It’s now nearly five years since Yasmin Kelly set off on a journey into the unknown. Leaving her Shropshire home in an old Volkswagen camper van with her husband, two children and two dogs in tow, she bought a ruin in a small village called Los Almagros in southern Spain.
But there’s nothing remotely tumbledown about her life today. Not only is she running her own property company, but she’s also the proud owner of a thriving British cafe bar, and her children love the climate and the relaxed freedom.
Yasmin, who may be better known in Shropshire under her maiden name Rogansky, is a former Newport Girls High School pupil. She lived at Masons Place for some years, and still has family in the town.
“On the few occasions I have been back to the UK, many people have said to me ‘you’re so brave’.
“It’s just that you have to take chances, seize the moment and go for it. Anybody can make their dream come true if they really have the ambition to do so.”
Yasmin remembers taking a slow drive down through France into Spain, eventually arriving at the ruin with no water or electricity, boiling hot temperatures, but a great deal of enthusiasm to make the dream work.
After toiling to make the house habitable and making many friends, she got a job working for the estate agent who had sold them the house, and her carpenter husband started to get some work. “From that day, we never really looked back.
“The kids, at that time aged seven and 11, settled into Spanish life and school within no time and were speaking Spanish like natives. They also loved the freedom that they could have over here -very rarely going to bed before 1am during the summer — and us with the security that we knew they were safe.
“Life went on, and things just got better. Spain certainly became our home. It was great to know that whatever we planned to do, we could do, knowing that the sun would shine.”
After about a year, the couple bought a second property, which Yasmin’s husband renovated before selling it on at a very good profit. She is now happily living in a town called Mula, in north west Murcia.
“Spain is well known for its British bars and restaurants on the coast, but just over six months ago, I started a second venture, the first British cafe bar in north west Murcia, and it has gone from strength to strength.
“Managing the bar for me is another Shropshire couple, with a very similar story to ourselves, Elaine and Phil. They have three children, and have also made Spain very much their home.
“Just recently, my boss decided it was time to retire and decided to franchise Old Farmhouses. I took on the franchise for north west Murcia, so have now become the proprietor of two flourishing businesses.”
- Are you a Shropshire expat? We’d love to hear from you, and see your pictures. Please contact starfeatures@shropshirestar.co.uk
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