6 years in.....
Aug 17th 2013, 11:08 pm
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
6 years in.....
Today is the 5th anniversary of our arrival, all fresh-faced and smiling, despite arriving at 6am.
We have not really done as much as many out here seem to do, but we have bought a house (after 8 months in a horrible mouldy rental next to a trainline), become citizens, and celebrated our silver wedding.
I'd like to have done more, but the funds got eaten up with medical bills due to my unexpected diagnosis of MS about 6 months after we arrived, and having to go back to the UK for dad's funeral.
However, life moves on, and DD is about to finish school, and go to Uni. OH is enjoying his job despite the long hours, and I'm still not doing much......
We have not really done as much as many out here seem to do, but we have bought a house (after 8 months in a horrible mouldy rental next to a trainline), become citizens, and celebrated our silver wedding.
I'd like to have done more, but the funds got eaten up with medical bills due to my unexpected diagnosis of MS about 6 months after we arrived, and having to go back to the UK for dad's funeral.
However, life moves on, and DD is about to finish school, and go to Uni. OH is enjoying his job despite the long hours, and I'm still not doing much......
Aug 21st 2013, 4:39 am
#2
Not actually a squirrel
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: England
Posts: 3,446
re: 6 years in.....
Happy Anniversary.
Would you do it all again?
Would you do it all again?
Aug 21st 2013, 5:40 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: London
Posts: 276
re: 6 years in.....
Today is the 5th anniversary of our arrival, all fresh-faced and smiling, despite arriving at 6am.
We have not really done as much as many out here seem to do, but we have bought a house (after 8 months in a horrible mouldy rental next to a trainline), become citizens, and celebrated our silver wedding.
I'd like to have done more, but the funds got eaten up with medical bills due to my unexpected diagnosis of MS about 6 months after we arrived, and having to go back to the UK for dad's funeral.
However, life moves on, and DD is about to finish school, and go to Uni. OH is enjoying his job despite the long hours, and I'm still not doing much......
We have not really done as much as many out here seem to do, but we have bought a house (after 8 months in a horrible mouldy rental next to a trainline), become citizens, and celebrated our silver wedding.
I'd like to have done more, but the funds got eaten up with medical bills due to my unexpected diagnosis of MS about 6 months after we arrived, and having to go back to the UK for dad's funeral.
However, life moves on, and DD is about to finish school, and go to Uni. OH is enjoying his job despite the long hours, and I'm still not doing much......
Do you have any regrets or are you glad you made the move?
Aug 21st 2013, 6:35 am
#4
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,862
re: 6 years in.....
Today is the 5th anniversary of our arrival, all fresh-faced and smiling, despite arriving at 6am.
We have not really done as much as many out here seem to do, but we have bought a house (after 8 months in a horrible mouldy rental next to a trainline), become citizens, and celebrated our silver wedding.
I'd like to have done more, but the funds got eaten up with medical bills due to my unexpected diagnosis of MS about 6 months after we arrived, and having to go back to the UK for dad's funeral.
However, life moves on, and DD is about to finish school, and go to Uni. OH is enjoying his job despite the long hours, and I'm still not doing much......
We have not really done as much as many out here seem to do, but we have bought a house (after 8 months in a horrible mouldy rental next to a trainline), become citizens, and celebrated our silver wedding.
I'd like to have done more, but the funds got eaten up with medical bills due to my unexpected diagnosis of MS about 6 months after we arrived, and having to go back to the UK for dad's funeral.
However, life moves on, and DD is about to finish school, and go to Uni. OH is enjoying his job despite the long hours, and I'm still not doing much......
here's to the next 5 
Aug 21st 2013, 10:04 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
re: 6 years in.....
Thank you all - yes, I'd do it again. Although my life is only slightly different here, it is the MS that has stopped it being what it should be. For me, it is worth it because my OH is so much happier, and DD is thriving instead of being the outcast/bullied because she is quirky. I'd have MS in the UK, only it probably wouldn't have been diagnosed and I'd still be put down as neurotic, and all my teeth would have rotted!!
DD reckons she is asian- fits in well here!!!
DD reckons she is asian- fits in well here!!!
Aug 21st 2013, 11:56 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 457
re: 6 years in.....
Thank you all - yes, I'd do it again. Although my life is only slightly different here, it is the MS that has stopped it being what it should be. For me, it is worth it because my OH is so much happier, and DD is thriving instead of being the outcast/bullied because she is quirky. I'd have MS in the UK, only it probably wouldn't have been diagnosed and I'd still be put down as neurotic, and all my teeth would have rotted!!
DD reckons she is asian- fits in well here!!!
DD reckons she is asian- fits in well here!!!
Congratulations on your citizenship.
Aug 24th 2013, 11:37 am
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
re: 6 years in.....
I'd had a new kitchen and bathroom put into my UK home - nothing like the cost or palaver that it is here, despite knocking through to make one big room instead of a separate kitchen and dining room. The house had had new windows, a new boiler, new soffits and fascias, a new patio, new carpets, an extension so we had a downstairs cloakroom and made the hall wider, and was freshly decorated. Then we came here, and are starting all over again!!
Aug 14th 2014, 4:11 am
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
re: 6 years in.....
6 years now!!! My how time flies.
Aug 14th 2014, 2:18 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: London
Posts: 276
re: 6 years in.....
Indeed, how time flies. I hope you're still having fun.
Our Australian adventure has come to an end (for the time being) after 8 eventful years. We escaped about 6 weeks ago and it feels so good to be back, although it's not so good that my first born is still in Oz with a year of uni left to finish. Middle child came with us and is restarting med school here at the end of next month and luckily the youngest has been successful in getting a place at the school at the top of our wish list! London is booming and until the last few days we have been blessed with beautiful summer weather. So far, so good.
Anyway, all the best to you and your family for the next 6 years and beyond.
Our Australian adventure has come to an end (for the time being) after 8 eventful years. We escaped about 6 weeks ago and it feels so good to be back, although it's not so good that my first born is still in Oz with a year of uni left to finish. Middle child came with us and is restarting med school here at the end of next month and luckily the youngest has been successful in getting a place at the school at the top of our wish list! London is booming and until the last few days we have been blessed with beautiful summer weather. So far, so good.
Anyway, all the best to you and your family for the next 6 years and beyond.
Aug 18th 2014, 4:57 am
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
re: 6 years in.....
Yup- apart from the destructive wildlife, which has just decimated my freesias, daffodils and succulents, just as they were at their blooming loveliest.
Getting new double glazed windows in the bedrooms as our Aussieversary present. Fingers crossed they get installed next week. (We ordered them in early May.)
Getting new double glazed windows in the bedrooms as our Aussieversary present. Fingers crossed they get installed next week. (We ordered them in early May.)
Aug 18th 2014, 11:50 am
#12
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,862
re: 6 years in.....
Yup- apart from the destructive wildlife, which has just decimated my freesias, daffodils and succulents, just as they were at their blooming loveliest.
Getting new double glazed windows in the bedrooms as our Aussieversary present. Fingers crossed they get installed next week. (We ordered them in early May.)
Getting new double glazed windows in the bedrooms as our Aussieversary present. Fingers crossed they get installed next week. (We ordered them in early May.)
Aug 18th 2014, 12:24 pm
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,695
re: 6 years in.....
Just read your update from 2013 Caroline. I didn't realise you had MS, and to get it after arriving in Oz too must have been a challenging experience for you.
I just want to say well done to you for coping with what life had to throw at you and even after all the crap you've had to deal with, you've still managed to hold it together and find happiness there. All the best for the future Mrs!
I just want to say well done to you for coping with what life had to throw at you and even after all the crap you've had to deal with, you've still managed to hold it together and find happiness there. All the best for the future Mrs!
Aug 22nd 2014, 11:37 am
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
re: 6 years in.....
Dangit- new windows NOT happening next week due to the installers being deported!!! Turns out that the firm employs Brits since they know how to install UPVC double glazing "properly" as they said, but one of them had a problem with his visa that didn't get sorted in time and is now back in blighty whilst it gets sorted out. Going to be September 22nd before they get installed.
Aug 29th 2014, 9:53 am
#15
Chan eil aon chànan gu le
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: On the ning nang nong
Posts: 22,437
re: 6 years in.....
Dangit- new windows NOT happening next week due to the installers being deported!!! Turns out that the firm employs Brits since they know how to install UPVC double glazing "properly" as they said, but one of them had a problem with his visa that didn't get sorted in time and is now back in blighty whilst it gets sorted out. Going to be September 22nd before they get installed.
xxx