In no way do I wish to dampen the natural enthusiasm of all of us on this esteemed meeting place, but perhaps it's as well to remember that shooting off to the other end of the planet isn't necessarily going to make everything wonderful.

Every country has its good points and its bad ones. I guess most of us have weighed them up and made a concious decision that overall we'll be happier - not wealthier, younger or wiser - down under.

The weather's mostly better. there's (a lot) more space. There's a healthier attitude in many ways. The wine's great.

On the other hand: taxes are higher. TV is probably even worse than in the UK. The nanny state prevails (though the UK's catching up fast). When the weather IS nasty it can be very nasty indeed - QLD was largely under water a year or two ago.

So, let's all get excited about our life change - but remember that we'll need to keep the same sense of humour that stops us topping ourselves on a daily basis here at home!

What prompted me to pen this little homily was reading one or two past messages from souls who were leaping straight in without ever having been there, expecting it all to come good automatically.

Millions did go out on the same wing and a prayer and a ten-pound note, most of them prospered. But I do get the feeling that it might be a bit more challenging now.

Anyway, good luck to us all!