Toots

You sound like you have your head screwed on. Very best of luck to you.

Doesn't surprise me Bob.

I'm retired now but I received a decent pay rise each year. I don't think that is happening now. The economy has defiintely slowed. I would be a bit worried if I was a new migrant and didn't have a job ready and waiting for me. As you say, you have to budget for those things you mention above.

Far too many self obsessed me me me, gimme gimme gimme, self entitled people for my liking.

it used to be pretty dire at one point on this forum PB and yes you are correct it went both ways. Hard to believe that the posters were mature adults. Fair put me off but it has been so much more pleasant in the last year or so. Find all the "my country is so much better than your country" all a bit pathetic.

I can think of a few countries I wouldn't set foot in.

Not just talking about you. I get fed up of people who give out about Australia but get a bit on the nasty side if anyone dares to say something negative about the UK. Oh well.

I've had a jaded view of humanity for quite some time now. Haven't got much time for a lot of people.

The UK isn't that bad either weatherwise or with regards to politics compared to other countries.

What are you on about. Compared to some countries it's not that bad here. I thought the folk who had given Australia a shot but didn't like it could at long last lay their dislike of the place to rest. God help anyone who knocks the UK though. Jeez.

It will be a couple of years since I threw them out. Never even thought of a warranty. I did a lot of walking in rough damp areas and they weren't really very waterproof and toward the end the uppers slowly came away from the sole around the toe area.

That's what makes him seem so childish though. He says unpleasant things about people too. Most of them probably can't be bothered to retaliate. He's like the pain in the ar$e school bully.

Sunset on the wet street of Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Scotland.

I also do a LOT of walking. The first pair of Merrells didn't last long at all but daft me went and bought another pair of Merrells .................... again didn't last the year. Not cheap here either.

I have always felt at home here in Australia and I've now lived over half my life here so I would choose Australia. Absolutely nothing against the UK. I have very happy memories of the place, however we are now retired and very much enjoying life in Tasmania after living and working in Sydney for a long time. I only have one sister back in Scotland and my husband also has only one sister in England so no other close family there.