Category: Memories Of Portsmouth

Marmite From Home - The perfect gift!

30/3/2025

This week I received a package from home. A friend I have known, since I worked at The Newcome Arms in Portsmouth, was chatting with me shortly after Christmas, about my new life in Australia. Gez was always a ray of sunshine — as I worked behind the bar, he often made me laugh and always made me feel welcome, included and appreciated, despite my rather dubious Bartender skills. He was, and undoubtedly still is, full of life, happy, and an absolute joy to be around. It's people like Gez I miss every day living in Perth, and one of the many reasons I still have a deep fondness for the country of my birth.

Gez was chatting about Christmas, and all the food he had to throw out, listing delicacies you can only find in Britain. Top of his list was good old 'Twiglets,' a savoury snack I have loved since I was a wee child. Apparently, according to my late Mother, 'Twiglets' are healthier than other similar treats, and I was actively encouraged to enjoy this acquired taste, in moderation of course.

Now, I have no idea if these are healthier than any other crisp, but they sure are tastier. Back in the day when I was young, these twig shaped Marmite sticks, were bigger than they are now. Apparently, health and safety deemed them a choking hazard; these twigs would often get stuck in my throat, so god knows what happened to other potential victims. However, I am digressing — Gez was explaining how much he disliked them, and just how many tubs he had thrown out, to my absolute horror.

'Gez mate, No, don't do that, I love them. Rather than throw them out, send them my way!' Even though I can get Twiglets here in Australia, the packets are small, and they cost nearly $4.00 a time, and a tub of them is impossible to get. Consequently, I'd be more than happy to take them off Gezs' hands, despite being thousands of miles away.

To be honest, I didn't think anymore about our conversation, after my off the cuff comments, until Gez asked if he could have my address; he had something he wanted to send to me. Six weeks later, I received a rather large parcel at my parcel collect address here in Perth. For those of you who don't know what Parcel Collect is, let me enlighten you:

The postal service in Australia is particularly insecure, rather like it is in Spain. Having lived in both countries, I can't tell you how many times I have lost parcels in their respective postal systems, so having a secure address for deliveries is essential. Mail is normally delivered to post boxes at the end of drives, and these poorly maintained boxes are often broken into and items stolen.

The post office in Midland contacts me when mail arrives, and I collect it, mostly without a hitch. It had been six weeks since Gez sent his parcel, and I believed it had gone missing, as so many others do here. What with the floods over east, and the lack of tracking, there is any number of reasons why, but, when I picked it up, I could immediately see it was from Portsmouth, and I realised it was from Gez.

Inside the box were four large tubs of 'Twiglets' and two jumbo jars of Marmite. Gez had remembered our conversation, and decided he would send me some provisions. He really does have a heart of gold and made my day. I haven't had British Marmite for years now, and although we do get 'Our mate,' which is the Aussie equivalent, it still doesn't taste quite the same; I was delighted to have some proper stuff from back home, and the taste is, well, glorious — if that's your kind of thing.

Living so far from home, you do begin to realise who your friends are. I was introduced to many new friends and colleagues while living in Portsmouth, and they are some of the best people I have ever met. Gez is an example of someone, who has quite simply left an indelible mark on my heart. When you meet the good ones in life, grab hold of them, keep them close and never let go — these are the friends who keep the memories alive, wherever I am in the World!

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Weekly Catch Up!

27/1/2025

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I've had a relatively quiet few weeks, even by Australia's standards. After two years living in Perth, I am still getting used to the laid back vibe down under. In the past I would have run back to the bright lights of London in a heart beat, today, I am happy to take it easy and enjoy the fruits of my labour.

Of course, I still have a connection to Britain; my Father and friends are still there, and I keep in contact as much as I can. I also still have great affection to my birth town of Portsmouth, where I also lived for four years, before moving to Perth.

My love to this great naval city has been immortalised by local Portsmouth artist, Hannah Marsh, who I commissioned to create a watercolour painting, of a public house, close to my heart. I worked at The Newcome Arms for three years, even during the pandemic, and the love of the place, and the customers I served, was enough for me to have this special memory created. When you live on the other side of the World, it is important to surround yourself with reminders of the past, it makes the transition period so much easier.

I was lucky enough to be able to spend time, with my old colleagues over the last couple of weeks, in the shop where I began my journey in Australia. It was fantastic to catch up with them for a few days, as they prepared for the new opportunities ahead. Returning to my old work place was a genuinely happy experience. I still work within the same parent company, and I am continually impressed by the culture they foster. Not since I worked for Tesco, have I felt more comfortable in a position I love. Like Tesco, they have created a very inclusive environment; this is extremely important for such a large company, and speaks volumes for those who work there. For a gay man like me, feeling accepted is a huge thing, and I am grateful for having a wonderful place to work!

More memories of home, as I received a Lego set depicting a red London telephone box. A reminder of my childhood right there. As a kid, I remember phoning friends in the telephone box at the end of our street. In a time before mobile phones, this was where I stayed in touch with mates from school. Armed with a pocket full of two pence pieces, I would spend time, chatting away, unaware of a queue forming outside, waiting to do the same. This was also a place where I could smoke a cigarette in peace, and drink a bottle of coke from the local shop. Both things forbidden by Mum and Dad.

The red telephone box now has pride of place in my dining room and always makes me smile as I walk past!

Of course, it wouldn't be Australia, without a quick mention of the weather. This last week has been dominated by a heatwave, here in the west of the country. Temperatures soared to a high of 45 and remained high for almost seven days. Luckily for me, working in an air-conditioned building, it isn't too much of an issue. For Darrell however, working in a workshop, things are very different — He hasn't been enjoying it, not one bit!

I love the heat and really don't complain about it at all. I was forever complaining about the cold in the UK and also during the winter in Perth, but the heat doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I am already looking at holidays in tropical Asia, when winter returns — probably a short break in July.

This time we are looking at either seven days in Bali or back to our favourite destination of Thailand. I don't want to take a long ten-hour flight like last time, preferring not to contract another infection on the way home, unlike the last two times we travelled abroad.

For now, I am happy enough to enjoy the sun, even though I am too tight to turn on the air conditioner. Rather like central heating, the costs of running such a system can be high. Even though electricity costs are a third of what they are in the UK, I am still very frugal with money, which is testament to my time living in Spain and the simple life I enjoyed.

... And with the heat, comes spiders. This week I have caught a couple of Redbacks and a father large huntsman in my letter box outside. I am, of course, no fan of these pests, but I am gradually getting used to them. Today, I keep my wits about me, and I am fully versed in where these horrible things live. Yesterday I made Darrell hose down the washing line outside, another home from home for our Redback friends. As long as I am aware of these arachnids, I am happy to live alongside them. As with everything in Australia, it's about having respect for the surrounding wildlife!

Another hot week beckons in Perth, probably the hottest state in Australia, and I am looking forward to more of the same. Summers are long in Australia, so I am in my element most of the time. A friend asked me just the other day, when am I coming home to visit… My answer, 'not anytime soon!' Today I am happier than I've ever been, and the UK is fast becoming a distant memory and not a place I want to visit anytime soon — until then, I am happy to carry on forging a new, productive life down under and enjoying everything this state has to offer. When the time is right, I will go back home, creating more memories to bring back with me!

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Portsmouth V Southampton!

27/7/2024

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Wonderful painting of Clarence Pier, by Portsmouth artist Hannah Marsh, now sitting proudly on my lounge wall. This picture evokes many happy memories. When you move abroad, it's important to surround yourself with items that make you feel comfortable and secure. Moving to the other side of the World is pretty anxiety inducing, so it's paintings like this, that keep me grounded and happy to be in my new home. I suppose if you came to my Aussie home today, you would find it a homage to my life in The UK. For me, that's no bad thing; it has allowed me to settle and adjust to me life down under!

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The Rec Cafe - Fratton!

19/8/2023

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Today I wanted to offer my congratulations to dear friend Wendy Watson and her colleague Tania Shipp, on their new venture - The Rec Café, in Fratton. Having lived and worked in Fratton for four years, I like to keep up with events there, and was delighted to come across an advertisement in The Portsmouth News, announcing the reopening of this café, after its closure in 2021.

Wendy is a fantastic friend with a big personality, and I always enjoyed her company as a patron of The Newcome Arms, when I worked behind the bar. I have many happy memories, of fun times with her and others at this local pub; it was the main stay of the local community, just as The Rec Café takes on a similar important role.

After hearing about Wendy's recent health concerns, I messaged her to give her my love and best wishes, where I also learned of her new endeavours. There comes a point in all our lives, when a change of scene and direction, is just the tonic we need, to move forward positively in life. Wendy and Tania are embarking on a new course, with all the enthusiasm you would expect, and I would like to wish them both well. I will continue to follow The Rec Café with interest and look forward to hearing about their journey together.

Fratton was an important, life affirming time for me; I worked extremely hard during some pretty challenging times. I also learnt much about other people, as well as myself, and grew exponentially as a person. Fratton is a place where you sink or swim and despite being surrounded by some wonderful characters like Wendy, ultimately, it wasn't where I was destined to end up.

I am so grateful for the friends I made while living on the south coast of England and always look forward to hearing from them. Social media has allowed me to remain a part of a community I love with all my heart; one day I look forward to once again walking down those hallowed streets of Fratton, and of course visiting The Rec Café - until then, I can, at least, view from afar.

Good luck Wendy and Tania, you'll smash it!

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

Marmite From Home - The perfect gift!

Weekly Catch Up!

Portsmouth V Southampton!

The Rec Cafe - Fratton!

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