“Whan the sunne shinth make hay. Whiche is to say. Take time whan time cometh, lest time steale away.”
~ John Heywood, A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the Englishe tongue, 1546 ~
There’s one thing that I’ve noticed time and time again since moving to England – its residents well and truly embrace good weather. Australia on the whole can generally expect a good few months of clear, warm sunny days every year. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s not (like when it leads to a drought), but that period of delicious, it’s-good-to-be-alive sort of weather is pretty much expected. In fact sometimes the poor ol’ Aussie can get a bit grumpy and peeved off if the sun doesn’t come out for a few days.
Here in the U.K. though the weather’s a little more unstable and a lovely sunrise can quickly disappear into a drizzly morning, then a cool and cloudy afternoon, before clearing again in the evening. That’s why when the sun does shine over consecutive days, people get out and enjoy it.
Over the last few days I’ve been watching from afar the build-up, impact and effects Tropical Cyclone Debbie has had on Queensland. The category four storm bashed into the Whitsunday coast between Bowen and Airlie Beach earlier this week, with my hometown of Mackay (just over an hour’s drive to the south) copping its fair share of destructive winds and torrential rain too.
The older I get, the more I’ve come to savour and enjoy being housebound for the day. In years gone by staying put and purposely choosing not to go out seemed anti-social and a bit of waste, but now the ability to hide away for 24 hours seems a luxury.
In the last week or so, both Adam and I have succumbed to our second dose of of winter sickness (methinks perhaps neither of us actually fully recovered from our first bout of sniffles, coughs and chills in February). That combined with busy work and full on travel schedules has meant it’s been weeks since either of had the opportunity to just spend a day at home.
It’s been close to five months since stopped working as a journalist. Taking a break 10 years into my career so I could move to England was once of the scariest decisions I think I’ve made. I had a good job that paid well, worked with a wonderful team and enjoyed what I did. Why leave all of that?
On the road reporting: a temporary desk at the Deniliquin Police Station, NSW Australia.
I was never one of those kids who dreamed of being a reporter, I sort fell into journalism. My year 11 English teacher had suggested I investigate a degree in journalism. It seemed interesting so I applied and got accepted into my university of choice to study for a Bachelor of Journalism. It was only perhaps half way through my first year of that degree that I knew that I’d made the right decision. I got such a buzz from writing under deadline. Researching, interviewing and penning stories gave me a thrill like I’d never experienced before.
I can remember quite a few years ago getting totally engrossed in the Facebook photo album of a university acquaintance who was living and working in London. There were dozens of pictures of holidays abroad in exotic European locations and I admit, I was a little envious.
Years later and a post a move to the U.K. myself, I’m beginning to understand how she was doing it: there are relatively small distances you have to travel to reach Europe and a highly competitive budget airline industry. It totally makes sense, if you’re smart with your money you can travel, and travel often.
Adam celebrated a birthday over weekend so we’ve spent the last few days stretching out festivities, instead of trying to cram it all into one 24 hour period.
As I wrote out a soppy card for him last week, I began to think about how interesting it’s been seeing Adam back in his ‘native territory’ over the last few months. Most people who travel (including Adam) will happily tell you the experience is life changing. The person you were when you left isn’t always the same as when you return.
When you move to a new place it takes time to settle in. You don’t instantly know where the best place is to do grocery shopping or buy a nice coffee, but after a little while you start to find your way around. Things that previously seemed challenging or that made you second-glance or stare in awe, suddenly become normal.
2016 was certainly a year of change for me. I pushed pause on the career I’d been working away on for the last decade, rented out the brand new house I’d built in 2015 and moved overseas. I’m now working in a totally different industry, living in a 150 year old house and truly loving the new opportunities England is presenting to me.
I’m not really big on new year’s resolutions, but given 2017 is going to be a year like no other, there are a three goals I’d like to achieve.
Wake up to more views like this.
Looking out on a frosty November morning from our National Trust cottage in the Lake District.
When Adam and I decided to move to England one of the top items on our ‘to-do’ list was travel. We spent much of 2016 planning and saving for the relocation, so it meant that we didn’t go on too many holidays. By Australian standards, the U.K. is relatively well connected transport wise, plus you’re never too far away from an international airport where you can normally find good deals on airfares to much of Europe and north America. On our list so far is a trip to the Brecon Beacons in Wales, the Isle of Skye in Scotland, one of the Scandinavian countries (top of the list is the Faroe Islands or Iceland, Adam fell in love with the country during a visit in 2014), Italy (I visited in 2013 and still have vivid dreams about the glorious food!), Germany and Croatia.
2. Live more simply.
Adam and I both want to make this year more about experiences than ‘stuff’. The television Adam had before he came to Australia hasn’t moved in with us – it’s still on loan to his family, but we’re not missing it at all! After years of working in news and knowing what’s happening around the clock, it’s lovely to step away from that constant connectedness. We keep up to date with with current affairs via our phones and computers and spend our evenings reading, listening to music, chatting or having a Netflix binge. We’d also love to get stuck into helping out in the family allotmentgrowing herbs, vegetables and fruit, and we want to expand our abilities in the kitchen. Adam’s already getting stuck into perfecting bread – sampling freshly baked loaves on an almost daily basis is fine by me!
3. Get outdoors more.
Waking up early for long, cold walks is worth it when you get views like this.
In Australia I was a regular gym goer. Usually three times a week I’d pop along for pilates and yoga classes. I loved it, but that routine has completely gone by the wayside over the last few months due to move. I’ve truly embraced the British habit of walking (as you can read about here and here) and it’s something I’d like to continue this year. There are public footpaths just metres away from our house and in 2017 I want to start using them more and getting up onto the Malvern Hills on a more regular basis. I love how you can go on a walk in England and discover beautiful little spots, unique views and character-filled pubs and cafes. There is so much more incentive to get out and be active (even in the cold weather) when there’s the chance of seeing something new.
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, what are they?!
Here’s to wonderful things over the next 12 months. x
Is it just me, or do special occasions often make you think about life? The past, the present and what’s happening right now. Today is my birthday, the first I’ve celebrated abroad (!), and this week I’ve been spending a lot of time just thinking about how much has changed since December last year.
Twelve months ago I was getting ready to host my family for Christmas in Wagga Wagga. This year I’ll be with Adam’s family in England. It still seems slightly surreal that I’m here, in the UK… and not on holiday! I’m still pinching myself, realising this is now my every day.
I can’t believe it’s almost four weeks since Adam and I arrived in Malvern – the days are just flying by! I had the sniffles at the start of the week, so that combined with a few very rainy days has curtailed my exploration of the countryside.
It’s been perfect soup and socks weather this week!
I’ve been using the downtime to think about Christmas – which will be pretty special this year, as it’ll be my first ‘winter’ festive season.
Wattle and Ash 