The Investment Whisperer
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • World
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • World

The Investment Whisperer

World

British boy who went missing in France for six years says being back home feels ‘surreal’

by admin December 23, 2023
December 23, 2023
British boy who went missing in France for six years says being back home feels ‘surreal’

Alex Batty, a British boy who was found in France after going missing for six years, says it feels “surreal” to be back with his grandmother in the United Kingdom.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper published Thursday, Batty – who is now 17 – said: “Every time I go to sleep, I feel like I’m gonna be waking up back in France. It’s not really kicked in yet that I am back in England.”

The teenager spoke of the six years he spent living in Spain and France after he was taken on holiday by his mother and grandfather in 2017 and didn’t return.

He said that for the first few years away from home, it was like a “vacation,” as he spent most of his time “reading, drawing, (and) going to the beach.”

After he turned 14, however, Batty said that he “started needing to pick up (his) own slack” to pay for food and rent by working in construction, demolition and decoration. He said around this time, he began to start thinking about leaving for England.

“I started weighing up the pros and the cons from each lifestyle and, after a couple of months of contemplation, I realised England was definitely the way forward,” he said. “From the past few years, I could envision my future few years and it just wasn’t the way forward (that) was best for my future.”

Batty said he had a “non-existent social life” while living with his mother and grandfather, saying he only made one friend during the six years abroad.

The teenager said when he decided to leave France to try to reach England, he wrote a note for his mother. “(I) told her how much I loved her, how much I appreciated what she had done for me. I didn’t want her to worry about me,” he said.

He took a warm jacket, his skateboard, and some money for food, and left in the “pitch black” night, where it was “raining quite a lot.” He said he traveled at night, sleeping as little as he could, and in well-lit areas for his safety.

Now back in England, Batty said he is “very happy” and “healthy.” He said he still loves his mother and grandfather and doesn’t want them to worry about him.

“Sorry for leaving but it was necessary for my future,” he said, addressing them in a video posted to The Sun’s website.

“I can take care of myself so you don’t have to worry about any of that,” he added.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
6 historical mysteries that scientists finally cracked in 2023 — and one they didn’t
next post
Nicaragua arrests second bishop as crackdown on Catholic church intensifies

Related Posts

South Korean court orders release of President Yoon...

March 7, 2025

What a historic prisoner swap means for Vladimir...

August 2, 2024

Inside the US effort to bring home two young American...

June 1, 2024

Amanda Knox slander conviction upheld by Italy’s high...

January 24, 2025

Trapped and left for dead, injured Ukrainian soldiers in...

February 20, 2024

Venezuelans have seen this movie before, but Maduro...

July 31, 2024

UN rights chief says both Israel and Hamas...

November 10, 2023

UK lawmakers vote in support of assisted dying

November 30, 2024

Turkey moves closer to endless Erdogan rule as...

March 20, 2025

Rescuers use zip lines and boats to reach...

September 30, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Categories

    • Business (1,402)
    • Investing (3,381)
    • Politics (4,562)
    • World (4,498)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: TheInvestmentWhisperer.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 TheInvestmentWhisperer.com | All Rights Reserved