Thistle13

Yes yes I DID have confidence in her, she was very nice to me, but that's when she thot she was getting my business. As soon as I called to say she wouldn't, her attitude changed. No I never received a written quote, she was going to email it to me, but I never received it. Yes the crate was to begin preparing my dog for the long journey and Narelle told me, I only needed to give her 2 or 3 weeks notice. My dog passed away in Nov and we were planning on leaving end March, so I hadn't given her a date. however, to hand someone cash in a sealed envelope, with no receipt nothing, sounds unprofessional to me anyway. I haven't taken it up with her, apart from grieving for my best fur friend, I am arranging to leave Australia after 25yrs, so there's a lot to organise and my focus has been on that. If Narelle intended to return my deposit she would've done it. It has changed my opinion on how she operates her business and I won't be shy in telling anyone.

I wont be recommending Animal Travel to anyone. I booked and paid a deposit and bought a transport crate from them. Told Narelle I would not be going for several months. She gave me a small machine printed receipt for $428, no breakdown of what was what. My dog died suddenly and I called her to tell her. remember the fact that she only took my money, and I got a verba quote to transport my dog to UK. She did nothing else. She agreed to buy back the crate but no return deposit. Now where was THAT printed. I returned the crate and got $128 in cash sealed in an envelope handed back to me. No empathy...nothing. As soon as I wasnt using her service, her attitude changed. She did NOTHING and got $300 for it.

I actually can't remember the reason/s why I came to Oz in 1988..... People ask and I say..better weather, more prospects for my sons etc, but I think I just wanted the adventure of trying something different. I hated it, but I did rt want to go back with my tail between my legs, the whole town were there to wave us off. I did t want to be a failure. So I stuck it out, and just became accustomed to my new life, but I never really felt like I belonged. So here I am 25 yrs later, planning on going back to Scotland, can't wait. I don't regret coming and giving it a go, but I wish I'd gone back years ago.

Youre the reason I'm going back..... Can't stand the Aussies, the media bleeps constantly about how we're all mates, and the Aussies come together when there's a crisis.,,,like no other country does that. The Aussies are full of their own self importance. If they've won in some International sport we never hear the end of it, if they lose. It's a blip on the news. I can talk from experience as I've been here 25 yrs, and I'm going back, not because I blame Oz, but because it's sooooooo over rated and I prefer the Brits, simply cos they're friendlier.

Calm down people, I'm not accusing anyone of doing anything. I'm simply speaking from 15yrs working in a bank and 10yrs with the Australian Tax office.....maybe I am sceptical, but I have years of seeing debts written off because people run up credit cards before they leave, or lodge fraudulent tax returns getting large refunds. Someone on another thread asked that very question... 'would they be pursued they left Oz and couldn't pay their credit card debt'. Of course they won't...their credit rating here would be ****, but they wouldn't be chased...wouldn't that be a great job if you could get it. im simply saying, that if there's no plans to come back, why would you not use the credit card for travel convenience but get a new one when you settle. Incidentally, I was told that if you need to claim anything in UK, you will have to fill out a habitual residency form, which asks if you have ceased ties with Australia. Ie closed bank accounts.

I'm guessing that would be one of the reasons for the high fees/interest the rest of us pay in Oz, when people take off leaving credit card debt. At the end of the day, no matter what advice a person is given, they'll choose to do what they want. It comes down to morals and ethics. so why ask others the question, the answers will only be based on their ethics. When I go back to UK, I will finalize everything here, including lodging my last tax return etc, i will leave with a clear conscience.:smile:

VAT is about double GST. i can't think of anything else that is cheaper in Oz.......I don't know average pay in UK, does anyone know how it compares to OZ?

How are you managing to getan Aussie pension? I take it you are currently pension age?

I agree with Legoman. When we first migrated here, our sons were 5 and 7 and we left all the family behind. My Dad pulled me aside at the airport and said 'give it at least 2 yrs, it will take that time to find a job, house, settle the boys into school, start to make friends, and generally just feel comfortable about getting around and becoming familiar with places, food, customs etc'. he was NOT wrong, infact after 2 yrs, we actually moved the goalpost to 5yrs. It's a huge move, with lots of changes for your mind and body to become accustomed to, give your original decision to come to Oz the respect it deserves, and set a timeframe. Incidentally, my Mum and I would call each other every couple of weeks for the first year and just cry until my Dad and hubby asked us why we were wasting money calling to just cry, there was little talking happening...lol. So her and I saved like mad and I brought her out 2yrs later, it helped both of us immensely.

Hope it all works out for your daughter Tina2, and you're right, this forum is great for sharing or just venting. Keep us updated x

thanks for your kind word Legoman. It IS comforting in one way to know that there are others who feel the same, but in another way its sad. i can relate to that dreaded phone call. i feel for you and your other half. my son sent a distressing message and disappeared. for 24 frantic hours i felt helpless in Australia. the police turning up on my mums door was both relief and fear and that is the longest journey i never want to make again, not knowing (in transit) whether my son woud be alive or at best lose one or both legs. i dont want to gross anyone out, but my point is, i faced fear like no other id ever faced, and suddenly realised that life is soooooo short you hav to try and seek contentment and happiness with the little time u have. australia has been good to me, but it no longer has what i NEED.

Dont waste your time with your MP.... They only forward your letter to the ministerial complaints section of the relevant government agencies. Also MPs are too busy right now trying to keep their jobs, or fighting for one with election coming up and your letter will go to the bottom of the pile...trust me. My suggestion, go onto the website of the relevant government agency, look for 'contact us' and lodge a formal complaint, advise them that you want to be contacted by a resolver within 7days to have this matter rectified otherwise you will forward your complaint to the Ombudsman. Government agencies have to be accountable and that's where the ombudsman comes in.

Isolation is a huge part, once you've 'done' Australia that's it. So I've done Fiji, Bali and Hamilton Island just to break up the monotony, but I could never tire of Europe.

OMG Fizzybangs..I read and re-read your post and you've just written what I've been thinking. My sons were born in Scotland, we migrated when they were 5 and 7. My parents (tho they never mentioned it til years later) were convinced that my marriage only lasted as long as it did BECAUSE we left and were on our own in Australia. Sadly, here I am, 60 next year, on my own (the ex has a new and younger wife and her family) my eldest son (now 32) returned to Scotland in 2010 on a years travelling trip, had a serious almost fatal accident in 2011, and was in hospital for 5 months, they have looked after him and modified a house for him to suit his permanent disabilities, tho they don't stop him getting around now. He will never return to Australia, doesn't like it here, is very very independent, and would take off if he thought I would return to Scotland because of him. Those months I spent at his bedside, living and spending my time there, not as a tourist, but day to day living, opened my eyes, that even given the circumstances, I felt at home, I was a different person, I actually liked me for a change. As soon as I got back to Australia I became this bitter, guilty, unhappy, person that I hadn't realized I had become over the years. No wonder I'm on my own. So that left my youngest son to deal with.....he considers himself an Aussie, would never live anywhere else but Sydney, he's in a band and has travelled Australia and NZ but his life is here. We are best friends, so for 2 yrs I've struggled with the decision, do I continue to live my life around my son (who incidentally moved back in with me 3yrs ago for reasons that benefited both of us) but he now has a girlfriend and the only reason he hasn't moved out is because he worries about me. Soooooooo I told him I'm going back to Scotland, gave him 12 months for both of us to come to terms and make arrangements. It will break my heart to leave him, I feel so guilty,that I brought him here as a child, raised him without extended family to fall upon, and now I'm leaving him, but in my mind, I feel this decision will actually be better for both of us, he hasn't moved on with his life because of me (and the events we've had to deal with) he has been more resilient than me, and I dont want to die alone in a country I don't feel 'connected' to. Sorry for driveline on.....it's cheaper than therapy. Lol

Going back in March 2014 ..... Will have been in Oz almost 26yrs. It's changed dramatically in that time, and in my opinion, not for the better and isn't the land of plenty as it used to be known. Tho it isn't as bad as the UK yet, it's no longer a place I want to live. Can't wait to go back. i have to say, that I'm looking at this thru the eyes of a 60yrs old, and so if younger people want to try Oz, I said go for it, you'll never ever know, unless you try it.

That is a great idea, unfortunately I didn't think of it when I was last there in 2011. Next time I go back, it'll be for good, so I have to figure out another plan. Why don't you give me your bank account details Simmo, presume you have online banking, so can you give me your login details (for monitoring purposes only of course) and I'll arrange a transfer.

I think there's a bit more involved that what you believe. Have you asked the transporters for a detailed quote? That will tell you whats involved. Pom queen is right, I think there are only certain airlines who will actually transport animals, and some of those will only deal with qualified transporters. As for food? I am taking my 11kg Skye terrier back to Scotland and have booked the carriers who told me she has to be wormed within 24hrs of flying and a special diet that will minimize my dog 'messing' in the crate which apart from the obvious, most dogs won't mess in their own bed and will cause unecessary stress. Overall, my dog is costing $3300 and my flight is around $1500 but for me, it's peace of mind that ive hired the best and taken all precautions to lessen the stress for my wee 4legged best friend.

What State are you in? I'm in NSW...call Animal Travel, I've booked them to take my Skye Terrier back and Narelle has been so patient, answered all my 'phobia' questions and were reasonably priced on comparison with places like Jetpets. Ph 02 4572 7736.

I disagree. I'm a cheery wee Scotswuman and will attempt to chat even whilst standing in a queue...but my experience has been that on most occasions when I try to strike up a conversation, there is no response, they might smile or nod, but it's clear they don't want to engage. Numerous occasions I've made attempts to do this under various settings...believe it or not it's usually only Brits that respond. I think there's a whole interpretation here that because of the different nationalities and the chance they don't speak English, no habit has been started of engaging in a friendly way.....life is faster here, everyone is in a hurry, there's road rage, carpark rage, shopping queue rage, people walking and talking on their mobiles, so why would they want to stop, smell the roses, and exchange a few words with a stranger........for the record I live on the outskirts of Sydney, so my experience of this is limited to here. Furrther to this, when I'm back in Scotland.....there is always someone in the queue that will say something and everyone joins in. Even the manners of letting people in when your driving in situations or saying excuse me, or please go ahead, overall definitely more friendly.

When we emigrated in 1988. My Dad pulled me aside at the airport and said 'if it doesn't work out, or for whatever reason, you decide to come back to Scotland, don't come back win your tail between your legs, you're doing something others only dream of, and no one will think less of you for coming back". 25 yrs later, divorced, kids grown, Dad gone now, I'm heading back. My brothers think I'm mad, my Mum is a fence sitter, but has told everyone except the local newspaper that I'm coming 'home'. As far as I'm concerned, circumstances change throughout your life. I won't be going back in March 14 with my ail between my legs, nor will I go back thinking I'm better cos I've lived in Ostraaaaalia. If anyone asks, I will simply say, Australia was good to me, gave me a different lifestyle than I would've had in Scotland, gave my kids opportunities they couldn't get in Scotland, but don't judge me unless you've lived my life. I won't entertain anyone who tells me I'm crazy for going back.......bottom line is, they've never done it, so how can they call me crazy, I should be telling THEM, they're crazy for never trying it.

Have had some medical issues over the years...all good now...but you never know when they might rear their ugly head again...does anyone know if we can get access to records in Aus...I couldn't get anything when I came from Uk to Aus but that was 25 yrs ago.

Sheesh you just don't get it hey...... People whine they can't afford a holiday ANYWHERE. FFS I'm hardly comparing the 3 locations, since I've been in all 3, I think that qualifies me to judge and there is no comparison. Personally I don't like Sydney, but if we all like the same places...need I spell out the problems that would create? My mum is taking 2 holidays a year, so life in Scotland ain't that bad if she can do that, the locations were NOT the point I was making. And I disagree I think it DOES say that if she can do it on a pension, then anyone who wants to go on holiday (wherever that might be) can achieve it.

Blackpool was the long weekend of choice for me and my ex and our group of friends (pre babies), in the mid70's to early 80's luved everything about it, always something to do, rain, hail or shine.....got told by a promenade 'gypsy' that I had itchy feet and would travel (boy was she right) LOL. But sadly, I visited Blackpool in 2003 and it had changed for the worse, or have I changed? my mum and her cronies enjoy it tho.

Have you ever been to Jersey? Not the the answer matters, but in my opinion, Sydney is over rated, too expensive, a shitter to commute around, the people are up themselves? I never did like the beach, or the beach goer type. Given the choice, I prefer Melbourne. So why would I think Sydmey is nicer....it's a matter of opinion

Think you missed the point....I said my 80 yr old mother goes, I never mentioned myself going there. I was responding to a comment relating to people in UK not being so poor as was being made out. the point is my Mum can afford to do all these things on a pension. The fact is you don't know my circumstances so don't tell me I'm living in a better place.....and for the record, I wouldn't be seen dead in Blackpool.