Category: Villa In The Sun

A Moan About The Weather — It's cold down under

30/6/2024

0 Comments

Saturday afternoon at Ma Maison in Western Australia!

25/2/2024

0 Comments

Early morning, the best time to be up and about here in Australia!

From Redbacks to the venomous Dugite, it almost feels like Australia is trying to kill you!

0 Comments

Year In Review 2023!

31/12/2023

3 Comments

I'm not too sure how long this blog will be today, since for the last week, I've been suffering from a bad wrist. I've been to the Doctors, as you would expect from me, and have an X-ray and ultrasound booked for 8 January. This kind of thing always happens at the most inconvenient time, so I just have to wait until Christmas is over. For now, I will just persevere and do as much as I can.

Looking back over this past year has for once been a pleasure. Darrell and I have achieved so much here in Australia, in such a short space of time. I started my new job, as Manager of a busy outlet shop, in the middle of January and have been working there ever since. Getting this job, after only being in Australia for a few months, was an amazing achievement. I had no idea I would be working so soon after receiving my Permanent Resident status, just a few weeks before. However, so far I seem to have fitted in well at this high-end shop, just a fifteen-minute walk from where we currently live.

Of course, I have worked in retail most of my life and my customer service skills are exceptional, but I still have to pinch myself sometimes, when I realise just how far I have come, since leaving the UK. Compared to previous jobs, this position is extremely well paid and has allowed me to afford a lifestyle, I could have only dreamt of in the UK. I am no longer just surviving day by day, I now have the money to do the things I want, and I am well aware of how lucky I am to be in such a fortunate position. I never thought I would be working for such a respected Australian brand, in an industry I initially knew very little about. Furthermore, I am, however, proud to say I have adapted to my somewhat challenging circumstances and become a respected member of the Management team!

Early in the year, we also exchanged contracts on our new home in Australia. With a lot of luck and encouragement from a wonderful financial advisor, we bought a three-bedroom villa, our first home together since living in Spain. The house is everything we could have dreamt of, offering us a home in a country I am now proud to call home. Thankfully, I was able to save a substantial deposit, whilst living in the UK, during COVID. For the first time in a long time, I was able to do the right thing financially and invest in mine and Darrell's future.

The villa needs a lot of work doing to it, and it isn't something we will finish overnight. Gradually, we are doing what we can, when finances allow. Unlike the past, I am paying for everything cash and not on credit, which means the renovations will take a little longer to complete. That's fine by me, I am in no rush to get everything done, and I'm not going anywhere soon.

We have managed to upgrade the electrics, replace the garden fence and fully furnish the property, without borrowing money. It's only because we earn a decent wage that we have been able to do this, if I was back in the UK, it just wouldn't have happened.

2023 has been about turning over a new leaf and part of that desire, includes financial independence and stability. With frugal living and careful money management, I have managed to pay double the mortgage payments over the last year, reducing my mortgage term from 30 to 12 years, and I'm not stopping there. I am determined to pay off this house in record time and most importantly, buy another investment property, to supplement mine and Darrell's pension as we approach retirement. This isn't something we can do straight away, especially with interest rates so high, but it is top of my list of priorities as we approach 2024.

With my Permanent Residency secured, I was finally given permission to leave Australia; after such a difficult few months, I decided to arrange a holiday for me and Darrell, back to Thailand. This was a place both of us fell in love with, when we travelled there in 2022 and like my other half, I wanted to see more of this amazing Country. In August, we flew to Bangkok, where we began a ten-day unforgettable holiday.

This was a two centre holiday, and we started our time in Bangkok, staying once again at the Nuovo City Hotel, opposite our favourite Bangkok restaurant 'So Samsen' on Samen Road. This beautiful restaurant is owned Aom, who made us feel so at home, the first time we arrived in Thailand, a year before. Aom offered a safe haven, where we could sit and relax, finally free from the bitterness we left behind. In many respects, 'So Samsen' provided us with a homely, friendly environment, which we had craved for so long. We agreed we would return, and here we were in 2023, back in a place, so special, so full of happy memories, 'So Samen' on Samsen Road!

From Bangkok, we flew to the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai, where we spent six amazing days exploring this truly awe-inspiring place. We spent time at an Elephant sanctuary, visited the jungle, climbed a waterfall and visited the famous Long Neck Karen People, who I had only ever read about in books. It was an incredible adventure of a lifetime and a trip I will never forget. This was what living life was all about, and we had finally found happiness far away from the UK.

A house is of course never a home without a cat, and finally we were able to adopt two cats and make them a part of our life. First came Pippa, a beautiful tabby, who has Hyperreflexier, and the sweetest little girl, who has many issues to deal with. She was a rescue cat, who still remains nervous, but over time, we hope she will settle down and finally relax around us. Then there is Akira, a rescue kitten, who quite honestly is a little terror, but a loving one at that. Both of them have a way to go, before they are settled together, but as time moves on, they are becoming closer and closer and most importantly integrating into our life in Western Australia.

As 2023 draws to a close, it is important for Darrell and I to spend our first Christmas together, down under, in our new home, surrounded by family and friends. For the first and last time, I cooked a proper British Christmas Dinner, in sweltering 35 degree heat. Luckily, we have aircon in every room and the raging temperature wasn't too much of an issue.

It does feel good to have a home again and invite guests over, as we used to, back in the good old days. You can go weeks without seeing people here, so it does make a pleasant change to entertain like we did in the past. Both Darrell and I are homebodies and our house is very important to us, so we are particularly choosy about whom we have over. We have been bitten too many times by bad people, and this isn't something we want again.

As we move into 2024, we hope to continue very much in the same vein as before. My job is now secure and after a large pay rise, I hope to invest more money into our villa. We also plan to travel extensively next year, returning to the UK when we can and visiting Vietnam and Japan. This has indeed been one of our most successful years ever, but we are aware of just what could go wrong. It is essential both of us look towards the future, but never forget the past that is responsible, for where we are today. Learning from our mistakes, is the only thing that will give us the future we both deserve and a successful if challenging life, even if it is twenty years too late!

3 Comments

Weekly Catch up!

16/10/2023

0 Comments

Just a few things to get off my chest this week!

16/7/2023

0 Comments

There are some things that just need to be said. No matter how much I miss The UK at times, I am certainly thankful to be away from the destructive behaviours that cause harm to others. Britain excels at destroying people, and I should know, I've been there myself. Treat people fairly, look out for their well-being and above all, be kind!

0 Comments

From Probationary to Permanent!

9/7/2023

0 Comments

This Sunday, I am finally relaxing after a busy week at work. It feels like I haven't stopped over the past seven days; if I've ever needed a day off, it's now. With the weather still decidedly chilly, I have personally been feeling a little run-down. I always know when I'm over doing it, because a reoccurring infection rears its ugly head on my face; It looks like acne. Whether or not it is I just don't know, but it has flared up once again. I haven't been able to shave and look like a dishevelled tramp - not good for my self-confidence, especially working in the job I do.

Despite a general feeling of tiredness, achy joints and sniffly nose, it has been important for me to carry on as normal. As a 'hardy Brit' I am rarely sick and certainly do not suffer from colds or flu, so I tend to just shrug off my general apathy and get on with it, as most of us born in the UK do. At the moment I have a lot on my plate, whether through work or at home, so having time off is absolutely necessary. I am a person who suffers with stress and anxiety, so detaching myself from real life is something I have to do. Blogging is my outlet of choice and sat here writing today, I am already feeling better and a little less stressed.

This week I have finally reached the end of my probationary period at work and after six months of hard graft, I am a permanent member of staff. My job has become my lifeline to the outside World, rather like Tesco was in Portsmouth. I work with some wonderful characters, and I am relishing the new opportunities ahead. Also, I was delighted to receive a substantial pay rise this week, strengthening the fortunate position I find myself in today. Things were so different a year ago, when I just couldn't see past the turmoil that was overwhelming my life. Today, I have been able to lay to rest the problems that brought us to Australia in the first place, and I can't quite believe just how successful our journey has been.

Finally, the new fence has been erected outside the house, after we shared the cost with the rest of the houses on the strata, and had the old wooden structure removed. Despite the expense, this was something we had to do; the old one was falling down onto a public footpath and major highway. Thankfully, it is taller than the previous boundary, which affords us the privacy we craved. Initially we wanted it even higher, but after being told we would have to put in a planning application, we decided against it. Time really wasn't on our side, we just wanted it done and dusted.

With the end of the tax year on the 30 June, we have to see a tax agent on Monday to sort out our affairs. Both of us are due substantial rebates, and this will allow us to have a holiday in the next few months; something both of us need. We have worked so hard to get where we are today and without blowing my own trumpet we are proud of just what we have achieved, in such a short space of time. It's time for us to look forward to the next chapter of our life together and, hopefully, just a little less stress. At 52, time isn't on my side, but I am determined to make the next ten-years profitable, enjoyable and prosperous, as we reach the later stages of our life down under.

0 Comments

Ten Months in Australia, Twelve Months of Change!

24/6/2023

0 Comments

It really does feel like I’ve been here years, but in reality, today is my ten-month anniversary living in Australia. When we completed our trip to ASIA, neither Darrell nor I could have envisaged where we would be today; a far cry from our life in the UK. A year ago, living in Portsmouth, we were planning our move to Australia in record time. Both of us, would have preferred more time in Britain before leaving in the most difficult of circumstances, but nothing worked out the way we planned and the turmoil that was plaguing our life, finally forced our hand. At the time I was angry, bitter and totally hurt by what had transpired; today I am thankful to family members who really showed their true colours and ultimately released us from a life that only heald us back. Today we are free and it is all thanks to them.

Our trip to Croatia, to see Darrell's family, was the tonic both of us needed after spending so long surrounded by vitriol, hostility and contempt. Vlatka and Marin, our Croatian Cousins, were welcoming, accepting and full of warmth; we spent a week reconnecting with people who we hadn’t seen for what seemed like a lifetime; rekindling important family bonds was an important part of our journey.

Our time in Dalmatia, offered a breathing space to think about the new life we were embarking upon and the future we planned in Australia, that still seemed uncertain. We were very fortunate to have such valuable time with our Cousins; it was them who put everything into perspective and made us remember there was life after disaffection and happiness after rejection.

After Croatia, we travelled to Thailand, which afforded both Darrell and me, a welcome break, during a period when we needed it most. This was one of the most memorable holidays we have ever been on and offered an opportunity to relax, regroup and rebuild, ahead of a gruelling few months in Australia. Neither of us knew what the future held, so it was important to just savour the moment, forget about what had brought us to the other side of the World and just enjoy Thailand and the wondrous sites that surrounded us in Bangkok. Darrell and I let ourselves go and gradually the bad memories faded; the sites, sounds and vibrant colours of Asia were the distraction, dreams were made of – a precursor to a new life together!

Returning to Australia was a challenge; I had tried to live in Perth twice before, without success, so I was extremely apprehensive about this next big step. Despite my fear for the future, I was aware this was a last chance for both Darrell and me, if this didn’t work, I had no idea what would happen next. Neither of us wanted to return to the UK, so the same determination that allowed me to shed 25 kg a year before, would be the basis for my focus, as I adjusted to living in yet another country, the third in five years.

Australia was the chance to do things right, to make up for all the stupidity and raucous behaviour of the past and create a more prosperous future. There were no guarantees; judging on previous experience there was only a slim chance of success, but with nothing to lose I personally threw my heart and soul into this adventure and did everything I could to stay. Of course at fifty-one years old, under normal circumstances, I really shouldn’t be here. When my application for permanent residency was lodged, I was mindful of just how lucky I was to have the chance to settle down under. Not many people my age are afforded the opportunity to do that. At the back of my mind, after all the paperwork, documentation and legal wrangling, I was still unsure what my fate would be. After all, at my age, any number of issues could stop me from achieving residency; my life now rested with the Australian Government – I wasn’t feeling particularly hopeful.

It took two and a half months to get permanent residency; it would have been shorter, if I hadn’t made mistakes during the application process. Nevertheless, surprisingly, my route to eventual citizenship was secured. After a comprehensive physical exam, no health issues were detected, and my past indiscretions as a teenage boy most certainly weren’t an issue with the Department of Home Affairs. After 28 years together, Darrell and I could finally start living again.

The months since I was grated indefinite leave to remain in Australia have been kind to Darrell and me. I suppose this has been the most productive period of my life. I am Manager of a large retail outlet store, selling Manchester. (the Australian word for bedlinen) I am earning more than double what I did in the UK and with Darrell also on a similar wage, we no longer have the worries we did. We managed to put a large deposit down on a three-bedroom villa, and we are now the proud owners of a lovely new home. Saving money, saving for a pension and thinking about buying another property to rent out is top of my priority list. As I establish myself in Perth, for the first time in my life I have a purpose, a reason to live and a goal to reach. Australia has opened doors that Britain never could, and for that I am truly grateful.

Despite my new zest for life away from the doom and gloom of the UK, there is still a feeling of sadness. I am upset at the way we were treated in Portsmouth before we left, by people we used to love, but most importantly I am grieving the friends and my Father I have left behind. Dad has become very important to me since leaving Britain, he is the only real family I have left, so our weekly chats are important. His encouragement to continue focusing on the future has also been instrumental in us staying in Australia; his support has been a great source of comfort.

Equally, friends have become the linchpin that keeps us grounded in our new life. Letters, messages and phone calls have all been pivotal in the success we now enjoy. Words of love, video calls from the close and a collective network of friends from back home have been a link to people who enrich and continue to enhance our life thousands of miles away. Our future is in Australia, not because we wanted to leave, but because ultimately it was where we are meant to be. Our destiny was always to return to Perth one day, the future is here for the taking, it’s up to us to make it work!

0 Comments

I can't believe the sun is actually shining!

11/6/2023

0 Comments

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

27/5/2023

0 Comments

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!