Just after Christmas, all of us at work went out for a meal at the Bailey Brewing Company, in Swan Valley. This isn't a place I have been to before, but the large family friendly venue offers something for everyone, and we all had a wonderful time.
Working in retail, during the Christmas period, can be testing, but this year, everything went like clockwork. This was our first Christmas working in the new outlet store, and it has been busy, unlike anything I have seen before. Mind you, having said that, Tesco, back in the good old UK, was probably the nearest equivalent, and equally I enjoyed the cut, thrust and throng then too. I relish a thriving, busy, retail environment; yes all of us have worked hard, but the rewards are showing — the business has grown from strength to strength and that is important. As Manager, I am delighted with its progress, just as the rest of the company is as well.
I have accepted praise from my superiors, on behalf of the outlet, and I am so happy the team are motivated, focused and suitably inspired. I am of course lucky, to be working with some wonderful characters, but I am also content being employed by a company, whose inclusive, empowering culture, is streets above any I have experienced before!
With Christmas now at an end, it's time to look forward to 2025 and the challenges that lie ahead. In a little over a year, I will be applying for Australian citizenship, so I have started the process of researching the exams I will have to take, to show commitment to my new home.
Despite ongoing health issues, I am optimistic enough to look forward, to a bright, new, industrious future. It looks like we will be seeing friends from the UK this year as well, who are planning visits in a few months, and that has lifted my spirits. I haven't been feeling myself for quite a while now, so anything that gives me reason to celebrate is welcome.
Working in retail, during the Christmas period, can be testing, but this year, everything went like clockwork. This was our first Christmas working in the new outlet store, and it has been busy, unlike anything I have seen before. Mind you, having said that, Tesco, back in the good old UK, was probably the nearest equivalent, and equally I enjoyed the cut, thrust and throng then too. I relish a thriving, busy, retail environment; yes all of us have worked hard, but the rewards are showing — the business has grown from strength to strength and that is important. As Manager, I am delighted with its progress, just as the rest of the company is as well.
I have accepted praise from my superiors, on behalf of the outlet, and I am so happy the team are motivated, focused and suitably inspired. I am of course lucky, to be working with some wonderful characters, but I am also content being employed by a company, whose inclusive, empowering culture, is streets above any I have experienced before!
With Christmas now at an end, it's time to look forward to 2025 and the challenges that lie ahead. In a little over a year, I will be applying for Australian citizenship, so I have started the process of researching the exams I will have to take, to show commitment to my new home.
Despite ongoing health issues, I am optimistic enough to look forward, to a bright, new, industrious future. It looks like we will be seeing friends from the UK this year as well, who are planning visits in a few months, and that has lifted my spirits. I haven't been feeling myself for quite a while now, so anything that gives me reason to celebrate is welcome.
This Sunday we spent the day at Scarborough Beach. The weather was a scorching 34 degrees, but with the cooler sea breeze, it was lovely sitting down the front having a few beers, while Darrell swam in the ocean — not something I would do myself, of course.
Lunch was spent at the Galway Hooker with a superb Sunday Roast, and a pint of Swan Draught on a hot sunny day. I may well be living in Australia, but I still like a good traditional Sunday lunch from time to time, it really does remind me of home.
I have had a roast at the Galway Hooker before and didn't go much on it if I am honest, so I was in two minds about going back. However, this time, it was nearly perfect. I say nearly, because, like every place I have been to in Australia, they just can't cook roast potatoes, the way the British do. They definitely need me to give them a lesson or two, on how to do it, just like my Granny did!
Lunch was spent at the Galway Hooker with a superb Sunday Roast, and a pint of Swan Draught on a hot sunny day. I may well be living in Australia, but I still like a good traditional Sunday lunch from time to time, it really does remind me of home.
I have had a roast at the Galway Hooker before and didn't go much on it if I am honest, so I was in two minds about going back. However, this time, it was nearly perfect. I say nearly, because, like every place I have been to in Australia, they just can't cook roast potatoes, the way the British do. They definitely need me to give them a lesson or two, on how to do it, just like my Granny did!
After an early lunch, we headed to Karrinyup for a spot of Sunday shopping, except I didn't buy a thing — my shopaholic days are well and truly over now. In the past, I spent a fortune on stuff I didn't need, but these days, I am very choosy about what I buy. These days, Darrell and I don't want for anything, so we just try to live our life a little more frugally.
Karrinyup is rather overpriced, situated in one of the most affluent suburbs in Western Australia. The shops are expensive, and like most of Australia, the choice is still rather limited. Looking around, there was nothing that I felt compelled to buy, and for me that's a good thing. I would rather have a good rummage around an OP Shop (Charity Shop for the Brits), where you are always guaranteed to find a bargain. No matter where I live in the World, I will always be a fan of second hand shops — which are hugely underrated!
This evening I spoke to my Father back in the UK for nearly two hours. We always have a good chat, especially since we haven't spoken since before Christmas. Life in the UK seems as bad as ever — the NHS is at breaking point, political drama, freezing cold weather, and Dad and I, chatting about are respective health issues.
I do miss my Father as you would expect; I hope to travel back to Britain in the next few years to see him, but for me, life is very much in Australia now, no matter how much I miss home. I do especially miss the friends I have there, but, I know I'm far better off here, living life successfully, unlike years gone by. Building a new life down under hasn't been easy, but it has been worth the pain, to finally be in a good and successful place — let's hope 2025 brings more of the same!
Karrinyup is rather overpriced, situated in one of the most affluent suburbs in Western Australia. The shops are expensive, and like most of Australia, the choice is still rather limited. Looking around, there was nothing that I felt compelled to buy, and for me that's a good thing. I would rather have a good rummage around an OP Shop (Charity Shop for the Brits), where you are always guaranteed to find a bargain. No matter where I live in the World, I will always be a fan of second hand shops — which are hugely underrated!
This evening I spoke to my Father back in the UK for nearly two hours. We always have a good chat, especially since we haven't spoken since before Christmas. Life in the UK seems as bad as ever — the NHS is at breaking point, political drama, freezing cold weather, and Dad and I, chatting about are respective health issues.
I do miss my Father as you would expect; I hope to travel back to Britain in the next few years to see him, but for me, life is very much in Australia now, no matter how much I miss home. I do especially miss the friends I have there, but, I know I'm far better off here, living life successfully, unlike years gone by. Building a new life down under hasn't been easy, but it has been worth the pain, to finally be in a good and successful place — let's hope 2025 brings more of the same!
