Inspiration to help you decide to move back
#16
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
Bryson's great as an audio book because he reads them himself.
I laugh aloud, too.
Bev
I laugh aloud, too.
Bev
#18
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
My wife might assist people, after 15 years in Australia she never wanted to return to UK, however I persuaded her to give it a go last May, after 7 months she admits she much prefers the UK and never wants to return to Oz. We're even discussing selling up our house in Oz and buying a one here (YES!!!! )
#19
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
My wife might assist people, after 15 years in Australia she never wanted to return to UK, however I persuaded her to give it a go last May, after 7 months she admits she much prefers the UK and never wants to return to Oz. We're even discussing selling up our house in Oz and buying a one here (YES!!!! )
#20
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
Thats a horrible delema ededed.
Maybe you could have her move back with you for a set amount of time and then discuss which country would be best for everyone.
Or drag her parents to UK with you. then they could see the new baby too.
Maybe you could have her move back with you for a set amount of time and then discuss which country would be best for everyone.
Or drag her parents to UK with you. then they could see the new baby too.
#21
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
I love Bill Bryson, I tried backagen's Bennett book and it was quite enjoyable but Bill is the best. Talking of which now he has returned to the UK hopefully there will be anew book about the UK soon?
Ruby if you can't get his books in any local bookstores you should find them on amazon, he has written quite a few about his travels, he is an expat American married to a Brit. Be warned I laugh out loud at some of his stuff so if you read it on a bus you may look a bit mad.
Ruby if you can't get his books in any local bookstores you should find them on amazon, he has written quite a few about his travels, he is an expat American married to a Brit. Be warned I laugh out loud at some of his stuff so if you read it on a bus you may look a bit mad.
#22
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
We were here for a few years, back in the UK for 6 years then back here for 2 - we can't decide! A problem of our own making to be sure - but whatever we do next is for keeps....I just can't be arsed to swap countries again - let alone hemispheres...!
#23
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
I'm looking forward to reading the Private Eye again.I miss satirical comment. I'm also dreaming of Glasgow curries .I can't wait to see the green hills where I live in Scotland as I'm fed up looking at the parched Victorian landscape and the You Yangs don't float my boat.
My dad is in Auchtermuchty - beautiful hills and fields - and haggis!
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 839
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
I get Private Eye posted out to me here in SA - couldn't live without it. And as for curries....if I don't have a chicken madras soon (sharing a pasanda with wifey) then I'll get the DTs. My sister in law is in Cumbernauld so we also venture east to Glasgae for a curry - best in the world! (IMHO).
My dad is in Auchtermuchty - beautiful hills and fields - and haggis!
My dad is in Auchtermuchty - beautiful hills and fields - and haggis!
#25
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,198
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
Have you seen or heard or read something that has given you some kind of inspiration or assisted you to make up your mind to move back to UK? I'm still struggling to decide for lots of highly complex reasons. However I noticed a book while just browsing in Angus & Robertson yesterday called "Mustn't Grumble - An accidental return to England" by Joe Bennett. I won't say it has magically solved all my problems by any means, but after a quick look I knew I had to buy it and have done so, because it's about a guy (the author) who returned to UK after 18 years away (which is about how long I've been away) and he gives and excellent and very descriptive and detailed account of that experience, which involves travelling to various parts of Britain. Anyway I just find that if I'm having one of those days when I'm more stressed and indecisive than usual about whether to move back or not, reading this helps to at least calm me down a bit! I recommend that you take a look at it in a book shop and maybe buy it if you're in a similar situation to me (very indecisive). Like I said it hasn't made me instantly make a decision but it helps a bit, and it is a very interesting and overall quite a nice account of modern English life, told by an ex-pat Englishman who has returned after a long time away, so we can probably all relate to his experience. Anyway, the point of this thread is to let each other know if we have seen or read or watched something (book, video, website, magazine or whatever) that might help us decide what to do, or to feel a bit better about making the decision to move back to UK. If so please let us know where to find it!
What a great question - and follow-up discussion. Thanks for the book recommendation. (Like I need an excuse to purchase yet another book!)
With regard to the brilliant Bill Bryson, his "Notes From a Small Island" used to also be available on DVD (we have it) but in checking with Amazon.com just now, it appears to be discontinued. Might be able to pick up a copy on eBay, etc. Superb DVD.
He and his wife - after a period of time living back here in the US - have now returned to the UK to live. He President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Here's his website: http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/billbryson/
#26
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
I love Bill Bryson, I tried backagen's Bennett book and it was quite enjoyable but Bill is the best. Talking of which now he has returned to the UK hopefully there will be anew book about the UK soon?
Ruby if you can't get his books in any local bookstores you should find them on amazon, he has written quite a few about his travels, he is an expat American married to a Brit. Be warned I laugh out loud at some of his stuff so if you read it on a bus you may look a bit mad.
Ruby if you can't get his books in any local bookstores you should find them on amazon, he has written quite a few about his travels, he is an expat American married to a Brit. Be warned I laugh out loud at some of his stuff so if you read it on a bus you may look a bit mad.
Anyway, in a nutshell....I grew bored with the book half way through and started on Bill Bryson's. What a breath of fresh air!! Talk about funny as hell and yes, it is one of those books you find yourself laughing out loud to!! All observed through the eyes of an American who arrived at the port of Dover some 20 years earlier, fell in love with England & it's people, decided to stay, met his wife and had 2 daughters and lived in several parts of the UK. Now he does write about his England & places so affectionately - even though he does not praise all places - but he says so in a way you happily accept and tend to agree with. The only thing about this book is that it was published in 1996, so it is some 13 years old now, and I'm sure much more has probably changed since. Joe Bennett's book is as recent as 2006 but depicted through the eyes of a critical British Expat who loves his life in New Zealand.......I think I know who's view of England I prefer
Anyway, just wanted to share my opinions and hopefully, many more will say what they thought of these books.
Ruby x
#27
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
Glad to hear you enjoyed Bill Ruby, he is a real fave of mine, I love his stuff and would suggest reading some of his other books about his European travels, there is some great laughs to be had with them as well.
He comes across as genuinely loving the UK but not in a rose tinted way, and pokes a lot of fun at Brits in a very affectionate way.
He comes across as genuinely loving the UK but not in a rose tinted way, and pokes a lot of fun at Brits in a very affectionate way.
#28
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
Glad to hear you enjoyed Bill Ruby, he is a real fave of mine, I love his stuff and would suggest reading some of his other books about his European travels, there is some great laughs to be had with them as well.
He comes across as genuinely loving the UK but not in a rose tinted way, and pokes a lot of fun at Brits in a very affectionate way.
He comes across as genuinely loving the UK but not in a rose tinted way, and pokes a lot of fun at Brits in a very affectionate way.
#29
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
FWIW, I *think* Notes from a Big Country is sold in the US as I'm a Stranger Here Myself and Down Under is sold as In a Sunburned Country.
As for the o.p.'s question, I had laughed and cried when I read Notes from a Small Island . . . but it was the death of one of my BILs that tipped me over the edge.
#30
Re: Inspiration to help you decide to move back
Me too. I've read most of his books -- most recently Down Under, Shakespeare, and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. (When first I got back here I didn't have a telly and did a LOT of reading.)
FWIW, I *think* Notes from a Big Country is sold in the US as I'm a Stranger Here Myself and Down Under is sold as In a Sunburned Country.
As for the o.p.'s question, I had laughed and cried when I read Notes from a Small Island . . . but it was the death of one of my BILs that tipped me over the edge.
FWIW, I *think* Notes from a Big Country is sold in the US as I'm a Stranger Here Myself and Down Under is sold as In a Sunburned Country.
As for the o.p.'s question, I had laughed and cried when I read Notes from a Small Island . . . but it was the death of one of my BILs that tipped me over the edge.