Product Description

High in the Spanish mountains, life at Casa Desolada is nothing if not fraught. Embattled and bemused, Nick Snelling, ex-soldier, antiques dealer, builder, legal executive, consultant, author, estate agent and equity trader has finally become an ex patriot. A doomed romantic, Nick lurches from the shortest TV career in media history to a disastrous attempt at becoming a wine merchant of fine Riojas. Along the way, he battles sex obsessed English language students, lethal barbecues, the temptation of topless beach beauties, the mysteries of Iberian building and the ultimate peril of a wife ruinously seduced by Spanish shopping. Meanwhile, Nick's attempts to impose Spanish patriarchal machismo upon his family repeatedly back-fire! Nick Snelling is a writer and professional journalist who lives with his wife and two children in the Valencian mountains of Spain. Learn more at www.nicholassnelling.com Margaret Denmark is a professional artist who lives in Spain with her partner who is also a painter. For many years she was an illustrator and her work appeared for the Radio Times amongst others.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #148574 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 180 pages

From the Back Cover
"A side-splitting account of life in Spain.

"Casa Desolada is rather a jolly place despite the author's attempts to convince us otherwise in this Brysonesque take on the lot of the beleaguered expat.

"An hilarious introduction to life in Spain and the disastrous goings-on in Casa Desolada. Recounted by Nick Snelling and wittily illustrated by Margaret Denmark this book is "Just William" in long trousers! Do read it."
- Herbert Wise Director of `I Claudius', `Rumpole of The Bailey', `Inspector Morse', `A Touch of Frost' and others...

About the Author
Nick Snelling is a writer and professional journalist who lives with his wife and two children in the Valencian mountains of Spain.

Margaret Denmark is a professional artist who lives in Spain with her partner who is also a painter. For many years she was an illustrator and her work appeared for the Radio Times amongst others.

Customer Reviews

A lighthearted look at life in Spain
Lighthearted and engaging, Nick Snelling's take on establishing a new life abroad will appeal to anyone who has dreamt of, or seriously considered, moving an entire family to start a new life in a new country. Nick comes across as a traditional Englishman whose take on life as an ex-pat leaves him at times bewildered both by the characters he meets and his long suffering family who have to tolerate his sometimes romantic and academic approach to everyday living. Nick brings to life the cultural and language frustrations in a series of humorous short stories which give the reader snap shots of his struggle to establish a home and provide for his family in the beautiful province of Valencia. An ideal book for anyone for enjoys the Mediterranean and an ideal holiday read.

Taking the heat
As a resident in the Valencia region I could totally relate to Nick's side splitting account of life as an expat. I could not put the book down. A must for anyone living in Spain or thinking of moving abroad.

Taking the Heat: An Expat Under Pressure
If you're thinking of moving to Spain you simply must read Nick's book before you go! This down to earth account of a new life in Spain will prepare you for some of the minor problems you are bound to encounter. A lighthearted but informative read.