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The Journey #5
Driving Ambition: Life in the slow lane
Sell up, move abroad, and live the good life. How difficult could it be?
When Craig Briggs and his wife Melanie followed their dream of a life in the sun, things didn’t go exactly to plan.
Craig’s bestselling memoir Journey To A Dream began this life-changing story. The fifth book in The Journey series, Driving Ambition, chronicles their ever-evolving lives.
In Driving Ambition Craig and Melanie get to grips with their latest property restoration project. Keeping costs down comes at a price. Suppliers and subcontractors test their patience and beasts in the bodegas keep them on their toes. With the help of their builder Manolo, they transform a romantic ruin into luxury accommodation for the discerning traveller.
But there’s more to life than work. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance takes precedence. Their quest for the Holy Grail is a great success and leads to an amazing discovery. Wacky ideas keep life interesting. Who said you need to work in an office to hold an office Christmas party?
Craig’s driving ambitions have mixed results but the trip of a lifetime takes them far from their rural home in Galicia and all the way to Wollongong in Australia via Shanghai in China. A forty-nine-day tour to six countries on three continents, flying 27,000 miles and driving over 13,000 kilometres.
Once again, Craig’s attention to detail and flowing writing style will keep you turning the pages.
When Craig Briggs and his wife Melanie followed their dream of a life in the sun, things didn’t go exactly to plan.
Craig’s bestselling memoir Journey To A Dream began this life-changing story. The fifth book in The Journey series, Driving Ambition, chronicles their ever-evolving lives.
In Driving Ambition Craig and Melanie get to grips with their latest property restoration project. Keeping costs down comes at a price. Suppliers and subcontractors test their patience and beasts in the bodegas keep them on their toes. With the help of their builder Manolo, they transform a romantic ruin into luxury accommodation for the discerning traveller.
But there’s more to life than work. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance takes precedence. Their quest for the Holy Grail is a great success and leads to an amazing discovery. Wacky ideas keep life interesting. Who said you need to work in an office to hold an office Christmas party?
Craig’s driving ambitions have mixed results but the trip of a lifetime takes them far from their rural home in Galicia and all the way to Wollongong in Australia via Shanghai in China. A forty-nine-day tour to six countries on three continents, flying 27,000 miles and driving over 13,000 kilometres.
Once again, Craig’s attention to detail and flowing writing style will keep you turning the pages.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2018
129 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Craig Briggs
16 books54 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 21, 2019
Enjoyed adventures form USA
Loved he house building adventures, the trip aboard was well described and enjoyable. Each site I looked up. As I do not travel as much outside USA except to Scotland to see family I love reading those that have the will power and patience. After years of military travel abroad I do get bored but then I read books like yours. I laugh and say they have patience and good wine!!!
Loved he house building adventures, the trip aboard was well described and enjoyable. Each site I looked up. As I do not travel as much outside USA except to Scotland to see family I love reading those that have the will power and patience. After years of military travel abroad I do get bored but then I read books like yours. I laugh and say they have patience and good wine!!!
January 13, 2019
What a treat to read this latest book from Craig Briggs. It is deceptively called ‘life in the slow lane’ but trust me Craig and his wonderful and long suffering wife Melanie are constantly working! I loved reading about the efforts to renovate an old property and convert it into luxury rental accommodation. However nothing is ever straightforward in Spain so there are a few ups and downs along the way. It’s just as well Craig has a great sense of humour. As well as entertaining us with descriptions of the restoration work he also tells us of their holiday of a lifetime to Australia. I really enjoy Craig’s easy chatty style of writing. You almost feel as if you are sitting with Craig enjoying a 'Teatime Taster' while he regales you with all these stories, some to make you laugh aloud some to make you shake your head in wonder! Keep on entertaining us please.
February 7, 2019
This was the second book I have read by the author on his joint experience with his wife living in Galicia after an ambitious move from the UK. This book is very well written, easy to read, easy to follow and also be part of their daily lives as they continued to forge a positive life in this wonderful part of Spain. I really enjoyed their travels throughout Spain, with a toe in Portugal and a fantastic month totally away from their normal routines when on vacation in Australia. Excellent read and for anyone (as many of us have) thought of moving to Spain, this and his other books are a must to read.
Alastair Wilson
Alastair Wilson
December 28, 2018
Excellent read.
Wow, I have enjoyed this delightful memoir so very much. Told with Craig's great sense of humour, I laughed lots, and shed a few tears as well. Gluttons for punishment, Craig and his wife Melanie tackle yet another renovation project in Galicia; make several trips around Spain and Portugal, then head out to Australia, and even visit my home city of Mount Gambier.
Well written and entertaining from beginning to end.
Wow, I have enjoyed this delightful memoir so very much. Told with Craig's great sense of humour, I laughed lots, and shed a few tears as well. Gluttons for punishment, Craig and his wife Melanie tackle yet another renovation project in Galicia; make several trips around Spain and Portugal, then head out to Australia, and even visit my home city of Mount Gambier.
Well written and entertaining from beginning to end.
August 16, 2020
Wollongon or bust!
I was enjoying the story finding out about the trials and tribulations of the Vilatan house remodeling until the trip of a lifetime started and then there was no way I was putting this book down until I had finished reading it that truly was a trip of a lifetime and I found reading about Australia and Shanghai so interesting and intriguing I almost didn't want the trip to end and I wasn't even there.
I was enjoying the story finding out about the trials and tribulations of the Vilatan house remodeling until the trip of a lifetime started and then there was no way I was putting this book down until I had finished reading it that truly was a trip of a lifetime and I found reading about Australia and Shanghai so interesting and intriguing I almost didn't want the trip to end and I wasn't even there.
August 16, 2020
Life get more interesting by the day
Craig and Mel really do know how to make a simple life so interesting to us me at mortals. Having read my way through the ups and downs of Galician life styles from two yorkies, in the first five books in the series, I'm drawn to one thing only now..... Book six!!! Bring it on 😂😂😂😂😂
Craig and Mel really do know how to make a simple life so interesting to us me at mortals. Having read my way through the ups and downs of Galician life styles from two yorkies, in the first five books in the series, I'm drawn to one thing only now..... Book six!!! Bring it on 😂😂😂😂😂
July 6, 2019
Having read the whole series whilst on holiday I found them absolutely enthralling if you want some FABULOOOOS reading then get all 5 books and do some binge reading, Please Craig can we have some Galicia Adventures Highly Recommended.
June 13, 2020
As I really like this authors way of writing about their experiences of living in Spain, once again another book that I enjoyed reading.
June 16, 2020
Very Good held my interest.
January 14, 2022
Excellent.
The book begins with a bit of a resume of the main happenings in the previous 4 books. I have read these, but enjoyed the mini-recap. This book seems like it will be a bit different and entails a house swap. How long for? Where? It says the other side of the world. Down under?
Before their trip there's some hard graft, not just a bit of decorating and doing up. As well as their own home in Galicia, Spain, they are now the owners of another property, which they're going to renovate to a high standard, aiming to provide luxury holiday rental accommodation. As well as the work, there's plenty of relaxation with eg, a Birthday outing; historical sightseeing, and some mouthwatering meals out.
An informative and entertaining read. Craig has now written 8 books-this is book 5, and of course he's really got his writing style off to a T. Very enjoyable.
The book is subtitled ‘Life in the slow lane’-it is some days, but others they're certainly very busy doing some hard work renovating. They're also managing their friends' property, keeping it clean, and meeting and greeting the guests who come and go.
A lovely read. I like how it’s authentic-he’s not altered some of their natural expressions for readers around the world to be more familiar with, they're speaking as people from Yorkshire, England, and it's refreshing (OK, I'm biased, I'm also from Yorkshire). I like learning new expressions say in books written by American authors-you can always google them if you don’t know what they mean.
His books were good before, but he's always improving his writing. Gone are the very repetitive phrases from earlier books in the series-eg. I remember commenting on ‘Be careful’ 22 times in one book. The ones I looked up in this and thought aye aye, here's one of his favourite phrases, how many times?-and they will be there only eg twice-much better!
The humour and banter between Craig and wife Melanie makes you chuckle. He's really honed his craft, his books just get better and better; more polished, and totally engage you. So much to interest. A good blend of laughter, tears, inspiring vision with renovations, and some inevitable obstacles along the way.
This one is a cross between a moving abroad, and a travel memoir as, as well as their continuing renovation work, they take time out to enjoy a four and a half week trip to Australia. Craig guides us through their daily itinerary of places to see and things to do.
An excellent book - and I've gone straight on to read the next in the series.
The book begins with a bit of a resume of the main happenings in the previous 4 books. I have read these, but enjoyed the mini-recap. This book seems like it will be a bit different and entails a house swap. How long for? Where? It says the other side of the world. Down under?
Before their trip there's some hard graft, not just a bit of decorating and doing up. As well as their own home in Galicia, Spain, they are now the owners of another property, which they're going to renovate to a high standard, aiming to provide luxury holiday rental accommodation. As well as the work, there's plenty of relaxation with eg, a Birthday outing; historical sightseeing, and some mouthwatering meals out.
An informative and entertaining read. Craig has now written 8 books-this is book 5, and of course he's really got his writing style off to a T. Very enjoyable.
The book is subtitled ‘Life in the slow lane’-it is some days, but others they're certainly very busy doing some hard work renovating. They're also managing their friends' property, keeping it clean, and meeting and greeting the guests who come and go.
A lovely read. I like how it’s authentic-he’s not altered some of their natural expressions for readers around the world to be more familiar with, they're speaking as people from Yorkshire, England, and it's refreshing (OK, I'm biased, I'm also from Yorkshire). I like learning new expressions say in books written by American authors-you can always google them if you don’t know what they mean.
His books were good before, but he's always improving his writing. Gone are the very repetitive phrases from earlier books in the series-eg. I remember commenting on ‘Be careful’ 22 times in one book. The ones I looked up in this and thought aye aye, here's one of his favourite phrases, how many times?-and they will be there only eg twice-much better!
The humour and banter between Craig and wife Melanie makes you chuckle. He's really honed his craft, his books just get better and better; more polished, and totally engage you. So much to interest. A good blend of laughter, tears, inspiring vision with renovations, and some inevitable obstacles along the way.
This one is a cross between a moving abroad, and a travel memoir as, as well as their continuing renovation work, they take time out to enjoy a four and a half week trip to Australia. Craig guides us through their daily itinerary of places to see and things to do.
An excellent book - and I've gone straight on to read the next in the series.
June 8, 2019
The ending
Just finished the last book in his series. I enjoyed them all. I know they can't keep going on since the story caught up with them and the present day but hopefully in the future he will have another.
Just finished the last book in his series. I enjoyed them all. I know they can't keep going on since the story caught up with them and the present day but hopefully in the future he will have another.
April 13, 2020
A great series..
Book five completed, now a wait for the next one. More tales of Craig and Melanie's life in rural Spain, this time with a trip to Australia thrown in for good measure. These guys never seem to stop, a tranquil Iife in the sun it certainly isn't. Each book has been great fun, great characters and very well written. Looking forward to more in the coming months.
Book five completed, now a wait for the next one. More tales of Craig and Melanie's life in rural Spain, this time with a trip to Australia thrown in for good measure. These guys never seem to stop, a tranquil Iife in the sun it certainly isn't. Each book has been great fun, great characters and very well written. Looking forward to more in the coming months.
July 12, 2021
Book 5 in the series and just as good as all the others. This time Craig and Melanie take a 7 week holiday to Australia, with a stopover in Shanghai
I love reading about their adventures, always with a good dose of humour
Can’t wait to read the next in the series
I love reading about their adventures, always with a good dose of humour
Can’t wait to read the next in the series
October 11, 2022
Fascinating
Another great book! It was really hard to put down and get some work done, I enjoyed every page. Definitely reading the next!
Another great book! It was really hard to put down and get some work done, I enjoyed every page. Definitely reading the next!
January 4, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed book five in The Journey Series. The author has the knack of keeping the story interesting and unwrapping the plot with finesse. Of course it makes me just want to keep reading, which I did next book so quickly I forgot to do a well deserved review for this one
October 19, 2024
Loved this!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews