I’d planned this post months ago, and I was intending to give a list of things I will and wont miss about Spain. Unfortunately Alan got the before me, so I’ll skip that. Besides, one can’t really predict what one will miss… I’ll have to wait and see. First impressions having returned home though, are that people are courteous when driving and mopeds are actually quiet.

My last week in the office was pretty hectic, mainly sorting my own stuff out. Despite the leaving parties, last pub quiz and packing it didn’t really feel as though I was leaving after four fantastic years in Madrid. In fact, it wasn’t until Philippe left after saying goodbye and left on Thursday evening in the office that it really struck me how much of a change I’m making.

The drive home was fun, but again it wasn’t until we arrived in Harrow that I began to realise what I was doing. The miserable weekend traffic jams in South Ruislip sent me into a panic. I hadn’t even arrived back to harrow and I was starting to think about what I’d just given up.

Reading over a particular post on Philippe’s blog warmed me, and I must say I feel extremely lucky to have passed the last four years as I have. I’ve had a comfortable relaxed working environment and I’ve been able to enjoy a good standard of living in Madrid. I’ve traveled both in Spain and further afield but best of all, I’ve made some amazing friends. I’ve been told this before, but now I believe it for myself. It is the people you meet and the friends you make that truly make you happy.