With just a few hours until we welcome in the New Year, this is the perfect moment to look back and take stock.

We spent a lazy lunchtime contemplating our top three ‘Best Bits’ of 2023 and comparing notes. I’d imagined we might have listed achieving our fourth grading star, or getting our Silver award from Green Tourism, but we both ranked the more personal highlights as our standout moments of the year.

Early in 2023 we were busy connecting with local business owners, introducing Casa de Olivos to them, and looking for ways for us to engage and collaborate. We were taken aback both by the warmth of the welcome, and at the awareness of our Casa Rural.

As two Brits making our new home in a very rural and traditional village in Spain we could never have dreamt of such a reception. We’ve developed Casa de Olivos as something quite unique with the blend of British and Mediterranean styles, and so we were gratified to hear the many positive things said by the local community.

Feedback doesn’t get more real than that!

And we also remembered some quality time, just for us, in our top three. A day at the local Blue Flag beach in August doesn’t sound like much. But while our little Casa Rural was full of guests enjoying themselves by the pool it was a special treat that lasted in both our memories.

It was nothing fancy or contrived. Just a day when we joined the locals on the beach, enjoying the warm sea and soft sand, and spent time in each other’s company without work on our minds, tech, or gadgets. 

In other words, we found that our most memorable moments of 2023 were about people and moments, and not in material gains or pure business achievements.

As small business owners making resolutions for the coming year, it’s natural to be focused on a work-based agenda, and of course that’s really important.  But be sure to set aside some space in your to-do’s for the personal too.

Because they will be the memories you hold onto the longest, and give you the most pleasure. When work is hard and consuming, these will be the moments that bring you through the tough days, and the dark days.

For those of you still wondering, our third choice was a compilation of the raucous and downright crazy fiestas in Traiguera and the other local towns that we enjoyed this year. Words aren’t enough – you need to come and see for yourself!

To the many and various with whom we are newly acquainted, and to those we have known for many a year, Feliz Año Nuevo, and we wish you all a prosperous and fulfilling 2024.

Claire & Ed