Category: Christmas Thoughts - Roaming Brit

From a new life in spain, to an old life in britain, 'roaming brit' documents uncertain times!

On 31st January 2016, my partner and I left Southampton to start a new life as Expats in Gran Alacant, on the Costa Blanca. This blog will document our journey, as we navigate the Spanish system, travelling a path untried and untested. With Brexit looming, political turmoil in Europe and an unpredictable future, harsh decisions have to be made. Illness, family bonds and a Change of heart all make for challenging times in a life of a 'Roaming Brit!'

My Favourite Christmas Present - Jo Donaldson!

14/11/2019

When I was very young my Grandma Dolly would hand make toys for me, they were the best toys every and I loved them so much. These toys were so dearly loved by me. As I grew older and Grandma Dolly was no longer with us I would spend the Christmas holidays with my eldest sister and her husband and 2 daughters, who were more like my 2 little sisters. We had fab times together all 5 of us.

When I left home and moved to Guernsey I would spend my Christmas’s with my 2nd adopted family, my ultimate best mate Sally Carmichael would make sure I was adequately fed and boozed up and there was always a place set for me. She once bought me a massive frog because I liked frogs, it was huge, as time went by, settled with babies I would get interesting creations made from egg boxes and glitter which I still have 20 years on.

Skip by the skint years where I received “functional” presents like pans and a bin once. Now that things are better financially I get presents for me, like shoes and bubble bath (I LOVE BUBBLE BATH) a few years ago I got a car because my old one had blown up on the motorway which is still running fine and I still love it to bits. So all in all over the years I have had a mixed bunch of various presents all special in their own way depending on circumstances. I loved the glittery egg boxes the same as I loved the car.

Jo Donaldson

My Favourite Christmas Present - Jenna Reilly!

10/11/2019

My favourite Christmas present was my first Christmas as a mother; I never truly appreciated the joy of Christmas until I had children. The joy on their faces Christmas day is the best present anyone could wish for. xx

Jenna Reilly

My Favourite Christmas Present - Elizabeth Hallan Bracken!

3/11/2019

When my husband and I were newly married and expecting our first child, he gave me a bread mixer. It meant so much because I went from working and going to school to being home and pregnant. I missed school and work and so I began to look for new hobbies and things to learn. One of the things was bread making. I love that he supports me in whatever I do.

Elizabeth Hallan Bracken

My Favourite Christmas Present - Janet Belcher!

31/10/2019

I remember waking up on Christmas morning aged 5, then mum saying father Christmas has left you a surprise outside and there it was my red bike - no lessons in those days or stabilisers, you just got a push and off you went. I was so excited even though it was second hand, it meant a lot to me as times were hard for mum and dad.

Janet Belcher

My Favourite Christmas Present!

24/10/2019

'Christmas Thoughts' on Roaming Brit is asking for readers to write about their favourite Christmas present. Cast your mind back to your childhood and the first bicycle you were given, or maybe someone special came home to see you on Christmas Day or did you receive the gift you always wanted. Roaming Brit wants to hear about your recollections of a magical day, a gift you will always remember, something you always think about and a present that takes you back to an altogether better time.

You can send your entry to:

Email - lukemartin.jones@gmail.com
Facebook - Luke Martin-Jones
Text - 07999663360

I look forward to hearing from you, this festive season!

Christmas Thoughts - My Aunt, Patricia Doe!

25/12/2018

Starting from the two people that created and facilitated my Christmas memories – My Mum and Dad. My childhood memories, some bitter sweet, with an absent father away at sea providing for us as a family. The beautiful tree in our lounge and the wall decorations and friends popping in and out. Obviously being a child, I thought Santa did all the hard work, buying, wrapping and delivering my presents at the end of my bed and under the tree.

How to start my ‘Christmas Thoughts’ posed the question, where would I start. Then a Christmas present from my beautiful daughters gave me the focal point.

I can state the positive, enduring traditions I used the create with my own twist, for my children and now with my Grandchildren. I am sure my own children have their positive memories from special Christmas times but as they got older, conflicts and dynamics and having their own families have changed some memories; unfortunately facts of life.

Our home has always welcomed close friends who have helped to leave enduring memories with laughter, love and at times, tears of joy.

One thing Christmas also taught me, as a Mum of four, was the stress, financial pressure and sheer hard work involved, but was priceless to see four joyous, smiling faces.

Now these faces belong to my wonderful Grandchildren, also family, some new to the Christmas table and friends; different joyous young faces. Their will be empty chairs, but those family members will be in my heart, with the hope 2019 will bring them back to celebrate the love I strive to recreate..

Please spare a thought for those that will be emotionally suffering, who for Christmas will experience mental health problems, due to sadness, loneliness and today’s stressors. We who work in acute mental health will be there over the festive period to support them,

A final thank you to my dear family, friends and to my departed Mum and Dad for making Christmas so special.

Patricia Doe

Christmas Thoughts - Darrell Martin, my husband and partner for 23 years!

24/12/2018

"Now don't for one second think I'm writing this because I love Christmas. Christmas is something we always would treat as extra days off to have a party or go out. I never had family in the UK so it definitely was a free chance to get over the eight weeks of "Christmas in retail" exhaustion.

Twenty years of having man flu Every Christmas makes an Australian quite bitter. But it's very different here in Australia. Only 4 weeks and I'm happy about that and more than anything I'm happy I get to spend it with my mum in her last months. I've bought presents and cards and got into the spirit a little. Please don't assume I'm born again it's just my mum made Christmas great for me as a child. I can now return the favour at a time that's crucial.

Everyone should go home for Christmas because even if you don't care for it, a close member of your life may be waiting for you to come home. Mum waited for 22 years and I refused to buy a ticket that time of the year due to being too Croatian about money. I guess these months will make up for it. I'm very lucky my best friend came to my mum every year for Xmas. I will never forget her good deeds and that is the spirit of Christmas. Don't forget.

So unfortunately I cant be with Luke this year and all our extended family in the UK. We were never really close to the family before but I can see the change coming now. Pretty sure its old age that's doing it. So I best get used to buying presents in the future cause in many ways I need family more than I ever imagined now. I get the presents thing now. Its actually just plain old polite manners. Especially if your being fed and given a bed. But you could say that about any old day couldn't you? Wishing you all a happy any old day and no loneliness xxx"

Darrell Martin

Christmas Thoughts - Tash Evo!

23/12/2018

"Stand up for what you believe in, even if you're standing alone!"

Tash Evo

Christmas Thoughts - Amanda Wren-Grimwood!

22/12/2018

"My Christmas thoughts?

I really thought that I would still be living in France this year. Christmas Eve would be long queues for huge boxes of oysters with French families, having a chat while the staff brought around glasses of Pineau de Charentes, an aperitif, at 10 O’clock in the morning! This year it will be different as we have just moved back to the UK and to a totally new part of the country. It has been exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

My boys are now adults and my eldest son has recently got married. Christmas is no longer about toys and gadgets. We exchange token presents and concentrate instead on family time for when we can get together. There’s nothing better for me than pottering in the kitchen cooking with my boys or my daughter in law. I’m not talking about buying expensive food or spending hours in the kitchen either. I’m a food blogger and I spend a lot of time developing recipes, so I will be taking some shortcuts and popping into the shops for something frozen and ready made. We do always have a free-range turkey but there won’t be a fancy way of cooking it!

My Christmas day will involve a long walk with my Weimaraners, a walk down to the pub for a few drinks and back for lunch and games for the three of us. I used to have eleven for lunch every year and regularly managed to stress myself out trying to make everything perfect for everyone. Nowadays I’m looking for any excuse to put my pyjamas on and chill out. If anyone moans about being hungry, I direct them to the fridge!

My message to everyone would be to look after yourself this Christmas. Enjoy time with loved ones but don’t try to please everyone all the time."

Amanda Wren-Grimwood

Christmas Thoughts - Frances Knott!

21/12/2018

"At Christmas all roads lead to home in our hearts and parents who are no longer here. x"

Frances Knott