Impressions
 

So, after nearly eight years in Canada we are home. I am writing this at 5am jet lagged, in my Mum's house. We are enjoying the comforts of home after living in a tent trailer for 3 months traveling North America which was amazing. Home so far feels very, very good but to be honest anything would after tent trailer living! Having doors and walls is very exciting so sleep training the baby is about to begin!

The dog arrived safe and sound after a scary time with the crate being too small. It was all resolved with the help of Bruno at Worldwide Pet Travel, Vancouver Airport. Air Canada were amazing with our dog and James Cargo received her and she was driven up to Manchester from Heathrow with no problems. It cost £261! Her flight was around $2000. We had some people who thought we were crazy to pay that and some who would be appalled if we left her behind. We're delighted we brought her and she's so far enjoying life in England.

As for us, everything feels great so far. We've been here for just a couple of days but I have seen family and close friends and that was incredible. My nephew is so happy we are back and nothing could make me happier than to see how pleased and relieved he is. My sister in law said he had been worried we would change our minds.

Family and friends are everything to me and I am just so glad to be here with them. My best friend has recently had some medical issues and again, if I had been back home I would have been frustrated and felt useless. Living here again means I can go and see her and give her some support which feels great.

We are looking forward to Christmas with friends and family and have lots of party invites. All we need is a baby sitter as my Mum is off to India! There is an exciting buzz all around and I feel totally alive again.

So first impressions are -

~ weather is cold but people are warm and real
~ food is super cheap (we're in shock)
~ people are real and interact with sincerity rather than with a script
~ I'm laughing again
~ Gatwick airport needs a face lift
~ the Brits are crap at snow
~ the Daily Mail is still awful
~ telly is great
~ family and friends are everything

So far, so good. We'll keep you updated on jobs and stuff. That's the scary bit.

Best wishes to all and please ask away about life back here and I'll be happy to respond.

PS England is beautiful

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Good for you - it must be amazing feeling to finally be 'home', where you want to be, after dreaming about it for so long.

Enjoy your family Xmas - it's going to clearly be very special to be able to share the holiday season with family and friends again.

Nicky
x

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LILLYBILLY!!!!! How are you? Oh it sounds like you are doing just wonderful, the last I heard you had just had a baby and still living in Canada!!

So glad you made it home with hubby and new family for a new start in the UK and its great to hear of you surrounded by family and good friends, can't beat them!!

Take care and have a FABULOUS Christmas at HOME :wub: - what a great word.

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Hey lillybilly, so pleased for you and glad to hear your dog made the journey okay.

Enjoy Christmas in the UK and keep us posted on your re-integration.

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Welcome home, Lillybilly. I'm glad you're loving it.

Prices for food have really gone up in Canada, haven't they? I was shocked when I was over there last summer, and we only left the summer before. Add the exchange rate and it's really striking.

I think it's grand that you took the opportunity to tour around. We drove across Canada for our grand farewell.

Bev

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Wonderful update :thumbsup:

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hadn't heard from you in a while. all the best..

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[QUOTE=lilybilly101;9023410]~ weather is cold but people are warm and real

I agree on both counts :D

~ food is super cheap (we're in shock)

I can't comment on this as I have nothing to compare our UK food priceswith those in any other country

~ the Brits are crap at snow

Tell me about it - chaos still reigns supreme in Eskimoland Scotland...after Winter 2009/10 you'd think we'd have learned some lessons on how to cope with it more efficiently and adequately prepare for it having had all the warnings beforehand, but no......along comes this prolonged spell of severe cold and snow and it all goes pear shaped....again...and again. But Brits wouldn't be Brits if they reacted in th same way as the Scandinavians or the Swiss et al....

~ the Daily Mail is still awful

It often speaks the barefaced honest truth other newspapers choose to ignore ostrich fashion

~ telly is great

Last night Coronation Street was hit by a major disaster likely to have wiped out a good many of the characters - it looks as if the undertakers of Weatherfield are going to be rushed off their feet

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[QUOTE=Lothianlad;9026189]You might want to delete that last bit (or write "SPOILER" before it), as a lot of folks overseas watch Corrie with a several-week delay - maybe they don't want to hear about the latest plot twist ...

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[QUOTE=Lothianlad;9026189]No Corrie spoilers please, in Australia we are 3 months behind on cable TV, but I am week behind on ITV player, so don't tell me anymore!!!! :sneaky::lol:

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:eek:I just watched it on You tube. Holy moley that was quite a show. :blink:

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Hello, hello
We are very well, but a little sleep deprived. It continues to be lovely back home and I am so lucky we have a free roof over our heads until we get jobs.

People have been so friendly and funny. I asked a man at the agency how teaching on call work was and he said, 'I think we'll be able to keep you out of mischief love.' And when trying to get some word documents printed, a guy at the printers said, 'We do specialist work here but I can take it home tonight and do it for you free of charge.'

There's more litter than I'm used to but I take a bag out with me and clean up when I'm walking. Yes, I look like a nutter but the bus stop is nice and clean now!

Best Christmas wishes Bee. x

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[QUOTE=Beedubya;9026725]Lordy, I could ruin the next few months of viewing for my Canadian girlfriend. Mum's the word!

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Can't wait to visit Edinburgh and Pembrokeshire. I just need to get a wee job to afford all our UK travel plans.