Bonus & Wendy's Big Adventure . . . .

[Mntboy]

Glad to hear the good news Bonus! Keep plugging away at your dream!

 

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[BigDL]

Great stuff- I love your updates

 

 

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[Bonus]

I've been working here on a side project for a little while now that we thought we'd keep to ourselves until we were sure I'd understood our neighbour, "Ramon the Friendly Farmer", correctly. As it turns out, Ramon and I both understood each other fine and it's "all systems go", so here's the story . . .

 

As most of you will already know, when we were looking for a place to set up and run a B&B we concentrated on looking at places that we thought would appeal to cyclists. We want to cater for everyone but we would also like to have a reputation for being somewhere that can meet the specific needs of cyclists.

 

We started looking along the Pilgrimage route "El Camino de Santiago de Compostela" but finally settled on the village of Guaso just outside Ainsa, Aragon, in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains.

 

With its network of well kept local roads threading their way between the mountains and with the hundreds of kilometers of amazing world class Enduro and Mountain Bike Trails of "Zona-Zero", this place is almost perfect. The only thing we really found lacking in the area, and this was bought to our attention by several families that we got chatting to last summer, was mountain bike rides suitable for mums and children. . . .

 

During our first year here we've got to know Ramon & Rosa, our old "semi-retired" farmer neighbours very well and it became apparent that they own quite a bit of the local countryside. The full extent of which I didn't appreciate until one day I offered to help Ramon cut some trees down for next years firewood and he took me on a tractor-tour of the farm to get to the woods where the trees were.

 

Standing there in the middle of what felt like nowhere, but was actually not too far from our houses through the trees, I was stunned at how big and how beautiful the area was. Amazing views, private woods, streams, fire roads, sheep paths, abandoned houses - you name it, he's got it. More importantly, I was impressed with how much of the area was relatively flat. I complemented Ramon on his land and told him that it would be amazing for cross-country mountain bike cycling - and perfect for the families of guys who came to stay with us to ride the fairly tough "Zona-Zero" routes. Ramon smiled and said "You are welcome to use this land anyway you want".

 

So (and THIS was the bit I needed to make sure I'd understood correctly!) Ramon was allowing me to build what would essentially be our own private mountain bike park, suitable for the families of our guests (and for Wendy) on his land - right outside our own back door!

 

I've now been trail-building for three weeks. I've shown Ramon the trails I've cut so far and he's very happy with it all. He's used his tractor to help me clear the main dirt road that goes from the top where our houses are down into the center of the flatter area - the rest I've done by hand myself. It's hard work but it's very rewarding.

 

I tested out the first 3km of twisty-trails on Saturday and I'm happy with what I've done so far . . .

We're amazingly lucky to have been given permission to do this and I'm loving every day of building it.

 

This picture outlines the rough boundaries of the land we will be using. . . . .

 

[Mntboy]

I've been working here on a side project for a little while now that we thought we'd keep to ourselves until we were sure I'd understood our neighbour, "Ramon the Friendly Farmer", correctly. As it turns out, Ramon and I both understood each other fine and it's "all systems go", so here's the story . . .

 

As most of you will already know, when we were looking for a place to set up and run a B&B we concentrated on looking at places that we thought would appeal to cyclists. We want to cater for everyone but we would also like to have a reputation for being somewhere that can meet the specific needs of cyclists.

 

We started looking along the Pilgrimage route "El Camino de Santiago de Compostela" but finally settled on the village of Guaso just outside Ainsa, Aragon, in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains.

 

With its network of well kept local roads threading their way between the mountains and with the hundreds of kilometers of amazing world class Enduro and Mountain Bike Trails of "Zona-Zero", this place is almost perfect. The only thing we really found lacking in the area, and this was bought to our attention by several families that we got chatting to last summer, was mountain bike rides suitable for mums and children. . . .

 

During our first year here we've got to know Ramon & Rosa, our old "semi-retired" farmer neighbours very well and it became apparent that they own quite a bit of the local countryside. The full extent of which I didn't appreciate until one day I offered to help Ramon cut some trees down for next years firewood and he took me on a tractor-tour of the farm to get to the woods where the trees were.

 

Standing there in the middle of what felt like nowhere, but was actually not too far from our houses through the trees, I was stunned at how big and how beautiful the area was. Amazing views, private woods, streams, fire roads, sheep paths, abandoned houses - you name it, he's got it. More importantly, I was impressed with how much of the area was relatively flat. I complemented Ramon on his land and told him that it would be amazing for cross-country mountain bike cycling - and perfect for the families of guys who came to stay with us to ride the fairly tough "Zona-Zero" routes. Ramon smiled and said "You are welcome to use this land anyway you want".

 

So (and THIS was the bit I needed to make sure I'd understood correctly!) Ramon was allowing me to build what would essentially be our own private mountain bike park, suitable for the families of our guests (and for Wendy) on his land - right outside our own back door!

 

I've now been trail-building for three weeks. I've shown Ramon the trails I've cut so far and he's very happy with it all. He's used his tractor to help me clear the main dirt road that goes from the top where our houses are down into the center of the flatter area - the rest I've done by hand myself. It's hard work but it's very rewarding.

 

I tested out the first 3km of twisty-trails on Saturday and I'm happy with what I've done so far . . .

We're amazingly lucky to have been given permission to do this and I'm loving every day of building it.

 

This picture outlines the rough boundaries of the land we will be using. . . . .

I think we can officially say that you and Wendy were called/meant to do this, depending on how you want to phrase it. I am always amazed at how every obstacle seems to fall away and now you've been granted an incredible favour! So inspiring to read every new post you put up here Bonus! Stoked for you & Wendy.

 

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[Bonus]

In future I will put posts & pics of our "Bike Park" on my other BikeHub thread:-

 

"The Pyrenees - Road, MTB & Enduro Riding, Trail Building, Iconic GT Climbs & Nearby Attractions...."

 

Today I just wanted to let you guy all know we've had some good luck :-)

[Bonus]

I think we can officially say that you and Wendy were called/meant to do this, depending on how you want to phrase it. I am always amazed at how every obstacle seems to fall away and now you've been granted an incredible favour! So inspiring to read every new post you put up here Bonus! Stoked for you & Wendy.

 

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Cheers mate! As you can imagine, I am thrilled to bits.

 

Just hope I can do the space we've been given justice

[Mntboy]

Cheers mate! As you can imagine, I am thrilled to bits.

 

Just hope I can do the space we've been given justice

[emoji106]

 

I am sure you are! Maybe have Wendy's input on the trails that you are building and get the guy you helped with the Zona zero trails to help you out as well. Also maybe get the IMBA trail book as well. It'll have good tips contained in it I'm sure.

 

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[Bonus]

[emoji106]

 

I am sure you are! Maybe have Wendy's input on the trails that you are building and get the guy you helped with the Zona zero trails to help you out as well. Also maybe get the IMBA trail book as well. It'll have good tips contained in it I'm sure.

 

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I'm sure Angel would help me in a second if I asked him, and I will do at some point . . . I'm sort of enjoying doing it on my own at the moment though. :-)

[Bonus]

I'm posting this for Wendy . . . . (her internet is very slow tonight!)

 

 

So here it is. I am teaching English to a Spanish Teenager! (Before I get too into my story, let me say I really take my hat off to all teachers of teens. Well done to all of you!)

 

This is something I thought I could probably pull off, but I first needed to learn enough Spanish to at least be able to try and communicate with a student. Well now I have a basic Spanish vocabulary, just enough to get by!

 

The reason that the idea of me teaching is so unlikely (as anyone who knows me can confirm) is that my own English is atrocious at best. As a working partner in a steel engineering company for 20 years, I learnt how to communicate with staff speaking a mixture of all 11 of South Africa’s official languages, and pretty much destroyed my home language linguistic skills in the process!

 

It works as such, Ramon the farmer is teaching Bonus to speak Spanish purely by their having daily conversations. Most of which are quite important. You definitely cannot be chopping wood with chainsaws and big axes if you cannot understand one another. Anyway Ramon has now confessed that his own Spanish has become "bad" as a result! This is what happened to my beautiful English skills. So…. The idea that I should try to teach someone else how to speak one of the 12 muddled languages (I now have some Spanish thrown into the mix) in my head is preposterous.

 

Needless to say I have managed to teach this 14 year old lad some grammar, reading and language skills. On Friday he wrote a test and his marks were improved enough that he brought it to very proudly show it off to me :-)

 

I wanted to be more of a “friend” than a teacher and it seems to be working, except of course when we practice our language skills in conversation. I ask him to give me an “account of his weekend” and he tries to impress me with his “staying up late and smoking while his parents are out” stories! I think he is aiming for shock value. . . . .

 

I am an English Teacher

[Bonus]

Very proud of Wendy :-)

[lechatnoir]

Always enjoy your updates!

[Bonus]

From Wendy - a message regarding a South African family of 4. Currently staying in Kildare, near Dublin, in Ireland. Maybe someone knows someone who knows someone . . .

 

Since our arrival in Spain, although I posted about "Closed Doors" we have also had many doors open to us. Not so much "doors of opportunity" but doors of friendship, love and much needed assistance . . . and we've never been more grateful.

 

This brings me to ask for help from anyone who can.

 

I have recently made friends with a South African woman on an "Expat" site. A family of 4 - Mum is South African, Dad is British - who are struggling to get going in Ireland and are looking for a bit of help.

 

If there is anyone in our wonderful supportive network of friends who know of someone or a friend of a friend who may have a job or even somewhere to stay in Ireland for my new friends it would be greatly appreciated. He is an intelligent man (in the marketing field) but I know that he will take anything that is out there.

 

You have all been so supportive towards us and I know that somewhere out there is an open door for this family. Not a usual post but how can we pass up the opportunity to reach so many supportive folk.

 

Please message me if you can . . .

 

Much love Andrea (Wendy)

Edited February 15, 2017 by Bonus

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

From Wendy - a message regarding a South African family of 4. Currently staying in Kildare, near Dublin, in Ireland. Maybe someone knows someone who knows someone . . .

 

Since our arrival in Spain, although I posted about "Closed Doors" we have also had many doors open to us. Not so much "doors of opportunity" but doors of friendship, love and much needed assistance . . . and we've never been more grateful.

 

This brings me to ask for help from anyone who can.

 

I have recently made friends with a South African woman on an "Expat" site. A family of 4 - Mum is South African, Dad is British - who are struggling to get going in Ireland and are looking for a bit of help.

 

If there is anyone in our wonderful supportive network of friends who know of someone or a friend of a friend who may have a job or even somewhere to stay in Ireland for my new friends it would be greatly appreciated. He is an intelligent man (in the marketing field) but I know that he will take anything that is out there.

 

You have all been so supportive towards us and I know that somewhere out there is an open door for this family. Not a usual post but how can we pass up the opportunity to reach so many supportive folk.

 

Please message me if you can . . .

 

Much love Andrea (Wendy)

Whereabouts in Ireland? 

 

EDIT: I'm an idiot. Clearly not reading today. 

Edited February 15, 2017 by Myles Mayhew

[Bonus]

We're watching the exchange rate with interest . . . .

 

Let's see what happens next.

[coppi]

We all are.......!!!

 

 

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[Bonus]

On Friday I met with the Bank Manager . . . .

 

We are currently talking to two banks here in Spain regarding the "Top Up Loan" we need for our construction project.

 

The first bank is the bank whom we actually have an account with and who we started talking to early last year. They wouldn't proceed without the building license and then when that was finally granted they decided, after much deliberating (and time wasting in my opinion) that they could make us a loan but that we needed to put more money into the project than we currently plan to (or are indeed able to).

 

On Friday I met with the Bank Manager of the second bank we are dealing with. (This is the bank that specialises in loans for rural properties).  He's extremely positive about our project overall and between him and the deputy manager they have put together a very good recommendation for us. This, along with the actual "viability study" (which proves that the project can work) should be enough for the risk department to approve the loan . . . . they've had our paperwork for a couple of weeks now and we're expecting an answer soon. . . "Mañana, Mañana, as they say here"

 

 

If they also need us to put more money in than we currently are able to, Wendy may have to sell a Kidney . . . .