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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

Ok lets widen the search **** all antipodeon mums living in the UK****

263 replies

quokka · 09/02/2007 10:57

Lets have a new thread the other was getting a bit long!

All expats are welcome, I come from Perth WA and have been here for 8 years, married a pom and live in West London with my ds1 2yrs and ds2 1yr. No plans to move back to Oz but we are thinking of moving to Singapore for a couple of years. Well the weathers got to be better than here, and it will be further away from the inlaws

OP posts:
cori · 13/02/2007 19:48

I have been here so long I think I am actually more English than Australian. I say vest instead of singlet, sweeties instead of lollies. But never say ice lolly for ice block. So is the word 'naughty' frowned upon in Australia, dont suppose the supernanny is very popular then.

Quokka, I dont think you have lost your accent. I find when I go home my accent relaxes and I sound Australian again.

Medised is actually useful for babes from 3 months, DS 2 has just had some as he had a vaccination yesterday has a temp and is generally being a grump. Poor bubs.

Paddlechick666 · 13/02/2007 20:27

quokka, you so have not lost your accent!

eidsvold · 13/02/2007 22:17

just having dh around means I often use UK terms instead of Aussie terms - eg vest, sweeties, YOGhurt not YO ghurt iyswim.

Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 08:18

lol about yogurt we have the same in this house!

My sis was saying Supernammy was really popular but everyone takes the piss because she can't say acceptable properly. I've just started using buba or bubs for baby - forgot that one for a while

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Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 08:20

thanks Pc but I do get hassled at home about my "english accent"! People seem to take it really personally if you sound different, it has been 8yrs!

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KaybeeandZak · 14/02/2007 09:40

I think you still sound aussie Quokka!
I get hassles from my kiwi friends that my accent is going too, I guess it's harder when you live with a pom as you do tend to pick it up quicker...

potoroo · 14/02/2007 10:00

Can I join too? DH and I are from Sydney, but have been living in West Berkshire for last 6 years.

One DS (nearly 2) and one little bump (only 8 weeks so early days)...

sunshinefairy · 14/02/2007 10:02

quokka me too, too english for home, but too aussie for here. But I also think it is me, not wanting to adapt and adopt and English accent as I am and still want to be Australian. I use English terms mostly now as well otherwise how do otheres understand you? Vest- yes, sweeties- yes, ice lollys - yes, YOGhurt- yes, pants-yes, buggy-yes, dinner(for lunch) - yes, trousers-yes. But after 12 years what else would you expect. Actually when I go home it takes me awhile to acclimatise to the Australian accent and TV it drives me nuts with all the adverts.
But it is still home..

Glad i'm not the only one.

sunshinefairy · 14/02/2007 10:08

Astrophe derby has a strong accent doesn't it so i guess it would be easy for your daughter to absorb that, and she is so young they are adaptable at that age.
Funny thing for me is that my son was born here lived here for 5 years and we went home for a year within 2 weeks he had lost his English accent, We have been back 2 years and I can still hear a slight twang. He doesn't sound as English anymore to me. But where we live the accent is not too strong- quite posh if you know what I mean

cinnamontam · 14/02/2007 10:41

Hey potoroo - congrats on the new bump

cori · 14/02/2007 12:14

Sunshinefairy, it is interesting that your DS lost his accent so quickly back in Australia. I had hoped that DS would keep a bit of an English accent, some Australian accents are hideous (as a some british)

Where abouts in Hertfordshire are you? I am in Harrow.

Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 12:19

I would have thought that my lo's would have a bit of an aussie accent just from listening to me. I've got an American friend who has 2 lo's and they both speak with such a strong yanky accent

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Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 12:20

Hey the bluebells and daffs should be coming out at Kew gardens soon. We should try and meetup again?

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sunshinefairy · 14/02/2007 12:49

Cori im in the county town Hertford...
opposite side of herts to you.

All my son's friends call him the aussie boy at school and he is soooo not. He was born here I remember every minute of it.... and he has an Australian teacher from dubbo, he keeps telling her he is Australian don't you know!!! I think it is so funny. It is only on the odd occassion now or when he is on the phone to family his accent changes.

Im sitting here listening to the Whitlams it reminds me of home.

Quokka it is strange about what you pick up then isn't it. I would regard both Australian and American accents as strong/broad so easier to pick up so do your children sound very English then?

cori · 14/02/2007 13:10

Hey, Does anyone know why Australia is not ranked on this UNICEF report out today. Is Australia not in the top 20 OECD countries? I have just looked at a link to Worldvision and Australia is in the top 3. mmm food for thought.

Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 13:14

sunshine my ds1 sounds very english. I LOVE the Whitlams. Sometimes I listen to Triple J over the internet, super request brings back some good memories .

Just spoke with dh and looks like the move to Singapore is going ahead. He wants to go to his parents on Sunday to discuss it with them!!!

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Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 13:14

Cori we would have been top of the list of course!!

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cinnamontam · 14/02/2007 13:21

i miss my jjj sooooo much

superloopy · 14/02/2007 14:09

A slight change of subject but you are the only people I know who will appreciate how 'stoked' I am at the moment.

For Valentines Day my DH got me a lovely card, 3 packets of Twisties, a Violet Crumble and a Cherry Ripe!! Wahey I am so happy!!

We only have a £5 limit on gifts as our wedding anniversary was only 2 weeks ago. He got a football magazine and some triple choc chip cookies!!

How did you guys do today??

Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 14:10

you can listen to Doctor Carl and other shows whenever you want, they can be downloaded. You can alos listen live but its all a bit upside down.

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Original poster
quokka · 14/02/2007 14:12

3 packets of twisties !!! Nothing from my dh, but we don't really do much for Valentines. I'm looking after my neighbours little girl this arvo so we will make some cards

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sunshinefairy · 14/02/2007 14:51

oooohhhh aaahhhh somebodys been visiting the aussie shop in convent garden. your LUCKY enjoy

cinnamontam · 14/02/2007 14:52

twisties and violent crumbles...yum

cori · 14/02/2007 14:57

our anniversary was two weeks ago too, so dont usually do valentines day. But this year I sent DH a rose at work. SO quokka , you could be moving to Singapore. How do you feel about that?

sunshinefairy · 14/02/2007 14:59

hey you guys I was just wondering if you have seen or been on www.essentialbaby.com.au (i cant do links)
an aussie website with a chat forum, I was surfing and found it, They have an outside australia bit that was an interesting read and good to pick up tips about what is going on in aust.