Category: Australia

Important reminders of a past that has so firmly shaped my future!

27/5/2023

I suppose this was the week winter really began to bite here in Australia. Of course winters down under are not the same as they are back home; there are no freezing temperatures, ice and snow, but there is a distinct chill in the air, and already I am feeling the bite. I have never been a person who enjoys this time of year, feeling the cold more than most, which is one of the reasons I moved to Australia in the first place. However, Australia does have seasons like the UK; it is a fact of life I just have to live with. Suitably wrapped up warm, Darrell and I have already been discussing a move to a country on the equator, without the winter we both detest. That is a long way in the future for now but we can of course keep dreaming, as we have done all our lives!

Surprisingly for me, it has rained a lot, more than I expected. I have never experienced Australia in all its seasons, so I didn't really know what to expect; in a homage to Britain, the heavens opened, and it chucked it down, sometimes for days on end. Despite the wet, if I am perfectly honest, it really hasn't been that cold. I think I feel the chill now, more than ever, because my body has acclimatised to the Aussie weather and as Darrell reminded me recently, we haven't really experienced a winter for a long time, having been travelling since leaving the UK in September 2022.

It is important for me to stay in contact with those closest back home and since I have moved to Australia, I have made a conscious effort to speak to friends and family as often as I can. Luckily, with the wonders of social media, it is far easier than it once was. In 1995, when I first lived in Perth, my relationships with people back home suffered greatly. Without facetime, video calls and heavily reliant on an intermittent dial-up connection, it became virtually impossible to keep in contact with people on a regular basis. It is one of the reasons I ended up moving back to the UK in the first place. Today I am happy and content, knowing I can just pick up my phone and speak to my dearest and dearest on a mobile device. This has allowed me to settle into expat life down under as easy as I did in Spain, and I don't feel as homesick as I did 27 years ago.

My Father is the most important person in my life, along with Darrell, and I am fully aware of his advancing age. Dad is very nearly 75 now, and I do try and stay in contact as much as I did back in Britain. Once a week, usually on a Sunday, I ring Dad, as I always have done, and we chat for an hour or so. Like me, he discusses his ailments and day-to-day life in the UK, especially politics. This link to home is important to me, as I integrate into Australian society, knowing my roots and hearing about the little sleepy market town I used to call home, makes me feel part of something bigger. I may well be a village boy at heart, but the choices I have made today are far removed from where I grew up in the 1970s and 80s. Having said that, I have never forgotten where I come from, and my Father often mentions places and people who are now all but a distant memory, but an important reminder of the past that has so firmly shaped my future.

This week, I have also heard from my old colleague and dear friend Sue, who sent me an 'emergency Coronation package' from the UK. Despite King Charles III being the Head of State in Australia, there was very little fan fare for the crowning of our new King. I did manage to find one shop selling some Royal memorabilia and duly bought myself a mug, but otherwise there was little to welcome the new Monarch.

However, Sue put together a jiffy bag full of all the things I love, commenting on the 'over the top spectacle' taking place back home and how she knew I would love some mementoes from Britain in the post. There was a Coronation programme, some new King Charles 50 pence pieces and my favourite, a Coronation Tesco carrier bag. It was wonderful to receive a little slice of Tesco here in Australia, a company I thoroughly enjoyed working for.

Whether speaking on the phone, seeing familiar faces online or on a mobile phone, or indeed receiving a letter in the post, I am always so happy to hear from friends. Darrell and I may well have been through testing times in the UK, but the people who really matter have been so warm and supportive, and they continue to play a very important role in our life. Life in Australia is so much quieter than we are used to, but knowing mates are just a phone call away has helped us adjust to this new expat existence.

Between working, Darrell and I have been concentrating on the new house. It has been a very long time since we owned our own home, so we are spending most of our time renovating and buying new furniture. One has to remember we turned up in Australia with just a couple of suitcases, so we are having to build our life from scratch - daunting yes, but fun nonetheless.

This week we had to have new taps fitted in the kitchen, after the old ones sprung a leak on Sunday. Yup, that's right, just as we were about to sit down to our Sunday roast, water started pouring everywhere, and we had to call out an emergency Plummer. $748 later after frantically trying to find the water meter and isolation switch, we had a new set of taps and some rather bruised hands, trying to stop the water gushing out all over the kitchen - oh the joys of owning your own home.

With Darrell on holiday this week, we have had a new bed delivered for one of the spare rooms and have managed to get it looking a bit more respectable. It isn't finished by any means, but it is looking a hundred percent better. Ideally I want to replace the carpets throughout the house, but they will have to wait until finances allow, so for now we will make do with what we have.

Today we were also given a quote to replace the rotten fence in the back garden. We had hoped it could have been fixed, but it is too far gone. In consultation with the Strata we will have to replace the whole fence with a colour bond alternative; this should cost about $2500, according to the local fencer we have asked to do the job. This is far less than I expected, and I should have the money to do the job in a few weeks. These days we are working with our own cash and no credit. After building up huge debts in the past, it is the last thing I want to do now.

With three days off, Darrell and I did manage to spend some time away from our life in Midland. We spent a lovely morning in Perth city. We actually haven't done this together for a good three months, with our lives consumed with work and house renovations.

Morning coffee and cake at the Westralia Dome Café, followed by a spot of shopping and lunch at The Shoe in Yagan Square, was just what the Doctor ordered. It did feel good to be happy and relaxed for a change, something we really should do more often. It will be a while before we can do it again, however, especially with expenses mounting - new fence, drainpipes and new rates bill about to drop in the mailbox. Still it was a perfect day, surprisingly sunny and there was no, yes no rain, who could ask for more.

The end of another week beckons; each day that passes, Australia feels more like home. Both of us have everything we ever wanted and are so thankful for the opportunities we have been given here. I am glad we embarked on this journey eight months ago and look forward to the future with happiness in the main. With friends and family so far away, there will always be a tinge of sadness, but they understand the decisions we made, and we are aware of just what has to be done. We will both keep on striving for success and will not look back; life is indeed for living, so we will make sure we live it well, just as I'm sure all of you will too.

Thanks for staying the course, thanks for your continued support!

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Picante and Marigold!

20/5/2023

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Picante and Marigold are the newest additions to our family, after we collected them both from Chicas Cattery at Southern River, here in Western Australia. Darrell and I drove the short distance to adopt this bonded pair, after I came across an appeal on social media to find them a forever home together. Since we had been looking for an oriental cat, we thought Picante and Marigold would be the perfect companions for Pippa. I had never intended to get two cats, but sometimes fate takes control.

These two are not without their baggage, after being unceremoniously dumped at the cattery, when the previous owners had enough of them, purchasing a rather large dog and Bengal cat instead. Some people really shouldn't have animals; you don't just offload them, when they don't fit into your lifestyle.

Apart from the emotional distress, Picante and Marigold have been through. Picante, like Pippa has a disability, having suffered from 'Transient Hyperlipidemia' when she was young. This was an acute imbalance of fat v red blood cells, which resulted in anaemia and lipidemia. This blood disorder caused Picante to lose the use of her hind quarters, and she was unable to walk for a period of time, due to a lack of oxygen to the nerves. The treatment involved a blood transfusion and an immediate change of diet to high protein food. This was maintained for four weeks, including six hourly feeds with added water, and she gradually regained the use of her legs over time. Today she can walk, although with a limp, with her back legs seemingly never developing, remaining small, almost withered looking. This doesn't stop her doing everything other cats do, however. We have bought them a rather large cat tree, and she can jump up on it perfectly well, if a little unsteady.

It is going to take a few weeks to get all three cats settled, but I am hopeful they will all become best of friends. At the moment there is the usual hissing and growling, but judging on previous experience it won't last long. Pippa has had her nose put out of joint temporarily, but she is holding her own, that's for sure.

Darrell and I are cat people first and foremost and would have hundreds of felines if we could. It felt lovely visiting Chicas Cattery, and the orientals Sue has there. It was one of the most beautiful, idyllic places we had ever seen, perfect surroundings for cats to thrive and grow. Everywhere I looked, I was reminded of our old cat Lily, and it really felt good to be around her breed once again. Picante is a Siam Oriental and Marigold a Siamese. Both of them have very similar traits and, like Lily, are very vocal. Equally, both of them are extremely affectionate and adorable to be around.

The next few weeks will be spent integrating our two new additions, and I look forward to blogging about their progress. Our new house in Western Australia is finally beginning to feel like home!

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Thank you for the Birthday messages!

13/5/2023

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A World About Residency!

30/4/2023

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Visa Granted - The first step to citizenship!

29/4/2023

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ANZAC day commemorates all those Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in conflicts and wars. On the 25th April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the expedition designed to recapture the Gallipoli Peninsular during World War I. These soldiers became known as ANZAC's and the day was officially named in their honour in 1916.

In Western Australia, we remembered the fallen this Tuesday, with a public holiday; Darrell and I spent the day quietly, drinking Bovril (and Bonox, the Aussie alternative) and sitting by the fire on a chilly holiday afternoon. With the rain tumbling down outside, we curled up on the sofa and watched Netflix, in particular Miriam Morgolyes, and her new show, 'Almost Australian.'

Miriam's show was particularly poignant for me; I had no idea she had an Australian partner, and her journey towards citizenship was fascinating to watch. I was left feeling content with my decision to leave Britain, in the same way Miriam moved from The UK to live with her partner, Heather. Of course, my journey is very different. Neither Darrell nor I have the money she has, and we have spent many years battling to stay together through the most difficult of circumstances. However, the story of Miriam and Heather isn't all that different to our own. As I sat there watching, with the rain pouring down outside, I briefly thought about the country I left behind and Australia, the continent that feels more like home every day.

It must have been about 3.30pm when the rain stopped, and I finally got round to checking my email. I noticed a message from my solicitor, John, in my inbox, and my heart sank - what on Earth does he want on a public holiday? Judging on previous experience, emails from John aren't generally good, and it is usually highlighting a mistake in my application, asking me to rectify a stressful situation. Gingerly, I opened the email and saw the first word, 'congratulations.' I couldn't believe it; after exactly four months, the Australian government had approved my temporary and permanent residency at the same time. I was finally allowed to stay here, with no conditions and more or less the same rights as every other Australian.

It's strange, this kind of feels like the end of my story - I've been working towards this goal in one form or another, since I have been with Darrell, for near on 28 years. However, this is really just the beginning. I may well have been granted permanent residency and allowed to leave Australia as and when I wish, but this is just the start of my road to citizenship and my Australian passport. At nearly 52 years old, I am embarking on an adventure, I should have completed years ago. Like most things in life, I am rather late to the party, but I have finally got here and relishing the opportunities I have been afforded, even if I am the wrong side of 50!

My new Partner Visa allows me to live in Australia for the next five years, without any conditions. I can return to the UK and work if I wish, go travelling, live in Europe for a period, but essentially I have been given rights to live here with Darrell indefinitely. After five years, I will have to make a decision. I can renew my visa, or I can apply for citizenship and obtain an Australian passport.

At the moment, I haven't made any firm commitments about where my future lies, but having my Aussie citizenship will be a dream come true. I will also be able to keep my British passport and continue to have rights to reside and work there also. Even though that is welcome, I don't think I will be going to the UK anytime soon, certainly not to live anyway. My future most definitely is in Australia, but as Darrell and I look towards our retirement, we will have to make a decision about where to live permanently. I am still not sure Australia will be our forever home, and if I am honest my heart still lies in Spain. I have a dream to retire back to Gran Alacant and would love to eventually settle in Europe once again.

Of course, Brexit put pay to our European adventure in 2018, but times change and anything could happen in the next decade. The hope is, we will be allowed to settle in Spain at some point, when we have enough money to do so. For now, I am happy to call Australia home and build a future in Perth; ultimately I would love to get my citizenship when the time is right, but until then both Darrell and I need to knuckle down and build a new life. The rocky road we have been on for many years has suddenly got a little less rocky, and I'm at a loss to explain how everything is going our way. Can I really dare to dream? Can this really be going right? Or is everything about to come crashing down? For now, I'm just running with the good times, and thinking only positive thoughts!

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Roaming Brit's Retirement Villa!

23/4/2023

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Building a Healthy Future - 5 years of progress!

23/4/2023

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My Weight Loss Journey - October 2021 - April 2023!

Returning from Spain in 2018, I had the opportunity to rebuild my life, in a way I had never done before. With Darrell remaining in Gran Alacant, I could start to live healthily, and begin repairing the damage caused by years of neglect. Step one, after 34 years, I decided to finally give up smoking. I was feeling physically sick every morning, and coughing my guts up for the first few hours of the day, which was a worrying sign and not something I wanted to continue. The time had finally come to chuck the cigarettes in the bin.

Anyone who smokes, does so for their own personal reasons. I started at school, so I could avoid PE, a subject I detested. Rather than kicking a ball around a pitch in the freezing cold, I dodged games and sat alone just outside the school gates puffing away on a fag. To be honest no one back then really cared, and the fact I could just walk into the local newsagents in Valentines Close and buy a packet of 10 JPS, without anyone so much as batting an eyelid, meant I could quietly smoke to my heart's content. Physical Education was pretty traumatic for me, I hated it, in every respect. I was the chubby kid, no one wanted to pick to join a team and the thought of playing football, cricket or rounders with a group of alpha male teenage boys was horrifying. Anxiety made me reach for the cigarettes all those years ago, and it was also instrumental in making me give up in 2018.

When you are feeling unwell, every day, you know it’s time to change your life. Starting a new journey, in Portsmouth, meant I could finally close a chapter on my past. With willpower and determination, I was able to kick the habit. There was no vape, no patches, pills or hypnosis and except for a couple of slip ups early on, I was, and still am, finally free of nicotine; this was an amazing achievement for me, not least because of my previous militant smoking credentials.

Of course, giving up cigarettes does have many downsides; I started to pile on the pounds more than ever. Instead of reaching for a cigarette when I was stressed, I started to snack – sweets, chocolate, pies, pastries, in fact anything I could get hold of. With Darrell still in Gran Alacant, my anxiety levels were soaring and with little or no support from anyone else, I really could have done with a smoke, but I resisted and continued to strive towards the end goal; with every day that passed, it got easier and easier. Eventually I didn’t give cigarettes a second thought, but my eating was out of control and by 2021, I was so overweight it was effecting my health.

It was an effort to get out of bed every morning. My back and hips were painful, my legs hurt more than when I went to bed, and my feet were throbbing and burning. Walking up and down stairs was an effort, and my fifteen-minute walk to work felt like a 26-mile marathon. I was the most unfit I had ever been, and my circumstances were making the situation worse.

Deep down I was extremely unhappy in Portsmouth, although I never tended to show it. In truth, I had never liked the city, even though I adored the people; I felt trapped every day and there was nothing I could do to change it. As much as I would have loved to speak to someone about the pain I was feeling, I just couldn’t; no one would listen. I can't thank my family enough for giving me a roof over my head when I needed it most, but they were not the most empathetic bunch of characters. I found solace in food, because it was the easy way out, and it helped me deal with the low mood I was feeling every day.

My work colleagues were the ones that got me through the next few years, as I began to distance myself from the bad influences in my life and spend most of the time alone. When the pandemic took hold in the UK, it was the perfect opportunity to change every aspect of my being, and I started to walk at least 5 km a day. Darrell was trapped thousands of miles away in Australia, but alone with my thoughts, I began making plans for the future, and those plans began with keeping fit and losing weight.

In October 2021 I weighed more or less a hundred kilos, I was at the Doctors every week and was in bad shape both physically and mentally. The GP did what she could to help, but I had to change my lifestyle, if I was going to feel well again. My circumstances were deeply depressing and were just making the ailments I suffered with worse. The decision to lose weight was born from anxiety, stress and a desire to feel good again. I wanted to walk without pain, eat without overeating, and begin to restore the life I once had.

Changing what you eat isn’t easy, I had tried many diets in the past, and failed spectacularly every time. I wanted it to be different this time, and went on a strict calorie controlled diet, meticulously watching everything I ate. Unlike previous attempts to lose weight, this time I would eat anything I wanted, in moderation of course, and would keep one day a week free to indulge in the finest things in life. This was the way I achieved my goal; for six days a week I did everything by the book and on day seven I would let go and enjoy myself, eating and drinking whatever I wanted. So far it has worked well and a year and a half later I am down to 72kg, after shedding a quarter of my body weight

Today I am in a good place and still looking after myself well. I walk at least, 10000 steps a day, and continue to follow a healthy eating regime. I have adjusted my diet plan to take account of my new weight, and I am not as strict as I was before. Having learnt to regulate my food intake, today I eat to live, not live to eat. My weight has finally levelled out, and I am quietly confident I will remain committed to this new life I am following. For me, the pandemic was positive in many respects. Initially I was scared into losing weight, because of the complications of Covid, but as time went on I started to enjoy the new freedoms weight loss brings, and today I am finally happy with myself and the road I am on. Only time will tell if my hard work pays off, but until then, I will continue to strive for a fitter, healthier life; it’s certainly been a long time coming!

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Saturday Evening Chat!

15/4/2023

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Celebrating Eight Years of Blogging!

8/4/2023

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Eight years ago, I was trying to make sense of traumatic events that were shaping my world. 2015 was not the greatest year of my life, but it was, however, one that would teach me much about people and the lengths they will go to, to cause harm to others. Darrell and I went through a torrid time; abused and attacked by people we thought were friends and colleagues, we made a life-changing decision to leave Britain and restart our life far away from the nightmare engulfing our every waking hour.

We both had good jobs, worked hard, and did our best to help others when we could. We had a lot of people around us, some good, some bad, but as we stumbled through that painful thing called life, we felt happy and secure with the characters that made up our close circle of friends. These were positive people in the main, and as our circumstances changed, and my health began to suffer, we were lucky enough to have the support of some truly amazing individuals.

It was difficult to understand what was happening to me, and even harder to determine just who to trust. I was aware that something strange was happening, but I just couldn’t understand what. Writing down my thoughts and feelings, was a way of coming to terms with situations that were beyond my control. It allowed me to express my emotions in a way I wouldn't otherwise have been able to. The turmoil that was overwhelming me, was difficult to fathom, but by documenting events, I could begin to discover the reasons behind my immense feeling of sadness.

I have written much about that time in 2015 - not all of it legible, much of it rambling, and all of it difficult to reread. The bullying that made me who I am today, had been methodically collated in abraded unedited paragraphs, that painted a picture of mistreatment and intimidation. Even today, I haven’t read my original blog; the trauma I suffered is just too recent, and the effects too raw.

The decisions Darrell and I made in 2015 were the catalyst for a journey we are both still on today. After a life spent together in the UK, we decided to sell up, move away and leave Britain for good. After our marriage in September 2015, we embarked on a new life in Spain, and the darkness that surrounded my first blog all but disappeared. I continued to write about the confusing occurrences, that prompted our departure with gusto, but my melancholia had turned into anger and rage at what had happened. In beautiful, idyllic surroundings, I was able to sit with a clear head, and finally understand just what brought me to Spain.

Spain was an enlightening experience, it finally gave me a reason to live again. I was the happiest I had been in a long time and the stress and depression of 2015 gradually began to diminish and dwindle, finally subsiding into obscurity, as my new life in Gran Alacant became my priority.

Writing about my adventure on the Costa Blanca became a cleansing and cathartic exercise. Each day, I wrote about the mundane aspects of Spain, the cost of living, friends and the milestones that became so important, as I integrated into Expat life. Even when Darrell had to return home to Australia, while his Mother went through treatment for cancer, I still wrote - engaging, contented words linked to a country and a dream I could finally call home. This was the most free I had felt in years, and I was finally doing what I wanted, not what others expected me to do.

Our Spanish dream was not meant to be, and I was just grateful to have lived there, for as long as I did. As Darrell's Mother got worse and my Mum was taken into hospital, we left Gran Alacant, Darrell returning to Australia, me moving in with my Aunt in the UK, to be close to my Mum during the final years of her life. I was back in a Country I despised, but surrounded by loved ones, and I made the most of what I had left.

I spend four productive years in Portsmouth, surviving against all the odds, building up a substantial amount of money during the pandemic and working in a job I loved. Even while working, often long unsociable hours, I was able to keep writing and documenting some truly historic times. The streets were empty, businesses were closed, and I explored a city I knew little about, despite being born there in 1971.

The years I spent with family were bitter-sweet. In the main, they were good; I got to know my Aunt and Cousins well and loved every minute I spent with them. All of them gave me a reason to live, especially when Darrell was trapped in Australia at the height of the pandemic. I celebrated some important landmarks with my kin folk, my 25th wedding anniversary and my 50th Birthday and despite the sadness I felt, not having Darrell with me, I was content with family who supported and loved me.

Like most good things in life, times changed, and the fruitful, hard-working period I enjoyed in Portsmouth turned sour. Suddenly, the people I loved were no longer there. Affection turned to hate and resentment and by the time Darrell returned to the UK, my days in Portsmouth were already numbered. Once again, my blogging turned dark as unhappiness and dejection became the prominent feature in my life. It was time to move on and leave the past behind. Even the ones you love the most can hurt you, but I wasn’t in the mood for forgiveness, and I am glad to be away from people who made my final months in the UK some of the most hurtful and miserable in my life.

Of course, it didn’t all end so badly; I made some amazing friends in Portsmouth who will always be with me. They were the saving grace and a reason to write happy and uplifting thoughts, even during the most upsetting of times. The closing few weeks before we left for Australia were filled with love, laughter and unforgettable memories; everything else didn’t matter any more. We could leave with our heads held high on the final leg of our eight-year journey and a desire to finally be free.

When faced with unsurmountable challenges, Darrell and I always walk away. Both of us hate confrontation and with the stability that kept us together as a family crumbling, it was once again time to say goodbye. Australia is the final stop on a deeply personal and challenging eight years. When I decided to start blogging in 2015, I could never have predicted where I would be today. In April 2023, Darrell and I are living the quiet life down under; both of us have fantastic jobs and have bought a new home together. As our eyes look towards the future, I remember the immortal words I wrote all those years ago ‘ live life better, achieve everything you desire and don’t let the bad times destroy your future.’ We have done this unreservedly and continue to strive for prosperity in this unforgiving World!

... And finally, I would like to wish all my readers a very happy Easter, and thank you for your continual support!

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Adjusting to a more solitary life!

31/3/2023

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Waking up on Friday morning, I was struck by how cold it was. Now when I say cold, I don't mean below freezing, which is commonplace in The UK, but it was noticeably colder than usual and really did feel like Autumn had arrived. Walking to work at 7am, with an umbrella and mac, I was reminded of my time living in Portsmouth. Thankfully, I am no longer there, but I suddenly felt down and a little depressed. It has been a long time since I last experienced a winter, well over a year, so the inclement weather is sadly a sign of things to come.

Apart from the rain, which is as rare as hens teeth here, I've had a pretty ordinary week. For me, that is a good thing; I've had enough drama in my life to last a lifetime, so anything that points to convention and routine is welcome. Even after being in Australia for six months, I am still waiting for word from my solicitor and the Department of Home Affairs about my visa. However, no news is good news and for now I am playing a waiting game, until the powers that be, decide it's time to make my status official.

For the most part, I am just getting on with life, building a new future in Australia. We are continuing to decorate the new house and make our home as comfortable as possible. Of course, there is something in the back of my mind that keeps on chipping away, warning me of what could happen, if my application for residency is rejected. This isn't a scenario that is likely to happen according to my solicitor, but it could, and that is enough to keep that worrying nature I have, alive and kicking.

I'm enjoying being a homeowner again, despite the expense involved. Darrell and I aim to pay off the mortgage in superfast time, so we are having to channel a lot of money into our monthly repayment. At the moment we don't have any problem with this, but if interest rates continue to rise unchecked, then we won't be able to keep these high payments up indefinitely. On top of paying the mortgage and bills, we do have to renovate the villa as well; this all takes money and a lot of time and resources. Thankfully, we have gone as far as we need to for now, making the place habitable. Over the next few years we will concentrate on each room in more depth - recarpet, rewire, paint and decorate; this isn't something we have time for presently, but we are constantly looking forwards, and planning just what we want to do with this place long term.

I am following events from back home in the UK closely; I may well be an expat living in Australia, but Britain will always be my home, and I am interested in the direction it takes after Brexit. The reality is, Darrell and I are settling in Perth, Western Australia, because of Britain's departure from the EU. Like most people, I had no idea that my original life plan of moving and living in Spain would be unachievable, after Brexit. Naively, I thought life would carry on very much in the same vein as it always had; how wrong was I.

Perth was never our preferred option, Spain was always our dream, and I do feel rather cheated as I rebuild in Australia. Nevertheless, we are where we are, and I have to live with the consequences of the vote to leave Europe. Western Australia is a good second option; in fact, if I think with my head, rather than my heart, it is probably the best option. I really don't think I would have a career in Spain, paying the huge wage I have here, and be a homeowner after only a few months. So the reality is, we have made the right choice at the right time.

Like most places we have lived over the years, it does have its ups and downs and despite loving my new life and home, I am mindful of the negative aspects of living in Perth. Darrell and I are very much on our own, and we have put in all the hard work ourselves, without the help of anyone. We have always been that way - very independent and able to survive without the bank of Dad, but we are also without our support network, that we had built up in Britain. We don't have friends around us, and I am finding that quite a struggle.

Our friends have always been our family, they were the ones there for us at important milestones in our life and without them, we just wouldn't have survived. Similarly, when I worked for Tesco, my colleagues were very much akin to family; they were the people who were close during an extremely stressful period, with the pandemic raging across the World. All the individuals, the great and good who have been a part of my life, in some cases as far back as the 1980s and my time at school, are suddenly not there and that is quite disconcerting.

Just before I left for Asia in September last year, I managed to spend a lot of time with friends. I was humbled by just how many people wanted to say their goodbyes, as we headed for pastures new. The emotions I felt were indescribable and made me realise just how much people cared about Darrell and me. That is why I found it particularly difficult to leave. Having said that, now I am well aware of where my future lies and luckily there is social media, which does help me stay in contact with friends and family. It is making the transition to a new life easier to deal with, but despite how successful we are, it doesn't detract from the people we left behind - I miss them every day.

It is important Darrell and I keep moving onwards and building on the foundations we have created, but we should always remember our roots, and the people who made us who we are, affording us unconditional love at traumatic crossroads in our life. I am happy to be away from the more challenging aspects of life in Britain, but I will forever be grateful, for the abundance of friends, who will always remain in the memories I carry with me, wherever I am in the World. Links to the past, through those who are important will always be there, unbroken, unrelenting and without condition. I am lucky to have been entrusted with such a wonderful collection of characters, and will continue to keep them close, as I finally settle down into a more sedate, relaxed way of life!