Well I was due to be in Ireland again this week but I've postponed it.

I don't feel it's the right time for me to be making big life-changing decisions about where to settle and live. I am still incredibly raw from my brother's sudden death six months ago and I haven't begun processing the trauma of that yet.

So I'm having a low-key week in bonnie Scotland, which I know well, instead. And then next month a holiday in Thailand, Singapore, and Australia. Possibly Bali too.

I've postponed major decisions on residency until next year.

xx

I found this hopefully it helps people with travel choices.


https😕/www.equaldex.com/issue/hate-crime-protections

Quote from: Tills on September 04, 2025, 11:08:46 PMI've postponed major decisions on residency until next year.

Tills, I am sorry for your loss. I think that waiting for a while to make such a big decision may be a wise move. It is always a good idea to make decisions when you are certain that you are thinking clearly.

Quote from: Athena on September 04, 2025, 11:26:40 PMI found this hopefully it helps people with travel choices.


https😕/www.equaldex.com/issue/hate-crime-protections

Thanks so much Athena. I hadn't seen this one before and it's very helpful.

xx

Quote from: Lori Dee on September 05, 2025, 09:33:22 AMTills, I am sorry for your loss. I think that waiting for a while to make such a big decision may be a wise move. It is always a good idea to make decisions when you are certain that you are thinking clearly.

Thanks Lori Dee: this is so true! Great words.

xx

Well I did go to the north-west of Ireland, after all, and back to Dublin.

It was an interesting experience. I like the Irish people a lot and there's no doubt that it's trans friendly and supportive. In terms of scenery, Scotland it is not. And as a delightful Dublin taxi driver said to me, 'yeah but would you really want to live in County Mayo?'

That's the thing: you're getting a cheaper property but buying into isolation and a pretty run down area. If you opt for something with more pizzazz, you'll pay higher prices accordingly.

As for Thailand, the BBC have just broadcast a 3-part series called 'Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise'.

It's a very good programme, bringing to the surface a lot of the hidden ambiguities about Thailand as well as a lot of the seedy and dark underbelly: much of which is induced by tourists. I'd recommend watching it. If you're abroad you will need to use a good VPN.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002jwhg/thailand-the-dark-side-of-paradise

xx