News from OZ, missing regular poster.

BlueBelle 6th August I think.

Blue Sky, my son and his family live in Oz, how I miss him and its so hard isnt it? I do Skype every couple of months, but its very hard isnt it? How do you cope? Would love to hear your perspective on it, cos its on my mind all the time, even though i have a beloved son and daughter that live nearby.

Which part of Australia Bridget ? It is b.miserable here just now. Everyone is in hard lockdown a d no signs of improvement yet. When you go to the supermarket everyone looks stressed and masked up and that is the only place you are allowed to go except for walks with one other. Not allowed out at night and they have helicopters overhead making sure you are not breaking the rules. This is not ‘my’ Australia, it is vile.

Bridget after the initial shock of my sons moving Down Under, I eventually had to accept the fact, but I knew I could visit pretty regularly and I was always planning the next trip. Then this happened which was totally unbelievable and unexpected. Like you we can skype but obviously it’s not the same. I’ve been quite depressed over this, I’m trying to be optimistic but I’m also getting too old for such a long distance trip. I know they could come over instead but I feel sad when I think that perhaps I won’t make that long but wonderful trip again. So many of us on here with long distance families x

My DS, partner & child intend to move to Australia when DGD finishes primary school.
She's just started P4 at the moment.
I haven't seen them since Feb 2020 because of distance.

BlueBelle

Do they cut the Internet off when you go into lockdown nana8 he never seems to have had any trouble with his internet connection before so doubt he’s in a remote area

He is not in a remote area. He did tell me sometime ago that he lives in a South East suburb, actually only a short distance from me. However, I have no way of contacting him and no idea about his current situation unfortunately. Hope he is OK though.

Just thinking BlueBelle- don't give them ideas! I am sure they would love to cut off the internet. It feels a bit like The Handmaid's tale round here just now.

Rufus2's family do know about his contributing to GN. He told me that they thought it was very funny when he kept being banned/suspended and that he had a following of ladies on here. I do wish either the man himself or his family would let us know what's happening.

Hi blue sky and nanna, thanks so much for your interest. My son lives near Toowoomba, near brisbane. He and his wife are real grafters, and had a house built near Withcott. They have 3 beautiful children. We went over , that's DH, DD and myself, when they had first baby. They got married whilst we were there, it was magical. But it leaves a hole that is never filled, doesn't it? My dilemma now is DH will not go with me to see them. I am 66, so it's daunting to go alone, but I feel I have to see them all, I will be too old very soon to face the ardous journey alone. But I don't know if I can do it. I will retire next July when I am 67, so would go late December 2022. DH cannot go because he cannot take the emotional upset of saying goodbye all over again. Any thoughts, anyone?

DH cannot go because he cannot take the emotional upset of saying goodbye all over again. Any thoughts, anyone?

It is very hard saying au revoir but not seeing any of them during Covid has been far worse BridgetPark.
I fear we will not be able to make the journey again by the time restrictions are lifted but we are older than you.
Try to persuade him

Rufus2 where are you ?
I do hope we get to know soon if the old fella is alright

Got my hopes up then seeing the post active, I miss him.

I’m 68 and looking forward to flying out to Sydney when it’s possible. I will probably go alone as OH has pretty well given up long haul flying. Our last trip, which was for our niece’s wedding, was in December 2019. I’ve flown out there on my own several times anyway. It is my brother and sister and their families who live out there.

Oh Bridget Same here! I’ve only gone once with DH but after that on my own every time. He has problems with his back which means the journey is too long and painful. I’m older than you now so don’t know whether I’ll be fit enough. Yes the goodbyes kill every time, but you are right it is easier if you travel with your partner or at least somebody else in the family.
Still hoping to have news of Rufus.

Jaxjacky

Got my hopes up then seeing the post active, I miss him.

It may not be relevant but it's bumping the thread and keeping it active, anyway.

If he's in hospital or just unwell for any reason, it is a long spell away from GN.

It is Callistemon thank you, appreciated.

I just bumped it jaxjacky otherwise it disappears

Blue sky, how do you cope with the travel? I will be so anxious about connecting flights etc. Do you find it straightforward? Do you stop off in Dubai? Thanks for your info, it's nice to hear from someone who has done this before.

This month’s copy of The Oldie arrived yesterday.
I thought fond thoughts of Rufus, as it was down to him that I started a subscription.
He’d always repeat some of Barry Cryer’s jokes here.
He’d be so touched at how we miss him, wouldn’t he?

Oh I was hopeful too.

Bridget I’ve now done it so many times that it’s easy. I usually go via Singapore where we we stop off, have about 2 hours at the airport, then reconnect with the appropriate flight. I want to get there quickly and I wouldn’t want to stop anywhere on my own. Once I even travelled back while unwell with an awful cough (pre Covid). If you feel too nervous on your own you could ask for assistance, you are looked after from the UK right though to Australia, so don’t have to worry about looking for the right connection, right lounge etc. Let’s hope to be able to do it all again soon!

Yes Singapore is a lovely safe airport and you can go in the tropical garden there and ,if it is open, the butterfly garden and also the cactus garden. So clean, too. Underneath there is a big shopping centre which we only found when we stayed in the hotel there once. I’d love to go back there one day.

Just bumping the thread so we keep Rufus in our thoughts and in our group.

nanna8

Yes Singapore is a lovely safe airport and you can go in the tropical garden there and ,if it is open, the butterfly garden and also the cactus garden. So clean, too. Underneath there is a big shopping centre which we only found when we stayed in the hotel there once. I’d love to go back there one day.

It is a lovely airport and, if you have a long wait between flights, you can book a lounge.
However, two or three hours should be plenty and there is quite a lot to see, including a sunflower garden on the roof.

There used to be entertainment in one of the eating areas too, an older couple, he played the piano and she sang but they weren't there last time. We missed them.

The tea was terrible btw!

Sorry, that was to BridgetPark but adding to nanna8's post.