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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:
Original poster
HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 08:48

littlekitty my mind is made up that i really want to do it! whether i can/will is less certain!!!

OP posts:
Sidge · 07/07/2019 08:49

I would do it. Life is short and great experiences are what makes it memorable.

I did it for a week when my dad was ill, yes I was a bit jet lagged and was straight back into work when I got back but it was manageable.

Tiredness is temporary, the memories of sharing a special day with someone you love is forever.

SD1978 · 07/07/2019 08:50

I've done it the other way- Aus to England for the same time. Would happily do it again for the right event. Go and enjoy if you can afford it!!!

BIWI · 07/07/2019 08:50

The other thing is - even if you do have jet lag - so what? It's not like you have to go to work!

Singapore Airlines are great to fly with as well.

cheesewitheverything · 07/07/2019 08:50

Oh just do it, OP! You know you want to and you've got it all sorted. Don't worry about the jet lag because you will be there for so short a time it will just be like an all night party where you have just stayed up far too long, then you're back in the plane. My main advice would be to not drink anything but water. You'll remember it for the rest of your life and so will your friend.

northerngirl2012 · 07/07/2019 08:52

Yes do it, it’ll be amazing!!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 07/07/2019 08:54

For God's sake.... Just do it!

You'll have a fab time... You'll be able to look back on all the wedding stories and your mad 'weekend trip to Oz for a wedding'....if your kids are thr right age... It's quite exciting tracking 'where mummy is and whether it's night or day'

You know how well or not your body copes with different time zones...

NewPapaGuinea · 07/07/2019 08:56

Do it!! Life is for adventures. I’d probably try and tack an extra day or 2 on though.

MarshaBradyo · 07/07/2019 08:57

I wouldn’t but I’ve done that trip so many times my motivation is declining

Original poster
HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 08:57

cheese yes all sorted apart from asking DH or my parents!! Grin

i wouldn't do it for anyone else!

OP posts:
bluetongue · 07/07/2019 08:57

I wouldn’t do it but I can’t sleep at planes at all and end up shattered for about a week after. Others would be fine.

If you think you can make it work go for it.

Blobby10 · 07/07/2019 08:57

Go for it!! Not quite the same but I went to Canada for a close friends wedding -left UK early Friday morning, landed in UK early Monday. Didn't change my watch and kept my brain firmly in UK time so jet lag wasn't an issue. I managed to sleep on the flight home.

Orchidflower1 · 07/07/2019 09:00

I’d do it but you really need an extra day before the wedding to get sorted.

greathat · 07/07/2019 09:00

No sounds like you can't really afford it, what if the boiler or washing machine breaks down. Plus you'll be too jet lagged to enjoy it. Spend the money on a family holiday somewhere closer instead

HellYeah90s · 07/07/2019 09:00

I would at least add another day, I assume you would fly into Brisbane? Brisbane is an awesome city to have a look around (I was there in Feb), if you stay in the CBD its easy to get around - they even have free boat rides to the other side of the river.

MsTSwift · 07/07/2019 09:01

No wonder the planet is truly screwed

elvislives2012 · 07/07/2019 09:02

I'd do it. We went to a wedding in Oz but stayed there longer. One of the guests came for the weekend though and it was fine. Think he ended up being awake for it all! I'd factor in delays though as his flight was delayed and he didn't arrive until the wedding evening

Lindtnotlint · 07/07/2019 09:02

Do it! (Have done similar). But stretch it for 1-2 more days. The home front will be absolutely fine -it’s a total one off - and getting to spend one more day in Oz is totally totally worth it. I know you say you aren’t being a martyr but honestly honestly you are. It is absolutely insane not to take an extra day (or two) after taking all the flight time!

presumedinnocence · 07/07/2019 09:03

I've done this several times on business. The jetlag is worse on the way out than coming back.

If you don't mind flying (I don't), you'll be fine

Ragwort · 07/07/2019 09:04

Personally I wouldn’t, I flew to Australia 40 years ago and the thought of the flights still fills me with absolute dread. Also how much time will you realistically spend with your friend on his wedding day ?

And I don’t think I could justify spending so much money on such a short trip, particularly if you say you don’t actually have that amount of ‘spare’ money. But I am very dull and cautious so ignore my opinion Grin.

MarthasGinYard · 07/07/2019 09:04

I couldn't ask parents to take all dc at once. Massive ask.

Also I wouldn't do that trip as the haul back would wipe me out for days.

BIWI · 07/07/2019 09:06

Two parents, plus DH, with 4 children. Compared with the OP who looks after all 4 on her own every day?! How is that a massive ask?!

soulrider · 07/07/2019 09:06

I wouldn't do it, especially considering it would be at least 3 legs. I've flown to Australia a few times and the first day for me is just an endurance exercise to get through.

Flight times make a big difference though. We now get flights that land in the evening, straight to bed and manage to sleep until 5am ish puts us almost on the right time.

bbcessex · 07/07/2019 09:08

Do it!

I did Sydney for 3 days for work a few years ago - went business class though so flight was more comfortable. Was tiring and I didn't have 4 DC but was fine.

If you do go, book in an extra day for a boat ride, tour of something so you make the most of it.

If you worked your DH would have to juggle childcare - it's a one off adventure. Do it!

MarthasGinYard · 07/07/2019 09:09

If my dc chose to have 4 dc close together I wouldn't be looking after them all together for a few days. No chance.

Huge ask