Originally Posted by lilybilly101 (Post 8766534)

Tell us your enegy secrets Don!

Originally Posted by coansha (Post 8766101)

Wow, am I glad I found this section!! God its great to see I am not alone on this despite our many "adopted countries" virtues. So many of your comments strike a chord I could literally cry.
The lady who said she had not had a good laugh in years - how true is that!!!
I feel exactly like Bloody Austin Powers - someone has nicked my mojo!!!!!!
You crack a joke and wait 20 mins for anyone to catch on, I know its our cultural differences but I feel like I am slowly dying.
I know if we don't go in the next year we wont. My poor husband would stay but he works away so ultimately I am without him for 7 months a year, I do have a sister nearby who I love to pieces but I am doing this for my family and she understands. Luckily my children agree with me so my husband has listened to all of us and I have been fair in not swaying my children's opinion.
We went back for a big trip at Xmas and had the best time, the sights, the atmosphere, all of it. Despite 5 years away I felt it was home.
I dread Xmas here, I know the UK is very commercial but cannot get into the idea that xmas is in summer!! I am lucky that our children are still young enough to adapt(9 & 12) and before they are in a situation where our timing is out.
We will be going back financially with very little but plan to rent and literally start again, I think at 43 we can just do that and it means that after many years as a full-time mum, I will be job hunting!! Excited though.

My mum is secretly delighted as she adores my children and my dad thinks I am mad, but this year both have been ill and I had to return to nurse my mum for 3 weeks as well as sort my dad out who did not cope very well.
So we have a huge job ahead of finishing our house renovation, doing our citizenship, sorting out a rental in Uk, not in our home time either and sorting dogs out too for UK.
So all of you out there, my very best wishes and I wish you all well with your plans, stay on line with your comments, who ever thought of this section, THANK YOU xx

Originally Posted by Kentish Lass (Post 8767403)

mrsmacgoo........What did you think of Australia?

We went to the Gold Coast first as most NZers do. Did the theme parks but also managed to get around quite a bit.
Beginning of last year went to Sydney,then drove down to Melbourne and flew back from there. Really liked it. So much more alive there. Part of me thinks ,try Oz but I would be scared of making another mistake. If I was in my 20s/30's, I would probably want to give it ago but I older than that and I have the feeling of life slipping by and wasting time.
Here's where Don jumps in and makes me feel better by saying that I'm in my prime.....You will won't you??

Originally Posted by lilybilly101 (Post 8766534)

Tell us your enegy secrets Don!

Originally Posted by Kentish Lass (Post 8767430)

I'm thinking more of the house swap idea. Work, as I've said is a problem.It wouldn't really help to swap with mrs macgoo who is only a couple of hours away though!:)

Originally Posted by mrsmcgoo (Post 8767347)

I have just had another random thought - this happens at a certain age beyond the teens sometimes..... ;) Wouldn't it be cool if some of us 'inbetweenies' and those of the more 'uncertain' nature of should I stay/go attitude, could swap houses in another country for a bit - I've only visted Aus once for 5 days to see if we could 'live there' (hmmm) - but with us all on a budget I suspect at the moment, a change of scene as well as scoping out other countries just for a looksie might not be such a bad thing. I know there are already websites set up for this sort of thing but - ya know, like I said just a thought......could mean cheaper holidays for some???:blink:

Originally Posted by lilybilly101 (Post 8766534)

Tell us your enegy secrets Don!

Originally Posted by Kentish Lass (Post 8767382)

Great idea.....but I guess most of us are tied by work. Still worth not dismissing though.

I have wondered whether we should try another location before heading home. South Island ?..Oz ? Once I get back to the UK, I very much doubt if I'll be leaving again.

Another idea, which is definately not feasible, is for all of us to travel back and set up a commune together! Do you remember that programme years ago where a group settled on a Scottish island?

Originally Posted by dontheturner (Post 8768212)

Lillybilly101. Wish I knew. very odd really, But when I was 74, and doing the washing cooking, shopping and ironing, (my second Wife, had suffered several strokes, and was in a wheelchair), Our female doctor, came every week to see Joan - and jokingly said, I was too ''lively'' for my age. She then said, as she was leaving, I want you to make an appointment, and come to see me.
I was not happy with that, but had no alternative, & as I was on Angina Medication. - it worried me.

When I attended, she said I want to check your Prostate Gland - Not a pleasant prospect - Afterwards - she said - now I know, what makes you tick - That is the smoothest gland I have ever felt - you are like a young man! - So I don't think it is the Thai Climate - least I hope not, or going back to the UK, could see me off! dontheturner

Originally Posted by Kentish Lass (Post 8767403)

mrsmacgoo........What did you think of Australia?

We went to the Gold Coast first as most NZers do. Did the theme parks but also managed to get around quite a bit.
Beginning of last year went to Sydney,then drove down to Melbourne and flew back from there. Really liked it. So much more alive there. Part of me thinks ,try Oz but I would be scared of making another mistake. If I was in my 20s/30's, I would probably want to give it ago but I older than that and I have the feeling of life slipping by and wasting time.
Here's where Don jumps in and makes me feel better by saying that I'm in my prime.....You will won't you??