Guernsey Press

Guernsey Pom on ITV

AFTER a washout of an Easter weekend, it's perhaps not too difficult to understand why Guernsey woman Claire Keeling swapped the northern hemisphere for the southern and has made her home in Sydney, Australia.

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AFTER a washout of an Easter weekend, it's perhaps not too difficult to understand why Guernsey woman Claire Keeling swapped the northern hemisphere for the southern and has made her home in Sydney, Australia.

'I love the outdoor life here,' she explains.

'The people are really friendly - it's so easy to meet new people and it's a very social place.

'I love the scenery and beaches around Manly, where I live.'

And it's that sun-soaked, healthy, outdoor lifestyle that has landed Claire a starring role in the hit ITV show Poms in Paradise.

'In the English sweetshop in Manly, the show was advertising for people who were from the UK and were getting married. I was bridesmaid for my friend who is English and was getting married, so I thought they might be interested in her story.

'Turns out they had filled that episode. I told them I had started doing triathlons and they thought it would make for a good story.'

Claire, who was born and grew up in Guernsey, went to Notre Dame School and then Ladies' College.

After leaving Hertfordshire University with a degree in tourism management she returned to the island and worked at Viva Travel for a year before moving to a private bank.

'I moved to Australia in 2004. I came here in 1999 and loved Sydney.

'I lived in Tooting Bec in London for four years, working in HR, but always planned to make a home in Sydney.

'I loved the lifestyle, the people, the weather and the city itself is beautiful.

'I also had my sister living in Sydney at the time with her hubbie and two kids, so that was another attraction.'

Claire, who has always loved sport and played tennis and badminton when she lived in Guernsey, took part in her first triathlon last February.

As this was the aspect that the Poms in Paradise producers were interested in, they wanted to catch her in action during an actual event.

'They came to my house in Manly and filmed and interviewed me about my life in Australia and how it differs to my life in London and Guernsey.

'Then they filmed me doing a training run along Manly Beach.'

The triathlon was held at Callala Beach near Jervis Bay, a four-hour drive from Sydney.

'About 900 people took part and it was one of the smaller races that are held. Callala Beach is just gorgeous.'

Claire was staying with eight friends, who were also taking part in the triathlon.

'The crew filmed us having a spa in the afternoon and making and eating our carb-loaded dinner.

'They came the next morning as we were getting our gear ready for the race.'

They then followed Claire as she went through the gruelling event.

'The worst bit was that I crossed the finish line after a sprint finish and was so tired that I just needed a minute to get myself together and drink some water, but the cameraman was there with the camera already in my face before I could catch my breath.'

The healthy life must come with the territory, as Claire did another two triathlons in January and March.

'The January one was bigger than the first one. A 1,500m swim - in Sydney Harbour, with the bull sharks - a 40km bike ride and a 10km run. I had been training since December for that one. It usually takes a good four months or so of training.'

But her regime paid off for the race filmed for Poms in Paradise.

'I did my goal time of 1hr 28mins. The one I did in March was 1hr 26mins. My friend does them in 1hr 20mins.

'My friends usually beat me by a few minutes, but we're all pretty close.'

One of the biggest obstacles is the heat.

'You get used to it. The races I have done have been in around 25 to 26 degree heat, so not too bad.

'I did the 20km run of the Husky Long Course Triathlon in a team and by the time my friend had finished the bike part, so that I could run, it was 12.30pm, the hottest part of the day. It got up to 32 degrees.

'That was a tough one.'

In between taking part in triathlons, life is good in Manly and Claire enjoys her job in HR.

And there are always the occasional, familiar reminders of Guernsey.

'Simon Freeman is another Guern I see occasionally and Jimmy Hayes. They both went to Elizabeth College.'

There are, however, a few things she misses.

'I have no regrets about moving over here, though I do miss friends and family in Guernsey and Warry's bread and the Guernsey Press.

'The beaches around Manly are a great place for training rides and runs and swimming. It's all kitted out for triathlon training - except for the sharks. I love the healthy lifestyle that comes with living on the Northern Beaches.'

Claire will be swapping islands soon, but only briefly - she comes back to Guernsey for a visit in May.

'Most of my family are still in Guernsey, except one brother who lives in Thailand and another who lives in Ireland.

'I came home last year and try to go back yearly.

'I'll be spending lots of time with my three nieces and three nephews and of course the rest of the family.

'I'll catch up with some friends, too, and will continue with the training at Beau Sejour and some running around the beautiful coastline.

'Don't think I'll brave the sea, though.'

Claire loved taking part in Poms in Paradise - and so did her friends.

'It was really fun being filmed at the event as people were coming up and asking what I was being filmed for.

'My friends were all interviewed at the finishing line, too.

'We don't get ITV here in Australia so I have to rely on someone recording it for me so I can see it when I come over in May.'

There is one last question every Pom who now lives in paradise has to answer: Marmite or Vegemite?

'Marmite every time,' said Claire. 'Vegemite just isn't right.'

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