So in the last blog entry of this blog i discussed why using a mover is better than (in most cases) than self moving and how that was partly due to the experience (often vast experience )that professional movers have , but that only really touched on the subject of a movers experience

So I will be again discussing it and expanding on what i previously said 
you might have expected me to discuss equipment movers have and how that is an advantage which is true but experience comes in here to , a mover has the equipment to do the job yes and the knowledge gained means they know how to use that said equipment in an effective and safe manner.
So what you might say anyone can use a sack barrow yes that is true but a sack barrow is only one piece of equipment.
I am more referring to things likes of Ratchet straps (and other load securing means) and the knowledge of how to properly load and secure the load on to the removal vehicle in a way that is :
A secure 
B The weight is properly distributed (as there is axle weight (each axle on a vehicle has a max weight each axle can take)
C The weight is evenly distributed so one part of the removals vehicle is not over weight/over balanced (connect also to Axle weight)
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Moving your items into long or short term storage ? 
Here are a few tips 

1. ensure you know the storage places rules regarding what can and can not be stored 
2. no storage place will for example allow any type of gas to be stored 
3. ​Remember to ensure anything with any liquid in it is drained ( Eg Washing machine (will need to ensure it is drained for the mover who brings it to storage anyway )
4. ensure nothing is moist or damp eg your fridge /and/or Freezer (and that the freezer is defrosted ) (and don't leave any food in either ) as to avoid mold or the likes growing developing 
5. Got a mattress you need to store ? Don't store it stood up right as after a while it will start to flop or bend Store it in a way that it can bend or sag so if possible against a wall and with a hard board at the front to stop that ​Or store then on their sides 
6. As when moving please ensure all boxes have either a lid or are seal-able to avoid the risk of contents spilling from them (especially if the storage unit is the 7 cubic metre wooden box type as they are moved around on folk lifts
7. Remember that black bags are not suitable for long term storage as they can and do after a while start to weaken and disintegrate making them harder to handle        
8. Find our main tips for moving section here   as the tips for packing boxes and glass items and the likes are the same for weather moving to a new house straight away or into Storage
9. 
   More tips will be added yet 
   But got any tips or tricks you discovered and want to share them please feel free to do so in the comment section below 
   
   

So in the last blog on the topic of dealing with the heat in Spain (and many people love the Spanish heat as I said before Spain is a heat lovers paradise ) I discussed some tips for dealing with the heat during the day but what about at night when we ant to sleep?

Well here are some tips on just that 

• ​Just before you go to bed have a cool shower to cool down and don't get fully dry leave your self a slight bit damp
• Put a bottle of frozen ice under your pillow in a position where it will cool you and the pillow but not be a hard lump don't worry about any wetness thou as after all you will wake up in the morning with a damp pillow from sweat if you didn't do it (may or may not last all night but as long as it cools you enough to sleep that is what counts )(I have used this one myself quite a few times and a two litre soft drinks bottle is a good size i found  )

Would love to hear what you find helps some people have a glass of water beside their beds for example so add your tips in the comment section 
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So as we all know I am sure Spain gets hot in the Summer in fact some regions can hit at times mid 40's in the height of summer , but the coast is cooler at often mid 30's (Speaking of med coast )
Either way Spain is a heat lovers paradise

And something people sometimes say is oh it would be to hot for me Spain in the summer I don't do heat, well I use to be the same as in struggle in the heat 

But rest assure there are ways to survive and love the Spanish heat (beyond putting up with it and getting use to it and finding you know think 20 c in summer is cold ) (a few hopefully helpful and easy hints and tips for you )

• Drink lots of liquid 
• Keep cold water in your fridge 
• Keep ice so you can put ice in your drinks (if you want to)
• Love coffee or Tea or other hot drinks ? don't worry enjoy them as you feel like they can as strange as it sounds help cool you down something to do with they raise the core temperature or something along those lines ) (but remember Coffee and the likes are not the best source of hydration ) (in fact in mass they can as can any high caffeine drink dehydrate you ) 
• Avoid the heat of the day which is 2pm - 5pm in Spain which is often also siesta time 
• Keep your shutters closed when your out it keeps the place cooler 
• Have windows open (don't worry about the insects most Spanish homes have bug screens ) and the reason that Spanish homes have those metal bars is so windows can be left open when your out or at night 
• Might just be me this one have showers not baths as they cool you down (cool showers that is
• Got a pool why not have a dip 
• Don't forget the Sun is Spain is strong your skin will take time to get use to it so use sun screen 
• Wear sunglasses when out 
• And a hat (Even if you have been in Spain years still wear a hat even plenty of the Spanish will wear hats )
• keep a cloth or something you can wear and soak in water to act as a cooling device if outside for long periods of times (some say scarf ) I personal wet my hat so that it also drips cool water onto the face slowly (And as a scarf can be worn on the neck it has the benefit of when wet been in contact with a point on the neck that I am advised help cool the whole body and the neck is a part of us that can burn very easy in the sun as well so there is that advantage to )
• Wear light weight cloths 
• Know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion so you can avoid them happening as it can be easy to over do it in the Spanish sun if your not use to it (and even then there is a reason the Spanish don't do much physical work between 2-5pm)

Is it a cloudy but warm day (yes they do happen in Spain ) well remember that the sun is still strong and those Uv rays are still getting though so you will still burn if you don't take precautions 
Same can be said if there is a cooling breeze 
Know other tips add them in the comments as these are just a few i have found that help/work for me 
I will cover sleeping at night tips at a later point 

some tips added/expanded via a chat on twitter and comparing my tips for ones I do but had over looked on https://www.piccavey.com/tips-heat-spanish-sun/

A  bonus tip 
Keeping your pets cool in Spain 
*do not put an ice cube in their water dish as this in fact has the opposite effect as a dogs body will naturally heat up to deal with the cold ice water 
So use water at its room temperature 

Important moving tip always be sure to check the movers Feedback 

It is also a good idea to check the movers Terms and conditions 

Moving overseas is a hugely exciting thing , it offers new chances and new opportunities, and can be the best thing you ever do 
But that doesn't mean there are not challenges but been prepped for those challenges can make moving overseas such a rewarding thing to do, 

Tips for moving overseas

• Try to learn the local language (but relax no one expects you to know it all at once or for your grammar or pronunciation to be prefect straight away try leaning a word or two a day  ( we have a handy little guide to about learning a new language )
• Know the local laws
• Know the local traffic laws
• Know if you need to always carry id with you when out and about
• Know the phone or phone numbers for the emergency services (112 in Spain and much of Europe)
• Know where you nearest Embassy or consulate is and how to contact them (We have a list of a few helpful numbers for Spain here )
• Know if you will need health insurance 
• It is also worth making a photocopy of your passport like many of us do before going on holiday 
  

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We have more detailed and specific tips for Spain here 

This is only a short summary of some general tips so please feel free to add your suggestions in the comments we would love to hear them

It is often not until we come to pack up to move home that we realise how much stuff we really have. 
But how much of that stuff do you want ?
Or need ? at your new place 
Well packing is also a great chance to declutter 

• Ask yourself do I need it ?
• Do I want it ? yes then it is not clutter
• Ask yourself also when did Last use it ?
• Also ask yourself will it fit in my new house ?
• And by fit I mean 3 things does it have a place to go in the new house ? Does it fit within the new houses style eg Lightwood in a house with dark wood etc and also does it fit though the doors into the new place (And can it safely be dismantled ? eg many reclining type sofas can be dismantled if it can get in after been dismantled no problem for things like sofas and dining tables,but it is worth noting if wardrobes are dismantled they are often weaker when put back together)  
  And if you decide you do not need a certain piece f furniture many local charities will be glad to have it, just ring them and ask how to donate furniture 
• Clothes are simple to declutter Will I wear that again ? And will I need to wear it again ? and if your moving to warmer climes like Spain yes you will need a few jumpèrs and coats as it gets cold at night in the winter
• Decluttering Books , again can be simple , when did I last read it ? will I Reread it ? has it a special value to me? Is it worth keeping ? (See our blog on packing tips for tips on packing books and loads more packing tips)
• So you have finished decluttering and have sorted the things your moving home with, the things going to charity and have a pile of things to good for the bin? well Why not look to up cycle them for example a table, chest of draws etc you like could be repainted or redecorated etc, this can also be the solution if loved furniture doesn't fit your new places style

But somethings people pack for moving to Spain may surprise you We have over the years had people pack 1/4 full bottles of washing liquid or 1/4 boxes of wash powered , you can get these at your new place so bin them ? well no infact these may not be clutter at all but can come in handy for the first few days while your to busy to pop to the shops to buy more 





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Spain is a large and very varied country, with no two areas or two towns been the same, so how do people moving to Spain decide what part of Spain is right for them ?
Well firstly everyone is different with different needs and wants, so list what you want from Spain and what you need, 

For example do you want to be in an area with a large amount of fellow Brits ? (Yes/no) the upside to this is if thats what you want it makes the transit in someways easier but can make learning for example Spanish more tricky, but many people do life in areas with many people from there own country,. 
Or would you prefer an area thats mixed ?
Or mainly Spanish ?

If you have children what are the schools like? and how far are they from where we are looking to life ?

Will you be there year round ?Yes then what is the summer and winter temperatures like (they vary all over Spain ) If you want for example warm but not hot Summers the more northern areas may be for you. Or if you want hot summers and Mild winter regions like Almeria, Malaga may be your preferred area 

these are just a few of the questions you may ask yourself, but all I will say is be sure where you move is right for you and if in any doubt why not do short term rentals to be sure.  

It is worth noting that as a rule of thumb generally in Spain houses away from the coast and outside of villages, so for example in the mountains and other inland regions are often both larger and cheaper than their counterparts at the coast, the trade off thou can be some of these houses can be very isolated and miles from the nearest shops, now if thats what you want to be alone and away from it then that is a big plus for you