We didn't have that much to pack really. The furniture stayed apart from the odd bit. Lucy's sister promised to take good care of the place and drove us to the airport in the early morning mist. It felt like the start of an adventure and I'm sure my wife was secretly looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.

It felt a bit strange handing over our one-way tickets at the airport and there was a little bit of reflection and emotion as the ground got smaller beneath us. I recouped some of the lost sleep on the way whilst Lucy went through a Spanish phrase book, waking me up every now and then to ask me the way to the police station in dodgy Spanish.

We touched down and went to collect our luggage. My wife's case came round soon enough but I couldn't work out why mine had not at least been near hers. Sure enough, as the odd sorry looking unclaimed bag did it's lonely laps round the carosuel I gave up and reported it to customer services. They apologised and asked me for the address where I was staying. They promised that my clothes would be with me within 24 hours....48 at most.

I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders at my wife who was off in the distance seeking out perfume from the airport shop. It wouldn't have been so bad but I'd spilt Pepsi down my shirt and shorts during a bumpy spell on the plane...I looked a bit of a mess.

As we went through customs we saw Isabel waiting for us. I introduced my wife and our driver took our bag. I could see her looking at the stains on my shirt and shorts...I didn't know enough Spanish to try and explain.

"just one bag?" she asked

"yep...there was a mix u....yeah...just the one"

I knew my Spanish was going to have to get a whole lot better if I was to survive out here.

We stepped out to the car pick up area and were greeted with windswept rain in the face.

As we drove away a flash of lightning lit the rain filled sky

I was scared to even look at my wife's face...her summer dress already drenched.

"If I wanted rain I could have stayed in England" she said through gritted teeth.

Isabel smiled politely. "welcome to Spain" she said, trying to help.

I just stared at the embarrassing stain on my shorts.

Things could only get better.