Went down town today to do some bits of shopping. In the car park I bumped into someone I haven't seen for about 4 years. I taught both of her boys when they were in Year 4. We had a good chat catching up on what we had both been up to over the past few years- both of us have had 3rd babies- and of course our migration plans. About 30 mins later I met another friend I haven't seen for ages. She used to be a house parent at the boarding school my husband worked in. It was lovely to chat about old times and the laughs we used to have at the school. Not long after that, in Asda, I met a lady who works in the creche at the gym. We always used to have a good gossip because she is from my home town- about 400 miles from here.
You're probably all asleep with boredom by now and wondering what on earth I'm prattling on about. But it just struck me going home in the car that when we move to Perth in January I won't have any days out like this for a very long time. I won't bump into anyone I haven't seen for ages. There won't be any history with people or places. No buildings that will spark memories- hospital where my children were born, pubs where we've had brilliant girls' nights out, parks where we've had picnics with friends, the list is endless. Don't get me wrong, no one is dragging me to Oz kicking and screaming- I'm so excited to be going. It's just that I had only been thinking about the big things I would miss- family, friends, my house but not the little things that I wouldn't normally have given a second thought to. Has just left me feeling a bit weird thats all...
Yvonne x

You might be surprised though...
My parent (and us of course) emigrated in 1970 to Perth from UK. Dad worked for SEC which was the state electricity board at the time. He is now an electrical contractor working for himself. He still gets phone calls from people who recognise his (still quite strong) Geordie accent. This usually leads to a discussion on where he's from and it's surprising how often they have friends etc... in common and end up chatting for hours.
There are so many poms in Oz that you may just be surprised.

but u will get the shopping done in time

LOL you're right - took me bloody ages to get my bit of shopping done yesterday

When hubbie did the travelling thing he was forever bumping into people he knew. One time he was just standing in a queue at the Post Office and recognised the person in front and asked where he was from, turned out they used to drink in the same pub and they knew each other from years ago.

It does happen but maybe not a frequent. Besides since looking into moving to Oz how many people have said "Oh my sister/brother etc have moved there!"

Sasha