After travelling around the south, we headed to Perth to introduce Paul to other friends of mine who lived in Perth, then to Kalgoorlie to visit & stay with my best friend for a week. I used to own a hotel in a remote Goldfields town of Menzies, during my time there I got very friendly with many of the First Nation population. While we were in the Goldfields, I took Paul to Menzies to visit my First Nation friends& we had a lovely time with them. Paul by this stage had decided he loved Australia!

We were into the 3rd month of his stay here & we knew that we didn't want to part again. So, we started reading the immigration process & deciding what our future would be. Paul also rang around Immigration Agents finding out information.

We found that Paul could apply as my partner if we lived defacto for a year. Paul applied for a year's visa to come live with me in September 2010. We had a great year living together. We get on very well and like a lot of the same things. While Paul has continued to run his UK business, he has also been on hand for advice. We have discussed future business plans, and his becoming a partner in my business Attitude e-media, and the possibility in opening a Web Shop in Mandurah.

Paul & I were judges at the Australia Web Awards for 6 years, and we were invited to breakfast with the formal Premier of Tasmania & the Mayor of Mandurah to discuss the new NBN proposed for the Mandurah area.

Just before we went back to the UK (the end of Pauls 1 year visa), my dog tore his left cruciate ligament & required surgery and full-on care and rehabilitation. I don't know how I would have coped without Paul. My dog loves Paul, they get on so very well! He allowed Paul to change dressings, give him rehab exercises & give him medication. He lifted him in & out of cars for me & my dog felt quite comfortable being with him.

In September 2011 Paul's visa expired & he had to go home. We didn't want to say goodbye to each other again, so I decided to go. We also used it as an opportunity to decide conclusively where we wanted to settle together, as we had decided we weren't going to part again. Within a few days of being away from Australia, we had decided that our hearts belong in Mandurah in our home living with our dog & close to friends and family.

Paul had proposed to me many times over the years, but I had always said no because I was happy with the way things were between us. While we were in England Paul proposed again, and that time I said "yes" because this time it felt right.

And the romance continues...