Well, that's that then.
Jul 28th 2007, 11:04 pm
#31
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,206
Re: Well, that's that then.
I had that too Soapy, that's why I came.
I stayed because I don't like to be defeated, I hate giving in once I start something, but being that way can work against you, so I would never tell anyone to stick it out if their heart is somewhere else. Being here as long as we have has certainly done me no favours and I have many regrets, which in itself is very sad. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
That's because he is nice. He's one of the best our Soapy.
I stayed because I don't like to be defeated, I hate giving in once I start something, but being that way can work against you, so I would never tell anyone to stick it out if their heart is somewhere else. Being here as long as we have has certainly done me no favours and I have many regrets, which in itself is very sad. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. That's because he is nice. He's one of the best our Soapy.
Awwwwww
Jul 29th 2007, 6:16 pm
#32
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Back home :)
Posts: 1,706
Re: Well, that's that then.
Back from my rekkie in Brisbane and the Gold Coast safe n sound. The most popular question peeps are asking me at the mo is "Well, are you moving there then?" and the answer is "Nope!"
We had a good time and saw some spectacular countryside in the hinterlands. Talk about 'take your breath away' beautiful! After being scenery starved for so long over here, me and my mate kinda overdosed a little on the stuff!!
We had a wonderful day out at Byron bay, another truly wonderful place, saw whales, ate our lunch over-looking the landscape and felt at peace with Australia for the first time since I'd landed some 3 long years ago. We then travelled into the NSW hinterlands and went for coffee at a lovely little place called the "Crystal Castle". Very spiritual indeed!! Again, the shire of Byron was awesome.
Friday we went to Australia Zoo, and yes, we saw Bindi and Terri!
But....and there's always a but isn't there!.....after travelling over 1000 km's in a week, up and down the Gold Coast (inland) there was nowhere that we could say was 'the place' we wanted to live in, or if it even came close, we couldn't afford it. The prices are going silly over there, and this was confirmed by several real estate agents who complained they couldn't meet the demand for houses at the moment. The houses we could afford now will be completely out of our price range in 15 months time.
So that's that then. Decision made; it's off home to Blighty for deffinite now for us in Oct 08. I'm a little sad because the dream is absolutely over for us. I feel a bit deflated because we so wanted this Australian adventure to work, but hey ho, it's not to be and it's onwards and upwards to look forward to a new life in Devon.
We had a good time and saw some spectacular countryside in the hinterlands. Talk about 'take your breath away' beautiful! After being scenery starved for so long over here, me and my mate kinda overdosed a little on the stuff!!
We had a wonderful day out at Byron bay, another truly wonderful place, saw whales, ate our lunch over-looking the landscape and felt at peace with Australia for the first time since I'd landed some 3 long years ago. We then travelled into the NSW hinterlands and went for coffee at a lovely little place called the "Crystal Castle". Very spiritual indeed!! Again, the shire of Byron was awesome.
Friday we went to Australia Zoo, and yes, we saw Bindi and Terri!
But....and there's always a but isn't there!.....after travelling over 1000 km's in a week, up and down the Gold Coast (inland) there was nowhere that we could say was 'the place' we wanted to live in, or if it even came close, we couldn't afford it. The prices are going silly over there, and this was confirmed by several real estate agents who complained they couldn't meet the demand for houses at the moment. The houses we could afford now will be completely out of our price range in 15 months time.
So that's that then. Decision made; it's off home to Blighty for deffinite now for us in Oct 08. I'm a little sad because the dream is absolutely over for us. I feel a bit deflated because we so wanted this Australian adventure to work, but hey ho, it's not to be and it's onwards and upwards to look forward to a new life in Devon.
I was wondering, after your jaunt, in what ways would you say its different over the east side of this island if any?
T
Jul 29th 2007, 9:18 pm
#33
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,533
Re: Well, that's that then.
Well, for starters, you lot have some pretty spectacular mountains over there don't you? That's something that the west doesn't have. We have a few bumps here and there!! Your scenery is amazing, ours does not compare at all.
We drove around a lot of suburbs, and because we saw quite a few older suburbs, they were a little shabby compared to the ones here in Perth, because everything here is so shiney and new. Now please don't take offence all you Brisbanites, I can only comment on what I saw and give a comparison.
You have a lot of variety for entertainment; theme parks, Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta etc. We cannot compete here and don't even try! But, along with that entertainment and commercialism comes the yobs, grime and tackiness. Where we stayed (Surfers) is just like Benidorm really. You just have to accept it for what it is.
I thought the drivers here were mentally unbalanced....yours are certifiable! Complete and utter nutters! I saw people tanking down mountain roads at crazy speeds, tailgating like they were glued to my bumper and the cutting up that went on ....well, my language was blue all week!!
Your petrol is a bit cheaper than ours.
Supermarkets were about the same for quality and price.
That's about it really. We only had a week there, so we didn't see all that you have to offer over there but I had more "WOW!" moments in a week than I've had in three years here. But alas, it wouldn't be the right move going over there, but I'm glad I went and saw it.
We drove around a lot of suburbs, and because we saw quite a few older suburbs, they were a little shabby compared to the ones here in Perth, because everything here is so shiney and new. Now please don't take offence all you Brisbanites, I can only comment on what I saw and give a comparison.
You have a lot of variety for entertainment; theme parks, Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta etc. We cannot compete here and don't even try! But, along with that entertainment and commercialism comes the yobs, grime and tackiness. Where we stayed (Surfers) is just like Benidorm really. You just have to accept it for what it is.
I thought the drivers here were mentally unbalanced....yours are certifiable! Complete and utter nutters! I saw people tanking down mountain roads at crazy speeds, tailgating like they were glued to my bumper and the cutting up that went on ....well, my language was blue all week!!
Your petrol is a bit cheaper than ours.
Supermarkets were about the same for quality and price.
That's about it really. We only had a week there, so we didn't see all that you have to offer over there but I had more "WOW!" moments in a week than I've had in three years here. But alas, it wouldn't be the right move going over there, but I'm glad I went and saw it.
Jul 29th 2007, 9:24 pm
#34
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,533
Re: Well, that's that then.
Here's a few pics of the scenery over in the hinterlands;
Jul 29th 2007, 9:29 pm
#35
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Posts: 3,533
Re: Well, that's that then.
And here's Byron bay and Surfers.
Jul 30th 2007, 1:04 am
#36
Life is more than a dream
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Kings Moss, UK - it's a bit like Emmerdale
Posts: 1,389
Re: Well, that's that then.
Fab piccies Tracey
I loved Surfers - fantastic place. Byron Bay I found nice and scenic, loved seeing the whales and the views but don't think I'd want to go again - bit too quiet for me. I really regret not seeing the hinterlands as I've seen piccies in books and it looks just amazing. Oh well, may visit one day when I make some money
I loved Surfers - fantastic place. Byron Bay I found nice and scenic, loved seeing the whales and the views but don't think I'd want to go again - bit too quiet for me. I really regret not seeing the hinterlands as I've seen piccies in books and it looks just amazing. Oh well, may visit one day when I make some money
Jul 30th 2007, 10:43 am
#37
Back in the UK
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Australia-UK-Australia-UK
Posts: 366
Re: Well, that's that then.
Well, for starters, you lot have some pretty spectacular mountains over there don't you? That's something that the west doesn't have. We have a few bumps here and there!! Your scenery is amazing, ours does not compare at all.
We drove around a lot of suburbs, and because we saw quite a few older suburbs, they were a little shabby compared to the ones here in Perth, because everything here is so shiney and new. Now please don't take offence all you Brisbanites, I can only comment on what I saw and give a comparison.
You have a lot of variety for entertainment; theme parks, Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta etc. We cannot compete here and don't even try! But, along with that entertainment and commercialism comes the yobs, grime and tackiness. Where we stayed (Surfers) is just like Benidorm really. You just have to accept it for what it is.
I thought the drivers here were mentally unbalanced....yours are certifiable! Complete and utter nutters! I saw people tanking down mountain roads at crazy speeds, tailgating like they were glued to my bumper and the cutting up that went on ....well, my language was blue all week!!
Your petrol is a bit cheaper than ours.
Supermarkets were about the same for quality and price.
That's about it really. We only had a week there, so we didn't see all that you have to offer over there but I had more "WOW!" moments in a week than I've had in three years here. But alas, it wouldn't be the right move going over there, but I'm glad I went and saw it.
We drove around a lot of suburbs, and because we saw quite a few older suburbs, they were a little shabby compared to the ones here in Perth, because everything here is so shiney and new. Now please don't take offence all you Brisbanites, I can only comment on what I saw and give a comparison.
You have a lot of variety for entertainment; theme parks, Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta etc. We cannot compete here and don't even try! But, along with that entertainment and commercialism comes the yobs, grime and tackiness. Where we stayed (Surfers) is just like Benidorm really. You just have to accept it for what it is.
I thought the drivers here were mentally unbalanced....yours are certifiable! Complete and utter nutters! I saw people tanking down mountain roads at crazy speeds, tailgating like they were glued to my bumper and the cutting up that went on ....well, my language was blue all week!!
Your petrol is a bit cheaper than ours.
Supermarkets were about the same for quality and price.
That's about it really. We only had a week there, so we didn't see all that you have to offer over there but I had more "WOW!" moments in a week than I've had in three years here. But alas, it wouldn't be the right move going over there, but I'm glad I went and saw it.
The housing thing is right too. I remember my English Grandfather used to call Brisbane a shanty town and until I lived in the UK and got used to all brick housing I had no idea what he meant. There are some lovely well kept 'Queenslanders' in the older suburbs but there are some shockingly tatty looking asbestos riddled nightmares from the 50s, 60s and 70s in the outer suburbs.
