Darren Light - Roaming Brit Blog

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Published on

March 17, 2017

Brexit - Our worst case scenario!

....and you thought your life was difficult!

I was having a little think this morning about the circumstances, Darrell and I, may find ourselves in, in the future, after a few comments on facebook about Brexit. Everyone knows the UK will be leaving the EU, but where exactly does that leave Darrell and I. Typically of us, our situation, is far more complicated than most. This morning I was considering our worst case scenario.

Darrell is an Australian citizen; he has lived with me in Britain for 22 years, based on our relationship together. In 2000 he was granted an Indefinite Leave to Remain visa, as we made a life together in the UK. Unfortunately, when we moved to Spain, we didn't read the small print of this visa, which states that Darrell can not spend prolonged periods of time away from the UK, if he does, he will lose that visa, as a result.

Imagine this scenario. As Britain withdraws from Europe, no guarantees are put in place to safeguard Expats, living on the continent. Negotiations complete in two years, Darrell and I are settled in Spain, having not returned to the UK, during this time, (Two years is the limit, for Darrell to remain outside of the UK, before his ILR visa expires!). The EU removes my right to remain in Europe and we have to make arrangements to leave. The UK refuse to allow Darrell, entry to the UK, because he has breached the terms of his ILR visa and remained out of the UK for too long. As a gay couple, we are unable to return to Australia, as an alternative, because they do not recognise our Marriage. We could go to Australia, as a couple in a de facto relationship, on a restricted visa, but with costs approaching ten thousand dollars, this is not an option.

What exactly happens to us and people in our position, of which there are many? I have done a bit of research on this subject, and have come up against a brick wall. Personally I am a Brexiteer and don't believe this worst case scenario will happen, but here is my point. I do not want to my husband to lose his rights to remain in the UK with me, should we need to return to Britain for a period of time. Nobody knows for sure, what will happen with Brexit, and I want to keep my options, firmly open. It is true to say, mine and Darrell's situation is a complicated one; it is unlikely that anyone, will fight for our rights in Parliament, especially as an Expat, with no access to a sympathetic MP.

So they we have it, the difficulties of being gay, Married to a foreign national, with an indefinite leave to remain visa, limiting time spent out of the UK; Brexit on the horizon and a partners country that doesn't recognise gay Marriage....Difficult and challenging times ahead.

If anyone has any answers, please let me know!
Published on

March 17, 2017

Dunbars - Mandy!

Had a lovely day yesterday. Firstly we popped up to Zest, with Dawn to say farewell to Brett and Lee, who had sadly, already left. It was Norwegian day in the square, their weakly prize draw, fish and chips and gorgeous sunshine, so we had a couple of beers and another one of those unusual chats, this time about Switzerland and Jeremy Kyle. It's good to talk!

Darrell and myself also popped up to see Mandy, my ex employer who has just returned to Gran Alacant, reopening Dunbars, for the summer season. I haven't seen Mandy since May last year. We had a lovely afternoon, spent chatting with this wonderful lady, there was a lot to catch up on. It really is good to have her back!
Published on

March 17, 2017

Brett and Lee!

I would like to wish Brett and Lee, Managers, hosts and friends at Zest, all the best for the future. They are both moving on to pastures new, after eleven years, working in Sierra Mar! These two have been a great source of support for both myself and Darrell, since we moved to Gran Alacant; we are going to miss them terribly. When you move to foreign shores, it is important to find people, who are true, honest and genuine, Brett and Lee were all of these things and more. True gentlemen, who deserve respect and good wishes, on their new adventures together. Miss you already!
Published on

March 16, 2017

Family!

My lovely cousin Ruby; It was wonderful to hear from Cousins, Rachel, Ruby and Joe today. Don't often hear from family these days, it's always great when I do. Miss you all loads, thanks for the kiss Ruby; right back at you!
Published on

March 16, 2017

Goulash!

On Monday, whilst at Alcampo, I picked up some beef for 3.50€ and decided to make a Goulash. With plenty of paprika and vino tinto, it was a meal for six, made for 9.24€; Darrell loved it! Not traditional Goulash, one with a Spanish twist, Chorizo!

Beef Goulash

Beef 3.50€
Paprika 0.50€
Vino Tinto 0.69€
Vegetable pack 1.45€
Onion 0.20€
Herbs 0.50€
Tomato 0.50€
Stock 0.50€
Garlic 0.20€
Potatoes 0.60€
Chorizo 0.60

Total 9.24€

Serves 6
Published on

March 15, 2017

10 Things I Miss About The UK!

I was thinking about my old home earlier, appropriately compiling a list of ten things that I miss about Britain. There are others, but these are the main ones; some more important than others, but added together, they also offer an insight into Spanish life; which is very slow to change, isn't another little Britain, in the sun and does things very differently; rightly so. I didn't move here, for more of the same. this list shows the small comforts, that made living in the UK bearable, familiar, home. There are many more annoyances, that I am also glad to see the back of! I can't really complain about anything in the main; I mean how many people can say they have moved abroad and living the life they always wanted; well, nearly, not quite there yet!

1. Marmite

In Spain, you can't buy the large jars of Marmite, or in Darrell's case Vegemite. So far, I have only found small jars of the black stuff; at 3.30€, it isn't cheap either. I did find some larger pots of Bovril, at Alcampo on Monday, but once again, the price was extortionate, at 4.99€. If anyone goes back to Britain, regularly, and wants to stick a large jar in their case for me, I am more than willing to pay for it. The question is however.... Why can you only get 125g jars of Marmite?

2. Convenience

From Tesco Express, Sainsbury's Local, to the smaller convenience store chains, you can always guarantee, an open shop, to buy those every day essentials. Spain does not really have the same culture, where shopping is concerned. They do have stores that open longer, but the range of products on offer, are limited. I miss walking to Tesco express on a Sunday morning!

3. 24 Hour Shopping!

No such concept in Spain. Main stream shops do open longer, due to the three hour siesta each day, but 24 hour shopping is unheard of. As someone who worked full time in Britain, I was glad of being able to buy groceries in Tesco, at whatever hour I chose. Shopping after 10pm, was quieter and an altogether better, less stressful experience. I do also love the vibrancy of 24 hour shopping; an urban dweller at heart, I enjoy 'a city that never sleeps!'

4. Sunday Shopping

Smaller shops can open their doors on a Sunday; once again the number of outlets are limited. The larger establishments, such as Lidl are allowed to open on a limited number of Sunday's each year and tend to save the opportunity, for the more lucrative summer months! Without knowing the answers, I would assume, that as a Catholic country, the Church does have some influence, over shop opening hours on a Sunday. Unlike Britain, Spain is very family centric; Sunday is normally a time for families to get together, rather than working or shopping in a supermarket.

5. Friends and family

I miss my friends and family, from the UK every day. Of course, with social media, I am able to keep in touch, as often as I can, but it isn't the same as seeing people face to face. I have made many friends in Gran Alacant, but they have a different way of approaching friendships.

In the UK, people would come to my home, every singe day; I had an open door policy. I did actually enjoy having people over to my house in Southampton; in Spain, it is the complete opposite. Don't get me wrong, I have been to other peoples homes, but really as a one off. Most socialising takes place in the bars and restaurants; it isn't something I am used to. I prefer the British way of doing things. As Brits, we do tend to spend far more time, in our homes, than the Spanish, which does explain my preference to home entertaining! I am a bit of a homebody anyway; that tends to contradict the Spanish way of life, at times.

6. Home

I miss the space, my British home offered. My Spanish Casa just does not live up to the same standards. The Casa, I live in, is relatively small, called a quad, it really is like a traditional back to back terrace property in the UK, but with a small court yard, adjoining three others, from neighbouring homes. Of course I do have a solarium on top on the house, which is fantastic, but it isn't a garden. There isn't a lot of grass in our urbanization, consequently, not a lot of greenery, which is a downside. It does surprise me, that I do miss the greenery in Britain, especially when I was never an outdoor person. You never realise, what you have, until it is gone!

7. Cheddar Cheese

Spanish cheese just isn't the same. I am a bit of a cheese monster and love strong, extra mature Cheddar. You just can't get decent English cheese in Spain, no matter how hard you look. Most supermarkets do sell at least one variety, but it's all quite standard stuff, nothing fantastic. There is a very good English supermarket, 'Quick Save' in Gran Alacant, which also stock other English products; it is a godsend, for an Anglophile like me!

8. Security

Since moving to Spain, I haven't had the one thing, I had bags of, in the UK, security! Coming to any strange country, you are confronted by a system you are not used too. I could have quite happily remained in Britain and got another job, but I would have been haunted by the ghosts of Oxfam for the rest of my life. In the end that wasn't an option.

We took legal advice and left the country, a huge wrench for both of us; walking into uncharted territory, with little or no money and no guarantees for the future. These were scary times. This was something we had to do, we didn't have an option and were left with little security for the future. The employment opportunities for Expats in Spain are pretty limited, access to benefits restrictive and life currently remains difficult. Nothing is forever!

9. Entertainment

A major stumbling block for me, living in Gran Alacant, is the lack of access, to entertainment, that I used to take for granted. What do I mean by entertainment? Things like the theatre and cinema. Of course I am not saying Alicante, doesn't have such facilities, but they don't cater for the English language. In the UK, I loved going to the theatre and have seen many shows; in Spain life is very different, with a reliance on British television, streamed from the internet, or satellite. The local Expat community, puts on various plays from time to time, especially during the holiday season; local theatres do have English speaking events occasionally, but nothing compared to what was on offer, right on my doorstep, living in a large city, on the South coast of England.

10. Takeaway Food

It is an absolute tragedy; you can't find a decent takeaway anywhere. When I have been out drinking or clubbing to the early hours, I used to love popping into 'Sals Kebab Shop', in St Mary's, Southampton and ordering a shed load of food. In Gran Alacant, nothing opens past 10pm, slightly later in the summer; even then, there are no takeaway places, akin to those in Britain.

There are plenty of restaurants in Gran Alacant, all serving great value for money food, but there isn't a takeaway or pizza delivery service in sight. If I was to hazard a guess, judging on my own experience, the Spanish Government, probably have too many rules and regulations, to comply with, culminating in a massive amount of paperwork, for potential business owners. The hassle involved, just wouldn't be worth it; this is my best guess or assumption, stated by a bit of a cynic, used to Spanish bureaucracy; of course I could be completely wrong!

Coming soon:

My 10 favourite things about Spain!