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Wow, how time has flown! It has been nearly two years since we left the UK, and what a productive 24 months we have had. This time two years ago, I was busy saying my farewells to family, friends, and colleagues. It was an emotional time for me, especially since I had made some wonderful connections during my time living in Portsmouth. These were the people that got me through the tough times, when Darrell was locked down in Australia and the pandemic was raging across the World. Without these people, life would have been harder than it already was. As my World got even tougher, during our final few months in Britain, all of these people became the family I had lost.
Darrell and I have managed to stay in contact with family and friends from across the globe. We both owe them a great debt of gratitude for all they did for us, making our final weeks happy and memorable. I miss them every day; a photo on a wall cannot make up for physical contact, but both of us have memories that resonate every single day, and thankfully we have social media and video calls, to keep those friendships alive.
My oldest, dearest friend, Ramona, celebrated a milestone Birthday recently, and we spoke to each other for over an hour. Chatting about the old times, shared friends, and memorable times spent together over 32 years. Those important milestones, that we both share, have been instrumental in keeping me firmly in Australia. Ramona knows where Darrell and I are better off, and she has always been honest about where she believes the best place for us is. Ramona and I have always had an honest and open friendship, we have shared so much over the years, her advice is invaluable; she is actually one of the few people I listen to!
We also managed to speak to one of our closest friends in Portsmouth, Zerina. Not only did I volunteer for Zerina at Cancer Research in Portsmouth, but Darrell also worked for her as her Assistant Manager. She was one of the most influential people in my life, when I lived in Britain, and she is always, without exception, a joy to be around. We had some hilarious, fabulous times working together, and she has become a very close friend. She is the big sister I never had, and was a sounding board for all my anxieties. In many respects we were like chalk and cheese, but like Ramona, she always gave wonderful advice, which I listened to without exception.
These are just two people I think about daily; there are just too many others to mention, but all of them lifted me up at times when I needed it most. Unfortunately, we don't have the same friendships here, but that is a conscious choice we both made, in order to forge a successful start to our life in Australia. It has been essential to establish ourselves, and work hard in order to succeed in this new venture. The time for friendships may or may not come, but Darrell and I have each other, and that is all that matters… For now!
Of course, we do have our two cats to keep us company — Pippa and Akira. Darrell and I have always had cats in our life, for as long as I can remember, when living in the UK and Spain. Sadly, we lost our last two companions when we lived in Gran Alacant; if I am honest, I was reluctant to get any more animals — not because I don't like them, but because of the travelling life we have always led.
Both of us have travelled so much over the years, we never knew where we would be from one day to the next. My life is now firmly rooted in Australia, but it isn't a country I necessarily want to live in forever. I would like to retire to Spain or Asia at some point, and having animals will make that move more difficult. In the end, however, I agreed that we couldn't live without pets, because of what may or may not happen in the future. Our two cats really do make our home, and if the opportunity to move abroad comes, then both of them will make the journey with us. These two are our children, and wherever we are, they will be too!
Darrell and I have rewarding, successful jobs that we love. We have managed to find the perfect careers, that we both enjoy. If I am honest, I never believed I would find a secure, well-paid position this quickly. The employment market in Western Australia is rather volatile at the moment, but we have both persevered, and settled into a positive routine, that allows us to enjoy the lifestyle we have now become accustomed to. Wages are significantly higher here, compared to the UK, and five times higher than they are in Spain — I am well aware of how lucky we are!
Approaching my mid-fifties, I never believed I would be where I am today. I have worked in many jobs, and have always been able to adapt to my changing circumstances quickly. Today I am back doing what I love best, in a retail management capacity, working with some amazing people, who have become important to my success and wellbeing in Perth.
In time, I hope to restart volunteering as well, rather like I did in the UK. It has always been essential for me to give something back to the community in which I live, whether through writing in local magazines or dedicating time helping others who may be going through a difficult time. For now, with changes on the horizon, I am looking forward to the new adventures to come. There are plenty more years ahead to dedicate to all the passions I have in life, including my blogging today. Until the right voluntary opportunity arises, I am happy to do the best I can, in an industry I love.
First and foremost, I will always be English, it is part of who I am, and I am proud of my heritage. In many respects, my home in Perth is a homage to all things British. The memories I bought with me, are a reminder of home, and the pictures and photo's that adorn my walls are distinctly European in feel.
Darrell and I have travelled extensively, especially in Europe, and both of us are fond of the European continent. Despite loving the UK, its politics, eccentricities, culture and society, I am also a Europhile. Both of us lived in Spain, have family in Croatia, owned a house in France, and fell in love with Sorrento in Italy. We will always be Europeans at heart and if it hadn't had been for Brexit, we would probably still be living in Spain. Having lost my Spanish residencia during the pandemic, both Darrell and I made the conscious choice to build a life away from the UK.
With that said, I pride myself on the Britishness I hold dear, even my bad teeth. I have a painting of the late Queen on my wall, photo's of our travels around the UK on display, and of course, British staples in the pantry. I always try to buy British food in the supermarkets when I can, rather like I did in Spain, and always make a beeline for the international food isle in Coles. From Marmite, English Cheddar and Scottish Oat Cakes, to Branson Pickle, HP Sauce and Eccles Cakes, they are all there. Thankfully Aussie culture is very similar to back home, and food wise, I fit in quite well… apart that is, from the overload of Chicken Parmi in restaurants, and the fact that Australians can not cook a British Roast.
There are many aspects of the UK I miss, but I can live the English life right here if I so chose. I have been known to watch UK TV all day and then, in the height of the Aussie summer, pop down the beach and enjoy a lifestyle most Brits could only dream of — living the best of both Worlds!
... And finally, I still manage to keep fit and healthy, something I have been doing since 2019. Then I weighed a staggering 110 kg, smoked cigarettes (Up to 80 a day at one stage) and drank like a fish (a hangover from my days living in Spain and the 1 euro pints of Mahou.) After a brush with health anxiety, which I still suffer with today, I made a decision to change my lifestyle. Today I weigh 74 kg, although I have weighed as low as 70 kg, and I am not as strict as I once was. I have my good and bad days, but on average I have managed to maintain a healthy weight for five years now and have no intention of giving up.
This week we took a walk to the John Forrest National Park for a 6 km walk. The weather was rather grey and overcast, which made me feel quite at home and was ideal weather for walking. This park reminds me of El Clot De Galvany in Spain where we used to go walking, and The New Forest back in The UK. These are the places that keep my fitness regime on track and allows me to explore the local area.
I still walk every day in Australia, far more than I ever did in Spain and on a par with the miles I walked when I lived in Portsmouth. I don't drive a car, nor have I ever wanted to, so walking is my main means of transport if you like. My two legs take me everywhere, and I am actually really proud of that fact. If I did drive, I believe I would be in worse physical shape today than I am — definitely overweight and most certainly a heart attack waiting to happen. Walking is somewhat of a passion now, and a pastime I intend to keep up, wherever I live.
If these last two years in Australia have taught me anything, it's the resilience and determination I have to survive. I have had so many ups and downs in life, that a little thing, like moving to the other side of the World, wasn't going to stop me from achieving my true ambitions. I have grown to love this country, simply because it has given me everything I ever wanted, and that is important. Without Australia, I would probably still be underachieving in Portsmouth, in a country that has quite simply had its day. For the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic for the future, and can finally see light at the end of the tunnel… Life is indeed what you make it, and we are both giving it one hundred percent — things can only get better!
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This week, I have been talking about social media and its impact on my life. I am an avid user of the medium, as many of you know, and couldn't live without it. I am, of course, very different to most people — having lived all over the World, it has been an important tool, to keep in contact with friends and family, as well as those people I have met whilst travelling over the years.
In the wake of the riots across my home country of Britain, it has been critical for me to defend social media to a point, whilst realising the need for change. Even after the hijacking of various platforms by far right and left protesters, spouting misinformation and lies, I am aware of the significant role it has, in the social fabric of society. It is nevertheless, actually quite chilling, knowing, that the owners of these powerful online sites, allow some truly repugnant content to be published. Like most normal people, I deplore the use of it for destructive, divisive and in some cases, deplorable criminal acts. In the real World people would be held accountable for their actions, in the World of X and Facebook, there appears to be no limits, to what people can say, promote and incite.
I write for Roaming Brit at least once a week; in the past, I would often write several times a day, and I enjoy expressing my views on every conceivable subject imaginable. Writing is a part of who I am, and it is a passion that I have followed since I was a young boy, of eleven years old. I am able to create my own content, that falls within my own moral code. As a blogger, who is paid by Google, I have terms and conditions to adhere to, if I deviate from these rules, my earnings will be affected, and I could be liable to prosecution. I can still make my voice heard and indulge my need to have an opinion, responsibly, without malice and within boundaries that I don't tend to cross. You don't need to hide behind a fake profile, spewing lies, if you, like me, just tell the truth.
In the past I have over stepped the mark and have got in a lot of trouble, by doing so. I have been in Facebook jail, more times than I care to remember and sanctioned on X (formerly known as Twitter), for nothing more than just saying what I believe is right. This was of course in the days before Elon Mask took over — these days you can do and say what the hell you like, and get away with it. Have standards really fallen that low? Well yes, they appear to have, and the World is becoming a nastier place as a result.
Last week, through the power of social media, I was able to meet local artist Alison Hanrahan, here in Perth, not too far from where I live. I fell in love with a painting she had produced and just had to have it. I met her at The Ellis House Arts Centre, in Bayswater; we had a nice chat about her art, and it was a pleasure to get to know her. This is the 'good' power of social media at work; this is the way I have met many people over the years, and this is the right way to use this valuable resource.
I have come to the realisation, that online social media has to adapt, amend and improve, especially in this violent World we live in. I do value freedom of speech, but when peoples lives are put at risk through lies and abusive behaviour, it is time to regulate. All of us need to take responsibility for our actions, and we have a duty to tell the truth. It is important we don't inflame situations that can result in harm to others, and we must ensure our words are honest, genuine, and accurate. As a person, I was never brought up to lie, but I have had my moments, like everyone else — well, we all make mistakes! When you see the deaths of three innocent children, used as the catalyst to cause violence and mayhem, through misinformation and lies, you know it's time the World changed, and with it, the companies who facilitate this detestable behaviour.
Please, be kind!
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When the exit poll came through at 5 am on Friday morning (Australia time), I couldn't quite believe it. The polls showing Labour twenty points ahead, throughout the election campaign, appeared to be correct, judging by this final, most accurate poll. I for one, took it with a pinch of salt; I still didn't believe it was accurate, sceptical about information collated before a single vote was counted.
It wasn't until the actual results started to filter through, that the penny dropped. Labour was indeed on course for a landslide victory, akin to that of Tony Blair in 1997.
I was up at 3.45 am to watch the British election results counted throughout the United Kingdom; sitting in my lounge in front of an electric fire, in the middle of a cold (well relatively chilly) Australian winter, I was ready to watch the results tally up. With a cup of tea and a warm hot water bottle, I anxiously awaited confirmation of this projected Labour Landslide.
Usually I would be at work on a Friday, but I had taken a personal day, because of a pre-planned hospital visit. At 9 am I had to make my way to Midland hospital, mobile phone in hand, watching the results while I walked to my appointment. Later that afternoon, I was back home, glued to the box once again. It was clear there was indeed going to be a new Labour government, and I was delighted.
As the afternoon progressed here in Australia, the scale of the losses, from one of the worst UK governments in my lifetime, was unlike anything I had ever seen before, and I couldn't have been happier. Watching the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg and Liz Truss lose their seats, as a political wave of change engulfed Britain, was satisfying, after everything they had done to bring Britain to its knees. These were the people that had lied repeatedly, partied during the pandemic, paid millions of taxpayers money to their mates for unusable PPE, and destroyed the hopes and dreams of a nation with their Brexit lies. This was karma coming back to bite those who had spent so long, taking their positions for granted, and disrespecting the British public.
Despite this great Labour victory, there are some warning signs on the horizon. Reform will now have a voice in Parliament; this extremist, homophobic, racist party will now be voting on the future of the UK — that is scary. Then there are the one-trick pony 'Gaza Activists,' who high jacked some local constituencies, because of their extremist views on the war in the Middle East. Of course this only happened in areas with a high Muslim population, but the appalling, confrontational campaigns they fought, against good, trusted MP's, was a disgrace. MP, Jess Phillips, spoke up against the treatment she received from these awful groups, organised to cause maximum disruption, hurt, and pain to her, just because she was a woman — that was shocking to see. The UK is not a fascist country, and that kind of behaviour should not be tolerated. Those responsible should be bought to justice!
I am not a political activist, and have voted for most political parties during my lifetime. This time, however, I was sadly unable to vote, but my support for this new Government is unequivocal. The Tories had to go; they had caused so much damage to my home country that it would have been impossible for them to continue. They have a lot of expectations to live up too, and I hope they will succeed in their endeavours to change Britain for the better.
It is true they won a landslide with a small percentage of the vote, but that is the British electoral system, so they can't do anything about that, unless they feel the need to in Government. Nevertheless, they are now the party in charge, and all of us should give them our full support. If they don't live up to expectations, then I, like everyone else, will vote them out. The hope is, however, they will achieve great things in the UK and the Tories will remain out of power for a very long time; after the catastrophe of the last 14 years, do they really deserve to govern again?
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With my hand back in a split, it's going to be another vlog from me this week. On Monday, I am off to the hand specialist here in Australia, to see what exactly is going on. Even typing this entry is hurting, so I am doing very little computer work at the moment — the pain can be absolutely horrific. I have a few ideas about what might be happening, but without the facts, it isn't something I want to speculate about. The pain is keeping me awake at night and is driving me insane. I just hope the consultant can shed some new light on just what is going on.
This week, there was some good news from back home in The UK — Rishi Sunak has finally grown a pair and called a General Election for 4 July. This has been a long time coming, and welcome, after such a chaotic period of Government. I have seen just how far ahead the Labour Party are in the polls, but I am sceptical this will translate into seats in Parliament. People are inherently greedy; when they get to the polling booth, I fear they will vote for the Conservatives once again — Now that would be a disaster for Britain and I dread to think of the consequences, should this happen.
Anyway, my hand is throbbing, so I'll let you watch the video instead!
Have a great week, y'all!
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