wattsy1982 Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Hi, We've been here (Gold Coast) 3 years next month and on the 23rd of June we are going back to the UK on holiday for the first time. Im not settled here at all, my wife more so and our 2 young boys dont really know any different (3 and 1 when we moved) We are all very excited about the holiday and we are having a holiday to france within our holiday to visit the in-laws. How Did you feel on your first time back, did it make it hard to come back to Aus, or did it make you look at Aus differently/better? I just know im going to find it so hard to get on the plane at heathrow to come back here and my wife has expressed her concerns about me too! We have a good life here but its just not clicking for me. Anyone felt the same then made a U-turn after going back on holiday? I do think I will see the UK as bit dated and cramped and what used to impress me Im not sure it will anymore. Have I changed as a person without knowing and being back home wont feel the same now? I look forward to your thoughts and experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzukiscottie Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 I guess it depends on so many factors for the individuals concerned. But on our first trip back after being in Aus for 18months or so, in the midst of a freezing Scottish Winter, it actually made it feel like we were going "home" to Australia in the return journey. No doubt lots of factors at play; weather, same old faces doing the same old stuff, actually being in our old "home" and not on "holiday", being rushed off our feet seeing all our old friends; that sort of stuff. So it's a very individual thing. Not everyone's circumstances will be similar. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Hi, We've been here (Gold Coast) 3 years next month and on the 23rd of June we are going back to the UK on holiday for the first time. Im not settled here at all, my wife more so and our 2 young boys dont really know any different (3 and 1 when we moved) We are all very excited about the holiday and we are having a holiday to france within our holiday to visit the in-laws. How Did you feel on your first time back, did it make it hard to come back to Aus, or did it make you look at Aus differently/better? I just know im going to find it so hard to get on the plane at heathrow to come back here and my wife has expressed her concerns about me too! We have a good life here but its just not clicking for me. Anyone felt the same then made a U-turn after going back on holiday? I do think I will see the UK as bit dated and cramped and what used to impress me Im not sure it will anymore. Have I changed as a person without knowing and being back home wont feel the same now? I look forward to your thoughts and experiences. I went back for the first time 5 years after migrating. Went with a toddler and had a 6 week long holiday. OH didn't go. Had a wonderful time and the worst part was saying goodbye to Mum. I didn't do much travelling around - all friends, cousins etc came to visit us at Mum's house. The weather was lovely for most of the holiday too. It didn't really unsettle me - though as I said, it was hard to say goodbye to Mum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I went back after a similar period of time mate. I was really anxious in the build-up, fearing that it would feel alien to me and that I'd then be 'lost' between a country that used to be home and one that could never be. That dissipated as soon as I got on the Heathrow Shuttle and headed into London. The weather was cold, the skies were grey and there was football on the back of the newspaper that I found on the train! - I was home. :smile: Coming back to Australia after three weeks away was tough, although tempered by how much I missed my partner and daughter. The taxi journey from Melbourne Airport to our house highlighted for me how disconnected I am from where I've lived these past five years. I was excited to see my family, but felt no sense of being home as I had in England. That trip, and a subsequent one, have only strengthened my desire to return home one day. I hope you and your family have a great time and you don't get too conflicted as to where you'd rather be. We're heading back in late July for a month and I can't bloody wait! :smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 The first time we went back was after four years here. I'd not really been homesick at all before we went, but I did worry that I'd feel homesick if we went back. It was nice being home, and I did feel quite upset to be leaving. However, once we were on our way I was happy to be coming home. That said, we are due to go back in September for a month, and despite the fact that OH and the kids are very settled in Australia, I am perhaps less settled now, and I am much more worried this time that I won't want to return to Australia or that it will really set off the homesickness for me. We arrive back in Australia on a Friday and trimester 3 at uni starts on the Monday, so I am hoping that if I can distract myself with uni work and really throw myself into that I will be okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy1982 Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 @LKC i know what you mean. We recently built a house here and that was taking my mind off home and the holiday but since we moved in at easter the holiday is all I can think of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I went back for the first time 5 years after migrating. Went with a toddler and had a 6 week long holiday. OH didn't go. Had a wonderful time and the worst part was saying goodbye to Mum. I didn't do much travelling around - all friends, cousins etc came to visit us at Mum's house. The weather was lovely for most of the holiday too. It didn't really unsettle me - though as I said, it was hard to say goodbye to Mum. I should add that I've back on numerous occasions since that first time ............... always back to my home town even after Mum died. Always look forward to moving around and visiting different places including Europe and Russia. I go back for 4 weeks in September this year and will concentrate on visiting old friends in North Yorkshire, Country Durham and the Lake District plus visits to OH's rellies in Liverpool, son in Ireland, sister in Edinburgh and SIL in Hertford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 ...........been back so many times to places I have previously called....home... ..........and realised often it's not the place.....it's my memory of it... ...........if filled with joy.......the day to day living was a happy time.... ...........this often grows to push out today's experience..... ...........if things don't quite match up to what we had wen content... .............alternatives lacking .............we then yearn for what we left.... .............our formative years.......the friends and family connections made then... .............stay with us for ever......and can grow in our memory... .............a true traveler can just collect these memories.... ..............enjoy them.......but look for the new..... ...............a migrant moving later in life has this challenge...... ................some never go back......the space they left grown over.. .................they don't fit anymore..... .................a new life fulfilling their needs and wants.... ................others slot right back in......the old slipper scenario...but.. ...............life has a way of tieing us down....commitment ................family obligations......the longer you stay in one place... ................the more they become....and stronger.... .................happy or not........they grow in number.... ...............but life's short.......as always.....find somewhere that fulfills your needs... ..............supplies many of your wants...... ...............contentment isn't about where you live......it's how you live... ...............and how the place sits with your soul....... ................set out your scales......and weigh up your life..... .................a holiday will clear your eyes ........wether to return or not... ..................to achieve a life full of living........good luck...X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxlornaxx Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I wouldn't over think it..just go with it n see what happens...when I went back I enjoyed it n saw all the beautiful things I don't have here but by end of holiday I was looking forward to going home to Aus as uk didn't feel like home to me anymore but I never really gave it that much thought as to how I would feel...I guess depends how settled and sure you are in your decision for where you want to live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Hi, We've been here (Gold Coast) 3 years next month and on the 23rd of June we are going back to the UK on holiday for the first time. Im not settled here at all, my wife more so and our 2 young boys dont really know any different (3 and 1 when we moved) We are all very excited about the holiday and we are having a holiday to france within our holiday to visit the in-laws. How Did you feel on your first time back, did it make it hard to come back to Aus, or did it make you look at Aus differently/better? I just know im going to find it so hard to get on the plane at heathrow to come back here and my wife has expressed her concerns about me too! We have a good life here but its just not clicking for me. Anyone felt the same then made a U-turn after going back on holiday? I do think I will see the UK as bit dated and cramped and what used to impress me Im not sure it will anymore. Have I changed as a person without knowing and being back home wont feel the same now? I look forward to your thoughts and experiences. Landing at Heathrow will be a MASSIVE culture shock ...i won't fly from Heathrow or Gatwick . But once you are out of that shithole and into the green ...it will all come flooding back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 (edited) How Did you feel on your first time back, did it make it hard to come back to Aus, or did it make you look at Aus differently/better? Was there in March, after 5 years. Spent half a week in Reading, and half a week in York. Couldn't stand it. Too much traffic, took ages to actually get anywhere. Too many people. Was far, far too cold. Was grey, and dark. I enjoyed doing a few toursisty things, but it was a releif to get back home. Miss my friends and family. But I couldn't do it full-time again. Glad I spent time in France/Spain/Holland in the same trip. Just visiting England would have been so depressing. It was also expensive. Having to pay for parking allthe time, trains & busses were silly prices, every attraction we went in was expensive. I was looking forward to a few cheep drinks, but they were comparable to here (Perth). Edited June 10, 2016 by Bibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I had been back twice in the 8 years we were in Oz, but both were for funerals and each trip was a daze so I cant really say I had been "back" in many respects. Arriving back though for good in march was interesting. I had forgotten how horrid Heathrow is. But, looking back, it always has been, but it does vary a bit on terminal. But, the main thing was an incredible sense of relief. It was like my every atom in my body suddenly realised this was where it was meant to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I went back in 1983, after four and a half years away, having missed the inner city riots, over three million unemployed, the worst of Thatcherism, and expected to find a near-Third World dump. Of course it wasn't like that all and I was more than naive expecting it to be so. I stayed for six months and found it hard coming back to Sydney, though I got over it, as I did every time I went, despite hating to say goodbye to my parents. Eventually, I went back for another holiday and stayed for twelve years, and could have stayed forever. I didn't, and now I've been back in Sydney and have not been back to England for eight years. There's no "home-from-home" to live in now that my parents have passed away and there's no reason to go back any more. It can be an incredible feeling going back for the first time, and you will be seeing England at its best in mid-summer. I can imagine looking out of the plane windows, if it's a daytime arrival, and seeing that patchwork of fields and hedgerows, and maybe the River Thames flowing through Central London, and it'll be light until 10pm at night. If you do start thinking about moving back, maybe take another holiday in January when it's dark at 4pm, and, possibly, cold, dank, and wet! I got used to it all in my twelve years back, but arriving at Heathrow once on a cold and wet November was a shock. And living and working there is not the same as a holiday. It's odd but I "consume" more of England now than I ever did, reading the papers on line multiple times a day, checking what is happening to Spurs even more multiple times a day, watching Sky News UK, but I'm more settled in OZ than at any time too. I hope you have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Hi, We've been here (Gold Coast) 3 years next month and on the 23rd of June we are going back to the UK on holiday for the first time. Im not settled here at all, my wife more so and our 2 young boys dont really know any different (3 and 1 when we moved) We are all very excited about the holiday and we are having a holiday to france within our holiday to visit the in-laws. How Did you feel on your first time back, did it make it hard to come back to Aus, or did it make you look at Aus differently/better? I just know im going to find it so hard to get on the plane at heathrow to come back here and my wife has expressed her concerns about me too! We have a good life here but its just not clicking for me. Anyone felt the same then made a U-turn after going back on holiday? I do think I will see the UK as bit dated and cramped and what used to impress me Im not sure it will anymore. Have I changed as a person without knowing and being back home wont feel the same now? I look forward to your thoughts and experiences. Christ you've timed it badly haven't you. The UK is particularly beautiful at the moment. I've had my mountain bike out on the south downs over the past few weeks and it simply takes my breath away. Hopefully we can magic up some rain and a brexit riot before you come so as not to over awe you. Just try and think of the cold and dark of winter as you have a lovely holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortlepuss Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I've been back four times in 10 years. This time it's for a year. The countryside in the UK is particularly fabulous at the moment, I have so missed being out in the fresh air, being able to walk for miles and views of the South Downs National park where my house is. Simple pleasures, family & friends calling to socialise, strolling to the local pub, the variety and quality of food. It's mostly belonging though - not constantly having to explain 'where you're from...' or be asked 'are you here on your holiday?' I've booked three holidays but hope to book more before we head back - so many places to see and things to do. We have moved back into our house that had been rented - as we were moving in, our lovely neighbours rushed out to give us a hug and say how happy they were to see us. It's so lovely that the neighbours here look out for each other and a real sense of community - not everywhere in the UK of course, but something I missed in Brisbane. The daylight is so long at the moment you can fit so much life in - evening walks, socialising and bike rides. The telly seems to have gone downhill but I couldn't say for sure as the box is never really on - too many great things to experience, even pottering around the garden is a delight. Downsides are that the politics here stink - and austerity is causing real damage to this great country. Noticeably worse than when I was here three years ago. I'd try to avoid the news if I were you (it's a bit full on if you're used to Aussie 'cat stuck up a tree' journalism). I hope you have a lovely trip - enjoy every minute!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I don't think there's any point in trying to predict how you'll feel. All you can do is go with the flow. You might be surprised, one way or the other. I can remember coming back to Scotland after living in Africa for three years, and it was like the scales fell from my eyes. I had been looking forward to coming home so much (Africa was a tough gig), but the reality was nothing like my rosy imaginings. Which is why we then moved to Australia! On the other hand, if you're like Endless Winter - one of those people who have a deep sense of belonging to the UK (something I have never felt and can't imagine) - then of course the trip home is going to stir all that up. If so, then maybe it's a good thing. If you've got that sense of belonging then it's never going to go away - in fact based on what I've seen on these forums, it's only going to get stronger as you get older. Don't think you'll stay in Australia for your working life then retire back to Blighty - there are big tax and pension implications which are only likely to get worse by the time you're that age, plus by then you may have children settled in Australia and even grandchildren whom you'll be reluctant to leave, so you could be stuck. If Australia is not working for you, then it's not working and maybe you should think seriously about returning where you feel you belong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wa7 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Just go back and enjoy yourself and relax, don't put any pressure/expectations on yourself to be or feel a certain way. It will feel different initially ( my first time back out of the airport onto motorway it felt really grey etc but the drivers much better ) little things that you never noticed when you lived there. But give it a few days and it will all become "normal ". Just enjoy it and hopefully in the weeks or months after you get back things will be a bit clearer for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I've been here 9 years, only returned in March this year because my dad passed away so feel that my impressions were influenced by the circumstances. It was wet and grey, streets felt narrow and I couldn't wait to get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Not read the other replies but here is my experience. We had our first holiday back after 8 months - I was happy enough in Australia, it was still an adventure and we had just bought a block of land. I found out via a friend that my OH was worried about going back because he thought he'd want to stay. At that point i think I was playing at being Australian - celebrated Australia Day, went to an AFL match, friends bought us our first BBQ, we went to the beach at the weekend etc. That first visit back actually settled me in Australia, I realised that my family and friends were still their getting on with their lives and I was still British (I know it sounds a bit odd but I think in those early days I was trying too hard to integrate and fit in), for me getting back on the plane was 'going home' - after that journey I was glad to be home, we got our PR shortly afterwards and got on with building our house. For my other half though it was different, I had to order him back on the plane at Glasgow airport & basically tell him that of course he'd had a great time it was a holiday and like any holiday you'e sad when it's over and you have to go back to real life! Fast forward 3 years (& two other visits since) and we were visiting the UK again, on the evening before we were due to go back our son was sobbing saying he didn't want to go back to Australia, he was inconsolable - I have never seen him like that before or since. On the morning we left I was saying goodbye to my parents and there was always the thought t could be the last time so there were a few tears and it hot me like a bolt out of the blue 'why are we putting ourselves through this' - I had no good answer! A year later we moved back I guess a visit can go either way depending on which place really is the best for your soul - don't forget though when you move back to the UK you do have to get a job, the novelty wears off with your family and friends and life is much more 'normal' than a holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marybeth52 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I went back to the UK in April for 2 weeks after 5 years in Adelaide- I had not even left Adelaide before that. The UK was beautiful and green and there was none of the dirty, overcrowded atmosphere so well documented in the national newspapers. Heathrow airport as usual is a blot on the landscape. I said to my family "I no longer feel like a stranger in a strange land". People talked to you everywhere- not like here. UK Family were wonderful and we went around some of our old haunts and met up with friends. I even walked along a beach in South Shields -cold and blustery it was but well worth it. I came back to Adelaide and it is only my husband and son who are here that drew me back. Work colleagues are OK - but not interested in mixing after work- when I first arrived I asked them round for a buffet at Xmas but no-one turned up and no apologies either. The neighbours are not interested in socialising- I've taken around extra fruit from my garden, given Xmas cards and there was total disinterest. In fact my next door neighbours will not even answer their door and I know there is someone in because I can hear them over the fence. I have cousins and their families here but we are lucky to see them once a year. To top it all off- even though I have work- my 24 year old son has not worked since we got here. He has applied for hundreds of jobs - has 5 Cert 2 in various trade skills, paid for his own tag and test and forklift licences, full driving licences, and annual police checks but the govt employment agencies are as much use a chocolate fire guard. I've lived overseas before but I have never felt as lonely as I do here. I would return to the UK tomorrow but we now have too much money invested in our home here and not enough to go back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy79 Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 I know exactly how you feel, I haven't been home for 15 years and am going in 2 weeks.. I've been longing for it for a good 9/10 years now, but due to circumstances it hasn't been possible.. We have booked a 4 week holidays and OH knows it's be tough to get me back on the plane home... One thing that I am happy about is that OH is open for a move at the right time... by the way, it's Australia we're going for a holiday to :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 It was 10 years before we had a trip back and what struck me was how green everything was and also that things had changed a lot in that 10 years but our ideas were still as they were when we left really. I was glad to get back to Australia because after 10 years we had a good life and plenty of friends plus another couple of kids in our family who were at school here in Melbourne. We made good use of our time though and did a lot of sightseeing which we never had bothered with when we lived there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imapla Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Hi, We've been here (Gold Coast) 3 years next month and on the 23rd of June we are going back to the UK on holiday for the first time. Im not settled here at all, my wife more so and our 2 young boys dont really know any different (3 and 1 when we moved) We are all very excited about the holiday and we are having a holiday to france within our holiday to visit the in-laws. How Did you feel on your first time back, did it make it hard to come back to Aus, or did it make you look at Aus differently/better? I just know im going to find it so hard to get on the plane at heathrow to come back here and my wife has expressed her concerns about me too! We have a good life here but its just not clicking for me. Anyone felt the same then made a U-turn after going back on holiday? I do think I will see the UK as bit dated and cramped and what used to impress me Im not sure it will anymore. Have I changed as a person without knowing and being back home wont feel the same now? I look forward to your thoughts and experiences. The trouble with going back in Summer is that you will love it all as it is lovely int he summer - long light nights, beautiful countryside and France will be lovely too. You need to have a holiday in the winter because those short dark days are totally different then and that is the bit that people (well me anyway) forget ! Have a great holiday and who knows maybe it will settle things for you the opposite way - in a good way - I hope so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Just want to say have a good flight and it looks like you are in luck. Heavy rain today, but expected to be warm and dry from tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpo1971 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 You're doing the right thing going back in their summer. We went back in winter and anything more than getting out of bed was a complete chore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.