Posts by Joe Grundy

never was a jw, but been here long enough to have made some friends and respect opinions.. retired in 2004, lived in cyprus 2005-2010. back here in wales since then.. just back from a holiday in france (most recent of many).

love the country, the lifestyle, can get by in the language.. just seen an advert for a country estate (british-owned) they want someone to live on site, do a bit of handyman stuff, etc., look after (mainly brit) holiday visitors in return for zero rent (only utitlties).

family would be abe to come and stay for free.

Joe Grundy

And a further update.

Just spoke to xw#1. She is contemplating buying a house in France, would be a bit complicated, etc. But - if I was to rent it from her for the half-year she'd need to be in the UK working, win all round, I think. Maybe a solution is in sight.

49

Contemplating a Major Life Change.

by Joe Grundy in

jw
friends

never was a jw, but been here long enough to have made some friends and respect opinions.. retired in 2004, lived in cyprus 2005-2010. back here in wales since then.. just back from a holiday in france (most recent of many).

love the country, the lifestyle, can get by in the language.. just seen an advert for a country estate (british-owned) they want someone to live on site, do a bit of handyman stuff, etc., look after (mainly brit) holiday visitors in return for zero rent (only utitlties).

family would be abe to come and stay for free.

Joe Grundy

'Go for it; then I a point of contact for a visit. BTW, I'm a Grundy, or will be again in about a month when my divorce is final and I take back my maiden name. My grandfather was from Bristol.'

My user name is taken from the grumpy old bugger in 'The Archers', the BBC world's longest running soap opera.

Congrats on your divorce. I've had two, and they were life-changing in a good way.

49

Contemplating a Major Life Change.

by Joe Grundy in

jw
friends

never was a jw, but been here long enough to have made some friends and respect opinions.. retired in 2004, lived in cyprus 2005-2010. back here in wales since then.. just back from a holiday in france (most recent of many).

love the country, the lifestyle, can get by in the language.. just seen an advert for a country estate (british-owned) they want someone to live on site, do a bit of handyman stuff, etc., look after (mainly brit) holiday visitors in return for zero rent (only utitlties).

family would be abe to come and stay for free.

Joe Grundy

'Did you say cheap cost of living?'

Well, in my limited experience, yes.

Apartment rent about €500 pcm, diesel €1.13 litre, property tax c. €100 pa, no income tax, cigs €2/20, food prices very reasonable, beer in a top-class hotel €3/500ml, etc. The average yearly salary is about €12,000 pa. So, yes I would say that the cost of living is cheap compared to UK, US, and most of Europe.

It's all subjective, of course, but superb steaks and several beers for two were €30. My morning cafe charged €2 for a double espresso and (a one-off treat) €4 for a very large cognac.

In the capital (full of designer shops) I bought two tee shirts and two polo shirts for €20.

49

Contemplating a Major Life Change.

by Joe Grundy in

jw
friends

never was a jw, but been here long enough to have made some friends and respect opinions.. retired in 2004, lived in cyprus 2005-2010. back here in wales since then.. just back from a holiday in france (most recent of many).

love the country, the lifestyle, can get by in the language.. just seen an advert for a country estate (british-owned) they want someone to live on site, do a bit of handyman stuff, etc., look after (mainly brit) holiday visitors in return for zero rent (only utitlties).

family would be abe to come and stay for free.

Joe Grundy

'Would you consider Cyprus again?'

No. It is a bankrupt, corrupt, third world country. I was lucky not to buy property there and get stuck (as so many are).

When I came back for visits home, people could not understand why a life of sun, sea, cold beer, etc., could pall - but it does. It turns into 'nothing else to do but to walk on the beach, then go to a bar, drink beer I really don't want and speak to fellow ex-pats I'd rather avoid.'

And. of course, you're living on an island. Only way on and off is by air - subject to air fares and a 20kg limit. No more of that for me, thanks.

8

Westboro Baptists to Protest ISIS

by JeffT in

jw
friends

get some popcorn, this might be entertaining.. .

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/22/this-should-go-well-westboro-baptist-church-says-its-going-to-iraq-to-protest-isis/.

Joe Grundy

It's an interesting point. If the Westboro loonies - or any other 'true believers' - really believed what they preached then of course they would go and take on muslim heretics head-on. The god in which they believe would protect them and prevail. So why aren't all the 'true believers' (the first white southern baptists etc., snake handlers, etc.) joining them?

Back to the Crusades, anybody?

Just goes to show, I suppose.

20

Anyone Else Havng Trouble Logging In Today?

by Joe Grundy in

or is it just me (again)?.

getting 'server not found' etc.

messages..

Joe Grundy

Or is it just me (again)?

Getting 'server not found' etc. messages.

16

I wonder if they disfellowshipped this guy

by kneehighmiah in

jw
friends

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/trial-halted-after-man-accused-7659735.

Joe Grundy

Can I make a guess that this is one 'Andre' experience that won't make it into the mags?

49

Contemplating a Major Life Change.

by Joe Grundy in

jw
friends

never was a jw, but been here long enough to have made some friends and respect opinions.. retired in 2004, lived in cyprus 2005-2010. back here in wales since then.. just back from a holiday in france (most recent of many).

love the country, the lifestyle, can get by in the language.. just seen an advert for a country estate (british-owned) they want someone to live on site, do a bit of handyman stuff, etc., look after (mainly brit) holiday visitors in return for zero rent (only utitlties).

family would be abe to come and stay for free.

Joe Grundy

Just back from a 10 day trip to Andorra to visit a friend. A superb country with much to commeend it. Stunning scenery, healthy living and a cheap cost of living.

Very tempted.