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Well that's it, another year over, and I couldn't be happier to see the back of it. I think, looking back to the death of The Queen, I realised just how bloody dreadful a year it had been. Her passing just emphasised how bad it was for me and Darrell. Despite the difficulties we experienced as a couple, the saving grace was of course leaving Britain at the beginning of September, on our adventure of a lifetime. I can't actually believe that was four months ago now. Walking away from everything was just what we had to do, for our own sanity and peace of mind. Despite missing friends and colleagues from work and my Father, I haven't really looked back since, happy to lay 2022 to rest!

I didn't see in the New Year last night, as I would have done in Britain, in fact I was in bed asleep by ten o'clock. I did manage to welcome in 2023 from Sydney, but with Perth being three hours behind, I decided to go to bed. There are so many different time zones in Australia, it makes you realise just how big this country is.

This morning, I was awake by 6 am as usual, so managed to welcome in 2023 from London. In a way, this was like the final goodbye from a country I had called home most of my life, but a place I have certainly fallen out of love with in recent years. Whether it's the state of the economy, the God awful endless, discredited Tory Governments or the difficulties at home on a personal level, I am just thankful, I can put this horrendous period to the back of my mind and move on. There was however a twinge of sadness, as the festivities played homage to our late Queen Elizabeth, reminding not only me, but all of us, that 2022 was definitely the end of an era!

Of course, not everything was bad, and I am glad I made so many wonderful friends in Portsmouth before I left, who will always be in my thoughts. Whether from Tesco, The Newcome Arms, or Cancer Research, all of these weird and wonderful characters will share a special place in my heart, wherever I am in the World. Without them, the 'Pandemic Years' would have been that much harder to bear!

I would like to wish all the readers of Roaming Brit a happy and prosperous 2023 and hope you all get everything you wish for in life. Thank you for continuing to support this blog, sharing your thoughts and ideas, and now being a part of my new life down under. Happy New Year!
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