In January 2001 former EDP journalist Martin Kirby (pictured below with his book) left North Norfolk for Catalonia in Spain. His journey, both physically and mentally, was covered by TV programme No Going Back. Now, nearly seven years on, he has some sound advice for anyone planning to take the plunge and move abroad.

The latest figures are mind-boggling, don’t you think?

Well, they are for me, living for nearly seven years half way up a mountain in Catalonia, Spain, well out of the news loop.

I’m told that one in 10 Britons is living overseas. That’s 5.5 million – with a record number, more than half a million, leaving the country last year. Eek.

Mind you, I did it ... We stepped off the merry-go-round in January 2001, and found ourselves on a very different fairground ride, running a small organic farm off the beaten track in north east Spain.

Wow, what a change. And, yes, what a full life we lead. I am so glad, as are my wife Maggie and our children Ella and Joe Joe, I am happy to say.

Yet, as readers of my monthly chronicles in the EDP Sunday section know only too well, life can be a trial wherever you are.

The figures and the law of averages suggest changing horizons has probably crossed your mind as well, more than understandable when sitting in a Norwich, Yarmouth or King’s Lynn traffic jam on yet another moist August morning.

And there have never been, it seems, so many golden opportunities to cash in your property chips in the UK and buy a dream home abroad, whether you are looking to spend all your days or just a few wintry months of the year somewhere completely different.

It is huge business now, with expert companies with vast portfolios of seductive properties to fuel dreams, whether it is the charms of Spain, Italy or even Australia and Canada that have whet your appetite for a life change. But what are the realities?

What should your head be telling your heart? Here are, hopefully, some salient tips.

Before falling head over heels with the idea ask yourself the family, financial and fundamental rhythm questions.

Are you prepared to put so many miles between yourself and the support of family and friends?

How will you fund your life – and what will you do to keep body and mind active? A great many people may be leaving the UK, but a great many return too, primarily because they could not reconcile one or more of the above.

Have you done your general homework on locations (facilities, planning permissions, water and power etc), laws, bureaucracy, taxes, pensions, health care etc?

Sometimes it can seem as if things are more relaxed regarding planning and such like, but there are many pitfalls, and pleading ignorance (as some incomers do) is no defence.

Are you prepared to learn another language?

It is easy to not place a very high priority on any of these once you have been swept off your feet by a pretty little sea-view house with pool and palm tree.

Now is the time to let the head take over the heart. I have lived here long enough to have heard several horror stories of people who were either too hasty or too trusting. Forgive me for stating the obvious, but couples should only do this hand-in-hand.

And people with children must, of course, add education to their critical list. If you want to get the most out of such a life-change you have to appreciate that for a while you are leaving the merry-go-round for the big dipper, as you hang on to a hand rail and concentrate hard on making the right decisions.

The quality overseas property companies should be able to put you in the right direction with regard to a great many things and take away some of the stresses, but keep your wits about you. Keep the questions to them and yourself coming; write lists and chase answers. Essentially, don’t rush.

Research the location very carefully indeed and spend time there first. Know your rights and if in any doubt try and find a reputable, local, English-speaking lawyer to act in your interests and to do the necessary planning checks.

Respect the local culture, try to integrate and do yourself a massive favour by learning the local language to some degree. You really must. Sorry to be so candid, but there you are. You knew all that already, of course, but huge steps require care and honesty.

Still up for it? Then press on, and write down a note and stick it on the fridge to remind yourself at the most testing moments why you are doing it. Enjoy the journey. See it as a wonderful adventure, for you are about to begin on one of the most vital, enriching and challenging chapters of your life which, when you come down to it, is not that long for any of us, and there are so many things to see and do . . .

Mother's Garden

To find out how you can stay at Mother’s Garden, a wonderful setting for walkers, birdwatchers and nature-lovers, visit www.mothersgarden.org or e-mail Martin at mothersgarden.es@gmail.com to