It is so worth learning Spanish, and you will find that so many native Spanish speakers are so forgiving and will help you along. For so long I wanted to speak perfectly, to conjugate each verb correctly and use the correct words, but that I might talk, but stopped me from actually conversing. I make howling whoppers of mistakes (massive difference between asking for a “pechuga de pollo” and a “pechuga de polla”…..just saying 😯😁) but absolutely love the joy of chatting in the language of my chosen country.
Muy buena suerte y que disfrutes mucho de tu nueva vida! 🙋♂️😘
Great to hear how you are getting on Andrea, I look forward to that email popping up👏. Thing is everyone struggles at most things and we all feel out of our comfort zones on a regular basis. It’s that rewarding feeling when you can look in the mirror and say “ I did it”🫡 I would love to speak another language but find it unbelievably difficult , more that I could manage unless I lived in another country and had to 🤔😂. You will be flying in both Spanish and dance before you know it. You’ve achieved so much and faced challenges , it’s what you do. Looking forward to so much more. 🫡👏🥰
This sounds like me. I loved aerobics but my ability to go in the right direction was lacking. I get confused when I walk out of a toilet as to which way I came from. I walked into a cleaning cupboard at The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham and I’ve lost count the amount of times I’ve nearly ended up in kitchens at restaurants. The running on empty is also me. However I was diagnosed with ME/CFS in December last year after banging my head against a brick wall and being fobbed off by GP’s for two years before getting a referral and another two years to see a specialist after the required hoop jumping “fatigue workshops” I had to do to get on the waiting list 🙄
there is one thing you are REALLY good at … it’s writing. That was a delightful read Andrea. I have no clue what the life of not rushing is all about , I’m still on this roller coaster 🎢. I look forward to the day when I stare at the coffee table and think, what shall I do now.
Although, in reading your account of that , I may feel uncomfortable on that day.
Enjoy this new chapter and I look forward to reading all about it.
Ps, something new I have learned today - there is such a thing called substack.
Learning Spanish will transform your experience if living here, Andrea. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and laugh when you do. When I first moved here, I took my new puppy to the vets. What I wanted to say was, "I have a new puppy who needs a vaccination". What I actually said was, "I have nine dogs who need a holiday!" You can imagine the look of horror on the vet's face! 🤣🤣 Thankfully I have a better grasp now, although I still don't always appreciate their sense of humour..🤣🤣 That's the joy of living in a different culture ..😃😃
I love reading your posts. You write so well and in such a relatable way.
I am a South African who now lives in Ireland. We love our homeland but there is better support for our gorgeous eldest son who has autism.
I lived in the UK when you were an anchor on Loose Women and loved your work.
I am sad to hear that you went through such an extremely challenging time with your health but I am glad that you are doing better & I enjoy following your journey. It inspires me and helps me to be brave when I am not.
I hope you know that there are many like myself who are rooting for you.
You are a wonderful person, always have been and Spain is lucky to have you.
Honest, funny, and quietly brave. I loved how you captured that strange in-between of no longer rushing but not yet knowing how to be still—and how choosing to be bad at things on purpose can be oddly freeing. The sweaty ostrich in Lycra was worth it for that ending alone.
I hear you Andrea. In 1991, I announced that I was moving to The Netherlands. "They all speak English there. You will be fine". Not true. In the intellectual circles in which I worked before moving here, it was certainly true. Living here is different. Neighbours, shopkeepers, tram drivers, even the chemist couldn't really get beyond "Good morning". My husband described it as living a two dimensional life. As a languages graduate (French and Spanish), no good to man nor beast when learning Dutch, I had the tools to learn a new language. Learning the language meant that I learnt the culture. The more I learned, the more I felt as if I belonged, as if I was really living here. It takes time and patience. And mistakes. And that's OK. If people know that you are genuinely attempting to learn the language, they will be willing to help you. And will forgive you. Have you tried duolinguo? Our daughter had a Spanish boyfriend for a while and that's what she turned to. I was really impressed.
The other word for spouse in Spanish is esposo/esposa. Esposas, however, are handcuffs.
Great start to the new year Andrea, well done! It’s not about perfecting the language but making an effort, and learning the language is almost secondary to how you will feel meeting other people in a similar situation to your own. Spanish people are very expressive so understanding body language is just as important, if not more so. Watch series in Spanish (preferably original Spanish, not dubbed) and try to ween yourself off English subtitles to Spanish subtitles. It will really speed up your understanding of the language. I know it can be tedious but just try an episode a day or something easy to begin with. Good luck!!
Well done for giving it a go , you will succeed because it’s in your make up , remind yourself how far you’ve come since last year at this time, when you were so poorly bet you could never visualise in a years time you would be learning a new language , living in a new country , and navigating your way through a movement class . So be proud of yourself . Loose isn’t the same with out you , I was lucky to be in the audience many years ago , I can remember who else was in with you at the helm
Stay strong while remembering it’s ok not to be ok sometimes .
I love you’re doing things outside of your comfort zone - it’s so good for you! Uncomfortable but good. I’ve just joined a burlesque dance group & I’m an old bird, I’m not brilliant at it (yet) but it’s SOOO empowering! Keep on keeping on Andrea!
I do not remember your dancing being that bad when we did that hilarious dance class in heels, but I blummin love your attitude (as I always have done). You'll be speaking Spainish like the locals (or at least better than most UK people) in no time!
Oh God Jayne, I kept thinking about that class! And I thought about you and Emma, and how much you loved it, and how I just couldn't relax like you guys could. The best part for me that night was us all going to the pub with you afterwards! 😂
I loved the pub as well. I was in there the other day and was thinking of that night. Such fun! Keep on trying with the dancing. The more you do it, the more you stop worrying about what you look like - promise!
I love the fact you were brave and did two things that made you feel uncomfortable! I did my first ‘live’ on Facebook today, in a group of women I don’t know, for a short course I am taking. It concludes with an in-person silent disco and I know I will feel naff and self conscious, but I am going to go. If you can, so can I!
I had a tough time learning Spanish in the beginning, I just felt that I was taking the rise out of the language!! My pretend accent, but my teacher preserved and people compliment me now. It's tough but when the day comes that you have an actual thought in Spanish! Whoa Nelly, that's a great day!
It is so worth learning Spanish, and you will find that so many native Spanish speakers are so forgiving and will help you along. For so long I wanted to speak perfectly, to conjugate each verb correctly and use the correct words, but that I might talk, but stopped me from actually conversing. I make howling whoppers of mistakes (massive difference between asking for a “pechuga de pollo” and a “pechuga de polla”…..just saying 😯😁) but absolutely love the joy of chatting in the language of my chosen country.
Muy buena suerte y que disfrutes mucho de tu nueva vida! 🙋♂️😘
Ha ha! I've heard of that one! 🤣
Let’s just say it’s a very different meal 😂😂
Great to hear how you are getting on Andrea, I look forward to that email popping up👏. Thing is everyone struggles at most things and we all feel out of our comfort zones on a regular basis. It’s that rewarding feeling when you can look in the mirror and say “ I did it”🫡 I would love to speak another language but find it unbelievably difficult , more that I could manage unless I lived in another country and had to 🤔😂. You will be flying in both Spanish and dance before you know it. You’ve achieved so much and faced challenges , it’s what you do. Looking forward to so much more. 🫡👏🥰
☺️
This sounds like me. I loved aerobics but my ability to go in the right direction was lacking. I get confused when I walk out of a toilet as to which way I came from. I walked into a cleaning cupboard at The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham and I’ve lost count the amount of times I’ve nearly ended up in kitchens at restaurants. The running on empty is also me. However I was diagnosed with ME/CFS in December last year after banging my head against a brick wall and being fobbed off by GP’s for two years before getting a referral and another two years to see a specialist after the required hoop jumping “fatigue workshops” I had to do to get on the waiting list 🙄
🩷
If
there is one thing you are REALLY good at … it’s writing. That was a delightful read Andrea. I have no clue what the life of not rushing is all about , I’m still on this roller coaster 🎢. I look forward to the day when I stare at the coffee table and think, what shall I do now.
Although, in reading your account of that , I may feel uncomfortable on that day.
Enjoy this new chapter and I look forward to reading all about it.
Ps, something new I have learned today - there is such a thing called substack.
Thank you so much! And I hope you enjoy your new discovery of Substack. 😊
Learning Spanish will transform your experience if living here, Andrea. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and laugh when you do. When I first moved here, I took my new puppy to the vets. What I wanted to say was, "I have a new puppy who needs a vaccination". What I actually said was, "I have nine dogs who need a holiday!" You can imagine the look of horror on the vet's face! 🤣🤣 Thankfully I have a better grasp now, although I still don't always appreciate their sense of humour..🤣🤣 That's the joy of living in a different culture ..😃😃
Thanks Karen 😊
Oh I love this and I’m so inspired but your challenge of doing something regularly that gets you out of your comfort zone!!
And I’m taking that question of what would someone who is confident do! Such a good one! Just what I needed to read today x
Thanks Natalie! 😊
I love reading your posts. You write so well and in such a relatable way.
I am a South African who now lives in Ireland. We love our homeland but there is better support for our gorgeous eldest son who has autism.
I lived in the UK when you were an anchor on Loose Women and loved your work.
I am sad to hear that you went through such an extremely challenging time with your health but I am glad that you are doing better & I enjoy following your journey. It inspires me and helps me to be brave when I am not.
I hope you know that there are many like myself who are rooting for you.
You are a wonderful person, always have been and Spain is lucky to have you.
Oh my goodness. Thank you. 🥹
Honest, funny, and quietly brave. I loved how you captured that strange in-between of no longer rushing but not yet knowing how to be still—and how choosing to be bad at things on purpose can be oddly freeing. The sweaty ostrich in Lycra was worth it for that ending alone.
Thank you so much! I’m glad it landed exactly where I’d hoped, if you know what I mean… ☺️
I hear you Andrea. In 1991, I announced that I was moving to The Netherlands. "They all speak English there. You will be fine". Not true. In the intellectual circles in which I worked before moving here, it was certainly true. Living here is different. Neighbours, shopkeepers, tram drivers, even the chemist couldn't really get beyond "Good morning". My husband described it as living a two dimensional life. As a languages graduate (French and Spanish), no good to man nor beast when learning Dutch, I had the tools to learn a new language. Learning the language meant that I learnt the culture. The more I learned, the more I felt as if I belonged, as if I was really living here. It takes time and patience. And mistakes. And that's OK. If people know that you are genuinely attempting to learn the language, they will be willing to help you. And will forgive you. Have you tried duolinguo? Our daughter had a Spanish boyfriend for a while and that's what she turned to. I was really impressed.
The other word for spouse in Spanish is esposo/esposa. Esposas, however, are handcuffs.
I will remember that about the handcuffs, thank you! 😂
Great start to the new year Andrea, well done! It’s not about perfecting the language but making an effort, and learning the language is almost secondary to how you will feel meeting other people in a similar situation to your own. Spanish people are very expressive so understanding body language is just as important, if not more so. Watch series in Spanish (preferably original Spanish, not dubbed) and try to ween yourself off English subtitles to Spanish subtitles. It will really speed up your understanding of the language. I know it can be tedious but just try an episode a day or something easy to begin with. Good luck!!
That's a really good idea. I've been watching the news in Spanish with no subtitles. That's an interesting experience! 😅
Well done for giving it a go , you will succeed because it’s in your make up , remind yourself how far you’ve come since last year at this time, when you were so poorly bet you could never visualise in a years time you would be learning a new language , living in a new country , and navigating your way through a movement class . So be proud of yourself . Loose isn’t the same with out you , I was lucky to be in the audience many years ago , I can remember who else was in with you at the helm
Stay strong while remembering it’s ok not to be ok sometimes .
Happy and healthy 2026 to you and yours xxxx
Thanks Amanda 😊
Love your can do attitude Andrea 😊You've got this 💝
I love you’re doing things outside of your comfort zone - it’s so good for you! Uncomfortable but good. I’ve just joined a burlesque dance group & I’m an old bird, I’m not brilliant at it (yet) but it’s SOOO empowering! Keep on keeping on Andrea!
Oh that's a whole other level! Go you! 💃🏻
I do not remember your dancing being that bad when we did that hilarious dance class in heels, but I blummin love your attitude (as I always have done). You'll be speaking Spainish like the locals (or at least better than most UK people) in no time!
Oh God Jayne, I kept thinking about that class! And I thought about you and Emma, and how much you loved it, and how I just couldn't relax like you guys could. The best part for me that night was us all going to the pub with you afterwards! 😂
I loved the pub as well. I was in there the other day and was thinking of that night. Such fun! Keep on trying with the dancing. The more you do it, the more you stop worrying about what you look like - promise!
I love the fact you were brave and did two things that made you feel uncomfortable! I did my first ‘live’ on Facebook today, in a group of women I don’t know, for a short course I am taking. It concludes with an in-person silent disco and I know I will feel naff and self conscious, but I am going to go. If you can, so can I!
Oh that's great! I still get scared doing Facebook lives, so I get it. 🫣
I had a tough time learning Spanish in the beginning, I just felt that I was taking the rise out of the language!! My pretend accent, but my teacher preserved and people compliment me now. It's tough but when the day comes that you have an actual thought in Spanish! Whoa Nelly, that's a great day!
I'm so looking forward to having a 'thought' in Spanish! 🤩