Living on the Costa del Sol - 23 years on the Spanish South Coast

The book "Window in Space-Time" is set on the Spanish South Coast, Costa del Sol, Andalusia. A beautiful region where we lived for twenty-three unforgettable years. We lived there in a large, classic Andalusian villa, with thick walls that kept the summer heat out and elegant wrought-iron bars in front of the windows. In addition, we had three apartments in the house that we rented out to holidaymakers.

They were wonderful years. Around the swimming pool and the outdoor bar, there was almost always a relaxed and cheerful holiday atmosphere. People came to unwind, enjoy the sun, and get away from the daily hustle and bustle for a while. During that time, we met many special people and built up countless beautiful memories.

In the book, I describe the many journeys I made through the Andalusian hinterland. Although the coast is becoming increasingly built up, another world begins just a few kilometers inland. There you still find silence, space, and rugged nature that sometimes feels almost untouched. It is a landscape of mountains, valleys, winding roads, and small white villages that seem to stand still in time.

I often took our guests on such trips. They were surprised time and again by the beauty of the interior. I enjoyed it at least as much myself. There was little that could compare to a drive through the mountains with my faithful Suzie (the Suzuki) and my dog Jack. Along the way, we often stopped by a brook or a small river for a simple picnic: a good glass of wine, a piece of cheese, and the soothing sound of flowing water. Even in the driest months, water often continued to flow through the riverbed here. It was on one of these trips that I met the protagonist of the book, Isambard.

De hond, Jack, geeft aanwijzingen over route. The dog , Jack, gives information for the route

Nevertheless, our lives changed. My wife developed health problems and longed to return to the Netherlands. Eventually, we took that step. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.

When I read reports from Albania today (July 2026) about protests against the destruction of nature, I often think back to the Costa del Sol. I fear that the same development threatens to take place there as in Southern Spain. There, too, it once started with a few projects here and there. By now, a large part of the Spanish coast has been built up. Where there used to be open space and nature, there are now villas, apartment complexes, and resorts. Economic growth brought prosperity, but at the same time came at the expense of much of the original beauty and character of the landscape. That is a loss that can hardly be recovered.

The journeys I took with my Suzie and Jack through the Andalusian hinterland formed the inspiration for a large part of "Window in Space-Time" . I also met Isanbard (the main character) during one of these trips.

Ons fantastische huis aan de Costa del Sol. Our fantantic house on the Costa del Sol.

Want to read more? Discover "Window in Spacetime"