Buttercup

We used Dogtainers in Adelaide- I think they're all over Oz. They were very good collecting my dog the day before to make sure all the paperwork was in order. They even dropped me an email to say how endearing my dog was!!! It made me cry... :cry:

We took our beautiful furry girl to Oz and brought her back to the UK. She is one of the few things in my life I love dearly and the thought of it almost broke me. But, do you know what, she was fine. It's wasn't pleasant but all I will say is she was well cared for and back to her normal stupid self very quickly. As someone has said, it's us humans that struggle more with it. I think (being a fellow pooch lover) to leave her would be far worse. The fact is many animals make that trip without any problems. I feel your pain but take her with you. What's a few days not seeing her compared to not seeing her again? If she has her rabies jab in Oz she shouldn't need quarantine back here.

Thanks guys. I think i might go part time and join agencies too just to dip a toe in. At least I suppose that might be a good option?

Just wondered if there are any nurses on here who have left the NHS to work for agencies. I'm currently employed by the NHS but am getting a bit tired of being stretched on a daily basis like an elastic band. I enjoy my job, but at times it's a bit soul destroying. I know I can prob get loads of agency work and it would mean giving up a permanant job, but I really am getting a bit fed up with all the bull (I know it happens everywhere) but the more I think about agency work, the more it appeals....It does go against some of my principles but I've learned in this game you really have to look after yourself as most of the people at the top don't seem to give a toss. Sad really. Any thoughts experience would be greatly appreciated. :-)

The fact you can still buy dogs and cats from a pet shop window!!!!! Completely unacceptable in this day and age. Nothing like an Impulse buy- NOT.

Yeah, not bad thanks. Has taken a while to get settled but its been over two years now. I read your post and again, could relate to some of the things you've said. On the whole we like being back. I went back to my old workplace (different dept) and as much as I enjoy my job, it makes my blood boil to see what is happening to the NHS. Some days it's truly soul destroying. Mental Health- the Ironocy? it's very sad and I feel for the patients. I will be first in the queue on election day. How's you and your gang?

Ohh, I don't know how I forgot this one (I know it sounds silly but it was actually quite a big factor for me), lack of sense of humour. It broke my spirit at times. limited places to walk our dog. The beach got boring after a while....Endless adverts, bad enough but endless adverts about meat and sport... Not sure if there's a connection there???? Retro white dog poo. Don't see it here in the UK much... P****d up ruddy faced Brits scoffing 'snags' (prob 90% hoof) and slagging off the UK at cliquey barby's

Good to see you back on the forum Blobby. :wink:

I love Tom's post. How cool would that be to take that to one of those Migration shows they do in the UK, walking around with it on banners outside the entrance. I was actually laughing to myself whilst reading that, remembering clearly nearly most of those scenarios.... The only thing you forgot to mention is some Aussie feet. People that walk around bare footed have some of the mankiest feet I have ever had the misfortune to see. Killed my appetite whilst food shopping though! Every cloud has a silver lining.....

Helz, I just read some of the the other stuff you've been through:hug: +++. You will get there.

Yes. Been back 2 years. No regrets- honestly. We went to Oz for a new experience, which it was. It's made me appreciate what's Important. You will get there. I lost my sparkle in Oz (I'm usually a bubbly person who likes a laugh). I got my sparkle back once I booked the flight home. It's hard to describe but I felt "souless' out there. This was further compounded by the fact some fellow brits tried to make me feel I should love the place. It's a tricky one with so many layers. I feel for you and can relate. I would hazzard a guess that once you've booked your flight, that will be better than any counseling. I felt like the air had been put back in my lungs. I know that probably sounds a bit melodramatic but that's truly how I felt the moment I saw my friends at the airport.

Maybe I'll stand corrected as I do quite like Friends actually. I don't know about the others, so I'll have a little look...

It's a bit like some of the American sitcoms, I just don't find them funny. Give me Monty Python any day...

Helz, I can honestly say I have never experienced loneliness until I went to Oz. Yes i made friends etc etc, and the sun was shining (sometimes) etc etc BUT i just felt so alone. I don't think you can put it into words really. I'm not an expert by any stretch but happiness and contentment do not consist of "things" or a place, it so much more complex than this. You only have one life, do what you need to do. The Important people in your life will be there for you no matter what and that's what counts.

Yeah me too. However a couple of my aussis work mates did love the british sense of humour but they appeared to be the ones who had UK connections, family etc. When some of my british work colleagues used to have a good old natter and a laugh my old boss used to say we sounded like the characters from that Creature Comforts show:biglaugh: I really think that our humour is really very quite unique.It certainly helps having one on here sometimes anyway....:twitcy:

Ha ha. Yeah I think some of my aussie work mates thought I was genuinely a bit mad (which I prob am to be fair), but yeah it's not quite the same when you have to "unpick' the joke...

We simply preferred our life in the UK for so many reasons, some previously mentioned. Plus another big factor- the good old British sense of humor. I really don't think you can beat it, no matter where you are in the world. We get an unfair bashing sometimes. We love living here and and I can say with my hand on my heart I totally don't regret coming back, not one bit...Life is what you make it but it helps having some good Ingredients!

I was just about to ask what gym you go to, then I read the rest. Knowing Phil Spencer was in the gym would defo motivate me to go! Something nice to look at, as long as he didn't bang on about Oz....If there was a show called "Phil Spencer- Wanted down under" I might be tempted to watch it, as long as it wasn't about Oz! ;-)))))

I can't understand why the houses are built in a way you do feel the cold in them for the reasons mentioned. Our rental was a new build and draughty as hell. Gaps under the front door, single glazing and what they call single skinned walls or something like that. Basically they are not built for the cold. Having said that, I don't think that particular house was built for the summer either as the upstaires would turn into an oven in the summer, really bloody hot. It does get cold and the temperatures are all relative as you acclimitise I think. If you having hot summers your gonna feel that much colder when the temperatures dip. I don't know why they just don't wise up to the fact it does get cold there in the winter. It's a fact...

What a nice thread! People being respectful of others opinions and experiences. We came back to the UK because we simply preferred our lives here. All the Ingredients that make up our happiness as Individuals was always right under our noses, which we kind of knew but now appreciate a whole lot more. You only get one life and if your healthy and happy, well who cares about the rest.... :-)))

Um, Interesting... Everyone's different and at the end of the day what suits some does not suit others. Marmite philosophy. No right or wrong. I can't understand the confusion? It seems quite simple really?

PMSL! Do wetsuits have cod pieces? Just asking:embarrassed:

Oh I hate when this happens. It's weird though don't you think, if your usually 'regular', why this happens? I think it's maybe natures way of giving you the 'non regular' experience????? Ha ha.... I'm always mindful of the fact it will be 'in the post' when this happens and therefore opt out of walking the dog in the woods on these particular rare occasions.... Ohh, just seen your pic of you in the wetsuit- Imagine leaving the house on that day having not 'been'?????

Flippin heck, you must spend a fortune on loo roll???

Ha ha, yep me too. My OH is like 'how the hell do you do that every day?'. It really does annoy him. Poo envy:biglaugh:I'd rather have the luxury of this as there's nothing worse than being caught out midday etc... To all of you guys out there who are 'ad hoc' poopers- you have my full empathy. PS- Just edited that as it read 'poppers' and not 'poopers'!!! Ha ha...