Out and about is a column in which we chat with people who currently live abroad or who used to live and work there. This week we chat with Michelle Hayden who lives in Cornwall, England.

Hello Michelle, where in South Africa are you from and why did you decide to go live in Cornwall, England?

I never imagined I would emigrate … Going overseas was meant for holidays! Yet here we are, 11 years later, in England in the UK. What happened was that my husband was unable to get a job after the company he worked at for 18 years was liquidated and closed down. He was older than 50 and didn’t fit any of the BEE requirements. He just could not find work. He then decided to send his CV to the UK. The big decision was made when he was offered a position in Manchester.

Tell us more about your family. How did they handle the emigration process?

Our children were 22, 12 and 10 years old and we were so thankful when our 22-year-old son decided to emigrate with us without a second thought. Packing up the house where we lived for 18 years was definitely sad. And, of course, breaking the news to my dear Mommy and Daddy (at least they were able to come and visit us more than once). We were in Manchester more than six years. Our oldest managed to get a good job and the two younger ones finished school and college there. In the meantime, I fell in love with Cornwall! It has the most beautiful beaches and places. So, when Reece (now 24) announced that he wanted to study at a university in Penryn, Cornwall I told my husband, “What better reason to move to Cornwall!” We have now been in Cornwall for five years. Reece graduated last month and Courteney (22) is in her third year of university in Falmouth. Séan (33) is still in Manchester because he still works for the same company.

I love the architecture, the cathedrals, old churches and the picture-perfect little towns. My children are thriving here! Their chances of doing things here are just so much easier. With his study abroad Reece was in the Netherlands for a year. A wonderful experience for him! 

Do you still speak Afrikaans? How often do you hear other people there who speak Afrikaans?

We are actually English-speaking, but I speak Afrikaans and am fully bilingual (my mother is a Botha!) We speak Afrikaans. In fact, Reece makes me laugh so much, because sometimes he talks like a real Boer!

What do you miss the most of South Africa? What is the one thing you wish you could have packed into your bag and brought with you when you emigrated?

I miss my dear Mommy and Daddy the most, obviously (my dear dad passed away in 2020.) I miss Mom every day, but at least we talk every day. And yes, the South African summers! As a friend who also emigrated said: You miss the familiarity of everything you used to know in South Africa … It is the truth.

How does the accommodation options in England compare with that in South Africa?

Accommodation in England can be a huge adjustment! You go from a huge house/yard in South Africa to a much smaller place in England. The cost of one’s rent depends on where you live. Renting in Cornwall is somewhat cheaper than in some other places.

What is an interesting thing about Cornwall that is not general knowledge?

Cornwall is well-known for its writers and art. It is, as they say, “very artsy”. Enid Blyton and Daphne du Maurier were two well-known writers from Cornwall. 

My favourite places in our area are Falmouth, St. Ives, Portreath (where we lived for a while) and Truro (Cornwall’s capital). Falmouth is a beach town and a university town, which means there is always a great vibe. I would really love to live in Falmouth – it has plenty of small, interesting shops, restaurants, etc. There is also a South African restaurant called Amanzi. Our favourite, of course! It is also very popular among the locals!

How did you experience the emigration process to England?

Our immigration process was easier than most others’ because my husband has an Irish passport. We just decided to embrace the changes. (Even the cold winters!)

What is the biggest difference when you compare your life there to your life in South Africa?

The biggest difference for us as a family, was/is that everything functions properly here. It is easy and convenient to get on buses, trains and trams! AND this needs to be said: we (I) felt SAFE! It is absolutely wonderful to live without burglar bars, alarms, security beams, etc.  

Is there a South African shop close to you, and if so, what is the shop’s name?

As you probably know, there are many South African shops in England. We use Bob’s Biltong in Manchester. THE best and tastiest boerewors and biltong!

How do you and your family plan to celebrate Christmas? Do you have new traditions?

We will visit Trevaskis Farm for the fifth consecutive year for our Christmas lunch! It is always great, very affordable and a lot of fun! I must admit I love this time of the year here. Christmas is incredible. We’ve also had two or three white Christmases. Oh, and we love the snow! It brings out your inner child.

ALSO READ: an email from Northern Cyprus

Write to us

Do you live or work abroad or did you recently return from abroad? You can also write us an Out and about column. Send an email to wereldwyd@afriforum.co.za and we will send you the questions you have to answer.