Editha

I think they are usually called "gollies" nowadays, because the full name is more likely to cause offence.

In my experience, the golly is a very British toy, and most Americans don't recognise it as a black stereotype. One friend started collecting Robertson's badges while he was studying in the UK, and when I pointed out that they were representations of black people, he told me he'd thought they were supposed to be blackcurrants, which was not an unreasonable assumption, since they were advertising jam.

dontheturner

Thank you Cheers! Yes - still here, and loving it - just got my Cataract on the right eye done, so wearing shades for a while. Love to you all. Don

aliblu4191

What great pics. I was back home last October visiting my Brother and Sister in law. We took many walks and encountered lots of stiles. It was still the same as when I was a kid.

dunroving

I just watched that episode on the flight back to Glasgow - 30 minutes of guilty, cringe-worthy comedy, classic Ricky Gervais.

jasper123

I saw Shirley in Las Vegas once only, I think it was the first year I moved there from Reno, was about 16 years ago, she was only there for one night but all her thousands of tickets sold out within hours after going on sale, and I was one of the first ones at the ticket counter, she was fabulous, and got three standing ovations,
Those were the days where you could still barely just about afford to see a Vegas headliner show, these days people pay $500 a ticket to see a dead beat like Elton John, can you imagine

Fish n Chips 56

Dead Beat??? C-mon Rodney plenty of people like Elton, me included, he really is one I would like to see, I wouldn't pay $500 to see him or anyone else for that matter.

DaveandLinda

Hi all
Just discovered this thread after searching through the forum. We are currently in Australia on a Contributory Parent Visa, which cost quite a lot of money. We came over to join our son.The original plan for all the family to come over here and be in Brisbane where I have a sister.

However, heL got offered a job in Perth and so the family settled there. Due to unforeseen circumstances our daughter is still in the UK and decided not to emigrate for the time being. We wanted to retire here, but are having to work to help the finances as Perth is very expensive. We are having trouble settling here in Perth as we find it a bit bland, with lack of character etc. and have found it difficult to meet like minded people of our own age. We also miss our daughter in the UK. We are not sure whether we can afford to stay here once we are no longer working, but feel that we have invested quite a lot of money.

We are thinking about staying to get citizenship, so we can stay here if daughter does emigrate later, and then spending maybe six months here and six months in the UK. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this and what the implications are? If we were not Oz citizens what would be the health implications for us in Oz or in the UK?

I have heard that you have to wait six months on your return to the UK before accessing the National Health. Does anyone know if this is true?

Another consideration would be to move to Brisbane, at least we would be nearer our family here, but doesn't solve the problem of missing family in the UK.

Third option, retire to Bali?

We feel guilty and torn between out 2 kids at the moment, my wife helps out with the grandchildren.

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

Fish n Chips 56

Dave n Linda...

I have heard that you have to wait six months on your return to the UK before accessing the National Health. Does anyone know if this is true?

I dont think that is true as some on the 50s-60s thread have moved back after years and got instant HNS care.

Wish I could help more, but its out of my area, I'm sure others will help either here or on the Moving back 50-60s thread, if not may I suggest you pose these questions on the main page.

mikelincs

As a UK citizen, you would get full NHS cover from day 1, all you need to do is to p[rove you have an address in the UK, usually a utility bill in your name, or a rental agreement.

sallysimmons

I didn't even have to do that to register. Just told them my address and they said 'yes, this is the right practice, here are the forms.' I think it varies depending on where you are and who you get on reception the day you walk in.

mikelincs

we may not have had to take the info in, but we had it with us. In fact I found out that I was stll on their list.. after 4 years away, they had deleted my wife but not me.

dunroving

I'm not sure what the rules are if you plan to spend on/off, 6 months in the UK, 6 months in Australia - this may not count as ordinarily resident in the UK. However, in practice, I think most surgeries would not bother.

DaveandLinda

Thanks a lot for your replies. Something to think about.

curleytops

I think our tickets ran us about $150 CAD each back in 2005 (seats were excellent), he put on an amazing performance then but unfortunately I think time is creeping up on him too and the in last few live performances I've seen on TV I think his voice is starting to go. That being said, IMO Elton John has had a superb career and written some beautiful songs & I'll always be glad I got the chance to see him live.

lf1

Re the Jubilee Concert, did you see Geoffrey Gurrumul with the childrens choir. I was hoping he would do a solo as his music is lovely. Have a listen. This song sends shiver up my spine as it is so beautiful.

If my link doesn't work look up Gurrumul on You Tube. The song is called Wiyathul.

http://youtu.be/x8-YMpYbRqY

Speaking of choirs. Once, when I was travelling back to Canada from Heathrow, I was in the departure lounge. Out of the blue a male choir stood up and started to sing in amongst all the passengers and the shops. It was a wonderful experience. Of course, they got a huge round of applause.