SKW

My understanding is that you have to leave Australia on your Aus passport if you have one so he would need to get that one. Someone else may be along with better advice. We got our Aus passports within a couple of weeks.

I am so sorry you're going through this. Have you told him how you feel? The way you have said it here clearly shows how much he means to you. Does he know this move is not because you have you stopped loving him but because it's something you need to do for yourself? Whatever the future brings, wishing you peace xx

I think you're right that your counselling session allowed you the space to bring up some stuff you've been holding in. It's positive that you're giving yourself somewhere you can talk about how you feel, and hopefully it will help you find some further clarity. I hope your trip home in July will be what you need. I remember feeling like you, pretty much from the start I knew Oz wasn't for me long term, it can feel so isolating, vent away here if you need too.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I've not been on the site for a few days. We got quotes from King & Wilson, Grace, OSS & Kent. We are still waiting for the quotes from the last two. There is a thread about Grace and how good they are, I am sure they are good, but we were really put off by the guy that came to do the quote. He didn't seem to know what he was talking about, when we asked him questions he didn't have the answers. So not sure we would go with them but then we haven't had all the figures back. Good luck.

It sounds like you have had some good advice already. Just wanted to add my support. So sorry to hear you've been so unhappy. It can be so difficult to love someone but know in your heart that you desire different things. I really hope you both find a way to communicate and some happiness in the future. Thinking of you.

We have just had 4 different companies in to quote. We've had 2 of the quotes back for a full container and one was a little over $6000 so I think a shared container should be less. We are moving back from Melbourne, don't know if it varies from different states.

It has come at last, I admit I had a bit of a wobble about whether we were doing the right thing, but it didn't last long. I think I just panicked because my son was talking about having no friends n the UK. I know he'll be fine, he's a very confident little boy and staying here just because he has friends here is not a reason to stay!! Just getting organised now. Feel a huge sense of relief.

Flights booked, we leave here 5th June, a few days in KL visiting a friend and arrive home on June 8th. Just over 7 weeks, very excited!

Thank you for your kind words Aunt Agatha. I hope you don't have to wait too long xx

We applied for the test on Nov 14th, had the test on Dec 17th and now ceremony is on 10th April. I think it depends where you are as some places have longer to wait. I am in Melbourne. Hope that helps.

Really??!! I had no idea about fast tracked passports, do you just pay a bit extra for them? Do I need to ask for this at the post office? Sorry for all the questions!! I need to work out a plan for work as I work with vulnerable people so a sudden departure can be a bit traumatic, but we have time. I am so much more excited today than I was yesterday!

Thanks Quoll. It has been hard enough witnessing Dad's decline on Skype, so I imagine I will find it quite confronting when I see him. It's early stages but he is easily confused. I want to help care for him but we won't be living with him, I have a young son and we were planning a different area for school, but at least I will be a lot closer.

We finally got the date for the Citizenship ceremony - 10th April! Now we can plan and organise our move back. I am so excited but really scared too. I know we're doing the right thing, especially as in the last couple of weeks I heard that my Dad has now been officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I know I need to go back. How long does it take to get Aussie passports? So much to do now!

Hopefully Feb/March 2014 as DH wants to get citizenship first. Can't wait until I can book that flight!

Hello, I'm more of a lurker on this forum but I could almost feel your despair when I read this post so I wanted to also add my support. I know it's not easy, we have been here almost 5 months and I still don't feel settled. I have a part time job, my son is in daycare and my husband is only now on the verge of getting a job. We have a lovely house here etc, but the feeling of it not being home is always with me. It is like a bereavement in a sense where some days hit me much worse than others. I can offer you no words of wisdom just a friendly ear if you want to pm me. I really hope that you can find a way forward and feel some sense of happiness. Remember anti-depressants can sometimes take 4 weeks to kick in. Take care. S