Gough Whitlam

Having grown up in a Queensland bush town in the 1960's I am not surprised by this. My abiding memory was the sheer dullness. I understand that obesity is a big problem in country towns as well now. I suspect that the roots for this would be similar to the drug problem?

Our lump of a 7 bedroomed house in Bucks finally went for £1.6 and prices at this low upper end are certainly not going through the roof. But anything from £200,000 to £1 million are increasing all the time. You should aim to get 1% for sole agents from estate agents

Try Winkworths in Beaconsfield

I too find physical exercise as a way of coping with difficult times. My thing is swimming as I do 2 kilometers 5 nights a week and I have become addicted to it. There are worse things that I could be addicted to though!! Good luck.

I grew up in Western Queensland and the Gold Coast and here I am 40 years later utterly loving a cold frosty UK winter's morning for a run and workout! Figure that out.

We are in Bucks and are down sizing from 7 bedrooms to 2 bedrooms. Smaller properties ie 2 and 3 beds are selling within a few days of being put on the market. I would advise that you ask for prices in excess of your asking price and hold an open day. After the open day you look at the bids and ask for another round of bids with the highest bid taking the property. I can't see this situation changing soon. Houses at the higher end ie over £1.5 million are taking time to sell. This refers to Bucks and not London - please note.

Our 21 year old daughter was diagnosed Type 1 when she was 3. Since that day the last thing on our mind has been the cost of medical care, as it will be yours too. Thank goodness for that. As an Australian who is long term resident of the UK I suspect that we are far better off here in the UK with the much maligned NHS than in Australia.

All that is good about UK music. A true legend.

If you like foreign travel I would avoid Sydney like the plague. Apart from a few destinations in the South Pacific and NZ everything seems to takes hours to get to.

My children went to both private and grammar schools in the UK. They were all very good however I have a feeling that government schools in the UK have improved out of sight in recent years. Perhaps others might have a view on this? In London I am sure they have improved out of sight. I wonder if UK government schools are not on a par, if not better than Australian government schools?

Pommy bloke fronts up to Australia House in London to get a visa to visit family in Australia. Bloke behind the counter asks "Do you have a criminal record?" Pommy bloke sighs and replies " is that STILL a requirement

I think that Australia is perfect for tradespeople and UK/Europe offers far superior possibilities for anyone else. A generalisation I know.

I have always loved radio drama and can't seem to find it here. I adore the BBC for its plays and short stories. Don't think there is another station like it in the world.

Can only give my own experiences. Lived in Australia for my first 20 odd years and UK for next 40 years. Broken into twice, both times in Australia (Brisbane) and been threatened physically once, in Sydney. Lived in London for many years as well.

Apart from the harbour setting and beached I have always been very underwhelmed by Sydney. Would agree it can't claim to be a world city. as most of is as you say, "an urban sprawl" with little of real interest.

I think everything that you have described seems a possibility. Never say never.

Sounds very sensible. It's amazing what you can save when you really try. I spent years wasting money and than had a major financial problem. I have since learnt how to live on a shoestring budget. I dont drink, smoke or buy processed foods. I buy all my shopping on 90% reductions from supermarkets and live on, wait for it, £15 a week for food! I live like a king eating salmon, a lot of other fish, sirloin steak, paw paw, mangoe and all the fresh fruit in the world. I am an extreme case but it's amazing what you can save by making the effort and looking around and asking, above all, asking! Trips to Europe cost me £200 all in for a week. Theatre can cost as low as 20 pence - yes 20 pence ie standing tickets. I have never been fitter and am almost 60.

Maybe the one other thing could be an early vote (March 2016) to stay in the European Union.

I think you are absolutely right. "UK has yet to raise rates. US is about to raise rates. Australia is looking vulnerable because of south east Asia links" If Australian were to cut rates as well, which is a possibility if the economy continues to do badly, and if one other thing were to happen (!!) - perhaps a really negative global warming report - than I think you will get your wish.

Aussie dollar on a real "roll" at the moment.

Coal will never pick up again thank goodness.

Sorry you haven't had a reply. London is booming at the moment as is much of the South East. At least you are coming to part of the world where things are on the up. I guess the commuting will be a pain and I think Melbourne food is better than here. Government schools here are improving all the time.

You might need to sleep to Xmas.

Australian dollar seems to have utterly collapsed - don;t think anyone saw this coming.

Go Aussie Go