BluePoppy

I'd like some recommendations too. Used John Mason from UK to Oz. Wridgways unpacked at Aus end and were awful. I did complain but didn't escalate it, as was just glad to have our stuff. Due to this experience I'd appreciate an alternative to Wridgways. An idea on cost would be great too. I think we had a 30ft container to get our stuff here. Probably less stuff to take back as there's some we could ditch.

I sold my sky box on ebay before we left. The joker who bought it was meant to collect from North London - as clearly stated in my listing. It turned out after he paid via paypal that he lived in Scotland and had no intention of coming to collect it! So, the moral of the story is sell it on ebay, but do it with enough time to relist it if it goes wrong! Aus TV is pretty bad. The ads on normal TV are frequent and long. - I don't have Foxtel, maybe I should look into getting it!

Oh dear. I'm reading the Moving Back to The UK section as I've been homesick since arriving in Melbourne in January and wondering whether I should drag the family back to the UK. The consensus on the forum seems to be that if your feel it quite strongly the homesickness never really goes away. I'm torn between sticking it out and waiting for it to get better and persuading my Aussie OH to pack up and return to London. We've given everything up in the UK and have two kids, so moving back would not be easy. Jabba, you've definitely given it enough time after 4 years - and not going back for holidays. The Melbourne winter isn't so bad itself - but the quality of the heating and insulation in the houses is. Our rental house is terribly cold - with only one gas fire for heating and a couple of second hand electric heaters we've bought. But this is not uncommon. I have friends renting in a similar situation. And I'm told even the newer houses are not well insulated. But hey.. I'm rambling. Perhaps if you can find a job in another hospital - where natural birth is promoted and midwives have more authority - would make all the difference. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi Chris & Nindy I moved to Melbourne in January with my husband, 5-year old daughter and 3-year old son. I recommend Playgroups Victoria http://www.playgroup.org.au/ to find a local playgroup. Also try your local church and/or community centre which may run playgroups or occasional care. I found my local playgroup just be walking past and calling the number on a sign on the door. But they are affiliated with Playgroups Victoria. When you arrive in Melbourne put your little one's name down for 3-year old kinder (pre-school). If your child gets a place is some welcome free time for mums, but it's also an opportunity to meet people. The pre-schools encourage you to volunteer once or twice a term to help out at the pre-school, plus there are working bees and fund-raising activities that are sociable. There's a UK mum's playgroup in Hampton. I haven't been but I'm sure you can find out more online. Also try Poms in Oz's sister site "Life in Victoria". Best of luck. Sasha