caramac

We own a house in the south of England which we rent out. We rent our house here because we know we're only here temporarily and didn't want to give any more money to the government in stamp duty - that would be dead money to us as we'd be selling again within a few short years. The house we're in would cost us more in stamp duty and mortgage payments than the rent does. We would also have had to pay out for repairs (around £3k in the past four years), a £5k water filtration system, a new boiler and three new sash windows! It's part of a huge country estate and we're left completely alone to do what we like, including decorating. The landlady told us when we moved in that the house is effectively ours to live in as long as we like and she won't come round unless invited. It's a beautiful house and we're very lucky to be able to live in it, so we don't consider it dead money at all. That said, I'm glad we're not off the property ladder - in a couple of years my oh will get a lump sum from his pension and we'll probably sell the house in Kent so we can buy something in a place we actually want to live!

Yes, I realised that after I'd posted, but no, I still don't feel guilty. They're going through what everyone has to go through to a greater or lesser extent. We had to come back to the UK after the 'goalposts' for my husband changed. He did what was necessary to go back. We then came back because our girls were unhappy at a critical point in their education. No regrets, and we'll probably go back again in a couple of years when the youngest is through school and my husband can retire (at 55) from his NHS position. Those going through the process now are younger than us and are jumping through the same hoops that we did.

I knew it after reading The Thorn Birds! Don't know why, I just knew I'd live there one day!

No, not guilty. If someone is determined enough I'm sure most could get there, but I think a lot of people who say they'd love to live there don't really mean it, or don't really understand what it entails. I know I've said to people that they should explore their options if they're serious, but that's usually met with all kinds of perceived 'obstacles' - family, friends, jobs, don't like the heat, it's too far, they're too old to retrain etc etc. We were lucky that we had skills which were in demand and decided that instead of talking about it, we'd actually do something about it. We know lots of people with the same or similar skills, but they still just talk wistfully about moving. Why would I feel guilty because we took the risk and they're not prepared to?

I've had no problem with my kids learning about religion in school. They've learned about lots of different belief systems and philosophies and I think knowledge breeds tolerance. We're not remotely religious in our family, but I do think it's important to be aware that it's a huge part of life for a significant proportion of the world's population and to have an understanding and sensitivity towards those beliefs. It's very different from going to a school which is affiliated to one faith though and where RE is actually instruction. I do have a problem with those schools being state funded.

There's no denying that this summer in our part of the UK has been pants and I'm really looking forward to our holiday, but the weather on its own is not enough to make me happy. The past two summers here have been glorious and we could easily have holidayed here if it had been just the sun we were after, but I've still needed to get away to experience other countries and cultures. We've chosen to go back to Croatia this year because there's so much to do there which will keep us and our young adult kids happy. A fortnight sitting on a beach anywhere in the world would bore us all rigid! We've always lived in houses we can easily afford so there is always money available for at least two holidays a year, whether we're in the UK or Australia. We live in a beautiful part of the UK at the moment, but we still need to get away as much as possible - there's a big world out there to explore, and it wouldn't feel like a holiday if we had to stay at home.

It's really tough for you, but he's taking his fears and worries out on you because you're the closest to him, not only physically, but emotionally. You're the safest person for him to treat harshly because he feels secure in your relationship - you will love him no matter what and he knows that. My niece had a really hard time when she was about your son's age - her parents split (dad was having an affair) and she was being bullied at school - the perpetrators would come round and throw stones through her bedroom window, so there was no escape for her. My sister took the kids and moved to a different area where life was easier, but my niece made my sister's life hell for a long time. All that hurt and anger was directed towards her because my niece knew it was safe. Your son has made a huge decision - it's massive as an adult, so much harder for a child and his worries have to be expressed somewhere. He doesn't have the maturity (and his brain isn't anywhere near fully developed yet) to express his feelings adequately, so it comes out as anger. All you can do is support him. Reassure him that he can come home anytime (although he'll probably throw that straight back in your face!), that you love him and that you'll always be there for him. It may be that he needs to have some counselling at some point if he continues to be unsettled and can't decide where he wants to be. It could be that his issues are not dependant on his location, but that the two people he loves most are on opposite sides of the world. He must feel very torn. Good luck. I think you're amazing!

You don't need an appointment for an asthma inhaler, just for the first appointment, or for review (which is usually with an asthma specialist nurse rather than a Dr). If you have stable asthma you can be given a few months worth of prescriptions which is then often put 'on repeat', so you don't have to take up an appointment. Of course, if your condition changes you should go back for a review so your meds can be tweaked or changed. Same for other chronic conditions. There is lots that's good about the Australian system - my oh has worked in some fantastic services there, which are way ahead of where we are in the UK, but in many places there are still too many fragmented services and not enough multidisciplinary services which can mean a lack of continuity of care. There is still a bit of a protectionist mentality from the private practitioners which can mean that they won't refer on or discharge when appropriate. That can be very appealing from a patient's point of view, but has no real advantage to their wellbeing. The NHS isn't perfect, and the endless restructuring by consecutive governments does nothing to help - if the money wasn't wasted in that way, it could be used where it really matters. It's very frustrating when you know what the evidence for a certain service shows, but managers with no health background are telling you you have to do it their way, but I still think we get a good deal in comparison with other countries.

It can be like that here. If there's a DNA you'll be fitted in. Of course many GP surgeries here have a much larger population to serve than Canberra, especially in big cities, but I think we get a pretty good service. It's unlikely to get better though as GPs leave and aren't replaced..

That's part of the reciprocal arrangement. A walk in clinic is different, as is emergency care or A&E. Most GPs will see you, but it's at their discretion for routine stuff.

The surgeries I've worked in have all had these. They're called 'sit and wait' and usually happen at the end of morning and evening surgeries, both with drs and nurses. The nurses at our surgery hold them specifically for young people on a Monday, so they can access prevention, contraceptive, screening and advice without needing to make an appointment.

This is may be more useful then, although it only shows which countries have a reciprocal agreement, not what's included. It being reciprocal would imply that it's the same as the country you're coming from though. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/NonEEAcountries/Pages/Non-EEAcountries.aspx

Emergency care is free here too. If you were in the same situation, you would be treated without question. Its really not difficult, although there is a lot of confusion within the system about what the rules are, mostly due to a lack of training. Prescription charges are for outpatient prescriptions, so make sure you bring anything you think you'll need with you. Drugs given in hospital for any emergency treatment should be free. There is also the option of a prepayment certificate (I'm not sure if these are available for overseas visitors though, and haven't got time to check now) which costs around £30 for three months, I think. That's a pretty good 'insurance' if you think you might need extra outpatient meds. The rules are pretty much the same as for visitors to Australia.

It's really quite simple, although the rules are slightly different for each country within the UK. If you come from Australia, or any country with a reciprocal arrangement, you can access the NHS. What you're entitled to free depends on the agreement. GPs don't have to accept you, but they can and most do for urgent care. You can go to walk in centres, urgent care centres or A&E if they're available. You may have to pay the prescription charge for drugs or dental treatment etc. Emergency care is free. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/healthcare/help-with-health-costs/nhs-charges-for-people-from-abroad/

You don't have to be registered - you can go in and fill in a temporary patient form and get treatment. If they were fully booked, she should have said that, not given false information. I've worked in five GP surgeries and while most people are helpful and do their best, there are those who see it as their job to prevent any communication with 'their' Dr. We do have a fantastic NHS, but there is always room for improvement, and knowing about who has the right to treatment is increasingly important, not only for those who are entitled to treatment, but also to be aware of those who aren't. If this complaint raises the issue at this surgery then the appropriate training can be given.

Unlikely. Hopefully it'll be used as a training opportunity. They usually are. She obviously didn't know and should have sought further information rather than telling them to go away.

What does she want to do? As the others have said, it's the residency requirements, sadly, but could she look at going to mainland Europe/Ireland? There are universities which teach in English, but only for certain degrees - it wasn't an option for the degrees our older two are doing, for instance. I'm not certain what their residency requirements are, but I think they're more relaxed than here. Might be worth looking into?

I'd go along with what the others have said, although last time we shipped everything. With everything we wanted to take we were between 20' and 40' container size, so we thought we might as well fill the bigger one. Coming back the same size should have been full, but so much of our stuff was 'lost' in Melbourne (and a lot of what did arrive was pretty badly damaged), it was only 2/3 full! We really need some new sofas, but until we know where we're going next we'll just have to make do with these old tatty ones. They're good for the dog anyway! We also bought a lot of IKEA furniture when we got back here and I doubt we'd take much of that if we end up back in Australia again - maybe try to keep it to a smaller container next time. We've always bought or borrowed cutlery, pans, kitchen implements etc. They're cheap in the supermarkets.

It's usually the estate which pays the tax, but only if it's worth, as a whole, over £325,000(for a single person). There is usually no tax payable by the recipient, although there are some exceptions. this might help https://www.gov.uk/tax-property-money-shares-you-inherit

There are many of us who feel the same. Enjoy your day out - rain or no rain! England is beautiful in the summer.

It's a shame that every thread get clogged up with the usual kindergarten bickering though. I'm really enjoying your observations. It's refreshing to get the perspectives of someone with no axe to grind. I'm glad you're having a good time here.

That's exactly what my oh does too, although he has found a couple of coffee shops here where they know what he means now.

This is is so funny! We're all boiling hot here due to having to stand shoulder to shoulder with each other and we're all cooking in our cars. It's strange, but not only do we have aircon or climate control in them now, some even have more than four gears and we don't have a man walking in front of us waving flags anymore :laugh: We don't need aircon in our house as it has three feet thick stone walls and high ceilings, so it stays cool in the warm weather. It's a pain to keep warm in winter though - that's when I envy friends who have lovely, modern houses with triple glazing and proper insulation. I'm with you on it's how the individual copes though. I love the heat (Perth's climate is my ideal) and living in the north of England doesn't really suit me at all, but when I mention it to people who love living here, they tell me how much they loathe the heat and much prefer cold weather. It just personal preference.

Coffee is different all over the world, isn't it? What you get in Spain is different from what's served in France, Poland, Italy, Austria, Germany..... My eldest is in Russia at the moment and says that's a different experience again! I guess it's what different places want and are used to.

you'd be fine up here in the north of England then. No chance of a heatwave here... 23 months and counting......