I've got myself to a position where I really don't care what happens. I don't "need" a driving license particularly, mainly because I booked stuff where I never need to rely on my own transport. I've heard nothing bad about European trains and I can just play as my hotel is only a few minutes from the ferry terminal in Santander and I have no commitments. I think that I just get "down" with all the weird shit that I encounter. First of all, I had to go through months of shit, when I eventually got home after my hospital travels. Although the driver always admitted fault from day one and the Police agreed with her and prosecuted her, her insurance company came out with the weirdest shit, like saying that I couldn't prove that it was me riding the bike and then sending me all over the place, including Harley Street to try to get my injuries exposed as lies. They lost out big time and I was able to get a good settlement, because my brother found me a very good solicitor. The DVLA never got on-board with this and always maintained it was my fault for having the bare-assed cheek to ride a motorbike. They banned me and I got that overturned and now they are up to the same tricks, after failing five years ago, they come in for another try. I got a good settlement and can afford trains and taxis to just do what I like. All the ferries and hotels are paid for, in the Spanish trips this year. Apart from Spanish trains, I am interested in Spanish property, or maybe just renting a flat. I won't give up my house here in England but I want to see if it is worth it over just staying in hotels. But it may make more sense to use hotels so that I can travel around Spain, France and Italy more. In fact, that makes more sense - use hotels and just travel around Europe, rather than just be constrained to one place in Spain. When the days get longer, I could do with exploring Holland and Denmark more.
From what you have posted over the years, you've suffered a great deal following an awful accident entirely caused by someone else. The bad people in all this are clearly the vile shits at the insurance company who tried to avoid paying you fairly. They are without morals, as are most lawyers who advise them. It is especially pleasing to me -and I'm sure others here- that your case was resolved in your favor. The DVLA's position is that no one is entitled to drive unless they prove it via driving tests and in the event of serious accidents by regular medical screening. Its the same scenario for many medical conditions. This imperfect system protects the majority from harm. I do sympathise with you, but it's hard to envisage a system without these checks. Wandering about in Europe by train sounds like fun. I've taken the train through France and it was excellent. I've also been to Amsterdam via boat & train and again fantastic service. I enjoy hotels for short stops but AirBnB rentals suit me better for longer stays. Happy travels matey, and I'll look out for your trip reports from Espana!
