MEET ASHLEY HIGGINS: Passionate about pedalling, bonkers about bikes, mad about mountains

Ashley Higgins is married to Claire. They have two children who were both born in Ronda and they go to school in Montecorto and Ronda. When he left school he worked for Barclays Bank where he became a high street branch manager. Ashley left the bank to work for a TV shopping channel and this is where he met Claire. They left together to move to Spain. Claire and Ashley have been running the Andalucian Cycling Experience since August 2005.

Secret Serranía: So Ashley, where are you from originally?

Ashley: Stamford, Lincolnshire

Secret Serranía: And where do you live now?

Ashley: Montecorto, near Ronda, Andalucía

Secret Serranía: How did you come to decide on Montecorto?

Ashley: We spent two years looking around Andalucía before deciding on the Ronda area. The first time we went to Montecorto we both really loved the village as it felt like home and we made an offer for the house we currently live in. The rest is history!

Secret Serranía: What was it in the first place that attracted to you to move to the Serranía de Ronda?

Ashley: Ronda was. Our first visit was during the Feria de Pedro Romero. What an atmosphere! Such a beautiful place made better by experiencing the feria.

Secret Serranía: How would you describe your life here in Spain?

Ashley: Life here is great. I get to spend a lot of time with Claire and the kids each day, which would not be possible if we lived and worked in the UK. We live in a beautiful place. I do my hobby for my job and we meet loads of lovely people from around the world who also love cycling. We love the lifestyle, the laid-back pace of life, the outdoors and of course the sunshine! There is always time for a café con leche or cerveza with friends. The work/life balance is good.

Secret Serranía: Do you miss anything about home? What would you say are the negatives of living here?

Ashley: Spain is home! So no, there is nothing I miss about the UK, apart from seeing our parents a little more frequently. The negatives? Over 300 days of sunshine can be a bit boring and the price of beer! Joking aside, I am not the sort of person that looks for the negatives, but I guess they are probably the same wherever you live.

Secret Serranía: How do you find the cost of living here compared to back in the UK?

Ashley: Having been out of the UK since 2004 I am probably a bit out of touch on this. Some things are cheaper, others are not. However, we do find the UK expensive when we go back.

Secret Serranía: With the length of time you’ve lived in Spain, your knowledge of the area and your expertise on cycling, I should imagine you’ve found it easier than most to integrate.

Ashley: Yes and no. I found it reasonably easy to integrate. Going to the bars, playing pool and watching the football with the locals and riding with the Club Ciclista de Ronda. I made a lot of business contacts and acquaintances/friends reasonably quickly. Claire found it harder, as back in 2004/5 women only came out to the bars at the weekend and in their pre-defined groups, a much tougher nut to crack, so to speak, but she got there eventually.

Secret Serranía: You mentioned that you are married and that you have two children.

Ashley: Yes that’s right.

Secret Serranía: What about day-to-day living, healthcare, etc.?

Ashley: We have our own business which keeps us busy and provides us with a good lifestyle. As for healthcare we are covered through the business, as we are both autónomo. We have our T.I.E. (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) cards and the kids also have Spanish papers. So I think we are all sorted.

Secret Serranía: When you first moved here, do you think you made any mistakes that, looking back, you can warn/advise others about?

Ashley: Of course we have made numerous mistakes over the years. Some things were down to our poor Spanish in the early days, others due to trusting the wrong people. In hindsight, if you are thinking something is too good to be true or you doubt what somebody is doing or telling you, just trust your instincts. Find yourself a good accountant/lawyer who is fluent in both English and Spanish, so there are no ‘lost in translation’ issues and you should be fine.

Secret Serranía: What would your advice be to would-be expats looking to relocate to Spain?

Ashley: Just Do It!

Secret Serranía: Finally, do you see yourself ever returning to the UK?

Ashley: Nope! Never!