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It's been fantastic to talk to friends from back home in The UK this week. My life is so busy currently, that I hardly get any time to myself, let alone the opportunity to phone people. Thankfully, I found a few hours out of my ever-growing schedule to sit down and spend quality time with Michelle and Paul from Liverpool and Kire from Portsmouth.
Many of you will remember Paul and Meesh from my time in Spain. These were my Spanish family who were there through the good and dark times, in equal measure. They were always a great source of support during my two years in Gran Alacant, and it has been 8 years since I have seen them both. I felt quite emotional talking to these gorgeous people, and it took me back to one of the happiest periods in my life.
This morning I was also able to spend half an hour with Kire, who I used to work with at Tesco in Portsmouth. This was a job I thoroughly enjoyed and formed many lasting friendships, during a crucial few years when Darrell and I were separated through the COVID pandemic raging across the world. Kire, was the first hug of the morning and the last hug of the day. I don't think she ever really understood my embracing nature, but she always gave me a massive cuddle back—even during the pandemic.
Kire and all those I worked with in Portsmouth have remained friends since I moved to Australia, and it's because of people like them that my adjustment to life down under has been as trouble free as possible. It is true to say, we don't have many friendships here, but friends from back home, more than make up for it.
In today's vlog, I discuss friendships and the important role they play in my life.
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The death of someone close never gets any easier to bear, and God knows I've lost countless people in my life!
This week I heard of the death of Paul Bayley, a friend from Spain and a remarkable young man. Paul was there for me during the darkest of times, when I lived in Gran Alacant, as well as the happier and more humorous occasions, when the expat community celebrated milestones and events in their own inimitable unique way. Paul was an important part of the fabric of an urbanisation that I think about every day and a place I hope to return to one day.
In today's blog, I have recorded a tribute to Paul and the special place he holds in my heart. Paul was quite simply a wonderful, honest, empathetic man, who ways always there if you needed him!
RIP mate!
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Our first flat, Canning Highway in Fremantle
Our first time back in Fremantle in three years. It's been a particularly rough few months for me, so a few days off, enjoying the sun in my favourite part of Perth was welcome. I don't relax much these days, but it was nice to just have some time out with Darrell and a Dana. Fremantle was our first home in 1995 and it remains a special place for both of us!
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Click on book above to take you to Amazon
My new book 'Out of the Hallway' is out now. Written under my real name, Darren Light, it documents my coming out story between 1987–1995. A big thank you to John Hibberd for writing the Foreword, and my ex-partner, Martyn, for his emotional, important contribution.
The book is also dedicated to the memory of all those close friends from the 1990s, who have since passed away: Matthew Corbett, Pete Crossman, Andy (Annie) Baxter, Paul (Mother) Judd, Paul Nightingale, Brian Read, Steve Rogers!
RIP my lovelies — My journey wouldn't have been the same without you!
‘Out of the Hallway’ is the second book in a series by author Darren Light. His first book ‘Echoes In The Hallway’ documented Darren’s childhood, growing up in the small market town of Fareham, on the south coast of England, during the 1970s and 80s. His latest memoir, is a story about ‘coming out’ gay, during the late 1980s/early 1990’s. In the middle of a period, steeped in mistrust and misunderstanding, by a public, not yet ready to embrace diversity, ‘Out Of The Hallway’ explores the difficulties Darren encountered. From the relationships that kept him grounded, events that shaped his early adult life, and a culture, often out of control, Darren takes readers on an emotional journey of change and acceptance!
The book delves into the ‘Club Kid’ culture of the 1990s, with a poignant, often savage honesty. The habitual, underground world of clubbing and after parties, is documented with sensitive, honest and candid humour. Suffering with anxiety, Darren found it hard to be recognised as the gay man he was born to be. He takes us on a journey of perplexing emotions and deep enigmatic recollections, of a time, often forgotten, dismissed as a period of excess and extravagance.
Under the surface, love, relationships, companionship and pain, continued in the same way it did in any other community. The nuanced intricacies of life on a scene out of control, offers an insight into the minds of all of those who grew up gay at a time of great political and social change. ‘Out of The Hallway’ describes a scene on the edge, always one step away from disaster!
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