Hi Irlanda,

My wife suffers from SADS and is also arthritic. We moved to the UK eight years ago from Damascus, Syria, to educate our children. The weather here in Cheshire is very damp and doesn't go well with the arthritis.

My wife visits home 3 or 4 times a year, but feels guilty leaving the kids so many times.

Last year, we took a trip to the Canary Islands, both for investment, and because I wanted to see if my wife feels better whilst over there. I haven't been able to tell yet. I took 9 trips last year, but she only did 3.

I am getting her the light box for when she comes back from Syria in 2 weeks, but I am also encouraging her to take some one week breaks in Fuerteventura, now we have rented an apartment out there.

Work is difficult, but cost of living can be OK if you are prepared to slum it a bit. Since low cost carriers seem to be on the increase, it's not too expensive to travel there, and it may be a good idea to find some friends out in the Canaries that wouldn't mind you staying with them now and then, especially if you are learning Spanish. I got a return flight to the UK in November for £95.

Best of luck and try to get one of those light boxes.