Is any body else struggling after the move from the uk, not being able to see family? - Page 2

I have just moved to Spain & with restrictions in the UK I have been unable to see my eldest son since November.   Restrictions are so strict in certain areas you would not be able to see your family.  It is a horrible situation but with the vaccine there is hope ahead.

I have a video call with my son & 3 sisters it was lovely.  Try that, agreed there is nothing like a hug but to see their faces as well as hear there voices is some comfort.

Take care

Hi there. It’s the same for me too, for years I wanted to move to Moraira and I know I’m so lucky to be here but I haven’t seen my mum, son my in laws for a year, due to this awful virus . Our two other children with their families managed to get out in the Summer as they drove here. It’s so lonely without seeing our children and family . Sometimes I get that feeling, that I wish I hadn’t moved here. I know it’s just the situation at the moment , but I do so miss them . 

Hi Natalie 24, 

Your post caught my eye and I was interested to read the replies also.

We moved to Spain lock, stock and barrel in March last year and are here permanently now.

The day our removals lorry arrived at our new place the lockdown in Spain was announced.

All family and friends who had made arrangements to visit have been cancelled due to the “C word”

A large part of our decision to move to Spain was that we were only 2 1/2 hours away from getting back to U.K. if we needed to (family emergencies etc) and we would be easily accessible for our 3 children and grandchildren to visit fairly often - even if just for a long week end.

We became grand parents for the second time in June and we haven’t even seen our new grand daughter  yet and we jokingly say that the first time we meet her in person, she will walk up to us 🤣🤣

This situation is challenging, to say the least. We all feel that we have had our freedom taken away from us but we are all in the same boat.

I found myself quite down about it for a while anxiety seemed to come and go in waves but came to the conclusion that I just had to “put my big girl pants on” and think of all the positives (not always easy, I know) I look for gratitude every day and always go through a gratitude list before going to bed.

FaceTime and zoom are both amazing, we have a family zoom including quiz every week end in order to keep in contact with my 89 year old and partially sighted mum, who lives alone in warden assisted accommodation.

Oxford owl is a website that you can read and share stories with grandchildren - it’s very easy to use and great.

I’m not sure how long you have been here - if not that long then I would reserve judgement about where you live for the moment as these are not “normal times”

If you feel that you need someone to chat to, you are most welcome to private message me and we can take it from there. I am a retired Nurse and midwife of 44 years (I retired just in time! - I realise that is a very selfish comment) and, of course would respect your confidentiality.

If you need someone to chat to, please just ask, better than bottling things up.

I have also just signed up to the Facebook page mentioned in one of your replies 😁

Things will get better, 

Take care

Paddy

Welcome to the Facebook group 'Calm, Confident and Resilient', Paddy! I hope you'll enjoy being a member.

Rose

Hi, completely understand how you feel. It will be 3 years this April since I’ve seen my family. I’m missing them so much it actually hurts. FaceTime is great, but nothing like having a hug from your Sons or little arms around your neck. 3 Granddaughters getting bigger everyday, and the situation not getting any better. Roll on when this damn nightmare is well and truly over. Stay strong lovely, stay safe. We can do this ❤️❤️

I think some of us had a little bad spell while the weather was particularly bad in January. I know I did. After about 11 days of howling wind and cold nights I had a "low" day and I'm sure many felt the same around then. It felt far worse than the first strict lockdown when we were pretty much confined to home and supermarket when we at least had good weather.

Making things a little worse is the news that the vaccination program here is slow due to procurement, meaning that our families in the UK will be vaccinated before we are, and I for one won't be travelling until 2 weeks after the first shot in the arm, so freedom still feels a long way off, which continues to be frustrating. 

But... darkness is falling later every day, temperatures will continue to rise, and we will see more sun hours than the UK can dream of. 

I read on el Pais today that they think the worst of the 3rd wave is over, so maybe slowly we are heading in the right direction. It wont be long before bars and restaurants reopen and we can meet old friends or make new ones.

It's very difficult being separated from family for so long, a real trial, but keep the faith everyone, better days are ahead of us and hopefully we will look back in years to come and ask ourselves how we did it.

Steve

Stay strong. For many in the uk, the situation is very similar. Some areas have had restrictions that have prevented them seeing family because they are outside the area. My brother has only managed to see his new first grandchild once because either they or his sons family were in lockdown. Even then it was in a public park and they couldn’t touch. I know the distance makes it harder and being recently moved doesn’t help but many of us older ones in the uk are just as lonely. I’m glad you’ve got a dog, mine are a great comfort to me

Thank you, I have hope, it keeps me going ❤️

Hi. I know how you must feel, but I'm stuck in the uk, and my partner is In Torrevieja. I had to pop back to the uk urgently at the end of last year with the hope of returning within the first /second week of January. Unfortunately with all the restrictions in place, I cannot get back. To had to the issue that I have, is that we have sold our property and the new buyer's wanting to move in. I've been trying to look at way's to get back, but france is saying that you have to isolate for 7 day's on arrival. We also have our dog and personal belongings that we need to pack. If anyone can help with info regarding transiting France I would be very grateful. 

Hopefully, we will all be able to see our loved ones soon. 

Stay safe. 

Steve 

I moved out here in August (after completing my purchase in April) to an older and much bigger property than I had in the UK, which sits in a 5,500 sq metre plot of land

Friends and family were all booked to come over to help with jobs to the house and garden that i thought were needed. This hasn't been possible of course.

However, I would have rushed changes in the house that I would have regretted making. I now like the layout of my home (its no longer a house), as it makes sense logically. There are a few jobs where a little reconstruction will be required, but will take only a couple of days to do start to finish (using a local and knowledgeable builder). 

I have tackled the garden with a few hours advice from a professional gardener, and a local farmer and his tractor regraded the garden very quickly.

I consider myself lucky that i am suffering here. I could easily be stuck in the UK where seeing my family and friends would be no easier due to lockdown and being sensible. Plus i would have been really bored, with little to do. Surpringly, the garden does not take up much of my time now, and is easy to maintain. Much easier than managing the lawn at the house i had in the UK.

Plus i can get out and about on my motorbikes. Just take a flask with me, and enjoy the great roads and beautiful views everywhere. Shame i cannot stop at somewhere for coffee and to practice my poor Spanish, but that is all to come, and soon i hope.