libbye

Gosh that's a lot of rain. When I lived in Aus we used to say never knock rain but it seems like you're getting a tad too much. Never mind the sun will soon shine again and your plants will grow extra fast!

We owned a house in Mt Eliza before we left to come to France again. How I wish we'd bought something smaller before we came away as our previous house has nearly sold again for a just under a million. Crazy and it wasn't worth it but location fantastic. Hindsight a wonder thing! It is a lovely suburb and the supermarket has really gone upmarket and is fabulous. Buses to and from the Mornington have been going for years and would have suited me far better right now. Heyho However, Frankston still holds no appeal but some pretty suburbs surrounding.

may I ask where your house is then please

Looks beautiful but how easy/difficult is it to access these places if you don't drive?

Thank you for your informative reply Mariewright. I am an Australian citizen so no problems there. I wish it was as simple as just arriving but when shipping goods from another country I can assure you the paperwork involved especially from France, not sure about other countries other than uk, is long and complicated. However, if I can find company that will handle everything the whole move will be made easier for me. We did it from the uk 14 years ago but from here in France I suspect it will be complicated. The french love pieces of paper!

A long shot as I know the majority of posters will be moving from the uk to Aus but I'm in France and as soon as my house is sold will be returning to Australia. Not decided yet whether it will be Tassie or Melbourne but the info I'm after applies to either. I'm hoping someone could recommend a reliable company familiar with the horrendous paperwork involved both here and in Aus. Yes I can google but there's nothing like a personal recommendation. Your help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I have recently lost my beloved husband after 40 years of marriage and to say the least I am devastated. I love it here in France for many reasons but have no family and would not expect friends to take on responsibility for me in my old age. I have a daughter who is moving to Ballarat which I know very well having lived in the bush there for many years. She wants me to return so once I get myself together that's where I think I will be heading. I think crime is rife in a lot of these country towns and I am a little afraid but what will be will be. Mt Eliza is a lovely place to live but as has been pointed out very expensive , ridiculously expensive but it's desirable. So close to beautiful beaches and they've updated the supermarket there beautifully since we left. Traffic has become a problem as elsewhere. Too many cars but hat's life nowadays isn't it. A good standard of living if you can afford it. I can't so Ballarat here I come.

In the morbihan we've had very high temperatures and luckily now some rain. Elsewhere in France not so fortunate and gardens beginning to suffer. In the uk I believe the farmers are in trouble with their animals due to harsh winter and now a dry summer. The poor creatures it is so sad and this morning I heard from my daughter in Melbourne farmers are committing suicide which is terrible. What have we done to this planet.

I wish we had some of that rain here. No rain for weeks and the gardens are suffering. Never satisfied are we!

Have been catching up with all your news. How exciting for those of you who are happy to return. Your family will embrace you and it will probably feel like putting on an old slipper after a few days and life will start again. Good luck to you each and everyone and have a safe journey.

wow!

It's nice to go away but it's always lovely to get back home.

Absolutely beautiful.

-sounds perfect. We are at last getting some sunshine but not in time for my daughter's visit. such a shame. she's in Paris now enjoying some hot weather.

Oh what a glorioous photo. So lush and green. Never knock rain ins Aus it's a precious commodity. Can just imagine how beautiful it will all look when the rain stops. We've had rain for weeks now and everyone is saying enough is enough. Just hope the sun comes out in the next 3 weeks when my daughter arrives from Melbourne. not only the weather are people complaining about but we're about to enter into a period of strikes. Good old France!

same here. seems dentists are the same anywhere in the world!

I do understand where you're at and will write you a pm but not this minute as I have to go to the market. Just bear in mind I'm an old person and so my perspective will be totally different to yours. However, I'm happy to share my feelings and observations with you Speak later.

I can't believe how much you have to pay for the dentist! I've just calculated the difference between here (France) and Aus and it translates to nearly $700 difference. We have a tiny portion paid by private insurance (called mutuelle) and a small proportion contributed by the medical service. I had forgotten how expensive it is and my husband reminded me of how many thousands of dollars we had to paid over time. No wonder years ago so many had all their teeth removed.! Still my comments don't help as it is as it is. We can have insurance to cover dental work but the cost is prohibitive to us, as aussie pensioners living overseas) we cannot afford it. nor could we in Aus by the sound of it.

Ballarat is not a bad place and the surrounding countryside if beautiful. There used to be a lavender farm but am not sure if it's still going. Well worth a visit if it is. They do have a problem with drugs as do other large towns but if you want to investigate further perhaps google and find out for yourselves. Not a deal breaker but something you should be aware of if you have children. It's life today so I guess it's a question of being vigilant wherever you are. It has changed a little since we were there and new houses in abundance. If you want to live further out there are some gorgeous properties at a price. I can only speak for myself and what I felt about the place and it's people. What you see and your needs would be completely different to mine so I feel somewhat reticent to air my views here. They are personal and only based on what I experienced. I wouldn't want to deter anyone from doing something they feel is right for them but a holiday experience and actually living there is totally different. Go with your gut feeling . You will know..

We lived in Ballarat for 20 odd years and I hated it. It's population has escalated considerably since we left but I was there l2 months ago and still was glad we'd moved away. Saying that my daughter loves it and is breaking her neck to get back The schools had a good but can't comment on that now after so many years. It's very old fashioned place but around the lake is lovely and offers good cycle paths and walking. Do your research and look at whether there's a drug problem. Depending on your budget there's some gorgeous Victorian houses in the town itself. Mt Helen as a rural feel but is only minutes away from the town.

What a lovely peaceful scene.

You lucky people. What a lovely way to while away the day. You must have so many beautiful places to visit and on such a small island too. Fantastic!

Absolutely stunning scenery and so peaceful. Did you buy any cheese? What a perfect existence. Hard work but so worth it. Thank you for sharing. It was a joy to see.

Oh how stupid. They will end up spoiling a beautiful place. Melbourne is ugly and has been for years. Nothing but a sea of rooftops. I hated it when I visited last November. Politicians have no idea. All they sign up for is to get a good pension at the end of their term. No thought for the environment. I agree with everything you say.