lucy71

Hi there

Well I've had a lightbulb moment and I'm no longer going through the turmoil of am I am I not doing the right thing to be leaving oz etc which everyone seems to go through at some stage!

I've turned a corner so to speak and I'm actually feeling relieved to be going home! In fact, I can't wait! I'm not sure what's caused me to have this epiphany but I no longer think am I making a big mistake to be leaving oz because I know in my hearts of hearts I just want to be home!

Only 10 weeks to go now. We had the removalists round yesterday for a quote (Wridgways). We were planning to do our removal ourselves, but b****r that! With a toddler to look after we're going to go for the easier option of a shared container. Could take months and months for our stuff to get back but that's ok.

I think sitting down and getting my big checklist week by week of things to do has taken a lot of the stress out of the impending move back as well. It doesn't seem as overwhelming because I know we can get it all done in the timeframe that we have left.

I've made a big list of things I'm looking forward to when I get home and it's on my fridge to remind me every day of all the good things we have to look forward to!

Of course, there are many things I"ll miss about Australia, and a part of me is slightly nervous as to how I'll actually feel when I get home and will I like it but I'm kind of pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind and focussing on all the positives that moving back can offer!

So, to all of you out there in a sea of angst as to whether you're doing the right thing or not moving back, just trust your gut instincts, who know's you might get a light bulb moment too!

suffolk nuts

good luck to you hope all goes well its a lovely feeling to be going home isnt it

varnold

Goodluck to you....I think i had a light bulb moment, woke up one day and decided this is it.....I need to go back. I hope it works out for us both and anyone else returning. Goodluck

Fleaflyfloflum

Good luck Lucy

Now you have made the decision life gets quite exciting!!

I returned to UK back in August thinking it was for good, but circumstances mean I have had to come back for a while. Having done this, it has made me realise there are things i will miss about Aus, but only a handful of minor things really.

manc1

Spot on. I think anyone going back has to accept that there will be things they miss about oz. Don't try and block those things out of your mind just accept them. It would be foolish to go back and try and think everything in oz was bad. Just like it's very foolish of those coming out here from the UK and changing there name to Bruce and Sheila before they've even got of the plane.

Fleaflyfloflum

Hi Manc

Absolutely agree with you.
The things i will miss are the excellent outdoor cafe culture here in Sydney. Access to glorious beaches even though i dont go there that much it's great to have them on hand when in the mood for it. Of course the warmer weather, although i hate it when its too hot and loved the frosty mornings when I was back in UK.
Apart from bananas and potatoes, i feel aussie fruit tastes nicer especially stone fruit and grapes.
Cant think of other stuff right now, but as you can see none of them are important enough to want to keep me here. All quite trivial.

SiennaRowe

Hi there,

I just wondered how long you have been in Aus & where...

S xx

PS: Congrats on making the decision to go back to England, I have been here for 2.5 years now, and can't see myself making that decision any time soon!

lucy71

We've been here 3 years and live in Melbourne. We've got our citizenship so we can always come back if we want to. Feel we've given it a good go, but I think you know in your heart of hearts when you've had enough, still not feeling settled and want to go home.

I was walking through my local village thinking was I sad to be leaving and I actually felt nothing. Maybe it's because our departure date is still 9 weeks away, maybe I will feel sad to leave but at the moment I just feel relief to be leaving! Of course I'll miss lots of good things about oz, and there are plenty, but this is only natural when you've lived somewhere for a while and get familiar with where you live.

I've got some strategies I've thought about to help me transition back to living in England.

So I've decided to get a lightbox to help get me through the winter, to buy a coffee making machine to make my own coffee and get out and about no matter what the weather and keep some of that outdoorsy attitude!

Triboy

$20 says there's a 'have you tried somewhere else' post coming.

TraceyW

Have you tried moving to a different state ??? Mmmm??

Good for you Lucy21, you must feel so relieved not to be doing that "Should we, shouldn't we?" thing everyday...like wot we do!

Keep us all posted won't you.

Sally Simpson

Good luck with all your preparations for your return!

isleofmanmike

HI lucy

HOPE ALL GOES WELL FOR YOU ON YOUR PLANNED RETURN, I MOVED BACK TO UK MANY YEARS AGO, LIVE ON THE ISLE OF MAN NOW, NICE BEACHES, CLEAN WATER, LITTLE TAX. YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE MOST OF WINTERS IN UK, YESTERDAYS WEATHER WAS GOOD,NOT COLD WINDY OR RAINING WHENT ON A 7 MILE HIKE WITH SOME FRIENDS THROUGH SOME SPECTACULAR SENARY, GREEN HILLS, VALLEYS, RIVERS AND WATERFALLS, ENDED UP AT GREAT PUB, REAL ALE, LOG FIRE, IT WAS GREAT, WE GOT A MINI BUS BETWEEN US AND IT COST 5 QUID EACH. BEST PART OF WINTER FOR ME IS GETTING OUT WALKING AND ENDING UP FOR A FEW PINTS WITH FRIENDS WITH THRE LOG FIRE BURNING........

cally49

Ohhhhhhhhh that sounds so nice roaring log fire and all sounds like you had a brilliant day.....Im here in NZ slowly melting in the heat & swatting the flies of me like crazy..Wishing i was in the UK but have grandchildren here in NZ so the decision keeps getting put off.....

Charlie Paynter

Best of luck. We returned nearly 7 years ago from Auckland and the best advice I can give is NEVER look back, always look forward; otherwise it will screw you up!

bramblebush

I am really pleased for you, must be a great feeling.

I have almost got that light bulb feeling, at the moment I think the dimmer switch has been turned down