Construction update June 2026
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 surprise to start our journey.
Upon arrival at Alicante Airport, we picked up the rental car and, after doing some grocery shopping, drove towards Dick and Evelien. By now, it almost feels like coming home. Their faithful four-legged friend Rocko also greeted us enthusiastically once again. A delicious homemade lasagna was waiting for us, and while enjoying a drink, we had an incredibly pleasant evening. It remains remarkable how people you haven't known for very long can still feel so familiar.
The first activities
The next morning was the moment we had been looking forward to immensely.
Contractor José Antonio Ruiz had started the first work on our site.
That was so special to see.
Because all the weeds had been removed and the large piles of rubble cleared away, the plot suddenly seemed much larger than we remembered. Only when everything is clean do you really get a sense of the space. Of course, we also immediately saw that such a large site will require quite a bit of maintenance... but we are happy to accept that.
Perhaps the best part is that you can visualize how everything will turn out better and better. In your mind, you can already picture the camper pitches, the casita, the swimming pool, and the outdoor kitchen perfectly. Every time, the picture becomes just a little bit more complete.
Naturally, we also sent the drone up into the air again. Every time, it provides a completely different perspective. Only from the air do you truly see how vast the site is and how beautifully it is situated in the landscape. Moreover, the footage helps us to further refine the future layout.
We hope to be able to map out the camper pitches even more accurately with the help of these drone images, so that everything ends up in exactly the right place.
New neighbors
While we were standing on the property, a car pulled up. It turned out that the plot directly next to ours had since been sold. We met our future neighbors. We had a pleasant chat, exchanged phone numbers, and immediately established a nice first connection. We consider that incredibly important. A beautiful place is valuable, but ultimately, having nice people around you is what truly makes it complete.
Choosing a color... and unexpected news
On Friday afternoon, we had an appointment with contractor José Antonio Ruiz.
We looked at various coping stones for the wall surrounding the property and were also shown color samples for the exterior facade. Fortunately, we do not have to make a final choice yet, but our preference at the moment is for the color Perla.
It is a warm, soft beige shade that blends beautifully with the natural colors of the surroundings. Not too white, so that the facade retains a calm appearance in the bright Spanish sun, but not too dark either.
In combination with the anthracite-colored sliding gate, pedestrian door, and frames, we expect a beautiful and timeless contrast. Together with the almond trees and the rural character of the surroundings, we believe this will be exactly the look we envision.
Then, unfortunately, came less good news.
José Antonio Ruiz explained that the permit application needs to be amended in one respect. That was, of course, quite a disappointment. Fortunately, he, our lawyer Lana, and real estate agent Cindy all expect this to be resolved within approximately three weeks. We are confident that the work that can be carried out in the meantime will also proceed.
After the initial disappointment, we put everything back into perspective.
Of course you're bummed for a moment.
But ultimately, this changes nothing about our ultimate goal.
We are not building for next week.
We are building a place where we will be able to live, work, and enjoy ourselves for years to come. That bigger picture helps enormously to put these kinds of setbacks into perspective.
Gaining inspiration
Naturally, we couldn't resist visiting a tile shop again. In Orihuela, we looked at beautiful tiles, bathrooms, and kitchens. We are in no rush at all to make choices. Quite the opposite.
We want to take our time to think everything through. Smart solutions such as pharmacy cabinets, practical corner cabinets, and other handy layouts consistently generate new ideas. Every time, we take something home to think about further.
An added bonus was that the kitchen builder from Hondón de las Frailes, who will soon be making our indoor kitchens, also provides complete outdoor kitchens. This aligns perfectly with the plans we had already developed further at home. We looked at the site to see where the outdoor kitchen will be positioned, and to be honest, our enthusiasm only grew.
Moreover, during a visit to the neighbors, we received a great tip. Make the window in the outdoor kitchen openable and closable. This creates a lovely natural airflow on warm days. You only get such a practical tip from people who really know the area. We are definitely going to do something with that.
Murcia is so beautiful in June...
It surprises us all over again every time.
Many people associate Southern Spain with a dry and barren landscape. Of course, much less rain falls here than in the Netherlands, but nature has fully adapted to the climate. It is precisely because of this that you see so many different types of vegetation that thrive here. Flowers were in bloom everywhere, and we saw beautiful colors.
What also strikes us every time is the lovely breeze that almost always seems to be blowing. Not a strong wind, but a pleasantly cooling breeze. Combined with the low humidity, this makes the heat feel much more pleasant than many people expect. Of course, it is warm, but very different from the stuffy heat we sometimes experience in the Netherlands.
Forest fire nearby
Yet we also saw how vulnerable nature is here.
Only a few days before we arrived, a forest fire had broken out about five kilometers from our site.
Fortunately, the fire was quickly brought under control thanks to a massive effort by approximately 150 people, including firefighters, forest fire fighters, and volunteers.
Multiple helicopters were also deployed that
continuously threw water on the fire.
It is at moments like these that you truly realize how important good organization is. In the Murcia region, this is done through Infomurplan, the emergency and control plan for forest fires.
It made a great impression on us. We hope that in the future, in whatever way, we too can dedicate ourselves to this community.
Of course, also enjoy
A visit to Spain is, of course, not complete without good food.
In Hondón de las Nieves, we thoroughly enjoyed various Spanish tapas at La Perla. And while you're there, a nice drink is naturally a must. It is precisely these little moments that make a weekend like this complete.
Tomorrow
During this trip, we learned perhaps the most beautiful Spanish lesson so far.
"Mañana" literally means "morning".
But in Spain, it often means much more than that. Sometimes it simply means: "not today." And that certainly doesn't mean that it will happen tomorrow.
It is a different way of life. Less planning, less rushing, and a bit more trust that things will eventually work out. We down-to-earth Dutch people sometimes still have to get used to that a little.
Wanting to be a good neighbor
During our visit, we realized once again how important it is not only to create a beautiful place for our guests, but also to be a pleasant neighbor to the people who live here.
During our conversations, we noticed that local residents primarily hope that the peace and quiet in the area will be preserved. We understand that very well. Among other things, the access road to our site was discussed. It is approximately three hundred meters long. Although it is paved, traffic can still cause some dust during dry periods.
That conversation actually confirmed exactly why we opted for a small-scale concept from the very beginning.
Not a large camper park with a high turnover of guests, but only a limited number of spacious pitches where peace and quality are paramount. We are therefore considering making advance reservations mandatory and implementing a minimum stay.
We also want to work with a minimum stay for our guesthouse. Not because we want to sell as many nights as possible, but precisely because we believe that guests who stay a little longer experience more peace and quiet, really get to know the area, and that there is much less traffic. That is pleasant for our guests, for the neighborhood, and for ourselves.
It is incredibly important to us to be a good neighbor. We want to be not only proud of Casa de la Almendra, but also known as people who respect their surroundings. That is why we enjoy listening to the experiences and ideas of the people who live here, and we consciously choose to work as much as possible with local entrepreneurs, suppliers, and craftsmen. In this way, we hope to truly become part of this beautiful community.
We expect the same attitude from our guests. We consider respect for peace and quiet, nature, and the people who live here at least as important as a beautiful view or a nice camper pitch. It is precisely this mutual respect that should ensure Casa de la Almendra becomes a place where everyone feels comfortable.
Concluding together
We wrapped up Saturday evening with a barbecue at Dick and Evelien's. Catching up one last time together about everything we had seen, learned, and experienced.
As if that wasn't enough, Dick also surprised us with a special homemade dessert. He had cut enormous lemons in half, extracted the juice and pulp, and used the peels as natural bowls. He filled these with a creamy combination of mascarpone, fresh lemon juice, and red fruits.
A beautiful dessert to look at, deliciously fresh in taste, and perfectly fitting for the Mediterranean setting we were in. Sometimes it is precisely those small, simple moments that make a weekend complete.
And before we knew it, the alarm was ringing early again on Sunday morning. Within two hours of flying, we were already back at Rotterdam Airport.
We look back on a special weekend. A weekend with great steps, new insights, a minor setback, lots of inspiration, and above all, the confirmation once again that with every journey, we get a little closer to our dream.
Every trip makes that dream a little more concrete. Sometimes with a minor setback, but much more often with new ideas, wonderful encounters, and the confirmation that Casa de la Almendra will soon become exactly the place we have envisioned for so long.
Fortunately, we are going back in July. We will stay a little longer then because of the summer holidays. We already can't wait to see what steps have been taken by then.
Warm regards from Nathalie and Richard
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