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The Journey #13
Land Of Rivers And Trees
From Amazon bestselling author Craig Briggs, The Journey continues with book thirteen in the series, LAND of RIVERS and TREES.
Dark clouds of uncertainty hang over Craig and Melanie’s future in Spain as the spectre of a no-deal Brexit looms. Can Craig set the record straight before an unknown criminal past puts paid to them taking back control?
When newly introduced regulations threaten to scupper Craig’s winemaking aspirations, he and Melanie embark on a quest to learn new skills. Little do they know it will require the patience of a saint and the understanding of an unfamiliar language, but sterner tests lie ahead.
Rising costs and falling reservations raise questions about the viability of their holiday rental property. After much soul searching, they decide to turn the page and put their beloved house on the market but, with only days until the first guests of the season arrive, an unexpected water pump failure adds to their woes. Will they find a solution in time?
Challenges come and go, but their love for their adopted homeland remains unwavering. From chocolate and churros to drinks and nibbles, cathedrals and castles to rivers and beaches, Craig and Melanie’s life is an ever-changing collage of people, places, sounds, and food.
Craig’s flowing writing style and detailed descriptions take the reader on a memorable journey that will remain with them long after the final page has been turned.
Dark clouds of uncertainty hang over Craig and Melanie’s future in Spain as the spectre of a no-deal Brexit looms. Can Craig set the record straight before an unknown criminal past puts paid to them taking back control?
When newly introduced regulations threaten to scupper Craig’s winemaking aspirations, he and Melanie embark on a quest to learn new skills. Little do they know it will require the patience of a saint and the understanding of an unfamiliar language, but sterner tests lie ahead.
Rising costs and falling reservations raise questions about the viability of their holiday rental property. After much soul searching, they decide to turn the page and put their beloved house on the market but, with only days until the first guests of the season arrive, an unexpected water pump failure adds to their woes. Will they find a solution in time?
Challenges come and go, but their love for their adopted homeland remains unwavering. From chocolate and churros to drinks and nibbles, cathedrals and castles to rivers and beaches, Craig and Melanie’s life is an ever-changing collage of people, places, sounds, and food.
Craig’s flowing writing style and detailed descriptions take the reader on a memorable journey that will remain with them long after the final page has been turned.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
71 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Craig Briggs
16 books53 followersIf life deals you a bad hand, don’t fold, take a chance; a good player will always come out on top.
Craig Briggs was born on the 12th of July 1962, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Huddersfield, the second child, and only son, of Donald and Glenys Briggs. The birth of their daughter had been a joy. The arrival of Craig would make the family complete. Unfortunately, Craig was not a ‘normal’ lad; he’d been born with congenital feet deformities.
Unaware of his disability, Craig got on with life as any infant would. His first birthday brought a gift that would change his life forever. A marvel of modern engineering, manufactured by J.E. Hanger and Co. of London for and on behalf of the National Health Service. Bespoke footwear gave him what the Vespa had given the youth of the fifties: freedom and independence. They weren’t quite as stylish as an Italian built scooter but he didn’t care. From now on, Master Briggs was on the move and no one would hold him back.
Over the next five years a series of surgical procedures changed the way he moved. When the time came, his mum walked him to school like any other proud parent and his dad gave him his first and only piece of worldly advice. ‘If anyone hits you, hit ’em back.’
With one exception, his mind proved sharper than his boxing prowess. Academia was not really his thing; he found it difficult to concentrate on anything that didn’t interest him.
In May 1980 he left college and entered the employment market. Margaret Thatcher was busy dismantling British industry and unemployment was running at a post-war high. He signed on to receive unemployment benefit and spent the summer lounging around the house watching the Wimbledon Tennis Championship on telly. As the tournament drew to a close, parental pressure to find work intensified. In September, during one of his many visits to the Job Centre, a job card caught his eye: ‘Wanted: trainee retail managers’.
Five hundred and sixty applicants chased six positions. He pleaded his case at an interview and ended up being selected. After a two-week training course in the seaside town of Southport, he passed with honours, achieving the rank of assistant manager. When asked where he’d like to ply his newfound retail skills, he chose London, a city paved with gold.
In October 1980, he left Huddersfield a naive child, and returned three and a half years later a wiser and more mature young man. A brief period of letting his hair down followed, catching up on lost time and lost youth. During these wild and hedonistic months, he met the love of his life and future wife, Melanie.
His career in retail spanned six and a half years with five different companies but to realise his dream he would have to go it alone. Not long after his twenty-sixth birthday, he handed in his notice. His future lay in leather jackets. Unfortunately, no one shared this vision and his aspirations fell at the first hurdle.
The prospect of returning to the retail trade pushed him into pursuing a different path. He reached a compromise and worked as a self-employed agent for one of the nation’s largest insurance companies. The job title, Financial Consultant, exaggerated the role. In reality he was nothing more than a desperate insurance salesman. Life was hard and the insurance industry ruthless. Trying to sell a product that nobody wants, and which by its nature will never benefit the payee, is not easy. Unlike most recruits, he managed to survive and learnt some difficult but valuable lessons.
His ‘Big Break’ came when he was asked to invest in a fledgling printing business. The first year’s accounts showed greater losses than actual sales. Against all professional advice he jumped at the chance, re-mortgaged his house and bought an equal stake.
By accident rather than design, he’d finally found his true vocation. The company was losing money hand over fist. The bank had taken a second charge on the partners’ homes and his investment was swallowed up in a
Craig Briggs was born on the 12th of July 1962, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Huddersfield, the second child, and only son, of Donald and Glenys Briggs. The birth of their daughter had been a joy. The arrival of Craig would make the family complete. Unfortunately, Craig was not a ‘normal’ lad; he’d been born with congenital feet deformities.
Unaware of his disability, Craig got on with life as any infant would. His first birthday brought a gift that would change his life forever. A marvel of modern engineering, manufactured by J.E. Hanger and Co. of London for and on behalf of the National Health Service. Bespoke footwear gave him what the Vespa had given the youth of the fifties: freedom and independence. They weren’t quite as stylish as an Italian built scooter but he didn’t care. From now on, Master Briggs was on the move and no one would hold him back.
Over the next five years a series of surgical procedures changed the way he moved. When the time came, his mum walked him to school like any other proud parent and his dad gave him his first and only piece of worldly advice. ‘If anyone hits you, hit ’em back.’
With one exception, his mind proved sharper than his boxing prowess. Academia was not really his thing; he found it difficult to concentrate on anything that didn’t interest him.
In May 1980 he left college and entered the employment market. Margaret Thatcher was busy dismantling British industry and unemployment was running at a post-war high. He signed on to receive unemployment benefit and spent the summer lounging around the house watching the Wimbledon Tennis Championship on telly. As the tournament drew to a close, parental pressure to find work intensified. In September, during one of his many visits to the Job Centre, a job card caught his eye: ‘Wanted: trainee retail managers’.
Five hundred and sixty applicants chased six positions. He pleaded his case at an interview and ended up being selected. After a two-week training course in the seaside town of Southport, he passed with honours, achieving the rank of assistant manager. When asked where he’d like to ply his newfound retail skills, he chose London, a city paved with gold.
In October 1980, he left Huddersfield a naive child, and returned three and a half years later a wiser and more mature young man. A brief period of letting his hair down followed, catching up on lost time and lost youth. During these wild and hedonistic months, he met the love of his life and future wife, Melanie.
His career in retail spanned six and a half years with five different companies but to realise his dream he would have to go it alone. Not long after his twenty-sixth birthday, he handed in his notice. His future lay in leather jackets. Unfortunately, no one shared this vision and his aspirations fell at the first hurdle.
The prospect of returning to the retail trade pushed him into pursuing a different path. He reached a compromise and worked as a self-employed agent for one of the nation’s largest insurance companies. The job title, Financial Consultant, exaggerated the role. In reality he was nothing more than a desperate insurance salesman. Life was hard and the insurance industry ruthless. Trying to sell a product that nobody wants, and which by its nature will never benefit the payee, is not easy. Unlike most recruits, he managed to survive and learnt some difficult but valuable lessons.
His ‘Big Break’ came when he was asked to invest in a fledgling printing business. The first year’s accounts showed greater losses than actual sales. Against all professional advice he jumped at the chance, re-mortgaged his house and bought an equal stake.
By accident rather than design, he’d finally found his true vocation. The company was losing money hand over fist. The bank had taken a second charge on the partners’ homes and his investment was swallowed up in a
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 9, 2025
I admit to being a big fan of Craig's books and it's always a treat when a new one is available. I try not to read it too quickly but without any success! Having established their home and a successful property rental business in beautiful Galicia, Craig and Melanie find themselves having to make some difficult decisions, not least the one to become Spanish Citizens. Of course this meant dealing with Spanish bureaucracy which never seems to be straightforward.
I enjoy reading of their travels and day trips as they love exploring and making the most of the various festivals and events that take place like a local Wine Fiesta ( what's not to like about that?) However things don't always go to plan and they have a number of issues to deal with. I must say I admire Craig's detemination to get things fixed himself some of which did make me laugh! Reading one of Craig's books is like sitting down with an old friend and catching up with all the news as he has such an easy conversational style of writing. It's another winner and I'm already looking forward to the next in the series.
I enjoy reading of their travels and day trips as they love exploring and making the most of the various festivals and events that take place like a local Wine Fiesta ( what's not to like about that?) However things don't always go to plan and they have a number of issues to deal with. I must say I admire Craig's detemination to get things fixed himself some of which did make me laugh! Reading one of Craig's books is like sitting down with an old friend and catching up with all the news as he has such an easy conversational style of writing. It's another winner and I'm already looking forward to the next in the series.
April 22, 2025
One of the best in the series-probably his best yet.
Hard to believe this is Book 13 in the series-and still they're fresh as a daisy. The introductory chapter-I know all this, and read it every time, but I still find it enjoyable, and so useful to recap when you go back into the series.
Craig's books just get better and better, and quicker and easier to read. So easy to get into as you know the routine; his writing style. And no, they're not samey, there's always something different happening as they have new challenges, breakages, problems, and also continue to experience their dream life in Spain.
Knowing this book was just new out, and there'd be no more for a while until his next writing appeared, I did try to make this last a bit longer....... but failed miserably! I just couldn't stop myself reading it. Such a nice, easy flow. Loved it, and can't wait for more.
His books are like a blend of moving-abroad/living abroad memoir, and travel memoir-he tells of many of their adventures where they live in Galicia, and they often go travelling around-whether that be day trips, or longer stays, and he tells about their times there, and describes the surroundings beautifully.
An absolutely packed book; so many adventures, and some amusing moments too.
One of the best in the series-for me, probably his best yet.
Hard to believe this is Book 13 in the series-and still they're fresh as a daisy. The introductory chapter-I know all this, and read it every time, but I still find it enjoyable, and so useful to recap when you go back into the series.
Craig's books just get better and better, and quicker and easier to read. So easy to get into as you know the routine; his writing style. And no, they're not samey, there's always something different happening as they have new challenges, breakages, problems, and also continue to experience their dream life in Spain.
Knowing this book was just new out, and there'd be no more for a while until his next writing appeared, I did try to make this last a bit longer....... but failed miserably! I just couldn't stop myself reading it. Such a nice, easy flow. Loved it, and can't wait for more.
His books are like a blend of moving-abroad/living abroad memoir, and travel memoir-he tells of many of their adventures where they live in Galicia, and they often go travelling around-whether that be day trips, or longer stays, and he tells about their times there, and describes the surroundings beautifully.
An absolutely packed book; so many adventures, and some amusing moments too.
One of the best in the series-for me, probably his best yet.
April 21, 2025
Changes Ahead
After many years of living in Spain, the perils of Brexit threaten to put an end to Craig and Melanie's life there, and there is trouble with their rental property, too. Luckily for us readers, this means an intriguing story, that is a pleasure to read. In the same vein as the other twelve books (how can that even be possible?) we enjoy life in the Briggs household, and meet some favorite characters. But this book is a little different, as there are challenges to be met by them both if they want to continue living their comfortable life in Galicia. I loved this book. It's equally as enjoyable as the previous books in the series, and there's plenty of interest with visits to different places, and lots of food and wine to sample. Looking forward now to book 14, which Craig has promised is in the pipeline.
After many years of living in Spain, the perils of Brexit threaten to put an end to Craig and Melanie's life there, and there is trouble with their rental property, too. Luckily for us readers, this means an intriguing story, that is a pleasure to read. In the same vein as the other twelve books (how can that even be possible?) we enjoy life in the Briggs household, and meet some favorite characters. But this book is a little different, as there are challenges to be met by them both if they want to continue living their comfortable life in Galicia. I loved this book. It's equally as enjoyable as the previous books in the series, and there's plenty of interest with visits to different places, and lots of food and wine to sample. Looking forward now to book 14, which Craig has promised is in the pipeline.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews