to go to Australia for the weekend?!

[HufflepuffHarpy]

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!!)

Life’s too short.... just do it!

YABVU. I lived in Australia growing up and I'm a Brit. I live back here in the UK now. The flight is very long. You can't just go for a weekend, it takes at least that long to get over the jet lag. It's at least a week experience.

To all the misery guys complaining about the environmental impact - you do realise these flights will be going ahead whether the OP stayed at home or not. If she were chartering a private jet I could understand your comments and would also agree. But FFS give your head a wobble.

First time I went to New Zealand, we met a bloke who was originally from Auckland but now lived in London and he had flown to Auckland for 4 days to be best man at his mates wedding. (He had been on our flight so landed at 5.30am local time on the Friday and was flying back to the UK on the Monday morning)

This is such a heart-warming thread - that you love your friend enough to do this for him and that your DH is cool enough to support you in your desire to go. It's hard to get away when you're a SAHM and even harder when you have four DC. I think it's lovely that your family are helping to make this happen. Yes, it will be tiring, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do such a crazy thing. Have a great time!

I'm so glad that you've booked it OP.

I went to Australia a few years ago, very short notice, to surprise my sister for her big birthday. I am SO SO pleased that I went, even though it was only for 5 days and cost a rather silly amount of ££.

She was beyond thrilled and our relationship has been strengthened.
I have no regrets at all.

Jet lag wasn't too bad as I was so busy when I arrived and then hit the ground running when I got back to UK as I was busy trying to make it up to everyone at home for buggering off and leaving them

Do it! When you do mad adventures like this you run on a different clock anyway, so tiredness will be short-lived (and forgotten).

Go, celebrate, enjoy!

everythingthelight yes we have, we grew up together, dated sort of in our teens, counselled each other through break ups, he rescued me from an abusive boyfriend, we used to travel the length of the country for weekends while we were at uni, his parents invite me to their parties too, now we are like brother and sister. when we need to talk we call each other first. after his parents i was the first person he told he was engaged, he was the first to know i was pregnant (except DH!!). geography is no barrier for us. He calls me on his way home from work to chat through his journey time - evening for him, morning cuppa after the school run for me!

zafferana i am truly very lucky, they are all wonderful.

I've done this! My best friend lived in Oz and when she had her baby, I flew out on a Friday and came back Wednesday. It's definitely doable!

I haven’t read the full thread but flying to the other side of the world, out of choice, for a weekend? It’s like climate change isn’t happening. We all need to stop making choices that only address our immediate wants and start thinking about the future we are all facing in a matter of decades. Do you know how much carbon is emitted when you do a long haul flight? I suggest you look it up and then decide whether you would be able to look your four DC in the eye in 30 years time when they ask what you did to combat climate change. This is highly frivolous travel. Long haul flying is the worst thing any individual person can do in terms of carbon emissions. But for a weekend? For leisure? It’s completely bonkers.

Not sure If it’s been said as haven’t RTFP but YABU because of the impact of the environment. We should be flying less, not travelling half way round the world for a few days. The financial cost is irrelevant, it’s the cost to the environment of the world your 4 children will inherit.

Monkey2001 I completely agree with you. I feel so much despair that people honestly don’t seem to be thinking about the climate when making these decisions. Soon we will be faced with land, food and water shortages. This “life is too short mentality” is beyond irresponsible. Think about our future, the planet, the next generation.

Couldn’t agree more Supersue. It’s beyond shocking.

Go. You only live once. If you can afford it, your parents are happy to help with children and hubby is happy to have you off. Go, jet lag doesn't last for ever... I hope you go have fun

Interesting that no-one is mentioning the environmental impact. Flying is the most damaging thing you can do environmentally. The planet is fucked anyway so why not go for it? Your kids (and mine) and our don't have much of a future because most of us don't care enough to make that happen. I know lots of deliberate non flyers (and non breeders) but I take one return flight a year.

I couldn't go so far for such a short trip for any reason but ultimately it's a personal choice. Offsetting is a nonsense on a planet that is being poisoned. Perhaps do some research on what it will add to your carbon footprint.

If you were delayed at (for example) Singapore, is it still realistic that you’d make it? It’s an awfully long way to go if that’s a risk.

If you can afford it, have the stamina and can cope with jet lag both journeys, then go for it!

But I think you are a bit mad honestly lol.

I think if you intend to go, you go. No need to ask the internet coven!

Yes, that's mad.

Go a few more days, flights are standard delayed now, you may miss connection, what if you only spend 2 hrs there!

Go a week.

What's wrong with a jolly? Are you not allowed one?

Environmentally, let alone logistically.

I hope this man's future wife knows how close you two are....

"It should have been me" is screaming out to me here, and I say this in jest, but still.... Sorry.

It sounds a bit obsessive to me. But what do I know.

Final page of this thread, and I'm relieved to see that at least a couple of posters (on page 20, but better late than never) has brought up the climate change aspect. Two. Out of hundreds of posters. Yes, life's too short, as people keep telling OP. With this attitude it will be very short indeed for the planet. Do you realise that most of us (without flying) have exceeded our carbon footprint for a whole year, in March already. This entitled attitude will soon come to an end, by brute force if not free choice. Happy wedding trip, OP. Maybe consider your kids future a bit more, instead of whether or not their Dad will cope with them for four days without you.

I have flown to Australia and I think it's a crazy idea. You will be really jetlagged. Even if you could go a couple of days in advance, you would have a chance to adjust and be able to hold a conversation. X

Do it!

outsomnia i have been very happily married for 10 years thanks. If my friend was gay or female i bet it wouldn't be a problem. She's met me a few times on their last visit, she's often in the background and chips in to the conversation when the call is when he's home. it is a genuine platonic friendship.