Why do you think that Batty? I always enjoy your posts

great idea.
Even reading the MBTHUK, makes me feel a little bit like Im giving in when sometimes you only need that one person to say they understand and offer no advice, just sympathy.

He was trying to help with practical advice and experience of numerous people on here, some people need straight-talking rather than being coddled. Sympathy isn't always the correct response to situations. (although I'll probably get flamed for being unsympathetic now)

McDub, that's exactly what I mean, I thought it was good what Iaink was saying - he was giving the prospective of someone who has been in Canada a long time and is able to offer good advice. He didnt just say to Mrs M " Well if you feel like that off you go"

That's what a lot of folk need, insight from fellow expats who have been through the same experiences. I'm not saying to always give sympathy but to be empathetic to others as we have all been through the same thing...apart from those lucky enough to not experience homesickness.

It would be nice to hear someone say when your feeling all alone in a foreign country..."don't worry, hang in there it will get better, you are going to have up days and down days, but it gradually gets easier - we know cos we've been there done that".

Well I think it's a great idea Alvic....due to fly out in 5 weeks and will no doubt check this thread out ... We really appreciate the thought....Daft Batty we always enjoy your posts also, you are definately not invisible.......Hi Piff Poff I have a couple of questions re:vets and hairdressers can I PM you?

I think it's a great post, thanks Alvic!!

Thanks Rhodeys...hope your last five weeks go smoothly

Oh me too Alvic the next five weeks will be mayhem ! We hope you are settling in well....how are your pups? I am getting myself really stressed about Chloe flying Bill is stressed about buying and insuring a car....it's minefield really isn't it. But we haved worked hard for our move and we are excited, nervous, scared, nervous, scared Thanks again for this post

We are settling in well thanks, although sometimes homesickness hits me in the strangest ways. I dont want to go back but it can be hard. I think for me what is worse, is that there is just the two of us and when OH is at work and I am at home the days I dont work and we have no kids it does get very lonely and I can get depressed easily if I dont keep busy - but then there is only so much you can do.

My shipment came on Monday and thankfully it didn't make me worse, but happy to have all my familiar things around me and the place feel even more like home now. But I was ironing the other day and listening to one of my Scottish CD's and a song came on called " A Scottish Soldier", don't know if you are familiar or not but its about a soldier away from home in the foreign hills of Tyrol and the last few lines of the chorus are 'As fair as these green foreign hills may be - they are not the hills of home" and boy did a huge wave of homesickness hit me and I sat down on the floor and cried my head off and it really took me by surprise as I have been coping really well.

My wee niece who is just two and a half has started sying to me on the webcam too "Come home now" and it is soooo difficult - I really miss my wee nieces and nephews the most and they cant understand why their Aunty is suddenly talking to them from the computer and why they never go to my house anymore.

Some of the reasons behind this thread

Ohhh Alvic

It must be so hard for you : I don't have neices and nephews so I really can't relate but we have family and friends and we know it will be realy hard. I feel for you so much....hopefully your family will visit and enjoy your spare time together.feeling for you.

Worried about our shipment and how long it will take to arrive


Wishing you so much luck and happiness

Team Rhodey

This is a good idea Al, we've having a fabulous time here - but Friday night getting ready to go out with friends and I just burst into tears cos it reminded me of Friday nights in England, girlies getting ready drinking wine listening to club music and generally being raucous (sp).

I love it here I really do but I just wanted my fiends there to help with hair - to tell me my bum looked bug in this - to dovvy up some more wine - just girlie stuff in general.

So I put on a ministry of sound CD to get my spirits up and was met with blank looks, just wasn't the same I don't want to go back but I do miss my buddies and the random crap we used to talk about.

Yes MB, going back to the UK for a few weeks is the best cure of all.

I never get homesick - maybe it's because I'm in NS and can fly back quicker than I can drive between Gatwick and Manchester.

Exactly Moo...so on Friday night you could have came onto this thread and we could have talked some random crap with you instead

Thats great to hear you dont get homesick As you say maybe cos you are quite close

......Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee, OOOOOh Canada we stand on guard....for...........thee.

Thats why the man called susan thread is so long - girlies talking rubbish - but supporting each other and having a laugh.

I know it takes a long time to make new friends and to get to a stage that you feel comfortable with. I think what a lot of us forget is that friends back in England are ones we've had for years - grown up with in some cases and to have to start that all over again is a very daunting task.

I think those who are moving over with young teenagers should actually listen to their concerns - they are the same as ours however they just have a better way of putting it, ie - straight out.

As adults we can amuse ourselves with housework, jobs arranging all relevant paperwork and the list goes on. For a teenager they don't have that to do so their whole lives are their friends - thats why it must be so hard for them.

Sorry just ranting but imagine how you would feel if your whole life had been pulled out from under you?