Originally Posted by Mrs Sully

Hello everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been on for a little while but I hit one (at lest 10) of those lows. Then I logged on and read this from TT and it lifted my spirits so much. I am struggling with the push/pull of children and grandchildren. To those Australians who have no idea of the dilemma they would say I have the perfect life. But my heart is breaking. I fall into a despair when I think each trip home will be the last one. We are going back in late August for eight weeks and I hope I will find some answers. TT you are so right about the children. They have their own lives. My daughter and family live across the road and I rarely see her because she is so busy with her own life. I pick up my little grandaughter from school now and then and that is nice. My son lives 10 mins away with his family and it is the same. The little ones are lovely but I know they will soon be older and then they will be absorbed in their own things. I have given Australia 34 years, my youth, my children and grandchildren - prospered and populated as 'they' say. I want to go home now but some days my dream seems to slip further away. My husband says we will be much worse off in the UK and I will miss the family in Australia too much. At the moment I feel held to ransom by life here. I hardly go out now except to the gym to keep healthy. Our friends are all at an age where they are making their retirement plans to the coast or Queensland. I feel outside of it all and very lonely. Our dear friend here who is from Kent originally would love to be back but she feels it is too late and her husband would not return. Our remaining family in the UK have made their own lives and I realize that I can't just step in where we left off. However, the reason I want to go back is just for me and maybe that is why I have the struggle because it seems so selfish. I just want to be in a little place where the sounds and smells are familiar and where I can just be me. Sorry to sound so down because I know it doesn't do any good. I just wanted to let you all know that every single one of you matter in this forum, I hope you take note Barb, you are very special. Where is Quoll? she always has something lovely to say. Anna you are nothing short of inspirational. I hadn't realized ED was going through a hard time, it just isn't fair because she has worked so hard. So if you log on Peigi, I'm thinking of you. I will try to cheer up and think about going home in August - can't wait. Maybe I could just lose my return ticket I've missed you all. That is my lesson - must log on and be with like minded friends

Originally Posted by moonsurfer

Hi Mrs Sully, it is good to hear from you again, you were so kind and helpful with advice when I first posted back here in February, sorry you have not been feeling great, I do not post here very often but read every day and all on here are an inspiration as I am so uncertain still. Best wishes

Originally Posted by pcmaccallum

We fly back to the UK for good on Wednesday that BA strike doesn't change Gatwick flights. I wont be on line very much after Wednesday so i want to send everyone my best wishes that all your plans and dreams start to become reality and you end up where you want to be.
Thank you to everyone for all your help and kind words. You have all been a great help.

Take care Chris

Originally Posted by WAWA

Hmmm yes that is a difficult decision to make Have you thought of Iceland Air? The are one of the cheapest from Toronto, but not sure if they operate from a city close to you. They are reasonable, plus still offer the two pieces of baggage. One way to Heathrow from here is in the region of $600. Only problem is you have to go via Reykjavik but its a small price to pay in order to save some precious greenbacks.... Worth a look but keep buying those lottery tickets in the meantime. You just never know!!

Originally Posted by bushfireblonde

Hi to everyone on this great thread.

Like some others previously, I've spent a bit of time hiding in the shadows, lurking; reading all that is written, finding out what a friendly, supportive bunch you all are, and learning so much. Now though, if you'll have me, I'd like to step out from the shadows and join in.

As an introduction, this is a little about me:

I'm 54 and my OH is 64, we don't have any children but do have pets - 2 cats and 3 dogs!! I'm the British one - came to Australia (Brisbane) as a child of 10 in the mid 1960's, when my parents emigrated as 'Ten Pound Poms', and have lived here all my life. Married an Aussie, and until fairly recently, considered myself as 'settled'.

In my time I have been lucky enough to travel a lot, and have been back to the UK a few times in the last 10 years or so. My OH however, has never been out of Australia as he has severe anxiety about flying. Luckily though, he has always been supportive of my desire to travel, and has shared in all my trips and escapades via phone, email, photos, videos etc - Thank God for modern communications!

Last year however, while I was in the UK for 4 weeks, I suddenly realized that it was where I wanted to be. That while I have accepted Australia for so long, it is not where my heart is, and indeed, that it doesn't offer me what I want in the way of culture, history, climate ... well, you all know the stuff I'm talking about!! I guess there were a few additional deciding factors for us, which will come out as I participate, but for the sake of brevity, that will do for now

Amazingly, my OH was immediately open to the idea, and having investigated thoroughly, we are now 'in the process', hoping to finally be able to move around this time next year. I do have concerns as to how he will adapt. Have asked - begged - him to at least come with me for a visit to see what he thinks, but he is adamant... saying I might only get him on a plane for a long-haul flight once, so when we do, we had better take advantage of it I am trying to be very honest with him about the differences in life here in Oz, and there; about the pros and cons of the whole thing etc, and he seems to be quite accepting of the negative as well as the positive apects, but time will tell.

We're hoping to head to Scotland. For a lot of reasons, the Isle of Skye is my dream, but we are looking at all possibilities and will make a decision closer to the time. Ideally, I would like my OH to be able to see some of the UK before we commit ourselves to one place, however, how much we will be able to get around to see will depend on finances when we eventually get there

I have a sister living in England, but as she and I are estranged that doesn't really come into the equation. It's more a lifestyle and heart decision. Luckily though, I've got good friends in the UK, so there is some support base for us.

Well... I think that's enough to start But before I finish, I'd like to thank everybody here for all the information and experiences you so openly share. Reading your stories, and following the journeys of some of those who have already returned, has been both inspirational and eye opening. I have learnt so much about things I would not have even thought of, enabling our moving back process to be much more organized ... Thank You to you all, I look forward to becoming a part of your community.

Cheers, Fiona

Originally Posted by aes1

Thanks Rodney. My son just informed me that I had another letter from the mortgage company saying they had been notified the house is vacant and they are sending someone over to 'rekey and winterize' it, whatever that means!!!

Welcome Fiona, to this thread, you will love it - as I keep on saying, still the best thread on the whole site in my humble opinion, for the wealth of information gained from all angles!!

Back to Malta - I am now convinced the energy here is moving at a faster pace than in other countries, I am amazed at how much has happened to me and continues to happen to me since I got here 22 April! I have heard that the planet is actually gaining in speed and light, so that might explain it LOL!! Yesterday I had my first interview for a job - with an online gaming company (customer support) - Malta seems to be rife in gambling opportunities with its lotto and casinos. It was in the middle of Malta, to0 far for me and too many hours (40 a week) but still worth my finding out, I was given a cup of hot tea and I got to buy chocolate at the Lidl German supermarket near the bus stop! The bus ride is entertainment at great value for 47 cents wherever you go on Malta. Every driver plays his favourite music on his radio, sometimes chats on his mobile too, or with another driver who hangs on to the steps of the bus just for fun, and the bus is decorated with crosses, the Madonna, flags, and other assorted tacky souvenirs strung across the top of the front windscreen for you to look at when passing through an area you have already visited. One bus I was on had a bucket of cleaning supplies by the first seat Hang on to the seat (possibly ripped), or sides, or the person sitting next to you, as your bus driver races down the narrow congested roads, blowing the horn whenever anyone gets in the way, or as a greeting to other bus drivers. If you are hot, sit near an open window, but not by the front door, which is always open for free air conditioning, or just in case someone wants to jump on and off whilst the bus is still moving! Did I say these buses are as old as Malta?? Later in the day the owner of the local health food store told me to stop in and meet a customer of his who lived around the corner. So I did. I was invited in by this sweet French lady, 80 years old, in Malta for 60 years, a retired school teacher, then at age 65, she became a hypnotherapist and Reiki master!! We exchanged phone numbers and I promised to teach her tai chi!

So those still worrying about returning to England too late in life........You are never too old to do anything you want!!!

Originally Posted by Honeybun

Hi Anna, it sounds as if you are really embrasing Malta and I love hearing about your daily explorations. It certainly takes me back, but at the same time makes me think about living there as well.

Take care, Barb

Originally Posted by aes1

Is anyone else having a hard time sorting out who is who and where from on this thread??? With so many different User Names, male and female, add our first names - I am going around in circles, getting everyone confused!! I thought Barb was in Australia??? Or is that Beedubya and Honeybun is Barb from ??? Forgive me if I get it wrong sometimes!! Perhaps we can simplify somehow, like all give first name (which usually will decide male or female too!) and country presently living in at the end of every post we write??? My brain is getting really befuddled these days!!! So I would be Anna, Malta. I confess to not always reading or remembering to look at the beginning of the post at the info given under user id. Sorry! If some are too shy/private/scared to give their first name, they can always make one up!! As long as they stick to it, no problem!!!! What do you all think???

BTW I have noticed that, despite it being sunny and 24 Celsius (approx) here all day every day, when it does rain (like yesterday morning), even though it was very windy too, the sun must not have the same intensity as it does in the Southern USA. My balcony this morning at 7 was still damp enough that I had to dry my chair off! Strange!!! Or is the ozone layer thicker in Malta than in the US??

Originally Posted by magistrate

Hi Fulwood and Trotty ,I too am a Lancashire lass from Penwortham ,Preston ,my daughter and rest of my family live in Lostock hall.I know Preston has changed a lot ,some of it not for the better from all accounts but I do have very special memories remembering Top Rank dancing and the Piper nightclub .
I will be going back ther hopefully when we can get a car ,its a long way to lancashire from Devon and funds are still tight as I an still waiting for my house sale funds ,long story . You are so right about lancashire people being tough and resiliant ,we always bounce back what ever is thrown at us .I have had to downsize my life in a big way since returning from the US but am very very happy and content back in England .

Originally Posted by aes1

Is anyone else having a hard time sorting out who is who and where from on this thread??? With so many different User Names, male and female, add our first names - I am going around in circles, getting everyone confused!! I thought Barb was in Australia??? Or is that Beedubya and Honeybun is Barb from ??? Forgive me if I get it wrong sometimes!! Perhaps we can simplify somehow, like all give first name (which usually will decide male or female too!) and country presently living in at the end of every post we write??? My brain is getting really befuddled these days!!! So I would be Anna, Malta. I confess to not always reading or remembering to look at the beginning of the post at the info given under user id. Sorry! If some are too shy/private/scared to give their first name, they can always make one up!! As long as they stick to it, no problem!!!! What do you all think???

BTW I have noticed that, despite it being sunny and 24 Celsius (approx) here all day every day, when it does rain (like yesterday morning), even though it was very windy too, the sun must not have the same intensity as it does in the Southern USA. My balcony this morning at 7 was still damp enough that I had to dry my chair off! Strange!!! Or is the ozone layer thicker in Malta than in the US??

Originally Posted by aes1

Is anyone else having a hard time sorting out who is who and where from on this thread??? With so many different User Names, male and female, add our first names - I am going around in circles, getting everyone confused!! I thought Barb was in Australia??? Or is that Beedubya and Honeybun is Barb from ??? Forgive me if I get it wrong sometimes!! Perhaps we can simplify somehow, like all give first name (which usually will decide male or female too!) and country presently living in at the end of every post we write??? My brain is getting really befuddled these days!!! So I would be Anna, Malta. I confess to not always reading or remembering to look at the beginning of the post at the info given under user id. Sorry! If some are too shy/private/scared to give their first name, they can always make one up!! As long as they stick to it, no problem!!!! What do you all think???

BTW I have noticed that, despite it being sunny and 24 Celsius (approx) here all day every day, when it does rain (like yesterday morning), even though it was very windy too, the sun must not have the same intensity as it does in the Southern USA. My balcony this morning at 7 was still damp enough that I had to dry my chair off! Strange!!! Or is the ozone layer thicker in Malta than in the US??