- Published on
-
-
- Published on
The last seven days have been busy, certainly the busiest for me, since I arrived in Australia. I have had determination in my eyes, as I sought so secure a new job. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the job I have, but I am well aware that it is time to move on. Of course, these days I have no fear of the unknown; after traversing the World for a number of years, I have no qualms about leaving my current circumstances behind, and heading forwards, towards adventures.
Over the last week or so, I have literally blitzed the job market here in Perth. There are many positions on offer, and I have been inundated with interviews, and indeed, offers of employment. Trying to juggle interviews, conducted on Zoom from Sydney, has probably been my biggest challenge. Attending an appointment at seven o'clock in the morning isn't ideal, but luckily for me, I am an extremely early riser, and these days at least, I am at my best in the early hours.
With several firm job offers under my belt, I believe I have made the right decision for me, at this juncture. I have decided to accept an offer of more money and allowances, in a business closer to home. It will also allow me to continue with a lifestyle, I have become accustomed to. This wasn't the position paying the most, but taking travel and commuting into account, this option affords me the best opportunity at my time of life.
I can't stress enough, just how different the pay rates are between the Britain and here. We are paid substantially more down under, meaning I earn well over and above the average wage in the UK and Australia. This is probably the first time in my life, that I have absolutely no financial worries; so despite my moans and groans about this place, I am well aware where I am better off.
With employment top of my list of priorities, you would think I haven't had time to do anything else, but both Darrell and I have found the time to relax and enjoy everything Perth has to offer.
Last Sunday we travelled into the city for a meal, and show at the Perth Concert Hall. I had booked a table at The Italian Street Kitchen, in Raine Square, Perth. I have been past this restaurant many times before, but never had the pleasure of eating there. From the outside it is just an ordinary building, but inside, the ambience, feel, and atmosphere is uniquely Italian, in every respect. This was not another pastiche of Italian culinary delights, this is as authentic as it gets down under, and for me, it was a delight. I was transported back to my time in Naples and Sorrento, and I was impressed by the staff, standard of service and the quality of the food.
The Italian Street Kitchen is a little more expensive than other places we have eaten, but that was only to be expected. Nothing is cheap in Australia anyway, so if you have to pay $60 more for a meal, then I can live with that. You do get what you pay for, and I was not disappointed and will certainly be back.
From The Italian Street Kitchen, we walked the short distance to Perth Concert Hall. This homage to Brutalist architecture, is not a place I have been to before; as I entered the building, I was impressed by the sheer size of the building. The atrium was light, bright and airy — here I bought a few books signed by Mariam Margolyes, the Australian/British national treasure we were there to see. This was a show I had been looking forward to, and I wasn't disappointed.
Darrell and I had seats very close to the stage and a great view of Miriam. This was a one woman show, with a female journalist host — for all intents and purposes, interviewing Miriam, or at least asking her questions. This was not a set-up I was used to, but it worked well, and I was impressed by Miriam's candour and frank conversation.
Miss Margolyes spoke about everything, from her life to politics, and even gave several readings from Charles Dickens. As usual there was no holing back, as she spoke in raw, uncensored language, in her own unique way. She has a voice you just can't forget; it is a voice I have known for many years, growing up with her on the television, in films and of course the theatre. She was an absolute joy to listen to, and I was glad I had booked the tickets, despite Darrell's initial reluctance.
The bush fires have been engulfing the area around Midvale this week, showing just how vulnerable the area around our home is. You could see the smoke rising behind the houses on the opposite side of the road, and it was quite scary to observe. The people in the hills around Midvale really do suffer more than most, and with high winds, the flames were well and truly being fanned.
Luckily we are far enough away to feel protected, but nevertheless we do get a lot of smoke settling in the suburb. This can cause major throat issues for me — sore throat, coughing and wheezing are just some of the symptoms all of us suffer from. For those who have asthma, the difficulties are even worse. This is one of the major downsides to living in Perth, but one that I'm sure I will get used to over time.
This weekend we were once again back in Perth CBD for the annual Japanese festival. Both Darrell and I love all things Asian, so this was a must-see for us. If I am honest, it was rather disappointing. There wasn't mush to see or do, so we left after an hour, walking back into the city for lunch at The Shoe, in Yagan Square. This is a place we used to frequent often in the past, but we haven't been there in a while. The food is bog-standard Australian fodder, but the staff are lovely, and it is always a joy sitting on the balcony looking out over the city — even with all the construction work going on at the moment.
Perth is the most isolated capital city in the World, and at times it really does feel that way. There are things to do in the city, but not on the same scale as London, New York or Sydney. I do find the lack of amenities here frustrating at times, especially when the city closes down at such an early hour. It does feel like I am living in a time warp, back in the 1990s, with similar shops, businesses, and restaurants also shutting prematurely.
When you move to Perth, you must be prepared for the difference in lifestyle. This is a very quiet state in all respects, especially when you consider its vast size, in comparison to its population. When events and occasions happen in the city, it is important for me to grab those with open arms. Listening to Mariam Margolyes is a positive connection to my childhood and life back in the UK; being able to dip in and out, whilst living the quiet life, is a blessing. It allows me to return to my rather routine, mundane lifestyle, happy that I have at least been reminded of happy times back home.
Perth, as a capital city, probably needs to do more for the people who live and work here. They need to encourage big name acts to come more often, and they need to rethink some of the more archaic laws that seem to hold this state back. I am happy to call this place home, but I would also like to play an active role in this diverse part of Australia, in the same way I would in Sydney or Brisbane, for example. This city and state has much to offer, and much more to give, so please give us a reason to celebrate, a reason to feel satisfied and a reason to feel alive!
-
- Published on
A welcome call from Kire - Just what I needed!
-
- Published on
You can tell Autumn is on the way, despite temperatures still hovering in the mid-thirties; here in Perth, the mornings are somewhat cooler than they were. On Sunday, the weather was perfect for a jog to one of my favourite spots — Woodbridge Lakes. This is a very special oasis, in the middle of urban sprawl, and it is one of my go-to places, when I want to sit and think for a while.
I have had a lot on my mind of late, so looking out over the lake gave me a sense of relief. Taking in the early morning air is a cure for a multitude of sins, and just being able to take some time out to relax, was just what I needed after a rather difficult few weeks.
As I sat there contemplating my future in this remote part of Australia, or the 'arse end of the World,' as I prefer to call it, I was reminded of the circumstances that brought me to Perth. My life has changed out of all recognition, since I arrived a year and a half ago and not necessarily, always, for the better. Nevertheless, with a lot on my mind, I was happy to just while away the brief time I had at the lake, and think about my next move down under.
From Woodbridge Lakes, it was a brief forty-minute jog home. Feeling in fine fettle, I was determined to put my problems behind me for a bit, and just focus on the rest of the day.
My biggest issue in life, is not enjoying the moment, because I worry far too much about the future, and for the most part, there is absolutely nothing I can do to change what is going on. Nevertheless, I am an anxious person and I will just have to learn to live with it, especially when you move over the World as much as I do!
Darrell and I spent the afternoon in Perth, starting with a few pints at The Belgian Beer Café, sat outside enjoying the sun. I don't drink very often these days, but when I do, I always enjoy a pint or two of Stella, which isn't a drink you can get here too readily. Yes, imported beer does cost a lot of money, but to be honest, I am not drinking to get drunk, but rather to savour a few drinks, living in the moment, and enjoying an impromptu day in the city.
From here, we walked the short distance to Durty Nelly's for the perfect Sunday lunch. This is a place I feel relaxed and is another one of my favourite places to go. It's not pretentious, it's just a welcoming, friendly environment in which to spend some time. I've always been a fan of the more traditional pub, and I am lucky to have access to some of the best in Western Australia. Durty Nelly's does remind me of Britain and Gran Alacant come to that, and that is important for me, especially now, as my unsettled self, grapples with the complexities of life, thousands of miles from home!
With an extremely busy schedule over the next few weeks before we go away, I am well aware, I should be saving money for the holiday. However, with everything paid for, I am firmly of the belief, that we should enjoy life just a little bit more. Not everything is about work, sometimes, no matter what, you just need to take some time out; for me, it certainly worked. Today, I am feeling a lot more positive than I was, a little bit more content and happier than yesterday and far more relaxed than I have been all week; who could ask for more.
-
- Published on
'A small Christmas gathering — not like the parties of the past, but nevertheless, a welcome break, after such an exhausting year!'
It is important for me to surround myself with decent people. In the past, I haven't had such a good experience with work colleagues or indeed so-called friends and family. However, that all changed when I worked for Tesco, Cancer Research and The Newcome Arms. Admittedly, I haven't always been complimentary about my time in Portsmouth, but the difficulties I went through, had nothing to do with friends and the people I worked with. I look back with fondness at my time in Fratton, it was a huge part of my life and I have many fantastic memories. Work colleagues got me through the dark days, and ever since, I have always sought out a similar group of people.
Luckily, in my current job, I have some wonderful staff, who are most certainly akin to those I knew in the UK. These people have welcomed me as their new boss, with open arms and with my one-year anniversary approaching, I thought it was time we celebrated Christmas together as a team.
We spent a relaxing night at The traditional Woodbridge Hotel, in Guildford, surrounded by memories of home. The walls of the beautiful building are adorned with old tin signs and pictures of the home country and Ireland. This is a pub where I feel at home and with a group of folk singers playing throughout the night, I had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Moving to Australia wasn't just about forging a successful career, it was also about enjoying a work/life balance that suits me at my time of life — so far I've achieved that in every respect. Australia has never been an easy country to live, but it has certainly given me far more, than the UK ever did and for that I will be forever grateful!
-
- Published on
The summer has arrived in Perth and it looks like this year is going to be a hot one, very hot. Fires are already burning in the hills around Perth, and the wind blowing in from the east is scorching!
This year's summer down under is expected to be hot, and already the bush fires have started. As I walked to work this morning, I was struck be the strong wind outside. This was unlike anything I have experienced before. The wind was indeed strong, but strangely it was hot. You know when you open the oven door, while cooking an evening meal, and you get a whoosh of heat from the warmth inside, well this is exactly how it felt.
Now I love the heat, more than anyone I know, but this was something else. Last year's summer was nothing compared to this, so for me, it was a bit of a shock to the system. However, I am doing what I can to stay safe, following emergency advice on my bush fire app and making sure I am prepared for every eventuality.
It isn't until you live in another country, that you realist just how different the weather can be. Australia has particularly harsh conditions at times, and it looks like we could be in for the hottest summer we have had in many years.
For now, life goes on, and like all Australians we just have to live life as normal, until we are told to do otherwise.
Stay safe wherever you are!
