Saying Goodbye
Relocating.
I am saying goodbye
to my current abode,
a Victorian house
that my aunt bestowed
to her favourite nephew
who happens to be me.
Some reasons I’m going
to name but a few:
the walls affected
by damp and mildew
and, in the rear garden,
a dying birch tree.
I will take with me
a Persian floor rug,
a stained-glass door
a vintage Toby Jug
and leave the rest
to the vendee.
You may think
that I am silly, I bet,
to give stuff away
but do not fret;
they were paid for
and aren’t free.
There is one thing
for which I’ll grieve.
One item I treasured
and have to leave:
an antique and ornate
front door key.
© Luigi Pagano 2020
Such a nice key. I think I would leave the new owners a copy
I may have to relocate some time thanks to 52% of Brits 🙁
Sometimes certain things, like relocating, are unavoidable,
Though a UK resident, I am not a Brit so must decline any responsibility for the outcome of that referendum, as I was never consulted. 🙂
Cheers.
I wouldn’t blame you Luigi I wasn’t consulted either being too long outside the Uk If anyone is to blame it’s Diddy David Cameron trying to save his ass and it backfired I know people who voted to leave nice people but I don’t think the leavers realised how difficult it would be for Brits living in the EU I have residence here and a pension but it will limit me to staying in this country and that’s a pity as I have good friends in Spain and now I can only visit not stay I have family in the… Read more »
I agree it is a crazy situation. I don’t actually know how the EU is dealing with British citizens but know that I, of Italian nationality, even though I have lived, worked, paid taxes for sixty years and now receiving a pension, have to apply for permanent residence even though my passport states that I reside in the UK.
Well, as a BC in the EU I can tell you Luigi: On Monday my wife and I (as two elderly vulnerable Covid self-isolators) travelled to an appointment (round trip of about 150Km cross countryside) where we were fully fingerprinted and gave up identity photographs – as the final part of obtaining a 10 year residency permit … even though we had (before 31st Dec) been full tax paying and voting (local) residents of many years standing. During the preceeding month (after over 60 years a client with Barclays Bank – million-pound turnover business accounts and all – they stripped… Read more »
I sympathise with your predicament, Allen, and appreciate that many others are affected by a situation that has been debated at length and will continue to do so.
I am uneasy – and I have said this elsewhere – in using the comment box as a basis for discussion on matters that depart from a straightforward critique and ought to be aired in the Forum but feel obliged to reply. I thank you for the update and send you and your wife my best wishes.
There was some doubt in my mind before I penned my comment – because I realised that it was, shall we say, “off topic” – but as you had said you didn’t know how it was for people in the EU, thought you would be interested. I take you point however, and would not be at all offended if the Mods or Admins remove my response.
Allen
No problem, Allen. I found your explanation enlightening and thank you for it. Do you think it would be useful to open a Forum’s post on the subject?
To be honest, I haven’t a clue, Luigi. You referred to our situation as a predicament – which of course it is – but there is nothing we can do about it, we just have to suck it up and get on with our lives as we may be allowed to. I don’t think people are all that interested, to be frank… we are after all small fry when it comes to the negative effects of Brexit, and experience has taught me that there is a lot of ‘bad feeling’ towards us (not ‘us’ as in my wife and I,… Read more »
Luigi,
I agree with G; leave a copy behind of this wonderful key.
Following the thread between you and G, my personal solution was to apply for dual nationality, but then haven’t read through the fine print – if it does exist – of the brexit agreement. Which reminds me of a news item that stated Boris had not read the agreement in its entirety!.
bhi
Far too complicated, Bhi. Before Brexit my wife and daughters, who are English, had dual nationality because of me and could vote in Italian elections as well as British ones.
I don’t know what the situation is now. 🙂
Good luck at your new abode, Luigi. I would have changed the lock and kept that beautiful key.
It is a possibility that didn’t occur to me, Tony. I blame the pressure that moving causes. Anyway, the die is cast as they say.
Cheers. 🙂
Lovely slice of your life, bitter sweet, I enjoyed it… can you not get a copy of the key made? pass that one on and place the nice one in your treasure box? Also I love your taking the door. Thank you Ionicus good read.
It is easy to be wise after the event, Phil. I may have got away with it but it never occurred to me. Glad you enjoyed the read, thanks.
Best, Luigi
Ah I’m sorry I didn’t realise it was all finalised, as you say, and I’ve done it many times myself… “wise after the event”. Take care. Phil.
This verse taught me some things about Brexit i didn’t know. Good luck on your new home, Luigi. I was forced to move back to the Midwest USA from sunny Arizona because i couldn’t pay the mortgage and health insurance on my retirement income so i kind of know what you mean.
There is more to Brexit than meets the eye, Ralph. 🙂
Cheers.