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"whinging Poms" is a common phrase down under that's true, I often get into discusions re UK and the problems there, my most common phrase is "that's why I'm here". Genetic disorder??? maybe that's where the Americans get it from....

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Genetic disorder...nah they probably caught from the Americans during the war. :D

To listen to some Brits or Americans you'd wonder why they ever left their homelands. Everything is so much better there. :mad:

I left England in 1963 and now just like in the Molson's ads
"I AM CANADIAN!!!"

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My theory is that it's caused by the class systyem. Put downs, snide comments and criticisims are a way of keeping the peasants in their place.

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Hmmm never thought of that.

As a former peasant perhaps that's why I left. :D

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That's quite a useful slag-off stopper. I've more than once come across "I don't like Brits". The reply: "neither do I; that's why I left to come here", leaves little room for further abuse (even if it isn't true).

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Not bad? :) Lake O'Hara is stunning in its unspoilt beauty. The apline hiking routes are awesome. And the best thing about it is they only let so many into the area per day and not many tourist know about it. Waterton NP is another area which is a little off of the beaten track but is beautiful too.

We love the mountains, we hiked and cycled the Pyrenees and Alps when we lived in the UK. Proximity to the mountains, low cost of living and clean air giving a great quality of life is why we moved here permanently. I love the ability to drive 45 mins and be in the mountains (which I'll do on Sunday for a trail run), or leave work on a Friday afternoon and be in Lake Louise 2 hours later.

We have plans to travel to the "true north" but we have to ease our two "London softy" children into the great outdoors gradually. Anymore than 4 hours in the van even with in-car entertainment gets to be a challenge at present.

The list I put up was what we have done in the year since moving here permanently (we had done most before on vacations), however we have another list which is much more adventurous.

I subscribe to a magazine called Explore which recently listed the 100 "must do" activities in Canada. Most, if not all, look awesome.

From next summer onwards we plan to take a month off and travel. Atlantic Canada, the west coast and far north are all on the agenda.

But, in the meantime we'll just have to make do with the "local" trips.

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I highly recommend hiking the west coast trail (on the west coast of Vancouver Island) if you want to see spectacular stuff and are knowledgeable and fit. It's very challenging, rewarding and just so 'wow, life is good'. Book well in advance though if you decide it's something you'd like to do. I can't recommend it enough. (Though young kids, probably under 12s, aren't allowed.)

Inspiration: http://www.bluepeak.net/gallery/view...t-Trail&page=1

A friend and I are planning to hike it next autumn. I did it once before but I was fearless (stoopid) then. I've developed a fear of being on edges over the years so it should be either good therapy or the worst time ever and then I'll need good therapy. :)

I can recommend a lot of west coast and Yukon stuff actually but I'll quit now before I get homesick.

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It's a little cliched but the Grand Canyon is not that far from you and a fabulous place to hike. Last year we did the tourist thing, the Kaibab and Bright Angel trails, this year we were more ambitious and hiked the Hermit's Trail. It's nice because there are no restrictions on children, there were a couple of 14 year olds in our party and we passed babes in arms along the way.

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I've got a book about the trail (Timeless Shore). The photos are awesome.

One day, when I win the lottery.......

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Why lottery? :confused:

(honestly confused!)

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Despite the fact that both us make quite good money, children, child support, funding of various family members, school fee, house renovations, mortgage etc, leaves us with precious little spare cash. Plus, our various work and other commitments make it largely impossible for us to go on vacation together, for anything more than weekends.

Unless we suddenly come into bundles of money and can retire, hiking up the west coast trail is sadly not on the cards.

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Ah, I see. Thanks. I didn't really put my brain in gear and think about serious grown up adult stuff. :o That's sort of out of my element!

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Can a canadian(born and bred) say a few words..

to the poster who is having probs with jobs and returning to UK...when I came to UK nobody wanted to know me, I could not get a job in my field and was to old to go back to school...so I took scrub jobs to get me started...
I am working a full time job now and part time job...good thing a couple of employers took a chance on me...it doesn't matter what country you are from or where you emigrate too...people will be a bit leary on foreigners..(even tho Canada loves brits)...

As for not having history, of course we don't have the history the UK does...but we have a natural beauty that many countries will never have, we do have a lower crime rate then UK...we only got a 1/4 of the population...,

I love England, but I love Canada too....my move was not because of bettering my life but due to love of my life...

Moving to a new country is hard....you have culture shock, you need a job, a home, schools...

I have had to adjust as many others have, foods, saying "toilet" instead of bathroom (sorry I still can't say toilet it sounds so rude)

And in a few years when my husband retires we will return to Canada, but until then I am going to enjoy my experience in England, and I can honestly say I will miss it....

but if someone is not happy where they are then yes instead of trashing the country just leave peacefully and return home where you feel most comfortable....

but don't fool yourself, UK has some problems to be sorted as well...it is not all roses over here...
but best of luck to you when you return....

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Hmm, Manchester ay,...well good luck to you, If your looking forward to it then it will keep you going til you leave. I hope it all works out for you.

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Ooooh yes! Seeing as this seems to be such a bad tempered thread everyone should look out for the William Shatner version of "I am Canadian". It makes me smile everytime I hear it! :)