Originally Posted by Hutch

You're absolutely right. Here he is on the 5th of July in Newquay - wearing the traditional UK summertime outfit, of a fleece.

I'm looking through my large photo collection, when I find one with the sun shining, I'll upload it. You'd better get some

Originally Posted by glittababe

Beautiful snaps. Have to say as a mum of 3 boys whose moved between uk>aus and back again, and again; kids are happy wherever they are, as long as they've got their mates and family! My kids love both countries. Aus for the warmer climate where their asthma and eczema disappears, the spectacular scenery and wildlife. The UK for the cooler climate where they can wrap up warm, stick on wellies and disappear off on their bikes. They find fun wherever they are. In aus they made mates straight away, found some wood and made a 'cubby' or den, the same thing they did in the UK! It was kind of home from home.

The only thing about aus that concerns me is the amount of chemicals and crap you have to shove on their skin just so they can go outside. In the summer when temps hit 40+ its too hot to do anything. We found the boys very lethargic, hanging around the house, moaning about the weather and how crap the TV was. Sound familiar?

One of the most important things is to try not to influence your kids or cloud their judgement on both countries. We let ours make up their own minds and they've all said they like bits from both countries and feel happy in both countries. Our eldest wants to return to the UK to go to uni here as even he's realised the prospects are 'probably' better for him in the UK. We'll support them whatever their choices in later life, thats if we have the finances after we've forked out for education, braces and healthcare in Aus!

Originally Posted by jad n rich

You asked how it compared, if you dont want replies dont ask, compare fairly thats all.

Eg the other day, you started a thread knocking people whod had a hard time in OZ, but over on the Uk forum you were doing your godforsaken hole posts on the UK again.

You post away, but dont expect someone whos eight year old had a skin cancer removed expect to agree with it all.

Forum = different people different views.

Originally Posted by jad n rich

Godforsaken holes, suffering families etc nice to see your not bitter then

Look my point was why pick a pic of a UK winter and place it up against a pic of something in Oz most people would not do, thats all no lecture.

Originally Posted by glittababe

scary isn't it? we check the kids skin almost on a daily basis. on the skin cancer website is a 'bodymap' you can download, print off and mark down the details of every mole so you can see if they change. We even found some new ones on the boys scalps - very difficult to see as they have long hair. Its important not to become complacent. I did and then found a mole on the sole of my foot. Saw GP in UK, he faxed over referral and had an appointment for me at medical photography and dermatology with 20 mins!!!! Not bad for the NHS!

Originally Posted by Hutch

You're absolutely right. Here he is on the 5th of July in Newquay - wearing the traditional UK summertime outfit, of a fleece.

I'm looking through my large photo collection, when I find one with the sun shining, I'll upload it. You'd better get some

Originally Posted by jad n rich

The scalp is a real problem, when they swim you cant sunblock under hair, and they cant wear a hat, well not if they surf you cant.

Its very sun aware up here, grade 7 camp tomorrow, the kids are not allowed to take baseball caps, muscle t's, shorts which cut off above knees and their shirts have to cover their arms completely. No broad brimmed hat, no camp, no excuses is at the bottom of the class note

Originally Posted by Chick Flick

When did you last spend summer in the UK , I thought the picture in fleece, bobble hat gloves and wellies WAS taken in our delightful british summer!!!!, which if I remember correctly last year summer 2005 North West England lasted approx 5 days and made a guest appearance around April, or it could of been May ( I will stand corrected if anyone has the official dates for last summer). Great pictures by the way.

Originally Posted by glittababe

Our kids have so much hair they can't wear baseball caps, its wide brimmed hats or they can't go out! Did you watch that documentary about skin cancer? It was either channel ten or seven but it was really scary I thought we had a lovely summer last year in the UK? I know we're in East Anglia, but we definately had way more than just '5 days' sunshine. It was sunny most days from May through to end September! Even at the begining of October, Mark and I were still out in the evening enjoying a glass of bubbly on the decking!

Originally Posted by jad n rich

Was there in dec and jan, sorry not summer but some lovely frosty sunny days. Prior to that many summers, boys played cricket and soccer, we got outside plenty, winter and summer.

After you've lived here suns not all that anyway, shade and airconditioning pretty quickly go on the wishlist, government advertising in the paper to get inside after 6 minutes puts you off a bit anyway.

Kids get are exactly the same here when its too hot as they are in the UK when its too cold, stay inside computer aircon and playstation.

Originally Posted by Chick Flick

Depends on your definition of sunshine, the Brits throw their shorts and get their stomaches out if it hits 12 degrees, I lived in Nevada for several years so 40 degrees plus is what I call sunshine, so maybe we never even has 5 days. I stand corrected there was no summer to speak of.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

As an Aussie and part-time UK-basher I will gladly go on record as someone who enjoys the UK winter. West Australian summers are starting to get quite scary; when the UV Index hits 15, you know it's time to invest in a radiation-proof suit!

I have an advantage over most Aussies (having spent 15 years in Tassie getting acclimatised to the cold) and I've really enjoyed the UK's white winters, which lend a certain charm to this quaint little old-fashioned island.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

As an Aussie and part-time UK-basher I will gladly go on record as someone who enjoys the UK winter. West Australian summers are starting to get quite scary; when the UV Index hits 15, you know it's time to invest in a radiation-proof suit!

I have an advantage over most Aussies (having spent 15 years in Tassie getting acclimatised to the cold) and I've really enjoyed the UK's white winters, which lend a certain charm to this quaint little old-fashioned island.