OVER 50's+ MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Jan 5th 2011, 12:50 pm
#511
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Posts: 3,610
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
A new season of 'Great British railways' just started and for anyone who can watch UK shows, I highly recommend it. Michael Portillo (yes, the old Tory minister of all people) travels Britain by train. In the first season he went up North and this time he's in the south of the country. It's so interesting and it's helping me make a list of places we must visit if we ever get back.
High Speed Grandma, I don't know what advice to give other than obviously only you and your husband know what's best. I hope it all works out for you.
Last edited by sallysimmons; Jan 5th 2011 at 12:53 pm.
Jan 5th 2011, 12:57 pm
#513
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Posts: 3,610
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Thanks for the kind words. I am constantly amazed at the minute size of the builidings in the very old part of town. These cottages are up on a little paved pathway, above Catherine Hill, which is where the 'twee' shops are located. Each little cottage has a front door, with a street number, but I cannot fathom that anyone can live in them - they are the size of a British beach hut! I intend to find out if they are, in fact, inhabited or just for storage or for show.
Jan 5th 2011, 1:32 pm
#514
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Attn; HighSpeedGrandma
Wow - what a story! I'm sure you will miss Hong Kong when you move on; not just missing your daughter, s-i-l and your grandchildren, but Hong Kong itself, which I find to be exhilarating.
I'm in no way qualified to give you any personal advice, but your story reminded me of a TV comedy series which was on in the early 70's. It was called "My Wife Next Door" starring Hannah Gordon and John Alderton (you may recall that he was a teacher in 'Please Sir!' and in another TV comedy series with real-life wife Pauline Collins in 'No Honestly').
"My Wife Next Door" was about a divorced couple who by coincidence move to the countryside and discover that they've bought adjoining cottages:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068110/ (scroll down to read ' User reviews')
Wow - what a story! I'm sure you will miss Hong Kong when you move on; not just missing your daughter, s-i-l and your grandchildren, but Hong Kong itself, which I find to be exhilarating.
I'm in no way qualified to give you any personal advice, but your story reminded me of a TV comedy series which was on in the early 70's. It was called "My Wife Next Door" starring Hannah Gordon and John Alderton (you may recall that he was a teacher in 'Please Sir!' and in another TV comedy series with real-life wife Pauline Collins in 'No Honestly').
"My Wife Next Door" was about a divorced couple who by coincidence move to the countryside and discover that they've bought adjoining cottages:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068110/ (scroll down to read ' User reviews')
Jan 5th 2011, 1:44 pm
#515
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 202
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Somersetgirl...Glad to have you here, hope you learn alot, if you need some advice just ask. Those of us who have been out of the UK for many years are scared about going home but I think we are more scared about growing old in our respective second homes. If you read postings from those who have returned home you will see they are doing very well. You said you have been in Canada for 30years do you have any children or animals.
Charleygirl... How are you doing not working too hard are you.
Charleygirl... How are you doing not working too hard are you.
No, we don't have children to leave behind, so that makes it so much easier. Pets...yes many over the years, but since we lost our last sweet dog to old age, we are waiting until we are settled to get that new little puppy.
Jan 5th 2011, 1:52 pm
#516
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,139
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I just finished posting the latest photos of Frome in case anyone wants to look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/islandwoman/
Rosie
Rosie
Jan 5th 2011, 2:23 pm
#517
Home Sweet Home
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 5,128
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Gorgeous knick knacks 
That is my style too ,I have SO many gorgeous things here and I was worried I would not find as much choice when we get back (or be able to take them ?)
Anyway , now that I have even been checking the UK ebay site ,I feel a bit better !
I'm heading for Dorset ,I have seen a few shops like that from time to time they are so tempting ...
That is my style too ,I have SO many gorgeous things here and I was worried I would not find as much choice when we get back (or be able to take them ?)
Anyway , now that I have even been checking the UK ebay site ,I feel a bit better !
I'm heading for Dorset ,I have seen a few shops like that from time to time they are so tempting ...
Jan 5th 2011, 4:52 pm
#518
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Dorset England.
Posts: 676
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
that is good news !
So easy to transform cheap furniture too, for shabby chic /cottage ,just coats (and coats lol ) of white/pastel paint !
I am quite obsessed with the colors and styles in my home so I have been plotting how to make myself feel happy (on a limited budget ) when we get back
Jan 5th 2011, 4:59 pm
#519
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Rosie,
I just got through the new pictures and I appreciate you posting them!
I noticed almost no pedestrians, is that because you took the pictures on a Sunday?
Have you been back to Bath since the day you moved to Frome?
On the one photo you listed it as 'Cowman' shop but the sign over the entrance says some thing different 'Crowman'. JTYWLTK.
I would like a showing of your bedsit. Why? To see what we would get for our money. I think it is a humble beginning. I understand if you prefer not to.
When was the last time the river flooded?
What is the Market House used for? My guess is offices?
Rosie I hear you on road noise. I have stayed in places and they may have been alright in the past when they were build and when there was horse and carts but now with motor traffic it is the pits.
I like the idea of a shared house for all of us but I think that is a little naive thinking that people could get along because we get set our ways. Great concept though.
I just got through the new pictures and I appreciate you posting them!
I noticed almost no pedestrians, is that because you took the pictures on a Sunday?
Have you been back to Bath since the day you moved to Frome?
On the one photo you listed it as 'Cowman' shop but the sign over the entrance says some thing different 'Crowman'. JTYWLTK.
I would like a showing of your bedsit. Why? To see what we would get for our money. I think it is a humble beginning. I understand if you prefer not to.
When was the last time the river flooded?
What is the Market House used for? My guess is offices?
Rosie I hear you on road noise. I have stayed in places and they may have been alright in the past when they were build and when there was horse and carts but now with motor traffic it is the pits.
I like the idea of a shared house for all of us but I think that is a little naive thinking that people could get along because we get set our ways. Great concept though.
Jan 5th 2011, 5:47 pm
#520
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Hey Barb, do you think you have a heart problem?
Jan 5th 2011, 5:49 pm
#521
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Thanks, Fish. Glad that you got something positive from my recent postings. That is why I have been writing them as I have, and I know there have been a lot recently - because I was deprived of this site due to the inability of the Frome public library internet system malfunctioning. So all this pent up stuff has come flooding out in one day instead of as it happened. Which is why I put the Railway porter incident on a separate thread - too much information all at once in one space! Yes the TV licence is transferrable to a new address, so long as I advise them - there is an address on the rear of the licence itself. Now if only the darn Pension would get sorted out, I could stop being so tense. They do say it takes about 8 weeks, and they are not wrong. I did not apply sooner because I wanted to see my ex's living situation - I am eligible for 50% of his pension - but he is on disabilty, and has been for years, so his pension will be small too. Which is why I took advice from Age UK on this issue, and applied on my own, with Pension Credit application at the same time. It all boils down to living expenses.. always does.
Jan 5th 2011, 6:03 pm
#523
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I just finished posting the latest photos of Frome in case anyone wants to look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/islandwoman/
Rosie
Rosie
I'm not much of a religious person anymore but still I like Churches and their grounds in the UK, truly beautiful.
I love the door at Lazy dog cottage #24.
Frome looks wonderful, it gives you a sense of peace, I like all the old stone buildings, just not sure I could live in one as it may be very cold.
Jan 5th 2011, 6:06 pm
#524
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,139
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Thanks - if you go over to the thread in which I gave the Railway Porter story, you will find I am not appreciated there - seem to have encouraged a lot of weird people. So I am not going to return to that - this thread only. I am not in the mood to answer most of the recent posters on the other thread. And if they follow me over here, I will just duck out altogether - can't stand those types. I should have told them to take a hike...
Jan 5th 2011, 7:21 pm
#525
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Dorset England.
Posts: 676
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Thanks - if you go over to the thread in which I gave the Railway Porter story, you will find I am not appreciated there - seem to have encouraged a lot of weird people. So I am not going to return to that - this thread only. I am not in the mood to answer most of the recent posters on the other thread. And if they follow me over here, I will just duck out altogether - can't stand those types. I should have told them to take a hike...
Although I am only 39 ,it is* almost* the only forum where people 'talk ' and are respectful .
My Husband is nearly 52 though ...
I have learnt so much about jobs etc here ...
I have followed your story ,you are a brave woman -I am glad you are starting to settle now