Fisher1

Thanks!

Thank you!

Hi all

we are in our first trip back to the UK after two years, and we’re told that if we rang the DWP and informed them of our presence in the UK, with dates, they would upgrade our pensions for the period we were here.

We have tried several times to ring the DWP but never succeeded in getting through to anyone.  

Does anyone know if it’s possible to claim a temporary upgrade by post, and if so, who do we write to?

thanks in advance.

11 hours ago, Alice123456 said:

My partner and I applied for him (he's British) to come and be with me on a 309 visa.  We applied and paid on the 28th of February 2018.

So we are still within the processing time and I get that.  However, being apart has caused a huge strain on our relationship.  We had to fill in this form 80 form and as my partner has spent the past 10 years traveling it was so difficult to fill in the form and was really really very stressful as he has been to so many countries.

Someone told me the form 80 is usually one of the last things that they ask for.

Has anyone found this to be the case.  So they submit the form 80 and then their visa was approved?

Do you think someones extensive travel could count against them?

Its all very challenging.  I just want it to be over before our relationship challenged to the point of no return.  I can't leave as my dad is unwell and I did get a letter from my local MP asking if there was a way the visa could be expedited.

But long story short, form 80 a good sign?  If so how long?

Thanks in advance

It was the last form we were asked for before issue of a 143 (parents) visa. We had to get a Belgian police check as well as a UK one - you need one for every country you have lived in during the ten years preceding the request for police clearance. We actually found the Belgian clearance simpler and cheaper to obtain even though it had to be translated from French by an immi approved translator. Just find out what you will need to provide (ID, photographs etc) ahead of time so you’ll be able to do it quickly when the time comes. Good luck.

On 29/04/2019 at 07:29, Perthbum said:

but its bullshit, they all say I will finish early and afternoons in the week on the beach, it rarely happens by the time you are home after a days work and an hour plus driving the last think you want is a half hour drive to a windy beach with 3 screaming kids....

I was being ironic

11 hours ago, Perthbum said:

Always film when sun is shining and we know its not true, always show the best bits of every location and not the worse, always show immaculate houses at unrealistic prices,  they never factor in the cost of schooling rents etc etc.unrealistic wages, unrealistic work hours, it just does not show a true reflection of life in Oz in my opinion

Oh I don’t know, I’ve seen some episodes where they have shown really nasty little houses ... right before they show the really nice one that’s just about affordable, what with the higher wage they’re going to earn, especially if there are two adults who might work - in between spending more time with their families - on the beach ...

26 minutes ago, Fisher1 said:

When I saw it I would have bet money on never even visiting Australia, let alone moving here to live - funny how things turn out sometimes. I’d love to see it again from this angle

Haha found a bit on you tube...

5 hours ago, Toots said:

I remember that series Fisher.    Must have been over 20 years ago and we used to have it on DVD too.

When I saw it I would have bet money on never even visiting Australia, let alone moving here to live - funny how things turn out sometimes. I’d love to see it again from this angle

Given the discussion about the merits of Melbourne vs Liverpool and the difficulties of settling into a new place, can I go off topic here and ask if anyone remembers a tv series with Tim Healey back in the eighties called “Boys from the Bush”?  It dealt with Aussie/UK differences in a very funny way and I would love to watch some of it again now that I have ended up in Australia, but unlike many other series I’ve never seen or heard of it again. Just curious.

6 hours ago, Ema said:

I envy people who think Liverpool is the best city in the world. That’s what I used to think and I was quite happy. I left because I was curious about the world but I didn’t expect to fall in love with another place so much. I’m trying to explore, find places I’ll enjoy and meet new people through netball and Mother’s groups but (obviously) it’s going to take time. I just miss Melbourne so much. My heart feels like it’s torn in two. It’s pretty crap to say the least and I’m fed up of feeling down about it. I’ve stopped talking about it to family and friends to try and focus on the positive things and to try not bore people to death with my moaning. I’m going to give it a couple of years. If I still feel like this in 2 years I may have to think about going back although I honestly don’t want to. Time will tell I guess.

I honestly believe that the place is only part of feeling content and happy. You can be happy anywhere, but if you are missing another place, it’s hard. I’ve done the homesick thing and it really hurts, I know. I’ve actually lain in bed in the morning with my eyes shut tight (aged twelve) and pretended I was in bed in my previous bedroom. I’ve moved as an adult and felt totally displaced and unhappy just two hours travel from my former home. Believe me it does pass ... it depends on how happy your life is apart from the move. I found Australia tricky at first, being SO far from everything I had before, but I was so happy to be near my daughter, the rest just slotted into place. Have faith, you’ll get your head round it if everything else fits. Good luck with it all.

Nobody wants to be a "when I" but I  find most Australians I've met have been quite interested to know why I moved and where I came from. I'm glad to report that nobody  seems to have their world unduly shaken by my revelations about the fleshpots of Llandudno.   As for thinking that your home town is the best thing since sliced bread, even when it clearly isn't ... I tend to find that you get out of a place what you are prepared to put in, and that some people can live happy lives just about anywhere. Good on them.

Dont know but I guess not. I was simply saying it pays to get help and Alan Colllet is good for the Australian side of things.

Hi

I can’t comment on the USA but arrived from UK 5 months into the UK tax year and two months into the Aus tax year,  18 months ago. Because of the dual taxation agreement between UK and Aus (is there one between US and Aus?) that means we can’t be charged tax in both places at once, we had to file returns in both countries.  We had to find an accountant because we couldn’t manage the Australian tax form. I can highly recommend Alan Collet who posts on here for Australian tax forms. He did both the UK and the Aus forms for us in the end and saved us an awful lot of money. 

17 hours ago, starlight7 said:

Every now and then I fancy going back there but then I think- nah, I wouldn't recognise it so why bother?  Having said that we are off for one week over there later this year but to Keswick where I have never been before.

Keswick is a lovely little town.  

15 hours ago, ramot said:

Amazes me that posters can’t accept that places are just different. You aren’t going to find Liverpool in Australia it’s a different much younger country, with a totally different vibe, pointless comparing it. Fair enough if you don’t like living in Australia, nothing wrong with that, or being homesick for where you left, no law says everyone should be happy anywhere, but it’s not really Melbournes fault that you don’t like it. It’s just not the place for you. Honestly I’ve lived in some difficult countries, and Australia isn’t one of them, but I’ve never stooped to being rude about them.

To be fair to the bug family, it was Can1983 that began the criticism. I found Can1983 offensive because Liverpool was my original home town and I spent my first twelve years there. I try to ignore posters who rubbish my home city, or the city I lived in for many years (Birmingham) - but I understand why some feel the need to make a strong retort. Particularly if some sort of snobbery seems to be at play. 

4 hours ago, Johndoe said:

Good for you but if the Beatles and LFC is still your bag nowadays then .....................what can I say????????? Your quote, "Rawness"? Does that mean Boys from the Black Stuff" symbolises Liverpool culture? Crack a few skulls is "rawness"?

Never been there but Melbourne for me (based on TV) is the cultural hub of Oz. Lots of good plays/comedy/art........................it ain't Liverpool, (except probably in it's crime history) but I've yet to meet anyone who hasn't enjoyed a trip there, or lived there.

I'll never understand why some people need to big up one place by criticising another. Everywhere is different and there are always things you don't like. Scratch the surface though, and most places have pure gold somewhere. Even Holyhead.

18 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

Even better when work are paying for everything. Used to go to a restaurant in Sydney, meat and wine co, near the imax at Darling Harbour. One of the best steaks I've had with a blue cheese and vodka sauce. Also had starters and desert and never bothered about how much as work were paying.

Went to Sydney on holiday with my wife and son and said how good it was. We had a walk down and for the first time I looked at the prices before I went in. We ended up going for pub grub and happy hour beers.

Hmm yes, one of my favourite restaurants is the Oyster Bar on Circular Quay ... unfortunately I can’t afford to eat there

I think most people only buy them occasionally. Don’t get running away with the idea that people in the UK exist on s diet of salt ridden ready meals - most people couldn’t afford it!

Agree with all the above suggestions. Especially as much direct debit as possible ... we had a nightmare with Scottish power and were living round the corner from my mum at the time ... if it’s direct debit it just ticks over. Very difficult time for you, I hope you get things sorted into some sort of routine. 

2 hours ago, bunbury61 said:

I think you will find , a lot of people commenting negatively  have probably not seen liverpool since the 70s.- lots of money spent now .

Wasnt it european city of culture recently ?

I have worked in some of the roughest parts of liverpool - toxteth and kensington , and its rough .

But ,the thing about liverpool , is that there is still a sense of community .

There are no blurred lines  either , you are either in liverpool or you aint .

Birmingham hasn't got that 

 

You’re right, loads of money spent. Fantastic new shopping centre, new Dockland development with museums on the Albert Dock and close by. Lots of decent hotels and restaurants. I must be a certain kind of person to think it’s a great city - if the people are anything to go by, it always was. My dad was a bobby on the beat in Toxteth ... he could tell a few tales in his day!

49 minutes ago, ramot said:

Sapphire Qld area known as the gem fields Didn’t find much of note, but great fun hoping. Tried to find opals in Lightning Ridge but failed again!!!

I must try that one day ... more interesting than the lottery!

On 19/03/2019 at 06:09, Ema said:

Thanks so much for everyone’s suggestions. I am definitely looking at relocating to a new place for a fresh start and have already started some conversations with my husband. Amber I was actually going to look at Chester. I need to get out and about and start to explore the area to see what’s out there. The more I think about it the more I dislike this place and after living somewhere that I love I don’t think I can just settle. My husband doesn’t seem convinced however that a new home town is the answer. Looks like I’m going to have to convince him to give it a try somehow X 

That is so funny, I was reading your post and thinking I must write and suggest Chester ...    Now listen. I was born in Walton and lived in Old Swan till I was twelve, when my family moved to Christleton, just outside Chester. We then moved to North Wales. since leaving school I have lived in Birmingham, Luxembourg, Brussels and Wales again. I’m now settling in Kiama, NSW. There is one thing I can tell you about moving to a new place - it can be exciting, but it is nearly always difficult and can be depressing. It sounds to me as though you are a bit down and everything’s getting on top of you.  I think you might want to look outside Liverpool at some of the great places to live that are also within easy reach for family events etc. There are lots of nice places on the Wirral, Chester is a fantastic city and North Wales is only sixty miles away. It depends what you are after in the way of leisure activities. I can’t deny the weather is a pain, but there are compensations ... you don’t get ancient buildings with hundreds of years of history in Melbourne. My recent knowledge of Liverpool is limited to shopping trips and the odd theatre visit because my last home in the UK was in Llandudno. I have a friend who lives in Greasby and she has a very active social life, often skipping over to Liverpool and to Chester.  I know it’s a drag, meeting new people and smiling your face off while you try not to wish you were with your old friends in the last place, but it does get easier. I’d say give it a couple of years and see how you feel then. Our rule of thumb has always been join everything and then drop the things you don’t like. You meet some surprisingly nice people along the way.

Good luck and try not to overthink it all. Just be nice to yourself. Chocolate is good.

1 hour ago, starlight7 said:

Liverpool is great if you are a certain sort of person. I used to love it when I was young because of the nightlife but I wouldn't want to live there.  Have a good look around for somewhere less grungy and depressing!  Good luck.

Liverpool is great if you are a certain sort of person? Wow, don’t hold back will you. 

1 hour ago, ramot said:

We have travelled loads around Australia. We have visited every state, have so enjoyed our trips and love the variety of this country. When we were newish here we started going away for 3 weeks at a time in a different direction to explore, we had great fun including panning for sapphires. 

Spent the last 2 Christmas in the Southern Highlands, so different to the Sunshine Coast, wonderful old established trees and not a palm tree in sight.

Please don’t ask me my favourite, Tasmania so different and visited the Wall in the Widerness, Northern Territory the Aboriginal art, Lake Eyre Sadly not in flood. The barrier reef, fairy penguins at Phillip Island. We haven’t wasted our 16 years here.

where did you go panning for sapphires? sounds interesting!

38 minutes ago, grizzly111 said:

Thank you so much for the replies.

I'll be looking for more a town initially serviced by a local station (probably rent first for a year).

Yes I'll be likely looking to stay in Ludlow for a night or two. Shropshire seems to have a few things going for it.

Might check out Bath too. But as one poster mentioned it's not cheap!

Trying to formulate an itinerary - won't be hiring a car.

A trip to Devon is looking on the cards too.

Winchester & the New Forest is actually really lovely.

Yes I spent a few days in Winchester just before I left the UK and I really liked it. Very attractive town, but I think it might be a bit expensive too. Have you ever considered Chester? It’s a beautiful town, only forty minutes or so from the North Wales coast. The historic rows in the shopping centre are, I think, unique, and although Chester is not cheap, it should be cheaper than down south.