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    The Importance of Friendships!

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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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    A Tribute to Paul!

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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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  • Published on

    Anxiety Free For Now!

    For once, I've had a pretty quiet week. There have been no health problems, anxiety or stress, so as the video above explains, I am feeling practically stress-free. Now that is a first for me!  I am feeling that good, that I don't have any IBS symptoms, and I am actually sleeping well; better than I have done in years. Despite the nasty weather in Perth at the moment, I have absolutely nothing to complain about, now that is a shocker for me and probably you as well.

    With all my health issues more or less cleared up, I am beginning to look forward to our holiday in Thailand and Singapore. This is where my mind is right now, and I am starting to feel excited about our 30th anniversary trip. I am of course making preparations to hopefully avoid contracting an infection this time around, and I am doing what I can to stop any future staph infection, from manifesting while we are abroad. Interestingly, after much research, I have discovered that probiotics could be key to beating this god-awful disease. 

    Normally I take a probiotic every day, but on holiday I don't. There is no real reason why, rather, I just don't take them with me when I am travelling. In Asia, I do suffer from infections, and yes, you guessed it, home in Perth, I do not. I am hoping that by taking a strong capsule daily; while touring Southeast Asia, I will be able to stop any nasty bacteria in its tracks. Here's hoping anyway! I am well aware of how destructive staphylococcus Aureus can be, so anything I can do to avoid it for a third time, is worth a try!
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    Just one other thing to mention, before you check out the video, and it's about a person I haven't seen in eight years. Dawn, was a fellow expat, and close friend I knew, while living in Gran Alacant, in Spain. She just happened to show up in my store in Midland a week ago — just out of the blue. She was visiting a friend here in Australia and was passing through, before travelling onto Africa.

    Dawn was part of The No Wives Club in Spain. All of us, who were close at that time, had our respective partners and husbands working or living abroad. We formed a close bond, during difficult times. Sadly, we lost touch over the years and I never believed I would see her again. For Dawn to just pop up, unexpectedly, over the other side of the world, was extraordinary, but extremely lovely. It was a joy to catch up, even briefly. Sadly, I won't be able to see her again, as our paths once again take different directions. However, it was a precious moment that brought a much-needed smile to my face. Of course, I wish her all the best — and who knows, we may bump into each other again one day.

    That's it this week, short and sweet — enjoy the video!
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