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Best and Worst of British!
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This week I have seen the best and the worst of Britain. Sometimes I really despair of the country of my birth, and some of the people who call themselves so-called patriots. Before I delve into the darker side of Britain, I wanted to mention 'Best of British', a British shop in Joondalup.
Ever since moving to Perth, I have tried to hold on to the British customs and foods that I hold dear. This can be a difficult task, especially with limited choices in Australian supermarkets. Most of them, including Woolworths, Coles, and IGA, have an international food section, but the offerings vary from store to store. Items I have always bought here in Perth will be on sale one week and not the next. For that reason, I tend to buy in bulk when my favourites are in stock.
Until about eight months ago, Coles stocked Scottish Oatcakes, then suddenly they were gone. I have eaten these for as long as I can remember, and I can't get enough of them. Could I find these anywhere in Western Australia? Could I hell! After writing to the manufacturers, they informed me of a small independent shop in Joondalup, where I could hopefully buy some. So, with Christmas looming, last Monday, Darrell and I made the half-hour trip to this oasis in Perth city, and I wasn't disappointed.
Ever since moving to Perth, I have tried to hold on to the British customs and foods that I hold dear. This can be a difficult task, especially with limited choices in Australian supermarkets. Most of them, including Woolworths, Coles, and IGA, have an international food section, but the offerings vary from store to store. Items I have always bought here in Perth will be on sale one week and not the next. For that reason, I tend to buy in bulk when my favourites are in stock.
Until about eight months ago, Coles stocked Scottish Oatcakes, then suddenly they were gone. I have eaten these for as long as I can remember, and I can't get enough of them. Could I find these anywhere in Western Australia? Could I hell! After writing to the manufacturers, they informed me of a small independent shop in Joondalup, where I could hopefully buy some. So, with Christmas looming, last Monday, Darrell and I made the half-hour trip to this oasis in Perth city, and I wasn't disappointed.
The Oatcakes were $8.95 a box, which, considering the price in the UK, is rather expensive. However, you are paying for the luxury of having items you can't get anywhere else, and there is no price on a box of oatcakes in my humble opinion. I was just delighted to have found them and include them in my daily diet. To all of you, this must seem rather strange, but unless you have ever lived abroad, you really won't understand how the little things make all the difference! I did, however, draw the line at paying $99 for a tin of Quality Street; despite being tempted - One look from Darrell and I thought better of it!
Equally, when I lived in Spain, there was a similar local shop selling British consumables. Like 'Best of British' in Joondalup, 'Quick Save' in Gran Alacant also sold a variety of other items celebrating Britain. This, for me, was the highlight of my visit, and I loaded up with various souvenirs that I wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. I suppose the pricing in Australia was comparable to Gran Alacant, although I haven't lived in Spain for a few years now, so I can't be sure. Brexit would have changed this, I have no doubt, but the fact remains that as an Expat, we expect to pay a premium for goods that are not readily available down under. That isn't a problem for me, certainly when wages are substantially higher here than they are back home.
Equally, when I lived in Spain, there was a similar local shop selling British consumables. Like 'Best of British' in Joondalup, 'Quick Save' in Gran Alacant also sold a variety of other items celebrating Britain. This, for me, was the highlight of my visit, and I loaded up with various souvenirs that I wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. I suppose the pricing in Australia was comparable to Gran Alacant, although I haven't lived in Spain for a few years now, so I can't be sure. Brexit would have changed this, I have no doubt, but the fact remains that as an Expat, we expect to pay a premium for goods that are not readily available down under. That isn't a problem for me, certainly when wages are substantially higher here than they are back home.
Quick Save, Gran Alacant
Whether you live in Australia or, like many of my friends, live in Gran Alacant, it is important to keep links to home alive. Small local Expat shops not only sell goods to people like me, but they are also the hub of local communities and play a role in all our lives. I have many happy memories of 'Quick Save' in GA, and I'm sure I will also have many more from 'Best of British' in Perth.
I will always remain British at heart, wherever I am living in the World, it is a part of every aspect of my being. The words I speak, the accent I have, the way I dress, and the morals I hold dear will not change, despite residing in Australia or indeed Spain. The British are a stubborn lot, and we like to keep our bonds with home strong. Food, for me at least, has emotional relevance - from Oatcakes, a bar of Yorkie, or a box of Milk Tray, there is a connection that can never be broken. Life is better when you have the things you love, so I can only thank the lovely ladies at 'Best of British' for their help and hospitality and look forward to seeing them again soon!
I will always remain British at heart, wherever I am living in the World, it is a part of every aspect of my being. The words I speak, the accent I have, the way I dress, and the morals I hold dear will not change, despite residing in Australia or indeed Spain. The British are a stubborn lot, and we like to keep our bonds with home strong. Food, for me at least, has emotional relevance - from Oatcakes, a bar of Yorkie, or a box of Milk Tray, there is a connection that can never be broken. Life is better when you have the things you love, so I can only thank the lovely ladies at 'Best of British' for their help and hospitality and look forward to seeing them again soon!
With the best bits of the UK out of the way, I just wanted to mention the precarious state of Britain, as I see it right now. Social media is a great place to understand just what is happening in the UK, and it is full of unhappy people demanding that the British PM Sir Keir Starmer, resigns. Not living in Britain, I am not sure just how bad things are and if Starmer is a bad Prime Minister or not, but judging by the dreadful comments I have seen, he isn't popular and has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history.
Speaking as an Expat, with limited access to news from home, relying on Sky and GB News for my daily dose of political debate, I can only recall what I see and hear. The Labour Government appears to be shambolic and chaotic, changing their minds frequently and in part targeting people who can ill afford to pay for the Tory mistakes of the past. Of course, they are constrained by the promises they made to the British electorate before the general election, but they seem tone deaf. Unwilling to listen to voices of discontent, they are stumbling from crisis to crisis, making up policy as they go along, and most importantly, facilitating the rise of the far right and Reform.
The only British news channel I can get on my Aussie smart TV, is GB News. Yes, I've mentioned it before, and I know what you'll say, but I actually enjoy watching it. However, I am under no illusions as to its affiliations and understand the close links it has with Nigel Farage and the Reform Party. For that reason, I am aware of how popular Reform has become, and that shocks me. I may well watch GB News, but I am not far right and detest Reform as a party. It is truly scary to think that Nigel Farage could be the next Prime Minister and all that that entails for the future of my home country.
Farage and Co. lied during the Brexit Referendum, and he continues to lie today. His beliefs are far right, and all of you should be aware of the consequences of your actions. If you vote for this party, you are voting for your own demise and the end of British values as we know them. There is no place for the politics of division in any country, and Britain appears to be more divided than most.
Nigel Farage stokes up hate; you can see it on the news every day. On the surface, he comes across as your friend, but in reality, he is not. Unless you are rich and of his ilk, you will suffer under any Government led by him. You will lose your precious NHS and end up paying for treatment like me. Farage preys on ignorance and stupidity - by smoking a cigarette and drinking a pint in a pub, you think he is like you! HE IS NOT, and you will rue the day you vote for him.
Britain does feel dark, falling apart, ridden with crime and anger. Immigration is out of control, and people are poorer. The cost of living is high, unemployment is rising, and taxes are likely to rise even higher, as the chancellor looks for money to fill the legendary black hole - I am aware of all these things and many more! Farage will not solve these problems; he will add to them. Brexit and the lies he told are responsible for the state of the UK today, not Starmer. The Tories' disastrous time in office has made Britain poorer, the rich richer, and people like you and me looking for alternatives. I still vote in the UK and I have no idea who to lend my vote to next time, but one thing is for certain, it will not be to Reform, their fascist agenda and the politics of hate - the World has seen enough of that!
Speaking as an Expat, with limited access to news from home, relying on Sky and GB News for my daily dose of political debate, I can only recall what I see and hear. The Labour Government appears to be shambolic and chaotic, changing their minds frequently and in part targeting people who can ill afford to pay for the Tory mistakes of the past. Of course, they are constrained by the promises they made to the British electorate before the general election, but they seem tone deaf. Unwilling to listen to voices of discontent, they are stumbling from crisis to crisis, making up policy as they go along, and most importantly, facilitating the rise of the far right and Reform.
The only British news channel I can get on my Aussie smart TV, is GB News. Yes, I've mentioned it before, and I know what you'll say, but I actually enjoy watching it. However, I am under no illusions as to its affiliations and understand the close links it has with Nigel Farage and the Reform Party. For that reason, I am aware of how popular Reform has become, and that shocks me. I may well watch GB News, but I am not far right and detest Reform as a party. It is truly scary to think that Nigel Farage could be the next Prime Minister and all that that entails for the future of my home country.
Farage and Co. lied during the Brexit Referendum, and he continues to lie today. His beliefs are far right, and all of you should be aware of the consequences of your actions. If you vote for this party, you are voting for your own demise and the end of British values as we know them. There is no place for the politics of division in any country, and Britain appears to be more divided than most.
Nigel Farage stokes up hate; you can see it on the news every day. On the surface, he comes across as your friend, but in reality, he is not. Unless you are rich and of his ilk, you will suffer under any Government led by him. You will lose your precious NHS and end up paying for treatment like me. Farage preys on ignorance and stupidity - by smoking a cigarette and drinking a pint in a pub, you think he is like you! HE IS NOT, and you will rue the day you vote for him.
Britain does feel dark, falling apart, ridden with crime and anger. Immigration is out of control, and people are poorer. The cost of living is high, unemployment is rising, and taxes are likely to rise even higher, as the chancellor looks for money to fill the legendary black hole - I am aware of all these things and many more! Farage will not solve these problems; he will add to them. Brexit and the lies he told are responsible for the state of the UK today, not Starmer. The Tories' disastrous time in office has made Britain poorer, the rich richer, and people like you and me looking for alternatives. I still vote in the UK and I have no idea who to lend my vote to next time, but one thing is for certain, it will not be to Reform, their fascist agenda and the politics of hate - the World has seen enough of that!
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