lgabriel73

Glad things are going so well for you. great to read your post. Obviously you've never driven in the US otherwise you wouldn't be complaining about the UK drivers LOL. I'm moving back on the 16th to West Yorkshire. Its a great part of the country and the people are definitely friendly. When I visit I love the fact that people actually apologize when they get in your way or accidentally bang you, so unlike the US where they just keep going about their life even if you end up on the floor. Looking forward to a better balance in life that there is in the US. More focus on friends and family and being outside in the beautiful English countryside.

MissBetty

Thanks! I try to be balanced about the good and bad as I know how much I relied on other people's 'back home' stories when I was making the move myself!

I have driven in the US, I worked there as a nanny many many years ago and I so hear what you're saying! People here tend to be far more polite on the roads then Oz but it's just the bloody traffic - no matter where I go or what time of day I always find myself stuck in a traffic jam. For example I drove to see a friend in Chichester at 3pm last Weds afternoon - it should have taken 1 hr 40 mins but it took nearly 2 and a half hours due to traffic. The next morning I drove to Portsmouth to go shopping at 10am and yes, stuck in traffic yet again and a 30 min journey turned into just over an hour - grrrrrr!!!

Lucky you moving to Yorkshire, I really like the look of it up there but I don't know anyone up there so my social life would be non existent so I don't see it happening but I might go up there in the summer for a nosy round! Good luck with your move, hope everything works out for you - I'll look out for your updates!

quoll

It's never been 11 months?! Time does fly! Sounds like your job is great!

Funny, but the traffic doesn't bother me one bit - suppose it's because I don't have to be anywhere in a hurry anymore and I get a real buzz out of mways and country roads. I hear you about the whingeing Willies though (I live with one!) - a minor attitude change would go a long way!

Sally Redux

My mum is the worst. Just been Skyping her and I feel like slitting my wrists.

lgabriel73

Us Northerners are so friendly Miss Betty you have plenty of friends in no time at all.

feelbritish

What a great update Miss Betty, nice to hear from you again. I have friends who have retired (like we plan to do) and they have advised us to travel at certain times during the day if you do not need to be anywhere (no school run times or peak office times) and to do all your socialising at lunch time during the week and on weekends they just enjoy their own gardens and neighbourhood. I guess for us folks returning from the "boonies" it takes a bit of getting used to, this traffic bit!

feelbritish

Not sure if you read my other posts but our house is now officially on the market! We are slowly moving closer to our goal!

chris955

Glad you are settling in well, time flies
The comments about traffic made me even happier that we chose were we did to live, traffic jams are very rare up here and driving is a dream compared to Brisbane. Also plenty of places to park for free

MissBetty

Cheers mate yes the traffic is just painful down here and we are at least 90 mins away from London! I have a parking permit that I pay £75 a year for and, during the day, its no problem finding anywhere to park but come 5 pm its a bloody nightmare. When I go out for the day I have to make sure I am back by 4pm or else I drive around for up to 40 mins trying to find somewhere and usually end up parking in a side street about a 20 min walk from my flat!!!

MissBetty

Yes I did read it mate and I am so happy for you! Last time I recall your hubby was dragging his feet a bit, glad to see things are finally moving forward for you!!!

MissBetty

Don't tempt me lol! I have spent the last 6 days home alone, not one phone call or text and I'm so bored! The friends I was going to see have cancelled on me so I can't see my other friends in Portsmouth now either as I was going to see them for a day then move onto the others and its stuffed it all up! Still I am going to see my friend who works on the estate so thats something to look forward to.

Funny isn't it? There's so much advice re meeting a man later in life but none on making friends lol! My Mum gave me a website which organises meet ups and days out for women and I think I'm going to try it out next time I am back from sea. I always wish I could meet up with people from BE in real life - we would certainly have plenty to talk about ha ha!!!!

MissBetty

That made me chuckle! I have banned my Mum from reading the Daily Mail, tbh I would actually rather she read the 'Sun' - its less depressing ha ha!!!

MissBetty

The job is great, I really enjoy it and the money is pretty good too, I am actually am starting to build up my savings again which were completely decimated by my overseas move! Hope all good with your parents and hubby - is he still enjoying the UK? Hope so!

Lorry1

Hi MissBetty,

WOW it sounds like you've certainly been having lots of fun!
Time really does fly, can't believe we've been back about 9 months now and no regrets whatsoever.

Agree about the traffic but all in all that's the only down side we have experienced so far. But then we've done a lot of driving with not much traffic around and it's been lovely. We've been up to Scotland and down to Devon and it was pretty good. You definitely have to time it right.

Good luck if you decide to move again. I think being happy really does have a lot to do with where you live.

Gotta rush off to walk the dog before the youngest finishes school but looking forward to hearing more.

Stay in touch

MissBetty

Hello missus! Just got back from walking my sister's dog with my Mum over the fields, lovely sunny arvo, baby lambs in the fields was fantastic

I like living here but I just like the look of cheaper housing up north, there seems to be a lot more going on plus more open spaces - and less traffic lol! Still I'm not ready for any more upheaval right now so I'll stay put and see what transpires - you never know what's around the corner

Funny thing I was in Tescos this morning and saw some Phish Food ice cream - made me think of you ha ha! Glad things are going well for you too, hope your family are settling back in as well x