whichway1

well I don't know where the other thread is so I'll post here. But I am sad Rik has died, I thought he was very very funny and was so fortunate to see him on stage. Me and my brother spent hours and hours laughing at him, my brother met him 9 years ago and thanked him for making him laugh so much. I kind of think he is a bit iconic of British Humour. I feel like saying I will miss him so much - when I didn't even know him.

oh right ok it shouldn't be a problem, I'll look into it.

Em, I've been scrolling and scrolling but I can't find the details bit. I got to "You should bring a weapon and a sheild" ?????

well done 3fc didn't know you were getting home soon. And BC how come you're here?

It's pretty hard. We had a tough time with our baby in Oz. Really I thought I was destined to an unhappy life even before that, our relationship was failing and flawed in many many ways. I was so unhappy there but he was content. We were absolutely on the road to separation. I was planning to stay in Oz though with my baby, separately from him, as I knew I wouldn't have the heart to take his child away from him, which is why I was destined to a life I wasn't entirely happy with. Somewhere along the line he realised it was me or Australia and he chose me, and to come home with me. It took a long time for things to be good, and quite a long time for me to forgive him for allowing me to be so miserable for the years in OZ(before anyone jumps in I know it was myself allowing me to be unhappy but I was there because of him and it's not entirely rational but it's how I process it). Now we are together with another baby and we are finally fine. Lots of times along the way I felt this was such a pointless battle, why are we trying to salvage this? We are so different. lots of times I thought I can't be bothered, life has been hard enough for long enough it would just be easier to be on my own(with the baby). However, again things have gotten better. We recently got some couple counselling and that has saved us, we didn't even have to go too many times. Having been (kind of) where you are, and felt the loneliness and pain and heartache and the struggle with a new baby and little support (we had none), and then to go through the pnd and finally come out the other side, you just have to do whatever is best for you and your baby at the time. Everything always has a way of working out, so love to you and your family.

I moved back after 5 years and now I can say my life is totally happy. I did have a settling in period that was difficult but then there was a lot of other stuff going on at home too. Been back 2 years and very happy. I got nhs treatment with no problems, I also get child allowance but other than that I don't think you are entitled to benefits like jobseekers or that. Get saving and get back if you're not happy. I initially thought I would regret the time wasted in Oz but now I have accepted it and see it as part of a journey to enjoying my life in the UK.

I've had excellent treatment in the Uk and in Oz as well as poor treatment in the UK and in Oz. I have worked in the NHS and public health system in Oz for significant enough time periods to comment. I honestly think most of the time, the service you receive is entirely dependent on the hospital or treatment centre you attend and the health professionals you have contact with no matter which country you are in. I was recently in an NHS hospital for a day surgery, the procedure itself was awful, as is the nature of the procedure, but, I can honestly say the care was absolutely second to none. I honestly think it has more to do with regions and particular staff than countries as a whole. I did find living in Oz expensive for health care though and I do think national insurance is a lot too, but then, it still doesn't cover the outgoings of the NHS.

well i feel a bit relieved and not so alone. The Ozzie one is much easier perhaps it's hundreds of years of history versus thousands, not sure. There is another couple online that will give a different selection of random questions, must have just been luck (or not) that you pulled a lots of Scots ones. I am getting worried about this, I am close to panic, we are booked in, but next available one is a 10th April and visa expires a month after that. You can't resit until a week after the failed test (if you do), you can't even apply for the ILR until you have a certificate saying you passed the test. The trouble is I tend to do all the visa applications and research in my house and I've generally done really well, however, what with being so busy with life I suppose, I misread something months ago that Meant I thought we couldn't apply until now, when we could have applied last month and sat the test then. Maybe I am just getting panicky. I hate visas. I do always start to get really stressed and panicky towards the end. If he gets this visa this is absolutely the last one!! (Unless someone is going to pay me to do it).

My husband has to sit this for his permanent residency. I absolutely completely and fully understand the reasons and logic behind it, although, let's be honest how many British people know the answer to the questions on British history. http://ukcitizenshipsupport.com/free-tests/ how did you do? I didn't do that well :embarrassed: I'll be honest history was never my strong point. We'll be swotting for the next few weeks.

oh ok just caught up with the other posts. I am sure I had mine before 20. Gosh I don't know. Recently I heard of a girl who died tragically in our town from cervical cancer. Found out when she was pregnant, declined treatment to save her baby and died when the baby was 2. Gosh it is really awful this cancer demon. love and hope to all living with cancer or it's repercussions. x x

This story is a tragedy and it is apauling that a smear wasn't done. I had a smear well before 25. Why have they changed it? I think she must not have seen very good doctors cos I am pretty sure most Doctors would have sent her for a smear. Poor girl. 25 is way too old. ​s it because of the vaccination? Is that why they have changed it?

He and his mum are very brave. I think I'd let him make the choice hopefully to enjoy the time he has left. I bet she's crying in her pillow every night though x x poor family x x

Giving up my phone is being a pest. Night then.

I heard that is

I'm going to have to do it tomorrow on my puter as I can't see the poll on ma phone. So I'll bump it tomorrow. Ttfn

Newcastle is good. My geography of England is poor so anywhere between London and Newcastle is good. Where is closest to middle of UK

I would like to meet up. But I live in the north of Scotland and no one is ever anywhere near here. However a main station route would be good. Not London though, please, its just too far.

OH I didn't know the outcome, It is so sad. I believed his mum had something to do with it from the beginning, just didn't make any sense. So sad. Isn't it an awful thing the things that go on? Hopefully he rests in peace little boy, what a shame, never had a chance....

i think they should give him a decent offer.

hmmm...i had a look at the link. I suppose perhaps there are many rapists or potential rapists who are opportunistic and may see a lone drunk woman as an opportunity. I don't think the poster is right though, I think it's wrong. Women have enough trouble often proving their cases without this. I have been attacked and sexually assaulted, I wasn't drunk - i had had a few, I wasn't even alone the second time, the first time was in broad daylight - but I still felt responsible and sorry for the perpetrator, It was awfully hard to talk to the police about it and in essence it just got dropped. I hope women can be safe and do there best to reduce opportunities for offenders when they are out, but i don't think this poster is a good way to get that message across. it's an issue i feel fairly strongly about i suppose because rape is so life changing for the victim and although help is there it's hard to get the right help and to blame oneself is just more trauma. anyway, i am not finding the right words tonight.

my dog is Leon, named so because when we got him from the pound his name was Eeyore (totally ridiculous) so we had to think of something that sounded similar and wasn't too hard for him to relearn. I think it's a great strong name, even though he is a total dafty!!

i am looking forward to 2014 but most of all I am looking forward to and hoping hoping hoping that hogmanay brings me a brilliant party/laugh/singsong/dance. Of course my best wishes to pioers for the new year x x

I don't feel comfortable leaving my children in paid minders or nurseries etc. So I work one day a week when my husband or my parents can look after them. I'm lucky that I can do that. A friend of mine had a baby at 19 the father is absent to Say the least. She would have gotten housing help and some financial help, but she has always worked, and worked hard. I absolutely take my hat off to her. I agree with what you're saying but there are def different types of people out there. My friend never even took any money from the father and good on her as she didn't want to be beholden to him. Anyway blah...

I bet any money her hair and make up is done every day. I know its not relevant but I don't care. Poor decisions or what, you shouldn't be having 8 children if you want the state to pay for them all.