A Home From Home - I'm Back Again

Sydney Harbour

It's been almost 3 years of planning, waiting, hoping and wishing, but as of Tuesday 19th March 2013 I live in Australia. If you'd have asked me when I first came here in 2006 if I could have seen myself living in Australia in future I'd have said no way. I loved Devon too much. Yet here we are. Amazing how the right person can shape your future in ways you never would have dreamed.

Oh, yes... Come On You Spurs!

The last couple of weeks have been absolutely jam packed and have really flown by when I think about it. A trip to Tottenham for one last game to see Spurs beat Arsenal 2-1 was a definite highlight, finishing the day job, another trip to London to see The Darkness with Matt, a last trip to Cheshire to see the family and the final throes of packing before the big day. How can I begin to describe the rollercoaster of emotions? And now I see things with a bit more clarity than before. I see who my true friends are, and I realised a few other things as well.

Me at White Hart Lane
Spurs 2-1 Arsenal

To a certain extent it still doesn't feel real, I'm sat here in a suburb of Western Sydney in AUSTRALIA. That mythical place that 7 years ago I was hoping I might come to one day for a visit. Now I'm sat here, engaged to a beautiful Australian woman, my whole life ahead of me in a country that is so full of opportunity and promise it makes me feel incredibly lucky just to be here! This is the 5th time I have entered Australia and this time I have no idea when, or even if I'll leave! Could this really have happened to a simple guy from Devon like me?! It has, and judging from people's reactions for the first time I can remember people are actually envious of me. That's not really happened before.

In the build up to leaving the UK I had managed to catch up with a lot of my friends but amongst it all was a disappointment. I had a leaving do at Bovey Tracey Cricket Club, and considering I had spent 15 years playing there I found it quite disappointing that not a single one of my 1st XI team-mates attended. Some had legitimate excuses, I never heard a word from others. But as mentioned earlier I have found out who my true friends are and perhaps that highlights the difference between mates and team-mates. Having been welcomed at Sydney Airport with a surprise appearance from the current President of my Australian cricket club, and having been phoned less than 24 hours after my arrival by the next to ask for my involvement with the cricket club this year I know exactly where I am meant to be.

Chris, me, Liam
at Heathrow

I am going to miss so many of my friends in the UK. I've known Chris Towell since we were 10 years old, and Liam Berry since we were 11. Both these guys have been my mates ever since and we've always been good mates. Chris and Liam both made the effort to drive from Devon to Heathrow (probably to make sure I left) to accompany my family and I, and that speaks volumes to me. I can't describe how grateful I am to them for that act of friendship, that meant a lot to me and I am going to miss being able to just pop down the pub with you both for a pint, but you both need to come out here and sample life Down Under!

Jemma Lane and Andy Iley have both been great friends for the last 8 years too. I cannot remember ever falling out with either of them, even over something trivial! I already miss them both and I really do hope they can make it over here. The Indian takeaway's are nowhere near as good over here but I am sure that we can find something to eat! Jemma and Andy have always been outdoor types, and that is something that would add to their enjoyment of this country.

When I was 16 I got a job at a local garage, and worked there for 2 and a half years. The garage itself has not changed too much since then and I am still good mates with all the guys that work there. Roger and Cynthia Sibley have always treated me very well, have always been friendly and welcoming and even invited me to family birthday parties and celebrations, along with Jess when she was in the UK. Along with Scott and Garry, that place is probably most responsible for my sense of humour today! Garry especially... Every Friday we used to head into the pub for a pint after work, even after I left the garage and while in recent years they weren't as regular, we still used to go for a pint occasionally and Garry is a great mate, we've been to watch football and rugby together as well as dinners too. Garry and Gill have been very good to me over the years and I am very grateful for that.

Saying goodbye before
heading to Heathrow

I could mention all the friends that mean a lot to me but I'd be writing forever, so I'll make special mentions to Dean Pring who I have known since I was 10, and shared many rounds of golf, games of darts, pints, and generally just had a great time with. I hope you make it out here, mate. I know how much you'd love it. Also to James Pyne, who made the trip especially from Jersey for my leaving do at the cricket club and then got lumbered with doing the bar work. No-one from the club offered to take over, but such is life. I'm glad you were there James, I continue to take inspiration from you in every way. How could I not? You've been my boss, my flying instructor, my mate and generally just a top bloke. I look forward to seeing you as soon as we can and I wish you, Nikki, Orla and your growing family all the health and happiness that you deserve.

James, Matt, me, Chris and Liam

Then there is Matt Pascoe. My brother, best mate, call him what you will. Since I was 11 we've been mates, we had the same form tutor at school and when it became apparent we both played and loved cricket we were set. The two seasons we played at the same club didn't go as planned and I wish we'd played more games together. But while there have been gaps between when we saw each other, we've always made time for it and you have to follow your dream and come out to Australia again, Matt. You HAVE to. It's what you want, and you won't be happy until you've done it. Do what you have to do mate, and I'll see you very soon.

Qantas A380 VH-OQJ
at Singapore. Halfway there.

So here we are, life can begin now. I have job applications in, the sun is out and the heat is on. I have taken time to thank my friends, but the most important people I need to thank are my families. Yes, plural. I won't do it on here because I have done so privately and it will remain that way. Perhaps now I can stop writing about planning our wedding and actually do something towards it. Whatever next...?