• Advertise
  • About us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Australian Times News
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
      • UK Lottery
      • UK Lotto
      • EuroMillions
  • Lifestyle
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Video
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
      • UK Lottery
      • UK Lotto
      • EuroMillions
  • Lifestyle
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Video
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
Australian Times News
No Result
View All Result
Home Expat Life

Six years in and counting…

I have a love/hate relationship with London and Londoners which is inversely proportional to my attachment to my nationality. If I let it go, I can adapt better to life here.

Claire Adams by Claire Adams
26-07-2011 09:03
in Expat Life

“THINK of it like putting on a new coat,” she advised. “Never regret the time and money you spend travelling,” they said. It was with these thoughts I entered London in late July 2005.

I was immediately ambushed by the Ashes, a tournament I have never followed with any interest before. Suddenly, I was Australian and therefore an ardent supporter by virtue of my nationality. Of course, I have never heard the end of our defeat.

The year after, our entry into the World Cup soccer was a wonderful surprise this side of the globe. The national team’s performance to the last 16 was astounding. Thank God the locals were too wrapped up in the English team’s departure to notice our exit at the hands of the cheating Italians. I think I enjoy watching an English loss more than an Australian win.

Perhaps I am not so Australian as some may think.

The anticipated duration of my stay in the UK was three to five years. With the purchase of a property two years ago, I am now watching my sixth year come and go. I have visited Australia four times in these years. My last Antipodean trip was March 2011, after a three year hiatus. I thought everyone was over-emphasising their Australian accent, I had completely forgotten how thick it was. I couldn’t believe how friendly people were. I realised I had been away for so long. When I touched down in Melbourne, I felt at last, I am home.

At last, I can relax. I miss the sound of the birds, the cold fronts that hit in the afternoon, the beer on the back verandah, the sun on the skin, the quality of the light, a decent beach and the smell of a long, hot summer. I miss the social ease of a drink after work and not having to rush away to get home or to a prior engagement. I miss the relaxed pace and easy fluidity of life.

AlsoRead...

Best Immigration Lawyers in Birmingham

Best Immigration Lawyers in Birmingham

6 January 2022
Six top reasons to sell your UK house to a cash homebuyer

Six top reasons to sell your UK house to a cash homebuyer

15 November 2021

Perhaps I am more Australian than I care to admit.

I am ashamed, as an expat, I keep a very, very low profile. After six years of the same conversation with new acquaintances, I don’t admit to anything:

‘Where are you from, then?’
‘Australia.’
‘I’ve been to Australia/ I haven’t been to Australia, but I would like to go/ I have friends, relatives over there now etc etc..’
‘Oh yes, where did you go?/ I’d recommend visiting, but you’ll need a good month as it is a long way/ Really? Where do they live? Etc etc….’

And if the conversation does not end abruptly there, I will be deprecated about an Australian stereotype which is so ignorant and misinformed, I will one day be charged with assault. I am tired of the kangaroo jokes and trying to explain I’m not referring to intimate apparel when I mention thongs.

I have a love/ hate relationship with London and Londoners which is inversely proportional to my attachment to my nationality. If I let it go, I can adapt better to life here.

Perhaps I need a thicker coat.

Tags: AustralianExpat issuesliving overseasLondonThe Ashes
DMCA.com Protection Status

SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER

[mc4wp_form id=”2384248″]

Don't Miss

Camille Vasquez cross-examines Amber Heard after one week break

by Shannon Alexander
17 May 2022
News

Amber Heard took to the stand for the third time on Monday. This time, she was cross-examined by Jonny Depp’s...

Read more

Cara Delevigne got extra animated with Megan Thee Stallion

by Shannon Alexander
17 May 2022
Cara Delevigne got extra animated with Megan Thee Stallion
Lifestyle

Hotties all around are bit appalled and amused by the behavior of Cara Delevigne at the Billboard awards with Megan...

Read more

Horoscopes: 17 May 2022 – Tuesday

by Adamu
17 May 2022
Free Daily Horoscope - Astrology
Horoscopes

Keep your karma positive with these daily free horoscopes!

Read more

Weather Forecast 17 May 2022

by Adamu
17 May 2022
May's Weather Forecast
Australia Weather

Be prepared for any weather with our daily weather forecast for Australia.

Read more

Fire the Liar: Australia make their feelings known about Scott Morrison

by Shannon Alexander
17 May 2022
Fire the Liar: Australia make their feelings known about Scott Morrison
News

Scott Morrison has been making the worst impression on Australia as he fights to be Prime Minister, Aussies are calling...

Read more

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly hint at having a baby

by Shannon Alexander
16 May 2022
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly hint at having a baby
Lifestyle

Machine Gun Kelly recently performed at the Billboard Music Awards and left Megan Fox shedding a tear for the song...

Read more

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker legally tie the knot 

by Shannon Alexander
16 May 2022
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker legally tie the knot
Lifestyle

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker recently tied the knot in an intimate ceremony after practice Las Vegas wedding. This time...

Read more
Load More

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status

  • About us
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • T&Cs, Privacy and GDPR
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
      • UK Lottery
      • UK Lotto
      • EuroMillions
  • Lifestyle
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Video
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status