The idea looked certain to remain a dream until, in 2003, Gary and his wife Jackie decided to throw caution to the wind and turn dream into reality.  Three years on, having just returned from a two-week renovation trip to their property in Crete's picturesque town of Kritsa, Gary explained why, after three years of hardcore renovation, he is looking forward to a time when he can spend more than just six weeks a year enjoying their own piece of paradise:
"The property is a very old, traditional stone building", says Gary, his voice giving away the smile that talking about his pet project brings to his face. "It is very small and although it originally had just two rooms; now, after the renovations we have done, it has three including a tidy little sitting room. We have also put in a spiral staircase that takes you up to the roof and out onto a little patio we have up there."

Such a building is part of what gives Kritsa its magical charm. Built amphitheatrically on a rock hill, the town keeps the age old traditions and customs of Crete alive with its architecture and quiet, welcoming existence. "It's like going back in time", says Gary. "It has everything those wanting to escape a life in the UK would want: more time in the sun, less stress, a laid-back, slower pace of life, friendly people and amazing food that actually tastes like food. No more cucumbers wrapped in cellophane or anything like that, it's all organic and locally grown, which I think is wonderful."

However, as Gary points out, the couple have yet to experience everything that the area has to offer such has been the workload on their renovation project. "We have been working solidly out there. The house was a shell when we bought it, with no electricity, just one tap and the carcass of a dead cat to boot. I have had to do the plumbing, put in the bathroom, do the plastering and sort out the wiring. In fact, I would say we have done about 95 per cent of the work ourselves. It's been wonderful and I have really caught the bug for it now. In fact, now that it is nearly all done, I am seriously considering finding other projects out there that I can renovate."

Despite the reason for the Custersons purchase being purely for their own use, the property has not done badly as an investment either. Says Gary, "In the three years we have had it, it has gone up in value quite significantly. Being a day trip type of place there is no real possibility of rental yield in Kritsa but because the majority of the work was done by us it has definitely proved to be a good investment."

Now the project is so close to completion the couple are looking forward to spending a bit more time enjoying the Greek way of life. "Every time we visit we are made to feel so welcome by our neighbours. They regularly leave parcels for us with fresh eggs and tomatoes and so on. As such we can't wait to become a more regular part of the community. They appreciate the fact we are making an effort to learn the language and fit in and we appreciate how at home everyone has made us feel. "We really are living the dream!"

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Article first published in June 2006