AliQ

Having recently spent 18 months back in the UK (in an area of total peaceful countryside) I totally agree.

Based on our recent experience with large transfers, ask your bank for an International Transfer Form / RTGS. Our bank use these, they will transfer a large sum of money for you, in one transfer, and the transfer can be done in hours. Yes, there is a fee as rammygirl states, but it's only a nominal amount.

Brisbane. And I say that after working & living in Perth for a very very long time !

So very true Marisawright, totally agree. We love living over here, in fact we have just bought a new property, but I would not say that our life is better, it's different, that's all. We've always enjoyed and appreciated the environment and experience of living here, but it's not always better than the UK, it's just different !

Yes, pay that fee whilst in the UK. We paid our UK removals agent a NES fee and a Container Indemnity Fee. And once in Australia, there will be more costs. We have just paid a Quarantine Inspection Fee & Port Infrastructure Surcharge, aprox. $275.00. And we have had to leave our goods in storage for a few weeks until we can move into our house. Thats more fees. Storage & Handling aprox. $150.00 and a weekly storage fee (of a few dollars) We used a shared container.

Hi and thank you. The Sunshine Coast is gorgeous, just love it, it's going to be a great place to enjoy the next phase of our life We loved our spell back home in Derbyshire, and, if we had found the right house over there, we may have stayed. We love it here, but also loved it there. I just feel very lucky and very grateful that we have the option to choose.

We flew with Singapore Airlines recently, and booked Premium Economy. Whilst we had our flights cancelled three times (not Singapore Airlines fault) we did not get "bumped" when we came to board. Good luck.

We did quarantine in August. We were asked at the airport what type of room we wanted in regards to beds, queen or singles etc. As for windows, that will depend on the State you land in, and the hotel you are allocated to. The hotel we stayed in had no opening windows so had to rely on the air conditioning. And if I had to do quarantine again, I would take a couple of tea towels, some laundry detergent and washing up liquid ( for the cups that stay in your room)

Don't feel bad, or feel like you have to explain why you want to return to the UK. Some people appear to be "overly enthusiastic" about life in Australia. That makes me think that their experience is possibly, not always as rosy as they portray. I've been here many many years, been lucky enough to ping pong, and whilst I love it here, in my opinion, it's not necessarily better, it's just different. You go and enjoy the UK

I've used www.walkersshortbread.com many times over the years. Love their traditional shortbread and biscuits, and at Christmas their cakes and mince pies are the best ever ! You can use your Australian address and payment cards on their site, for a delivery within the UK.

Yes I know, that was the rule when we were in the UK as well. BUT, when I explained our circumstances ( emigrating) they DID sell us a policy, limited yes, but it did cover our immediate needs. That is why I suggested calling them and having a conversation. You may be lucky, may be not, but at least it's worth a try ?

Hi Senfield, as suggested in my earlier post in this thread, try Insureandgo, but don't use their online service, phone them and discuss the issue. I got travel insurance from them (UK office) for our one way back to Australia during covid. The cover will be very limited, but all we needed was medical cover for any issues during the journey really, so stress that point when you call them. They will not give you cover for any cancellations / change in plans etc due to covid, but that was fine with us. They do have an Australian office too.

Leave on your Australian and enter the UK on your British passports. And we used our Australian passports to book the flight tickets out of Australia. On arrival in the UK, you use your British passports at the SmartGate, and just walk through. I think there is an age limit though for children so you may have to go to a counter instead.

Hi Quoll, we posted at the same time ! You were lucky to avoid paying that lifetime health loading, we were told we were only allowed 1094 days out of the country. Well done for securing that.

Hi, as you all have Australian Passports, and putting covid aside, then there is nothing to stop you returning whenever you wish to. We have just returned ourselves after spending a year in the UK with our relatives. Just do not close any doors, keep your options open, suspend your Private Health Insurance (if you have it) and go and enjoy the UK. Good luck and enjoy