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

Picture

Turning A Corner

27/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
You know what, this is the first day I finally feel different.  I have never been truly able to describe how medication works.  It either does or it doesn't. Something just clicks into place. This could be the turning point for me. Positivity has returned, after a long break away, trapped in this relapse and the confused thoughts of a complicated mind!

The 26 April 2015 is a great day, hopefully the end of a dreadful cycle of self-destruction and the start of a new cycle of strength and positivity, for however long that lasts.  I have to say I was really worried for a while.  I just didn't think these bloody pills would work.  They have taken a long time to bed in. The longest ever. I am awake far more hours than not now and starting to get up at reasonable hours of the day.  It is the beginning, but I have a feeling, things can only get better.

Medication is not the only thing that brings positivity.  The only people, friends and family left in my life now are my saving grace.  This has been the longest period of drama free confidence I have had for probably two years.  Positive people breed happiness!

I am not used to being cared for.  I knew this would be something I'd have to accept for my own safety and future.  Darrell could not have done more for me.  When I really needed him most he was there, battling for me, us and our future.  He has rationed and administered my meds perfectly.  I should have no part to play in that process, he knew that.  A Caring Assessment will also insure he is looked after too. Darrell suffered as much as me, and more.

Darrell you have shown, beyond a doubt just how much you love me.  You have been there all through this.  Battling just makes us stronger and closer;  I am really proud of you and will be even prouder when we are married,  The impending Marriage has also helped me focus on the next 20 years.  So many people are doing so much to insure this wedding will be unique and personal to us.  Marc Archer and Keith Francis, reuniting your drag act for us has really meant the world. After initial doubts, I am glad Loretta Lebonk and Natalee Michelle are going to put on a Comedy Burlesque act we can always remember.  You are giving up your time for us, that is special.  Very special!

Dale Douglas, one of my oldest friends.  You will forever remain a great source of strength, when I needed it most, once again I will never forget that.   The Bunday Brothers - Chris you got me through that crucial first week and Kiefer you have written words that I never expected.  You are fantastic lads with hearts of gold! Jay Greaves you have proven yourself to be a real battler.  Your success and kind words have given me a boost at a difficult time for many of us!  To have faith in someone is important. Never be afraid to say you care.....I always will!

Thank you, Sara Bowgen for contacting Doctors for me and going that extra mile.  You are kind of like that authority figure, who always says the right things at the right time. Jamie Hough and Kirsty Hooper.  Your laughter to the point of elation has lifted me above the line of depression at the worst of times!  Always smiling, despite all you have been through was a real push towards recovery for me.

Natalee Michelle, there from day one of that relapse and still here now, without condition.  Says it how it is, has never left my side, feisty and loyal, cook, cleaner and conversationalist, at a time when you are just about to complete University, shows how strong, caring and bloody minded you can be.  Forever grateful and in your debt!

Darrell Martin - What a ghastly thing, to watch your partner go through.  My loss of dignity and your prompt action, to have me arrested, probably saved my life.  Never forget that.  That was an awful evening, but showed just how ill I was. It needed to happen.  A partner becoming your carer is hard to accept, but without that help, I would be in an even worse place.  Watching me take medication again and drifting into sedation for my own good, with tears in your eyes was my biggest failure.  I have to accept I have a chronic illness and will always be on medication, as we both will accept eventually.  I lost much by taking that pill again, my emotions, reality and feelings of freedom, but you have accepted that we have no other option.  At least during those eight months off medication, we have those precious memories. That is worth all the pain and anguish!

Thank you to Oxfam for all your support. From my Assistant Manager, my staff and my Manager Veronica, who cried with me and to Human Resources and my Union, I am truly thankful for all your concern and complete dedication, to get me back to where I was.  When you work for good people it is a godsend at times like this.  It allows me to be sure of complete recovery, without financial and emotional worries!

To everyone else thanks for all your support.  It is hard watching someone with Bipolar, especially after a complete relapse, but words of encouragement from people like Melissa King and old schoolmate Rachel Wyatt have meant all the difference,  You stuck with me and that is more than I can say for members of my own family,  Blood is never thicker than water!

Most importantly thank you also to my Cousin Joe Uttley, who I care for deeply.  To say how you wished I was your Brother really made me cry.  Whatever happens, you are my true brother, I will always try to look out for you.  I couldn't give a f*ck what you do. You are my real family and yes  Joe, I will always keep it real,  You know that!

Writing this blog has also been a healing experience.  Words are good for the soul and a great way of offloading stress,  I have had so much encouragement and kind words from all sorts of people, it has been a great source of hope. No nasty comments or drama fuelled words.  How unusual but very welcome.  I will never go back to a time that will forever remain a stain on my life and a living reminder to do better in future!

Finally feeling the love.  Thanks to everyone!

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


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
    Asia-2019
    Australia
    Australia 2022/23
    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
    Lifestyle Break
    Lockdown-life-in-photos
    London 2022
    Lounge-d
    Luke-martin-jones-awards
    Marmite Watch
    Memories Of Fareham
    Memories-of-home
    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
    Pippa
    Platinum Jubilee
    Quotes
    Rabs-world
    Remembering Gran Alacant
    Reviewing Gran Alacant
    Santa-pola
    Self-isolation
    Shopping
    Short Stories From My Youth
    Southampton
    Spiritual
    Teaching Jamie
    Thailand 2022
    The-darkness
    The-streets
    The Two Of Us
    Travel
    Verruca-almond
    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
    Zest

    Archives

    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

lukemartin.jones@gmail.com
  • 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