Perth - Our go to place to escape, when things get rough!

'Perth is my go-to place; in this unforgiving World, we all need to escape and God knows, Darrell and I need to escape more than most!'

It was another day out in the city for Darrell and me on Wednesday. We had a lot to talk about, and spending a few hours away, is the only time we get to chat and make plans for the future. I have been hearing from people back home quite a lot over the last few weeks and as lovely as it is, it does make Darrell and I feel homesick at times. Both of us have had numerous video chats with close friends, all saying the same thing - 'Make sure you stay where you are, there is literally nothing to go back to Britain for.' I can see that; every day at 7am, SBS shows the British news from the night before, and it does look particularly dysfunctional in the UK at the moment. I would never return for the country, but the people are a different matter.

Yesterday, my close friend and old boss Zerina messaged me and gave me a bit of a motivational talk. Those I have kept in contact with, understand our struggles, and they have been instrumental in keeping us in Perth. I understand this is a difficult journey, we never thought it would be any different, and the encouragement we have received is beyond anything we could have expected. On Wednesday, as we sat in 'Coffee Club' drinking tea and eating cake, we both reassured one another about the path we were now on. After half an hour, we both started to feel better, as we always do. We are both well aware of where we are better off, but the frustration we feel at the slow progress is palpable.

Walking around the streets of the capital in blazing sunshine, we could be forgiven for thinking we are in paradise, but bubbling under the surface, the remains of the COVID-19 pandemic still festers away. The reason why we feel so stuck right now, is because of the extended closure of Australia and Western Australia in particular. Things are beginning to change, with the first not stop flight from the USA landing in the country only this week, but these are small baby steps, and we have to keep the faith, while Australia reopens for business and normality returns.

After receiving police checks from The UK and Spain, I was able to finalise the paperwork for my Spouse visa this week and everything is now in the hands of our solicitor. Wednesday was about relaxing after a very busy month and according to my Migration Agent the 'superfast' time I was able to gather all my documents and files together for this decidedly expensive $10,000 visa application.

After a short walk around Elizabeth Quay, we headed for lunch at 'Durty Nelly's' Irish pub, just off Hay Street. This traditional Irish bar is tucked away down a side alley, in-between a number of other restaurants and cafés. I stumbled across it last week, vowing to come back. The setting reminded me very much of my time in Thailand, surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque local venues - all rather civilized and cosmopolitan.

It was wonderful, just sat there relaxing and enjoying the heat of the day with a pint and the reassurance that my application to stay was coming to an end. We ordered a steak lunch which, for Australian standards, was very reasonably priced at a bargain $18.00 each. I have never eaten anything so cheap in Perth since I have been here. The food was delicious, full of flavour and perfectly cooked. At that moment, I felt happy to be home and no matter what gets thrown at us over the next few months, we do at least have a place to escape to when things get rough - rather like my hair in the picture above; rough isn't the word!

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After lunch, we took a stroll to Forrest Chase, to catch the train to Bassendean. There was a demonstration in the square, over the murder of aboriginal boy Cassius Turvey. Thankfully the perpetrator is in custody, but this was an attack that was carried out in Midland, right on our door step. As I listened to the emotional speeches, by family, officials and friends, I realised that no matter how stunning this country is, it still suffers from the same anti-social problems we do in the UK. Wherever you live in the World, murder, violence, knife and gun crime will always exist, and my eyes were opened to the issues that Australia has, when dealing with the appalling treatment of indigenous people. Darrell and I have our problems, for sure, but they are nothing compared to the injustices suffered by the Aboriginal community.

Darrell's Cousin Tash picked us up from Bassendean, where we spent the evening with her and his Aunty Alice. To be honest, I was feeling particularly tired after being unable to sleep for most of the night. Darrell's Mother, takes steroids once a week as part of her treatment for cancer, and it does keep her and the rest of us awake. Yes I felt exhausted, but once again I am not suffering from cancer, so should thank my lucky stars I am well, and stop bloody complaining so much.

After a delicious dinner and quality time with family, it was time to leave. It is days like this that make me realise how lucky I am to lead the life I do. There aren't many people who have travelled as extensively as Darrell and me and lived in multiple countries. Chatting with family in Australia, I am well aware of the amazing life I have. When things get tough, as they inevitably do, I have the memories I made to keep me grounded and focused on the task at hand. Starting a new life down under, after a worldwide pandemic in the middle of a European war and an economic crash was never going to be easy; I guess I'm not doing too badly really!

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Marmite Watch

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...And finally

The last time I lived abroad in Spain, I did everything I could to make sure I had my essential jar of Marmite. I can remember vividly talking to the owner of the British Supermarket in Gran Alacant, pleading with him to stock some bigger jars of Marmite. At the time, six years ago, he only had the small jars in stock and used to charge a whopping 5 Euro a jar.

I have no idea what they cost now, but just before I returned to the UK, he managed to get in the bigger jars. That's got to be the story of my life, really - always just missing out at the last minute!

Anyway, it is far easier to get hold of the black gold in Australia. If you thought Brits were addicted to the stuff, well, Ozzies are absolutely besotted. Of course, they have their own Marmite, Ozemite, Promite, Mightymite, Vegemite, in fact every bloody mite you can imagine... IT REALLY IS A 'MITE' lover's dream here! As I have recently discovered, they also sell the original British stuff, although due to them having their own Marmite and copyright laws, it's called 'Our Mate,' and it is most certainly the real deal.

However, I have got quite used to Ozemite in particular and quite like the taste, but you really can't beat the real stuff, and I am thankful to have found it in the British section of Woolworths supermarket in Midland Gate for a bargain price of $4.80. One happy Brit!

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