having a wobble about Australia.

[mogwai]

have visions of being really lonely with 18 month old child all day while dh is at work

How easy is it to hook up with other mums, in Sydney for example??

Hi Mogwai,

I flew out to Oz on my own with my 2.5 year old DD. I found the mums here really friendly and there are loads of things to do around Sydney.

You'll have so much fun here, it's a beautiful place.

Don't wobble - if you don't try it you'll never know. I'm so happy here, my daughter loves it - just little things like seeing the beautiful birds and flowers, the sparkling water and watching the whales in the sea. I've got a bird of paradise plant that has just flowered in my garden and I'm awestruck. It's beautiful and in my garden!! I watch the rainbow lorikeets in the garden and amd just in heaven. I didn't give a stuff about nature, at home (ok, I liked the baby deer in Richmond park).

We go down to the beach all the time, sit outside and drink freshly pressed smoothies, I have to wear my sunglasses in winter and DD won't be growing up in the smog of London.

We are so happy here, really.

Come and try it

mmm that last post.....

we're definitely coming, I just get the wobbles about it.

Could sit in the botanical gardens all day but perhaps not everyday.....need to drink smoothies and chat to other people!

Wow. A bird of paradise plant in your garden. One of the main reasons I love Aus is the variety of natural wonders!!

Oh I'm so pleased you're still coming . I promise you'll enjoy it so much here. I had no idea about plants and wildlife before I came and was a neanderthal about the whole thing. I love spending time in our garden and looking after the beautiful plants (my friends at home can't believe it - in the UK I have a reputation as a bit of a fingers of death for plants).

I'm particularly happy that you're coming to Sydney - I'm the only regular poster. The rest are in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane.

I work F/T but do BBQ's at weekends and also have a friend with an 18 month old (who doesn't work). You won't be alone .

Oh & DP flew out to join us - he was only supposed to be here for a few weeks at the time but loved it so much that he found a job and didn't go back.

Tonight he's been polishing his barbeque. Honest. He loves it here and refuses to return to the UK.

Oh don't wobble Mogwai-it will be fantastic!

Of course there will be wobbly times-especially when you are there but what a fantastic opportunity-I am SO jealous.

Thank God for kids,it has to be the easiest way to meet people and as long as you don't behave like a "stuck up Pom" all the Ozzies will be fab.

thanks for more positive replies. DH just about to apply for jobs and we are looking at rental property on domain.com.au

it's a fantastic opportunity, we're so lucky. would be fab to get together with people in Sydney. Just knowing I could meet for a chat with someone would make me far less wobbly (I'm a real people person, get lonely easily) and dd will be 18 months so needs to play with other kids.

Sydney is the only place I've actually cried as the plane took off (lip trembled as we left Cairns 10 years ago, but not sure that counts!). Spent the evening of my 30th birthday lying on the concrete benches outside the opera house in the december heat, bottle of champagne, just knowing I had to come back for a longer period. I find Australia such an optimistic, sunny place.

Oh bugger, what if I never want to go home??