A little Life in England – Celebrating the little Things in Life

And I don't JUST mean Jack Russells.

Back Home With a Bump (or Several)

Moving back to England after 20 years away hit me hard. Molly's diagnosis of hip dysplasia was a blow, it's tricky to find a home I can afford, and the lovely mechanics at Dorchester Motors say that Chippy is not long for this world. Okay, the last thing is no surprise, but I do hope he lasts the summer).

I knew that moving back would be a challenge. England is not New Zealand. Obviously.

I did prepare myself for that, but the number of people, bureaucracy and cost of everything can be overwhelming if you think about it.

So I'm trying not to. Fortunately, the weather hasn't been too bad. Molly and I only got soaking wet one day this week.

If I feel a twinge of blue, I remind myself that this is an

This is only the testing part at the beginning that will bring us to good things later on.

It also helps to notice the little things that bring joy every day:

• Molly is welcome in almost every café and pub (and even some shops).

• There are dog-friendly footpaths criss-crossing town and country.

• People understand me and don't think I'm being rude when I'm not (the English sense of humour is an acquired taste for others).

• Strangers couldn't be more friendly or helpful. A builder I met during my first few days in Portland came and looked at a flat for me and wouldn't let me pay him (Dean, if you ever read this, you're a legend).

• White Stones Art Café is a dog-friendly sanctuary in the rain: a good place to dry off and write (though coffees cost nearly £4 round here, about eight New Zealand dollars!).

I was asked of a way to support my work without an ongoing subscription. If you’d like to do that you can click the image below to

There's something about being in a café that helps people like me write.

I’m also enjoying:

• Listening to birds and seeing them busy in their little lives, oblivious to our problems.

• Spending more time with family and not just over the phone.

• The crisps. Potato chips are so much better in England (I must not focus on how much I'm missing Whittaker's chocolate).

For more of these little things you can read Reasons to be Cheerful.

And yes, that’s another Jack Russell on the cover. Billie gave us as many reasons to be cheerful as Molly does now.

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Thank you for being one of the good humans.

Alex

P.S.

Molly is an expert at extracting joy from the little things in life. Despite her hip dysplasia causing her occasional bouts of pain, she shakes it off, acting as if nothing has happened. She is still obsessed with her ball, though I now only throw it in water. For the most part, she is as happy as Larry and is quickly identifying the places that give out dog treats.

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You can read more about my previous little life in Lyttelton by picking up a copy of "A New Zealand Diary: Living in Lyttelton".

The ebook is now at Amazon and all other ebook retailers.

The print book is available where all good books are sold and in Christchurch Libraries (If you want your library to get a copy, ask them!). Leslie’s Bookshop in Lyttelton has a few in stock.

And if you like the book, please let people know on Goodreads or wherever you bought it. That is an enormous help to independent authors like me.

Book details, a sample chapter and more information are at alexhallatt.com/nzd