E-GALLERY

Doncaster Rugby Photo's

Welcome to the Donny Online interview with Chris O'Brien, a former Doncastrian who was born in Kirk Sandall but moved to Spain in 2005 to set up a new business and life out on the Mediterranean.

Donny: What do you do for a living?

Chris: My wife works for Spa La Manga Club at La Manga Golf Resort where the English Football team goes, plus all stars. She is the Assistant Director of the Spa, and she enjoys working there a lot. Jane used to teach Beauty Therapy at Oracle Training Consultants in the Market Place above Kwik Save.

We have a 9 year old daughter called Charlotte, that used to go Canon Pophan School in Kirk Sandall and now goes to an all Spanish school here and is now fluent in Spanish.

I am just setting up a small property business here, www.soldreamproperties.com. I am an agent for about 5 of the best property developers in the area. I sell properties from only 88,000 euro up to 1.4 million euros.

Donny: Your wife should scout for Doncaster Rovers. What's the local entertainment like out there?

Chris: The local entertainment is good where we are. Plenty of pubs, restaurants, karaoke, shows, etc.

Donny: What made you move abroad in the first place?

Chris: We decided to move abroad because we were fed up of the rat race in the UK. I was a driving Instructor for 21 years, and I worked a lot of hours each week. This meant that when I would come home after work, my daughter would be in bed, and I would only see my wife for a few hours. We wanted more family time together, quality time. Why make money if you don't have the time to spend it?

Now, we spend quality time together. We go out several times in the week, as a family. We go to the beach, and of course spend time as a family around the pool.

Donny: What are your fondest memories of Doncaster?

My fondest memories of Doncaster are nipping into Cooplands and having a Bacon Butty. Man I miss that!

I like Doncaster town centre, think its a brill shopping place compared to ours here. I miss my friends and family as well. When I am in England on holiday I enjoy going round the areas that I used to teach, and seeing the changes. Yes, I miss it.

Donny: Do you ever come back?

Chris: We come back to the UK now and again for short visits. To be honest though, we have our family come over here a lot, so we tend to spend a lot of quality time with them rather than a hour or two now and again like we did when we lived in Doncaster.

Donny: Have you used Doncaster Airport yet?

Chris: No, I haven't used Doncaster Airport, but I am really excited about doing.

Donny: Do you miss the great British weather at all?

Chris: I do miss the British weather a little, but hey, when I drive on the coast road and look at the sea glittering, boats sailing, and the sun shining, then it makes me smile, and I ask myself, "Am I really here"?

Donny: Have you ever met fellow Doncastrians out in Spain?

Chris: I have met a couple of people from Doncaster at our local Airport. I bumped in to Andy a driving Instructor from Doncaster, and a girl I knew from Bentley whilst she was on Holiday. We speak to friends on MSN a lot also.

Donny: Do you have any advice for people thinking about moving to Spain?

Chris: Learn the language a little first. We had a basic knowledge before we came over. We had Spanish lessons in Doncaster for 1 1/2 years before we moved over. Do your research on the areas before you move. Only buy property through good companies. We have learnt from our mistakes, and I hope I can now show potential property buyers how to avoid the pitfalls.

You only live once, live it to the full!

Thanks to Chris for this interview, you can contact Chris through his web site, and don't forget to tell him where you read about him!

We're looking for new features, articles, and news stories written by budding Doncastrians - send to us here.