Tag Archives: Brexit

Stranded in Poland

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Beate Metz

My son, 16, was left stranded at the Polish airport last night. He went through border control but was stopped by a gate assistant who demanded to see his Settlement status.  Let me highlight that he is still Polish on … Continue reading →

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The one true love of my life…

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Beate Metz

Cologne university, 1992, it was my final exam of English. “So, what do you want to do after your studies?” was the last question my lecturer asked me. “I want to live in England”, I replied, proudly. “That is not … Continue reading →

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Separated from partner with critical illness

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Beate Metz

My mum is 84. Her life partner is French and lives in France. They have always taken it in turns to stay with each other, with gaps in between, so they can each live in the same country as their … Continue reading →

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Still in limbo…

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Beate Metz

I went to Paris in June for 3 days and on the day of my return,  I was denied boarding at the airport by Easyjet claiming that they got instructions from the Home Office not to let me return. I … Continue reading →

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The roots that will endure…

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Beate Metz

Imagine if you were a frightened 10 year old boy, fleeing with your elder brother and parents in a hastily-packed Army Staff Car across a war-torn landscape, passing scattered groups of weary, bedraggled, defeated soldiers…. Continue reading →

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Neighbours and Friends

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Beate Metz

I have the best next door neighbours who are from Romania, they’ve been here 4 years and moved in next door about 2 years ago. I have never felt the need to learn another language but I’m learning through Google … Continue reading →

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REFLECTIONS

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Beate Metz

These are some of my thoughts on the UK leaving the EU. I live in the Netherlands and have done so since the year 2000. I continue to live here and I will most likely stay. I am single so … Continue reading →

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Like a Poppy in the Storm

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Beate Metz

When I first moved to the UK I was apprehensive, because of my country’s history, how would people see me? On Armistice Day I met a veteran, he asked why I didn’t wear a poppy and I explained that it … Continue reading →

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Moving back. It is not so easy anymore.

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Beate Metz

We departed London in February 2009 for an adventure, living and working in Switzerland and subsequently in The Netherlands where we still live today. The locations were determined by my work. My wife was born in The Netherlands to a … Continue reading →

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Like a Divorce…

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Beate Metz

France was my home for seventeen years, then a second home for ten. I moved there, having dreamed of doing so since I first visited when I was six. I moved with my husband and dog, and not much money, … Continue reading →

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For the love of Karol…

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Beate Metz

I used to be happy in Poland. Married with 3 children our apartment was not big, but with the little we had I turned it into a loving home for the 5 of us and in all those years we … Continue reading →

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Bursting the Bubble

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Beate Metz

Picture the scene: 25 years. For 25 years we were rubbing along quite happily. I say that, but if I’m honest, the last 5 years or so were somewhat wobbly, to say the least. And yet. When that morning came, … Continue reading →

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