mrcatania

So you won't turn in to a boomerang Pom then :wink: .... Nope, anyway I can't as the visa category I had expires in a weeks time, so that will defo be that!! It will be an ETA Visa for me next time I guess!

I have not been on this site for some time now, funny to think I have been back in the UK now for longer than I was in Australia, I guess once people settle (either on OZ or once returned) they drift away from this site and get on with their lives, I see many new names on here and not so many familiar names when I was on here last. I only really though about my time in Australia today as it marks the 3rd anniversary of me coming over. So what has happened over the past 19 months since I came back to London, well, work going well, bought a nice flat in a desirable area of London (the irony - it was more spacious and cheaper than anything melbourne had to offer at the same price), out on Friday nights and holidays with real friends, everything MUCH cheaper, live in a place that has some soul and character to it - you know what I mean. OK it's summer and weather not that great but Melbourne wasn't exactly fantastic either, sun sea sand? I think not. I miss family in Australia.... but that is all, nothing else. Unfortunatelly to see them again I will have to get back on a plane and go out for a visit. Good luck to you all who have gone out there, especially to those who wish to return. It was the hardest decision I have ever made to return, but so far I can't say there are any regrets.

Forget travel agents.... they have exactly the same fares as the airlines these days, in which case best buy direct as if you have to change your date or cancel you go by just the airlines published rules. Agents make them up to favour their own profit so a ticket that is $100 non refundable will be sold to you as $200 non refundable so they make on it- same with date changes. the days of getting half price tickets via an agent are long gone. best buys out of Australia are malaysia and Etihad. Sad to say mate, that yes, it will cost you a whole lot more than what you paid to come out.

I only had 3 tea cartons - but was quoted much more than when I shipped them out to oz in the first place. that's just how things are over there - your own plane ticket will cost double what it cost you to fly out.

No you don't. Flightcentre have no idea.

That's great if I can do this now.... was going to wait until July!

I have been very busy since arriving. Had a bit of a party on the first night. Took advantage of pints that now only cost less than 3 quid. Bought a mobile broadband dongle for a fraction of the price as the same one in Oz, so now on line. Living in my old flat, there are still remnants of bits I left behind, and started my 'new' old job yesterday. It is very eerie though, it feels like a timewharp and I have just lost a year and a half of my life somewhere. Still in the early stages, but strangely feels like I dont belong here either, I guess as my old routine becomes the norm things will settle down, hope so as I have woken up at 4am the past 2 mornings wondering if I have done the right thing, what could have been done differently etc. I did leave my sister and family back in Oz.. and miss them all so much. Can't complain about the cold at the mo.... only a few months ago it was 4 degrees and I was scraping the ice off the car in Melbourne!

Well it just goes to show what kind of people you are hanging around / working with. Sounds like you are mixing with inbred, redneck, bogan, working class filth.

That's it.!!!.. writing this outside of Australia on the way back home now. Don't know whether to laugh or cry, but whats done is done... I just want to move on.

..... Likewise... I left Oz soil yesterday.

Yeah... and when you convert what this house costs, you end up with AUD 370k!!!... that will get you ... well, er... not much, that's worth a damn anyway.

Well, the boxes leave tomorrow, I leave the following day... in a weeks time I will be back at my old job. It's been a bit of an emotional weekend starting to pack and say some goodbyes, but there you go.... no one said it would be easy, despite everything I have been through down here. Anyway, Onwards and (hopefully this time) upwards!

I'm using OSS, dont have large stuff, just 3 tea cartons , cost $393. They were the guys that delivered my boxes here when they arrived, must work with Anglopacific in the UK.

This is nearly the same situation as me. I head back next week. The fact that you made contact with your old boss sums it all up re your feeling for this place. get on that plane!

Sorry - Unless there has been a rocket in prices over the past 4 weeks then I disagree. I was back last month and I too said ' I don't remember paying that little for XYZ' It's not all about the exchange rate... 14 dollars for 2 salmon fillets is robery which ever way you look at it....even at a more pleasing 2:1 rate.