Hi Iain,

Welcome back and sorry to hear about your family bereavement.

I haven't been back in the UK for a few years now but the missus has suggested that I should consider a trip soon. But there's a lot of Canada I haven't seen yet like Churchill and Newfoundland.

Based on my last visit there are things that you appreciate after having been away for a while. However when you live there you tend to take them for granted and don't appreciate them as much. At school I used to play around a Norman castle at lunch time.

I think there's a certain "Disneyland" effect when you visit any country such as appreciating the attractions, scenery, novelty etc but the practicality of living there is another story. For instance on my last trip to the UK I started to develop claustrophobia with the tiny cars, rooms, crowded narrow roads and cars parked all over the place.

Oh yes, the novelty was wearing off after a week. Parallel parking was something I'd not had to do for 7 years. Got flashed by a trafic camera doing about 33 in a 30 zone along a mainish road. That pissed me off. Got screwed over the cost of a flat on the rental car. Didnt pay to be honest.

The small cars were OK, the Peugot 207 we rented was quite nice, could live with one here to be honest. Felt safer in that on the narrow roads than in my Dads big camper van

"Service with a snarl" got old very fast, but was by no means universal.

There is a lot to commend the place, perhaps more so on a visit as you know you dont have to stay and live with the negatives like extreme mortgages, slow commutes and congestion.

We didn't notice any of that when we were over in November. What we did notice and laugh at was the number of times we were told something (the National Trust, the pub we were in, Devon teas, the country, the shops) had gone to the dogs.

...but much, much wetter.

My sincerest sympathy to you Iain on the loss of your Mum.

Iain,

You've fairly succintly summed up a lot of my feelings. (particularly the Fullers London Pride bit ). We moved here not so much out of dislike for UK but because Mrs AX is from here. There are compromises that we make living here - career being a big one for me - and at times these weigh heavy on me. Particularly at this time of year when the weather is so crappy in NL compared to, well just about anywhere!

The big house, slower pace of life, fresh air, space and endless fiddle music are great. We both miss things about the UK though and my mind has certainly turned to moving back or indeed elsewhere in Canada of late. I can only restate my own personal point of view that nothing is for ever. I would certainly never dismiss the possibility of moving back home although it would be financially very bruising at least from a property perspective.

Anyway, glad to see you back posting.

AX

Great post Iain. Really sorry to hear about your Mum, mate.

We also just got back from a holiday in the UK, and I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. Have been back a few times since moving out, but this is the first time I've really noticed just how lovely England is.... Maybe it was the amazing weather, or just being on holiday - but I've never seen the country looking so good.

Seeing all the family, and spending time with nieces & nephews was just great - especially as the weather was soooo good. Spent a fortune mind you - took the in-laws out for dinner and stupidly offered to pick up the tab... within seconds of me offering, my father in-law goes and orders the fillet steak ... ouch!

I love Canada and the lifestyle we have out here, and do not regret one thing about moving over. However, for those of you moving simply for a bigger house, I'd really think twice about it.....

Sorry to hear that Iain.

I do kind of miss the green (but I think its over rated)

As far as sights and day trips go perhaps, but what about AFTER you stop being 'A tourist' and have to live there?

When we left I would say Calgary was slightly cheaper. (Our grocery bill here doesnt seem to have increased that much either).

As someone previously said LOTS of credit and company cars.

Its getting (got??) that bad here in Calgary.

Ahem!!! and they arent ridiculous in TO? Van? Calgary?
Seriously house prices in the area of UK we left dont seem to have increased much more than 1-2% in the last 12 months

Yeah but flights are cheaper in the UK than here.

Yep (my BIL is a case in a point and his daughter is only 1)

Private security firms Patrol DT Calgary too

Purleese

.
You lucky guy

Move to alberta then


We didnt want a larger house, we had a good life in UK, we have an 'AWESOME' life here. We couldnt ski in the UK (scotland and dryslopes dont count).
We lived in a reasonably nice area of the NW, VERY nice house, good household income, weekends away etc. Apart from the house (relative to the area we are in) things havent changed since we came here.

Have to agree about decent coffee and decent showers.

I don't follow, surely one thing we can all agree on is the lack of quality beer in Canada. There are a few pubs that keep Fullers but they're a long way apart; generally if you want a good pint you either have to go home or to the US.

Mainstream stuff, yes. However, there are some fabulous microbreweries in BC. Although yes, in general there is much less for the ale aficionado in Canada than the UK, and I shall miss my local Ringwood Breweries watering hole, it does depend on where you choose to drink!

And in Ontario, though they don't exist to the same extent that they do in the US. What's missing I think is cask conditioned beer in pubs and major bottled brands selling on quality; the equivalent of, say, Sam Adams or Fat Tire.

The wife even thought the bottled London Pride was OK (She never got to try the (far far better) draft as we snuck off to the pub and left her with the kids)

Said it was a bit like Rickards Red used to be, before the sellout.

I think the beer bit can be taken as read, I've never found a local brew that was particularly like a decent bitter.

Not sure how land access in AB is any different to ON, outside the crown land and provincial parks and conservation areas its nearly all private land, no trespassing.

Maybe my dads village is unusual in the number of public footpaths and bridleways.

Cask conditioned ale. Oh how I long for a decent pint. Surely dbd, it's something you can get readily easy when in downtown TO?

Mainsteam Canadian beer is generally pish. Keiths is Ok in the summer. 1892 from the Quidi Vidi brewery here in NL is good. Propellor Porter from Propellor brewery in Halifax is excellent. Nova Scotia Liquour corp stocks a range of English beers incl. the aforementioned London Pride. I have twenty assorted bottles coming my way via the marine atlantic ferry in a couple of weeks time.

Sure, you know the place. Cameron's is a good bottled substitute (if expensive). It's just difficult out of town. Tomorrow though I'll be in Colorado; Fullers, Fat Tire, Odell's, a fabulous choice there, almost like home.

So sorry to hear of your Loss Iain.

Can't say that I disagree with your observations during your stay.

I think the UK is a wonderful place to visit and I can only view with the eyes of a tourist these days.

I left too long ago for any memories to be relevant to todays view of the country it has changed so much.

Canada is my home now and I couldn't think of moving anywhere else. Couldn't afford to even if I wanted to.

Cheers
Steve

Sorry to hear about your mother Iain, I hope that her death was expected and that you and your family are able to carry on without too much grieving. (My fathers death was a relief all round because his quality of life had deteriorated beyond reasonable, and mum now is able to have a life outside being a full-time carer).

It's really interesting to hear your views as a visitor to the UK after several years in Canada so I'll send you some karma and thank you for expressing them here.

Yes, there will be aspects of English life that I will miss. On Sunday we were out on the Trike and drove down to Littlehampton in the sunshine, and as I sat on the back I thought of this as we meandered along windy country lanes and through small villages with oddly shaped old houses and cottages with thatched roofs.
Now and then we would pass through woods carpetted with bluebells in full bloom, lit up by rays of sunshine through the treetops.
All the way we waved in acknowledgement to other bikers and got waves or nods in return as they roared past. Then we drove past Arundal castle and cathedral, majestic and awesome on the hillside.
Down at the waterfront we bought fish 'n chips and ate them sitting on the wall facing the beach and sea.
We drove back in a convoy with friends that we'd met up with there on their Tikes and bikes.
Yes, I'll always remember these days out, but I've lived here for 27/44 years now and would like to experience living in Canada and especially, living near my brothers. I would like to have our kid's horizons/lives broadened by experiencing the different kind of lifestyle to be found on north Vancouver Island.
I know that what you say about disposable income is true for us, but the payoff seems worth trying, I'd still rather give it a go.

Robin