Well I see many new faces and I haven't a clue where many are - would love a brief update all round.

As for me... we have been moving into our new house and been cut off from the web- amazing how hooked you become.

We have now been back in the UK for 4 months and it was 6 months already since we left our little rural home in Victoria. Looking back it seems a lifetime ago, quite a strange feeling and in truth not worth the 3 1/2 years of emotional distress. I wish that we had just had 6 months to tour the country and come home with just good holiday memories. Still it was an experience that we lived, shared and learnt from. The girls have been given the insight to a bigger world and my marriage has been tried and tested.

Things back in the Uk have been fantastic. We have brought our own home again! Much easier than expected. Expensive compared to 4 years ago but there is no point looking in the past. Still cheaper than Japan!

The kids are very well settled into school with no teasing or bulling. All three are in the top sets with the eldest being streamlined into a gifted and talented programme. Something that she needed in Aus but wasn't seen or there, I can now see why school in Aus was so hard and boring for her. At least it shows that the schools in Australia are on par with the English schools or is it a bright child will learn wherever? The kids are loving school here and finding it much more varied and topic based and play dates include tea again

I am still working within Estate Agency - something that I wanted to do in Melbourne but which didn't offer varied hours. My hours now are fantastic with the work place being very flexible with children. Mon 9 - 3, Wed 9 - 1, Friday 9 - 6pm and every other Sat - perfect. Hubby is still on contract so no holidays for a while. In truth he is getting well paid so he hasn't even looked at going permanent.

The weather up to now has been fantastic although the last 3 weeks have been very wet and chilly. I don't care though - still get out there as much as possible and enjoy. Even bike riding with the kids at 8pm -cause it's light... missed that!

The main change to my life since being back has to be social. I go out often till the early hours. Never seen any fights and most people are just having a good time. My friends and I went dancing on my birthday till 2am. No drunks, leering dirty men... just people having a great night. I am even going jiving with my Mum

My only regret about Australia is that I stayed there for so long

Thanks to you all on expats - a much needed support over the years X

So glad to hear that it's all worked out so well for you back home

Yes, there are plenty of new faces on here, all of us in the same boat...homesick and had enough!

I'm now counting down in months and not years, so that's an improvement!

Pleased to hear things are going really well for you now your back in the UK. Things sound to have slipped into place just right.

We are just in the process of moving back, (mid August) to be exact, so may be asking for tips and advice very soon.

Lynne

Excellent post! Great to hear things are working out so well for you guys. What part of UK are you in?, it's sounds great

Glad to hear that you're enjoying life back in blighty again! Its good to read posts like yours.

We head back in less than 2 weeks now!! The only regret I may have is not staying for citizenship but its not worth staying miserable for 2 years!

Great post, its good to know that it has worked in your favour and you are really settling back into life in the uk. It gives us all hope and positivity than on return we can all gel back into it again. Good luck and appreciate your honesty.

sj

Hi there!

Im one of the new faces!!

Only been on here 2 weeks & love it already! Its been a godsend to me as im struggling like mad to decide what to do as my hubs loves it here & i hate it! Could mean the end of my marriage if i go

Reading your post is so enthusiastic bout being back that it makes me just want to leave now!

Glad to hear its all good for you though

All the best!

Brill post. I'm a newie too.
Just the sort of post its so good to read.
So pleased you're home and happy.

Good post. I am new as well. OH and I are going back to the UK this year.

I remember you from old. We are also going back this year. Can I ask where you have re-settled back in UK? Where you came from or new? We are thinking of trying somewhere different...

OMG it's six months since you left!! How time flies

Great to read your update Woody and to hear that things are going so well for you and the family.

Keep enjoying

Told you...come to Devon!!!

I agree Tracey....Devon.....thats where I planning on heading back to after my reccie back there.....sooooo beautiful

I can definitely relate to the marriage part being tried and tested!!!

We are very amicable even though I want to go back and OH I think wants to stay, still in the process of trying to deal with the problem.

We don't want to throw away 17 years of married life, but you can't live in separate countries.

Oh Woody thats lovely!!!
I remember you pm'd ages ago when I was thinking about going back - but it wasnt a reality for either at the time. WELL, LOOK AT YOU!!!!!!
"no dunken leering, dirty men" you say? Well, there has to be some downsides!
Excellent news - im really happy for you.
Chrissy