What do you think?
Rate this book
Mistakes were Made
2020 turned out to be a year most of the world would spend in pajamas. And that’s what we should have done!!
In this charming, witty, and occasionally wistful tale of a dream pursued, Andy provides an honest and earnest recount of his family’s journey from the United States to the Mediterranean idyll of Spain, all amidst the deadliest global pandemic since 1918.
Jump in the hottest and most unreliable Mondeo car on the planet with Andy, his wife Paula, their (sometimes) wayward son Adam and their two increasingly long-suffering pups Archie and Pi as they react to the changing whims of international governments, virus hotspots, and quarantine zones in their very personal battle to reach their dream villa in the sun-splashed paradise of Spain.
As the family makes ever-increasingly knee-jerk decisions, will they keep their dream alive and their family safe?
Praise for Andy C Wareing
★★★★★ Super fun and I caught myself laughing out loud at the wittiness on recounting of adventures/misadventures.
★★★★★ Started it tonight and couldn’t put it down.
★★★★★ Humorous and heartbreaking in equal measures.
★★★★★ A refreshingly honest account.
★★★★★ The writing is witty, observant and a joy to read.
★★★★★ What a wonderful read! Would highly recommend this book.
In this charming, witty, and occasionally wistful tale of a dream pursued, Andy provides an honest and earnest recount of his family’s journey from the United States to the Mediterranean idyll of Spain, all amidst the deadliest global pandemic since 1918.
Jump in the hottest and most unreliable Mondeo car on the planet with Andy, his wife Paula, their (sometimes) wayward son Adam and their two increasingly long-suffering pups Archie and Pi as they react to the changing whims of international governments, virus hotspots, and quarantine zones in their very personal battle to reach their dream villa in the sun-splashed paradise of Spain.
As the family makes ever-increasingly knee-jerk decisions, will they keep their dream alive and their family safe?
Praise for Andy C Wareing
★★★★★ Super fun and I caught myself laughing out loud at the wittiness on recounting of adventures/misadventures.
★★★★★ Started it tonight and couldn’t put it down.
★★★★★ Humorous and heartbreaking in equal measures.
★★★★★ A refreshingly honest account.
★★★★★ The writing is witty, observant and a joy to read.
★★★★★ What a wonderful read! Would highly recommend this book.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2021
137 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Andy C Wareing
25 books26 followersAlong with many like-minded souls, 2020 was the year I finally broke free of the constraints of life in corporate America. Fueled by a renewed passion and creativity I decided to pursue my new life as a full-time author.
Originally from Southport in England my wife, Paula, and I, lived and worked in the USA for 15 wonderful years, and then moved to Spain to enjoy a quiet life in the endless sunshine of the Mediterranean. Instead, we ended up embroiled in the tribulations of the pandemic. I wrote and self-published my first book “Mistakes Were Made” after that (mis) adventure.
At heart always British, we loved living in the U.S.A but will never vocalize the American pronunciations of basil, banana, or tomato. We now live with our two dogs in leafy Somerset, land of apples, cider, and weather so perpetually wet, ‘wellies’ are considered formal wear.
Please keep me away from the benefits office by leaving a review on Goodreads or your local Amazon store, and follow my blog here:
https://andycwareing.com/blog/
Originally from Southport in England my wife, Paula, and I, lived and worked in the USA for 15 wonderful years, and then moved to Spain to enjoy a quiet life in the endless sunshine of the Mediterranean. Instead, we ended up embroiled in the tribulations of the pandemic. I wrote and self-published my first book “Mistakes Were Made” after that (mis) adventure.
At heart always British, we loved living in the U.S.A but will never vocalize the American pronunciations of basil, banana, or tomato. We now live with our two dogs in leafy Somerset, land of apples, cider, and weather so perpetually wet, ‘wellies’ are considered formal wear.
Please keep me away from the benefits office by leaving a review on Goodreads or your local Amazon store, and follow my blog here:
https://andycwareing.com/blog/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 6, 2023
Sometimes your dreams don’t turn out to be quite what you imagined!
At the start of this book, Andy and his wife and son were ex-pat Brits living happily in Atlanta, USA but had dreams of moving to Spain and sampling all of the markets and fiestas on offer. They decided to sell their lovely house and make their dream a reality. Not such an unusual story, you might say, especially considering a lot of authors have done so successfully and written bestselling series of books about just that. However, the difference with Andy’s story is that it takes place right when the Covid pandemic struck with a vengeance in Europe. Having sold the house and most of their possessions, they discovered that Spain’s borders were closed to all foreigners and so ended up living in a rented house, still in the USA, until the borders were opened once more. This was the first barrier of many to their dream. They had to travel through scorching hot weather in a Ford Mondeo with no air conditioning, while Andy’s wife sprinkled water on their dogs, their son and Andy to try and keep them all alive and functioning. When they finally arrived, their experience of Spain was not at all what they expected and they ended up abandoning it in favour of some time in the UK once more. This story is told with a wry sense of humour and you can’t help feeling sorry for the family as they are constantly thwarted by Covid bureaucracy and a lack of clarity in the safety guidelines.
Mistakes Were Made is a quick and thoroughly absorbing read, which is highly recommended by me!
At the start of this book, Andy and his wife and son were ex-pat Brits living happily in Atlanta, USA but had dreams of moving to Spain and sampling all of the markets and fiestas on offer. They decided to sell their lovely house and make their dream a reality. Not such an unusual story, you might say, especially considering a lot of authors have done so successfully and written bestselling series of books about just that. However, the difference with Andy’s story is that it takes place right when the Covid pandemic struck with a vengeance in Europe. Having sold the house and most of their possessions, they discovered that Spain’s borders were closed to all foreigners and so ended up living in a rented house, still in the USA, until the borders were opened once more. This was the first barrier of many to their dream. They had to travel through scorching hot weather in a Ford Mondeo with no air conditioning, while Andy’s wife sprinkled water on their dogs, their son and Andy to try and keep them all alive and functioning. When they finally arrived, their experience of Spain was not at all what they expected and they ended up abandoning it in favour of some time in the UK once more. This story is told with a wry sense of humour and you can’t help feeling sorry for the family as they are constantly thwarted by Covid bureaucracy and a lack of clarity in the safety guidelines.
Mistakes Were Made is a quick and thoroughly absorbing read, which is highly recommended by me!
December 15, 2022
I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read. Andy and his family didn't know what was in store when they decided to chase their dream to move to Spain, I mean, who expects a global pandemic to hit? Things didn't go quite to plan but they just ride the waves and made the best of a bad situation.
June 21, 2023
Loved the cover! Loved the title! Loved the story! I have an apartment in France and my French language skills are quite limited, so I could really relate. I can never understand if I ask a question and someone answers me in French! And voicemail is impossible. My French seemed adequate for years of travel to France, but trying to communicate with vendors and workers is quite different.
June 21, 2023
very interesting book
This is a well written story. We were all caught unaware of Covid .but this man and family(including dogs) were starting an international move and it didn’t go wel. The author’s writing moves this adventure along and made me thankful I didn’t under go his traumas
This is a well written story. We were all caught unaware of Covid .but this man and family(including dogs) were starting an international move and it didn’t go wel. The author’s writing moves this adventure along and made me thankful I didn’t under go his traumas
January 28, 2024
One of the best books I've read as it engaged you from the beginning to the end. I particularly enjoyed the description of the Spanish bureaucracy, having endured this myself. I really found it hard to put this read down and was sorry when I'd finished it. Will look forward to reading more from this excellent writer.
May 12, 2024
This is the 2nd book I have read by this author (in order--book two of travel memoir). It was very entertaining and I will continue to read his books. I could literally picture the chaos they were going thru.
April 5, 2023
Really enjoyed this
It takes courage and perhaps a bit of craziness to decide on a new life in a strange country . it's not too surprising how it all turned out . But I admire this couple for actually doing what many dream of but don't do. Bravo . it also takes courage to say this was a mistake . I hope the next phase of their lives proves happy and successful.
It takes courage and perhaps a bit of craziness to decide on a new life in a strange country . it's not too surprising how it all turned out . But I admire this couple for actually doing what many dream of but don't do. Bravo . it also takes courage to say this was a mistake . I hope the next phase of their lives proves happy and successful.
May 1, 2024
My kind of book. Humour, travel and dogs. Plus a clapped out old Mondeo and a trip to Spain during the pandemic. What could go wrong?
March 7, 2023
Some mistakes make a great read!
I could not put this book down! It's a quick read, pact to the gills with adventure and what's next chapters! Also full of factual information for those who might be thinking of traveling abroad for an extended period of time! I learned a lot about Spain and this little book only confirmed how little lovely France is! The family story is a sweet one and any book that includes dogs, in my book 😊 has to be a good one! I totally recommend you read this story! Oh and the price is seriously too low!
I could not put this book down! It's a quick read, pact to the gills with adventure and what's next chapters! Also full of factual information for those who might be thinking of traveling abroad for an extended period of time! I learned a lot about Spain and this little book only confirmed how little lovely France is! The family story is a sweet one and any book that includes dogs, in my book 😊 has to be a good one! I totally recommend you read this story! Oh and the price is seriously too low!
January 28, 2024
A dream well followed
I can only admire people who have a dream, in the end find it was not what they wanted - and move on.
The author of this book sadly followed his dream as COVID struck so nothing quite went right but they, the author, his wife and son would seem to faced each setback with good humour.
The fact that they obviously had plenty of money must have made this all much easier but nevertheless the author has an endearing style
Not and uplifting or interesting read but a pleasant one.
I can only admire people who have a dream, in the end find it was not what they wanted - and move on.
The author of this book sadly followed his dream as COVID struck so nothing quite went right but they, the author, his wife and son would seem to faced each setback with good humour.
The fact that they obviously had plenty of money must have made this all much easier but nevertheless the author has an endearing style
Not and uplifting or interesting read but a pleasant one.
December 11, 2022
In fairness to Andy, there was no sign of what was about to become a global pandemic, when he and his wife decided to retire to Spain. Both Brits, they had lived in the US for fifteen years, but neither spoke Spanish or had been to Spain. I found it interesting to find out how the dream life differed from the reality - it's one thing to visit a country on vacation, but you can't spend your life on vacation. And dealing with unfamiliar bureaucracy, in a language you're not fluent in, isn't always easy. The pandemic didn't help, either. Border closings were not the only problem. And purchasing a decrepit car with faulty air-conditioning to drive to one of the sunniest countries in Europe probably wasn't the best decision. Especially when you're travelling with two dogs. All in all, an entertaining book, and I will read more by this author.
January 1, 2023
a different sort of expat
He is funny. I laughed and read aloud at least three times. The story itself was interesting, and their decisions, and the effects of the pandemic were well represented. I liked that they were able to change their minds about things…that they didn’t settle into a slightly depressed, stick it out cuz this is what we said we wanted, life.
A few unnecessary fancy words were used, but didn’t take too much away from the flow of the story. I would recommend it if you like expat memoirs!
He is funny. I laughed and read aloud at least three times. The story itself was interesting, and their decisions, and the effects of the pandemic were well represented. I liked that they were able to change their minds about things…that they didn’t settle into a slightly depressed, stick it out cuz this is what we said we wanted, life.
A few unnecessary fancy words were used, but didn’t take too much away from the flow of the story. I would recommend it if you like expat memoirs!
January 7, 2021
What an adventure! Great story, love how you were able to go with the flow and make the best of uncertain situations.
March 9, 2024
Mistakes Were Made is a travelogue with a humorous twist. When Andy and his wife Paula, originally from Southport, decide to relocate from the deep south of the United States to Spain, they know there'll be logistical challenges. Dealing with the sales of their house, cars, furniture (which will surely be too big, bulky and American for Spain), arranging transportation for their dogs, working out where their grown children will go, etc. but what they don't plan for is the Covid-19 pandemic.
Travelling first to England to visit family, only to be locked down in unforeseen mandatory isolation for fourteen days, collecting an ageing Spanish Mondeo with no air conditioning, and then driving through France and on to Spain, Andy C Wareing takes us through a colourful journey, rich with imagery and humour, and really quite moving at times.
The thing I liked most about this book was the realisation that the dream rarely matches the reality. There's something very relatable about a person relocating to an area they have known, if only fleetingly, as a sunny spot with tourists and activities, sea air and fun, and then having a crack at living there. Sometimes what appeals to a tourist is mundane, ordinary, and occasionally boring to the point of exhaustion, to the local.
After a move of thousands of miles across the globe, you'd assume they'd last more than a month in Spain. Read the book. You'd be surprised.
Travelling first to England to visit family, only to be locked down in unforeseen mandatory isolation for fourteen days, collecting an ageing Spanish Mondeo with no air conditioning, and then driving through France and on to Spain, Andy C Wareing takes us through a colourful journey, rich with imagery and humour, and really quite moving at times.
The thing I liked most about this book was the realisation that the dream rarely matches the reality. There's something very relatable about a person relocating to an area they have known, if only fleetingly, as a sunny spot with tourists and activities, sea air and fun, and then having a crack at living there. Sometimes what appeals to a tourist is mundane, ordinary, and occasionally boring to the point of exhaustion, to the local.
After a move of thousands of miles across the globe, you'd assume they'd last more than a month in Spain. Read the book. You'd be surprised.
March 11, 2024
America to Spain to America
I found this to be rather odd little read. A famil
y decides to move to live in Spain from the USA . We follow then through the frankly tedious process form by form, interview by interview, selling all their stuff etc etc etc until finally they go. They end up in a house they don't like, in a town they where they don't want to be, with a car that apparently is too big!? And it's too hot. In Spain in the summer. So they drive to the UK and decide that it was all a mistake and that really they want to live in the USA. The end.
If it was written in an amusing manner then fair enough but it's not really. Pretty much just a step by step factual recounting of events. A diary perhaps? Certainly not a book.
I found this to be rather odd little read. A famil
y decides to move to live in Spain from the USA . We follow then through the frankly tedious process form by form, interview by interview, selling all their stuff etc etc etc until finally they go. They end up in a house they don't like, in a town they where they don't want to be, with a car that apparently is too big!? And it's too hot. In Spain in the summer. So they drive to the UK and decide that it was all a mistake and that really they want to live in the USA. The end.
If it was written in an amusing manner then fair enough but it's not really. Pretty much just a step by step factual recounting of events. A diary perhaps? Certainly not a book.
August 19, 2024
So the decision to retire was made, & it was farewell to America, & almost everything they owned was sold. Then Covid seemed to snatch the Spanish Home in the Sun Dream from Paula & Andy. Even Adam didn’t get his fish & chips in Benidorm. Everywhere was closed in summer 2020. And it was hot. Thankfully there was a pool! Something of an escapade with the Spanish Mondeo having a leading role & no aircon! Those two long suffering dogs Archie & Pi could write a book of their own! Another entertaining adventure with the Wareings. Book 2 of The Tailspin Travelogues. Best read in order.
September 16, 2023
🖋️ Meh. I am not impressed with the snark, politicalizations, missing punctuation, indecisive spellings, the vacillating use between acronyms and complete words, high-hattedness, unfunniness, and overall disrespect. 🗑 Conversely, other readers may find this story their cup of tea and right up their alley.
🏮 Kindle Unlimited.
♦️●▬●🔷●🔷●▬●♦️
🏮 Kindle Unlimited.
♦️●▬●🔷●🔷●▬●♦️
October 22, 2025
What could happen to destroy a well-laid plan to leave one’s house in Georgia and retire comfortably in Spain, shopping for groceries at the little farm stands, lazing on the beach, seeing the sights…?
Well, a global pandemic could. This is the hilarious and heartbreaking tale of a family, two travel-adverse dogs, an overheating car with no air conditioning, and Covid, of course.
Well, a global pandemic could. This is the hilarious and heartbreaking tale of a family, two travel-adverse dogs, an overheating car with no air conditioning, and Covid, of course.
April 30, 2023
Optomism and honesty, but no rose-coloured glasses.
This is one of the more honest and mature of travel memoirs, a helpful insight into the joys, sorrows and difficulties of seeking life-changes.
This is one of the more honest and mature of travel memoirs, a helpful insight into the joys, sorrows and difficulties of seeking life-changes.
December 22, 2023
Book four completed
I'm on a roll now, for someone who only
read around two books a year, I've just completed book four and looking forward to book five in a couple of months.
I'm finding Andy's book entertaining, funny and interesting.
I'm on a roll now, for someone who only
read around two books a year, I've just completed book four and looking forward to book five in a couple of months.
I'm finding Andy's book entertaining, funny and interesting.
July 4, 2024
Another easy read and fun to follow as life changes and family move to what they dreamt to be idyllic.
December 31, 2024
The chaos is so relatable.
January 9, 2025
an inspiration
Well I personally felt exhausted reading this journey, still, interesting, funny and inspiring to would be travellers, who want to know what NOT TO DO,!
Well I personally felt exhausted reading this journey, still, interesting, funny and inspiring to would be travellers, who want to know what NOT TO DO,!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews