We returned from NZ almost 2 years ago having spent almost a year there. However no matter how hard we try we can not get NZ out of our system. Our main reasons for returning were family and 'englishness'. The material things we missed about UK we now have but find we miss some of the things from NZ. As for family - it is not what we thought or wanted it to be. Our ageing parents are ok and would have been ok without us. Our siblings have never been close and nothing has changed. Our older son is now more settled and would be able to take our move back much better now.
We have spent a lot of time talking about NZ and what we miss and wish we had done and we have come to the conclusion that nothing is for ever and that we are more than likely to join that growing club of ping pong poms sometime in the next 10 years (that is how long we have left before we are too old). Although things do change and if we get really settled, become grandparents etc... in that time then we will have to re think our plans. We also have to consider the financial implications - emmigrating is not cheap and we want to be on a better financial footing than we are at present before we make the final decision - although if we win the lottery tomorrow it wil be 1st class seats out ASAP
What we do know is that if we do return we have more knowledge about what to do, where to get help and will not make any of the mistakes we made when we first came over. We will also know what to expect and will be willing to make compromises which we did not do last time.
So to the future and maybe see you all in the next few years