Blogs: Jack gets a bout of homesickness

Post 31, February 2013

Jack has finished his degree. He has recently moved to sunny Spain to pursue his career

New year, new start? Absolutely not!

I have never understood why people would centralise themselves and set new year’s resolutions and new targets, aims and goals, etc, solely on the turn of the calendar year. Surely if something was that vital or urgent to change, you would have done so already?

Being home in the UK for Christmas was quite an eye opener, and it was another trip of mixed emotions and slight bewilderment. It is always nice returning to a land where I have limited responsibilities and the most important decision is what drink to order next. The Huddersfield bubble has a constantly open door.

However, wandering around the town centre gives a distinct and cold reminder about the state of the country, and more specifically the area, that I so desperately love.

The high street is not what I remember it to be. Since my move over six months ago, the only shops that have popped up, creating much-needed jobs for those in need are in pound shops, pastry shops and bookmakers - an unfortunate description of a once prosperous manufacturing town. 

Huddersfield was once one of the centres for cotton and textiles in the North, and it has slowly developed into something of a ‘fast-food culture’: everything on the cheap, food, bets, toys, and so on.

It makes it even stranger that it is this that I often miss - the simple nature of a simple town, beautiful in its simplicity. However, it would have to be almighty decision to return home, and would require something a lot more serious than the odd bout of homesickness.

Life is still very good here in Spain, to the point where I almost feel rather guilty writing about living in sunnier climbs. I've got a well paid, great job that I really enjoy, in conditions where I don't freeze my Jacobs off (pun intended) on the walk to work.

I have finished my original six months in my role, which means, in theory, I am free to apply for other vacancies in the company and hopefully step up the ladder. I am still unsure, however, what I want to do, but as long as it involves horses, and not the burger variety, I will be as happy as a pig in chardonnay.

I will have a much more detailed and in-depth break down of the actual employment landscape of Gibraltar next month, less rambling, I promise!