tea4too
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Bit confused by this, as it’s not something I have come across before. Are you saying that you are allowed a certain number of days off for ill health (per year?), but if you don’t use them, you get the equivalent time off at a later date as holiday entitlement? Is this in addition to your normal holiday/ annual leave allowance? Sounds great if you are fit and healthy but a bit of a double whammy for anyone unfortunate enough to be ill, but maybe I have misunderstood? T x
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I ‘m guessing that the OP posted in this section of the forum as MBTTUK is where people who are struggling to settle will post. What he describes is his take on things and I don’t think he should be knocked for that, as no one can tell some one else how to feel. In some respects it is quite encouraging, as despite a difficult first few years he has settled and made a new life for himself and his family. That’s a fair point to make, and something I guess other people on this part of the forum may be interested in. But like most things, there is another point of view. I live in the UK and my experience of day to day life is not how it has been described. Quality of life depends on a lot of things, including a willingness to get out and try stuff. Not everything costs a fortune or depends on the weather, even in the UK. Where you live is probably a big factor, but just a 60 minute drive in virtually any direction can make a big difference to your surroundings. For what it’s worth, if you’re thinking of moving back to the UK, it can still be a great place to live. IMO anyway. Tx
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I have dibbed in and out of this thread, tutted, nodded my head, sighed and watched it meander all over the place. To come back to the OP – I have to agree with those people who say that the only way to find out if Australia is ‘all it is cracked up to be’, is to find out for yourself. At the end of the day it won’t make a scrap of difference who says what, how long they’ve lived in Aus, how many holiday’s they’ve had there, how many survey’s and reports they quote, how many repeats of ‘Wanted Down Under ‘ they’ve watched, or how many family members and friends they know happily/ unhappily living there. We all need different things to feel happy, settled and at home. Sometimes the things we think are essential turn out to be not that important, and vice versa. For some people Australia is definitely all it is cracked up to be, and more. For others it is a good place to live, but not long term. Others discover it is not for them. They are all right. The difficulty is knowing which group you will fit into, and the only way to find out for sure is to give it a go. I think. Tx
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Hi, just wanted to wish you well. I'm not sure of the reasons for your return, but can tell that you are happy and excited to be heading back to the UK. It's been pretty wet here today, and the autumn leaves are looking a bit soggy and sorry for themselves....but hey, that's autumn/ winter in Britain and I guess it won't come as any surprise to you! Despite all the doom and gloom it is still possible to be happy in the UK, and I hope everything goes to plan. All the best, Tx
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Am loving the lovely upbeat nature of your posts Fiona. I hope you enjoy every minute of your stay, and take home some wonderful memories of a great holiday. I know from reading other threads that you are happy and settled in Australia, but your posts in this thread show it’s not necessary to slate one country to big up another …..not something you do anyway – it just seems to be the default position for a few sometimes. Please keep posting, it’s lovely to read. Tx
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Well, good morning to you too (although it is early evening here in lovely Wales)....and Welcome to PIO. Sorry you can’t sleep. 3.00am to 4.00 am is a tough hour to be wide awake, I think. I hope the insomnia is a one off as lack of sleep is no joke. :nah: Tx
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What a great post. I have followed your ups and downs as you tried to settle, and am glad that you been able to make your peace with Australia before you leave. Try not to be too hard on yourself in the process, though. You dealt with life as it presented itself, and made choices when you had to. Looking back some of those choices may seem like mistakes, but different paths tend to throw up different problems to tackle, I think. All part of life’s rich pattern! Good luck with the next chapter. I hope Cornwall is good for you and the rest of the Blobby clan. Tx
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<p><p>Just read your post on MBTTUK. So sorry things are not working out as well you hoped in the UK. It’s hard sometimes to go back in life, I think. Everything changes to some extent, people, places, expectations. I hope you are able to put life back on an even keel soon ( wherever that may be). All the best, Tx</p></p>
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I understand what you are saying, but maybe this part of the forum is not the place to redress the balance, or seek to reassure would be migrants. People moving to Australia are not the focus of MBTTUK, and any questions they have might be better answered in a new thread in ‘Migration issues’ or ‘Education’ or ‘renting and real estate’ or ‘chewing the fat’......some where on the forum where the focus is more geared to migrants and every day life in Australia?. I think it is inevitable that some people will criticise the country they are leaving (whichever way they are going) or have left, often unfairly, and I agree that it can be irritating. But there are a lot of emotions at play and at a lot at stake when people move from one side of the world to the other. When the point scoring starts to kick in, the OP’s often get side lined, or worse, trampled all over. Tbh it probably has more to do with how people challenge things, rather than what they challlenge. A bit of tact, diplomacy and understanding would make a big difference sometimes, imo.
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Do the numbers matter? MBTTUK is a small section of the forum for people considering a move back to the UK. If people moving the other way are concerned about numbers or reasons for people returning , I think there are other parts of the forum better suited to that sort of debate. Threads on MBTTUK seem to frequently get derailed by posts that question every aspect of an OP’s reasons for returning. I don’t mean the constructive and supportive posts, or the posters that genuinely feel there are other facts the OP might want to consider. It’s the sniping, point scoring ones, where people seize on the opportunity to ridicule and patronise. I’m tired of reading about the UK weather, is there any one who doesn’t know that it is unpredictable and very different to the climate in the southern hemisphere? I’m fed up reading that children in the UK are old before their time, lazy and stuck in front of tv’s. Some definitely are, but in my experience most are not. Ultimately I think people looking to return to the UK deserve the same level of support as those moving the other way. I know that some OP’s are emotional, biased, and not necessarily representative of life in Australia. But when people are struggling with a move and all the stress but none (or little )of the excitement of the adventure of the initial move - can’t they be cut a bit of slack? To sum up -can we get back to MBTTUK being primarily for people who have an interest in ‘Moving Back to The UK’, or supporting those thinking about it?
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I wasn’t going to post, as I haven’t walked in your shoes in any respect. But I sense an element of “you just need to toughen up” in some of the replies, and I think that might be difficult if you are feeling trapped with no obvious or ideal solution to resolve things. It might help if you can step back from the need to make some speedy decisions. As you probably know, GCSE course work starts primarily in year 10 aged 14/15 years. (GCSE’s are currently under review, but age 14/15 will still apply) You might prefer your son to be in the UK education system before then if you are planning a return, but I don’t think it is essential in the scheme of things. If he needs extra tuition to catch up, most schools will talk you through what needs to be done and how it can be achieved. Dropping back a year is always an option too, and he wouldn’t be the first or last to do it.. As you and your OH have such different views it may be really difficult to find middle ground, but a compromise is probably the only way to achieve some degree of peace of mind. A holiday back in the UK, a timescale for trying to ‘settle’, a date when you will sit down together and talk about your options for moving forward. Think little steps rather than major strides and hopefully you will find your way through. All the best Tx
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Interesting thread, but reference to education in the UK is not that straight forward as devolved governments mean different systems in England, Wales, Scotland and N.Ireland. Our own experience has been mixed tbh with High School definitely better than Primary. The local (state funded) High School is relatively small with 650 pupils, so teachers know the kids whether they teach them or not. Results are good and my child took off academically from the moment she arrived. Sport is not a real focus for most of the kids as there is only one lesson a fortnight, however there are netball, football, and basket ball teams that meet after school for any one keen enough. Tbh I don’t personally have a problem with that as as I tend towards the view that my child is at school for an education. There are all sorts of opportunities outside of school for sport and fitness including swimming which is something we do at weekends for fun, and dance classes which she has just given up to concentrate on the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Money might be an issue I guess, but not all sport and fitness activities have to cost a fortune. I know there is a danger that some kids will do little in terms of fitness if it is not part of the school curriculum, but if they have that attitude in the first place maybe it’s something for parents to address rather than teachers and schools?
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[QUOTE=dalejaneaustralia;1935960589]Totally know where you are coming from! ..........I know I might get slated for this but I don't see the point of the folks who have moved back home being on this forum. If it hasn't worked out for them they'll never (maybe the odd one) be able to give a balanced view. There will also be the group that couldn't get the visa they wanted giving their opinions........ If the views of people who have returned to the UK are not relevant to some posters, that’s fine I think. But as a significant number of migrants return to the UK each year (up to 30% according to some statistics) I guess there are others who might appreciate a bit of support from people who understand the issues they are dealing with? Personally I struggle more with posts that ridicule people’s reasons for wanting to return to the UK, particularly if they are written by people with little or no experience of living in Australia themselves (not saying you are doing this dalejaneaustralia - just a general observation).
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In the interests of balance (and because we’re posting on the Moving Back to the UK part of the forum), I would just like to say that I don’t find the UK grim. Maybe it does depend on where you live, what you do, how you see things.....and I agree that nearly everyone is affected to some extent by rising prices and pay freezes. But for me, my family and friends, everyday life is not grim. The sun does shine, people still smile, go on holiday, out for meals, meet up with friends - all the ordinary stuff that makes the world go round and puts a spring in your step. For a lot of people, and lots of reasons, the UK is still a good place to call ‘home’ - and that includes me. :yes: Tx ETA: Just wanted to send my best wishes to the OP - You are probably dealing with the toughest part of the move just now, but one piece of good luck could mean everything slotting into place for you. I hope it all works out well for you...and soon.
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We are very happy in the UK, but if we were trying to find work here while putting down roots and preparing for the arrival of a first child we might feel a little differently tbh. Maybe if you keep looking for a rental that feels more like the family home you will need, it will give you a bit of breathing space to adjust to all the changes that the arrival of the new baby will bring. In my case as soon as I became a mum my priorities and outlook on life changed quite a bit, so I’m glad I didn’t have to make any huge decisions while pregnant. In terms of the best place to raise children - personally I think the opportunities may be different but not necessarily better or worse. Both countries have loads of great things for kids to get involved in and the weather doesn’t have to be the only reason to do or not do something. There’s always exceptions but in my experience there are still plenty of happy, well educated, well motivated children in the UK. Times maybe tough here economically, but who knows where either country will be headed in 10 years time, let alone 20 years when your own child will be making their way in the world? If there’s no real reason to rush your decisions, I would try to steady the ship and tackle one thing at a time. Keep looking for a place to call home, have the baby, adjust to being parents, and then take stock. The UK will still be here, if this is where you need to be. All the best, Tx
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<p><p>Hi, I was following your 'meet up in Perth' thread and wishing we were over there now (visit family fairly regularly) so that we could join in.......then watched it all unravel! In your shoes I think I would be just a bit gutted and maybe a bigger bit annoyed! Never mind, focus on having a good time in your last remaining days before returning to the UK. All good wishes for a successful return (pingponging is way too expensive). I hope you stick around on PIO after you leave Aus, as I'm sure many potential returners value your posts. Tx</p></p>
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<p><p>Just a quick thanks for the 'rep' which I have only just spotted! I am rubbish at finding my way around this site (bit of a luddite on the quiet ):eek:</p></p>
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<p><p>I tried to add to your Rep, but it wouldn't let me.... just wanted to say what a kind gesture to look after the homeless rabbit <img src="<fileStore.core_Emoticons>/emoticons/smile.png" alt=":)" srcset="<fileStore.core_Emoticons>/emoticons/smile@2x.png 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Tx</p></p>
