Roaming Brit
  • Blog
  • The Story Of Us
  • Other Blogs
    • Forever Enduring Cycles Blog 2015 >
      • Forever Enduring Cycles
      • Bipolarcoaster
      • Books For Sale
  • Gallery
  • Spain
    • First Month
    • Three Months
    • Six Months
    • One Year
    • 2 Year Anniversary
    • Spanish Views
    • Gran Alacant >
      • GA Advertiser
      • Gran Alacant News
      • LoungeD
      • No Wives Club
  • About
    • New Life
    • Wedding
    • 21 Years
    • Timeline
    • My Story
    • Australia 2016/17
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Penelope Wren
    • Debra Rufini
    • Claire Coe
    • Richard Guy
    • Optimistic Mummy
    • Julie Rawlinson
    • Letters Of Hope
  • Links
  • Contact
  • My Writing
    • Short Stories From My Youth
    • Verruca Almond
    • The Streets

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

Picture

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 must be made. Illness, family bonds, and a Change of heart all make for challenging times in the life of a 'Roaming Brit!'

Picture

Concerns!

5/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Popped out with Katie, briefly yesterday.  Don't get to go out much these days, so it was a pleasant change.  The temperature was a lovely 25 degrees, so we had a couple of pints in  Zest, followed by a meal at Katie's.  We had lots to talk about, especially feeling the way we do at the moment.

Today's entry is going to be a bit of a moany blog, but not everything is perfect in paradise all the time.

For me, there is an 'end of season blues' feeling.  Sierra Mar Square was not the usual throng of people, it had been, even up until last week.  One minute people were here and in a flash they are now gone.  That is of course the nature of the beast here: at this time of year, it can feel very lonely.  I know that has been a problem for me, just recently.  In an area that is predominantly filled with second home owners, there are times you see very few people.  Both houses either side of me are empty and will probably remain so, until the spring.  

So both Katie and I are starting to feel those winter blues, even with temperatures in the mid twenties.  It is however, not just a matter of how cold or  hot it is, it is a number of different things as well.  The job situation, is of course the biggest problem for both of us at the moment.  I have written much about the ridiculous laws in Spain, that prevent otherwise good businesses taking on staff, so will not go over it again. Last week alone, I applied for approximately twenty jobs, in and around the Alicante area.  There is  the obvious language barrier, which does hinder our efforts to find suitable employment, but there is something else, something a little more disturbing, in my view.  Spain is about jobs for the Spanish.  Discrimination is rife, unlike those Spanish who travel to The UK to find work.  I actually find that quite distasteful.  It is one of the reasons why I voted for Brexit.  In Europe there does seem to be different rules, for each Country you live in.  All Europeans, applying for jobs, should be given equal access to the market, as they are in Britain.

With both mine and Katies partner away in foreign countries, working and caring for loved ones, things back home in Spain, with us, are not as good as they should be. This is a hard place to survive; even with the fantastic community here, it can be difficult to find open doors, especially at this time of year.  In The UK, my house was always filled with people, here it is very different.  People don't tend to visit each other's houses in the same  they used to in Britain.  Most of the socialising takes place in the local squares, which is where you get to know people.  If like me you are on a tight budget and as a result, don't tend to go out as often as others, interaction can be extremely difficult.

Of course the biggest concern, is having to live apart from one's partner.  Myself and Darrell have been apart for about three months now; it has not been easy at all.  I understand his decision to return for his Mother, at this time, although I am of the opinion that the time frame involved is now just far too long.  Neither of us are happy with this arrangement and after taking advice from friends both here and in the UK, I feel it is time it changes.

Paul just popped over!  He is living out here on his own too.  Yes there are a lot of lonely people, single, living out here like me.  Anyway Paul took me to Zest for a coffee and a chat.  Obviously we have a lot in common.  I haven't seen Paul in a while, so it was nice to sit outside in the sun putting the World to rights!  It's funny, I was writing about the 'end of season and then, there was Paul talking about this exact subject.  

It is true to say, I have had a few reservations, about staying on in Gran Alacant lately, for no other reason, than the lack of opportunities here, at least during the winter months.  I voiced my concerns to Paul, who, it is safe to say, put everything into perspective.  Britain does have far more opportunities, but in reality Britain has so many more downsides, than up's.  These mainly involve costs, weather and the biggie, lack of community, so for now Paul has talked me out of moving on!

When I look out my windows, the views are truly amazing.  My arthritis has all but gone; the cost of living is so much cheaper and I do feel blessed at being here.  My long term future, should be good and the opportunities greater.  At the moment in the short term, it is hard work, on all levels.  With the help of good people, that can only change.  It is a bit like a waiting game, but games are there to be won, so win them I will!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    51-year-old Author and professional blogger. Expat formerly living in Gran Alacant on the Costa Blanca! Currently, residing in my adopted home of Perth, Western Australia.

    Picture

      Contact Luke.

    Submit
    Picture
    Click me & email for more information!
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    30th Anniversary
    Asia-2019
    Australia
    Australia-202223
    Bangkok & Chiang Mai 2023
    Bettys-revenge
    Bipolar
    Bipolarcoaster
    Britain
    Bullying
    Business
    Cancer Research
    Cats
    Characters-i-have-known
    Charity
    Charlatan Or Confidant
    Christmas Thoughts
    Claybornes World
    Coming-out-stories
    Cooking
    Coronavirus
    Croatia 2022
    Current Affairs Politics
    Darrell In The Uk
    Death Of Queen Elizabeth
    Dunbars
    Easy-horse-care
    Events
    Events That Shaped My World
    Family
    Fascinating-facts
    Friends Colleagues
    Gran Alacant
    Guest-bloggers
    Ibs
    Immigration
    Information
    Inspirational People
    Interviews
    Japan And Thailand 2020
    Jersey-2019
    King Charles III
    Lifestyle Break
    Lockdown-life-in-photos
    London 2022
    Lounge-d
    Luke-martin-jones-awards
    Marmite Watch
    Memories Of Fareham
    Memories Of Home
    Memories-of-home
    Memories Of Portsmouth
    Memories Of Southampton
    Memories Of Spain
    Me-too-oxfam
    Milestones
    Moving
    My Life
    My Writing
    Non Touch Toast
    Oxfam Sociopathy
    Penelope-wren
    Photographs-of-hope
    Picante And Marigold
    Pippa
    Pippa And Akira
    Platinum Jubilee
    Postcards From Home
    Quotes
    Rabs-world
    Remembering Gran Alacant
    Reviewing Gran Alacant
    Santa-pola
    Self-isolation
    Shopping
    Short Stories From My Youth
    Southampton
    Spiritual
    Taiwan 2024
    Teaching Jamie
    Thailand 2022
    Thailand And Singapore 2025
    The-darkness
    The-streets
    The Two Of Us
    Travel
    Verruca-almond
    Vietnam 2024
    Villa In The Sun
    Visits From Friends
    War In Europe
    Weight Loss & Health
    Year In Review 2015
    Year In Review 2016
    Year In Review 2017
    Year In Review 2018
    Year In Review 2019
    Year In Review 2020
    Year In Review 2021
    Year In Review 2022
    Year In Review 2023
    Year In Review 2024
    Zest

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Tweets by realtruthblog
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture


    Instagram
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    A place to call home
    Finally, a place we can call home.  A community of like minded individuals, who used to call Britain home.  Now Spain is our choice, an altogether gentler, happier, sunnier and safer experience!
            Luke Feb 16
    Picture
Picture
Picture

Telephone

+447999663360

Email

[email protected]
  • Blog
  • The Story Of Us
  • Other Blogs
    • Forever Enduring Cycles Blog 2015 >
      • Forever Enduring Cycles
      • Bipolarcoaster
      • Books For Sale
  • Gallery
  • Spain
    • First Month
    • Three Months
    • Six Months
    • One Year
    • 2 Year Anniversary
    • Spanish Views
    • Gran Alacant >
      • GA Advertiser
      • Gran Alacant News
      • LoungeD
      • No Wives Club
  • About
    • New Life
    • Wedding
    • 21 Years
    • Timeline
    • My Story
    • Australia 2016/17
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Penelope Wren
    • Debra Rufini
    • Claire Coe
    • Richard Guy
    • Optimistic Mummy
    • Julie Rawlinson
    • Letters Of Hope
  • Links
  • Contact
  • My Writing
    • Short Stories From My Youth
    • Verruca Almond
    • The Streets