Three days after my arrival in Barcelona from Australia it was apparent that this was not to be your average house sit assignment as Spain was rapidly transitioned into a state of Alarm. 

As one would appreciate, this brought with it many unique challenges for me as well as for Olivia’s owner, Arantza, who by now had embarked on what was to be a minimum 4 month adventure of a lifetime. 

Well this was soon not to be!   World wide lockdowns made for a very challenging situation.  

Decisions needed to be made. Airports were being closed and uncertainty was threatening both Arantza’s and my situation in regards to options in order to accomodate a whole new experience under lockdown.

Originally, a mutual decision was made for Olivia’s owner to ride the situation out in New Zealand under the assurance that I would do the same in Barcelona so that my new furry friend Olivia had someone to care for her … now for an indefinite period.

However, Arantza became more uncomfortable with her situation in New Zealand and managed to find one of the very last flights to Europe which enabled her to return home to her own bed in her apartment and of course to see Olivia.

Of course, this consequently presented a new opportunity for me as the apartment was small with only one bedroom and I needed to find alternative accommodation.

Options for accomodation in Barcelona was non-existent as hotels and all accomodation were promptly closed and prohibited to have guests due to the new COVID rules.

As luck would have it, my fabulous friends Mel and Ron from South of Spain in Manilva, whom I had met from a previous Spanish assignment, were aware of my situation and promptly put out an urgent call for help to anyone who may be able to assist by providing a apartment as a means of accomodation for me.

How wonderful and kind !  Their request received an immediate response.  Luckily I was able to secure one of the last remaining airline tickets from Barcelona to Malaga on domestic rescue flight allowing only Spanish residents to return to their home.

Somehow, I managed to escape the residency scrutiny and boarded my flight to Malaga.

This is testament to the amazing people I have had the privilege of meeting during my years of house and pet sitting. 

Arantza was able to arrive back home to Olivia and I was able to escape a potentially very difficult situation and stay in a wonderful apartment in Manilva during the isolation lockdown.  Thank you Mel and Ron xxxx