JockinTas

It's in people's nature to have a good whinge. I was whinging today because it's super windy here at the moment and a bit chilly too. Never happy some of us eh? :cute:

Generations of my family - especially on Dad's side were emigrants - mainly to the USA and Canada. I found it hard to say goodbye to Mum even though I left home when I was 16. My brother and sister worked overseas often too so we were always a 'spread out family'. I dare say that yes, it is harder to migrate if you live in the same neighbourhood as lots of family members and see each other a lot.

Agree about the northern cities and towns - some lovely buildings. Of course some of them have very depressed areas and unfortunately they always get the media attention. The countryside is glorious and my good friends are all northerners. The only time the weather bothered me was in mid-winter.

To John and Louise .....................

I certainly will look forward to your updates once you are settled back in the UK LKC. :smile: There are a couple of members here I have put on ignore as they make nothing but snide comments about their time in Australia and hint that those of us who enjoy our lives here are in some way intellectually deficient. My elder son is living and working in Ireland and having a wonderful time. His next move is to Canada. The world is your oyster so grab any opportunity with both hands.

There's a wee bit of truth in what you say PB. It seems these days there are people who enjoy knocking both countries. Once they have happily returned to the UK they have to pick Australia to bits and then there are those who are here in Australia and haven't a good thing to say about the UK. Gets a bit tedious after a while. No wonder it's so quiet here these days.

I've been here 35 years and still maintain friendship with my old pals. A few now live overseas themselves. I am in frequent touch with my best friend from school days who is in Scotland and friends from my teenage years, some who are still in the UK and some abroad. I was never close to cousins, aunts and uncles but we have always sent cards at Christmas to each other. Some of my friends have been to visit over the years. There are 5 of us who were very close during our teenage years and we are hoping for a get together in the next couple of years sometime. One is in Swaziland, one in Texas, one in Yorkshire and another in Lancashire. We haven't all been together since 1971.

Snow fell on Mount Mawson, Tasmania yesterday whilst many parts of Australia sweltered in the heat. http://www.smh.com.au/national/heatwaves-hit-act-sa-and-nsw-while-tasmania-prepares-for-snow-20170210-guabs0.html It was windy here in Devonport and 19C.

Barangaroo is right in the CBD on the harbour. I worked close by and it's a short walk from Wynyard station. A nice area to work in.

I was in the Lake District for three years bunbury61 - beautiful place but my goodness - bitter winters especially if you are working outdoors - then I spent a winter in Norfolk - just outside Fakenham. I don't remember it raining much but a lot of snow that particular year. Was a lot of years ago though and perhaps the climate is milder now. Spent my childhood on a Scottish hill farm and by heck the winters there were harsh.

I definitely think some of us are born with a 'wanderlust' gene. I've just come back from 4 weeks in SE Asia and could have spent far more time there. Off to NZ next month and would like to go to Sri Lanka again sometime.

I worked a lot outdoors and hated the freezing cold and damp. Used to get chilblains and chapped hands and even my legs got chapped. Loved the job but loathed the winters.

When we lived there it certainly bucketed it down in the winter but the summers we were there, it was dry from Christmas until May.

Scotland (Kirkcudbrightshire), Lake District, Norfolk, Belgium, France, USA, Switzerland, London, Merseyside, Australia (Perth WA, Sydney NSW and now very happily settled in Tasmania).

Good to hear you have settled well and especially lovely to read that your little son is a lot better here too. :smile:

There are quite few retired people here at the moment from Queensland and NT escaping the heat. It works the other way too as many retired Tasmanians go to QLD to get away from the winters here. My neighbours leave in May and return in September.

Got back the other day after travelling in SE Asia for 4 weeks. Stayed with the locals in Cambodia - basic but very clean - lovely veggie food cooked for us. In Thailand stayed in very clean but cheap hotel in Bangkok then with people we knew in Chiang Mai. Also good clean cheap accommodation in Myanmar. Could easily have stayed for another 4 weeks but started to miss my husband and dog. :cool:

Sorry it didn't work out for you. Filthy and unfriendly hostels would have put me off a bit too I have to say. I'm on the north coast of Tasmania and we have a large influx of backpackers during fruit picking season and at the moment it's poppy picking time - for the production of pyrethrum. The backpackers come from all over the world and usually stay in rooms above the local pubs but also a few of them lodge with locals and for the small rent of a spare room get a comfy place to stay and the use of the kitchen/bathroom/laundry etc. Seems to work well.

Yesterday was a pretty blah day. Overcast and cooler. Haven't had to put on a sweater yet. OH seems to feel the heat and the cold more than me - I'm a pretty tough old broad though. :cool:

Now then, everyone is entitled to their say/opinion. No need for the nastiness.

What! 100,000 quid a month. :shocked: Different world to the one I live/lived in.

We are heading to Evandale tomorrow for the Sunday market. A very nice wee town.

Hello Evandale - I live in Devonport also in north Tasmania.

It's 21C and blue skies.

Glad you enjoyed your time here Ali. :smile: