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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Reastie · 07/07/2019 07:42

Shorter stays not shorter flights!

jackio2205 · 07/07/2019 07:43

Tiredness is temporary, memories are forever, go to your best friends wedding and enjoy the flights, it's time by yourself, when else can you watch adult tv/films for that long uninterrupted by children, I'd be gagging to go

Firsttimemama2017 · 07/07/2019 07:44

I remember reading an article on a journalist who had done this and written about his experiences. Google weekend in Australia and it should come up!

NaturalBornWoman · 07/07/2019 07:44

I would do it and so would my NZ family members, in fact they have done. I'd expect to feel crap for at least a week when I got back though, but I always do. You may respond differently to jet lag and be fine, my niece never seems troubled by it. Obviously business class would make it slightly easier.

dottiedodah · 07/07/2019 07:45

If Im correct ,dont the families on the BBC1 Wanted Down Under show have a week to look at possible homes ,jobs and lifestyle ?.Having said that ,is it not at all possible your parents could have them for say a week /10 days?.I think you would get a lot more out of it TBH!

Original poster

HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 07:45

myfoolish no his leave is already booked and his holiday year runs until feb, we have our family summer holiday already booked and he takes time off in january too. of course people manage work and kids but its different when its not your normal way of doing things. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it if we used unknown babysitters.

I travel relatively well, bit of water retention and obviously will be glad to get of the plane but i will get some sleeping tablets to help sleep on the way i think.

dexy that is great advice, thank you.

I am yo yoing between - you only live once and its a heck load of money and stress!!

A family holiday isnt an option - it would be £7k just for flights for us all!

OP posts:

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 07/07/2019 07:45

Dh has to go to New York for a meeting on Tuesday literary flying to jfk going straight from airport to meeting after meeting back to the airport to fly home. He will be in America for less than 6 hours.. it’s totally bonkers but he has done it before it worked ok.
I think you should go for it op.

Shoxfordian · 07/07/2019 07:46

If you can manage it then ask your dh and parents to live without you for a bit longer, a week would be better.

Frizzante · 07/07/2019 07:46

I've done this! I was there and back within a week (I didn't want to leave my very young daughter for too long). If memory serves, I had three full days in Aus. I'm so glad I did it. Wedding of a very close friend - I would do this again. Jet lag passes. If this is a good friend, you'll regret it if you don't.

YoungAmerican · 07/07/2019 07:47

I would go for a week and at least get a bit of time there. Whoever has DC will be competent enough and manage them for another 2 days. You should definitely go though

SpaSushi · 07/07/2019 07:47

Ive flown out for weddings; arrived in the morning fir wedding in the afternoon. Yes tired, but adrenaline and a few drinks saw me through.

If you can afford it do it. I don't think Tiredness is the end of the world , nor a reason to miss a wedding of a dear friend. For a short trip just take hand luggage too.

BonnesVacances · 07/07/2019 07:47

It sounds like the kind of thing I'd do! It'd be a bit of an adventure and you won't be in Oz for long enough to need to adjust to the time zone. That said, it is just a wedding day and if you're going to spend £1k+ on the trip, I'd think about doing it another time when you can spend a bit longer with your BF And see a bit of the area before heading home.

HellYeah90s · 07/07/2019 07:48

You are not taking the children so that makes it a lot easier.

I am a Kiwi who lived in the UK (now in Aus) for many years and I did similar trips in my mid-late 20s when I had a few weddings to attend in either NZ or Aus. Literally in the country for three day -fly in on the day, stay for two days, then fly out first thing.

Ok not the most pleasant experience but its bearable - lot of coffee etc

IWouldLikeToKnow · 07/07/2019 07:48

I would totally do it. Yes you'll be jet lagged and exhausted but the excitement will get you through the wedding. You'll be wrecked when you get back but it's s once off. I say go for it

fraxion · 07/07/2019 07:48

I wouldn't do it purely because it's not long enough. Go as a family for a holiday to see your friend another time. We went for a month fairly recently and even that wasn't long enough for us as we loved being there so much. We didn't suffer jet lag either way.

low dose steroids at either end to get your diurnal cycle into sync faster.

Your'e kidding right?

madeyemoodysmum · 07/07/2019 07:49

Sounds awful

SoyDora · 07/07/2019 07:49

My best friend’s stepmum once flew to Australia to take my friend out for lunch, then flew home again!
I’d do it.

Original poster

HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 07:49

i guess if i do go, another day wont fundamentally make a difference to the childcare arrangements.

Will double check DH's leave too.
i would get back just before half term - so a week without school runs etc to reacclimatise!

OP posts:

dudsville · 07/07/2019 07:50

Absolutely do it! It will be amazing.

burnoutbabe · 07/07/2019 07:50

Sounds like this would also be a good break for you in a way that is justifiable. I assume the same people would not rally round to help so much if it was a week in a spa you fancied!

TweenageAngst · 07/07/2019 07:50

Those flights sound expensive for economy. I have just booked return to Sydney in Premium economy on Singapore airlines from Stockholm for 1000 pounds. Flights from london to Stockholm for 40 each way.
I am a wizz at cheap flights to Australia so PM me with dates and destinations if you want and I can find a cheaper alternative

Original poster

HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 07:51

we are 6-7 years away from a family holiday over there - the costs for a family of 6 are huge!

waiting for DH to get up so i can ask him.....

OP posts:

Ohyesiam · 07/07/2019 07:51

Last time I flew to Oz I vowed the only way I’d do that again was to stop for 5 days in Hong Kong on the way out, and 5 days in Singapore on the way back.
I found being on the plane for that long awful.

babbi · 07/07/2019 07:52

Ive done this kind of thing before !
It’s an adventure and great fun,
Do it OP you really won’t regret it ....
Your friend will love it and life is too short not to make happy memories.

Safe trip ✈️

strawberrisc · 07/07/2019 07:53

Sounds like a fabulous, crazy adventure! Yes the travel is long but that's just lots of downtime to read and relax away from 4 kids. Go for it!

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