LOL no, but he will be coming with me - think wedding bells!!!!! But we dont quite know when yet, there are all sorts of other priorities at the moment. I'm about to become a mother in law proper!

lol felt the same way when I was leaving.
Hope you're settling in ok on your return.

My update is that we're very happily settled again, had some busy weeks getting things lined up, but pretty much all sorted now. Loving being back, life has been full & busy, so much going on, so much to do, haven't really had time to unpack properly as the social life is back on a whirl again. Loving the shopping! The food choices, delicious. Spring is here & things are blooming. A touch chilly every now & again, but nothing a brisk walk doesn't solve, or a cuppa by the fireplace

Our days in Oz seem like a distant bad memory, one that's fading

Aaaaghhhhh! That's brilliant news Quoll! Thought he'd been despatched to some hostile area? Is he back from there already or was this organised before he left? Well....next thing will be young'uns to care for. Looks like you'll be spending more and more time over there then.

Bet you're happy as Larry. Have you had the chance to know his fiance at all?

It's lovely to hear you are settled and enjoying being home...we leave Perth on the 3rd May...at the moment though I am going through the ..."this is too much to organize..and...I just want to wake up without having to realise I have still loads to sort out"...I know it won't be forever this feeling but just wish we were home already....lol.....take care

oh brits love, I know the feeling well!! chin up chuck
I went through the motions as we were counting down the days to leaving. so much to get through, but to be honest, it was all that did get me through. at least I had something, anything, to get done every day.
and you know what? you can only do what you can do! So get through what you can, but don't stress about every little thing. and remember that it is only a matter of a short few weeks, then you can breathe & live again

and you'll be so happy to get back. I can't tell you that lovely giddy feeling the first few days & weeks. Initially there were so many times we'd say 'wow, can't believe it, they'd never have this in Australia' or 'never do that in Australia' etc., but very very quickly it's like all our comparisons to Aus & time in Aus faded fast, as we started to slot right back in & just enjoy being back in it all. Yeah, we're happy to be back, and no, it's not just a honeymoon phase never felt anywhere near this when we first got to Aus, so I guess that's also telling.

Good luck with your short time left, you'll be home again before you know it
(and I know exactly what you're thinking : I wish I could fast-forward to that time & be done with this time in-between - believe me it'll come fast!)

Thank you.....I know what you have written is how it is for some especially me at the moment...lol....heck I had a load of heartache at the Post Office today...and I just stood there being told another different story and just kind of went into the "beam me up scottie" mode...lol...or "where the heck is the tardis when you need it".....but you know what I am going to do what I can and if the rest is still not sorted then tough....lol...just getting over it now...(oh brave words..lol)every time we were back in the UK we knew we were in the right place for us as we did not even think of Aus....did not worry about the house etc just our small dog...Aus was like a dream in a way....and I am sure that is how we will feel when we are back "home".... I am really happy your feeling good about being home...I do know quite a few people not from expats who went home some years ago and are still very happy to be in the UK. Thanks once again for the reply it REALLY is appreciated.

Wow...just 4 weeks until you leave!!! Time is flying by. Hope you manage to keep your sanity over the next few weeks Brits1...how are the rest of the family feeling...excited?

Basil...I am "brushed"...lol....this whole year has flown by...I now just want everything in the container and for me to close the front door....lol...just to have a small break from the arranging etc....I am excited now....although do have my "oh my god" moments...only very tiny ones now though...lol...as for my sanity...some would claim I did'nt have any anyway...but yes that has been tested lately....I will need to sleep like Sleeping Beauty asap just to make myself look half decent.....I keep waking up in the middle of the night....alas with "oh I forgot to do that today" kind of thing..lol...how sad of me and that has played havoc with my very much needed beauty sleep!!!!

We are in the process of moving back. June 4th for us. Ahhhhh. Also feel like this is too much for us to organise but your post reminded me it's not for ever. Thanks

Poppet did you have Chess round for a quote this week....? a guy from Chess said to me we have another client going back in June....hopefully it will not be forever....lol...although I am having a Groundhog Day today....looking very frazzed at the moment..lol and bumping into lots of people I know...typical...you'll be fine...as Del Boy says..."this time next year....." hopefully I will be on holiday somewhere chillaxing....

Well it's been a week today and I still feel fantastic. Cannot believe the vibe of the place, the choice available, not just in the shops (although the shopping is fab ) but with everything, the buzz of the people. Have not seen much evidence of the so called doom and gloom, all the places we have been so far are buzzing.

Just got back from 3 great days in London showing the kids the sights, seeing a show, visiting some of the old stomping grounds from my London working days and just generally soaking up the atmosphere. Apart from a couple of wierdo's I can honestly say we did not feel unsafe at all. Most people seemed very happy, enjoying the Spring sunshine and alfresco dining (yes, people were sitting outside even when it was raining!!). It was nice to have a bit of banter in the shops instead of the mundane "How u going?".

Talking of the shops, OMG I cannot believe we put up with the lack of choice and high prices of Perth for so long. Dining out is also so much better value than Perth IMO even in the middle of Soho. I was worried the kids would find it too overwhelming but as we were on the train back to Essex (admiring the lovely GREEN countryside) my daughter asked when we were going back!

Off to buy a car tomorrow and driving down to Somerset next week for a few days. Then it's down to the serious business of finding somwhere to live and getting the kids into school.

Will update again soon.

BTW.......did I mention the shopping!!

Sounds fantastic stm!!! I am all envy and know just what you mean about the buzz - it's dynamic in a way that I havent found Aus to be.

The other thing you will enjoy is getting a decent car for far less than you could have got a second hand one in Aus! I couldnt believe how cheap they all were.

cannot wait...movers are coming this Monday....well and truly just wanting to leave Perth now.....great your enjoying yourself....and the kids...well what can you say, the choice there is just an education for them and a good one...take care enjoy Somerset...what the scrumpy...