ancient brits

I have just booked 2 weeks ago to go back in Dec and got a flight with Cathay Pacific for $1460 return Brisbane to Gatwick. Gatwick suits me but could have gone Heathrow for same price. I am able to go early 11 th Dec and leave New Year's Day. Had been looking for a while with price alerts and that was the best deal. Sure it will go up as it gets nearer to Dec. I do prefer to book early and not have the panic / rush later. Looking forward to my first UK Christmas with family in 10 years. Hope you find a good deal Rita

Having been a Store Manager for Argos for many years prior to comming to Aus, I am so pleased there is no Argos here. After 16 Christmas with them I can live without Argos (although I do get a pension from them, so not all bad.) Rita

I love people like you as they keep me in business. I manage an Op-Shop for a private Local charity and everything we sell is quality at low prices. Our profits go back into local community and over the last 5 years we have given moey to many worthwhile causes. Examples are, $60k to local special school for outdoor play equipment, portaloo for local riding for disabled, 6 months salary for nurse for local hospice, purchase of mini bus and had it converted for wheelchair access for volunteer hospital transport, portable cold room for local soup kitchen and many other projects. So please continue to buy expensive and donate what you dont need as it helps others and we believe in "buy expensive donate when no longer needed" and help twice. Rita

Just to confirm that I came to Aus on a tourist visa 21st September 2008 pending my CPv143 pr visa being granted. Cpv 143 pr visa was granted Feb 4th 2009. I became eligible for citizenship on 22nd September 2012. This was because the time spent in Aus on tourist visa prior to my PR 143 bring granted counted towards the 4 year residency needed. During this 4 years I made 3 trips back to UK to visit family totalling 11 weeks out of Aus. I also had a trip back between getting approval after test and having citizenship ceremony. Myself and DH put in application for citizenship in January 2013 and after taking test in May 2013 We both have now had the ceremony and became an Australian citizen on 11th September 2013. DH has never been back to UK yet. I hope this info helps you with your dates query Rita

Myself and OH landed in Aus Sept 2008. Been living in Tugun since June 2009 and loving it. Live in Tugun and work in Currumbin and became an Aussie citizen 2 days ago, and couldn't be happier.

I have been taking Thyroxine for under active thyroid since 1983, currently taking 150 mgs daily, was once up to 200mgs daily. The symptoms you describe are classic for underactive thyroid. The thyroid gland is the body metabolism controller. When it is under active and not secreting the hormones as it should then you will feel different. Your metabolism does slow down and this is why you need to suppliment your own bodies lack of Thyroid hormone with the Thyroxine. It takes a while for the medication to make a difference. You are started on a low dosage and usually blood tests are done after 6 weeks of starting Thyroxine. Depending on results determines whether to iincrease the dosage, again in small increments. This adjusting and testing goes on till correct levels are attained and then it is simply a matter of a blood test every 12 months to make sure things are ok. The reason for the 6 weeks figure is because It takes time for the Thyroxine to accumulate in the body as it has a daily half life. It is not like taking an aspirin type medication where by the effects are immediate, it does take time to build up and to attain the optimum dosage. It is also important not to take too high a dosage to begin with and to build up slowly as the Thyroid is the controller of your body metabolism and taking too high a dosage straight away is not recommended. Just remember you will start to feel better just give it time. At least you now know what the issue is and that it is easily dealt with once meds are optimised. Hope this is of some help and reassurance to you Rita