I Still Call Australia Home

German life is good – but it isn’t home.

This was confirmed to me when I went back to Australia for a short visit. This particular story had its origins back in August 2016 when, coincidentally, two of my Australian clients inquired about the possibility of me doing some work for them during November & December.

Both clients wanted me to present at their respective conferences. Although corporate presentations were my lifeblood when I was living in Australia, that part of my business has been (deliberately) dormant whilst my wife & I explore Europe from our Frankfurt base.

So, when these clients made contact, I saw an opportunity to not only assist them but to also be able to visit some family

& friends at the same time. The tricky part of this was to be able to get both clients to run their events so that I could do both in the one trip.
One client was locked into their dates of end November but the other had some flexibility, so we were, in the end, able to make it work.

So, on 22 November, I boarded a plane in Frankfurt and made my way to Sydney. I was able to stay with a good friend of mine, Steve, who I hadn’t seen for some time. It was good to catch up with him & his partner, as well as an old work colleague

from back in the seventies & eighties, Bob.

I also made a point to catch up with my nephew, Brandon. We had lunch at Bondi Beach & the day was almost picture perfect!

After a few days it was time for me to move out of Steve’s place & into the Four Seasons hotel – where I would be presenting to a group of over 600 people on “Unlo

cking your negotiation genius”. My two & a half hour presentation was well received & my client was very happy with the feedback from my work.

I also got the chance to catch up with my son, his wife & my two Grandchildren. He had moved back from Abu Dhabi (where he was living for 8 years) to Sydney in June. It

was awesome to spend some time with them all – fleeing though it was.

Then I flew up to Brisbane, where I would be presenting for my second client – but not before I had touched base in Brisbane with some former colleagues & friends, as well as some close friends & family on the Gold Coast.

Again, my presentation went well & I was able to chalk up another very happy client!

Whilst on the Gold Coast I was able to stay with my brother & sister

in law & meet my new nephew. Hew was born in September 2015, so this was the first time for me to see him – he’s so cute but with that underlying mischievous streak that boys often have!

Another highlight of this trip was being able to catch up with my daughter, Jasmine, & to meet her new boyfriend for the first time.

Jas & I spent a few days together which was awesome – lots of Dad & daughter hugs were exchanged!

All too soon it was time to go back to Germany but the trip did cement for me that, no matter where I travel to, Australia is where both my heart & my home are.

I was also, once again, reminded as to how fortunate I am to be living the Digital Nomad lifestyle that allows me to move from place to place with a minimum of disruption, enjoying experiences that just add so much to my life tapestry.