2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Nov 21st 2009, 1:28 pm
#76
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Helensburgh...the proper one in Scotland
Posts: 947
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Glad you're back where you want to be. Have a buttery for me
Nov 21st 2009, 4:30 pm
#77
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,872
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Good luck and lets hope things are on the up for you from now on!
Nov 21st 2009, 11:21 pm
#79
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Flower Mound Texas
Posts: 242
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
You must be so relieved. Good Luck in the next stage of your adventure...
Nov 22nd 2009, 4:43 am
#80
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,905
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Hi,
Jan good luck back in Scotland, I hope you find everything you have been missing in Australia.
We arrived in WA about the same time as you, so its sad to hear you have left.
Good Luck for the future
Gems
Jan good luck back in Scotland, I hope you find everything you have been missing in Australia.
We arrived in WA about the same time as you, so its sad to hear you have left.
Good Luck for the future
Gems
Nov 22nd 2009, 5:09 am
#81
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Posts: 3,681
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Not had a chance for a buttery yet - but rest assured I will have one soon (and one for you too).
Thanks for all the lovely good luck wishes. My positive head is on and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Even the rain yesterday didn't dampen my mood ~ it just made my hair curly
Think I've not adjusted to UK time yet as I've been checking emails since 5am.
Thanks for all the lovely good luck wishes. My positive head is on and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Even the rain yesterday didn't dampen my mood ~ it just made my hair curly
Think I've not adjusted to UK time yet as I've been checking emails since 5am.
Nov 22nd 2009, 5:16 am
#82
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Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Victoria
Posts: 1,395
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Hi Jan, just heard that you've moved back. Your update post made me well up and I'm happy in Oz!! So glad you are happy. Never really talked on BE but followed your posts on one thread in particular......
Good luck, hope you find jobs and a house quickly!
Good luck, hope you find jobs and a house quickly!
Nov 22nd 2009, 5:44 am
#83
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Posts: 3,681
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Thank you for the good wishes.
Nov 22nd 2009, 7:33 am
#84
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Well at least that trip is over and done with! Glad that you have arrived safe and sound, if a little grubbier than you hoped for (maybe we should add to the list for prospective migrants - always wear black on the trip over!).
All the best for the house and job hunting
All the best for the house and job hunting
Nov 22nd 2009, 1:17 pm
#85
Scottish Canuck
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Auld Scotia > Nova Scotia > Calgary
Posts: 3,703
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Enjoy all the lovely shopping Jan and check up the new Union Mall. Sometimes I wish I could teleport back to Aberdeen on a Saturday afternoon and have lunch with my friends at Bisto Verde at The Green and go shopping. The hustle and bustle and traffic did overwhelm me a bit when I went back in April 09 but I am sure I could get used to it again
Nov 22nd 2009, 4:47 pm
#86
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Posts: 3,681
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Thanks Joyce - the shopping is awesome
Nov 22nd 2009, 9:19 pm
#87
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 402
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Good luck and best wishes, I remember you from our visa application 'waiting' posts (I think you were August 06, I was Sept 06 but Clippies had a few months on the spreadsheet together), have kept an eye on this forum to see if anyone from our timescale is going back to UK but your the first I've seen.
Very best of luck with whatever you decide to do next, enjoy
Wendy (username used to be 'marvinc')
ps, it's a lovely 35 degrees here, enjoy the weather
Very best of luck with whatever you decide to do next, enjoy
Wendy (username used to be 'marvinc')
ps, it's a lovely 35 degrees here, enjoy the weather
Nov 22nd 2009, 9:39 pm
#88
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Posts: 3,681
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Well I think we may have snow forecast for next week......... time to buy gloves I think.
Nov 22nd 2009, 11:50 pm
#89
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: London
Posts: 276
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Thank you for posting an update. It was good to hear that you arrived back safely, even if you didn't have the best journey - at least that is all behind you now.
It must be great being back with family and old friends, especially with the added bonus of Christmas and New Year just a few weeks away.
All the best to you and your family - enjoy the next stage in life's adventure.
It must be great being back with family and old friends, especially with the added bonus of Christmas and New Year just a few weeks away.
All the best to you and your family - enjoy the next stage in life's adventure.
Nov 23rd 2009, 12:29 am
#90
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 112
Re: 2 and a half years in Perth and I'm going home
Okay - here goes - quick(ish) update.
Been offline for a while as after the house sold we moved into temporary accommodation with no internet. Thank heavens for McDonalds wifi - at least I could check my emails.
Left Perth on Thursday afternoon - no big deal as it was rainy and dull. Arrived at the airport and checked in. Think we got the most sour faced moaning bitch on the check in desk. She was reluctant to book our luggage all the way through to Aberdeen as we had booked on 2 separate tickets. One ticket through Singapore Air to London and then a direct flight with BA from London to Aberdeen. Didn't do it deliberately but just couldn't get SA to book us straight through to Aberdeen. - Eventually she checked the luggage all the way through.
Went to the Dome cafe for a coffee and a sandwich as we had skipped lunch on the way to the airport. I bit into my cheese, ham and tomato toastie and the tomato fell out on to my white t shirt. Nice start to the journey
I bought 2 bottles of whisky from the duty free, which we carried on board the flight with no problems. Flight was pleasant enough with a little bit of turbulence (this lead to another spill on the white t shirt - red wine no less). Arrived at Singapore on time with my t shirt looking like I'd been painting with a toddler. Went through customs where they confiscated my whisky as they said it hadn't been properly sealed in Perth
Got to the departure lounge where they announced there were problems with the plane and our flight would be delayed. Over an hour later we got on our way - arriving at London five minutes after our Aberdeen flight had left. 2 hours later (after been given the run around by airport staff who were trying to decide who was responsible for our missed flight) we were back at the BA desk. All our luggage was lost as the bitch from Perth had labelled it for BMI instead of BA. The woman at the desk then told me as I had booked on 2 tickets that SA were not liable to ensure I made my second flight and therefore if I wanted to fly to Aberdeen that day I would have to book and pay for new flights. Exhausted, I said okay then just book them. Almost died when she told me the one way flight to Aberdeen was going to cost us £190 each
The original tickets had cost us £166 for 3 of us. Felt totally ripped off but just wanted "home".
Finally arrived in Aberdeen to 13 degrees and sunshine at 2pm Friday, - 32 hours after checking in at Perth. Delighted to discover they had found our luggage and it was there waiting for us..... Desperately hoped no one was there to meet us as I looked like I hadn't been showered for a week - and was still wearing the multi-stained t shirt...... was still delighted however to see one of our friends waiting with the biggest smile on his face.... priceless!
Picked up our hire car and drove to the Travelodge where we had our much longed for baths and showers. Travelodge is right beside Asda so I had to have a short(ish) shopping trip. LOVE IT LOVE IT - real shopping at bargain prices.
Were now starving so went to the chip shop - pie and chips - heaven.
Seen both of our daughters and had mega hugs - the best feeling in the world - No swimming pool or sunshine can compare to that feeling.
Exhausted we were in bed sleeping by 8.30pm. Wide awake at 4.15am and checking my 168 unread emails.
Now I need to start planning our future - job hunting - house hunting .......
We are so pleased to be home and can't wait to start living our life. No regrets as we now appreciate what is really important to us. We have no house and so far - no income but we slept soundly for the first time in ages.
Been offline for a while as after the house sold we moved into temporary accommodation with no internet. Thank heavens for McDonalds wifi - at least I could check my emails.
Left Perth on Thursday afternoon - no big deal as it was rainy and dull. Arrived at the airport and checked in. Think we got the most sour faced moaning bitch on the check in desk. She was reluctant to book our luggage all the way through to Aberdeen as we had booked on 2 separate tickets. One ticket through Singapore Air to London and then a direct flight with BA from London to Aberdeen. Didn't do it deliberately but just couldn't get SA to book us straight through to Aberdeen. - Eventually she checked the luggage all the way through.
Went to the Dome cafe for a coffee and a sandwich as we had skipped lunch on the way to the airport. I bit into my cheese, ham and tomato toastie and the tomato fell out on to my white t shirt. Nice start to the journey
I bought 2 bottles of whisky from the duty free, which we carried on board the flight with no problems. Flight was pleasant enough with a little bit of turbulence (this lead to another spill on the white t shirt - red wine no less). Arrived at Singapore on time with my t shirt looking like I'd been painting with a toddler. Went through customs where they confiscated my whisky as they said it hadn't been properly sealed in Perth
Got to the departure lounge where they announced there were problems with the plane and our flight would be delayed. Over an hour later we got on our way - arriving at London five minutes after our Aberdeen flight had left. 2 hours later (after been given the run around by airport staff who were trying to decide who was responsible for our missed flight) we were back at the BA desk. All our luggage was lost as the bitch from Perth had labelled it for BMI instead of BA. The woman at the desk then told me as I had booked on 2 tickets that SA were not liable to ensure I made my second flight and therefore if I wanted to fly to Aberdeen that day I would have to book and pay for new flights. Exhausted, I said okay then just book them. Almost died when she told me the one way flight to Aberdeen was going to cost us £190 each
The original tickets had cost us £166 for 3 of us. Felt totally ripped off but just wanted "home".Finally arrived in Aberdeen to 13 degrees and sunshine at 2pm Friday, - 32 hours after checking in at Perth. Delighted to discover they had found our luggage and it was there waiting for us..... Desperately hoped no one was there to meet us as I looked like I hadn't been showered for a week - and was still wearing the multi-stained t shirt...... was still delighted however to see one of our friends waiting with the biggest smile on his face.... priceless!
Picked up our hire car and drove to the Travelodge where we had our much longed for baths and showers. Travelodge is right beside Asda so I had to have a short(ish) shopping trip. LOVE IT LOVE IT - real shopping at bargain prices.
Were now starving so went to the chip shop - pie and chips - heaven.
Seen both of our daughters and had mega hugs - the best feeling in the world - No swimming pool or sunshine can compare to that feeling.
Exhausted we were in bed sleeping by 8.30pm. Wide awake at 4.15am and checking my 168 unread emails.
Now I need to start planning our future - job hunting - house hunting .......
We are so pleased to be home and can't wait to start living our life. No regrets as we now appreciate what is really important to us. We have no house and so far - no income but we slept soundly for the first time in ages.