The story of one couple’s move from the UK to live in the sun. From propositioning a builder, to battling bureaucracy, and adapting to a slower pace of life in the sunshine; this is the refreshingly honest and often hilarious account of one couple’s move from the rainy UK to the sunny Algarve in Portugal.
Alyson and Dave Sheldrake were determined to realise their dream of living abroad; so they ended their jobs, packed up everything they owned and moved to the Algarve to start a new life. Follow them as they battle with the Portuguese language, set up their own businesses, adopt a rescue dog and navigate the ‘expat’ world.
Part guidebook, mostly memoir; this book is for anyone who has ever wondered what moving abroad is really like; and is essential reading for anyone considering moving to Portugal.
CLICK HERE to purchase in paperback, Large Print Edition, and eBook version.
About the Author
Alyson Sheldrake was born in Birmingham in 1968. She has always loved art and painting, although she found little time for such pleasures, working full-time after graduation. She joined the Devon and Cornwall Police in 1992 and served for thirteen years, before leaving to work in the field of education. She became the Director of Education for the Church of England in Devon in 2008.
Once her husband Dave retired from the Police, their long-held dream of living in the sun could become a reality. Alyson handed in her notice, and with her dusty easel and set of acrylic paints packed and ready to move, they started their new adventure living in the beautiful Algarve in Portugal in 2011.
Alyson is the author of the award-winning and popular Algarve Blog, and has also been a keynote speaker for several years at the annual ‘Live and Invest in Portugal’ international conference.
She is now an accomplished and sought-after artist working alongside her husband Dave, a professional photographer. Being able to bring their much-loved hobbies and interests to life has been a wonderful bonus to their new life in the Algarve.
Her new book ‘Living the Dream’ is full of useful advice, enjoyable adventures and hilarious accounts of their Algarve life in the sun.
What other people are saying about ‘Living the Dream’
“An engaging and insightful memoir of one couple’s experience of moving from the UK to the Algarve. Alyson brings both of their personalities to the fore in her entertaining and helpful accounts of their journey, from their first holiday in the Algarve through to setting up their own businesses and creating a society for local artists that won her an entrepreneurial award.
Beginning with the agonies of finding and buying the perfect house then having to wait years until they could leave their jobs and make the final move, Alyson relates the challenges and the joys of discovering and becoming integrated into a new culture, getting things done, attempts at growing things and the genuine warmth and generosity of the Portuguese.
She shares her hilarious mistakes with learning Portuguese as well as practical advice for dealing with necessary bureaucracy and other things you need to be aware of before making the move.
If you’re considering relocating to the Algarve, put this book on your reading list.”
Julie Fox
Award-winning Portugal blogger and contributor to DK EyeWitness Travel Guides to Lisbon, Portugal and Europe. Owner and founder of Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal
More information for readers:
You can discover more about the book, including links on where to purchase, and view a free Photo Album to accompany the book, via the Algarve Blog website: www.algarveblog.net/the-book
The book is available on Amazon in paperback, Large Print Edition, and eBook version.
E: author@alysonsheldrake.com
W: www.algarveblog.net
