A New Life In The Sun Where Are They Now

Sun, Sea, and…Sausage Rolls? A Look Back at Our Favorite Expats

Remember that feeling? The one where you fantasize about ditching it all and opening a quirky B&B in the Spanish countryside? We all do! A New Life in the Sun gave us a front-row seat to those brave (or maybe slightly bonkers) souls who actually took the plunge.

But what happens after the cameras stop rolling? Did their dreams of sun-drenched success become reality, or did they end up knee-deep in paperwork and questionable local delicacies? Let's dive in!

The Restaurant Revolutionaries

So many brave souls decided to open a restaurant. Think back to John and Julie in France, remember their dreams of a thriving bistro? Well, after a few turbulent seasons, they decided to pivot.

The bistro is now a thriving… antique shop! Julie discovered a hidden talent for sourcing vintage furniture, and John finally gets to indulge his passion for polishing silverware. Turns out, sometimes "a new life" means a totally different new life than you planned!

And who could forget Maria, the fiery chef in Portugal whose temper was as hot as her piri-piri chicken? The restaurant’s still going strong, though rumour has it she's mellowed out a bit. She even offers a cooking class now, teaching tourists how to make (and not burn) the perfect Pastel de Nata.

B&B Bliss or Bedlam?

Oh, the B&Bs! Filled with quirky characters, questionable plumbing, and the ever-present threat of demanding guests.

Remember David and Susan who bought that rambling farmhouse in Italy? The one with the olive grove and the leaky roof? They are still there!

The B&B is booming, thanks in no small part to Susan's homemade limoncello and David's surprisingly popular "learn to prune an olive tree" workshops. Guests rave about the authentic Italian experience. Well, the authentic Italian experience, and Susan's limoncello.

The Unexpected Entrepreneurs

Some expats had surprises up their sleeves. Take Brenda, who originally planned to open a dog grooming service in Cyprus. Remember her?

Well, the dog grooming didn't quite take off. But she's now the island's leading supplier of…British sausage rolls! Who knew? Turns out the local expats (and a surprising number of Cypriots) were desperate for a taste of home. Brenda’s "Brenda's Banger Bites" is a local institution!

And then there was Peter, who moved to Spain to retire and learn the flamenco guitar. He struggled for a while but is now making a living from teaching retired expats how to play ukulele. He says it's less stressful than flamenco.

The Takeaway?

A New Life in the Sun is more than just a TV show. It's a testament to the human spirit, the courage to chase a dream, and the hilarious unpredictability of life.

Not everyone finds instant success, and some even return home, wiser and slightly more sunburnt. But the real reward, it seems, is the adventure itself. And maybe a really good sausage roll.

"Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you didn't plan for." - Some wise person, probably.

So, next time you're dreaming of escape, remember Brenda and her sausage rolls. You never know where your new life might take you!