Originally Posted by kevin747

Aren't you the dude who was"getting into the BMW and off to feed the horse" ?
I think you might just be one of those little insignificant Godzoners.
Or are you just stuck in Oz?
Very sad.

Originally Posted by Alfresco

I believe that member has been disengaged from the collective.

Originally Posted by kevin747

Aren't you the dude who was"getting into the BMW and off to feed the horse" ?
I think you might just be one of those little insignificant Godzoners.
Or are you just stuck in Oz?
Very sad.

Originally Posted by Funky Monkey

Hi all.

I done an update after 15 months in Perth and moved back to the U.K in November 2009. I said I would write a 3 month update of life back in the U.K. and here it is. It was tempting to write one after a month but I did not and I am glad as it gave me more time to get my head straight. Anyone wishing to read how our experience was in Perth please read this :
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633806
After 15 months in Perth we left and to be honest I knew after about 8 months it was not right. Everyone is different and I think some people need time but I don’t buy the old give it 2 years statement. I mean some people feel the same after 30 years.The children were very unhappy and missed their Nan, family and friends.
We were due to leave Perth on November 16th 2009. On the Sunday night (15th) I hurt my foot after waking up to a numb leg and trying to walk on it, the said leg gave way and I twisted my foot. I went to Joondalup hospital casualty department on the Monday morning 5 hours before we were due to leave for the airport as I just knew it was not right. I had broke my 5th metatarsal bone and told to rest for a few weeks, very bad news and not what I wanted to hear.
I had my lower leg plastered and left the hospital at 10 a.m with just an hour and a half to go before we were due to leave for the airport. We deliberated about staying for a couple of weeks and then me staying by myself. The insurance said we would have to buy the tickets and they would reimburse us but stated the 4 nights in Malaysia would not be covered, what the heck is insurance for.
Well we decided to leave for the U.K even with my leg in plaster and on crutches. The plaster was open on the front and the Doctor had said I could fly although checking with the airline they said I would need a letter as they would not let me on as it was too new an injury. Anyway enough rambling we made a few phone calls and a frantic dash to the airport via the hospital for the letter after a sad goodbye to our really nice 2 Australian neighbours,they were great and helped us out.

We had 4 quite hard nights in Malaysia but really enjoyed it and felt so relieved to have left Perth. We would love to go back there one day.

We arrived at Heathrow and it was cold, dark and wet. We were mate by a friend of ours who is a proper taxi driver and we have a laugh with him. We were happy to be back but there are all sorts of things going through your mind so we were not doing cartwheels either.
We got back to our old house about an hour from Heathrow and we were met by family and welcome back balloons and a yellow ribbon tied around a tree at the front of our house. The house seemed small to what we had in Perth but it felt more like home than ever and we just did not care.

We came back at a good time of year and also a bad time of year as Christmas was on everyone’s mind. We were lucky our house was part furnished and just as well as our possessions from Australia and not even back in the country until March 14th, we have managed without them although the boy’s want their toy’s.
I am in construction but because of my foot I could not work until mid December and even then had to take it easy. Construction has slowed here without doubt since we left but I have been pretty fortunate and had employment.
We bought cars and shopped for things we needed as there are always bits you throw out and we settled quick in that respect.
Our eldest has not got into our local school and we have appealed and been turned down. It is now 15 weeks since he has been in school.The way we have been treated is appalling in my opinion. I know we left the U.K and I accept that I really do but we feel very let down by the system. It is a blinkered system that only operates one way and no one from the education department even contacted us, we are always having to chase. We are just a name in a system and probably do not exist in many people’s mind. You can see why there are so many failings with social services e.t.c as no one uses discretion or common sense.I do find trying to get things done here similar to pulling teeth and I do actually find things in Perth easier to sort out and the government e.t.c far more efficient, maybe that is just me.
Well people say not much will change in 15 months but for us it had and the biggest thing was we had changed. How we are still married I don’t know and things are getting better slowly. We have come back different people in many respects and I think most people do. For us Australia was a bad experience and for others it isn’t.
I don’t regret going to Perth but when I think back I think “what were we thinking ”.
Things I like about being back are all the usual things like friends and family but most of all those days where anything happens and usually does. New Years eve and myself and two mates went for a beer at dinnertime and after a few text messages there was a crowd of us enjoying a couple of beers and it was all so spontaneous and priceless, likewise just popping in to see my Mum and Dad or other family members.
I also get paid a decent wage here for a decent job and take a lot of pride in my work, Perth regarding work was bad for me and the wages were pretty poor.
I don’t miss being ripped off in Perth either I could name countless instances but what is the point. I have never encountered such a mercenary race so seemingly obsessed with trying to make money out of absolutely everything and people call the U.K rip off Britain.
I don’t see the U.K through the same eyes as a lot of other people although there are things that bug me but that is everywhere. I do think Australia is so over rated and there are a lot nicer countries to see and live in if you would rather not live in England. There are some very rough areas of the U.K but at least we admit to our problems and are trying to address them.
One thing we have learned as a family is anything is possible and it has shown us what a big world is out there. Will we stay in England forever? Who knows. I know that we are all so happy to be back and I honestly dread the thought of even having to go back to Australia. It is nice enough and I don’t want to start any debates it just wasn’t for us.
Thanks for making it to the end
James.

Originally Posted by Funky Monkey

Again thanks for the good wishes.

Let's try to keep things calm.

Some people like / dislike the U.K and Australia and we are all different. I have friends in Australia that would not come back to the U.K even for a visit and I am genuinely glad they are happy.

I know it's hard but we should all try not to bitch

Originally Posted by fific

Great post really heartening to hear a rounded perspective. Can I ask which grade/year your son has gone into - my daughter is 15 and technically should return mid-gcse to yr 11 - most schools are saying this is nigh on impossible and she will have to do year 10 ( I personally don't have a problem with this but naturally she does). Also wont hold a place for her until we are in the country (end June). I think I will put her name down at a private school as an absolute fall back - I mentioned this to her this morning ( she is at a private school here) and she said don't bother private school's are a load of nonsense!! Thats my girl!