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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go to Australia for the weekend?!

920 replies

HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 07:16

My best friend (male if relevant) is getting married in the autumn. I'm in the UK (where we both grew up) he now lives in Australia.

I desperately want to go to the wedding.

It will cost £1000 for the flight plus accomodation etc over there which is in no way small money.

I have 4DC so would be asking my parents (very hands on babysitters, have had them for me and DH to go on holiday etc) to have the DC (all under 10) while DH is at work.

I would leave on a thursday AM flight and get back tuesday pm. SO literally fly in for the wedding, the day after and then back home.

Am I being totally crazy to consider this?! (Haven't actually asked DH yet!!)

OP posts:
MrsDumpty · 07/07/2019 22:05

I haven't RTFT but I flew to LA for 3 days once for something I really wanted to do. You don't feel the jet lag because you're there for such a short period but obviously you will be very tired.

Do it! Enjoy x

OrdinarySnowflake · 07/07/2019 22:18

DH has reminded me that in 2003, he flew to Australia for the Rugby World Cup final, he had an offer of a ticket for the match, so when he found out England had made the final, he flew out for 3 nights. He felt like shit for a few days afterwards, but wasn't seeing things or unable to cope.

Nanamilly · 07/07/2019 22:51

@Nanamilly that was a totally different poster though

Thank you. I thought we’d gone back to threads being regurgitated by MN

BadLad · 07/07/2019 23:07

Lol @bingbongnoise

As for the posters @cookingonwine and @BadLad saying no-one would be banging on about jetlag if it was a trip from 'Scotland to Plymouth.' I can't believe ANYONE would compare that trip to going to Australia from the UK (and back!) in one weekend - which is what the OP originally said. And you CLEARLY have no clue what jetlag is!

Well, yes. I was making the same point that the driving trip within the UK was totally irrelevant and a silly thing to bring up, because there would obviously be no jet-lag to account for. I was doing it sarcastically. And you CLEARLY have no clue what sarcasm or subtlety are, seeing as how the point went over your head like a plane on its way to Australia for the weekend.

itsbetterthanabox · 07/07/2019 23:13

Make it at least a week. Your DH could take some holiday to have the kids take them in some day trips.

Sundancer77 · 07/07/2019 23:19

Every time I’ve been to Australia, it’s been minimum 3 weeks-the flight is a killer! It’s just so far..can’t you stay at least a bit longer? I wouldn’t go for a weekend personally, but it’s your choice

Yeahnahyeah · 07/07/2019 23:31

I wouldn't. Isn't it 20 plus hours each way? Apart from jetlag, all it would take is your flight being delayed (and they often are) to ruin the short time you would have, with a busy bridegroom who will hardly be able to have heart to hearts with you.

MountainDweller · 07/07/2019 23:43

A friend did similar, she was an Australian working in the U.K. and she went back for a long weekend because she missed Australia and her friends. I thought she was crazy but she had a great time. She was in her 30s though and I'm sure that helped - I wouldn't contemplate it in my 50s! In fact we no longer contemplate less than 3 weeks and business class flights (bad backs)... takes longer to save so we go less often but BC does make it bearable.

HollaHolla · 07/07/2019 23:49

Yeah. Do it. I’ve done Sydney for 4 days for a wedding. It was manageable, as long as you just kept going! Seriously, get yourself straight into the time zone of where you’re off to, and stick to it. No afternoon naps, etc (unless you’re hallucinating or something!) and power through it. You can flake out on the flight back. Enjoy!

chopper2311 · 07/07/2019 23:51

I did it, for a mates 30th in Sydney!! Flew Thursday morning, flight home Monday night back Wednesday. No regrets!

giantnannyknickers · 07/07/2019 23:53

I flew to Australia for a week before and that was madness! Don't do it for a wknd. Honestly it's not worth the money.

Also air b&b staying with people isn't too expensive. Neither is camping etc

0DimSumMum0 · 07/07/2019 23:57

I would definitely do it! But I would go for a few days longer. Your parents and husband will he fine with the children and I think you would totally regret not staying for longer once you were there. It is a total one off so I would put yourself first for once and have a couple of extra days.

quizqueen · 08/07/2019 00:00

My daughters spend the same amount of time away but travelled to Vegas. They were shattered afterwards and said never again. I don't think flying to Australia within that time frame would be very enjoyable.

justilou1 · 08/07/2019 01:29

Compression stockings will be your friend if you want to get shoes on when you get to Brisbane!!!

Tavannach · 08/07/2019 02:07

its about considering the effect of my jolly on all other people concerned.

It's really not. You have 4 DC and you don't give a toss about the planet they'll inherit.

One return Australia flight ‘wipes out benefits from 20 years of recycling’

C0rnfl0wer · 08/07/2019 06:33

I wouldn’t. When I went to Australia we literally couldn’t power through. Fell asleep on the tram whilst sight seeing with our hosts. Literally couldn’t keep our eyes open, felt groggy for days.

C0rnfl0wer · 08/07/2019 06:34

I was young too.

DexyMidnight · 08/07/2019 06:58

Do you have children Tavvanach?

MsTSwift · 08/07/2019 07:14

I used to fly willy nilly but am now aware of the impact and have flying guilt. We are trying to plan next summer by train so reading this op makes me Hmm abit. We can’t go on like this or if we do we are utterly fucked. Or or our kids are anyway. The la la ignore it approach is way more fun of course.

MsTSwift · 08/07/2019 07:20

Also the tide is turning on this so be prepared for some stick / disapproval when you tell people

MargotsFlounceyBlouse · 08/07/2019 07:20

We flew someone over to the UK for a job interview for a very senior position and they had a similar turnaround. In retrospect be we should have just skyped them as they were a zombie with the jetlag! I think it'll be very hard work for you, Honestly, I'm just not sure you'll be really in a fit state to enjoy it.

SoyDora · 08/07/2019 07:44

quizqueen I once flew to Vegas for 48 hours. No jet lag at all as I basically didn’t go to bed for the whole trip!
Got home at 9am after dozing on the flight home and had to submit my dissertation proposal at 5pm. Went to bed as normal that night and was completely fine!

pelirocco123 · 08/07/2019 07:52

My daughter in laws uncle did this in reverse for ds and dil wedding , he flew over from Australia for just a couple of days flew back straight into work ( new job )

DexyMidnight · 08/07/2019 07:56

The OP isn't flying to Australia for frivolous reasons it's for a wedding! She's not nipping across to pick up some bits and bobs at Tesco.

Having children is terrible for the environment. Flying is terrible for the environment. We all know this.

I don't have children but I do fly. I am therefore in no position to lecture anyone about the environmental impacts of their lifestyle choices.

AverageMummy · 08/07/2019 07:57

Not relevant and unhelpful but I don’t think you can borrow money from your own savings Grin

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