Category: Photographs Of Hope - 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!'

Countdown to 25 Years!

6/8/2020

Darrell and Mum, keeping in contact from the other side of the World!

On the 22 September 2020 Darrell and I will celebrate our 25th Anniversary, a milestone, we could not have anticipated, a quarter of a century ago. Of course this won't be a celebration like any other we have known, and we will not be able to spend the day together. Australia's borders are currently closed and Darrell will not be able to fly to the UK as we had first planned. Our twenty-five years together will begin with our forced separation, in a World very different from the one we have known.

Darrell and I met each other at a time of upheaval for the gay community. Neither of us had any rights to stay together and for the next six years we fought hard to remain in the UK as partners. I have written much about the challenges we have faced as a gay couple from different corners of the World. It is important to acknowledge the role our families, friends, relatives, officials and Members of Parliament have played, in our quest to help change and adapt our precarious situation, into the unrestrained, free status we enjoy today. The heartache and pain we suffered in the later part of the twentieth century made us the fighters we are. Nothing phased us and no obstacle was too big to climb, even in the face of deportation from the country we both called home.

The Coronavirus has kept us apart, when the political system couldn't. This period in our history as a couple, indeed the history of the World, has become a barrier to our life as a couple and created difficulties we are unable to overcome currently. Living without the person you love, because of factors beyond your control, is the most frustrating, exasperating experience of my life. Our current circumstances aren't easily circumvented, our well-being is in the hands of an unseen foe and there is absolutely nothing we can do to change that. Worldwide panic has pressed pause on our relationship and that is hard to accept.

We will not be able to spend our 25th Anniversary together this year, but we have the memory of our time together and our Marriage in 2015 to help overcome the pain of severance. When we look back at 2020, we will see this as just another setback in a sea of many. No one could have foreseen the events we are all living through; this should be an opportunity to grow and cultivate new memories to share, as we spend the next twenty-five years together, in the post COVID World!

Photographs of Hope - Family Toast, good to see your faces!

20/7/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

Two familiar faces back for this week's family toast. It's been a long time coming, but it's great to see Aunty Sue and Karen back once again.

Photographs of Hope - Family Toast!

11/7/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

We've been doing our family toast for ten weeks now, throughout the duration of the first wave of this pandemic, and like most families we have done our best to keep in touch, despite the difficult circumstances. I still haven't seen all of my relatives, even now, because I don't want to put anyone at risk.

The last time I saw my Father, was in January of this year. It has been hard not seeing him, especially at this time, but I don't feel it is appropriate quite yet. I work in Tesco, a pub and have a voluntary job with Cancer Research, all of which are customer facing roles. I come into contact with many members of the public daily, that's a lot of people; so I really don't want to put my Father or any other member of my family at risk unnecessarily. I do speak to Dad every week, and he seems to be in good spirits, but this is also a lonely time for him and all of us who are separated.

This week we were able to welcome back Aunty Sue, to our family toast, after a few weeks away. Sue hasn't been feeling on top form recently and decided to take a break. To be honest I don't blame her; there were times I wish I could have just disappeared for a while, hoping this year would just go away, but to no avail. Aunty Sue hasn't been too well and having to shield for weeks on end has taken its toll on her, but fighting fit as ever, she has returned, joining in the weekly toast!

I was reading an article online this morning, talking about living with Coronavirus long term. It looks like it will be awhile before we can all get back to normal and enjoy life as it used to be. Until then, we will have to continue making the best of this situation; our weekly toast will be here for a while yet, which is no bad thing. Family up and down the country are coping remarkably well and all of us have used our ingenuity to focus on the relationships that remain important, despite the distance between us. I guess sometime next year, we will all be able to hug each other once again; until then we have our weekly toast to one another, showing everyone, no matter where they are, that we continue to care about them and lives we share!

Photographs of Hope - Family Toast!

26/6/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!
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It's been a week since our last family tribute, another Thursday toasting the importance of family during this pandemic and a tradition that has become a part of life for us all, during this difficult time. With lockdown rules relaxed further this week, all of us are continuing to rebuild our relationships with friends and relatives alike. On July 4th, more businesses will reopen and life as we know it now, will change yet again. Until we get back to the way things were, we will continue to remember loved ones, every Thursday; a day to remember the importance of family life!

We were delighted to be joined by my Mother-in-Law, Mary this week, at home with my husband Darrell in Perth, Western Australia. Mary continues to undergo a gruelling timetable of chemotherapy in order to treat her cancer diagnosis. It was wonderful to see her looking so well, despite her continued ordeal. All of us wish her well and are thankful for her good health.

Stay Safe y'all!

Photographs of Hope - Family Toast!

14/6/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

Another week another 'Non Touch Family Toast,' celebrating family up and down the nation. As we continue to raise a glass to those we hold dear, we are all reminded of the importance of family. With lockdown rules relaxed this week, most of us are able to spend some valuable time with our 'Social Bubbles.' Nevertheless, the way we live our lives is by no means back to normal, so our virtual get together once a week, remains as important now as it always has been!

Stay Safe!

Photographs of Hope - Ty Jeffries!

12/6/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

'This is the view from my bedroom window. This Philadelphus has been in flower for at least 6 weeks now - it has sustained me throughout Lockdown with its glorious, celebratory froth of pure white flowers. Wish I could get close enough to smell them.'

Ty Jeffries

Photographs of Hope - Dom Donkin!

11/6/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

A big thank you to Dom for taking part in 'Photographs of Hope.' I know this has been a particularly difficult time for you, after losing your Mother to Coronavirus in May. I would like to add my deepest condolences to you and your family and hope that you are able to move forwards with hope. When I lost my own Mum last October, I know how long it took to recover from the loss. As your photograph shows, you are surrounded by wonderful friends and family, who will do all they can to help, as will I... With love x

Photographs of Hope - Joanne Hurst

30/5/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

Following on from Joanne Hurst's post on 16 April, Joanne has finished making her rug, and I am delighted to include this photograph. She has worked hard during this lockdown, to keep herself occupied and produce a wonderful piece of work. Well done Joanne and thank you for taking part in photographs of hope!

Photographs of Hope - Thursday Family Toast!

29/5/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

Another Thursday family toast, giving hope for the future during difficult times. We were once again joined by familiar faces from all over the World, as well as another welcome appearance by Cousin Carrie-Anne, all raising a glass to one another. This is one family tradition, I'm sure we will be carrying on, long after COVID-19 has retreated.

Cheers to family everywhere!

Photographs of Hope - Anne Hinks!

29/5/2020

Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

My inspiration are my children, they taught me, no matter what life throws at you, as long as you do your best that all that matters and that they love me no matter what!

Anne Hinks