I've had a relatively quiet few weeks, even by Australia's standards. After two years living in Perth, I am still getting used to the laid back vibe down under. In the past I would have run back to the bright lights of London in a heart beat, today, I am happy to take it easy and enjoy the fruits of my labour.
Of course, I still have a connection to Britain; my Father and friends are still there, and I keep in contact as much as I can. I also still have great affection to my birth town of Portsmouth, where I also lived for four years, before moving to Perth.
My love to this great naval city has been immortalised by local Portsmouth artist, Hannah Marsh, who I commissioned to create a watercolour painting, of a public house, close to my heart. I worked at The Newcome Arms for three years, even during the pandemic, and the love of the place, and the customers I served, was enough for me to have this special memory created. When you live on the other side of the World, it is important to surround yourself with reminders of the past, it makes the transition period so much easier.
Of course, I still have a connection to Britain; my Father and friends are still there, and I keep in contact as much as I can. I also still have great affection to my birth town of Portsmouth, where I also lived for four years, before moving to Perth.
My love to this great naval city has been immortalised by local Portsmouth artist, Hannah Marsh, who I commissioned to create a watercolour painting, of a public house, close to my heart. I worked at The Newcome Arms for three years, even during the pandemic, and the love of the place, and the customers I served, was enough for me to have this special memory created. When you live on the other side of the World, it is important to surround yourself with reminders of the past, it makes the transition period so much easier.
I was lucky enough to be able to spend time, with my old colleagues over the last couple of weeks, in the shop where I began my journey in Australia. It was fantastic to catch up with them for a few days, as they prepared for the new opportunities ahead. Returning to my old work place was a genuinely happy experience. I still work within the same parent company, and I am continually impressed by the culture they foster. Not since I worked for Tesco, have I felt more comfortable in a position I love. Like Tesco, they have created a very inclusive environment; this is extremely important for such a large company, and speaks volumes for those who work there. For a gay man like me, feeling accepted is a huge thing, and I am grateful for having a wonderful place to work!
More memories of home, as I received a Lego set depicting a red London telephone box. A reminder of my childhood right there. As a kid, I remember phoning friends in the telephone box at the end of our street. In a time before mobile phones, this was where I stayed in touch with mates from school. Armed with a pocket full of two pence pieces, I would spend time, chatting away, unaware of a queue forming outside, waiting to do the same. This was also a place where I could smoke a cigarette in peace, and drink a bottle of coke from the local shop. Both things forbidden by Mum and Dad.
The red telephone box now has pride of place in my dining room and always makes me smile as I walk past!
The red telephone box now has pride of place in my dining room and always makes me smile as I walk past!
Of course, it wouldn't be Australia, without a quick mention of the weather. This last week has been dominated by a heatwave, here in the west of the country. Temperatures soared to a high of 45 and remained high for almost seven days. Luckily for me, working in an air-conditioned building, it isn't too much of an issue. For Darrell however, working in a workshop, things are very different — He hasn't been enjoying it, not one bit!
I love the heat and really don't complain about it at all. I was forever complaining about the cold in the UK and also during the winter in Perth, but the heat doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I am already looking at holidays in tropical Asia, when winter returns — probably a short break in July.
This time we are looking at either seven days in Bali or back to our favourite destination of Thailand. I don't want to take a long ten-hour flight like last time, preferring not to contract another infection on the way home, unlike the last two times we travelled abroad.
For now, I am happy enough to enjoy the sun, even though I am too tight to turn on the air conditioner. Rather like central heating, the costs of running such a system can be high. Even though electricity costs are a third of what they are in the UK, I am still very frugal with money, which is testament to my time living in Spain and the simple life I enjoyed.
I love the heat and really don't complain about it at all. I was forever complaining about the cold in the UK and also during the winter in Perth, but the heat doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I am already looking at holidays in tropical Asia, when winter returns — probably a short break in July.
This time we are looking at either seven days in Bali or back to our favourite destination of Thailand. I don't want to take a long ten-hour flight like last time, preferring not to contract another infection on the way home, unlike the last two times we travelled abroad.
For now, I am happy enough to enjoy the sun, even though I am too tight to turn on the air conditioner. Rather like central heating, the costs of running such a system can be high. Even though electricity costs are a third of what they are in the UK, I am still very frugal with money, which is testament to my time living in Spain and the simple life I enjoyed.
... And with the heat, comes spiders. This week I have caught a couple of Redbacks and a father large huntsman in my letter box outside. I am, of course, no fan of these pests, but I am gradually getting used to them. Today, I keep my wits about me, and I am fully versed in where these horrible things live. Yesterday I made Darrell hose down the washing line outside, another home from home for our Redback friends. As long as I am aware of these arachnids, I am happy to live alongside them. As with everything in Australia, it's about having respect for the surrounding wildlife!
Another hot week beckons in Perth, probably the hottest state in Australia, and I am looking forward to more of the same. Summers are long in Australia, so I am in my element most of the time. A friend asked me just the other day, when am I coming home to visit… My answer, 'not anytime soon!' Today I am happier than I've ever been, and the UK is fast becoming a distant memory and not a place I want to visit anytime soon — until then, I am happy to carry on forging a new, productive life down under and enjoying everything this state has to offer. When the time is right, I will go back home, creating more memories to bring back with me!
Another hot week beckons in Perth, probably the hottest state in Australia, and I am looking forward to more of the same. Summers are long in Australia, so I am in my element most of the time. A friend asked me just the other day, when am I coming home to visit… My answer, 'not anytime soon!' Today I am happier than I've ever been, and the UK is fast becoming a distant memory and not a place I want to visit anytime soon — until then, I am happy to carry on forging a new, productive life down under and enjoying everything this state has to offer. When the time is right, I will go back home, creating more memories to bring back with me!
