Homeward Bound

[BackToLife]

Where do I start?

 

I left Australia nearly 38 years ago on an around the world trip (as Aussies do) and somehow, just never managed to make it home. I have lived in South Africa, Germany, and now the UK (32 years and counting) after meeting and marrying my British (now ex) husband.

 

The first years away were incredible - life was one long holiday, visiting all those exotic places I had only previously read about. Gradually though, when I came to the UK with my husband, life settled into the nitty gritty of day-to-day living, e.g. work, housework, gardening, shopping etc.

 

However, even when my marriage broke down, life was still good. I adore history, architecture, country houses, castles, cathedrals, all of which Britain could offer me in spades. In fact, for years I used to drive past Anne Hathaway's cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon on my way to work in Warwick, and past the Lord Leycester Hospital, and through Norton Lindsay and Henley-in-Arden on my way home, and each and every time I would get chills down my spine at seeing what is effectively living history.

 

And I absolutely loved it.

 

BUT...and this is the big BUT...the UK and Europe have my heart, but not my soul.

 

I remember the deep blue skies and the endless plains and red earth and roads that stretch into infinity, and my soul soars.

 

I remember the sandy yellow beaches, and the cloudless blue skies, and the waving palm trees, and the white-capped rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean stretching into infinity, and my soul soars.

 

I remember the kookaburras and kangaroos and koalas and all the other wildlife so unique to Australia, and my soul soars.

 

Which is why, after so many years away, I now have a real chance of returning home and I am taking it, although it is not going to be easy as I will suffer from both pension penalties (state and occupational) and the excruciatingly bad exchange rate.

 

But if this is the price to be paid for reclaiming my soul, then so be it.

[Perthbum]

Nice post...glad you ar going back to the place you love.

[Bob1]

the UK and Europe have my heart, but not my soul.

 

This is a fabulous expression and sums it up totally.

[whoiam]

All the best dear. I'm sure you will find happiness and joy wherever in the world you are--your post tells me you are such a person--but now go and feed your soul!:cute:

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

Best of luck mate.

[MARYROSE02]

Perhaps, don't 'burn your bridges?' If you own a home in England, don't sell it, rent it out, then if you find you want to return to England, you have your own home to return to? I'd suggest the same thing to someone going back to England after a long time in OZ.

 

I've followed my own advice in both countries, renting my home in Sydney out for twelve years, whilst I went back to the UK, and now my home in the UK has been rented out for three and a half years.

 

I think I'm committed to Austraila now but I'll probably dither for ever about selling the English place.

[Guest SCF]

Wow, you paint a great picture with words. I can fully understand where you are and how you need to go home. Anyway, I wish you all the very best in taking this huge step. You will notice many changes in Australia as you may well know. The particular area I grew up in in suburban Sydney is changed beyond recognition and is entirely occupied by immigrants now with their own community, shops, language, religion and mode of dress. It feels very strange to visit those places and remember how they were when I was a kid. Some things never change however and the beaches and the wildlife are among those. Still wonderful! I can appreciate that no matter what, you want to go home. I share that sentiment in reverse. One day I hope to go back to England - perhaps for a holiday at least. All the very best to you. Let us know how it all pans out. Cheers, SCF

[Steve99]

Wow, you paint a great picture with words. I can fully understand where you are and how you need to go home. Anyway, I wish you all the very best in taking this huge step. You will notice many changes in Australia as you may well know. The particular area I grew up in in suburban Sydney is changed beyond recognition and is entirely occupied by immigrants now with their own community, shops, language, religion and mode of dress. It feels very strange to visit those places and remember how they were when I was a kid. Some things never change however and the beaches and the wildlife are among those. Still wonderful! I can appreciate that no matter what, you want to go home. I share that sentiment in reverse. One day I hope to go back to England - perhaps for a holiday at least. All the very best to you. Let us know how it all pans out. Cheers, SCF

 

I agree with your views re massive changes. Remember also these incoming 'communities' are 'tribes' and an Aussie or Pom is a stand alone item, something to be wary of.

As for endless blue skys, we had 2 weeks solid of pure blue sky and sea..... in Greece, not Melbourne where we are now (temporarily) living. Cant say as we have had 2 days in a row of blue sky in the last 3 years and most certainly not in summer (bring back the drought I say). And a few years ago we spent 2 years in QLD where it rained endlessly, even the dry season wasnt dry.