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that hole is now a huge pit...lol..

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Canal Street is fab. It's tranny night on Wednesday! Seriously though, the bars are stunning, the people are friendly...just a wonderful night out for all sorts of open minded people.

Manchester is a great city and has changed so, so much over the years for the better. The city is fulll to the brim with personality!

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I second that..lol...Mancunians are just wonderful....well I would say that because I am one...but I am being honest..lol...after 7 years away our first visit "back home" I was so use to the sterile new Perth so was dreading seeing the "dirty,scruffy old City" most people here I knew told me it was...well we were so pleased...honestly Manchester had picked itself up and really worked hard at reinventing itself as a Modern,Vibrant city with a great Industrial heritage....to me Manchester is just getting better as it ages...our visited again another 2 years later and it really is like a good wine...

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I had a flat in Hulme. Remember whent he busus wouldn't go through and Cracker was filmed there all the time!? It was 35000 pounds, with free carpets, fridge and washer! My brother thought I was totally nuts but it soon became a massive regeneration success and everyone started buying there. It's become a very cool place to live and it was a fantastic investment for a poor, single teacher!

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I don't know Burswood and sounds like I shouldn't bother. Where is it? But yes, there are some very rough ass places still left that are best left avoiding.....getting better though and its always great to visit for a giggle and a few drinks....or a few drinks then a giggle!

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The Burswood is a Hotel and Casino complex on the river here in Perth..with a golf course...the hotel looks great from outside but does need revamping and also is very expensive to stay, the golf course is excellent but the main attraction is the Casino and it is horrible..use to be really good a good few years ago about 11 !!! but is certainly not like that now...it attracts all kinds and dress standards...well I am not sure there are any..lol...and there is always some fight going on even with all the heavy security so know a place I would not even consider visiting again unless drastically changed but the way Perth is going with their "drinking areas" ie Northbridge, Freo ....it certainly is going downhill since we arrived and a very slippery downhill...lol...I use to go swimming at Burley High School it was in Hulme...I use to swim for Manchester and English School and on a Saturday that was one of the venues we trained at...that and Victoria Baths (recently shown here on the Antique Road Show....) and also a two centre Victorian Swimming Baths just behind Ancoats that was knocked down years and years ago....I use to get off the bus near the Newspaper works and walked through all the old empty Victorian Buildings it was like walking through my history books I was studying at the time...now a few of them have been made into lovely looking apartments but most of them where knocked down..which was great at the time as it looked better but in hindsight would of looked wonderful now if they had been left and refurbished....

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Oh, I was in totally the wrong country! Hilarious. Perth sounds like the strangest of places. Lots of social problems but none of the charm!

When I go home I find myself cooing at old buildings and can't help myself photographing and stroking them. My girlfriends look on in horror! The Victorian buidings are amazing and yes, if left alone would probably be penthouse apartments now! It's amazing what you can do with an old cotton mill or insane asylum!

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I visited Prestbury Asylum...and no not as a patient..lol.. it looked straight out of a Dickens novel but my word what a building...those Victorians certainly knew how to make a Statement....yes I find Perth a strange place some very rich areas and some very poor areas but attitudes can be the same in these areas.....

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Manchester sounds great, I'll have to make sure I visit as soon as I can when I get back. Being a Londoner I never ventured up North much, seems like I've got lots to see.

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[QUOTE=brits1;8328117]I visited Prestbury Asylum...and no not as a patient..lol.. it looked straight out of a Dickens novel but my word what a building...those Victorians certainly knew how to make a Statement....yes I find Perth a strange place some very rich areas and some very poor areas but attitudes can be the same in these areas.....[/QUOTE]

Have to agree there, it's also such a sterile place and just seems as is something is not quite right. It's hard to put your finger on it and really quite hard to describe unless you have lived here a while.

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Now don't go getting lost! lol. Yes, it's great up north these days I think. The old north south divide, grim up north thing seems to have all but disappeared thank goodness. I always found Manchester nightlife better than London (lived in London for 8 years and loved it and Manchester for 4 years) but you can get into the city in a taxi to fantastic bars and restaurants for a few pounds and back again. No tube, no long bus rides.....it's fab. Liverpool and Leeds are great too but I'm mostly familiar with the drinking establishments of Manchester! Oh how I miss those days sometimes.

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I can't imagine what inspired Dicken's writings. I can't believe the terrible conditions people, especially children endured. It sends shivers through my bones....it's no wonder they jumped on ships to Aus and Canada. -40 or the workhouse? What a choice!

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<sigh>

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:D..where have you been woman!

How are you?

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Hello you. I've been hibernating because it's so damn hot. We've had (and are still having) the hottest, driest summer in 35 years here in Perth! It's revolting, even with r/c air-con. How people without air-con and/or pool are dealing with this I just don't know.

Can you get on msn?

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No my MSN is knacked as usual. Still not unpacked the main PC:frown: as we are still house hunting. Need a kick up the ass as we have slacked in looking.
I have sent you afew emails though.
It's lovely and sunny today, but chilly willy lol...tidgy bit of snow this morning too, but all going now. I'm going out in a minute as i'm off to Leeds to get my outfit for this weekend. Going to Manchester for my sisters birthday and valentines too.

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workhouse..lol....

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You know you will always be welcome as soon as I find somewhere to rent/buy...I have been lucky enough to travel to most parts of the U.K...only the I.O.W to go and visit but will love to do more exploring when home again....I really do appreciate now the scenery/counties/coastland etc we have in the British Isles....especially after living in WA

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Thats me......:frown: so bloody over this heat and humidity.....i just want to go home!!!!........:thumbsup: maybe.....just maybe this year....

Dtp:thumbup:

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Welcome back ST.G....and even with air con. swimming pool..Spa......it's still to ruddy hot.....it's like being spit roasted....lol.....oh and am I looking forward to this Sunday...NOT..a guy on the radio said a nice warm 37 on Sunday...they have to be on something....got to be...either that or the sun just frizzles your brain cells....

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I've been saying "maybe this year" for 13 years or so and it's just got harder each year. If you can do it now and you really know in your heart that's what you want, then go for it now. Whereabouts are you Dan?

Thanks mate. How's life treating you? Any closer to being set free?:lol:

I can't remember the last time we turned the air con off for any length of time, last October I think it was.:blink: Don't use the pool or spa much at all...well, almost never to be perfectly honest, too darn hot to leave the sanctity of a chilled house in the evenings.:D

Whoever said "a nice warm 37" is an idiot. The aussies are no different than the Brit's when it comes to complaining about the weather.

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Hi Brits 1

Not been on this site for a while, when do you and your family hope to move back to Manchester? I still live on the Isle of Man but currently going through a divorce. My new girlfriend lives in Manchester, a real mancunian and lives near the City of Manchester Stadium....Oh Bliss... I love visiting my City of Birth....Will be there next week in half term.
I agree with you about Manchester, I just love the City Centre and it is Definitely not like boring Perth....

And with Manchini's blues going for a champions leagre place things are looking very promising.

Next time you ate there try visiting the Marble Arch Pub, I think it is on Rochdale Rd.....fantastic architecture and the beer they brew on site is to die for. Hope you get home soon.

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I'm always amazed at how Mancurians talk fondly of their city...I found it to be a depressing grotty place, but then I'm from the classy city of Brum so I guess anything would look dirty and downtrodden in comparison!

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No no no, the city centre is fab.

Have to say, it doesn't beat lovely Liverpool..

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All the very best wishes for the future KK. Have to say I've always enjoyed reading your insightful posts on life (your views regards money, happiness and OZ, etc echo my own sentiments). Hope you find time to continue to make your contributions on BE.

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thanks kiwi ,i have worked out the secret to moving to the uk . Do it because you love the country and the people and shirk materialism and you will be enriched by beautiful countryside ,great humour and a bountiful choice of things to do come friday night .
Dont do it for mum and dad ,dont do it for friends and extended family ,certainly dont do it for money .Do it because you JUST LOVE ENGLAND,SCOTLAND ,ULSTER ,WALES .

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Well said:thumbup:

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Crikey it looks like i shall be be staying in Kiwi land then Mr Kong

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Hogwash. Do it for the pasties. :thumbsup::lol:

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I couldn't agree more K and just for that reason alone, I will, by hell or high water, get back to where my heart lies one day.

I hope you continue to be very happy KK.:)

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....and the fish & chips, pie & mash and a bl**dy decent curry.:lol:

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I agree too...we have extended family and friends who I know will welcome us back but don't expect much more than a twice yearly get together and the odd wedding etc once the initial visits have died down, (that's not being bitter btw as most of our close family is actually in Oz), we will probably be a bit worse off financially and will definately have a smaller house without all the gimmicks like a pool and spa but.........at the end of the day we are returning because we preferred our life in England.

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Actually, reading that back I was being very diplomatic............if I am honest I find Perth very bland and have done for years!:p

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:thumbsup::thumbsup:

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I would LOVE a curry too....the spanish are not curry lovers at all. :blink:

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i agree ,love em :thumbup::thumbup:

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come on you know Great Britain is the greatest country in the world .:):):thumbup::thumbup:

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Oh thats so nice to read from a Brit who has returned home :)

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Come one now, you are still treading on feathers aren't you.
:lol:

One of my SIL's is Spanish, although she lives in England and has one of the best Indian restaurants in the local High Street which she, my brother and most of my family frequently dine in. The SIL loves it and so do her family when they visit, but no, you are right, the Spanish aren't known for cosmopolitan cuisine.

Isn't it just.

I will send you a PM when I have some quiet time V.:)

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Howdy IOM and lovely to hear from you.....we are returning in April 2010....I suppose in a way we gave it one more year....just kept on trying..lol....and now we are VERY,VERY, VERY bored to death of Perth...we even went to the Rugby on Sunday...we like St.George Illaw.....and they came to Perth....so we went...for something different to do...it cost a small fortune..lol....youngest got heatstroke as there was no shade and a hot,hot day....lol...never again though....we were surrounded by typical dinky diers....where the women swore and drank more than the men....and the kids...well just as bad....lol...my OH said never again AND he keeps saying that..lol...he'd rather have his finger nails pulled...it killed an afternoon but oh so miss the atmosphere of home and away fans at a football match.....last time I heard you were in Perth for a family wedding...sorry to hear about your divorce....but glad you have moved on...will you stay in the IOM?......there is nothing...and I mean NOTHING nicer than a Mancunian Lass....Salt of the Earth...lol, were lovely,witty,kind intelligent etc kind of people....lol...well I would say that....I am certainly going to go to the matches....along with my sister and her children (my side of the family are all blues....99% of them have season tickets.....one even has a private box...not my style I like to be out in the crowd.....our first family visit will be Rusholm for a Curry....a lot more Indian Resturaunts now in Perth but all we have tried (and in 12 years you get to try a lot..lol) are nothing near to the standards we have "back home" ets hope we can win this weekend....a shame about Stoke....