Are simple things the best?

We don't have a thanksgiving holiday where I come from – and in some ways, it's a pity. It's easy to take for granted the way things are, and forget that we have a lot to be thankful for.

Travelling overseas is a fantastic way of putting your own life in perspective. Moving countries semi-permanently – from Australia to the UK – has certainly pointed out to me many things of which I take no notice on a daily basis.

For instance, I say 'overseas' when I mean 'international'. Not everyone's country is surrounded by water. For me, travelling means planes and passports. Here in Europe, people can drive to a dozen other countries with just an ID card. That's pretty cool.

Lindisfarne Castle in Northumberland

In Australia, most people live by the sea. We're an urbanised lot, on the whole – sure, we have the outback and all that Steve Irwin stuff, but most people don't live there. The sea means swimming and barbecues, not chilly wind and warm clothes. The sea is blue, not grey. And we Aussies certainly take the weather for granted.

Here in northern England? Do that at your peril. I wear what I call 'winter clothes' pretty much all year round. It's the thing I'm most looking forward to about going home next month: proper, honest-to-god WARMTH. Sorry, Northumberland, but you just don't have that here. I'll be able to throw away those vitamin D pills. Yay!

The other thing? Crowds. In Australia, we might not realise it, but we have loads of room. The rest of the world is a crowded place. Whatever you're doing, be it driving, shopping, eating out or just walking in the street – you're always in someone else's way. It's quite a shock.

I've had a lovely time in England, and the people are so friendly. I'm going to miss it! But when people here say to me 'You're not from around here, are you?' and I say, 'No' – I say it with a little warm fuzzy feeling of pride – but also with gratitude, for all the things we take for granted that other people just don't have. And with a twinge of sadness, because it's lovely here and soon I'll have to leave.

But I have to admit that when I get home, to my big house in its quiet street, and that stinking hot Aussie summer – I'm leaving for home in a few weeks, did I mention that?? – I'll be feeling pretty good. I've got much to be thankful for.

So what everyday things are you thankful for in your part of the world?