Quoll Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Don't worry about Canberra's climate, too much ;-) The average max in Canberra is below 25 degrees for 9 months of the year. Most people manage to walk and keep fit quite well in those temperatures. They certainly don't need to stay indoors all year to avoid the heat. :rolleyes: that is, indeed true! In the winter you stay in against the cold and in the spring it's the flies and magpies and in the autumn it's apathy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 that is, indeed true! In the winter you stay in against the cold and in the spring it's the flies and magpies and in the autumn it's apathy! It's funny, you never used to come across so bitterly until after you escaped.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie2012 Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 Huh? I lived there for 32 years!!!!!! The climate got worse for me the older I got! I had "friends" - lots of acquaintances, rather, and very few stood the test of time beyond the situation that spawned them. I'm a reasonably friendly person and in a people industry but true friends just never happened. My "best" relationships were mainly with people who happened to be in the same situation as myself - long (even longer than me) term expats, all bar one of whom would dearly have loved to do what I am now doing and living back in UK - they're all past the point of no return like I thought I once was. I'm actually one of the longer term Canberra residents LOL - it's a very itinerant place! One of my sons has moved to UK and has no intention of returning. The other is partnered with a girl whose mum lives in ACT but they live in Vic at the moment. I think he'd happily not live in ACT again and doesn't have any long term friendships either. He's a bit like me with respect to the climate and my daughter in law is paranoid about letting the grand kids out in the summer sun! Paradise it ain't! But even so, I know I will have to live in Aus again and I'd choose Canberra ahead of anywhere else. I hope I can work out ways that I don't go back to the same old me! Oh that is okay than. I for a moment I thought it was a brief affair with Canberra. But that is a bit bugging that none of your sons would want to live in ACT. But why? You'd think with years it would get better like an old wine.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie2012 Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 It's funny, you never used to come across so bitterly until after you escaped.... oh, the British weather has wonderful effects you know :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 It's funny, you never used to come across so bitterly until after you escaped.... I was surviving!!! (And my tongue was a little in cheek!) I didn't realise how bad it had been though until I didn't feel bad any more! I'd still move back to Canberra ahead of anywhere else in Aus. But, really, I didn't fully realise how impoverished my life had become across a whole spectrum of things - not just health and fitness- and now I am back on track I'm going to have to make significant changes one way or another to be sure I don't edge into that pit again! God knows how, but we will work on it! It will be an expensive process I suspect! My husband doesn't mind the heat at all so of course not everyone is the same and he's been a lifelong gym junkie so of course it is possible to be fit but (and this is only my impression of course) I see much more "spontaneous/functional" activity here than I did in Canberra. More people walking - to the shops, taking dogs for walks, etc, more riding their bikes to the shops, to work and generally or transport. In Canberra people ran around the lake in their lunchtimes or put on their Lycra for a bike ride but it seemed more like they were planning their fitness activities rather than using their legs or their bikes as functional transport. I met an old lady in the GP surgery a few months ago and she was bemoaning the fact that she was having to catch the bus to the surgery because they'd told her she couldn't ride her bike any more and she'd just got rid of it - I think she said she was 84! I see a lot of people well older than me riding their bikes to get their shopping or just to get from A to B. I walk to town now almost every time I need to go to town and on the 3 miles to the outskirts at the beginning of the day I've counted that I am regularly passed in one direction or the other by close to 300 cyclists of all ages/gender/ethnicity. In Canberra, car is king even down to the shops less than a mile away. I also regularly see more kids playing outside here - kids playgrounds here always have kids playing on them - in Canberra, much less often. Very rarely saw kids walking to school in Aus (the "Walking school bus" was a big thing when it was introduced!) but here there is a constant stream of kids on bikes or on foot pottering along the pavements in the morning and afternoon. I guess it must be hard for someone to understand why constant sunshine (like back in the drought) can be just as much of a depressant as the perceived (but usually not fact) dreary grey months of a UK winter. I used to wake up to a bright blue morning every day and think OMG I am still bloody here! Harsh and relentless! I know it's been more varied since I left thank goodness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 (edited) Oh that is okay than. I for a moment I thought it was a brief affair with Canberra. But that is a bit bugging that none of your sons would want to live in ACT. But why? You'd think with years it would get better like an old wine.... An old wine eventually turns to vinegar I suppose! Many youngsters having grown up in Canberra can't wait to leave it!!! Doesn't bug me in the least that they don't want to live there - why should they? The world is a big place and I don't expect to have them tied to my apron strings forever! Edited August 25, 2013 by Quoll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurls Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 It occurs to me that those of us who arrived post 2010 haven't experienced Canberra through 10 years of drought....which Quoll will have done..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 It occurs to me that those of us who arrived post 2010 haven't experienced Canberra through 10 years of drought....which Quoll will have done..... Yeah, you guys have been complaining about the rain LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ptp113 Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 why would one wear a mask in Canberra?? :-) Ask the 'masked one', she knows better than I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunniecat Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 ikea is apparently coming, to the Majura shops. I don't miss pubs specifically, not as much as I miss having 6 to choose from within a 5 minute stroll of our house! People ask what I want when they're coming over from England: jelly tots, candy sticks and chocolate. always. I'd like to pop back to England to do some shopping too, but that's cos I'm a cheapskate and even Target prices can be a bit much for me sometimes. That said, I wouldn't move back for the world. We've found a home here, and we intend to stay for a very long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ptp113 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 ikea is apparently coming, to the Majura shops. I don't miss pubs specifically, not as much as I miss having 6 to choose from within a 5 minute stroll of our house! People ask what I want when they're coming over from England: jelly tots, candy sticks and chocolate. always. I'd like to pop back to England to do some shopping too, but that's cos I'm a cheapskate and even Target prices can be a bit much for me sometimes. That said, I wouldn't move back for the world. We've found a home here, and we intend to stay for a very long time Check out the sweets shop out at Federation Square, they have every pommy lolly you can think of and some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 ikea is apparently coming, to the Majura shops. Oh! Whereabouts? Out on the highway near the old Canberry Fair? I wonder how that will go! Is it just in the aspirational stage or are there real plans on the ground? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Oh! Whereabouts? Out on the highway near the old Canberry Fair? I wonder how that will go! Is it just in the aspirational stage or are there real plans on the ground? Still a rumour: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/ikea-believed-to-be-assembling-package-for-majura-parkway-20130807-2rh5t.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bazinga Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I really like Canberra. I would like better chocolate but I can manage without it! The Cadburys 'cooking' chocolate actually tastes like proper chocolate because it has more cocoa content. I don't mind the weather, I even coped with the heat last summer! I don't know if we will stay in Canberra long term as my husband has family up on the Central Coast that we would like to be nearer to eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie2012 Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 not too keen on Ikea. if you like their style and pressure cooked paper furniture which is not even cheap good for you. I think they would go well with a lego store next by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bazinga Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 We would LOVE a Lego Store! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ptp113 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I really like Canberra. I would like better chocolate but I can manage without it! The Cadburys 'cooking' chocolate actually tastes like proper chocolate because it has more cocoa content. I don't mind the weather, I even coped with the heat last summer! I don't know if we will stay in Canberra long term as my husband has family up on the Central Coast that we would like to be nearer to eventually Aussie chocolate has far more cocoa solids than Pommy vegolate. And there are at least three local (ACT) chocolatiers that make world class stuff, one is organic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nealmason1986 Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I miss traffic lights that change regularly. I have only been driving a few weeks and i am constantly frustrated by the lack of traffic flow. One red light changes and you drive 10 meters and hit another red lights. Wait 4 minutes and hit another red light. It took me about 15 minutes to get around 2 corners yesterday. But thats my only complaint about canberra in the 6 weeks i have been here. Actually i lie. Aussies make shite scones as well! Other then that i love it here lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunniecat Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 We would LOVE a Lego Store! I believe there's one in the Canberra Centre... it may not be lego brand but it sure sells plenty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skellysgirl Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 I miss traffic lights that change regularly. I have only been driving a few weeks and i am constantly frustrated by the lack of traffic flow. One red light changes and you drive 10 meters and hit another red lights. Wait 4 minutes and hit another red light. It took me about 15 minutes to get around 2 corners yesterday. But thats my only complaint about canberra in the 6 weeks i have been here. Actually i lie. Aussies make shite scones as well! Other then that i love it here lol. Can you not make some of your own scones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie2012 Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 Aussie chocolate has far more cocoa solids than Pommy vegolate. And there are at least three local (ACT) chocolatiers that make world class stuff, one is organic. there are the Ashes now WonakWars? ayh lol..btw..isn't Belgian chocolate the one that is supposedly the best in the world anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Les Patterson Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Actually i lie. Aussies make shite scones as well! So.......you've tried scones from every bakery in Australia.........and all in 6 weeks..........I'm mightily impressed :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Les Patterson Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 there are the Ashes now WonakWars? ayh lol..btw..isn't Belgian chocolate the one that is supposedly the best in the world anyway? he said that the ACT chocolate makers were "world class".......nowhere did he state they were the best in the world.......bit of a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie2012 Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 he said that the ACT chocolate makers were "world class".......nowhere did he state they were the best in the world.......bit of a difference. saying world class just about means fighting for the title don't you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Les Patterson Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) saying world class just about means fighting for the title don't you think? not really...top 10 would be world class.....just semantics I bought some Canberra chocolates online on sprintman's recommendation....and both my GF and I both agreed......world class Edited September 2, 2013 by Sir Les Patterson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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