Toots

We lived in Sydney for well over 20 years. We made some very good friends over that time. Not everybody is money obsessed and living in the eastern suburbs/north shore. There are tens of thousands of down to earth people in Sydney. Last week we were up there visiting friends and drove down our old street. When we lived there, many of the houses were weatherboard with bullnose verandahs and we knew all our neighbours. In fact we had the same neighbours for most of the years we lived there. Sadly most of the weatherboards have gone to be replaced by huge monstrosities or the blocks have been subdivided and where one house once stood there are now two or even three. So happy to be away from it all.

If you're still homesick after 20 years here, I'd say go back to the UK. I think you will be far happier. Start to make plans now even if it takes a couple of years or so.

Yes we could do with a lot more good tradesmen here. There is a young tradie living opposite us and he is run off his feet - so much work not enough tradies. Four couples who are good friends we've known for a couple of decades (in Sydney) have moved to Tassie since we moved here 10 years ago. I also much prefer the climate here. No weather extremes - never too hot or too cold especially on the coast.

Yes but a lot of people would also be thankful to get away from the rat race, crowds and godawful traffic.

If you have the time and the energy, a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly is a nice trip on a sunny day. When you get off the ferry walk up the Corso then turn right past the Surf Club and take the walk to Shelly Beach. It's a pretty walk and there's a place at the end practically right on the beach where you can relax with a glass of wine. Forgot to say ................. this is in Sydney.

What a shame. Back in the day Sauchiehall Street was really quite classy - good quality shops and lovely places to eat. I always enjoyed visits to Glasgow but for sure some places were really rough but the city had some real characters. I know an elderly woman who has lived here for over 60 years and she has never lost the Glasgow accent. I find myself reverting to my schoolgirl dialect whenever we talk together. Ye ken, nicht, richt etc etc.

Crikey! Thank goodness my eyesight was very good until a couple of years ago. For the time being, I just use a pair of those specs you can get in the chemist and they are fine for me. They cost $30. I've no doubt I'll need "proper" specs at some time but so far so good.

There are over 4,000 people on the waiting list for a council house here in Tasmania. A new facility for homeless men recently opened at the top of our street. https://www.amhf.org.au/a_look_inside_the_new_men_s_shelter_in_north_west_tasmania There are also 2 houses in our street for homeless women and their children. These are temporary accommodations. There are also plans for more council houses around the town.

My sister (from Edinburgh) is happy to be away from the horrible weather. She's here until the end of March.

We had a very nice time over the Christmas period. The weather was lovely. Back home for the New Year. Sons and partners arriving today.

He must be knackered poor bloke.

Sounds pretty similar to what I've had to put up with on sojourns up to Scotland. The last time I got the train there was trackwork going on so had to change trains and platforms a couple of times and as you say going up steps and over the bridge with a suitcase etc is a right pain. The trains were packed to the gunnels too. Standing room only for some people. Oh the joy!!

14 hours on a bus! My Mum lived off the beater track in Scotland but at least I could get a train to the nearest station then a hire car to her house or if really pushed I could get a bus from the station. She was about an hour from the station.

Unless you can afford business or first class the flight is usually pretty horrible. Sitting on a bus or a train is far more comfortable than that flight. I also hate airports probably because I hate crowds. I know it's only 24 hours but even the thought of it gives me the heebie jeebies. I'm not a great traveller anymore as you can tell.

We were isolated for a while during that bad winter - couldn't get to school and the army had to help getting feed to the livestock. It seemed to last for weeks. Sheep had to be dug out of drifts. Winter 1962/63

Was that that at Christmas? I can remember a handful of white Christmases when I was a young child but none for years after except for the Christmas I worked in Norfolk in 1970. We had deep snow then for a few days. One Hogmany back in my home town we were all out in the street wishing everyone a Happy New Year and the snow was falling in huge flakes. It was a lovely atmosphere. I think that was 1975. A long time ago but always remember how nice it was.

Awww, your granddaughter sounds like a lovely lass. Enjoy Christmas with your family and especially good to have your UK son with you too.

Lovely to hear from you @Tappers2oz

I haven't really got any nuggets to offer but as long as I'm with my husband and family that's fine for me. I'm definitely not one of those nostalgic at Christmas types. My sister is here from Scotland and our two sons and their partners are here for New Year. We are going away for a few days over Christmas. It won't be steaming hot here thank goodness. Hope you manage to enjoy yourself in spite of homesickness. Can't be easy at all.

It's an Australian slang word meaning to criticize, disparage, or dismiss a person or thing. Surprised you haven't heard of it before.

Perhaps not a hillbilly could get together with the PIO member in Perth who is constantly seeking intellectual and sophisticated buddies to have meaningful conversations with? Said Perth member seems to have disappeared for the time being.

I'm along the road from you in Devonport. Know what you mean about the hillbillies. I just tend to steer clear. We've been here almost 10 years but I feel quite at home. We live in the quiet part of town where the hillbillies don't bother us. As Marisa has already said, there are many people like yourself who feel stuck and unhappy. Are there any social clubs you could join? You might find that there will be a fair percentage of people there from the UK and Europe.

I think Marisa has you muddled up with another poster who had a query very recently.

Agree. If you're not sure don't do it.

22C here today. Denison Beach, east coast of Tassie.