Originally Posted by Lorac05

Congrats - it's nice to have that date as the light at the end of the tunnel I am hoping to get a date sorted out for me soon!!

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla

I didnt realize you were going back so soon yourself.... how great... Everyone on here is wonderful we should all stay in touch maybe one day once we are all home we can all meet up for a cuppa (:

Yes NY to Southampton, mom is coming with me as the price is the same for 2 people in the cabin as it would be for one, problem is she has 2 dogs... so she may have to come back and then leave again at a later date... However when I booked on Jan 30th they had no room for any dogs and put me on a wait list, 2 days later there was a cancellation and i got on. So she has now put her dogs on the list and we get that luck it will be amazing....

Good Luck with everything...... I am sure I wll cry as I pull away on the boat as I have experienced so much in 20 years but ready for a new long awaited chapter at home.... You will be great back home I know it (:

Originally Posted by Beedubya

Wow that fare is unbelievable, and great that you get to share the experience with your mum, I can't believe the price is the same for 2 as 1, why would you fly if you could do this? Not looking forward to my hellish flight, 24 hours cramped up in cattle class.

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla

i know the trip itself is very exciting and cheaper than flying.. I could have been cramped in coach on an airplane for 9 hours worried about my dog in the cargo bay for $2500....

now i get a cabin for 2 (mom and I) a private kennel for my dog i can see 5 times a day, a 6 day cruise and a holiday for $2300...... best way to go, cant beat that.......

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla

well guys I finally got my date booked to head home..... Luckily room opened up in the kennels for my little dog on the Queen Mary 2 for Oct 7th of this year..... So crazy how once you book that ticket how kind of surreal it still all is..... I have had a few "what if" momments... but i just tell myself it must be the right thing for me right now because I have planned so much and wanted it so bad for so long..... and besides I am very lucky in having dual citizenship so i can always come back to the states should my mind every change... Over all I am happy and excited and even more thrilled that I don't have to put my poor little dog under the plane as that was my bigest fear.... I try to avoid the "ney sayers' and the "anti-uk" people now as i remember many of them have never left England so things everywhere else must seem Rosey to them.....They don't know what its like to miss home and ache with that feeling of needing to feel like you belong somewhere again............. SO the countdown is on, lots to do, find housing and a job.......Happy, nervous and excited.... Here I come!

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla

well guys I finally got my date booked to head home..... Luckily room opened up in the kennels for my little dog on the Queen Mary 2 for Oct 7th of this year..... So crazy how once you book that ticket how kind of surreal it still all is..... I have had a few "what if" momments... but i just tell myself it must be the right thing for me right now because I have planned so much and wanted it so bad for so long..... and besides I am very lucky in having dual citizenship so i can always come back to the states should my mind every change... Over all I am happy and excited and even more thrilled that I don't have to put my poor little dog under the plane as that was my bigest fear.... I try to avoid the "ney sayers' and the "anti-uk" people now as i remember many of them have never left England so things everywhere else must seem Rosey to them.....They don't know what its like to miss home and ache with that feeling of needing to feel like you belong somewhere again............. SO the countdown is on, lots to do, find housing and a job.......Happy, nervous and excited.... Here I come!

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla

well guys I finally got my date booked to head home..... Luckily room opened up in the kennels for my little dog on the Queen Mary 2 for Oct 7th of this year..... So crazy how once you book that ticket how kind of surreal it still all is..... I have had a few "what if" momments... but i just tell myself it must be the right thing for me right now because I have planned so much and wanted it so bad for so long..... and besides I am very lucky in having dual citizenship so i can always come back to the states should my mind every change... Over all I am happy and excited and even more thrilled that I don't have to put my poor little dog under the plane as that was my bigest fear.... I try to avoid the "ney sayers' and the "anti-uk" people now as i remember many of them have never left England so things everywhere else must seem Rosey to them.....They don't know what its like to miss home and ache with that feeling of needing to feel like you belong somewhere again............. SO the countdown is on, lots to do, find housing and a job.......Happy, nervous and excited.... Here I come!

Originally Posted by garyp

thanks for the comments everyone. probably book flights today as wife has sort of come round and realised its not for all the family. Just realised that our lives were not that bad in Uk and moving because the weather is shit is not a good enough reason. I seriously thought this move was better for my children but they hate it and having witnessed OZ now I dont think that is the case. I am fairly lucky that my job is still open in UK having took a career break and we have our house with a tenant if we want to go back to but dont intend. we will probably rent somewhere. Its just the financial sacrifice moving over and back which is eating me at mo.