Coming Home!

When writing my blog, I rely heavily on the community in which I live, whether that was in Spain or now in my home City of Portsmouth. I am lucky to have contact with many different people on a daily basis, through work and at home, so I do get most of my ideas from these wonderful characters, that I just happen to cross paths with; real life stories from those who matter are important. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to write or express their views, like me, so I am happy to facilitate their experiences and stories on my blog. Today I wanted to mention an exchange of views with a customer and friend I know from the pub where I work. In the hospitality trade, you do have many conversations with people about some very interesting subjects; politics, sport and local difficulties being just three. Yesterday I ended my shift speaking with a regular about his life in Portsmouth, what makes him tick and why he loves this city so much.

The demographic of the  neighbourhood where I live in Fratton, is a mix of local people who have lived here all their lives, students attending Portsmouth University, service men and women who have relocated here for work and a large diverse ethic population. Fratton isn’t a perfect middle class idyll on the south coast of England, it is a down to Earth, at times gritty, working class and typically unrelenting, urban town, with all the problems that come with that label. Unemployment, poverty and a determination to keep battling on, forging its own unique identity in the structure of Portsmouth, is important to everyone who lives here!

I was interested in why people have stayed in this neighbourhood, many all their lives, JC gave me many answers to why he lives here now and intends to remain so. This intelligent man is an indelible part of Fratton, he isn’t extraordinary, he isn’t rich, he isn’t well travelled, but he is happy, content and thankful for being a part of the community in which he lives. JC is well known, liked and full of stories to tell; he has indeed become a great source of inspiration for me. I was told in no uncertain terms, that this is his home and God help anyone who tries to take that away from him. JC has seen a lot of changes, most not for the better, he even spent time travelling and living in a van, looking for new horizons, adventures and experiences to share, but significantly, he came home and remained in a place he loves. Surprisingly he isn’t jealous of others international escapades, wads of cash in their pockets or high brow lifestyles, he is just satisfied living and working in Fratton; he couldn’t care less about others opinions or attitudes to life, he is more than comfortable being who he is!

My life was very different. I have an Australian partner and have lived both in Australia and the UK. I have travelled extensively, all over the globe and have also resided in Europe. As soon as I was able, I left Britain, to make my own mark on the World. I made many mistakes and chose many wrong paths, but essentially I left my roots behind and looked outwards towards the cities in the sky, ending up today back home in the place of my birth. I rejected my childhood and wanted something better, always looking for happiness, but never really finding it. Don’t get me wrong, I love my partner, but I have never found a place to settle, make a home and live the rest of my days. I have returned now and am enjoying spending time with family; I actually haven’t felt this good in a long time, but I am realistic about just what happens next.

Unlike JC, I am not completely comfortable with living in a small neighbourhood, where everyone else knows you, has an opinion about your life or passes judgement on your indiscretions. I do get bored easily and am constantly looking for something better, something new, something I am missing out on; I need to keep moving, hopefully onto bigger and brighter things.

A lot of the time I am deluded about the future, The grass isn’t necessarily greener, as I found out, moving to Spain and I have missed out on a valuable part of life, family, friendships and integrating with those I live and work with. I haven’t formed many lasting bonds in recent years because I haven’t stayed in one place long enough and in retrospect, miss that side of life.

‘Coming home’ has given me a beneficial and constructive insight into what could have been or what could be in the future. I am getting used to this new role, embracing a different way of thinking and grasping opportunities when they arrive. I am not for one minute claiming to be a born again local boy, happy to stay in Pompey forever but I am doing my best to ‘fit in’ and taking each day as it comes. There is nothing to say I will be here in a few months time, but for now this really is home and who knows in time, especially as I get older, approaching my fifties, I may well decide to stay and live as JC lives, content to leave my past behind!

---

---

---