Finally oh Finally, I managed to get some time sleeping overnight in a house what still appears to the greatest city in the World in London.

No more feeling like a foreign alien in the place from where I come, even if My Daughters new Gaffe is the wrong side of the river, in the very nice suburb of South Woodford.


Had a great few days there. Positives so far being around Bricklane, and all the Curry houses and Bars, went to the Ten Bells opposite Spitalfeilds.... Max (whoever he is) from Eastenders was drinking in there. My Daughter saw Jamie oliver eating in one of the cafes recently.... she walked passed a few times just to make sure and have a proper geek. I've banged on about the Green before, but its still worth a mention, personally I love it to death, and there is even more around Woodford than most places. Also seeing main roads, with their canopy of Green trees, with the big red double decker buses running along the middle just gladdened my heart. Covent Garden and all it had to offer, oh and shopping at the five floors of Lilywhites in Piccadilly, and seeing brands like YSL and Tommy Hilfinger and countless others discounted to prices never seen in Aus. Lets put it this way, I reckon I'll be discarding everything I took to the UK and coming back with 100 pct new stuff, especially sporting clothing for the kids. Best buy for me so far a pair of Lonsdale runners, down to 20 quid.

Ok this time around negatives have crept in. This time its been quite grey compared to my last visit, which is good for me, as this aspect has well and truly removed the rose tints. Being in traffic jams along Forest Rd, Walthamstowe hasnt been much fun either, I expect those kind of Suburban blockages are experienced daily all over London. They would certainly get to me if I had to live here.

Also have had two very big purchases, one for 700 quid and the 450quid car hire, the customer service was the worst I've experienced in my 28 years out of this country. Half way through the transaction for a big TV at Comet in Tottenham hale, the lady serving my future SiL, decided it was her lunch break, took off, which meant the codes on the till were wrong, so as soon as the new lady taking over the transaction made a entry error, the whole transaction froze. I would have walked out, but we waited for half an hour till the original lady came back, and sorted it.. I guess that was prudent as the Credit Card aspect could have been slightly iffy. Also when getting my car, got ushered into a office to wait for the lady to come and do the paperwork, who was outside with her workmates having a fag and happily chatting for about 10 mins. I've honestly not had anything like that happen to me in Aus... here its happened two days in a row. I've also had a bad experience with a pharmacist in Boots.

Ok catch you later.

Really enjoyed reading your post....but who are you? You sound like you're just back in the UK for a visit then returning to Oz, or are you there sussing out a return. Keep posting...very informative!

So good to hear all about Blighty! Enjoy it while you (apart from the customer service) - write more when you get a chance! XXXX

Yes just a visitor that is now more Australian than Pom, returning to the land of my fathers.

Up in North Wales at present visiting my retired and elderly parents. Suns out now, very pleasant. Finally used to the more cramped feeling on the roads, takes a bit of adjusting. Very quiet up here, not my cup of tea at all, but great to see my Parents who seem very well, very reassuring as the distance makes one worry.

Spending this coming weekend in Mkeynes, at my Brothers, that should be pretty lively.... Got to admit I can't wait to get back to London, which really feels like home, and it's the place I miss the most.

Love the exchange rate, I feel like a rich American, everything seems really cheap.

Prague coming up

Oh can anyone confirm, that I can only send 2 kilos at a time via surface royal mail @ circa 18 quid a Lot. Is there a cheaper way, say for 20 kilo packages. ? I want to send my Suitcase back via mail and take a whole load of new stuff home.

Keep 'em coming Ozzieeagle! Enjoying your posts and I know you give a balanced view point so we'll get the good, the bad and the ugly!

I hope the exchange rate stays good as I'm back in UK at Xmas and I can't wait to hit the shops - bliss!

Looking forward to that exchange rate in July myself - it will be lovely to be back to the two dollars to the pound again - its a long time since that happened!

Good to hear that you are enjoying your holiday with all that Greeeeeen grass to walk on!

Thanks Rabsody, and everyone else reading.

One message I want to get across, is over the time I've been on the boards, I've read a lot about the "she'll be right attitude" from people serving you in Australia. I'd much rather that, than the almost total indifference from certain sections of people serving here in the UK. Maybe I've been unlucky, but it sure has left a bad taste.

Ok back to the Rellies.

Catch you Later.

Eddie C.

I hope the exchange rate stays good as I'm back in UK at Xmas and I can't wait to hit the shops - bliss! [/QUOTE]



Yep, we are heading back for Xmas and New year too I know (from previous threads you have mentioned Maidstone) Thats us too:
Can't wait to get there for a holiday. It will have been 3 & 1/2 years since we left for Little "old" Adelaide
I'm both excited and apprehensive on i will feel about being back
Our girls are counting down the weeks.
I hope it will cement on where i want to be

You could try personal porter for sending on luggage We found them reasonable for sending smaller sized luggage from the UK to Australia.
http://www.personalporter.co.uk

Yes and isn't that a Major factor after a lot of years away, I'm making the most of every moment of that pleasant sensation. I just smile looking at the lovely soft green of everything.

/QUOTE]

Make sure you don't get stabbed in "Londonstan"

Dave

Lol, I think there may be a higher concentration of migrants in the part of Melbourne I live... compared to any part of London I've seen so far... I do like cosmopolitan areas.

http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/profilesnapshot.htm

About 3 times more overseas Migrants than Islington according to Wikipiededia.... You actually made me curious on that stat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_...h_of_Islington

Demographics of Islington

According to the 2001 census Islington has a population of 175,797. It is 75% White, 6% Black African, 5% Black Caribbean and 2% Bangladeshi. 32% of the borough's residents are owner–occupiers.

Are you moving back to the UK? In which case shouldn't this thread be in MBTTUK?.....

If you're not moving back then given this is a forum for people migrating I'm not sure what this thread is meant to achieve. For people newly migrated it's not exactly a boost, and for people looking to migrate it's not a boost either...

I'm always fascinated to read people's opinions of their visits back to the UK.

I thought this post was perfectly placed. 'update' then 'back in UK' ...allows us all an insight into the UK of today from an ex-pats perspective ....and it's being beautifully written.