Lambethlad

I don't think you have to make a conscious effort to fit in. Becoming an Aussie is a process of osmosis where you just absorb everything slowly and without realising it in time you have become a dinky-di, true blue, Australian.

We always stay in Port Douglas - it's a lovely town - Palm Cove is nice but it's just a beach holiday strip. I guess you'll have a hire car so there's no problem visiting Kuranda and Daintree from Port Douglas.

Some people settle easily and stay and embrace Australia and it's climate, natural beauty - even AFL - so they obviously would say yes, life is better. Then there are those who don't - and there's a few on this forum who feel the need to warn people of everything that is wrong with Australia and the horrible life they will have in Oz. So you have to come and judge for yourself.

Don't come here - Melbourne traffic is a nightmare - we have 1970s roads trying to cope with 2016 traffic - try 30 mins to travel a mile in peak hour - and that's in the outer south eastern suburbs. $800,000 won't buy anything decent close to the CBD. What's the British obsession with 2 storey houses? They are horrible for Australian conditions. In summer the top storey becomes an oven. If you have to work in the CBD buy a house within walking distance to a station and train it in.

Yeah, I'm also heading to Cairns in June but only to escape the Melbourne winter for two weeks. I'm hoping to get back to the UK for a long holiday in 2017 but there's no way I could see myself permanently living in the UK.

No. I think it's up to those who live there to decide.

I hate winter and I'm not into snow sports but I don't mind spending a weekend in the high country. The Australian bush covered with snow is just so beautiful. Any Brits new to Melbourne should try and get up there to check it out.

Finally got some rain yesterday. It's going to be a lovely 25 degrees today and I'm off to see Melbourne play St Kilda (AFL) at Etihad Stadium. The only trouble is they close the roof on the stadium during the game which is crazy when we could be enjoying the lovely sunshine.

The last few years there has been a Naked Bike Ride through Melbourne. Would you be up for that?

Dowry charges! Are you serious? I would like to hear that story. I thought that sort of stuff was ancient history along with the caste system.

It is well worth doing but something very few Australians have done. The PC is a load of tish. The reasons aborigines didn't climb the rock are firstly it is extremely arduous and dangerous. Before the installation of the chain in the initial steep section to haul yourself up and hang on to - one slip and you would tumble to your death with nothing to break your fall. Secondly there is nothing up there except a few trees and small pockets of vegetation so for people in an area so scarce in the resources of water and food it would have been stupid to expend so much energy climbing the rock. Now the NT Chief Minister who is himself of aboriginal heritage wants to encourage the climb with a cost involved to aid the local community. After all, they charge nearly $300 to climb Sydney harbour bridge. I did it nearly 40 years ago when there was no PC and no charge.

It's hard to beat the almost spiritual experience of standing on top of Uluru (Ayers Rock).

WTF. You would have to be mad or stupid to camp next to any waterway in the NT.

AFL at the MCG. Then afterwards to the Casino for dinner, drinks and a whole lot of gambling.

I think we have found a potential future PM who is very competent. Barnaby was acting PM last week while Malcolm was on his China junket. Barnaby didn't do or say anything stupid and conducted himself like a true statesman. Well done Barnaby!

The statement "Australia is a proud island of exiled British degenerates" shows Colbert's ignorance. Oz is now a multicultural country - we are happy to accept degenerates from anywhere.

Funny stuff. Loved the journo's question - "Mr Depp, what's your motivation for today's performance". And what about Barnaby our eloquent Deputy PM" - "It's going off like frog in a sock".

Love this - http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/stephen-colbert-mocks-johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-apology-video-20160420-goaiol.html Better than this -

You should be okay. It's not that backward - we actually have these devices called heaters in Melbourne. Also I can inform you there are shops here that sell clothing designed to keep you warm. But seriously if you want year round warmth somewhere like Cairns would be ideal for you.

I don't know why you think I would be sarcastic. I'm totally sincere. Anyone thinking of coming here should give it a go - there's nothing scary about Oz.

Don't worry about it. Oz is so easy. It's hardly a foreign country - you will feel at home in no time.

I just think cycling on Oz roads is too dangerous having known several people who have been killed or severely injured by cars and only last month my son-in-law was lucky to escape with just a broken collar bone. I would stick to designated cycle paths or mountain bike trails of which there are plenty around.

My dad was a nasty, physically and emotionally abusive drunk - so I believe this is what triggered my depression and suicidal thoughts from an age of around 6 years old. However, having lifelong depression you develop coping skills and self-knowledge of your own condition and know that the bout of depression will pass eventually. I think it is more dangerous for those people who lead a happy and well-adjusted life and have never suffered depression and out of the blue are struck down and fall into a black hole and feel like there is no hope and no way back. I think these people are more at risk. I always ask people if everything is okay if I notice they seem a bit down and it gives them a chance to talk if they feel like it. It is hard because nobody wants to appear nosey or interfering.

Victoria is a compact state with a huge range of different landscapes and things to do but without having to travel the long distances like the big states. You have beach activities in the summer and snow sports in the nearby high country in winter. Melbournians love coffee, AFL, wine, theatre, horse racing, music, art and of course food which is the best in Oz. Everyone in Melbourne seems to go out for breakfast on the weekends. I prefer the outer southern suburbs on the bay - Mornington - Mt Eliza etc.

The thought of suicide probably passes through my mind every day. I'm a master at self-loathing and not much good at anything else. I have had quite a few friends and acquaintances who have taken their own lives and in some way I admire their decision and being able to carry it out. Suicide goes against every human instinct for survival and to go against this and take one's own life is a triumph of the will over instinct and fear. Some people are just so damaged, defective and full of pain, why should we judge them if they choose the bliss of non-existence. As for me, I don't have the courage or willpower and I think of loved one's who despite my faults and failures still care about me and wouldn't want me gone.