Perth Sunsets

I feel like writing a fair bit today. Mostly personal thoughts so if you don't know me maybe skip reading this.

This morning I went for a walk along the promenade in Cottesloe with a friend before they had to go to work

I spent most of the day inside the flat, just enjoying a quiet time, thinking about buying a car here and watching TV shows downloaded on my computer. It's been good not to have TV channels or WiFi in the flat, but I'm looking forward to getting the WiFi soon.

I was feeling a little ill, possibly from swallowing some salt water yesterday when one of the trainees failed to rescue me well. So I took my kindle and walked to the beach.

I stayed there through the late afternoon reading and thinking, and finally watching the sun set. I was reading Into the Wild, not sure if I have mentioned it before but that book is strong especially to a nomadic person like myself. It was made all the more powerful by the contrast between the values of Alex, some of which I share, which contrast sharply with the environment I was sitting reading in.

I found myself welling up at the sunset, not entirely sure why. For one thing I can't believe that this is home for me now, I have a great flat, in a great location, I have lots to keep me busy, a new job, and lots to look forward to.

In many ways the life I'm forming in Perth could be described as blissful. A conflicting feeling. I compare this to struggling financially at university, at odds with my studies, or post uni when I have felt directionless and trapped, and I don't know how to feel. It's amazing to be here.

At the same time I have the urge not to stay, to continue moving, to get out of here. I miss home in the UK, a feeling that I've only really had here in Australia, as I look at the possibility of staying here long term.

I've always approached this trip with the attitude of "I'll see how it goes", but maybe this isn't a mantra to follow anymore, I'm not sure what should take its place.

I still have a lot of goals over here, geology work, outdoor teaching, social life, getting that car to complete my active life, and improving my health (back pain and stuff). I'm happy to have completed so much and to be looking at these goals realistically, but they seem so achievable I can't help but think what will happen after.

I mostly wrote this for myself, this blog has become almost a diary, but I think that my family would appreciate reading this.