G’day or Hiya

Welcome Platypus I have an old school friend who emigrated to Sydney many years ago. She and I keep in touch via email and FB. I think I would love your part of the world.

Welcome Platypus

It’s all new to me - thanks for the recommendation - I’ll check it out

I lived in Oz for a few years so can kinda understand where you're coming from.
It's a great shame that your parents didn't really allow you to integrate when you were younger.
I spent a large chunk of my time there being horrendously homesick for the UK. When I married an Aussie, I left behind a good job, friends (most of which I have never been able to reconnect with as they were not interested - I used to write, send birthday cards and Christmas cards but never had anything back ) as well as a large, close knit family.
When I came home after my marriage broke up, everything had changed - I had to start from the beginning by building completely new friendships, as an ex Sunday School teacher in my local church, I was treated like a leper when they found out I was going through the process of a divorce. But I got through that and made a new life for myself and son.
Things have moved on and changed fairly dramatically since you left the UK and I think that you may be living on your parents memories, as well as yours, that may well no longer exist.
Australia is an amazing country- it has its bad points as well as many good points. It is quite unique in its lifestyle now- wages are really a whole lot better than here, completely different attitude for the hours you work - want to rather than have to, as it is over here!
Seriously reckon you are better staying put and concentrating on the good things you have rather than what might have been !

Australia is an amazing country- it has its bad points as well as many good points.
jaylucy Please explain!
You say you were here for a few years; what era would that have been?
We came to OZ 50 years ago and "things" have changed here, generally for the better; "things" have probably changed over that time in the UK too, as can be gathered from reading GN posts!

Platypus Welcome and I'm sure you'll be able to say more than "Boo" to geese!
Good Health
OoRoo

How you going platypus? We are same as you Rufus, 48 years now. I can say some things are better, some worse than when we first came. Many of our suburbs have lost their innocent bush appeal and become concrete messes since we arrived. I would say the quality of some services has deteriorated. Especially the postal service and the electricity. I am just so over all the power cuts we get since it privatised and the lack of response. It is much harder to see a doctor quickly and the traffic gets worse every year. On the plus side,great restaurants, cafes and coffee to die for. Melbourne central is better than it was ( thank you Jeff Kennett) and the people are friendly, but then they always were.

On the plus side,great restaurants, cafes and coffee to die for!
nanna 8 Not sure I'd put it that way to Platypus or anybody else come to that, in the current environment!
That's why "I don't get around much any mote!" apart from the age factor!
I don't agree with much of what you say; what part of Melbourne are you in, because here in Glen Waverley we rarely get power cuts, usually because of some idiot celebrating getting his licence and crashing into a power pole.
As for doctors, I guess yours must bulk bill ( for the benefit of UK viewers, that means he doesn't charge a cent, but the downside means waiting for an appointment) Ours doesn't,
but as Basil Fawlty would say, it helps to keep out the "riff-raff"
So there you go! We all have our own likes and dislikes and who would have it otherwise!?
Please let me know who your MPs are and I'll put in a word for you; unfortunately they are all on their long Winter break when they usually visit the UK for Wimbledon, Test matches etc. Hard Luck!
OoRoo

No power cuts for me either on the South Coast. My doctor does bulk bill but I can get an appointment the next day at the least.
I don’t go out much anymore either - and it tastes better at home. I have a Nespresso Verturo machine that beats most cafes, I’m an amazing cook, if I do say so myself, so much so that my family all hate eating out and prefer my food - no ones found a restaurant better than mums house yet - I do feel honoured!
My MP - they’re probably in Cornwall checking out they’re ancestry as well

Hello, Platypus, I'm sure you'll enjoy Gransnet.

I have visited Australia twice, we have family in Perth, what a beautiful city, I believe I could live there.

My aunt, uncle and their three small children emigrated from Scotland as Ten Pound Poms in 1965. They had two more children, so we have five Australian families to visit, which is wonderful..!

I have lovely memories of my time in and around Perth, I wonder if I'll ever be able to visit Australia again.

Although I don’t really meet anyone to say it to much these days
MayBee70 G'Day As you can see there are many expatriates in OZ who would welcome a "G'Day" from anywhere in the UK!
Knowing which area you live in would help towards starting a conversation, or even which football team you support to liven things up with an argument!
Good Health

Rufus2 what team do you support?
For me -
Manchester City - Maternal side
Ipswich Town - Paternal side
England - of course
Oh and I’ll support Liverpool if they’re playing as that’s where hubby’s family is from even though they really should support Everton!

Manchester City - Maternal side
Platypus
Kindred spirits!
Mam and Dad, both Man. United
Me, Man City. just to be different and promote some friendly banter!
No.1 Son (Neil), City
No2 Son (Ian) United

City fans had some lean years before Pep came along, and whilst Sir Matt was "King", but we remained faithful and eventually were rewarded in spades!
Now trying to send my search engines out looking for a site from which to download.
Jaxjacky sent a 27min. part of the semi-final
As you know, Optus covers all the main EPL matches here ad-free, but appear not to be involved in this comp.
Mind you, if England fail to win I won't bother.

That Nespreso machine must be posh, although it does sound a bit Italian; not flavour of the month if they win!
My birthday present to myself, the only one I'll get, will be a
3L hot-water urn with constant hot water for all those cuppas I'm getting through!
Need another one right now!
OoRoo

Rufus Optus has been playing all the Euro matches - I have Optus but it’s for free on the Optus app anyway for Euro - see you at 5am!

Platypus Well I'm blowed! We joined Optus when they started up in OZ and now our land-line phone, Internet and "Fetch" channels are all Optus.
Probably going senile, but I'll have another search
Thanks for that, but sorry, I must decline your 5 am date offer.
Hope to be well wrapped up in my Doona!
OoRoo

Rufus2 - what is a Doona ? A blanket, sleeping bag ?