Homeward Bound!

Just one week to go now, before I return back to the UK for a while. It has been quite frantic here over the last few days; there are so many people to see when I set foot back home, that I have been busy making arrangements. Let me first say, how much I am looking forward to returning to my old stomping ground; it really has been a long time coming, far too long in my book. It is about time I reconnect with family and friends I haven't seen for a long time, all of us have a lot to say to one another.

The last few months have not been the best for me it has to be said. Options have changed on an almost daily basis, as we streamlined our life to take account of our long term goals. Just when we thought things were going in the right direction, circumstances have served to cause more anxiety and stress, putting plans on hold for a future date. 

Darrell and I have always been rather spontaneous, rarely planning our life in any formal context, preferring the thrill of events shaping our future. Until recently we have never really had any issues with this carefree outlook, but of course times change and at our age, we have to reign ourselves in from time to time. The ideals we have are still firmly on our agenda, but we have had to revise our timetable, taking account of the time scale and external factors involved.

On the 25th May I fly to the UK, leaving Darrell behind in Spain, staying with friends. By the time I return we should be more settled in our surroundings, knowing a little bit more about our immediate future, which at the moment remains fluid. We have no set plans in place to deal with what comes next, except we will be staying in Spain. I had thought about making a permanent move back to the United Kingdom, to resettle in the short term. After investigating this course of action further, I discovered it would not be the most practical option. I have lived outside of Britain for about two and a half years now, consequently I have lost most of my rights to reside in my country of birth. This does seem rather unfair to me; I am no longer entitled to state help in any sense, including health care and benefits, so would be on my own.

For now, our financial situation will dictate what both of us do in the future. Darrell is still working full time, with an extremely understanding company in Alicante. They have been nothing but supportive at this time. I have been less lucky, still not working here at the moment, although have an offer of a job when I return at the beginning of July, from someone who has been instrumental in helping us through this difficult period. We are both lucky we have met some truly wonderful people since we came to Spain, individuals who have stepped up to the mark, giving us options in Gran Alacant, without them, we would have probably moved back to the UK, despite the difficulties involved; I couldn't really ask for more right now!

Today I have got more arrangements to make with friends before I leave next Friday. I have a lot of plans while I am staying on the south coast of England and want to fit in as much as I can; I am going to have a busy time that's for sure. I will be glad to be away from this place for a bit; testing times call for radical solutions, that's where we stand today; on the brink of something different, new and untested. See you next week Britain, can't wait!