A new body clock
If you really plan to join in with the Spanish then you’ll have to start considering that the time you are hearing ‘last orders’ in the UK is roughly the time of night that you’ll be just starting your Spanish evening.

Things happen later here so when someone asks you to come along and see a live band perform, don’t plan on eating your dinner by 6.30 and getting out of the door by eight o’clock. No here in Spain things tend to be just warming up around midnight and into full swing by the early hours. So grab a siesta and then a fiesta!

A barometer
Probably, you’d have thought that you won’t be needing any of that stuff cluttering up the hallway of your new property in Spain just because it’s nearly always sunny here. Bring it over and see how long it lasts because after about a month of looking at it and the little arrow always pointing to ‘sunny’ you’re going to think it’s broken anyway!

What you will learn to appreciate in Spain is that when the Spanish talk about the weather it is a very short conversation indeed. It goes something like this,
Brit: ‘Hi, looks like rain towards the end of the week.’
Spaniard: ‘Sunny today, adios.’
All that matters in Spain is what the weather is like now, a short comment such as, ‘what a lovely day’, and that’ll do – so you’ll save on words too!

The kettle
Ok, this one may be a little controversial to Brits but you really are going to be spending a whole lot more time outdoors when you move to a new home in Spain. That’s the life, outside on the terrace, with friends or perhaps at a café bar supping the superb coffee on offer here – far more sociable don’t you think. Plus it’s cheap (around 1€ a cup) and…the added benefit of less tannin in your diet means you’re allowed to drink more wine! Ok I made that last bit up but there’s bound to be a report somewhere that back that claim, so just enjoy! But for that morning cuppa, again on the terrace, watching the sun come up to warm the day (yet again) a kettle is a must have.

The language
Ok, you don’t need to be hitting the ground running (although the way the budget flights are cutting back we may well be doing that soon as the plane lands…) but it is worth taking the time out to learn a few key phrases that’ll help you get along such as, ‘I’m looking for…’ and ‘where is the nearest hospital’ and of course ‘another round please’. But in all seriousness, you can survive with very little Spanish here but why not learn a little more and see how a whole new culture opens up for you?

A good barbecue
Agreed this probably isn’t on most peoples’ ‘Ten things you need while in Spain’ lists, but I’m the writer of this piece so I get to choose and a barbecue, in my humble opinion, is as important in Spain as having an oven. During the summer months many people tend to cook outside every evening and having a good barbecue on which to pile the meats (a local fish don’t forget) means you can have the neighbours and friends around whenever you want, not just on those special occasions that need planning.

The beach bag
We all have them. Any expat (or any nationality come to that) has one; ready prepared and available at a moment’s notice. Similar in importance (to expats) as the briefcase that Obama carries the nuclear codes in, the beach bag is at hand and can be grabbed and thrown into the boot of the car (along with the kids…although they go in the seating area normally) and the family can hit the beach without a moments preparation.

Inside, sun creams, trunks, towels, water, toys, books and crisps (well that’s our beach bag anyway) mean that we are fully prepared every time the moment arrives to hit the beach.

A relaxed disposition
If the plumber turning up an hour late is annoying then you’re going to have to get used to some serious relaxing! It happens all the time here and as you watch another expat screaming and shouting down the phone as his face turns red, you’ll be the one not worrying whether the plumber turns up to fix that leaking shower today, tomorrow or even the day after. The fact that he’s coming at some point will be suffice.

A healthy appetite
They like to eat in Spain and ten courses for a meal can be common. A meal, every meal is an occasion in Spain and therefore needs time to be spent enjoying it (and time to consume the food mountains that will be brought to your table is essential too!). and by a ‘healthy’ appetite I mean just that as the Spanish diet is one of the healthiest in the world and at the same time one of the most delicious ion my opinion. Fresh-caught fish griddled in a little olive oil and salt is superb at any time of the day (or night). Eat well and eat healthy – in Spain you get to do both!

A folder
Sounds a bit dull I know but Spain is a country that likes its administration work – and they like to create a lot of it. I included this because one of the best bits of advice I received when I came to Spain was to keep every bit of paperwork, and keep it where I could easily find it because you will need it, at some point some obscure piece of paper with an official stamp on it will be asked for and if you’ve got it all in one place it makes your expat experience very simple indeed.

A good pair of legs
Now you don’t have to have the pins of a supermodel nor those of Senor Beckham (for the fellas I mean) but if you really are to enjoy Spain – you need to get out and about, and that means a stroll along the prom, a morning/evening walk along a deserted beach or perhaps an amble into your local Spanish village to sample the food and wine. For most of the year an evening walk is possible every day and Spain offers plenty of options in ‘getting some fresh air’.

What better way to enjoy the seaside, countryside or mountain sides or your local area – you get to meet more people, enjoy the last rays of the day and, of course, reward yourself with a glass or two of wine safe in the knowledge that you’re not driving.

Paul Payne works for Spanish property company MASA International who provide advice and assistance to anyone looking for a property in Spain whether it be for a full-time move or for a holiday home

Email: paul@masainternational.com
Website: www.masainternational.com