Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
#91
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
Kyneton to Melbourne=86.2Km
Esher to London=24.14Km
http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk...n_%28uk%29.htm
Esher to London=24.14Km
http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk...n_%28uk%29.htm
Both systems get busy and crowded in rush hour. Some lines are better than others in both cities.
London's system is better connected but then it does have a 'tube'. Melbourne does not have a tube. Go figure. The tram system is excellent when you consider it has to compete with cars sharing the same roads.
There is no comparison - based on proportions of income I would say that Melbourne's transport is as 'cheap as chips'. (topical...topical)..
I get a VLine train from Pakenham to Melbourne = c.60km for 11 dollars a day and that was just after the recent increase - the first big one in about 7 years. I remember paying 200 pounds a month almost 20 years ago!!!
That's one of the most expensive tickets (a strip) and at least I can choose when to travel on that - I'm not locked in. The price gets cheaper with a weekly or montly.
In the past I have come up with a ludicrous multiple when comparing London prices to Melbourne prices when comparing realistic incomes.
Travelcards have always been expensive for peak hour.
#92
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: with the Carnaby cockatoos
Posts: 526
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
True, I love that show. Also Doc Martin, that lovely Cornish village.
But then I consider if you actually lived there the locals would hate you and call you an "emmet" and it would be cold and raining for 2/3rds of the year.
I reckon UK would be great if only a couple of million people lived there.
But then I consider if you actually lived there the locals would hate you and call you an "emmet" and it would be cold and raining for 2/3rds of the year.
I reckon UK would be great if only a couple of million people lived there.
#93
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
It's a lovely area down there, I went years ago with my wife and remember it well. They do talk funny though
That lovely Cornish village is Port Isaac on the north coast. The school in the TV series is actually the old school in PI and is now a hotel. Was lucky enough to stay there several years ago after a works Christmas do. Was great to wake up with views over the harbour. Lots of lovely villages in Cornwall, grew up there but no good jobs to be found so had to cross the border to Plymouth!!
#94
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 23
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
Cornish Pasties and clotted cream....Mmmm
Now I dont mean both those foods together
Now I dont mean both those foods together
#97
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,396
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
And so was Michael Barrymore - although he was charged for possession of cocaine at the end of last year.
#99
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
G'day g'day. Raining and cold here today. A few more ramblings -
- Charity shops on the high street - they're seriously everywhere!! Our local high street has at least 6 and that's out of probs about 30 shops. And some of them are quite expensive, e.g £12 for a rattan linen basket with a stained liner and holes from cat claws wtf? I walked past one the other day and they even sell gift vouchers!! Talk about sign of the times....
- Just my opinion but I think things have felt a bit grimmer in the past few months, far more so than last summer anyway. The weather doesn't help obviously but that aside I think people have been pushed to their limit. Petrol, insurances, utilities, food, transport - everything has crept up and up. Politicians / media trying to keep things jolly with the Olympics / Jubilee but it doesn't work, people can see through it.
Over and out for now x
- Charity shops on the high street - they're seriously everywhere!! Our local high street has at least 6 and that's out of probs about 30 shops. And some of them are quite expensive, e.g £12 for a rattan linen basket with a stained liner and holes from cat claws wtf? I walked past one the other day and they even sell gift vouchers!! Talk about sign of the times....
- Just my opinion but I think things have felt a bit grimmer in the past few months, far more so than last summer anyway. The weather doesn't help obviously but that aside I think people have been pushed to their limit. Petrol, insurances, utilities, food, transport - everything has crept up and up. Politicians / media trying to keep things jolly with the Olympics / Jubilee but it doesn't work, people can see through it.
Over and out for now x
#100
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 200
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
Overall I've been dissapointed coming back to the UK. There are plus points (seeing friends/family, decent clothes, better radio and tv, access to other countries more easily etc) but its pretty grim. Given that things are predicted to get tougher you just wonder what the UK will be like in a few years.
We'll prob move back to australia in a few years for a while. My last 2 years I was desperate to come back but now I'm kind of wondering why.
#101
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
G'day g'day. Raining and cold here today. A few more ramblings -
- Charity shops on the high street - they're seriously everywhere!! Our local high street has at least 6 and that's out of probs about 30 shops. And some of them are quite expensive, e.g £12 for a rattan linen basket with a stained liner and holes from cat claws wtf? I walked past one the other day and they even sell gift vouchers!! Talk about sign of the times....
- Just my opinion but I think things have felt a bit grimmer in the past few months, far more so than last summer anyway. The weather doesn't help obviously but that aside I think people have been pushed to their limit. Petrol, insurances, utilities, food, transport - everything has crept up and up. Politicians / media trying to keep things jolly with the Olympics / Jubilee but it doesn't work, people can see through it.
Over and out for now x
- Charity shops on the high street - they're seriously everywhere!! Our local high street has at least 6 and that's out of probs about 30 shops. And some of them are quite expensive, e.g £12 for a rattan linen basket with a stained liner and holes from cat claws wtf? I walked past one the other day and they even sell gift vouchers!! Talk about sign of the times....
- Just my opinion but I think things have felt a bit grimmer in the past few months, far more so than last summer anyway. The weather doesn't help obviously but that aside I think people have been pushed to their limit. Petrol, insurances, utilities, food, transport - everything has crept up and up. Politicians / media trying to keep things jolly with the Olympics / Jubilee but it doesn't work, people can see through it.
Over and out for now x
This is the first thing I noticed on returning to London after 5 years in Oz. Some streets near where I live are like dog shit assault courses - I dont wear any of my good trainers out at night because of it. I reckon people here don't have pride in their communities anymore.
Overall I've been dissapointed coming back to the UK. There are plus points (seeing friends/family, decent clothes, better radio and tv, access to other countries more easily etc) but its pretty grim. Given that things are predicted to get tougher you just wonder what the UK will be like in a few years.
We'll prob move back to australia in a few years for a while. My last 2 years I was desperate to come back but now I'm kind of wondering why.
Overall I've been dissapointed coming back to the UK. There are plus points (seeing friends/family, decent clothes, better radio and tv, access to other countries more easily etc) but its pretty grim. Given that things are predicted to get tougher you just wonder what the UK will be like in a few years.
We'll prob move back to australia in a few years for a while. My last 2 years I was desperate to come back but now I'm kind of wondering why.
#102
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
RainhamKent to Victoria london circa £30 per day return peak (5:35-10ish) around £300 per month it takes 55 mins-ish each way. For a high rate tax payer which you'd pretty much have to be to make the commute worth while that's roughly £500 out of your gross monthly income. That's train only, no tube or busses included. I defy anybody to claim that's cheap or even reasonable...
#103
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
There must seriously be a HUGE divide between the SW and some of the areas others are talking about. We dont see rubbish on the streets and so far dog shit on the footpaths is incredibly rare, I see no more than I did in Brisbane.
There is no sign of people being pushed to the limit, it really is like some are referring to an alternate universe to be honest.
There is no sign of people being pushed to the limit, it really is like some are referring to an alternate universe to be honest.
#104
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
There must seriously be a HUGE divide between the SW and some of the areas others are talking about. We dont see rubbish on the streets and so far dog shit on the footpaths is incredibly rare, I see no more than I did in Brisbane.
There is no sign of people being pushed to the limit, it really is like some are referring to an alternate universe to be honest.
There is no sign of people being pushed to the limit, it really is like some are referring to an alternate universe to be honest.
I guess Clinton Cards going into administration did not happen in your bubble area either?
You say I am negative about UK...you only see the rosy stuff. I have been back 2 years and agree with most of the other posters above...its not good and getting worse.
(And the constant rain is depressing)
#105
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: London - but only until I can afford to move back to Sydney
Posts: 938
Re: Back in UK 9 months - random observations...
RainhamKent to Victoria london circa £30 per day return peak (5:35-10ish) around £300 per month it takes 55 mins-ish each way. For a high rate tax payer which you'd pretty much have to be to make the commute worth while that's roughly £500 out of your gross monthly income. That's train only, no tube or busses included. I defy anybody to claim that's cheap or even reasonable...