What Was New: April 2005

1 April

"Scattered pic-turrres..."

British Expat Magazine was launched five years ago on 1 April 2000. To celebrate our fifth birthday, we've put together a pictorial retrospective of how we've changed and grown over the years. "Can it be that it was all so simple then...?" See for yourselves!
The Way We Were

Photo of the Week

"The weather is picking up nicely here now (80s), so the street entertainers are coming out. Many street performers come to River Street, Savannah, GA. (USA) during the season and make for an interesting walk by the river. I was attracted to the eye-popping colour of this clown." This week's photo - suitably festive for our fifth birthday - comes from Alan Hearnshaw.
Photo of the Week - 1 April

2 April

A Taste of Australian Wine

"...Shiraz is the best and best known red wine of Australia. It is the most widely grown red grape variety, grown in almost all regions, and makes the most recognised Australian wines in the world market such as Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace amongst others." Gavin Trott of the Australian Wine Centre on the classic Aussie red...
Shiraz

4 April

Moving to Australia

"Australia is blessed with a formidable diversity of desirable retirement locations. Some people dream of a seaside lifestyle on the Western Australian coast, whilst others long for a country lifestyle in one of the wine regions in New South Wales or Tasmania. We are all different in where we would like to be located in our retirement. However, we should not be that different in the way we plan when considering where to retire." Jill Weeks of where2retire.com.au has some helpful advice:
Australia's Great Retirement Locations

5 April

Arriving in Spain

"Many works of non-fiction in the 'Driving Over Lemons' market have depicted a view of Spanish rural life that is charming, quaint and stuffed full of olive oil-soaked personalities who are keen to help the newcomer settle into their neighbourhood. I wouldn't dare to suggest that this is rose-tinted - it's not; there is an honesty and grit to Spanish rural dwellers that is heartwarming." Mark F R Wilkins shows how a little effort and planning can bring about the good life...
Relocation, Relocation, Relocation (Pt 2)

7 April

What a day!

"I knew I should have stayed in bed when the first thing I did was stub my toe. I wish that had been all that happened yesterday...."
Sydney Sue's Diary

8 April

Photo of the Week

"Spring has sprung... Nectarine blossom in our garden today. The thing in the background is our chimneystack; it's a traditional shape for Lanzarote influenced by nearby Morocco. And 80% of houses - new or old - have them."
Photo of the Week - 8 April

12 April

Heaven on Earth in Central America

"Would you like to enjoy spring and summer temperatures year round? Do you like stunning panoramic vistas and enjoy watching the sun rise or set over the ocean? Are you looking to retire early, or live better with less money? Would you like to own a farm or enjoy exuberant natural beauty every day?" Russ Martin extols the virtues of Costa Rica...
Moving to Costa Rica

15 April

Photo of the Week

"Not the local police... our German pal Walter the other day, at our favourite beer shack. He's quite a local sight, riding round on his purple LoveMobile and wearing his bobby's hat instead of a proper crash-helmet!"
Photo of the Week - 15 April

18 April

Clark's Caledonia

"Stromness is sheltered from the west, and thence from the prevailing wind, and with the sun shining it was an absolute pleasure to wander through the tiny streets. It is so narrow, you expect it to be pedestrianised, but every so often you have to clamber into a doorway to let a car past. Vans with dents and scratches on the sides are everywhere." Mike Clark takes a trip across the Pentland Firth...
Clarkie's Orkney Tour

22 April

Trevor and the Teutons

"I'm going to add an extra touch this year, assuming I can find one of those amusing e-greetings cards. If I put enough effort into it, I'm confident I'll come up with a heartfelt template at Yahoo.com. Imagine my wife's delight at discovering an 'I Love You' e-mail on the computer!" Trevor Dykes muses on wedding anniversaries, the Pope's death, and 1. FC Nürnberg's impending relegation...
Rings, Flags and Bells

Photo of the Week

Lonesome Pine... A lonely Norfolk Island pine on a windswept beach in Southern Australia
Photo of the Week - 22 April