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Actually it's 63 million and there are about 32 million vehicles on the roads. In 1960 the population was 50 million and at that time there were 7.5 million vehicles on the road. Put another way, today for every 2 people there is one vehicle as against 1960 when there was a vehicle for every 7 people. So you see Jasepom and your ilk, its not the amount of people that make the UK feel crowded, the additional 13 million between 1960 and now could easily be absorbed without anybody noticing all that much. It's the cars that cause feeling of overcrowding.

Also as Marisawright says if it's blue skies you hanker for then extended holidays in Spain or southern Italy can fulfill that particular longing at a fraction of what it would cost you to emigrate.

Have to agree with Pumpkin. If it's some sort of terrorist thing you're referring to, a terrorist attack is just as likely to happen here as in the UK. In fact Australia is on high alert right now, code red or orange or something. As with most of the other posts I would say "stay where you are".

A little annoyed about the collapse of the £ over the last couple of days but I guess that shows how fragile the £ and the UK is compared to some of the larger economies. Would be interested to get your take on "larger economies".

Like Melza I'm also interested to know where you are from. I was in the UK 3 weeks ago and didn't hear or see any of the crap you spout. Zero hour contracts are NO different to casual jobs in this country. Muslims pouring in give me a break. 82% of the 63 million are of white anglo saxon descent. It's about time that people from the UK started standing up for our country instead of dragging it through the dirt at all and every opportunity. I wonder if some major catastrophe were to befall Australia, how many of these dissenters would go running back to mother England. Furthermore, Australia isn't perfect as some of you seem to think, not by a long shot, but do you hear Australians continually slagging their country off ? No, because they have pride in Australia just like English people SHOULD have pride in their country. Wake up remove those rose tints and smell the coffee.

Take your rose tints off Baz PB's right.

We lived on the Sunshine Coast (Scumshine Coast as some call it) for four years and I promise you I nearly lost the will to live. Enough said.

With Lisa Fischer. There's no word in English language that can aptly describe her voice.

I checked Marillion, it wasn't December 84. It was the Misplaced Childhood tour which was a year later,we saw them every night at Hammersmith (Jan 86) and also at Brixton Academy 3 weeks earlier. Saw Scorpions at the Festhalle in Frankfurt November 84. This was long before Wind of Change was released (it's about the fall of communism and the Berlin wall) which I think was about 91/92. The Moment of Glory tour was much more recent about 2001. Unfortunately we never saw any of those gigs, the two nights in Hannover with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra were the best. The conductor, Christian Kolonovits is a really cool guy, not like your average idea of an orchestra conductor. Even all these years later whenever I hear that song it still gives me goose bumps.

In about November/December 84 Marillion played Hammersmith Odeon on four consecutive nights. At the time the girl who I was going out with, who incidentally 30 years later is my wife of 28 years, was working for EMI, Marillions record label at the time. We went every night. I can still remember those gigs as if it were yesterday. Totally awesome.

Layla, Derek and the Dominoes. Comfortably Numb (pulse) Pink Floyd. Wind Of Change (with Berlin Philharmonic, moment of glory) Scorpions. Kayleigh Marillion. Jigsaw Marillion. Five is not enough I can think of at least a hundred.

I feel for you I really do, however Australian immigration is no different and in reality probably a whole lot harder. I don't hear people accusing the Australian government of being torturers. Probably because Australia has always been tough unlike the UK which has been quite lax, to put it mildly. Recently they have tightened up on immigration and just like Australia you will have to satisfy certain criteria before they allow you in. You need to jump through all the hoops pay your NON refundable deposits and maybe just maybe you'll get in.

You sure you were in Australia?

Some Tesco's sell Tim Tams, probably the larger stores but I've definitely seen them. Just googled it and sure enough.

Don't get the second one but traffic lights, I really believe congestion could be greatly reduced if they speeded up the change cycle.

Never Never NEVER.

Fletchman I think you mean PRAY as in saying your prayers. PREY is, as in hunting. Carry on about what? prey tell

You may be interested to know that automatic cars are available in England, the same makes/models as here plus a few more besides and the big bonus, all cars either new, second hand, auto or manual are a lot cheaper than Australian ones.

The states are different but in Queensland you get nothing at end of year 10 in the way of a qualification - you only get that at the end of year 12. My daughter was 17 (in Feb) and is in year 11 here currently - it is advisable (maybe essential) to do year 11 and 12 as it is really the last 2 years that go towards the school certificate. But Sydney and Melbourne may be different

I am also in the dilemma of wondering if I have done my children's education a service or dis service by moving them from UK to Aus and I am not sure how we can know if the above statement is correct or incorrect but if you look at this link you will see that Australia is way up there on the rankings http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/mar/10/world-top-100-universities-reputation-rankings-reputation-times-higher-education#data

No, in short. Australia is 30 years behind the the UK in this field. However with your qualification it will give you a grounding (no pun intended !) to get into an evening class course so you can get up to speed and obtain your 17th edition certificate.

Methinks "the lady doth protest too much". Blackpool's calling, go on you know you want to.

No more stranger than those who have lived here for 17 years claiming to love the place and who spend so much time on this forum.

Hi you might like to check out the open day Thursday 17th May at Queensland Academies (Brisbane and Gold Coast) which specialise in the IB - the schools only take years 10,11,12. State schools but you have to take a test to get in and the students are highly motivated and engaged in the schools. Check this link out for more details http://qaci.eq.edu.au/index.php/upcoming-events/event/open-day