kampaicharger

ecky thump n' ee by gum...

40 days before "THE RETURN" and I'm cruisin along quite nicely.

Officially retired 2 days ago (tho there's folks who would say I "retired" a flamin' long time ago) so smilin' from ear to ear...

Everything is paid for, sold or given away most of my wordly possessions, reduced the 'keepers" to what will fit in a suitcase...

All good... except the missus got up this mornin and decided to have a "clear out".....Result?

I am now hiding in the garage, typing this as quietly as possible...

WhoFan63

That's brilliant news! Congratulations Eee thee must be reet proud?

Just make sure you haven't got a For Sale sign on your back

Hoping those 40 days fly past for you ! Where are you heading??

Perth

Hope you make it on that plane with the missus Good luck to you

brits1

Good Luck, we returned to the North West after just over 12 years spent in Aus, I wanted to see more of Lancashire when we returned home, I love Lytham and the coastline along that way and also the smaller Towns (non mill towns) and villages, it has been adventure. We are currently in Derbyshire (Dark Peak area) one of our Fav. pubs is the Hare & Hounds in Werneth Low (spectacular views) you might know it being originally from Gee Cross and The Midland Pub in Marple Bridge (lovely parks in that area as well). We really enjoy the fact that we are in open countryside (where we live at the moment) but about a 45 min drive into either Manchester or Sheffield for shopping. A lot of things have changed for the better since we left and other things have either stayed the same or not but we enjoy being home. All the best

Barrybriggs

I also was a Ten Pound Pom many years ago. At the time my friend and I were given a choice, either go by plane or cruise ship. Of course we chose a cruise ship which included free breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus duty free booze. It was a wonderful experience. At that time the regulation was that you had to stay for at least two years. If you returned within the two years you had to pay back the full fare out. Anyway, I enjoyed working and travelling around Australia. It was more like a working holiday for me. I returned to England overland. But I did miss Australia. I have fond memories of the places I stayed and the people I met. Of course there were a few ups and downs. Anyway, good luck with your return to Blighty. No doubt you will notice many changes.

WhoFan63

If you had asked my Mum and Dad before they passed away about being a 10 pound pom the reaction would have been hilarious. They lived in Australia and one time someone actually got into an argument with them and said they were 10 pound poms and went over to Australia with the rest of the convicts that the UK didn't want.

Well.......my Mum (bless her little cotton socks) stood up and told this person in no uncertain terms that they'd CHOSEN to go to Australia and paid the full fare themselves. They'd also gone to Australia via cruise ship, but they'd chosen which ship and to where.. lol She also reminded the person that THEY were related to some of those 10 pound poms. This person then got upset and yelled ' I AM AUSTRALIAN', to which my Mum replied "Sure you might be, but what about your parents, grandparents. There's no such thing as a true Australian because you're all descended from the Brits who came over" LOL So if you're calling ME a convict, what does that make YOU !

Apparently the look on his face was priceless !

Barrybriggs

Of course POM means Prisoner Of her Majesty. When I was there I was sometimes referred to as a Pom. Usually without malice. But, if one was talking about someone and asked where he or she was from, people would often say: Ah, he's/she's a pommie.

WhoFan63

Actually it should be POME and actually means Prisoner Of Mother England. But both descriptions work. LOL

kampaicharger

So I'm not so much a ten quid pom returning as a parolee..

After 44 flamin' years it musta been a flippin' big loaf of bread..

quoll

LOL you get less time for murder these days! I only served 32 years and got released on good behaviour! Your count down will go so fast!

Mummy in the foothills

Then I must have served 28 years!

kampaicharger

Righto, at the 22 day mark and just sold "the ute" (aussie talk for my motor vehicle) all that's left to sell is "the mistress" (ditto: motorcycle) and I'm orf, got everything down to the suitcase I'm carrying and four (that's right four) tea chest size cardboard boxes which can be freighted later.

Only hiccup has been hiring a car for the first coupla weeks as I only have a debit card and not a credit card (never had one) but I can sort that by simply buying a car first up..


Crikee, time ta sit back with a wine and count the days..

brits1

Sounds like your cruising along, good luck and enjoy the wine

Bud the Wiser

Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. The length of time you have been away, your humour and your tentaive planning should prove interesting reading. Good luck with everything.

WhoFan63

Here ya go, have one on me ! Well done, and only 22 days to go, or is it 21 already? Some car companies don't mind if you have a debit card and there are places where you can pay about £60 for a years membership and go pick a car up from one of their locations and get a cheap day or week rate. No questions asked..you just register your drivers license and your debit card and off you go. Or, like you said - you can always buy a car the minute you get off the plane. LOL