OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Dec 19th 2010, 8:20 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Hello trotty,
WOW how do you find the time to update us all with all this wonderful info, your great, thank you,
Well Ive been in UK now for 2 weeks and everything is great, sorry I havent got time to catchup with all the many posts from everyone, cause I still havent bought a lap top yet, and using the library computers, and they give you limited time, and also thanks to anyone who has posted to me while I have been home, and so sorry you didn't get a reply from me, but when I get a laptop which should be within a few weeks I will be able to spend more time reading everyones posts as they come,
Hope everyone is fine and well and still chasing there dreams to come back here, --- I can tell you this so far --- my decision to come home for good was definitely without a doubt the very best decision that I have ever made in my life, I am very happy here, although very sad and heart broken that my only Sister has apparently only a few weeks to live, she's dying of lung cancer, me and Mum went up to Plymouth to see her a few days ago and she looks very thin and Ill, lost so much weight,
Well take care everyone,
Rodney.
WOW how do you find the time to update us all with all this wonderful info, your great, thank you,
Well Ive been in UK now for 2 weeks and everything is great, sorry I havent got time to catchup with all the many posts from everyone, cause I still havent bought a lap top yet, and using the library computers, and they give you limited time, and also thanks to anyone who has posted to me while I have been home, and so sorry you didn't get a reply from me, but when I get a laptop which should be within a few weeks I will be able to spend more time reading everyones posts as they come,
Hope everyone is fine and well and still chasing there dreams to come back here, --- I can tell you this so far --- my decision to come home for good was definitely without a doubt the very best decision that I have ever made in my life, I am very happy here, although very sad and heart broken that my only Sister has apparently only a few weeks to live, she's dying of lung cancer, me and Mum went up to Plymouth to see her a few days ago and she looks very thin and Ill, lost so much weight,
Well take care everyone,
Rodney.
Dec 19th 2010, 8:21 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Ah Denise, you have never watched The Royle Family? The name of the daughter is Denise and the mum is Barb. 
If you watch it you will get what I meant. I am not sure though you being American will get that Northern Brit sense of humour, it sound ridiculous but the whole show centres around a family sitting in front of the TV, drinking cups of tea and smoking.........
If you watch it you will get what I meant. I am not sure though you being American will get that Northern Brit sense of humour, it sound ridiculous but the whole show centres around a family sitting in front of the TV, drinking cups of tea and smoking.........
Talking about getting your own place have you put your name down for any of the Sheltered housing schemes yet? .......have you and your husband done any serious investigating?
Now that Tony knows where he will be working, I've enquired about a nearby Housing 21 development. They don't have any 2-person flats available now, but we're on the waiting list.
As I've mentioned before, it doesn't phase us at all that it's "sheltered housing" and may or may not be full of people much, much older than us. As far as we're concerned, it's just an inexpensive place to hang our hats.
Don't know yet when Tony's job starts and - when it does - not sure if we'll try to get our own place immediately or wait until I find work. It may or may not end up being 'sheltered housing' .... but it doesn't hurt to be on the list, does it?
Dec 19th 2010, 8:22 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Okay how the heck did I ever miss the Royles, so funny, oh dear going to get even less done now......
Dec 19th 2010, 8:27 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Yes you are right DDL/Denise, it doesn't hurt to get your names down, but I think I need to do a lot more research first on locations, etc. Perhaps I would feel better about it if I had a "young" partner the same age as me living in the same flat, if that makes sense? I know what I mean anyway. 
Are you driving over there yet Denise? When I emigrated here I couldn't drive, well I never felt the need in England but living in Australia it is more of a necessity so I learnt very soon after coming here.
And although we drive on the same side here I have never driven in the UK, as I can only drive automatics.
I think when the time comes I will have a few driving lessons as some of the road rules seem to be different.
Are you driving over there yet Denise? When I emigrated here I couldn't drive, well I never felt the need in England but living in Australia it is more of a necessity so I learnt very soon after coming here.
And although we drive on the same side here I have never driven in the UK, as I can only drive automatics.
I think when the time comes I will have a few driving lessons as some of the road rules seem to be different.
Last edited by Beedubya; Dec 19th 2010 at 8:29 pm.
Dec 19th 2010, 8:28 pm
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Dec 19th 2010, 8:29 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Christmas cake though ... LOVE it! But to really enjoy it, you need a decent slab of crumbly white cheese on top. Wensleydale is best although Cheshire works too.
Dec 19th 2010, 8:40 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
and charleygirl is Denise 3 I think, but I might start signing myself Denise J so it will make it easier what do you think (and I thought my name was unusual ha)
Dec 19th 2010, 8:48 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Hi all,
we are just back from a few days break in London, we had a good time, low key, relaxing.
Traveled there by train, our Senior rail card, at orig cost 16 pound, cut ticket price to 25 from 38 off-peak, we will get the cost of the rail card back in two trips..
We had downloaded from web offers of 2 for 1 entry to attractions if traveling to London by train. Quite a money saver.
Entrance fees: St Pauls 12.50, Shakespeare Globe 10.50; British Museum no charge but 5.00 suggested, Southwark Cathedral no charge but 4.00 donation suggested. Guided tour walk of Inns of Court 8.00 (company is "London Walks")
The Inns of Court walk was great, 2 hours with a knowledgeable guide , full of quips and quotes, took us to places around Lincoln Inn and Temple that we never knew and probably would never have ventured. We learned so much about the courts, history, law and characters (about Cherie and Tony too !!) Afterward we took ourselves into Royal Courts of Justice and sat in the back of a hearing in progress, great entertainment (for an hour or so anyway). For lunch nearby in Fleet Street is the Old Bank of England building, wonderful indoor decor and atmosphere, now a pub with good beer and pies (but hopefully not prepared to a Mrs Lovett recipe, Sweeny Todd's partner previously resident on the site)
We did spend a little time in British Museum but preferred our 90 mins in the smaller less impersonal (very personal in some ways) Hunterian Museum of Anatomy at Lincoln Inn Fields (pointed out to us by the walking tour guide)
Apsley House, 5.10 for seniors, residence of Dukes of Wellington, was also a interesting place, fantastic chinaware and paintings and history. Wellington Arch was closed to visitors that day so has to go on list for next time.
Out of curiosity, we included in one of our strolls the art-deco apartments used in the Hercule Poirot series (near Smithfield market), another quiet Sq "N'est-ce pas?" that would not be ordinarily noticed.
5 to 9 pm nightly through Dec there are carols sung by volunteer choirs in Trafalgar Sq for the price of a charity donation - the Christmas tree burnt by rioting students has been replaced.
But other than the material sights, people watching was fantastic, all and every kind, and polite as heck, if you step aside on the pavement the other party says 'thank you', people step up to help mom's with prams, bump into someone and they say 'Ooops', people chat at bus stops and while waiting at the bar in a pub, smiles everywhere. One place we were studying the map, 2 different people stepped up to ask if we needed directions.
All is not perfect, there are still homeless and beggars on the streets, and pavements in a few places were disgusting but generally the overall condition was fine and minimum litter.
Traffic was heavy as always, but the buses usually get through on the bus lanes, plenty of light controlled ped xings, Boris Bikes are to be often seen in use but I wouldn't dare in the traffic. Oxford Street was extremely crowded with shoppers.
And, if that is not enough fun (apart from all the great historic pubs large and small that we patronized for a tipple) we traveled it all for free, yes, the Free Bus Pass issued to us in Norfolk worked for us on London's buses. We had never used the buses before, previously preferring the Tube for it's simplicity, but we soon figured out the bus network Map and used buses everywhere around central London.
We lucked in with a B&B too, Alhambra, convenient for us to nearby Kings Cross Station, at 75.00 / night double inc full breakfast, Typical small London room but clean, pleasant staff, good and efficient breakfast, we will use them again.
All round a good 'Welcome to UK' trip to London. So, that is our news.
Am pleased to come back and find you all here, posting as ever.
p.s. we had a sausage roll in Harrods, tasty, but Greggs may still have it beat.
we are just back from a few days break in London, we had a good time, low key, relaxing.
Traveled there by train, our Senior rail card, at orig cost 16 pound, cut ticket price to 25 from 38 off-peak, we will get the cost of the rail card back in two trips..
We had downloaded from web offers of 2 for 1 entry to attractions if traveling to London by train. Quite a money saver.
Entrance fees: St Pauls 12.50, Shakespeare Globe 10.50; British Museum no charge but 5.00 suggested, Southwark Cathedral no charge but 4.00 donation suggested. Guided tour walk of Inns of Court 8.00 (company is "London Walks")
The Inns of Court walk was great, 2 hours with a knowledgeable guide , full of quips and quotes, took us to places around Lincoln Inn and Temple that we never knew and probably would never have ventured. We learned so much about the courts, history, law and characters (about Cherie and Tony too !!) Afterward we took ourselves into Royal Courts of Justice and sat in the back of a hearing in progress, great entertainment (for an hour or so anyway). For lunch nearby in Fleet Street is the Old Bank of England building, wonderful indoor decor and atmosphere, now a pub with good beer and pies (but hopefully not prepared to a Mrs Lovett recipe, Sweeny Todd's partner previously resident on the site)
We did spend a little time in British Museum but preferred our 90 mins in the smaller less impersonal (very personal in some ways) Hunterian Museum of Anatomy at Lincoln Inn Fields (pointed out to us by the walking tour guide)
Apsley House, 5.10 for seniors, residence of Dukes of Wellington, was also a interesting place, fantastic chinaware and paintings and history. Wellington Arch was closed to visitors that day so has to go on list for next time.
Out of curiosity, we included in one of our strolls the art-deco apartments used in the Hercule Poirot series (near Smithfield market), another quiet Sq "N'est-ce pas?" that would not be ordinarily noticed.
5 to 9 pm nightly through Dec there are carols sung by volunteer choirs in Trafalgar Sq for the price of a charity donation - the Christmas tree burnt by rioting students has been replaced.
But other than the material sights, people watching was fantastic, all and every kind, and polite as heck, if you step aside on the pavement the other party says 'thank you', people step up to help mom's with prams, bump into someone and they say 'Ooops', people chat at bus stops and while waiting at the bar in a pub, smiles everywhere. One place we were studying the map, 2 different people stepped up to ask if we needed directions.
All is not perfect, there are still homeless and beggars on the streets, and pavements in a few places were disgusting but generally the overall condition was fine and minimum litter.
Traffic was heavy as always, but the buses usually get through on the bus lanes, plenty of light controlled ped xings, Boris Bikes are to be often seen in use but I wouldn't dare in the traffic. Oxford Street was extremely crowded with shoppers.
And, if that is not enough fun (apart from all the great historic pubs large and small that we patronized for a tipple) we traveled it all for free, yes, the Free Bus Pass issued to us in Norfolk worked for us on London's buses. We had never used the buses before, previously preferring the Tube for it's simplicity, but we soon figured out the bus network Map and used buses everywhere around central London.
We lucked in with a B&B too, Alhambra, convenient for us to nearby Kings Cross Station, at 75.00 / night double inc full breakfast, Typical small London room but clean, pleasant staff, good and efficient breakfast, we will use them again.
All round a good 'Welcome to UK' trip to London. So, that is our news.
Am pleased to come back and find you all here, posting as ever.
p.s. we had a sausage roll in Harrods, tasty, but Greggs may still have it beat.
Dec 19th 2010, 9:00 pm
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Dec 19th 2010, 9:02 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Hi Everyone,
Well, for those who were asking about Wee Mac, he is lovely and although it might be because I am his mommy, he is quite smart. He already follows me all over the house and has to be close to where I am sitting to go to sleep. He loves to cuddle, I was also taking care of my friends wee dog and I was not sure how Rudy would take to a new puppy, but they got on great together, although I am not sure if Rudy thought that Mac was a wind up toy or not
He has also started to get a hand on the potty training part of his life and that is always the hardest part of the puppy years.
Well, for those who were asking about Wee Mac, he is lovely and although it might be because I am his mommy, he is quite smart. He already follows me all over the house and has to be close to where I am sitting to go to sleep. He loves to cuddle, I was also taking care of my friends wee dog and I was not sure how Rudy would take to a new puppy, but they got on great together, although I am not sure if Rudy thought that Mac was a wind up toy or not
He has also started to get a hand on the potty training part of his life and that is always the hardest part of the puppy years.So glad to hear he is settling in
Dec 19th 2010, 9:09 pm
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Dec 19th 2010, 9:34 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Let's remember that this season is all about PEACE.
Trottytrue, our thread starter, has tried to soothe the ruffled feathers caused by a couple of previous posts....she really cares about this thread and that we are a supportive and kind group.
I'm sure that Celticspirit, who is suffering right now, didn't mean any people were trite, but just that the food conversations seemed trite to her, in her profoundly difficult situation at the moment....
I'm sure Barb didn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings either, but was just trying to say that we all have different pains to cope with, and sometimes a daydream about Greggs (or whatever) can ease the sorrow...
Let's just all give each other the benefit of the doubt whenever possible...it's easy to misconstrue a written posting because you can't hear tone of voice or see a smile....
Tis the season of goodwill!
Tina.
Trottytrue, our thread starter, has tried to soothe the ruffled feathers caused by a couple of previous posts....she really cares about this thread and that we are a supportive and kind group.
I'm sure that Celticspirit, who is suffering right now, didn't mean any people were trite, but just that the food conversations seemed trite to her, in her profoundly difficult situation at the moment....
I'm sure Barb didn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings either, but was just trying to say that we all have different pains to cope with, and sometimes a daydream about Greggs (or whatever) can ease the sorrow...
Let's just all give each other the benefit of the doubt whenever possible...it's easy to misconstrue a written posting because you can't hear tone of voice or see a smile....
Tis the season of goodwill!
Tina.
Dec 19th 2010, 10:03 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
hi everyone, back from my ceremony, 81 people from 41 countries and 3 Brits lots of Canadians. It went so smoothly and was so organised.
Lovely lovely ceremony, I was very surprised, had a choir of 4th graders singing a lovely selection of American Patriotic songs...
Old veterans led the national anthem, very nicely done, was not expecting it to be so moving.
Couldnt send of Passport ap. though as "they" did not show up, whoever "they" are.
good luck to everyone else going through the process.
Lovely lovely ceremony, I was very surprised, had a choir of 4th graders singing a lovely selection of American Patriotic songs...
Old veterans led the national anthem, very nicely done, was not expecting it to be so moving.
Couldnt send of Passport ap. though as "they" did not show up, whoever "they" are.
good luck to everyone else going through the process.
Dec 19th 2010, 10:15 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Awwww Trotty dont be sad..
This is the first Christmas in a long time that I am feeling a sense of hope for the future..Christmas is usually a depressing lonely time for me, but for the first time I have something to look forward too. I am sure that my CT will show that I am cancer free, and I can start a new and happy life in England.
I wish the best for everyone on this thread..and hope 2011 brings everyone, what they hope, and wish for.
Jackie
This is the first Christmas in a long time that I am feeling a sense of hope for the future..Christmas is usually a depressing lonely time for me, but for the first time I have something to look forward too. I am sure that my CT will show that I am cancer free, and I can start a new and happy life in England.
I wish the best for everyone on this thread..and hope 2011 brings everyone, what they hope, and wish for.
Jackie
wishing you only the best. On this thread at the beginning someone suggested a kind of half way house, for people returning to the uk for expats. I for one would love to see this through more. I would love to get together with others and see about getting a house and liasing with the jobcentre and social servises to help returning expats. If there is anyone there that is really interested in doing this please get in touch I would love to get something started. It really upsets me to think there are people out there alone at Christmas I wish I could get something going for us all together, anyone interested please get in touch, especially anyone with organisational skills as I am hopeless. We may need people with a little capitol to pool their resourses together to get the thing started, I would be up for it. Denise 2
Dec 19th 2010, 10:20 pm
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
ldyinlv, good luck with the results wishing you only the best. On this thread at the beginning someone suggested a kind of half way house, for people returning to the uk for expats. I for one would love to see this through more. I would love to get together with others and see about getting a house and liasing with the jobcentre and social servises to help returning expats. If there is anyone there that is really interested in doing this please get in touch I would love to get something started. It really upsets me to think there are people out there alone at Christmas I wish I could get something going for us all together, anyone interested please get in touch, especially anyone with organisational skills as I am hopeless. We may need people with a little capitol to pool their resourses together to get the thing started, I would be up for it. Denise 2
wishing you only the best. On this thread at the beginning someone suggested a kind of half way house, for people returning to the uk for expats. I for one would love to see this through more. I would love to get together with others and see about getting a house and liasing with the jobcentre and social servises to help returning expats. If there is anyone there that is really interested in doing this please get in touch I would love to get something started. It really upsets me to think there are people out there alone at Christmas I wish I could get something going for us all together, anyone interested please get in touch, especially anyone with organisational skills as I am hopeless. We may need people with a little capitol to pool their resourses together to get the thing started, I would be up for it. Denise 2I agree that would be a great idea....if RV clubs can get together for annual dinners etc..then i think the very least we could do is have an annual dinner somewhere..a different part of the country every year to make it fair...a weekend ..to talk about our experiences, and meet the people who have meant so much to us..
Jackie