It had arrived. We had received notification that our new cave rental, Cueva Limón, was to have an inspection from the Tourist board of Andalucia. All licenced holiday rental properties have inspections at some point and it was time for ours. We were notified 10 days ago of the date and time and given guidance on what to do with regards their visit during these covid times.

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We had 10 days to ensure we had all the relevant paperwork in order, registrations, visitors books in place, first aid and fire precautions sorted and all the other smaller things you need to look at when having such an inspection. This all seems relatively simple but not so easy when you are in the middle of a lockdown. We have had the paperwork in order for some time and the forms had been printed off the computer. Amazon, due to lockdown, was the only way I could buy a first aid kit, fire blanket and fire alarm at such short notice. The inside painting jobs we needed to finish off and the building of a garden bench and table in the back garden had to be left half finished due to lack of materials. But at least the inspector could see that we had started and what our intentions were.

Although John is going to our local school twice a week to learn Spanish we decided that this inspection was too important to try and answer any of the questions we would be asked so we arranged for a recommended translator to join us and help with communication. I’m so glad we did. He was great and although we did understand some of what was being asked the rest went well over our heads. Thank you Annie for the recommendation and thank you Guy for your translation during the visit.

When our allotted time of 9.30 arrived we had our first surprise. We did not have one inspector come to see us but two! The fact that there was more than one put our stress levels through the roof. It was going to get very serious we thought – two inspectors aiming questions from both sides. However, it was nothing like what we had imagined. It was 45 minutes of “Muy Bonito” (very nice), lots of photos being taken and many wide smiles on both of their faces. The two inspectors were very happy with everything we had achieved and the projects that we had yet to finish off. The only request was that we purchase a printed pre numbered complaints book from the bookshop in Baza. Their parting words were, ‘We are very impressed and we wish you the best for your future bookings. Muy Bien’.

I will admit to being nervous before their arrival, very nervous on their arrival and a complete jelly on their departure. It will take me a few hours to actually stop shaking. I was in complete shock that the visit went so well.

Moral of the story is … don’t worry about what may happen. It may surprise you and never happen at all and if it does, you can work it out. However, life is not that simple is it? We are all human and we will continue to worry about the ‘what ifs’ in life. Makes things more interesting I suppose, however in my case, it’s given me more grey hairs.

Please take a look at Cueva Limón and we hope you will consider joining us in the near future for a holiday that you will remember, Cave life is the best – come and try it for yourselves. http://www.caveholidays.com

Keep safe and keep smiling.