Originally Posted by JRB

A sense of community
Sense of humour
Diversity
Interestingness ( if there's such a word!)
Meeting people you can relate too, have common shared experiences e.g yes I went to Glastonbury in 95 too instead of 'WTF is the Melbourne cup?'
Summer festivals, fairs, fetes
No annoying flies going in your ear or nose, just normal ones!
Sunshine is bearable so kids can play out for hours in the summer
Obviously family and old friends
So much to do
shops are interesting and different, not just bland shopping centres with the same shops
Culture, Europe on doorstep
Pubs, theatre, music
Not as many 4WD's
Don't have to travel miles for something different
Countryside and great beaches, southwold, Scotland, Cornwall etc etc
Loads of interesting little towns to explore all within 50 mile radius, not just one bland suburb the same as the other.
Character houses
People are generally more tolerant and less materialistic
Better study and work options
The train passengers aren't as intimidating!!!

I can go on and on. I am glad to have experienced living in Perth for 5 years but much happier back here. I think if you ignore the daily mail gloom and doom B/S and make the most of things, the UK is fantastic. Our lives are greatly enriched being back here.

All the best

Originally Posted by dunroving

I never quite figured out why spring bulbs dont do well in the States (not in the South, anyway). I remember daffs used to last about a day after popping up, and tulips, snowdrops, crocuses, etc., were nonexistent.

Anybody know why?

Originally Posted by SarahInTX

Others have hit on pretty much everything I miss, but another thing is train trips. I always make a point of going somewhere by train when I'm in the UK.

Originally Posted by Backhomeatlast

ever been on this train....superb.

Originally Posted by dunroving

I never quite figured out why spring bulbs dont do well in the States (not in the South, anyway). I remember daffs used to last about a day after popping up, and tulips, snowdrops, crocuses, etc., were nonexistent.

Anybody know why?

Originally Posted by bugman

haha, daffodils are a long way away here near chicago, lots of very cold weather, luckily the spring here does have a nice british feel, mild and breezy, until the heat kicks in..... tru brit, just to rub it in, im glad i don't live in houston!!

Originally Posted by TruBrit

Originally Posted by bugman

sorry, texas is the one part of the US ive visited and really didnt want to stay for long.

Originally Posted by dunroving

I never quite figured out why spring bulbs dont do well in the States (not in the South, anyway). I remember daffs used to last about a day after popping up, and tulips, snowdrops, crocuses, etc., were nonexistent.

Anybody know why?

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum

Hi D

I studied horticulture many years ago. From memory bulbs need to be stored or in the ground below a certain temperature for a period of weeks to enable flourishing growth. In UK they automatically get it in the ground during our winter season.

Originally Posted by oldbag

You're right....ideally they should be planted the previous September/October so they establish a good root system during the winter months. I am always amazed at how mine survive through the bitter cold winter months here, then push their way through in April; I've planted mini- daffs, crocus and grape hyacinth in the lawn under a huge cut-leaf maple, and they look so pretty. My neighbours thought I was completely mad when they saw me merrily digging holes in the lawn.....but who's laughing now!

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum

Wow, i bet it looks lovely. I so so miss the spring bulbs.

In fact you have just reminded me of the carpet of gorgeous smelling lily of the valley that my dad planted in the lawn below my bedroom window as a child. I would wake every morning to the most amazing smell. I'm gonna make it my first plant purchase when i get back home

Originally Posted by hudd

Hi

A couple of photo taken last weekend from my garden. Spring flowers look so nice this time of the year in England. Daffodils are starting to open as well.

This is one of the nice aspects of returning to England, we have flowers in the garden most of the year and not burrried under snow for 6 months of the year when we lived in Canada.