16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Jun 10th 2005, 9:30 am
#46
forever hopeful
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: oh,i don't flippin know, why ask me
Posts: 1,879
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
(not enough to want to live here though)
wondered about that. does it make you sad to think you will be leaving again at all, or are you really happy to think about getting home.
sorry if this sems to bring things down. i was just wondering how you view the two places seeing as you have been away so long. does it get easier with time or do you still have the 'pull' of the UK.
wondered about that. does it make you sad to think you will be leaving again at all, or are you really happy to think about getting home.
sorry if this sems to bring things down. i was just wondering how you view the two places seeing as you have been away so long. does it get easier with time or do you still have the 'pull' of the UK.
Jun 10th 2005, 9:43 am
#47
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 315
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
Good point Don, and one that I take onboard. One tangible very noticable difference in this Galley hill estate, in Mkeynes, which I know well from the past. Last time I was here circa 89, the local shop(s) had boarded up windows, to stop vandals smashing them, Those boards were not there when I lived here briefly in the late 70's. This time around, the boards have gone, the shops look clean, and the people in the estate look freindly. Strange how the place can go from good, when new, to bad, and now back to good. It's a personal observation, However I base a lot on this and use these pointers to show how things have improved in England.
Really enjoying this trip.
(not enough, to want to live here though
)
Really enjoying this trip.
(not enough, to want to live here though
)The last line clinches it!!
I have felt a bit like a salmon swimming upstream at times. Many other posters have been saying how disillusioned they are with the Uk but after being away for 5 years we couldn't believe how much the place had improved. More wealthy, cheaper, money pumped into schools, more caring attitude towards the rest of the world and fabulous supermarkets!!
Our visas were a done deal; we have to go to Australia to avoid later regrets and "What could it have been like?" thoughts...
Your last comment gives me hope!!
Jun 10th 2005, 10:49 am
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by NKSK
The last line clinches it!!
I have felt a bit like a salmon swimming upstream at times. Many other posters have been saying how disillusioned they are with the Uk but after being away for 5 years we couldn't believe how much the place had improved. More wealthy, cheaper, money pumped into schools, more caring attitude towards the rest of the world and fabulous supermarkets!!
Our visas were a done deal; we have to go to Australia to avoid later regrets and "What could it have been like?" thoughts...
Your last comment gives me hope!!
I have felt a bit like a salmon swimming upstream at times. Many other posters have been saying how disillusioned they are with the Uk but after being away for 5 years we couldn't believe how much the place had improved. More wealthy, cheaper, money pumped into schools, more caring attitude towards the rest of the world and fabulous supermarkets!!
Our visas were a done deal; we have to go to Australia to avoid later regrets and "What could it have been like?" thoughts...
Your last comment gives me hope!!
Mind every last person I speak with here has a great amount of debt, this is a huge fear for them with every increase in interest rates. A lot of living for NOW. So maybe all that glitters is not always gold, at some point this wealth could crumble, who is to say.
M
Jun 10th 2005, 10:53 am
#49
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 360
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by Merlot
Mind every last person I speak with here has a great amount of debt
Jun 10th 2005, 11:17 am
#50
Banned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,432
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Blame the Yankee-Doodle-Dandies for NASDAQ boom, bubble, bust then low interest rates. Blame a gullible world for believing them or a greedy world for listening to them.
Jun 10th 2005, 6:17 pm
#51
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Stayed around MK today, we were supposed to be doing a day trip to london, however my 7 year old, got invited to his cousins school. We can do London later. Found the school incredibly formal compared to the State school he goes to in Melbourne. He enjoyed the expereince though, talking about aspects of life in Aussie to the class, showing them money, and talking about snakes and spiders etc.
Whilst he was there, took myself of to buy a sd media card for my camera, after a quick browse on the net, found they were on special at lidl (a bit like an aldi supermarket) The 256 meg one at 25.00 quid was sold out, else where they seem to range from 33.00 quid upwards. Bit suprised at this I thought the UK was going to be cheaper on all these types of consumables from tv's through washing machines cameras etc, on the two or three times I've had a look so far, Currys, comet, argos, even Tescos, looks like prices could well be cheaper in Aussie after all, IE: you can always find a dvd player in aussie at say strathfeild, or even coles or safeway, for less than 70 bucks, cheapest I've seen here has been about 28 quid. 256 meg cards in most comp shops in Aussie (not harvey norman !!!!) just a small corner one, will come in at around 80 bucks, I think ?
The crowded narrow roads, around Bletchley and Stony Stratford which seemed so quaint at first, are now getting annoying.
Spain next wednesday, our own space (no more living out of a suitcase, will have our own wardrobes) and we are now counting the days. 16 Degrees here in mk today, I beleive it was around 18 in Melbourne, ?? Mind you I really am loving these long daylight hours.
Another positive note to finish on, wonder which beer I shall drink tonight, the choice seems limitless
Oh one other factor, everywhere I've gone here, people have those sky digi boxes, out of the people I know back in Aussie, I'd say only 2 to 3 in ten have foxtel, I wonder if that is down to the long winters here in England, and people having to stay at home, or other factors, or am I mixing in different circles in the two countries ??
I've also noticed on past posts on this bbs, people commenting on the language or the attitude on Aussie TV, I dont think they have the kind of access to porn on foxtel that they do on sky though !!! (or do they ??)
Whilst he was there, took myself of to buy a sd media card for my camera, after a quick browse on the net, found they were on special at lidl (a bit like an aldi supermarket) The 256 meg one at 25.00 quid was sold out, else where they seem to range from 33.00 quid upwards. Bit suprised at this I thought the UK was going to be cheaper on all these types of consumables from tv's through washing machines cameras etc, on the two or three times I've had a look so far, Currys, comet, argos, even Tescos, looks like prices could well be cheaper in Aussie after all, IE: you can always find a dvd player in aussie at say strathfeild, or even coles or safeway, for less than 70 bucks, cheapest I've seen here has been about 28 quid. 256 meg cards in most comp shops in Aussie (not harvey norman !!!!) just a small corner one, will come in at around 80 bucks, I think ?
The crowded narrow roads, around Bletchley and Stony Stratford which seemed so quaint at first, are now getting annoying.
Spain next wednesday, our own space (no more living out of a suitcase, will have our own wardrobes) and we are now counting the days. 16 Degrees here in mk today, I beleive it was around 18 in Melbourne, ?? Mind you I really am loving these long daylight hours.
Another positive note to finish on, wonder which beer I shall drink tonight, the choice seems limitless
Oh one other factor, everywhere I've gone here, people have those sky digi boxes, out of the people I know back in Aussie, I'd say only 2 to 3 in ten have foxtel, I wonder if that is down to the long winters here in England, and people having to stay at home, or other factors, or am I mixing in different circles in the two countries ??
I've also noticed on past posts on this bbs, people commenting on the language or the attitude on Aussie TV, I dont think they have the kind of access to porn on foxtel that they do on sky though !!! (or do they ??)
Jun 10th 2005, 6:24 pm
#52
forever hopeful
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: oh,i don't flippin know, why ask me
Posts: 1,879
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
Stayed around MK today, we were supposed to be doing a day trip to london, however my 7 year old, got invited to his cousins school. We can do London later. Found the school incredibly formal compared to the State school he goes to in Melbourne. He enjoyed the expereince though, talking about aspects of life in Aussie to the class, showing them money, and talking about snakes and spiders etc.
Whilst he was there, took myself of to buy a sd media card for my camera, after a quick browse on the net, found they were on special at lidl (a bit like an aldi supermarket) The 256 meg one at 25.00 quid was sold out, else where they seem to range from 33.00 quid upwards. Bit suprised at this I thought the UK was going to be cheaper on all these types of consumables from tv's through washing machines cameras etc, on the two or three times I've had a look so far, Currys, comet, argos, even Tescos, looks like prices could well be cheaper in Aussie after all, IE: you can always find a dvd player in aussie at say strathfeild, or even coles or safeway, for less than 70 bucks, cheapest I've seen here has been about 28 quid. 256 meg cards in most comp shops in Aussie (not harvey norman !!!!) just a small corner one, will come in at around 80 bucks, I think ?
The crowded narrow roads, around Bletchley and Stony Stratford which seemed so quaint at first, are now getting annoying.
Spain next wednesday, our own space (no more living out of a suitcase, will have our own wardrobes) and we are now counting the days. 16 Degrees here in mk today, I beleive it was around 18 in Melbourne, ?? Mind you I really am loving these long daylight hours.
Another positive note to finish on, wonder which beer I shall drink tonight, the choice seems limitless
Oh one other factor, everywhere I've gone here, people have those sky digi boxes, out of the people I know back in Aussie, I'd say only 2 to 3 in ten have foxtel, I wonder if that is down to the long winters here in England, and people having to stay at home, or other factors, or am I mixing in different circles in the two countries ??
I've also noticed on past posts on this bbs, people commenting on the language or the attitude on Aussie TV, I dont think they have the kind of access to porn on foxtel that they do on sky though !!! (or do they ??)
Whilst he was there, took myself of to buy a sd media card for my camera, after a quick browse on the net, found they were on special at lidl (a bit like an aldi supermarket) The 256 meg one at 25.00 quid was sold out, else where they seem to range from 33.00 quid upwards. Bit suprised at this I thought the UK was going to be cheaper on all these types of consumables from tv's through washing machines cameras etc, on the two or three times I've had a look so far, Currys, comet, argos, even Tescos, looks like prices could well be cheaper in Aussie after all, IE: you can always find a dvd player in aussie at say strathfeild, or even coles or safeway, for less than 70 bucks, cheapest I've seen here has been about 28 quid. 256 meg cards in most comp shops in Aussie (not harvey norman !!!!) just a small corner one, will come in at around 80 bucks, I think ?
The crowded narrow roads, around Bletchley and Stony Stratford which seemed so quaint at first, are now getting annoying.
Spain next wednesday, our own space (no more living out of a suitcase, will have our own wardrobes) and we are now counting the days. 16 Degrees here in mk today, I beleive it was around 18 in Melbourne, ?? Mind you I really am loving these long daylight hours.
Another positive note to finish on, wonder which beer I shall drink tonight, the choice seems limitless
Oh one other factor, everywhere I've gone here, people have those sky digi boxes, out of the people I know back in Aussie, I'd say only 2 to 3 in ten have foxtel, I wonder if that is down to the long winters here in England, and people having to stay at home, or other factors, or am I mixing in different circles in the two countries ??
I've also noticed on past posts on this bbs, people commenting on the language or the attitude on Aussie TV, I dont think they have the kind of access to porn on foxtel that they do on sky though !!! (or do they ??)
louise
p.s we have to pay for porn on sky here, not that i have paid for it, er not that i know of (hubby could have?
)
Jun 10th 2005, 6:59 pm
#53
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Was Halstead, Essex, Now Thornlands, Brisbane!
Posts: 114
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Hi
Your post makes great reading!
As someone still in the UK waiting for the Visa it helps me realise the things we will miss eventually and now we can plan to take in the views of the UK before we leave.
One word of warning on Spain, if you thought eating out will be cheaper be prepared as things have changed since they joined the Euro a few years ago!
Hope you enjoy the rest of you trip.
Best wishes
Michael
Your post makes great reading!
As someone still in the UK waiting for the Visa it helps me realise the things we will miss eventually and now we can plan to take in the views of the UK before we leave.
One word of warning on Spain, if you thought eating out will be cheaper be prepared as things have changed since they joined the Euro a few years ago!
Hope you enjoy the rest of you trip.
Best wishes
Michael
Jun 10th 2005, 11:24 pm
#54
High in the Dandenongs
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Listening to Puffing Billy
Posts: 9,183
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
Bit suprised at this I thought the UK was going to be cheaper on all these types of consumables from tv's through washing machines cameras etc, on the two or three times I've had a look so far, Currys, comet, argos, even Tescos, looks like prices could well be cheaper in Aussie after all, IE: you can always find a dvd player in aussie at say strathfeild, or even coles or safeway, for less than 70 bucks, cheapest I've seen here has been about 28 quid.
It 17 and rainy here today, but just checked the forecast for you and it says 18 and sunny tomorrow and 20 and sunny Monday
Enjoy Spain and your wardrobes
Jun 11th 2005, 9:20 am
#55
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by sackofspuds
Just a reminder that debt is at record levels in Oz too.
Ozzieeagle - hope the trip is going well?
M
Jun 12th 2005, 8:20 am
#56
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Last day in mk today, well until close to the end of my holiday, should be a good one, off on a canal barge trip along the grand union canal, should be great, freinds of my brother have a barge moored at Woughton mariner,
Had a great day yesterday, MK has amenties in it the likes of which exist nowhere in Aussie, ie; the 'escape' area of mk complete with about a 300 metre real ski run, all indoors, known in the UK as the mk snow dome, there are about 7 nightclubs around this area, along with a plethora of other activities, all i can say is 'wake up australia'.
Countering this, as I weaved fIn and out of the massed crowds at MK market yesterday, and they were really massed, I found the crowds more and more tiresome, especially on the way out of the car park, it seemed there were 3 people queing for everycar space, with the accompanying background agro that comes along with that.
So in addition to the Sun factor that seems to be the only tangible difference between Aussie and the UK currently, I would add one that really means something to me, and thats 'space' I'm used to it, I need it, I'm going back to it
I know its going to be a great day today, on the canal, even thats going to be crowded though, when i compare it to my holiday escape just 1 and a half hours north of my place in Melbourne, I'd be lucky to see 5 people up at Nagambi on the water this time of year, The lakes and waterways up there are probably bigger than the norfolk broads. !!
Sun and Space I need you.
Had a great day yesterday, MK has amenties in it the likes of which exist nowhere in Aussie, ie; the 'escape' area of mk complete with about a 300 metre real ski run, all indoors, known in the UK as the mk snow dome, there are about 7 nightclubs around this area, along with a plethora of other activities, all i can say is 'wake up australia'.
Countering this, as I weaved fIn and out of the massed crowds at MK market yesterday, and they were really massed, I found the crowds more and more tiresome, especially on the way out of the car park, it seemed there were 3 people queing for everycar space, with the accompanying background agro that comes along with that.
So in addition to the Sun factor that seems to be the only tangible difference between Aussie and the UK currently, I would add one that really means something to me, and thats 'space' I'm used to it, I need it, I'm going back to it
I know its going to be a great day today, on the canal, even thats going to be crowded though, when i compare it to my holiday escape just 1 and a half hours north of my place in Melbourne, I'd be lucky to see 5 people up at Nagambi on the water this time of year, The lakes and waterways up there are probably bigger than the norfolk broads. !!
Sun and Space
I need you.
Jun 12th 2005, 1:17 pm
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
Sun and Space
I need you.Safe trip, enjoy Spain.
M
Jun 12th 2005, 1:25 pm
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
Last day in mk today, well until close to the end of my holiday, should be a good one, off on a canal barge trip along the grand union canal, should be great, freinds of my brother have a barge moored at Woughton mariner,
Had a great day yesterday, MK has amenties in it the likes of which exist nowhere in Aussie, ie; the 'escape' area of mk complete with about a 300 metre real ski run, all indoors, known in the UK as the mk snow dome, there are about 7 nightclubs around this area, along with a plethora of other activities, all i can say is 'wake up australia'.
Countering this, as I weaved fIn and out of the massed crowds at MK market yesterday, and they were really massed, I found the crowds more and more tiresome, especially on the way out of the car park, it seemed there were 3 people queing for everycar space, with the accompanying background agro that comes along with that.
So in addition to the Sun factor that seems to be the only tangible difference between Aussie and the UK currently, I would add one that really means something to me, and thats 'space' I'm used to it, I need it, I'm going back to it
I know its going to be a great day today, on the canal, even thats going to be crowded though, when i compare it to my holiday escape just 1 and a half hours north of my place in Melbourne, I'd be lucky to see 5 people up at Nagambi on the water this time of year, The lakes and waterways up there are probably bigger than the norfolk broads. !!
Sun and Space I need you.
Had a great day yesterday, MK has amenties in it the likes of which exist nowhere in Aussie, ie; the 'escape' area of mk complete with about a 300 metre real ski run, all indoors, known in the UK as the mk snow dome, there are about 7 nightclubs around this area, along with a plethora of other activities, all i can say is 'wake up australia'.
Countering this, as I weaved fIn and out of the massed crowds at MK market yesterday, and they were really massed, I found the crowds more and more tiresome, especially on the way out of the car park, it seemed there were 3 people queing for everycar space, with the accompanying background agro that comes along with that.
So in addition to the Sun factor that seems to be the only tangible difference between Aussie and the UK currently, I would add one that really means something to me, and thats 'space' I'm used to it, I need it, I'm going back to it
I know its going to be a great day today, on the canal, even thats going to be crowded though, when i compare it to my holiday escape just 1 and a half hours north of my place in Melbourne, I'd be lucky to see 5 people up at Nagambi on the water this time of year, The lakes and waterways up there are probably bigger than the norfolk broads. !!
Sun and Space
I need you.Enjoy Spain......& don't jump off the wardrobes
Jun 12th 2005, 1:28 pm
#59
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by Phoenixuk2oz
Great posts, balanced and interesting reading.
Enjoy Spain......& don't jump off the wardrobes
Enjoy Spain......& don't jump off the wardrobes
Jun 12th 2005, 1:31 pm
#60
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 16 years away from the UK, first impressions.
Originally Posted by Bordy
Youve obviously tried this then.
My other half has had MFI Back for 6 months now, let along swinging off the wardrobe
M