Giantaxe

And I complain my retired brother and partner haven't been here for six years!

I'm down to those two and one other close relative in the UK. I'm very likely to concentrate on friends on my next UK trip, plus visiting places I'd like to see. Although I wouldn't do a completely "secret" trip, I definitely think I will say "I'm at place xx and would like to see you there" to my brother.

penguinsix

Well I'm back home again in Hong Kong now, after a 34 hour 'day' of two flights routing through Dubai in the middle of a worldwide terror travel alert.

Our second week, when we went away from our house and our 'friends', things got quite a bit better. I stayed with my father and didn't have to run around as much to meet up with folks, in large part due to the fact he lives in a town that is only 2 miles x 2 miles. I think one of the frustrating bits about our return was that in Hong Kong everyone is 5 minutes away whereas in our house in the USA everyone is a 30+ minute commute through miserable traffic and suburbs. This trip definitely opened our eyes about how much we have to drive (and also about the large portions of American meals--we left so much on the table the waiters were worried we thought something tasted bad).

Next trip won't be in secret, but we're going to have a more "you come to us" attitude. Several people we couldn't meet because they were insisting on rather specific times we just couldn't do given the jet lag naps we were taking.

Jan Alaska

Only my kids have visited since I moved here in 2001, my mother didn't like the idea of the flight and "all that violence" (watched too much tv) I'm not real close to my brother so I wouldn't expect a visit from him either. Now the kidlets have all flown the nest I have more chances to visit the UK, needless to say I don't feel the need to spend time with my brother and we catch up with the kids depending on our itinerary.

ScousePete

Every trip back I add a buffer in London. Generally 3 days on the way in and 3 days on the way out. The time in between is a non-stop family/friend fest, but the beginnings and ends are bliss.

Sue

No haven't tried it, but I know exactly how you feel and have considered it myself. There is so much to see and do in the UK that I would like to be able to fit in, and play tourist for a change.

Pulaski

FIFY

Sue

Sheepdip

Well just got back from two weeks of non stop appointments with friends and families. Holiday? It was blooming exhausting!! And we still didn't meet up with everyone we probably should have - well I guess that's an excuse for another trip!

g1ant

My trips back are usually pretty hectic, but I tack a few days in Prague on the end to chill and have a few beers.

I have established a pattern when I go for a few beers with mates in Sheffield. The one that never buys a round is told that we are meeting at 9pm in the Fat Cat. And I meet with everyone else in a different pub at 7pm. Works like a charm. I just have to remember not to check in on Facebook.

Nutek

My visits involve arriving at my parents place and us doing a damn good impression of the Royale Family until it's time for me to come home again.

Pulaski

Royle Family?

Nutek

Yes. I suck at the speeling.

g1ant

Royale Family, my arse.

Sally Redux

Did you help strip the wallpaper?

Nutek

A little bit of Monica in my life. A little bit of Erica by my side. A little bit of Rita is all I need. A little bit of Tina is what I see. A little bit of Sandra in the sun.....