All these thing over the past few months has got me thinking about life and what is truly important to me. The conclusion that I reached was "there has to be more to life than working, especially if that work prevents you from enjoying your family during the years when they need you most!"
So, I have made up my mind to make the break and focus on what is best for my family........and I really believe that living in Australia is what is best at this time.
What will I enjoy? -
Well, hopefully I will find a job that I enjoy. The work ethic in Australia is certainly more laid back than in the UK, so I hope that whatever I end up doing I will be at home every night and have the time to spend with the children....oh yeah, and Denise.
I am looking forward to having the weather suitable to get out on my bike in the evenings without getting frozen or soggy. I am looking forward to a culture where you can say what you think without the nearest PC campaigner jumping down your throat.
I am looking forward to living in a house that I can walk all of the way around without having to squeeze down the side. I am looking forward to filling the car with petrol and NOT having a heart attack when I go to pay for it................but, most of all, I am looking forward to a change. It may not last and we may end up coming back to the UK after a few years (who knows) but at least we gave it a go and for what I think are all the right reasons.
What will I miss? -
Family. I will miss my mum and dad the most of all. They have always been there for me and have always supported me in so many ways. Not seeing them on a regular basis will be quite hard for me. My brother and his family will also be missed. Like all siblings, we fought like cat and dog when we were younger, but now that we don't see each other very often, we get along just fine! Other family, although we don't see each other all that often, we have history and memories that bind us together as only family can.
Friends. I will of course miss my mates. The people who you would chose to be your family. The people that I did all sorts of silly (and sometimes dangerous) things with as we were growing up and more so when we had got to the age where we started trying not to grow up any further. For me, most of these people were in Scouts with me at one time or another and we had some really good times. Some I see on a regular basis, some I see very seldomly and Nigel, sadly, I will not see again. However, I feel great affection for all of my friends (old friends and those that I have made more recently) and you are ALL more than welcome to visit us in Australia whenever you fancy a bit of sunshine! |
