Finally see with my own eyes In our previous blog, we wrote about the minor disappointment caused by the necessary amendment to the permit application. Fortunately, a lot has happened since then, and we can provide a positive update on that. Back home, we had already regularly received photos of the progress. That is great, of course, but ultimately you still want to see it with your own eyes. That is why we drove straight from the airport to Macisvenda. It was quite exciting

Dreams are increasingly taking shape. Last weekend, it happened again. A few days in Spain to see the progress of Casa de la Almendra with my own eyes. By now, it also feels more and more like we are looking towards our future going home. And this time was perhaps extra special... On Friday morning, we departed from Rotterdam on a truly special aircraft. We flew on Transavia's retro version. A beautiful, almost new Airbus finished in the classic colors of the past. A nice sur

On May 21, 2026, we went to Spain again for a short while. This time together with our friends Arie and Jantine. A short trip from Thursday to Saturday evening, but we enjoyed it so much again. Actually, we mainly wanted to take a break, show the surroundings, and of course feel again why this region stole our hearts. And let's be honest… every time we come back, that feeling only gets stronger. Setting off early for Spain The alarm went off very early on Thursday morning. Bu

The dream is increasingly taking shape in Macisvenda. We are now back in the Netherlands and look back on a special week in Spain. A week in which everything became a bit more concrete again. We arrived early on Monday morning, April 20, and were immediately welcomed by beautiful weather. Temperatures that felt good right away and that typical Spanish light. As always, we stayed with Dick and Evelien in Hondon de las Nieves, our regular spot. It was super cozy, and by now it

We are back after a few days in Macisvenda. Back in the Netherlands…but actually still completely there. In Spain. In that place where the days feel different. Quieter. Lighter. Where 12 degrees is suddenly warm enough. Where you just sit outside in your shorts and shirt. In the sun. With a glass of wine. And think… yes, this is it. Over the past few days, we have walked around the grounds a lot. Not in a hurry, and not with a rigid plan in mind. Quite the opposite. Just qu

In our previous blog post, we wrote that we were trying to slow down and embrace the mañana-mañana feeling. However, our patience was tested shortly afterward. We received word that the start of construction will likely be delayed by two months due to permitting. Just like in the Netherlands, formal approval will still be the determining factor for the schedule. That's a bit of a shift, but it's part of building in another country. Construction may start a little later, but w

Next Thursday, February 12, 2026, it's that time again: we're off to our future destination in Spain. The prospect alone is energizing. The forecast is for around twenty degrees Celsius and sunshine, exactly that mild Mediterranean weather we're longing for. Yet, this trip feels different from the last. More so than ever. Over the past few weeks, we received the final drawings. No more sketches or general impressions, but plans that are accurate down to the last detail. Since

Sometimes a new life doesn't start with a plan, but with a feeling. For us, it started with a longing for peace, for space and for a place where we can live life the way it feels right for us — outside, in the sun, surrounded by nature. This is how the idea for Casa de la Almendra was born . A dream that grew into a concrete adventure: building our lives in Macisvenda, in the region of Murcia (Spain) . Why there? Macisvenda is a small village nestled between mountains and

A chapter closed, a new beginning in sight Some moments feel bigger than they appear on paper. Today was one of those days. Today we signed the sales contract for our house, together with the buyers and Eddy Veth from Kooyman in Papendrecht. A formal moment, captured with signatures, but with a clear emotional charge. Joy, pride, gratitude, and also the realization that we are letting go of something that has long been our foundation. This house was more than just bricks an