Category: Villa In The Sun

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

16/7/2023

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!

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From Probationary to Permanent!

9/7/2023

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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.

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Ten Months in Australia, Twelve Months of Change!

24/6/2023

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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!

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I can't believe the sun is actually shining!

11/6/2023

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

27/5/2023

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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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Roaming Brit's Retirement Villa!

23/4/2023

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Saturday Evening Chat!

15/4/2023

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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!

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Paying the Bills!

11/3/2023

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The party is well and truly over, as they say. This week the first mortgage payment went out, which certainly isn't a milestone to be celebrated, but it does mark the beginning of our new life down under. Unlike the last five years, we now have responsibilities again, and have to knuckle down and pay the bills. We have taken out a wealth package with The Commonwealth bank and offset all our savings, saving us a significant amount of money per year. We are also paying a much higher amount each month into our mortgage, but with our home loan, only accounting for 16 percent of our joint income, luckily we can afford to do it.

In order to pay off our loan quickly, we have had to take out a variable rate mortgage, which was initially a concern. Only this week, the Bank of Australia raised the base rate by another 0.25%, which will inevitably add more money to our outgoings each month. However, for us, it isn't a problem; we are both working in well paid jobs, so this will not cause us too many difficulties. Nevertheless, I am well aware, this isn't the same for everyone.

Yesterday I was watching The ABC News on television and there was a story about a 75-year-old woman, who is having to sell her home, because she can no longer afford to pay the mortgage. This poor woman was given a thirty year, $650,000 home loan, only a few months ago. Yes you heard that right, a thirty-year mortgage was given to a 75-year-old woman; this just would not occur in the UK and to be honest I was shocked that this had even happened.

It does seem, however, that this is common practice, and substantial sums are being leant to people who just can not afford to pay it back. Having only just moved to Australia, even I was taken aback at how quickly we bought a house, with the mortgage being approved within a matter of days. Thankfully, it worked well for us, and we were able to move home relatively quickly once we were working. I am however sceptical about a system that allows pensioners to get a 30-year loan, who will be 105, when it is finally paid off. As my Mother and Father always said, 'live within your means, and you'll be fine.' Well, I learnt the hard way, but today I buy only what I can afford and no more; it has worked out well for me.

The Commonwealth Bank Wealth Package, also allows me to put as much extra money into the mortgage as I like each month, with no penalties, and it also permits me to withdraw that extra money if I so choose, rather than get a personal loan. This is handy to know for the future; we may decide to upgrade the kitchen or buy a new car, and there will always be money there to pay for it. I have no idea if this kind of mortgage is available in the UK, but I personally think it is a fantastic deal and should encourage a culture of saving rather than spending!

Of course, owning a home is an expensive business, as most of you already know. When we arrived in Australia, we had absolutely nothing, so we have has to furnish a whole house, which isn't cheap. On top of that, we are also having to upgrade the electrics in each room before we refurbish. There are quite simply not enough plug sockets in the building, so we are paying to have more fitted each time we decorate. On Monday we have an electrician coming round to fit new plug points in the family room as well as change all the light switches, at the cost of $500, it isn't cheap, but it is necessary for peace of mind. The electrics haven't been changed since this house was built in 1995; with the amount of electrical equipment we have in 2023, it is absolutely mandatory to upgrade as and when we can,

Also on Monday, we finally have our NBN appointment with IPrimus. It has taken this long to actually start the process of installing broadband at the house; it is like living in Britain twenty years ago. Even then, we are not sure if they will be able to connect us on that day; it is all dependent on the infrastructure servicing the villa. I am flabbergasted that it is quicker to buy a house, than it is to have internet installed, but this is Australia and despite all its amazing qualities, it also has many faults. I just hope we will finally have some form of connection by the end of Monday afternoon.

Darrell has also bought a new car finally, after finding something suitable, and it has been a long time coming. Cars are particularly expensive over here at the moment, after the pandemic reduced the number of new vehicles coming into the country. He could have continued waiting and waiting before buying anything, but he needs one now, it is important he has one to get to and from work. We have done what we have to, taken money from our savings and bought a Honda Accord; not a new car, but a great first step, as we continue to establish our life in Australia.

With private health care, ambulance cover, life insurance and utilities, life isn't easily affordable in Australia. Like the UK, we are also suffering from a cost of living crisis and there is no end in sight to the mortgage interest rate rises, so even though we are comfortable for now, we are well aware of what could happen in the future. As we navigate our way through this difficult economic period, we are learning from the mistakes of the past and no longer spend like each day is our last; we save for a future and the life we believe we deserve. This is our time to succeed in the embattled world, but this is also a time to lose. Avoiding the stupidity of previous failures and channelling energy into rebuilding our life is our overriding goal; when I write about this period in the future, I want it to be full of colour, positivity and hope, not negativity, disillusionment and despair; only time will tell if we succeed or fail at the first hurdle.

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Snake Season!

4/3/2023

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The snake season has arrived in Australia; not a particularly welcome part of the year, but an important date in the antipodean calendar I'm sure. Of course this isn't something I knew off the top of my head, or was made aware of when I moved here, this is an event that just happened to rear its ugly head and reinforce my dislike, of some of the more colourful wildlife here in Perth.

It was a typical afternoon at work, and I was due to take part in an online meeting with colleagues. It was a particularly humid day, clouds were gathering in the sky, and I was in the middle of eating my lunch. I had just taken the last bite of my cheese and Ozemite sandwich, when I heard voices coming from the back of the stockroom. A member of staff had come across a small baby snake. Without her glasses on, she went to pick up what she thought was a cord and was taken aback when it suddenly moved away from her; In her words, it was rather agile and active.

Having never dealt with such a situation before, I was initially unsure about what exactly to do. I began by evacuating the store room and moving staff to the front of the shop. After taking advice, we were told a snake catcher was on the way and to try and keep away from the back of the stockroom. Before we could do that, a member of staff quickly ran to the back and shut the roller door, just in case anyone ventured inside. On her return, she spotted the snake and instantly through a bin on top of it, trapping it inside.

It wasn't long before this rather rugged Aussie snake catcher arrived and went to detain the offending reptile. To be honest, not knowing much about snakes, I assumed it would be pretty harmless, especially being a baby - how wrong was I!

The snake was called a Dugite and is native to Western Australia. It has a greenish body and black head. These snakes are solitary and tend to live alone. This little babies Mother literally threw him or her out as soon as she was able, and boom, it was out on it own. I was expecting there to be more of them, maybe a nest or something, but no. The snake catcher explained that where there is a solitary snake, there will not be another. There may well be one next door, but certainly not in the same building. In a way that was reassuring, but as he stood there with the snake in a bag, I couldn't help thinking, 'when would our new resident move in.' Whether that is true or not, and as one snake leaves, another surely follows, I don't know.

Mr Snake Catcher continued in conversation, detailing the life of this little Dugite and confirming it was only passing through. This is snake season in Australia and endless eggs will be hatching, making them more visible than they otherwise would be. Generally they don't go inside people's homes, but having just hatched, unaware of their environment, it probably made a mistake, ending up in our back room.

.... Now for the chilling part. This seemingly harmless snake is highly venomous and yes, it can kill, even as a baby. That's when it actually hit me - I am in Australia, where the wildlife is so far removed from that in the UK, that I need to be on my guard at all times. These situations can happen from time to time, and I must make myself aware of what is dangerous and what is not. I could have quite easily tried to pick up this little critter and throw it outside, but thankfully I didn't, or this blog post may well have ended very differently.

Since the snake incident at work, I have to admit I have become a bit paranoid, checking for reptiles and spiders wherever I go. Every morning I check under the toilet seat, my shoes, in my knicker draw, and in the laundry room, just to make sure there is nothing lurking in the shadows. I have rarely seen anything nasty since moving here, and as a rule I don't go out of my way to find them.

It reminds me of the time I was living in Australia in 1997. We lived in a new build in the then up-and-coming suburb of Ellenbrook and were there for several months. Every day, numerous times a day, I would head to the kitchen sink, get a drink of water or do the washing up. All perfectly normal, so I thought. It wasn't until we left the house in Mid-Summer Circle, that Darrell told me the plants along the sink, on the window shelf above, were full of red back spiders. My mouth dropped, I couldn't believe he never said a word.

Looking back now, I am glad he didn't. If he had, I would have spent everyday looking for them, avoiding the sink and generally becoming a nervous wreck. If you can't see something, or are not aware it's there, you can generally function normally - give or take the odd mishap. Now, something's just can't be unseen, and although I am familiar with the venomous Dugite, I would have rather not experienced it in the first place.

I suppose my date with a snake, not unlike others I've had in the past, was a warning to be mindful of where I am. In time, I will forget it ever happened, but until then it is just part of the course, living down under. The further I integrate into Australian life, the more used to the extremes I will become. I look forward to the day when snakes and spiders will be like water off a ducks back; until then, I'll keep on learning, adapting and mastering, becoming part of the fabric of society and relishing the challenges that come my way!

This week we have managed to continue decorating the villa. With work commitments top of our agenda, we are having to fit home improvements in when we can. We have more or less finished the front lounge, with the new multicoloured rug, which matches Mollie's hair perfectly, and a few other finishing touches - a homage to the collector still in my heart. The family room now has a new sofa, and I am waiting for the new carpet to arrive tomorrow. This room will be a reflection of the 1960s and 70s, and I am going to try and make it as retro looking as I can, starting with a bright orange feature wall - who knows where it will end!

Despite work taking priority, we did manage to spend a weekend together, which will be the last one for a while. This is a very busy time for me and Darrell, as we continue building our careers in Australia. Moving from the UK was about improving our life together, but it was also about the quality of life we have together. The dark, grey, rainy days in Portsmouth may well be a distant memory, but if we spend all our time working, we will never experience the lifestyle we both crave.

For now, we have renovations to complete, furniture to buy and decorating to do, so it's time to knuckle down and continue to rebuild our life in Perth. We have a hefty mortgage to pay, a cat to look after, a car to buy and bills up to our eyeballs, so that elusive lifestyle will have to wait, just a little bit longer.

As we move from summer into winter, our new villa will come into its own; a sanctuary from the elements outside and a bolthole from the disparaging World around us. We are both happy to be far, far away from Britain and the dark, grey, depressing existence we had before we left, but we are conscious of our roots, even if they are sometimes painful to recall. This is the life we have chosen together, because we no longer have the patience to bother with other people; people who essentially never cared about us. The best way to show the detractors you have moved on, is to build bigger, better and show you are far happier than them - that's exactly what we are doing today!

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

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

From Probationary to Permanent!

Ten Months in Australia, Twelve Months of Change!

I can't believe the sun is actually shining!

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

Roaming Brit's Retirement Villa!

Saturday Evening Chat!

Adjusting to a more solitary life!

Paying the Bills!

Snake Season!

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