Two years today
Apr 1st 2013 | 10:29 am
#1
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,163
From: A Proud Height, Northumberland UK
Two years today
Two years ago today I came home to England. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by, it seems like yesterday.
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
Apr 2nd 2013 | 5:53 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 501
From: Devon- via Liverpool - Now Shawnigan Lake Bc
Re: Two years today
Two years ago today I came home to England. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by, it seems like yesterday.
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
springs here now so hopefully you should get some respite from your pain 
Apr 2nd 2013 | 6:14 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,477
Re: Two years today
It's lovely to hear your update. You'll soon be able to get out and about.
Apr 2nd 2013 | 7:43 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,404
From: Back in the UK!
Re: Two years today
Two years ago today I came home to England. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by, it seems like yesterday.
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
Best wishes for good weather and better health
Apr 2nd 2013 | 7:50 am
#5
Yorkshire Lass
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,416
From: West Yorkshire
Re: Two years today
Two years ago today I came home to England. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by, it seems like yesterday.
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
Sounds like you have a pretty great hubby... and I wish you all the joy and contentment you can handle.
It just goes to show that things might not happen straight away, but things definitely CAN and often DO turn out right in the end. Oh, and lastly - have you tried Comfrey cream for the arthritis? I have friends who swear by it !
Apr 2nd 2013 | 8:00 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 402
From: Wirral, UK
Re: Two years today
what a lovely piece about your two years back home.
I love to read all the positive experiences from those who've returned back to the UK and hope that I too will be the exact same way when I'm there again
I love to read all the positive experiences from those who've returned back to the UK and hope that I too will be the exact same way when I'm there again
Apr 2nd 2013 | 6:16 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,053
From: Scotland, just!
Re: Two years today
Curleytops, what a great post. I am so happy that things have worked out well for you, despite the challenges you have faced.
Apr 2nd 2013 | 9:32 pm
#8
Practical Paramedic
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 931
From: The Beautiful South, UK
Re: Two years today
Great post, loved reading it and glad to hear things are going well for you! Thanks for the advice you gave me 2 months ago btw, now down to 7 weeks and you were so right, the time has flown. Hope you continue to enjoy your new life back in the UK and just wanted to wish you all the best. Did you get to Betty's for afternoon tea at all?! Thanks for the update!
Apr 3rd 2013 | 1:01 am
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Re: Two years today
Two years ago today I came home to England. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by, it seems like yesterday.
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
Apr 3rd 2013 | 1:07 am
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Re: Two years today
Two years ago today I came home to England. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by, it seems like yesterday.
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
At times it shocks me that when I think of what I left behind to return I realize it's my family and a couple of old friends I think of much of the time and not Canada. Actually, in retrospect I find I have thought very little about Canada and realize I don't miss it at all and I've detached myself from it very easily. Being back in England I have a sense of contentment I had not known since childhood and I feel like things are finally how they should be.
That's not to say that the past two years have been altogether easy either. Hubby and I were married two months to the day of my arriving back in the UK but we had a few not so great issues to deal with as well. In the first few months both he and I had what could have been potentially serious health issues and I noticed my arthritis got considerably worse living literally right on the English Channel. This had a knock on effect with my mobility so I have not been out and about since being home as much as I would have liked to.
Shortly after my husband finally got his doctor's ok to go back to work he was made redundant and we knew if he was to continue in his chosen profession we would in all likelihood be moving. That was a big blow for all the usual reasons but also we now found ourselves trying not to get too attached to our new surroundings in Kent. After embracing it with so much optimism and hope for the future, I found I was detaching myself from this new place that had held so much promise for us. It hurt looking at our lovely old flat and the beautiful sea front knowing that we would likely have to say goodbye to it - the big questions were when and where would we end up? In the months that followed, hubby ran an exhausting rat race all over the country in search of work with seemingly one disappointment after another. He worked a couple of contracts in different areas and commuted home for weekends over several months. Keeping two sets of accommodation going and the time out of work exhausted our savings but eventually last August hubby found himself with two permanent job offers to choose from. We chose North Yorkshire over Oxford because we had a chance to enjoy a lower cost of living near the coast and closer to our home town in the northeast.
We packed up and made our move north at the end of October and we're both very happy in North Yorkshire so far. Because of the mobility problems I've had with my arthritis I've not been able to explore my surroundings as much as I'd have liked to and consequently I feel like I'm still settling in over here but we are both optimistic about the future. We've had more than our share of adversity thrown at us over this past couple of years but we both agree it has served to make us stronger. I don't for one minute regret my decision to move back to England. For the first time since childhood I feel like I truly belong somewhere and that I can finally be myself again.
I can't say there has really been anything that has really bugged me over here, just a few minor annoyances but I feel if they are the worst of it then I'm way ahead of the game. One thing I try not to do if possible is compare the price of things between here and North America. Lots of things are cheaper here but some aren't and there's just no point in losing sleep over it. The way I see it, I'm here so what does it matter what something costs over there. I can live with not having a decent sized shower and those annoying pencil pleat curtains and in return I get real fish and chips, beautiful countryside without a deluge of mosquitoes and black flies as soon as the weather gets nice, a temperate climate, the list goes on and on...but most of all I've got my very best friend here beside me - a pretty great husband! It's also been wonderful getting to know family and old friends I've not seen for years all over again. All in all, I think this move didn't work out too bad at all.
Good luck to all of you yet to come - I hope your move turns out as happy as mine has
Apr 3rd 2013 | 6:17 am
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,654
From: South Bucks
Re: Two years today
I plan on returning to the Uk from Canada also this year. I would like to know your experience regarding cra and filing your last tax form. Also, regarding closing my bank account here and opening Uk bank account I basically need a simple blow by blow account of leaving Canada without paying an arm and leg to do so. thanks
We are with HSBC so no problems with that as we have an account in UK as well. How long have you lived and where in Canada and why do you want to leave if you don't mind me asking?
Apr 3rd 2013 | 10:10 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,204
From: Maine
Re: Two years today
Thanks for the update, I've followed along with many of your posts.
Apr 3rd 2013 | 6:22 pm
#13
Not actually a squirrel
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,446
From: England
Re: Two years today
What a lovely update. I hope things just keep on keeping better for you.
Apr 3rd 2013 | 6:41 pm
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,390
From: Canberra
Re: Two years today
Gosh, time really does fly! I can remember your move (just yesterday!). Glad to hear that things have fallen into place for you at last and hopefully, with the warmer weather, your mobility will improve!
Apr 3rd 2013 | 7:05 pm
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,053
From: Scotland, just!
Re: Two years today
Hi we are leaving in a couple of years and I also wondered about tax implications. One thing I have heard is that you must sell property before you leave to avoid the capital gains and exit tax!
We are with HSBC so no problems with that as we have an account in UK as well. How long have you lived and where in Canada and why do you want to leave if you don't mind me asking?
We are with HSBC so no problems with that as we have an account in UK as well. How long have you lived and where in Canada and why do you want to leave if you don't mind me asking?
