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A Jersey-born country musician, known locally as the Pink Cowgirl, has opened up about her reasons for leaving the island she calls home after her poetic goodbye gained online attention.
Dina Lynn posted the poem on Facebook last week as a farewell to her friends before she relocated to Scotland with her husband.
The poem reached much further than Dina's personal friend list, with the post being 'liked' around 200 times and shared more than 80 times by islanders who felt the that Dina's words resonated with them.
Her poem, entitled 'I'm Leaving', reads:
Dina told Express she was "really shocked" at the response her poem had received, noting that she had posted poetry and song lyrics online before but that "nothing has ever gained as much attention as this."
"I think I just hit a nerve with a lot of people, as the topic of the poem is something that is very relevant at the moment."
Dina was born in Jersey and grew up on the island until she was 18, when she moved to Cambridge. She then later returned to her birthplace when her first son was one, as she wanted him to grow up in Jersey too.
She admitted she never thought she'd be leaving Jersey again.
However, health difficulties over the past few years, coupled with rising costs of living have meant that Dina and her husband felt that they have no other choice and have now completed their move to Scotland.
Speaking from Callander in Stirling, Dina said: "After suffering from three strokes last year, it was such a struggle spending literally all of our money on food and petrol.
"We've only been in Scotland for a few days but have already noticed a huge difference in prices.
Pictured: Local musician Dina is more commonly known as the Pink Cowgirl.
"The final straw came in Jersey when I went to the shop and bought a few tins of beans and a carton of milk. It amounted to over £7 -- and that was just for the bare essentials!"
She added: "Even without considering the rising prices, the island is just not the Jersey I recognise anymore.
"There is a nine-story block of flats where my childhood house was.
"There used to be trees and grass, but now I don't know where the kids who live there play."
Dina and her husband, Les, are both musicians and have also struggled with the number of music venues in Jersey that have closed since the pandemic.
In addition, they struggled with how difficult it is to leave the island to perform gigs with flight and ferry cancellations becoming increasingly common.
Even when trying to leave the island, Dina found it hugely difficult to book a removals firm as so many people were also trying to relocate.
Dina is glad that it will now be easier to travel abroad from her new home, particularly as she is planning on going to America next month where she has been nominated for four ISSA country music awards.
Pictured: Dina will be representing Jersey once again at the ISSA Awards in Atlanta, Georgia.
Although she was reluctant to leave behind her family and friends, Dina is enjoying her new life in Callander so far.
She says that the it "seems like a really lovely place" with "stunning views and kind people".
She added that she is especially enjoying the price of a pint and a gin and tonic at her new local pub, but can't wait to be back to Jersey to visit soon.
Over the coming months, Express will be continuing its focus on how islanders are being affected by the rising cost of living locally.
Are you feeling the pinch? Are you leaving the island or know someone who is? We want to hear your story, and are happy to speak in confidence.
Email editor@bailiwickexpress.com.
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