How did everyone do on their first visit back?

We are going back for the first time this weekend.

We are landing at Heathrow in a few days. I think I will have forgotten how much traffic there is and marvel at the green grass.

I expect very much mixed feelings whilst being there and coming back. I am wondering whether the homesickness hits after the first visit or whether I will just be plain desperate to get back. I think a bit of both.

How did you lot get on?

Can't remember. Sorry.

I remember my son turned to me and said, "It's nice to hear the English voices, isn't it?"

I've been back 3 times. First 2 trips were for 8 days. What a whirlwind of catching up with everyone!

Thought the streets were really busy. I rent a car.
Enjoyed the wide range of food choices.
Enjoyed shopping
Hated the squacking seagulls day and night. .
Felt a bit like a stranger in my own city. I now live in a small town and am used to seeing lots of people I know when out and about. That doesn't happen in a large city so I felt like an outsider.
Felt a bit overwhelmed by all the new buildings and store changes the first time I went home after 2.5 years
Thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful architecture

Third trip home was for 21 days. I felt quite at home after a couple of weeks.

I haven't felt homesick although I do miss family and friends. Felt ok about flying back to NS. I intend going home fairly regularly and I am fine with that

I'm sat in YVR now, waiting for my first flight back. After 9 years, I'm not expecting much. Older faces. Fatter bellies.

Have you packed a mirror?

No need. I'm just reciting my OH. She's very perceptive.

First time back was hard but we hadn't been here long. I remember looking forward to a bacon butty and then being disappointed in the taste. A few things disappointed but the lushness of all those greens was memorable. Even the road from Gateick looked pretty.

I haven't been back yet but somebody I know who went back after quite a few years told me that the UK was like a lovely place he once knew but in miniature.

Small roads, small houses, small cars, small parking spaces, small shops and small fields. I will be interested to experience that when I eventually go back.

First time back, the things I noticed were:

• The cars seem to drive a lot faster
• I enjoyed being able to flash my headlights at people and it meant something!
• people on the motorway had *some* lane discipline and the ability to merge properly
• Narrower roads with bends
• Everyone walking around the town centre had miserable faces
• The grass was really green, and I mean REALLY green
• It sounded weird to hear English accents
• Everyone, and I mean everyone, wanted to see us - we couldn't fit everyone in as it snowed and we got stuck at my Mum's for about four days!
• No homesickness - didn't feel anything on that front at all really. Just that it was nice to visit but we were still getting settled in Canada at the time.

We are going back this summer for the first time in nearly five years. Some of my closest relatives haven't met my two kids yet (partly due to the snowed in incident last time round!) I'm wondering if it will be more of the same. This time we are going for three weeks and I'm still finding it hard to get round everyone! One thing I am really looking forward to is being able to take the kids up to London to see some "proper culture" and down to the coast for a bit of good ol' bucket and spade fun!

Have a great time - just enjoy the experience as a "visitor" (if you can!)

Edit: Almost forgot to mention that every time I got in the car it was the wrong side!

Have some curries and all will be right with world.

Enjoy the fact that when you purchase an item and take to the till: the price you see on the label is the actual price you pay at the cash desk!

Enjoy buying your booze in supermarkets!

Two things I know I am going to enjoy after I have been in Canada a trip home

A piece of advice....

Don't try to see absolutely everyone you want to see or that wants to see you. Otherwise you spend your time in a frantic whirlwind of travel/visits/socialising and will need another vacation when you get back to Canada. It can also be very stressful. Better to see the key family/friends that you want to see and accept that some people you just wont be able to catch up with. We also used to say to friends "We'll be in such and such pub at such and such a time, hope you can come out for a pint/food/catch up if you can make it". That usually worked well.

Aside from that and not crying when you walk around Tesco/Waitrose/M&S Food halls, have a good time

Yes its a good idea about the pub/restaurant meet-up otherwise its exhausting.

I got the shock of my life at my old local Tesco - they had added a full size top floor and nearly all the cashiers were Polish with more than a hint of Aberdonian accent

We've always done the meet up at a pub thing. Doesn't stop people wanting to meet up individually still, but there's never enough time to get to everyone.

Enjoy the half price Easter eggs next week