winter, when everyone huddles indoors from the increasingly cold Spanish weather.

The two bedroom villa we purchased was situated on "The Hill", at the end of the cul de sac known as Carrer Alcatras, a 15 minute walk from the local shops and a Blue Flag pebbled beach.  It seemed so peaceful, the only sounds being those of the neighbours'  car on the gravel road, or the chirruping birds singing.

The villa itself was on the small side and in need of modernisation, but it was affordable and came fully furnished, as do many properties in Spain.   The furniture had seen better days, but was good enough to start with, especially if we decided to rent the property.  There wasn't a swimming pool, but plenty of spaces to put one later on. 

The bathroom was mid blue with an old fashioned suite and tiny tiles.

The white kitchen had seen better days but would suffice.  The windows, although wooden, at least had mosquito nets, blinds and security grills.  There was a small terrace outside the kitchen suitable for breakfast-a-deux overlooking the palm tree beside the front gate, as well as the Puig Campana mountain in the distance.  The sun would set behind the mountain, offering a magnificent view to share with an evening drink.

There was no air conditioning or central heating but in our innocence, we thought them unnecessary.  After all, there was a lovely open fireplace in the lounge for cool winter nights.  It was only when we spent our first winter in situ, shivering with an old fur coat doubling up as an extra bedcover, that we realised Spain can get really cold.