MelbourneTractor

I know exactly what you mean, Australia is no bettee or worse than England in my view. Got to be careful having an opinion which contains anything but praise for Australia on here though.

I don't like wearing a hat and the fact sunscreen doesn't work so well when I'm sweating my tits off means that I didn't do my research? Guess what... I did do my research, I'm still here and I'm sorry we don't all have the same experiences of living in Oz.

The heat doesn't bother me, but I run everyday as well and I don't enjoy having to plan my runs around avoiding sunburn! I can't stand wearing a hat whilst running and sunscreen only does so much.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately the life of a SCADA Engineer means working near and far, I could be on a site in Melbourne next week or I could be in Canberra until next xmas. It's frustrating but I love the work and my OH was ok with the travel in the UK. Seriously thinking about going back to the UK as my old jobs there if I want it.

Is it just me or does the sun in Oz feel like a blow torch even with sunscreen on?

I worked a way a lot in the UK and it never caused a problem, I think the lack of a support network for us is causing the issue. My missus used to go to friends and family when I was away but not she is home alone and its not doing here any good. I agree that family comes first and will quit if I have to.

So I've had plenty of problems settling in post emigration, but I was just starting to feel at home when I got sent to Canberra with work. I'm fed up of being away fron my family and this making all of us feel home sick. the guy I replaced here had the same problem and was told to suck it up or find another job, I've no idea what to do.

Hi, I've just started working for Actew/Icon Water in Canberra (FIFO from Melbourne) and would love to find a regular Futsal/5-a-side during the week. Any ideas where I could start? MelbourneTractor

We used pss when we moved over last year, decent service for a good price.

Took my missus a couple of years to lose her Zimbabwean accent when she moved to the UK but her accent has changed in the few months we've been in Melbourne...

Went to the tennis last night, had a great time. Rather confusingly I got home without any visible sign of sunburn, went to the gym worked out for an hour (indoors) and forty minutes later my face is burned... WTF?

Still not sure I made the right choice moving here but I've had some really good times so far.

Wow, I wish I was as mentally tough as you, worrying about how I wont get burnt and turning down opportunities to do things I enjoy because of it are making me miss my life in the UK. I'm sorry if that reasoning doesn't meet with your satisfaction.

I did wonder if my old mirrored pair of oakleys we're intensifying the sun hitting my cheeks and replaced them with a less reflective pair, same problem though. would my skin dry out through heat alone though?

Ah fair point, that partly why I've been so disheartened by getting burned. I'm so careful and do everything you're supposed to and still get burned.

Burned in Scotland, that's impressive! The most I got in Scotland was a million midge bites on my legs :-)

Yes I knew it was hot here, the heat doesn't bother me. I also know to apply sunblock 30 mind before leaving the house and that the sun here is different thanks to the hole in the ozone layer. It might seem like a weak reason to be homesick but as much as I love Melbourne and my job here it's all a bit wasted if I can't do all of my favourite outdoor activities without being a lobster pom come Sunday evening.

Hopefully I'll learn to cope with it before we go back to the UK in 2016!

Nope, I'm dark haired and quite olive skinned!

Understood, I'm just desperate to find something that works for me otherwise I'll have to give up and go home.

Ah thanks Tink, one question I've been trying to find an answer to is "Will my skin develop a greater ability to handle the sun over time?" I've been trying to limit time outside but my Zimbabwean gf is always desperate to be outside in the sun.

Thanks for the advice, I've got and wear a wide brimmed hat and apply sunscreen when ever I go out at the weekend. I was wearing Banana Board Sports SPF30+ first time I got burned, Cetaphil 50+ the second time! Now I've got some InvisibleZinc 50+ for this weekend...

Stronger than factor 50?

So after a years planning we arrived in Melbourne in mid-July, I really enjoyed myself in August and most of September and was convinced that we made the right decision to move. Then I managed to get sunburned (not too badly, just a little red cheeked) the last weekend of September and first weekend of October. Now I'm dreading the Aussie Summer, everyone keeps telling I'm going to get badly burnt this summer and my feeling is that if I spend the whole summer inside or in my shaded garden I might as well have stayed in the UK. Whats really annoying is that I've followed "Slip, Slap, Slop", worn good quality shades and actively sought shade in the middle of the day and I've still ended up with red cheeks. Also, I've never burned before despite being very outdoorsy and that includes previous trips to Oz and SA.