Back 3 months now!
#16
Re: Back 3 months now!
Excellent Miss B. I wondered where you were and how you were getting on. Excellent update.
Glad it's going well and you're getting on with life as it stands. Despite your shock at how badly some people live. I guess if anyone is going to see it and respond appropriately, it's someone in your job.
Your remark about seeing Tower Bridge all lit up really resonated with me. I miss London. I like it, but I couldn't live there. I miss being able to visit London in less than an hour by train.
However, I jogged on the bridge over the Wanganui river earlier today. The surface of the river was like a mirror, in the distance was Mt Ruapehu, clearly visible with the snow on the slopes. It's such a clear blue sky day today. Beautiful.
Anyway, come Christmas when you're having a proper one in Winter, you can rub that in !
Glad it's going well and you're getting on with life as it stands. Despite your shock at how badly some people live. I guess if anyone is going to see it and respond appropriately, it's someone in your job.
Your remark about seeing Tower Bridge all lit up really resonated with me. I miss London. I like it, but I couldn't live there. I miss being able to visit London in less than an hour by train.
However, I jogged on the bridge over the Wanganui river earlier today. The surface of the river was like a mirror, in the distance was Mt Ruapehu, clearly visible with the snow on the slopes. It's such a clear blue sky day today. Beautiful.
Anyway, come Christmas when you're having a proper one in Winter, you can rub that in !
Just to let you know I'm off to London today to meet another ex Oz friend for a few glasses of vino and a nice lunch at a pub on the river! Purely research you understand as, if its any good, I shall let you know and we can go there for lunch if ever you come back
#17
Re: Back 3 months now!
Thanks, nice to hear from you and v impressed re the jogging - your description there was just fantastic!
Just to let you know I'm off to London today to meet another ex Oz friend for a few glasses of vino and a nice lunch at a pub on the river! Purely research you understand as, if its any good, I shall let you know and we can go there for lunch if ever you come back
Just to let you know I'm off to London today to meet another ex Oz friend for a few glasses of vino and a nice lunch at a pub on the river! Purely research you understand as, if its any good, I shall let you know and we can go there for lunch if ever you come back
#18
Re: Back 3 months now!
Your first post here MB is exactly-EXACTLY what I wanted to know. The balance is crucial.
In reverse-coming to Australia, the balance is equally crucial, yet it is missing. With the advent of ever increasing marketing spin,-the 'rosy glow' crap is endemic! Aided by media regrettably on both sides of the pond.
UK/Aus; giving a negative /positive view is,...well, reality! That is why your post is such an asset of information, and why forums like BE are such a valuable resource.
If anything is over hyped,-the letdown is inevitable. On the migration issue, balance is vital.
I admit to being highly sensitive over the 'why would you want to come back here'. I will do my utmost to avoid being had up on a GBH charge, it is so unbecoming at my age!
My thanks also for your concern over those in desperate need of help. Well done!
In reverse-coming to Australia, the balance is equally crucial, yet it is missing. With the advent of ever increasing marketing spin,-the 'rosy glow' crap is endemic! Aided by media regrettably on both sides of the pond.
UK/Aus; giving a negative /positive view is,...well, reality! That is why your post is such an asset of information, and why forums like BE are such a valuable resource.
If anything is over hyped,-the letdown is inevitable. On the migration issue, balance is vital.
I admit to being highly sensitive over the 'why would you want to come back here'. I will do my utmost to avoid being had up on a GBH charge, it is so unbecoming at my age!
My thanks also for your concern over those in desperate need of help. Well done!
If I was to think of an analogy its this. You watch your teenage daughter start to date a handsome but shallow boy, you are pretty sure he will break her heart but she won't listen to anything you have to say, she's far too dazzled by him. There is a chance he could make her wildly happy but you highly doubt it so you bite your lip and say nothing and, if all ends in tears, you mop up those tears, sympathise and NEVER say "I told you so!"
Glad you found my post helpful, I do my best to provide a bit of a balanced view. Its not perfect here but I don't regret leaving Oz, it was the best decision for me and I'm very happy
Last edited by MissBetty; Sep 3rd 2013 at 7:14 am.
#19
Re: Back 3 months now!
You're very welcome, I swear other people's updates kept me going and kept me sane when I honestly thought I was losing the plot lol!
#21
The Brit is back
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: NS, Canada 2007-2013. Now....England!
Posts: 2,211
Re: Back 3 months now!
Great update missB. Isn't it great to feel at home again!
It is sad that many people live in such an awful state and many more of us don't realise or see it. It s fantastic what you do and I hope those people who you meet are able to receive the help they deserve.
Carry on posting
It is sad that many people live in such an awful state and many more of us don't realise or see it. It s fantastic what you do and I hope those people who you meet are able to receive the help they deserve.
Carry on posting
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,204
Re: Back 3 months now!
Thanks for the balanced update MB...you sound a lot happier than you were in Oz. I know what you mean about London, I spent part of August visiting my folks. I truly love London but parts of it including my parents neighborhood have become more squalid.
#23
Re: Back 3 months now!
I am so pleased that things are going well for you. The UK is very lucky to have you back and you are to be commended for being a voice for those people in need. I know you will make a difference for them because you are tenacious.
Now about the research you are doing, in a pub on the river, do you need an assistant?
Now about the research you are doing, in a pub on the river, do you need an assistant?
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 983
Re: Back 3 months now!
Miss B, funny, but coincidentally, someone posted the "boyfriend" analogy about the United States a while ago.
We Brits do seem singularly unable to see the beauty of our own country.
It's probably the "boy next door"!
We Brits do seem singularly unable to see the beauty of our own country.
It's probably the "boy next door"!
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 1,654
Re: Back 3 months now!
So happy and thrilled for you that it is all falling into place! As others' have said it is balanced update. I would hate to be poor and returning to live on benefits or just the OAP. But then again it is all what some people can do! Thanks for reminding us about the M25!!! I think the biggest problem a lot of us returning from much quieter places will be the traffic. Best to be aware of that from the start. MY OH is back on board for returning to UK so now it is up to me, to find us a place where we can retire to! He says he wants quiet, no unsociable behaviour,unfriendly neighbours or be near a pub and will not move again once we have chosen our desired spot Talk about pressure! That is why I like reading ex-pat's comments on their return.
Thanks and all the best, I remember how unhappy you were this time last year! When is that book going to come out???
Thanks and all the best, I remember how unhappy you were this time last year! When is that book going to come out???
#26
Re: Back 3 months now!
Great update missB. Isn't it great to feel at home again!
It is sad that many people live in such an awful state and many more of us don't realise or see it. It s fantastic what you do and I hope those people who you meet are able to receive the help they deserve.
Carry on posting
It is sad that many people live in such an awful state and many more of us don't realise or see it. It s fantastic what you do and I hope those people who you meet are able to receive the help they deserve.
Carry on posting
I am so pleased that things are going well for you. The UK is very lucky to have you back and you are to be commended for being a voice for those people in need. I know you will make a difference for them because you are tenacious.
Now about the research you are doing, in a pub on the river, do you need an assistant?
Now about the research you are doing, in a pub on the river, do you need an assistant?
#27
Re: Back 3 months now!
I know that everyones circumstances are different but this whole 'I'll move over seas and my life will be perfect' is just crazy!!!
Last edited by MissBetty; Sep 3rd 2013 at 10:15 pm.
#28
Re: Back 3 months now!
So happy and thrilled for you that it is all falling into place! As others' have said it is balanced update. I would hate to be poor and returning to live on benefits or just the OAP. But then again it is all what some people can do! Thanks for reminding us about the M25!!! I think the biggest problem a lot of us returning from much quieter places will be the traffic. Best to be aware of that from the start. MY OH is back on board for returning to UK so now it is up to me, to find us a place where we can retire to! He says he wants quiet, no unsociable behaviour,unfriendly neighbours or be near a pub and will not move again once we have chosen our desired spot Talk about pressure! That is why I like reading ex-pat's comments on their return.
Thanks and all the best, I remember how unhappy you were this time last year! When is that book going to come out???
Thanks and all the best, I remember how unhappy you were this time last year! When is that book going to come out???
Oh thats great news, happy he's back on board - phew!!! There are some amazing places to live in the UK, lots of great villages and cosy corners I see on my travels so hopefully you'll strike lucky!
If I didn't have to commute I wouldn't but for me its probably going to only be for a short while until some offshore/remote stuff comes up (eventually!) so I can deal with it most days! Locally the traffic is fine where I am but I tend to walk everywhere here anyways!
#29
Re: Back 3 months now!
Congrats miss Betty! I remember you unhappy you were in Australia. Reading this thread made me smile and gave me an additional boost to keeping pushing along...I'll make it home soon...can't wait!
#30
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 745
Re: Back 3 months now!
Really?! I've not seen that but to me its the only way I can get my head around it. I've never known a nation of people that slag off their own country so much, you'd never get an Aussie or a Kiwi doing that, I think its sad people can't see whats under their noses!
I know that everyones circumstances are different but this whole 'I'll move over seas and my life will be perfect' is just crazy!!!
I know that everyones circumstances are different but this whole 'I'll move over seas and my life will be perfect' is just crazy!!!
Sure, my favourite grumpy pub landlord moans about everything but that's his nature, we go there for the best beer and the best insults
Otherwise on the bus and in a couple groups I belong to I don't hear moans about UK in general. On the bus there are often people talking about "the war" (WWII) as if it was the last one we were engaged in. Then every other casual subject and not uncommon to hear people talking about sons and daughters that have a good life abroad. Sure, people have local troubles and there are some sad conditions as MissB explains but I hear no moans of how bad Britain is. People seem to be fairly content with their lot.
Last edited by J.JsOH; Sep 4th 2013 at 8:57 am.