Travelling Hopefully After many years living and working in Spain and the Canary Islands, Barrie and his partner David, return to start a new life in the UK. Challenges that they had not expected were waiting for them; Covid lockdowns, and political challenges were just the start of it. The UK had shifted significantly to the right of politics, more jingoistic, flag waving, suspicious and unwelcoming of ‘foreigners’ and had become more divisive and inward looking following Brexit. The UK was in an identity crisis. This book, the last in the Letters from the Atlantic series, is a humorous account, comparing Barrie’s life in Spain and the Canary Islands to his new life in the UK. It is hoped that this book will be of help to those considering a new life in Europe, as well as those returning to the UK. 'Travelling Hopefully' is available as a paperback and Kindle from Amazon, and to order from Waterstones and local bookshops.
ISBN: 978-0995602755
ABOUT THE BOOK Barrie Mahoney lived in Spain and the Canary Islands for sixteen years before returning to live in Devon after the Brexit referendum. As an author, Barrie has written a series of books about living and working as an immigrant in Spain, as well as murder and mystery fiction: ‘The Priors Hill Chronicles’. Barrie has now published his latest book - Travelling Hopefully - where he reflects upon comparisons of life in a European country with his experiences of returning to his birth country after so many years. This book is meant to help understand the complications of moving to a new country or returning to a country that you thought you knew. These experiences provided challenges that were unexpected; a society that had changed so much in its attitudes to those returning to the UK, but not recognised as significant change by those who had never left the UK, other than maybe brief holidays in Europe. This book challenges views that people have about life and living in different countries, as well as coming to accept how life changes when faced with terminal illness. Most people happily talk about positive life experiences and their expectations for the future, but few rarely consider serious illness and their own mortality. The issues of making a Will, Power of Attorney and taking care of loved ones are often considered seriously only when it is too late. As a Quaker, Barrie has dealt with his travels through life with hope, but with few expectations that often cause disappointments. He hopes this book will be helpful for readers, and especially those that are facing challenging situations.
"Travel hopefully, but with few or no expectations"
CONTENTS
Preface Setting the Scene All Change Flying Cats and Dogs Not Good, Not Bad, Just Different Taking Back Control … With Flags Expats and Immigrants Police and Crime Orchids, Gardening and Cats This Won’t Hurt a Bit When It’s Gone, It’s Gone A Nice Cup of Coffee Empty Shelves and Empty Pumps The Parish Sweeper Superfast Internet Connection The National Health Service It’s Not a Proper Barbeque Unless It’s Burnt Charity Shops A Nice Cup of Tea The Veggie Option Motoring in Spain Bills, Bills and More Bills Pets and Vets Something is rotten in the state of Denmark The Banking Business World Beating or What? A Spiritual Journey The Elephant in the Room It Ain't Over Until the Fat Lady Sings
'Travelling Hopefully' by Barrie Mahoney ISBN: 978-0995602755
You can order this book from Amazon, Waterstones, Blackwell and all good bookshops. It is also available on Kindle.
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