Senfield

On 14/04/2021 at 10:13, LittleLadyJayne said:

@Senfield I have just come across your question and this thread. I find myself a few steps behind you but at a similar crossroads in life. I have been living out in Australia for close to 14 years and it was never my intention to stay forever... Over the years it became easier to stay, than move back, but the pull of home has been strong over the last 3 years. I have been living with my partner (who is German) for almost 2 years now in a country town outside of Melbourne. He has always said he won't move back and his home is now here. He's a good man, but I just can't imagine my life out here. Last week my Aunt died in the UK which has been unfathomably difficult and has bought the pull for home back with a vengeance. I know I'm the only one who can answer my question of what to do, but it's comforting in some ways that others like yourself have gone through this decision. I would love to know how you are and how the move back to the UK went? If you have any regrets or any advice for someone where you were once were with a partner who would never leave Australia vs family and the pull for home in the UK.

Hi LittleLadyJayne,

just come across your post, how similar our experiences are. Although, partner is not German, he lived in Germany prior to coming to Australia.

As for for an update on how things are going! Well I have returned to Australia. I was so desperate to return to the UK, but on arriving back, nothing felt right. I was offered employment within days of arriving. Everything was falling into place but only on a practical level, emotionally I was feeling so lost. 
After much deliberation I returned to Brisbane & I could not be happier. It was painful to leave my family but it would have been wrong to stay & feel so unhappy.

I have no regrets on either of my decisions. I had to return home to find out what I really wanted. 
 

feel free to pm
 

56 minutes ago, AliQ said:

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.

Thank you will give them a call. 

On 03/11/2020 at 22:40, Amber Snowball said:

The TOR can be done now. It doesn’t seem to be taking too long to be issued. The file size allowed for attachments is tiny, so really low res copies. You should get an acknowledgment email straight back. There are a number of threads on here about it if you search. Just list things as ‘kitchen utensils’ or ‘clothes’, no need to list every spoon you own.

One  member has done it recently. @Senfield I think.......

The UK isn’t plague infested everywhere so depends where you are returning to in terms of covid, being careful and not getting too close to others seems to be the key. 

Yes I recently completed the TOR, fairly straight forward. I sent my documents in three emails. Documents sent were inventory list & approximate cost, rates notice & ID. They requested evidence of where I would be staying on arrival. Daughter provided a letter & proof of her address. Processed in a couple of weeks. 

Im also interested in who will provide travel insurance, same issue ‘one way only’

On 25/10/2020 at 07:56, Toots said:

All the very best on your return to the UK Senfield.    Please keep in touch and let us know how you settle in once you are back.

Will do Toots. Tough week ahead, partner moving into a rental. All very real now. 

19 hours ago, Toots said:

It was a real eye opener for me I can tell you.  The people I knew who couldn't settle - usually after having babies - went back "home" and that was that.  I didn't know of anyone who was trapped but reading some of the posts on PIO from unhappy, homesick people who feel trapped was disturbing as I'd never really thought about it before.  Terrible situation to be in.

I am one of those who has made the decision to return to the Uk. I will be returning on my own. Partner of 12 years is staying in Oz. Tried for 11 years but the birth of my grandson 5 years ago was the biggest pull to return. I do have the big house, acreage & a well paid job, but the ache inside to go home has grown stronger. It’s so hard to explain. I know when I return in December, I will need to be prepared for the big question ‘why would you leave Australia, the big house etc’ to come back to live in the UK? 

On 21/10/2020 at 19:30, Amber Snowball said:

Yeah that file size for attachments still seems to be an issue.

Well that’s another thing done though.

Slowly, working through my list

17 hours ago, bug family said:

I am stuck in one of them suburbs and absolutely agree with this ^^^^^..............just having a look out the window at a colour bond fence, next to a house like a box, next to a colour bond fence, next to a house like a box, next to a colour bond fence...you get the idea, mind numbing....oh hold on a minute....yep, there appears to be a middle aged couple taking a stroll..... I need a lie down

After 11 years, I’m looking forward to going home. Fly on 2 December. Once the decision was made, things fell into place. Down side, relationship had to end (partner didn’t want to return) & leaving my dogs behind. As painful as it is it’s still the decision

On 20/10/2020 at 21:05, bunbury61 said:

Well the autumn and winter better hurry up - 17c today 

A bit of wind today - still as anything over the last few days 

Pretty pleasant - some lovely colours 

If winter can wait just until after I arrive back, this will give me time to get a new wardrobe of clothes

4 hours ago, Martinbjulieb said:

We used Chess. Britannia at this end and they were amazing!! Don’t get your insurance through them though. We used Letton Percival. I think they are mentioned on here somewhere. Good luck! 

Allied Pickford stated it would be beneficial to take out their insurance & storage, because it will work out cheaper!!! Belongings are going into storage until I find somewhere to live. The rep said this will ensure everything remains covered until items are delivered to an address!!! Finding the right removals has been my biggest challenge. 

On 05/10/2020 at 20:33, Amber Snowball said:

Hi, I found the tor thread on here, it’s not a pinned thread anymore so had to search, but the last entry on that was Feb and they got an instant acknowledgment.....they sent it to :

nch.tor@hmrc.gov.uk 

Did you use this address? If not might be worth sending it.

When I did mine the email they gave didn’t send a response but I used another email that had been mentioned on here and it worked. That and reducing my file size.

Just some thoughts!

Received TOR ref number after 3 separate emails because their system could not cope with too many attachments in one email . 

3 hours ago, The Pom Queen said:

Oh @Senfield I’m so sorry to hear what you are going through. The emotional side must be draining but thankfully it sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy and once you get home and hug your children/grandson I’m sure you will realise that you made the right choice. Life is too short to be unhappy. Hugs x 

I agree Pom Queen, life is too short to be unhappy. It’s such a painful dilemma to have either stay in your relationship but with an intense feeling of loneliness or go home alone but be at peace with yourself. 

At this point I still believe it’s the right decision. December is an interesting month to return, will definitely enjoy being home for Christmas and hoping it won’t be too cold as I currently do not have a winter wardrobe coming from Qld

Thanks for sharing your experience, I will do a bit more research

I have received a removal quote from Allied Pickford which is reasonable. Just would like to know people’s experience of using this company!! 

P.S flight booked

30 minutes ago, Amber Snowball said:

Mad isn’t it.

well at least you know that they have it!

Absolutely . Also received my exemption to leave Australia. 

12 hours ago, Amber Snowball said:

Hi, I found the tor thread on here, it’s not a pinned thread anymore so had to search, but the last entry on that was Feb and they got an instant acknowledgment.....they sent it to :

nch.tor@hmrc.gov.uk 

Did you use this address? If not might be worth sending it.

When I did mine the email they gave didn’t send a response but I used another email that had been mentioned on here and it worked. That and reducing my file size.

Just some thoughts!

Hi, resent TOR info in two emails, as suggested by HMRC & received automatic response. 

Thank you  

TOR completed & emailed, let’s hope it’s received, not recessing acknowledgement yet. Exemption applied for, stating not going to return. House contract sale & passport attached. Hopefully, that will be sufficient to being granted exemption. 

Email sent to Chess removals for a quote. Want to obtain 2 more but not sure who to contact!!!

just need the strength to deal with the emotional side of the move back with now ex partner wanting to stay. But it still feels the right decision.

17 hours ago, Amber Snowball said:

Sorry to hear this has happened @Senfield. 
 

I completed the TOR over 2 years ago now and it was still being improved at that time, so hopefully it’s much better now!
 

There is a pinned thread in the uk part of the forum about just this. Have a look, I found it really helpful.

Unless it’s changed you need to do very low resolution attachments as the file size is tiny. You should get an instant reply that it has been received otherwise it meant they hadn’t got it.

I did a generic  list, like shoes and clothes, kitchen utensils etc, not a detailed list and I ended up taking much less than was on the list. I used  a large movecube so can’t help with container companies.

Others have travelled more recently so will hopefully be along to offer up to date advice.

Good luck with your move and I’m sure your family will be thrilled to have you home. It’s not all bad here, very autumnal at the moment!

 

I will explore the other threads & hopefully the TOR is much more user friendly

18 hours ago, VERYSTORMY said:

Sorry to hear how this has happened. I can't help with TOR, as I didn't do it. 

With shipping, I would recommend getting a few quotes from the major international shipping companies such as Chess. It may be worth asking about a shared container. 

With regards storage, that will depend on when you return as shipping takes 6 to 8 weeks, so you may not need that much time if you are planning on heading back soon. 

Thank you for your feedback. Contract for sale of house completed 48 hrs after being put on market, 60 day settlement. All a bit overwhelming as it has happened so quickly.but time to move forward and start planning

After a long and painful year, the time has come to say goodbye to Australia and return home to the UK. After much soul searching my partner and I after 12 years together are going our separate ways. The reason for the split is because I want to return home after 11 years in Australia (it was never going to be a forever plan) but partner wants to remain in Australia indefinitely. I cannot commit to that plan and so the decision has been made. Going through a painful time, house was put on the market a couple of days ago and an offer has been accepted. The reality is hitting home very hard but as much as I try to consider if things could be different, I keep on coming back to the intense feeling wanting to be back home with my children, grandson (4yrs), family and friends.  

So the big question is where to begin? I know I have to apply for an exemption to leave and that would appear to be straight forward, now the house has been sold and can provide evidence of my intention to leave and not return. 

So I am aware of the TOR but have no idea how to go about it, any suggestions greatly received. 

Removals:  any suggestions on companies that offer good value for money? I will be taking half the contents of a 4 bed house. I will initially stay with family and friends so will need storage for a couple of months.  

Any other words of wisdom would be greatly received. 

On 13/07/2020 at 10:44, Hayley Gee said:

I really feel your pain. My partner and I moved to QLD five years ago for a two year adventure with a 4 and 6 year old. I was always very clear this was a short term thing and I had no intention of staying in Aus. After three years I told my partner I wanted to returned to the UK and he refused and has made me feel like I am a terrible, selfish person for wanting to leave. He has agreed to leave a number of times but was horrible to me and then changed his mind each time. He hates me because I want to go home and it will ruin his plan. His work is tough in the UK and I understand that. I finally got him to agree to leave in April this year and then Covid happened and I felt we should delay a few weeks. As we are PRs we can't leave now and he is using the COVID situation to add weight to his arguement - which of course it does. I feel totally miserable and trapped and really worried about returning and my (now 7 and 11 year old) kids hating me for dragging them back. They always liked the UK and know it well but my partner keeps telling them how bad it is there, so they are scared. My parents are in bad health and living alone and my son is due to start secondary school in September and I risk losing a good school place for him. I feel my only option is to try and get home as soon as possible, despite my citizenship application (Oct 2019) being put in jeopardy if I do and despite the UK Covid situation.

I know loads of people are in a situation. Just wanted to share my story.

Hayley Gee 

i am in the same position but no children in Australia. Arrived in Australia in 2010, again it being a short term arrangement. Experienced many ups & downs, tried hard to make a permanent adjustment but a growing sense of loneliness kept growing.

Mid last year, other half agreed to return to the Uk, but after Christmas 2019 in Uk (which was a disaster, another story) changed his mind (no discussion). Life has been unbearable since, Covid only adding to a dire situation. Both extremely unhappy but I cannot continue to live an unhappy life . So this will lead to us going our separate ways. Very sad but neither of us are happy. All extremely painful but no other choice. Hope you find your way.

Sorry how long did it take?

1 minute ago, Island said:

Yes - we showed we were moving back permanently - sold house, new schools for kids, shipping dog and life belongings, have UK passport as well as UK, etc - it was accepted first try.  Good luck

Thank you  

On 11/08/2020 at 13:10, Island said:

HI,

We have permission to fly...

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations of who to fly back home with during this time to avoid quarantine?

 

 

DO you mind sharing on what grounds you obtained exemption & what evidence did you need to supply? Thanks 

On 09/08/2020 at 11:00, Joanne Donnelly said:

Hi all, my partner and I are due to fly from Sydney to Heathrow via Abu Dhabi on Sat Aug 15th. We have our AU government allowance papers as we are re-emigrating. On noticing that Australia was on the list for OK countries to be aloud to return 'without' self isolation of 14 day we booked up the hotel, hire car and Air b&b etc for 1 week. All good.

However, only now today just been notified all Etihad flights have to have a C19 test showing obviously negative before being aloud to board in Sydney! But also that arrivals into UK does not include UAE?? as we shall be transiting through, for 2hrs. How would you arrive from AU? as no countries listed that are aloud in without S.Iso?? This makes no sense at all.

My question is this.....has anybody just done this same route??? did anybody board or get off the plane in transit, if not why if we hold a negative certificate would we need to self isolate for 14 days in UK?  

How did it go?

On 17/08/2020 at 12:22, Egorfester said:

can I ask who you used for the pet transport that is currently operating?

Have applied for exemption yet? Desperate to leave to return to the UK but my application was denied