kelmac

Thanks, Molly Coddle! I may just take you up on that. Especially when it comes time to finding a place to live. There's nothing like local knowledge about particular places that you just can't beat! I'm quietly hopeful to end up in either Lancashire or Yorkshire, but will go wherever hubby gets a job (ideally NOT London). Cheers for the offer!! Ta, Kel

Pollyana

Queenstown is fascinating, the hills were leached of soil and nutrients by the mines, and when I first went there in 1999 it looked like the surface of the moon. Going back now they have undertaken a big programme to rejuvenate the area and some bits are looking quite green, though its still a bit surreal.

brits1

We have been to both (France since we have been back in the UK) and Maragaret River (nice for WA standards)I am afraid to say cannot hold a candle or even a match to the French wine region but you have to make the most of what you have where you live (or near to) we recently went to Iceland with our youngest son (he was 21 while we were there) and it was so cheap to fly there and our hotel was a bargain (expensive when you get there though) we had a brilliant time and just makes being home and closer to these places lovely for us.

Molly Coddle

You're welcome. I'd be glad to help. Good choice on the Shires.
My parents are from both Yorkshire and Lancashire stock and I've spent many years in each county so know a lot of the Northern areas pretty well.
Like most places there's a 'must avoid list' when it comes to some areas, but there aren't many places like that. I can confidently say, there are areas which will just take your breath away. Also you will find the people to be very down to earth and easy to get along with. Expect some Mick taking because you're an Aussie ( at least I think you are?) but it will just be in fun and probably used as an ice breaker. You'll love the place and the people. Hard not too.

Good luck!

verystormy

Look at a split flight class. You do the short flight in economy and the long flight in business. Works out a fraction of the cost of business.

Bix

Not as good as Cairns of course.

Molly Coddle

Lol

I mean the English Shires of Yorkshire and Lancashire ,old chap!

Bix

So did I

Molly Coddle

Ok. Have you actually even been up north O'pasty man?

Bix

Is it over the Tamar river?

Molly Coddle

Well, it depends which way you go I suppose.... there's the long way round, then there's the short way.. Lol.



I was going to pick your brain last week Bix on good areas of Somerset, it was one of our many options, as there's a big job starting there soon, 3 years work actually if hubby wanted it. Looks like Australia is stuck with me for now though.

Lucky Australia....

Bix

Just as well you didn't need my help Molly cos I know very little of the South West outside of Cornwall. I'm an eccentric you see and only learnt to drive when I knew I was emigrating to Australia.

In the mid 80's to 90's there was a spell when I only stepped outside my local town about 3 times and that wasn't to go far.

The farthest North I got in the UK was to Liverpool but here I lived in Cairns for 9 years.

Beoz

I arrived in the UK last night from Syd. Probably the best economy Syd Lon I've ever done. Got the bulkhead seat due to travelling with an infant. The infant was very well behaved and its so nice to stretch the legs up against the bulkhead. Trick is to keep having babies under 1 I guess.

So its 7:30 am and its still pitch black. Want to get outside and enjoy the crisp cold air at minus 2 before the rain sets in later today. Crisp and minus 2 is proper winter. Drizzle and 8 degs is just not.

Molly Coddle

Village mentality, the not stepping out and learning to drive late on. I share the learning to drive late on with you. And understand the mentality of not needing/ wanting to travel far.

Regarding the late driving though - I learnt to drive a tractor before a car, not a good move for me I don't think, as the longer you leave learning to drive on the roads the more fearful you are on the road. Unfortunately my driving skills have caused many an argument with me and the hubby and he now refuses to get in any car that I'm driving. which I suppose isn't necessarily a bad thing....

the troubadour

I'm afraid Margaret River is just way to expensive for what is on offer. Same could be said for most of WA.

Having lived in France there is little if any comparison to be made. A country that has most everything within reach. From great beaches, mountains, ski slopes (though expensive) with great presentation to match. Houses a lot cheaper as well.

Never been to Iceland, a place always wanted to go. Living in UK sure avails one to so much possibility to travel.