MissBetty

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

Snap Shot

Oh yeah, without doubt !

MissBetty

I have to listen to people constantly going on about how they want to go to Oz and how terrible the UK is, drives me mad but I just smile and nod most days - keeps my blood pressure down!

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

MissBetty

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!

curleytops

Great update as always Miss B, glad to hear things are working out well!

Lorry1

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

Karrie72

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.

lf1

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?

jemima55

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"!

feelbritish

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???

MissBetty

Thanks very much, hope you are still enjoying up north! x

Cheers mate, I'm doing my best but its exhausting I must admit, I'm cutting right back on my shifts next month and I can't wait. I really love just pottering around my little flat and popping down to Morrisons, prob sounds silly but I'm feeling very content these days just doing everyday things, cooking nice meals and going to the library

I'm so much happier and I feel more relaxed. I work in a disgusting area but I spent today up at Covent Garden with my mate and it was just lovely. Wandered round the shops, had a nice pub lunch and finished off with afternoon tea at a place called 'Bills' at St Martin's Courtyard - now thats a fab part of London!

Lol! Thanks me dear, much appreciated! I did my research and the pub was called the Founders Arms on Bankside. Fantastic food, good wines and a seat by the river looking out over St Paul's - I feel more research is needed though as I haven't tried the whole menu so please feel free to be my assistant in future lol!!!

MissBetty

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!!!

MissBetty

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!

Brigette

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!

J.JsOH

Moaning about Britain is one thing I have not encountered much of.

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.