We’re Tim and Sonja.
This started as a travel blog, but somewhere along the way we realised it was really about something much bigger.
Yes, we travel. We wander around Spain, explore closer to home, camp in the UK, take the occasional package holiday and, most recently, have added a caravan – Gina, The Gin Tin – to our increasingly questionable travel decisions.
But what interests us most isn’t ticking places off a list.
It’s the people we meet, the things that make us laugh, the moments that surprise us, and the small joys that make life richer.
Tim is currently 69 – well, most of him is. His left hip recently celebrated its second birthday and is performing admirably. Sonja, 63, remains the proud owner of her original lips, most of her teeth, and a pair of eyebrows that continue to resist all attempts at organisation.
We’ve reached that stage of life where experience has made us both wiser and, admittedly, a little grumpier. We can spot an overpriced tourist attraction at fifty paces, we’re suspicious of anything described as “authentic”, and we reserve the right to complain about bad coffee, poor signage and unnecessary hills.
Yet despite the name, we’ve discovered something rather unexpected.
We’re actually not very good at being grumpy.
Even when things go wrong, and they do, we generally find something to laugh about, someone interesting to talk to, or at the very least a decent story to tell afterwards.
We’re fascinated by the simple things: good conversation, laughter with friends, a glass of wine at sunset, birdsong, unexpected kindness, a spectacular view and those rare moments when everything seems to fall into place.
We believe joy is often found in very ordinary places, if you’re paying attention.
So how did all this start?
Much of our early exploring took place in the Murcia region of Spain, where curiosity led us to some wonderful discoveries and the occasional spectacular let-down. Both, it turns out, make equally good stories.
The Grumpy Old Guides was born during the drive home from visiting a site grandly promoted as “Costa Cálida’s Petra”, a description that required a level of imagination we simply couldn’t match.
We realised that sometimes an honest account of a place, including the bits that don’t quite live up to the brochure, is rather more useful than another glossy travel review telling you everything is stunning.
And so the Grumpy Old Guides were born.
Since then, our horizons have expanded.
Spain is still a big part of our lives, but these days you might find us exploring Britain in the Gin Tin, disappearing off to France, trying somewhere further afield, discovering a great little restaurant, visiting somewhere we’ve driven past a hundred times, or simply sitting at a table somewhere wondering how on earth we’ve ended up there.
So what will you find here?
Travel stories, certainly.
But also stories about getting older, relationships, friendship, finding purpose, embracing adventure at any age and learning to enjoy life even when your knees, hips or patience occasionally let you down.
There will be honest reviews, unfiltered opinions, occasional moans, plenty of humour and stories from Spain, Britain and wherever else our curiosity takes us.
We’re older, slower and a little creakier than we once were, but we’re still curious about the world and the people in it.
And perhaps that’s really what The Grumpy Old Guides is about.
Not collecting destinations.
Not pretending every experience is perfect.
Not trying to convince anyone that retirement should look a particular way.
Just getting out there, staying curious and finding the good stuff along the way.
If that sounds like your sort of thing, we’d love you to join us.
Because this isn’t really just a travel blog.
It’s about finding joy, laughter, connection and adventure in life – wherever you happen to be.
Why not subscribe to receive notifications of new posts and any special offer tours that we find.
If you enjoy our stories and guides, would consider buying us a coffee? We’re a couple of pensioners who believe that joy is often found in the simple things – a good cup of coffee, a beautiful view, a shared laugh, and a new place to explore. Your support helps us continue our travels, discover hidden gems, and share honest stories about finding connection, adventure, and happiness at every stage of life. Every coffee is appreciated, and every contribution helps keep Grumpy Old Guides on the road.
