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The Journey #3
Endless Possibilities: Sunny skies and mountains high
This is an alternate cover edition of 978-1537230412/1537230417
Life in the Spanish region of Galicia just keeps getting better for Craig Briggs, his wife Melanie and their faithful hound, Jazz. This is the third book in 'The Journey' series which began with Craig's bestselling travel memoir JOURNEY TO A DREAM. In ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Craig's attempts at winemaking produce mixed results but fail to dampen his enthusiasm. Life in the Galician countryside is rarely uneventful and when Melanie is rushed to A&E it's Craig who has to pick himself up off the floor. Having successfully bought, renovated, and sold a property they decide to seek out a new project. After months of searching they eventually find their prize, a romantically appealing farmhouse in a ruinous condition. When the slow turning wheels of Spanish bureaucracy threaten to scupper their plans they're forced to hold their nerve. More adventures follow. A birthday surprise ends with Melanie in tears and a festive break to Lanzarote puts Jazz in a spin. Tasked with preparing their friends' house for holiday letting, Craig and Melanie find themselves in a race against time. Broken bones and blocked drains conspire to defeat their efforts. With confirmed reservations just weeks away, they have little choice but to soldier on. Craig's easy reading style, keen sense of humour, and attention to detail transport the reader on a journey of ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.
Life in the Spanish region of Galicia just keeps getting better for Craig Briggs, his wife Melanie and their faithful hound, Jazz. This is the third book in 'The Journey' series which began with Craig's bestselling travel memoir JOURNEY TO A DREAM. In ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Craig's attempts at winemaking produce mixed results but fail to dampen his enthusiasm. Life in the Galician countryside is rarely uneventful and when Melanie is rushed to A&E it's Craig who has to pick himself up off the floor. Having successfully bought, renovated, and sold a property they decide to seek out a new project. After months of searching they eventually find their prize, a romantically appealing farmhouse in a ruinous condition. When the slow turning wheels of Spanish bureaucracy threaten to scupper their plans they're forced to hold their nerve. More adventures follow. A birthday surprise ends with Melanie in tears and a festive break to Lanzarote puts Jazz in a spin. Tasked with preparing their friends' house for holiday letting, Craig and Melanie find themselves in a race against time. Broken bones and blocked drains conspire to defeat their efforts. With confirmed reservations just weeks away, they have little choice but to soldier on. Craig's easy reading style, keen sense of humour, and attention to detail transport the reader on a journey of ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.
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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 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 27, 2021
I love this series of books. I enjoyed reading about Craigs adventures and challenges in this new life.
February 4, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish.
This was an excellent book which I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. This is the third in the series and chronicles Craig and Melanie Briggs’ move from Yorkshire to rural northern Spain. I’ve read both of the preceding books and again, this is very nice, pleasant, easy reading and it flows really well. There are some excellent descriptions of the surroundings and plenty of ups and downs, resulting in a fair few giggles. I really enjoyed this-it was great fun.
There are some really good word choices-and I have to say, Craig's third book was reminding me a bit of John Searancke's writing, particularly his ‘Dog Days in the Fortunate Islands’. This is very easy to read, it flows, it's concise, there are some excellent word choices and expressions, refreshing, a little bit different.
I like to see a variety of techniques-I love to see actual letters and emails, of which there are some in the book. There is also a table of results from the chemist. There are many enjoyable happenings to read about in here. Craig’s writing has just gone from strength to strength. My only little niggle was Melanie saying “Do be careful” loads of times in the book!!! It was a bit repetitive and I kept thinking “Argh, not again!”-HOWEVER, I do this myself apparently-so my son and nephew tell me-they put on high voices supposed to be me and keep repeating “Be careful!”-it must be a Yorkshire thing!
This is definitely the best of his three books-and they're all very good. Can’t wait for the next chapter now!
This was an excellent book which I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. This is the third in the series and chronicles Craig and Melanie Briggs’ move from Yorkshire to rural northern Spain. I’ve read both of the preceding books and again, this is very nice, pleasant, easy reading and it flows really well. There are some excellent descriptions of the surroundings and plenty of ups and downs, resulting in a fair few giggles. I really enjoyed this-it was great fun.
There are some really good word choices-and I have to say, Craig's third book was reminding me a bit of John Searancke's writing, particularly his ‘Dog Days in the Fortunate Islands’. This is very easy to read, it flows, it's concise, there are some excellent word choices and expressions, refreshing, a little bit different.
I like to see a variety of techniques-I love to see actual letters and emails, of which there are some in the book. There is also a table of results from the chemist. There are many enjoyable happenings to read about in here. Craig’s writing has just gone from strength to strength. My only little niggle was Melanie saying “Do be careful” loads of times in the book!!! It was a bit repetitive and I kept thinking “Argh, not again!”-HOWEVER, I do this myself apparently-so my son and nephew tell me-they put on high voices supposed to be me and keep repeating “Be careful!”-it must be a Yorkshire thing!
This is definitely the best of his three books-and they're all very good. Can’t wait for the next chapter now!
July 1, 2020
After a fantastic start to Craig & Melanie's journey with book 1 Journey to a Dream, and books 2 Beyond Imagination in this six book series. The third epic memoir of our British born Spaniards carries on with their journey in true style once again. Craig has a wonderful sense of description in his writing then for me really does enable me to life the experiences with him and his wife Melanie. Cant wait to open the book three now
Martin
Martin
April 10, 2020
Still going strong.
Third instalment in the lives of Craig and Melanie, and their life in rural Spain. Easy to read, well written and full of great characters. They should write for the local tourist board, such is their enthusiasm for the area. Definitely worth a read.
Third instalment in the lives of Craig and Melanie, and their life in rural Spain. Easy to read, well written and full of great characters. They should write for the local tourist board, such is their enthusiasm for the area. Definitely worth a read.
October 3, 2017
Another good read in this series - continuing the author's life in Spain - looking forward to reading book 4.
October 7, 2017
More, please
Have thoroughly enjoyed all three books in this series and I hope there are more of the Briggs' adventures to come.
Have thoroughly enjoyed all three books in this series and I hope there are more of the Briggs' adventures to come.
October 22, 2017
I must say I’m really enjoying this series of books about Craig and Melanie’s move to Galicia and their hard work in building a new life there. They have established themselves firmly in the local community and have made firm friends with the locals. After the initial problems renovating their home El Sueno the intrepid couple offer to oversee and manage the renovation of another house with the intention of letting it out as a favour for another couple, Bob and Janet. This is also something they want to do for themselves and with this in mind they buy what amounts to a ruin with no water or electricity. However they can see the potential to convert it to a property which they can let out.
Naturally nothing is ever straightforward and they have some difficult things to deal with including some medical issues. I have to admire their positivity and the way they face problems head on. I do love reading about Craig’s growing interest in wine making – who knew it could be so fraught with problems!! It did make me laugh as did Craig’s attempts to put in a sprinkler system in the lawn. Craig’s descriptions are so vivid I could actually visualise the chaos. Reading Craig’s book is like sitting down with him and listening to all these entertaining anecdotes. It’s a friendly conversational style. I’m so looking forward to the next instalment.
Naturally nothing is ever straightforward and they have some difficult things to deal with including some medical issues. I have to admire their positivity and the way they face problems head on. I do love reading about Craig’s growing interest in wine making – who knew it could be so fraught with problems!! It did make me laugh as did Craig’s attempts to put in a sprinkler system in the lawn. Craig’s descriptions are so vivid I could actually visualise the chaos. Reading Craig’s book is like sitting down with him and listening to all these entertaining anecdotes. It’s a friendly conversational style. I’m so looking forward to the next instalment.
June 2, 2019
First review
This my first review on his series of books. They have been all great. The reason I decided to review this was cause of all the work they did for their friends. I have some good friends but I don't think I would go to all that work and problems like they did. I don't know if they were getting paid for all that they did and if they didn't I say their friends sure took advantage of them. I think that was the only thing that ticked me off about this book. I hope the last two books in the series has friends returning some of the favors they did. But still a good read.
This my first review on his series of books. They have been all great. The reason I decided to review this was cause of all the work they did for their friends. I have some good friends but I don't think I would go to all that work and problems like they did. I don't know if they were getting paid for all that they did and if they didn't I say their friends sure took advantage of them. I think that was the only thing that ticked me off about this book. I hope the last two books in the series has friends returning some of the favors they did. But still a good read.
June 13, 2018
I do not understand the obsession with grass lawns. I can try to understand why people move to a foreign country if not for employment: it seems like a permanent vacation, except for the part about constant house maintenance and repair, and the eternal lawn care. Still this book made me want to check out Galicia if I ever get to Spain, and taste the wine. This was a peek at someone else's life with choices I would not have made myself, but still worth considering.
December 5, 2025
I’m hooked on this series about Craig, Melanie, and Jazz, and the title is just right for this one as the family branches out their activities from wine making to helping friends and building their own footprint in Galicia, a land they have quickly learned to love. The author tells a well written tale of their challenges and successes. The story is told logically and at a pleasing pace, very nice to read.
February 20, 2019
As I enjoyed books one and two it was a dead cert I would enjoy book three.
I like Craig's no nonsense style of writing. Having recently moved to Spain ourselves the 'challenges' and the glories resonate with me.
I like Craig's no nonsense style of writing. Having recently moved to Spain ourselves the 'challenges' and the glories resonate with me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews