I guess the thread title says it all. We back home get so used to people knocking this little island. - From the perspective of those who have moved abroad and are returning/hoping to return - what did you miss/are you looking forward to on your return? I am genuinely interested...


Inland Review

That wonderful birdsong of early morning dawn chorus and that last bird singing at night too. Bare trees and then the greening in Spring plus that glorious countryside of patchwork quilts, its almost as if Mother Nature sat there stitching different fabrics together to get the contrast in colours. Plus most importantly my brother and his wife. Just heard brother had a mini-stroke and had to have a quick op, then suffered pneumonia afterwards so is now slowly recovering. It scared the s..t out of me and made me realise that as many colleagues over here as I may have, family will always be there no matter what country I am in. Oh and that brilliant UK sense of humour, gee how I have missed I darn good laugh!

Di


http://stampwithdi.blogspot.com

Oh gosh there is so much. I like the patchwork quilt thing as well. I love seeing that from the plane. My kids getting to spend more time with their family. I have a new niece, I am dying to get to know her better. My friends..lol. Shallow I know but I really miss those girlie nights in or out. Going back to work. 8 years is a long time. Roads and areas that I know. Putting my washing on the line and when I iron it how fresh it smells..lol.. Against the neighbourhood rules to hang your washing here. BOLD...lol.. Yes I am so sad I even miss the soap powder. When chatting with people they understand me and know exactly what I mean. I was always scared that I wouldn't be around for my aunt and uncle, as they are getting on a bit, so looking forward to making a pest of myself there. In the summer going down to the local pub and sitting in the beer garden. All of these things seem small but its things I have always missed. Ofcourse there is others but I would end up writing a novel..lol

Loads
Diversity.
The variety of the Uk countryside, rights of way - being able to walk through the countryside. Hay bales in a field. Poppies in fields. Bluebell woods. Architecture. Villages & towns, all different. Being able to go to other places nearby for a jaunt. Sense of humour, miss it loads. Men who I relate to and just get and view women as equals, not being suprised if I have a decent conversation with a man (just a given back home). Spring with everything coming to life. Autumn with all the colour. Pub gardens on summers evenings, winter nights in a pub by a fire. Intelligent TV and Radio/Media.
Seeing my faimly/friends.
Access to Europe.
Getting a dog as I havent here due to lack of walking places/heat.
Supermarket hummus
I could go on n on on

Last one - being able to do something different/go somewhere new nearby every weeeknd instead of the same same

Meeting my first grandchild.

I am looking forward to being around people who think its ok to be a funny female and get my humour.

Looking forward to being with men who can hold an intelligent conversation with a woman.

Decent garden centres and making my own little English garden.

Sitting under Tower Bridge at midnight and marvelling at its magnificence lit up in blue.

Just being me and feeling i am home.

Couldnt agree more Flea...
What is it with that????
The majority of Aus 'blokes' seem have about as much depth as a puddle - amazing really & very sad for Oz women who know no better (know thay're not all like that but on the whole)

Morning Birdy

Yes, it is one of my biggest issues. These days it has turned into a source of amusement for me knowing i wont have to put up with it forever
I agree that women seem to just accept it! I work with a greek woman who thinks i am crazy because i question my male colleagues decisions or (heaven forbid) come up with my own ideas. She thinks i am very brave

Hi Flea
Its one of my biggest issues too. Seeing the humour is the best way, easier once you know you're not here for much longer!
To be able to have normal conversations with men again - cant wait.

I did meet a lovely chap on Sunday at a function I was doing (hes lived in UK & was gay so not your average Oz bloke), it was sooooo nice & refreshing to have a real laugh, intelligent chat and just a normal encounter with a man.
Also, being single, well imagine! Never say never and all that but I think my chances of meeting someone in Oz are very slim indeed.

basically looking forward to most things that have already been posted on here.
the countryside,being able to use the many footpaths and "rights of way" ,instead of having to go to the mountains and be scared of bears and cougars.
the variety in foods.
the humour.
spring.
being able to have beautiful flowers in the garden instead of alpines cos theyre the only thing that grow.
buying a bunch of flowers for £1.99, instead of not being able to buy them cos theyre $10.
being able to go ANYWHERE within a couple of hrs for a day out,rather than travel for 3 hrs to get somewhere crap.
the history .
the variety of people,yes even the ones you laugh at,the old women who go to the shops in their slippers with a cigarette hanging out their mouth !!!!
the cheapness of most things,theres no competition here,so you usually have the choice of one or none.
whitby regatta in august.
taking our kids to places that we went as children.
being able to go hiking most of the year round.
matlock bath on new years day.
bonfire night

The excitment of doing something different (again), but not really out of our "safety net" (if you know what I mean).


Also, seeing family and making new fresh plans that include them this time!!! and of course dearest friends that I long to see and be my self with and of course get rat arsed

Kath

I am surprised by the responses regarding the attitude to women in some countries (one in particular) Is it really that bad?

Ive been home for 4 months now and still marvel at driving through country lanes every day seeing the sheep, horses and cows in the beautiful lush green fields. Cant beat it

Ummmm....well I'd have to say yes.
Obviously not all men are sexist, chauvinistic, misogynisitc etc but in my experience of quite a few years, there is a definate tendancy for women to be viewed and treated very differently here. 'Blokes' stick together to socialise more.
Men here dont seem to do the friends with females thing on the whole. I have loads of Oz female frineds whove never had a male friend.
If a man isnt interested in getting in your pants he wont make any effort to get to know you, again a generalisation.
I've also found having an intelligent conversation with men to be a pleasant suprise rather than the norm.
I've found the more travelled or educated men here are defiantely more updated in their attitudes.

Of course this is just my experience.
I have loads of male friends in the UK & have never come across this before.

You cant can you. Or fields of baled hay.....and poppies round the edges of the field.....

I just miissed the UK full stop!!

I landed at heathrow to a cloudy miserable sky & it was the best sight of my life!!

God its good to be home!