It’s been fun…

Really it has the whole David and Goliath jousting match that I’ve undertaken with the Spanish tax office. I’ve been fighting this impossible battle with them for this 2500 euro baby bonus that I was due to receive when Sienna was born but due to an administrative gap that made it impossible to present them with the paperwork they required as it simply did not exist at that time… they’ve fought me and refuse to listen to reason and I’ve even got the Ombudsman in Madrid to agree to defend me… their latest tactic is after missing their deadline of 1 year to respond to my appeal they’ve told me that it was I who missed the deadline to submit my appeal which is totally false! I’m furious but not surprised in that it’s more clear than ever that they have been briefed to make it as impossible as possible for me to win. So armed with my lovely colleague we’re due to descend upon their office today to take up the next chapter of the fight. I will not go down until I’ve fought every last angle… I guess the up side of this is that I’ll be in a very good position to help other foreigners in Barcelona who may need help figuring out how to battle the beast! Wish me luck… I wonder if security will let me through if I bring a big stick or a slingshot with me!?!

After the initial anger and frustration about the no pay rise or bonus thing at work I’ve actually turned the page and now feel an immense sense of freedom. I’m free from feeling obliged to work more than my contracted hours and not a single weekend will be darkened with work again! That is pretty amazing. I am really looking forward to the freedom! I guess every dark cloud really does have its silver lining.

Speaking of clouds with silver linings… the sun is out today properly for the first time in ages and it’s so lovely. We can almost hear the whispers of spring wafting through the city. Come on Spring you can do it!