This was originally posted on The Lady Errant blog a month or so a go. The Lady Errant is a blog written by Elle and Elle has invited bloggers around the world to write a post for her Hello World Series about the place where they live and I wrote a post about living in the Outback.
When I initially signed up for the Hello World blog posts I planned to write about places I like to visit in Darwin but decided that I would prefer to talk more about my experience of moving from living in a large town in Somerset in the UK to the outback in Australia.
I moved to Darwin to live with my boyfriend in August 2013 initially fro a year until I applied for him to sponsor my visa.
Luckily I had visited Darwin and the house where we ended up spending the first year of our life together in Darwin before or it may have been a bit of a shock to the system.
My boyfriend “the Aussie” used to joke and call me a Princess because I liked the mod cons of life in a city or town. I was/am petrified of spiders and was well aware that they would become a large part of our home life, particularly when the Aussie told me he would have to clean the cobwebs out of our bedroom before I arrived!
The house and it’s setting was very outdoorsy and I will say it was a brilliant experience for me. We were lucky to be offered a place to stay together with the Aussies brother. However the Aussie had to build us a toilet before I arrived because the previous version had burnt down over a year before when I had visited for a holiday. Obviously I was lucky to have a toilet at all bearing in mind the house was literally surrounded by bush and numerous wild animals. I haven’t even asked what the Aussie did for the year in between.
We also had an outdoor shower which whilst sounding a bit wild was actually pretty nice; I’m sure people pay a lot of money on holiday to have a nice shower setting with a lovely view. The only downside was that it was popular for spiders to move in which made showers a bit nerve racking early in the morning or late at night. I also ended up with a green tree frog on my shoulder during one shower which definitely got the heart racing for me and the cute little frog!
It was also an interesting experience not to have a formal kitchen area. The Aussie bought us a BBQ before I arrived and so I had lots of interesting moments tying to master cooking on a BBQ. I managed to cook an array of semi decent meals including Christmas dinner and a sponge cake!
The wildlife was always great fun, we had a children’s Python visit the house twice (that we know of!), lots of spiders including massive tarantula like spiders, kangaroos that would literally come up to the bedroom window and a bandicoot that we called Alex and who would come running anytime I cooked sausages and would eat from the Aussies hand.
Living in the outback/rural area was quite the adventure and I am glad that I got to live that kind of lifestyle for a year. We moved into the middle of Darwin city just over two months ago and I am loving being in the heart of city life again.
I probably would not choose to live in such a rural setting again (please take note Mr Aussie) but I know it as well as finally living with the Aussie has helped change me for the better. We went from country bumpkins to city slickers in one move!
So I would say that if you ever see me say I am moving to the rural area you have permission to shake me and say what the heck are you doing but would recommend trying out living in the rural area if the opportunity presents itself!!
Lisa Minner says
Wow! That sounds like quite an adventure, but the minute there’re spiders I’m out!
Vicky E says
I don’t blame you! I am better with them but as soon as one runs I am out of there!
designingnaked says
You look like a skilled bbq-er, well done
Vicky E says
Thank you! I am missing having a BBQ to cook on now we’re living in the city!
jsmakegreengogreen says
What an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing it 🙂
Vicky E says
Thank you for visiting my blog 🙂