We are back in the uk
Aug 29th 2003 | 12:20 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 237
From: St Austell, Cornwall to 'Coff's Harbour NSW, then Adelaide - back to Cornwall- back to Oz hopefully
We are back in the uk
Hi,
We are HOME !!!
Well we made the decission to return to the uk, here is our story!
Our first visit to Australia was in 1990 when we first got married, we stayed for 3 months and toured around the cities, we feel in love with OZ.
We returned to the uk and had two children, hubby came again to oz to visit his brother who lives in Adelaide on his return he was excited and that got the ball rolling we applied with his brother sponcering us, we were granted our visa, at that time our children were 4 & 5, we put our house on the market e.t.c but huddys dad became very ill, so it was put off, Hubby went over with a mate (who met a ozzie girl and has since moved to Adelaide) to get his passport validated.
Life continued in the uk we had a house built, great jobs, great pay but always in the back of ours minds was Australia (more for my husband).
Anyway after hubbys father died we booked a trip for 1 month to Adelaide to stay with his brother, we took the kids and hubbys mother, had a great time and met up with the friend who he came over with, after staying with them listening to them, how wonderful everything was, we were hooked.
We returned to the uk and hubby sponcered me and the kids we were accepted and put everything up for sale.
November 2002 we got the chance for a all expensives paid trip to oz with channel 4 "A place in the sun" (hasn't be on TV yet), I had to get my visa validated so this was a good chance as we had not sold the house, so we left the kids for 2 weeks with mother-in-law and came to Coffs harbour which is a beautiful place.
Returned to the uk, house sold and arrived over here in March, hubby got a great paid job within 2 weeks, kids started school,
we were amazed of all the prices of thing, nobody told us about the little extras e.g stamp duty on cars e.t.c
Since getting here hubbys mate is returning to the uk (so much for all his praise).
Hubby and youngest son nearly drowned two weeks ago and this has put our views on what we want, and I dont want to die here, when we came over we said we would give it 5 years but what if we want to go back and our kids don't, little things do matter we can't point out things to our kid's like "that was where I went to school"e.t.c.
We drove to Adelaide arriving on 8th July, our eldest son was in a car accident, the car was a right off but he was only injured slightly, so this did it for us, we felt that this was a sign and oz is not ment to be for us.
We arrived back in the uk on 19th August and have bought a house that needs lots of work so this will keep us busy.
Good luck to everyone and we are glad we did go, so we can now get on with our life with out the what if's.
Sue
'A Place in the sun is due to be on soon'
We are HOME !!!
Well we made the decission to return to the uk, here is our story!
Our first visit to Australia was in 1990 when we first got married, we stayed for 3 months and toured around the cities, we feel in love with OZ.
We returned to the uk and had two children, hubby came again to oz to visit his brother who lives in Adelaide on his return he was excited and that got the ball rolling we applied with his brother sponcering us, we were granted our visa, at that time our children were 4 & 5, we put our house on the market e.t.c but huddys dad became very ill, so it was put off, Hubby went over with a mate (who met a ozzie girl and has since moved to Adelaide) to get his passport validated.
Life continued in the uk we had a house built, great jobs, great pay but always in the back of ours minds was Australia (more for my husband).
Anyway after hubbys father died we booked a trip for 1 month to Adelaide to stay with his brother, we took the kids and hubbys mother, had a great time and met up with the friend who he came over with, after staying with them listening to them, how wonderful everything was, we were hooked.
We returned to the uk and hubby sponcered me and the kids we were accepted and put everything up for sale.
November 2002 we got the chance for a all expensives paid trip to oz with channel 4 "A place in the sun" (hasn't be on TV yet), I had to get my visa validated so this was a good chance as we had not sold the house, so we left the kids for 2 weeks with mother-in-law and came to Coffs harbour which is a beautiful place.
Returned to the uk, house sold and arrived over here in March, hubby got a great paid job within 2 weeks, kids started school,
we were amazed of all the prices of thing, nobody told us about the little extras e.g stamp duty on cars e.t.c
Since getting here hubbys mate is returning to the uk (so much for all his praise).
Hubby and youngest son nearly drowned two weeks ago and this has put our views on what we want, and I dont want to die here, when we came over we said we would give it 5 years but what if we want to go back and our kids don't, little things do matter we can't point out things to our kid's like "that was where I went to school"e.t.c.
We drove to Adelaide arriving on 8th July, our eldest son was in a car accident, the car was a right off but he was only injured slightly, so this did it for us, we felt that this was a sign and oz is not ment to be for us.
We arrived back in the uk on 19th August and have bought a house that needs lots of work so this will keep us busy.
Good luck to everyone and we are glad we did go, so we can now get on with our life with out the what if's.
Sue
'A Place in the sun is due to be on soon'
Last edited by sue5665; Aug 29th 2003 at 12:44 pm.
Aug 29th 2003 | 3:00 pm
#2
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,356
From: Dixie, ex UK
Re: We are back in the uk
It sounds like you had several bad experiences, none of which can be fairly blamed on Australia. Drownings happen, even in the UK, so do car accidents.
I'm glad that you're happy being back in the UK.
I'm glad that you're happy being back in the UK.
Aug 29th 2003 | 3:49 pm
#3
Release the hounds!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 302
Re: We are back in the uk
Originally posted by sue5665
Hi,
We are HOME !!!
Well we made the decission to return to the uk, here is our story!
Our first visit to Australia was in 1990 when we first got married, we stayed for 3 months and toured around the cities, we feel in love with OZ.
We returned to the uk and had two children, hubby came again to oz to visit his brother who lives in Adelaide on his return he was excited and that got the ball rolling we applied with his brother sponcering us, we were granted our visa, at that time our children were 4 & 5, we put our house on the market e.t.c but huddys dad became very ill, so it was put off, Hubby went over with a mate (who met a ozzie girl and has since moved to Adelaide) to get his passport validated.
Life continued in the uk we had a house built, great jobs, great pay but always in the back of ours minds was Australia (more for my husband).
Anyway after hubbys father died we booked a trip for 1 month to Adelaide to stay with his brother, we took the kids and hubbys mother, had a great time and met up with the friend who he came over with, after staying with them listening to them, how wonderful everything was, we were hooked.
We returned to the uk and hubby sponcered me and the kids we were accepted and put everything up for sale.
November 2002 we got the chance for a all expensives paid trip to oz with channel 4 "A place in the sun" (hasn't be on TV yet), I had to get my visa validated so this was a good chance as we had not sold the house, so we left the kids for 2 weeks with mother-in-law and came to Coffs harbour which is a beautiful place.
Returned to the uk, house sold and arrived over here in March, hubby got a great paid job within 2 weeks, kids started school,
we were amazed of all the prices of thing, nobody told us about the little extras e.g stamp duty on cars e.t.c
Since getting here hubbys mate is returning to the uk (so much for all his praise).
Hubby and youngest son nearly drowned two weeks ago and this has put our views on what we want, and I dont want to die here, when we came over we said we would give it 5 years but what if we want to go back and our kids don't, little things do matter we can't point out things to our kid's like "that was where I went to school"e.t.c.
We drove to Adelaide arriving on 8th July, our eldest son was in a car accident, the car was a right off but he was only injured slightly, so this did it for us, we felt that this was a sign and oz is not ment to be for us.
We arrived back in the uk on 19th August and have bought a house that needs lots of work so this will keep us busy.
Good luck to everyone and we are glad we did go, so we can now get on with our life with out the what if's.
Sue
'A Place in the sun is due to be on soon'
Hi,
We are HOME !!!
Well we made the decission to return to the uk, here is our story!
Our first visit to Australia was in 1990 when we first got married, we stayed for 3 months and toured around the cities, we feel in love with OZ.
We returned to the uk and had two children, hubby came again to oz to visit his brother who lives in Adelaide on his return he was excited and that got the ball rolling we applied with his brother sponcering us, we were granted our visa, at that time our children were 4 & 5, we put our house on the market e.t.c but huddys dad became very ill, so it was put off, Hubby went over with a mate (who met a ozzie girl and has since moved to Adelaide) to get his passport validated.
Life continued in the uk we had a house built, great jobs, great pay but always in the back of ours minds was Australia (more for my husband).
Anyway after hubbys father died we booked a trip for 1 month to Adelaide to stay with his brother, we took the kids and hubbys mother, had a great time and met up with the friend who he came over with, after staying with them listening to them, how wonderful everything was, we were hooked.
We returned to the uk and hubby sponcered me and the kids we were accepted and put everything up for sale.
November 2002 we got the chance for a all expensives paid trip to oz with channel 4 "A place in the sun" (hasn't be on TV yet), I had to get my visa validated so this was a good chance as we had not sold the house, so we left the kids for 2 weeks with mother-in-law and came to Coffs harbour which is a beautiful place.
Returned to the uk, house sold and arrived over here in March, hubby got a great paid job within 2 weeks, kids started school,
we were amazed of all the prices of thing, nobody told us about the little extras e.g stamp duty on cars e.t.c
Since getting here hubbys mate is returning to the uk (so much for all his praise).
Hubby and youngest son nearly drowned two weeks ago and this has put our views on what we want, and I dont want to die here, when we came over we said we would give it 5 years but what if we want to go back and our kids don't, little things do matter we can't point out things to our kid's like "that was where I went to school"e.t.c.
We drove to Adelaide arriving on 8th July, our eldest son was in a car accident, the car was a right off but he was only injured slightly, so this did it for us, we felt that this was a sign and oz is not ment to be for us.
We arrived back in the uk on 19th August and have bought a house that needs lots of work so this will keep us busy.
Good luck to everyone and we are glad we did go, so we can now get on with our life with out the what if's.
Sue
'A Place in the sun is due to be on soon'
Best of luck back HOME! Hope things work out for you
Aug 30th 2003 | 4:07 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 103
From: Exeter, Devon
Re: We are back in the uk
Hi Sue,
Sounds like you had a rather eventful time in Oz! Hope you're settling back well in Blighty!
We moved to Canada last October with the intention of staying but since being here, haven't been all that happy. We are returning home next year some time but in the meantime, trying to make the most of it and treat our stay like an extended holiday/sabbatical!
Before moving, we never realized how much we missed our families and some structure in our lives. We took these things for granted but our being away from them has made us realize what is important to us in our lives. When we first came here, we were excited about having a nice big (cheap!) house but we now know that this sort of thing just isn't important (we're not at all materialistic). In fact, the one good thing that has come out of us being here, is that we've learnt a lot about ourselves!
I also unexpectedly fell pregnant early in the year and I've been missing my Mum/family support network so much. We don't want our Mums to miss out on their Grandchild either.
And like you, we had a close call last winter. We spun out of control in our car in a severe snowstorm, ending up on the other side of the highway facing the wrong way. Although we were not injured, it really shook us up and brought us to our senses, I can tell you.
Anyway, thought I'd share my thoughts with you and say that I think you've done the right thing. You just have a gut feeling what is right for you - the grass is always greener wherever you are - but home is where the heart is!
Good luck with everything!
Sheryl
Sounds like you had a rather eventful time in Oz! Hope you're settling back well in Blighty!
We moved to Canada last October with the intention of staying but since being here, haven't been all that happy. We are returning home next year some time but in the meantime, trying to make the most of it and treat our stay like an extended holiday/sabbatical!
Before moving, we never realized how much we missed our families and some structure in our lives. We took these things for granted but our being away from them has made us realize what is important to us in our lives. When we first came here, we were excited about having a nice big (cheap!) house but we now know that this sort of thing just isn't important (we're not at all materialistic). In fact, the one good thing that has come out of us being here, is that we've learnt a lot about ourselves!
I also unexpectedly fell pregnant early in the year and I've been missing my Mum/family support network so much. We don't want our Mums to miss out on their Grandchild either.
And like you, we had a close call last winter. We spun out of control in our car in a severe snowstorm, ending up on the other side of the highway facing the wrong way. Although we were not injured, it really shook us up and brought us to our senses, I can tell you.
Anyway, thought I'd share my thoughts with you and say that I think you've done the right thing. You just have a gut feeling what is right for you - the grass is always greener wherever you are - but home is where the heart is!
Good luck with everything!
Sheryl
Sep 1st 2003 | 12:36 am
#5
home again, home again
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,748
From: Notts to Perth, Perth to Notts
Re: We are back in the uk
Originally posted by rooster
We moved to Canada last October with the intention of staying but since being here, haven't been all that happy. We are returning home next year some time but in the meantime, trying to make the most of it and treat our stay like an extended holiday/sabbatical!
Before moving, we never realized how much we missed our families and some structure in our lives. We took these things for granted but our being away from them has made us realize what is important to us in our lives. When we first came here, we were excited about having a nice big (cheap!) house but we now know that this sort of thing just isn't important (we're not at all materialistic). In fact, the one good thing that has come out of us being here, is that we've learnt a lot about ourselves!
Sheryl
We moved to Canada last October with the intention of staying but since being here, haven't been all that happy. We are returning home next year some time but in the meantime, trying to make the most of it and treat our stay like an extended holiday/sabbatical!
Before moving, we never realized how much we missed our families and some structure in our lives. We took these things for granted but our being away from them has made us realize what is important to us in our lives. When we first came here, we were excited about having a nice big (cheap!) house but we now know that this sort of thing just isn't important (we're not at all materialistic). In fact, the one good thing that has come out of us being here, is that we've learnt a lot about ourselves!
Sheryl
I did think about missing friends and family but didn't realise how much I would actually miss them! I think I took my life for granted and maybe didn't appreciate the life I had, just wished for something better.
Our 6 year old daughter is thouroughly unhappy here, missing her grandparents, I can remember growing up wishing my grandparents had been alive, I just feel like I've taken my daughter away from hers!? To me being happy with my life is not just living in a big house , its enjoying being in the company of family and friends and being satisfied with what I've got!.
We have decided we will stay another year and then head back to the UK, hopefully our move here hasn't dissrupted our daughter to much!?
Sep 1st 2003 | 12:45 am
#6
home again, home again
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,748
From: Notts to Perth, Perth to Notts
Re: We are back in the uk
Originally posted by sue5665
Hi,
We are HOME !!!
Hi,
We are HOME !!!
Good luck with everything by the way!
Sep 1st 2003 | 5:23 am
#7
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 237
From: St Austell, Cornwall to 'Coff's Harbour NSW, then Adelaide - back to Cornwall- back to Oz hopefully
Hi,
Thanks for the replies, it is nice to hear that we are not the only ones who feel this way.
So far it is been great to be back, just walking around our town and seeing people, who we no and being able to have a chat, everybody has been very supported to us and like they say at least we did give it a go.
Sue
Thanks for the replies, it is nice to hear that we are not the only ones who feel this way.
So far it is been great to be back, just walking around our town and seeing people, who we no and being able to have a chat, everybody has been very supported to us and like they say at least we did give it a go.
Sue
Sep 1st 2003 | 6:27 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 279
From: England
Glad you are now settled back 'home', I remember you posting shortly after your husband & son's near drowning, you weren't sure whether you should return to England. I can't believe you had another near miss with your other son - what a nightmare.
Glad you've made a decision, sounds like you'll be a regular at B&Q - happy DIY!!!!
We feel the same as Janeyray, been in Perth for 14 months now and hope to be back in England next year, trying to make the most of our time here. I do feel Perth will never feel like home to me and I've met so many people who pine for the UK after 30 years over here - I don't want to be like that.
You gave Australia a go, not many people can say that - plenty say "I wish I'd tried but......"
Good luck.
Glad you've made a decision, sounds like you'll be a regular at B&Q - happy DIY!!!!
We feel the same as Janeyray, been in Perth for 14 months now and hope to be back in England next year, trying to make the most of our time here. I do feel Perth will never feel like home to me and I've met so many people who pine for the UK after 30 years over here - I don't want to be like that.
You gave Australia a go, not many people can say that - plenty say "I wish I'd tried but......"
Good luck.
Sep 1st 2003 | 11:22 pm
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 481
Hear, hear
Sometimes it takes being away from somewhere to appreciate everything that you did actually have.
My story sounds very similar to roosters, I am also expecting in eight weeks time and I wish that I had some family around to share this occasion. We have had baby showers etc over here, but it's just not the same as having family support etc. Still will be back home in December and I am really looking forward to it.
I don't fell down or like a failure for going back as it is way better to have tried then to be sitting in the UK wondering about a better life somewhere else, which now in my mind just doesn't exist. LIfe in the UK is fantastic, there are so many things which you just take for granted.
Good luck everything everybody!!
Sometimes it takes being away from somewhere to appreciate everything that you did actually have.
My story sounds very similar to roosters, I am also expecting in eight weeks time and I wish that I had some family around to share this occasion. We have had baby showers etc over here, but it's just not the same as having family support etc. Still will be back home in December and I am really looking forward to it.
I don't fell down or like a failure for going back as it is way better to have tried then to be sitting in the UK wondering about a better life somewhere else, which now in my mind just doesn't exist. LIfe in the UK is fantastic, there are so many things which you just take for granted.
Good luck everything everybody!!
Sep 2nd 2003 | 12:13 am
#10
Home in 2010.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 664
From: UK-Holland-OZ-UK-OZ-2010 Back to UK
I moved out of the UK for 9 years spent 4 years in Holland then on to Australia. I was always home sicjk and was forever comparing the UK to where I was. I was so negative I seemed to drift along and had no aim in life and all I wanted to do was return to the UK. I eventualy did 3 years ago and was very happy for the first 12 months or so then I started to get the wanderlust again. I am 45 and believe England will always be my home but I am going back to Oz to have another go with a better and more positive attitude. I missed all my friends but when I came back found I could not go back to what I had then, friends move on. I was stuck in the past. I realise now when I was in Oz I did nothing but slag it off and go on about the people, the land, the tv.... I never stopped. Once the rot sets in you have to return and see what it is you are chasing as I did. I am now returning to Oz after 3 years in the UK and really am looking forward to it. I am going back with my partner and our three boys who will be 4 by then. This time I am going to have 2 months traveling and seeing Oz as a tourist then when we decide on a place will hopefully buy a house and settle. My parents are in their 70's now and they have so many regrets and I do nto want to end up like that. But life is so short flights are not cheap but at least they are available at short notice and I can come back when I want and at short notice.
Is there any one else who was like me desperate to get back to the uk but after a while wanted to go again.
Maybe because I was for so long a citizen of the UK it really is hard to get it out of your blood.
I am thankful at least I have the chance to go back and enjoy it this time.
Is there any one else who was like me desperate to get back to the uk but after a while wanted to go again.
Maybe because I was for so long a citizen of the UK it really is hard to get it out of your blood.
I am thankful at least I have the chance to go back and enjoy it this time.
Sep 2nd 2003 | 5:30 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 103
From: Exeter, Devon
South West UK
Hello again Sue,
Where abouts in Cornwall are you? When we go back next year, we'll be moving back to the South West. My hubbie's from Taunton, Somerset originally (but thankfully NOT a wurzel, ooh aah!). We still have a music shop there (glad we didn't burn ALL our bridges!). I'm an Essex girl myself but we won't go into that, cough..!!!
When we go back, we're hoping to open another store in Devon (Exeter) all being well and live in a town close by (Lyme Regis or Sidmouth, p'raps). We love that area. However, we are fully aware of the high house prices so we'll probably rent for a while until they come down a bit (crossed fingers).
Keep us all posted on how you're doing - it's nice to have a "little bit of England" fix from time to time!
All the best,
Sheryl
Where abouts in Cornwall are you? When we go back next year, we'll be moving back to the South West. My hubbie's from Taunton, Somerset originally (but thankfully NOT a wurzel, ooh aah!). We still have a music shop there (glad we didn't burn ALL our bridges!). I'm an Essex girl myself but we won't go into that, cough..!!!
When we go back, we're hoping to open another store in Devon (Exeter) all being well and live in a town close by (Lyme Regis or Sidmouth, p'raps). We love that area. However, we are fully aware of the high house prices so we'll probably rent for a while until they come down a bit (crossed fingers).
Keep us all posted on how you're doing - it's nice to have a "little bit of England" fix from time to time!
All the best,
Sheryl
Sep 2nd 2003 | 8:02 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 96
From: recently back in the UK
Originally posted by daisymoll
Hear, hear
Sometimes it takes being away from somewhere to appreciate everything that you did actually have.
My story sounds very similar to roosters, I am also expecting in eight weeks time and I wish that I had some family around to share this occasion. We have had baby showers etc over here, but it's just not the same as having family support etc. Still will be back home in December and I am really looking forward to it.
I don't fell down or like a failure for going back as it is way better to have tried then to be sitting in the UK wondering about a better life somewhere else, which now in my mind just doesn't exist. LIfe in the UK is fantastic, there are so many things which you just take for granted.
Good luck everything everybody!!
Hear, hear
Sometimes it takes being away from somewhere to appreciate everything that you did actually have.
My story sounds very similar to roosters, I am also expecting in eight weeks time and I wish that I had some family around to share this occasion. We have had baby showers etc over here, but it's just not the same as having family support etc. Still will be back home in December and I am really looking forward to it.
I don't fell down or like a failure for going back as it is way better to have tried then to be sitting in the UK wondering about a better life somewhere else, which now in my mind just doesn't exist. LIfe in the UK is fantastic, there are so many things which you just take for granted.
Good luck everything everybody!!
well said Daisymoll, as you say life in the UK is indeed extremely good and me and my family are thoroughly enjoying being back here. Good luck for the future!
Sep 2nd 2003 | 8:20 am
#13
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 237
From: St Austell, Cornwall to 'Coff's Harbour NSW, then Adelaide - back to Cornwall- back to Oz hopefully
Re: South West UK
[i
Where abouts in Cornwall are you?
Sheryl
Where abouts in Cornwall are you?
Sheryl
We are in St Austell, husband lived here all his life & I moved here from Bristol when I was 14 with my parents.
Sue
Sep 8th 2003 | 12:11 am
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,186
From: Dawesville, WA
Re: We are back in the uk
Originally posted by sue5665
Hi,
We are HOME !!!
Well we made the decission to return to the uk, here is our story!
Our first visit to Australia was in 1990 when we first got married, we stayed for 3 months and toured around the cities, we feel in love with OZ.
We returned to the uk and had two children, hubby came again to oz to visit his brother who lives in Adelaide on his return he was excited and that got the ball rolling we applied with his brother sponcering us, we were granted our visa, at that time our children were 4 & 5, we put our house on the market e.t.c but huddys dad became very ill, so it was put off, Hubby went over with a mate (who met a ozzie girl and has since moved to Adelaide) to get his passport validated.
Life continued in the uk we had a house built, great jobs, great pay but always in the back of ours minds was Australia (more for my husband).
Anyway after hubbys father died we booked a trip for 1 month to Adelaide to stay with his brother, we took the kids and hubbys mother, had a great time and met up with the friend who he came over with, after staying with them listening to them, how wonderful everything was, we were hooked.
We returned to the uk and hubby sponcered me and the kids we were accepted and put everything up for sale.
November 2002 we got the chance for a all expensives paid trip to oz with channel 4 "A place in the sun" (hasn't be on TV yet), I had to get my visa validated so this was a good chance as we had not sold the house, so we left the kids for 2 weeks with mother-in-law and came to Coffs harbour which is a beautiful place.
Returned to the uk, house sold and arrived over here in March, hubby got a great paid job within 2 weeks, kids started school,
we were amazed of all the prices of thing, nobody told us about the little extras e.g stamp duty on cars e.t.c
Since getting here hubbys mate is returning to the uk (so much for all his praise).
Hubby and youngest son nearly drowned two weeks ago and this has put our views on what we want, and I dont want to die here, when we came over we said we would give it 5 years but what if we want to go back and our kids don't, little things do matter we can't point out things to our kid's like "that was where I went to school"e.t.c.
We drove to Adelaide arriving on 8th July, our eldest son was in a car accident, the car was a right off but he was only injured slightly, so this did it for us, we felt that this was a sign and oz is not ment to be for us.
We arrived back in the uk on 19th August and have bought a house that needs lots of work so this will keep us busy.
Good luck to everyone and we are glad we did go, so we can now get on with our life with out the what if's.
Sue
'A Place in the sun is due to be on soon'
Hi,
We are HOME !!!
Well we made the decission to return to the uk, here is our story!
Our first visit to Australia was in 1990 when we first got married, we stayed for 3 months and toured around the cities, we feel in love with OZ.
We returned to the uk and had two children, hubby came again to oz to visit his brother who lives in Adelaide on his return he was excited and that got the ball rolling we applied with his brother sponcering us, we were granted our visa, at that time our children were 4 & 5, we put our house on the market e.t.c but huddys dad became very ill, so it was put off, Hubby went over with a mate (who met a ozzie girl and has since moved to Adelaide) to get his passport validated.
Life continued in the uk we had a house built, great jobs, great pay but always in the back of ours minds was Australia (more for my husband).
Anyway after hubbys father died we booked a trip for 1 month to Adelaide to stay with his brother, we took the kids and hubbys mother, had a great time and met up with the friend who he came over with, after staying with them listening to them, how wonderful everything was, we were hooked.
We returned to the uk and hubby sponcered me and the kids we were accepted and put everything up for sale.
November 2002 we got the chance for a all expensives paid trip to oz with channel 4 "A place in the sun" (hasn't be on TV yet), I had to get my visa validated so this was a good chance as we had not sold the house, so we left the kids for 2 weeks with mother-in-law and came to Coffs harbour which is a beautiful place.
Returned to the uk, house sold and arrived over here in March, hubby got a great paid job within 2 weeks, kids started school,
we were amazed of all the prices of thing, nobody told us about the little extras e.g stamp duty on cars e.t.c
Since getting here hubbys mate is returning to the uk (so much for all his praise).
Hubby and youngest son nearly drowned two weeks ago and this has put our views on what we want, and I dont want to die here, when we came over we said we would give it 5 years but what if we want to go back and our kids don't, little things do matter we can't point out things to our kid's like "that was where I went to school"e.t.c.
We drove to Adelaide arriving on 8th July, our eldest son was in a car accident, the car was a right off but he was only injured slightly, so this did it for us, we felt that this was a sign and oz is not ment to be for us.
We arrived back in the uk on 19th August and have bought a house that needs lots of work so this will keep us busy.
Good luck to everyone and we are glad we did go, so we can now get on with our life with out the what if's.
Sue
'A Place in the sun is due to be on soon'
This is a really moving story, I know where your're comimng from. I am sure I would feel exactly the same if I had been through all that.
BTW we got down to the final two families for 'A Place in the Son' twice. We are planning to move to Perth and both times they decided to do the show on the east coast. It worked out for the best though as I wwas pregnant on the second occassion and around the time they wanted to film(october I think they said) I was suffering really badly with morning sickness and I was really snowed under with my uni work.
Was it a gruelling schedule or did you have some time to yourself and did you have to do the duplicate outfit thing to maintain continuity? OMG all these questions, sorry to go on so much but I'm just really quite fascinated by how this forum brings people together who would never ever meet under normal circumstances.
I'd be really interested to see the show so please let me know when it is on.
The very best of luck to you and your family in your new and what sounds like exciting life. The UK is a great place to live and I'm sure you will be very happy.
Kind Regards
ACE
Sep 18th 2003 | 10:02 am
#15
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 237
From: St Austell, Cornwall to 'Coff's Harbour NSW, then Adelaide - back to Cornwall- back to Oz hopefully
Re: We are back in the uk
Hi Ace,
We were flown to oz for 14 days and only filmed for 3 days, I really enjoyed it but hubby got a bit cheesed off, it was a great experiance and you just don't realise what goes into a half an hour programme. We had to wear the same clothes for 3 days, they was a lot of hanging around and we would change clothes until we were needed. The new series has just started on channel 4 at 4pm every evening so keep a look out.
Sue
[Was it a gruelling schedule or did you have some time to yourself and did you have to do the duplicate outfit thing to maintain continuity?
Sue
