End of the Australian Adventure

This post was also written in July 2015: - 

As we approach the end of our adventure we have become increasingly reflective and nostalgic. We have loved our time here, however we are also ready to come home. Some aspects of Australia are brilliant, but it does have its problems. Aussie’s seem to think it’s perfect and if you don’t agree you are told in no uncertain terms to leave. Disgruntled NHS doctors might view Australia as an escape to better working conditions and work-life balance. Obviously, it is not that simple. This post is a list of the little things we will miss and the things we are glad to leave.

Brilliant bits	Not so brilliant
Brisbane (generally)	Gympie, Logan and other non-descript, yet slightly threatening towns.
Incredible city views, particularly Kingsford Smith Drive, Kangaroo Point and Riverside	Ugly A roads into cities and towns that look exactly the same irrespective of where you are
Wombats
The Story Bridge – it changes colour on most nights. Alex has loved predicting its colour just before it comes into view.
The City Cat ferry system – slow and expensive but very beautiful
The boardwalk – probably Irmeet’s favourite thing. We have loved walking up and down the river boardwalk. Incredible views of the amazing river and beautiful houses. It is always full of people exercising and illustrates the idyllic, healthy, outdoor Australian lifestyle. Alex has loved running on it (trying to overtake other runners) despite repeatedly falling over when his shoes get stuck between the wooden boards.
The Southbank - Unfortunately we have not used the pool at Streets Beach as much as I would have liked. However, it is a lovely place to have a wander.
Farmer’s market at the Powerhouse (and the Powerhouse)	Overpriced vegetables that I feel compelled to buy
Great children’s playgrounds	Alex trying to make friends in parks but struggling
Availability of communal BBQ’s – just rock up with your meat and utensils and turn it on.
Wombats – exceptionally cute
Campos coffee - amazing	Milk calories from far to many flat whites
Superior coffee generally – chain coffee shops are in the minority, instead independent shops use coffee from local roasters (Fonzie Abbott, Merlo)
Availability of great cheap lunch food (sushi, Vietnamese street food, Gyoza)	Calories from all the yummy food
Standard Market Company – Like M&S/Waitrose crossed with a posh deli but better.	Expensive posh deli food
The Gasworks – Our local shopping centre, made spectacular by turning the old gas ring into an area for children to run around in.
Cute Australian Animals, Koala’s (exceptionally cute even if they are not bears). Kangaroo’s (but you wouldn’t mess with them) and Wombats (obviously).	Scary Australian Animals – crocodiles, spiders and cockroaches that fly.
The noise from birds at sunset. It sounds like 100’s of birds in the same tree.	Fear of getting pooped on whilst walking under the tree
Random animals near our apartment – the bush turkey that walks along the fence and balcony, lizards and butterflies in warmer weather.	The bush turkey defecating on our balcony.
Weather (Spring – Winter). It is cold at night in Winter but still lovely in the day. It is also amusing to see Australians wrapped up in winter coats, scarves and gloves in what would be a lovely English spring day	Weather (in Summer). It is very strange that summer is the worst season, too hot, too sticky and too rainy.
Simple driving and minimal traffic	Undertaking on motorways
Mooloolaba (Kate’s favourite beach) and Peregian Beach (Irmeet’s favourite). I have really enjoyed being able to get to a beach within 30 mins.	Not being able to go on beaches when Irmeet is at work.
Ridiculous number of chocolate cafes (Max Brenner and San Churro).	Calories, again
Wombats
James Squire beer and the Newstead brewing company
Parent Rooms – there seems to be far more well equipped Parent rooms here	Dragging Alex away from the television in Parent Rooms
Campos breakfast burgers – going out for breakfast is a big thing and not just at weekends.
	Applying sun cream and fearing skin cancer and sun burn
Plastic money
Wombats
	Our apartment – we cannot wait to return to our sofa and beds!
	Australian television
	Australian politics
	The need to give Australian sporting teams a funny nickname (Matilda’s, Socceroo’s, Wallabies etc).
	Biased sport coverage
	Making fun of the recent British heatwave but making a massive deal out of the winter weather (snow that really just looked like a hard frost).

Music of Australia

- Ben Howard: I forget where we were (our ultimate Australia song)

- Taylor Swift: Style and Blank Space (particularly Alex's singing of Style)

- Hozier: Take me to church (all over the radio)

- James Bay: Hold back the river (also all over the radio)

- Florence and the Machine: How big, how blue, how beautiful album

- Brandon Flowers: The desired effect album

- Rascal Flatts: Life is a Highway (Let's bust this joint, kerchow)

- Men at Work: Down Under (they actually play this on the radio, a lot!)