If only I had the moxie to pack it all up and move to the destination of my dreams, I'd find myself in one of the gloriously celebrated villages of Europe. Instead, I live vicariously through people like Vicky and Joe Twead.
As Joe was preparing for retirement and looking forward to napping his afternoons away in his UK home, Vicky announces she wants to wrap up their British life with a nice little bow and move to Southern Spain. After much grumbling from Joe, Vicky's nagging won out. Fortunately for the rest of us, Vicky documents the experience with rib-splitting humor from beginning to end.
While the journey is not smooth, Vicky has a way of keeping tenseful situations of culture shock humerous. A good lesson for all of us, really. She introduces us to colorful characters, both animals and humans. Neurotic chickens, some with the utmost in irreverent names, become their pets. Eccentric neighbors who don't speak a lick of English become their best buds. And an 85-year-old weed-smoking Brit woman with a penchant for booze is their area expert when they get stuck or in a bind.
What starts out as a 5-year experiment to fix up a house in Spain, turns into a beautiful lifestyle where an endearing couple are accepted with open arms by strangers.
Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools reads like a conversation with a dear old friend sharing a few laughs and dreams. I highly recommend it.
Oh yea, Vicky includes a bonus: dozens of yummy-sounding recipes from the area. Can't wait to try a few!
