Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 5 years.  People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories.  

This month’s interview is my very first ‘couples’ interview with Amanda and Colin Green.  They bought their holiday home in 2004 and came to live in GA permanently in 2018. 

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO GA?

Colin “We bought a holiday home off plan in 2004 after visiting the area on a viewing trip.  The location close to the beach and the proximity to the airport appealed to us.  We would come out as often as possible sometimes every 6 weeks from Friday to Sunday as flights were very reasonable and we were able to enjoy the beautiful weather.”

Amanda “We decided there was more to life than working all the time and Colin suffered from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).  I stopped working in May 2018 and Colin sold his business in June.  We went on a cruise to the Greek Islands and Croatia then drove to our new life in Spain with our dog Enzo.   

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE BEFORE GA?

Amanda “I trained as a medical secretary and worked my way up the ranks in the NHS to PA to the Chief Executive, Outpatients Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager in Imaging and finally Divisional Governance & Quality Manager.  

I worked at hospitals in Stoke, Chester and Stafford from 1985-2018 for almost 33 years.  I saw a lot of changes in the NHS and a lot of working practises which came round full circle.” 

Colin “I trained as a Chef initially then my career changed direction when I trained as an electrician.  I worked for various companies before setting up my own Electrical installation company which I ran for 16 years”. 

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAMILY

Amanda “We have a daughter Rachel.  She is getting married in August this year so our goal is to get in great shape for her wedding.  Enzo our dog, who was originally our daughter’s dog, will be coming to the wedding and will be Rachel’s ring bearer.”

HOW DID YOU MEET AND WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION?

Amanda “We met in Stoke at a 5-aside footie tournament organised by the hospital I worked at.  We were married 18 months later in June 1987.  

I thought Colin was very handsome and confident when I first saw him.”

Colin “My first impression of Amanda was, WOW!”

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT EACH OTHER?

Amanda “What I love about Colin is he is 100% genuine.  He is totally honest and true.”

Colin “That’s a difficult one as there is so many things, but probably the fact we get along so easily.  We very rarely argue and are happy in each other’s company.”

HOW DO YOU KEEP BUSY?

Amanda “We both attend Spanish classes at the Milky Way Academy at Santara Resort.  We have been learning Spanish since we first moved here.  We felt it was important for us to integrate into the community.  I do Yoga with Katrin twice a week and fitness classes with GA BootCamps twice a week to keep in shape.  Sometimes we are like passing ships in the night.  We love our food.  We enjoy cooking together but also enjoy going to our favourite restaurants Patagonia Steak House in Sierra Mar, La Paletta and Ceilo Lago and also further afield.

Colin “As well as our Spanish classes I attend two intercambio meetings to practise my conversational Spanish at The Social Hub and Milky Way Academy.  I did my Scuba Diving Rescue Diver qualification, we tried the paragliding here in GA, and we have enjoyed organised sailing trips and the 22km downhill bike ride.  To relax, I love chilling in the Jacuzzi on our roof terrace.

We love nothing better than packing up a picnic, couple of chairs and a table and our dog Enzo and going off exploring our beautiful surroundings.  We use the Turismo Costa Blanca Facebook page gives lots of ideas on beautiful places to visit.”

COLIN WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF YOUR COMMUNITY?

Colin “I was asked by the previous President if I would consider talking over the role.  Eventually I agreed when the previous President could no longer commit to the role due to his growing business, I decided to help in July 2021.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR ROLE AS PRESIDENT OF YOUR COMMUNITY?

Colin “Dealing with a multi-national community and keeping everyone happy.  We have holiday homeowners and people who live here all year round who have different opinions on how things should be.  Thankfully, the previous President had everything organised already so it made my transition into the role very easy.”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN GA?

“We love learning the language and embracing the Spanish outdoor lifestyle and most importantly the blue sky and sunshine.  It is good for the soul.”

Thank you Amanda & Colin