Back to the UK after 21 years - anything changed?

[simon43]

In the last 21 years, I have only made 2 short trips back to the UK to attend funerals.

 

Now medical circumstances mean that next week I will fly back to live in the UK.  Initially I will stay in Manchester close to The Christie hospital.  I have a reasonable online teaching income to sustain me in the UK.

 

Has anything changed in the past 21 years?  I mean that as a joke because I guess I am going to like the grizzled expat from Kenya that I saw on a YouTube video who didn't even know how to work a toaster ????

[xylophone]

All the very best of luck to you Simon........I have been following your posts and I hope all goes well for you over in Blighty.

 

Xylo

[roo860]

The Christie is a brilliant hospital!!!!

[Woof999]

Anything different?

 

Fell out with the EU.

Tony Blair got outsted.

Only Fools and Horses finished.

 

Probably some other stuff too that doesn't concern me.

[simon43]

What colour is the money now? 

 

Can I actually use cash or does everyone pay using chips embedded in their hands? 

 

Do I need to learn Albanian?

 

Is it OK to clip naughty kids around the ear?

 

Can I talk about golliwogs and Fatty Arbucle?

 

Is it compulsory to be gay?

 

This is going to be an an interesting trip...

[Crossy]

Do NOT smile at a woman, in Asia you get a smile back, in the UK you'll get a smack in the kisser!

 

Ah, and said ladies are of "slightly" larger dimensions, but still English Roses.

[youreavinalaff]

13 minutes ago, simon43 said:

What colour is the money now? 

 

Can I actually use cash or does everyone pay using chips embedded in their hands? 

 

Do I need to learn Albanian?

 

Is it OK to clip naughty kids around the ear?

 

Can I talk about golliwogs and Fatty Arbucle?

 

Is it compulsory to be gay?

 

This is going to be an an interesting trip...

I returned to UK after a 22 year sabbatical in 2019.

 

I was given the doom snd gloom out look by some.

 

To be honest, nothing much has changed at all. 

 

Sure, there are a few foreign languages being spoken on the street, there are certain groups of people that deem it necessary to demand equal rights (when mostbof the time they get them anyway) and things that we thought normal back in the day (you mentioned clipping kids around the ear) that in some eyes is deemed abuse.

 

The job market is good, prices are a bit high at the moment but manageable to those willing to get off their a$#ses and work.

 

As has always been the way, keep yourself to yourself (with family and friends of course), don't worry about what others do (unless it directly affects you), don't worry about what others can earn or buy that you can't and you'll be fine.

 

I hope you get your medical issues sorted. Sure the NHS are having a few issues right now but it's still the best healthcare you can get.

[nigelforbes]

Six years ago we tried to buy bus tickets using money and the driver looked at us as though we were mad. Others gathered round to join the sniggering and observe the strange behaviour, unbelievingly. "They must be tourists" one whispered to a friend, "from another dimension or time" another quipped. Later, we tried to buy train tickets on Euston station but there was no slot to accept the paper or the coins. At lunch in Covent Garden we paid by cash, "how quaint" the waiter said. Up in Lancaster I tried to pay for a pint and a half with a 50 Pound note, "we don't take 50's", the lad said. I offered a debit card and credit card but he refused, "we don't accept plastic", he said. "Look" I said in a huff, "I've tried to pay but you've refused everything I've offered, take it or leave it", I said. "We'll call the police if you don't pay", he said......and he did. I explained it all to the old bill who was sympathetic and offered to walk me to the ATM to get different cash, it was after 5:30pm and the shops were closed. We had a nice walk and a chat! 

 

Book your train tickets in advance using Trainline or similar, either that or take out a new bank loan each time.

[nikmar]

i read an article where someone bought a train ticket for same day travel from London to Liverpool for 349 quid. 

 

That's ####ing changed !!!

 

Im going for a 2 week visit in April for the first time in 16 years. Im a little nervous about what to expect myself. I dont envy you!!

[youreavinalaff]

4 minutes ago, nikmar said:

i read an article where someone bought a train ticket for same day travel from London to Liverpool for 349 quid. 

 

That's ####ing changed !!!

 

Im going for a 2 week visit in April for the first time in 16 years. Im a little nervous about what to expect myself. I dont envy you!!

They clearly did not shop around.

 

The first tickets I bought for 22 years. 2 Brighton to Victoria returns. £7.50 each. Bought online. Soooooo much cheaper than buying at the station.

 

For travel, always look online. It's simple and cheaper.

[youreavinalaff]

A quick, 30 seconds search online. Same day, today, London to Liverpool.

 

 

[2baht]

anything changed?

7 prime ministers!

[rumak]

Simon, best of luck.   My comment here is not directed at you... but rather at the issue of Health Insurance companies.   I followed most of your posts, so am i correct in saying that the (what you thought was good) insurance that you had was not so?

And, i imagine a lot of stress dealing with the issues with them and or brokers.

 

I chose not to deal with these crooks ( yes, sometimes it works ok) ........ but started saving money when i was 40 so that i could  make decisions myself, seek different avenues myself.  and yes   Pay Myself.     You are fortunate to have a plan B ... but it does involve a big change .       My decision to self insure has worked out well for me.

Not everyone will have the same results ..... insured or not

 

[nigelforbes]

Train travel cards and buses passes are excellent value, use both, one third off train tickets, over 65 years free bus travel. Buy your rail card on line NOW.

 

Lidl supermarkets really are cheaper, and it shows at the checkout.

 

Wetherspoons pubs serve real ales inexpensively, often half price normal pubs.

 

Don't smile at people, you'll get punched out.

 

Do you have somewhere to stay?

 

Money Savings Expert web site is a truly excellent site to help navigate high costs in the UK and point you towards sensible deals you might not otherwise be aware of. - Martin Lewis, a good bloke.

 

 

 

[VinnieK]

1 hour ago, youreavinalaff said:

A quick, 30 seconds search online. Same day, today, London to Liverpool.

 

 

I always thought the elites (in Blighty) never wanted the peasants to have mobility..

Torches and pitchforks and all that..

These fares prove my point.

With 100 quid you can easily fly as far as Prague or Lisbon.

Within Blighty though, no no, no.

[RAZZELL]

It's a cesspit - especially London.

 

I had to visit Cornwall - it was cheaper, easier and quicker to fly from Gatwick than get a train.

 

 

RAZZ

[Celsius]

Simon is going back because of a serious medical issue which treatment was denied by insurance company. I have been saying that insurance here is not good, but what surprised me was that his insurance is not a Thai based insurance. 

 

 

[simon43]

25 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Simon is going back because of a serious medical issue which treatment was denied by insurance company. I have been saying that insurance here is not good, but what surprised me was that his insurance is not a Thai based insurance. 

 

 

The insurance company basically accused me of trying to defraud them  - I have had insurance with them for 3 years and immediately before that with other companies for 3 years.  Never made any claim.... Ho hum.

 

My plan is probably to base myself in the romantic town of Blackpool, because it seems possible to stay for a few months in a guesthouse, because room rates are fairly low. There are several such guesthouses with good reviews, charging about 30 quid a night.  A month stay should attract a discount I guess.  I don't have to be within easy distance of the hospital because I will not be having regular treatment, such as radio-therapy.  My path is a few diagnostic tests/consultations and then go for the full sex-change - sorry I mean prostate removal!

[Mac Mickmanus]

9 minutes ago, simon43 said:

The insurance company basically accused me of trying to defraud them  - I have had insurance with them for 3 years and immediately before that with other companies for 3 years.  Never made any claim.... Ho hum.

 

Was you aware of your condition before you got the insurance ?

I recall years ago over on TD you having to sell one of your resorts due to a medical condition 

[Chomper Higgot]

The most significant thing to your situation that has not changed is the NHS is still providing health care free at the point of need.

 

The most significant thing to your situation that has changed is waiting times to see a doctor, get diagnostics and get treatment.

 

You’ll meet a lot of foreigners in the NHS, they’re a significant part of medical professionals and and very significant part of NHS auxiliary services.

 

Good luck with your treatment and keep us posted on how you get on.

[simon43]

[quote]

I  recall years ago over on TD you having to sell one of your resorts due to a medical condition 

[/quote]

 

Are you sure?  I can't think what that was, sex-change? er no.  Maybe it was to pay for the psychiatric hospital bills for mad ex #2...

 

Can you remind me?  I'm interested!

 

Also, no I was not are of having prostate cancer before I took out the insurance, because I did not have prostate cancer!  I had slight BPH, which was never diagnosed in writing by any doctor, but was only verbally said to me about 15 years ago.  I did not disclose that BPH on the insurance application form because none of the detailed health check-ups at Phuket Hospital, St Louis Hospital and Bangkok Hospital that I had between 2014 - 2020 never made any mention of it either!

 

[quote]

The most significant thing to your situation that has changed is waiting times to see a doctor, get diagnostics and get treatment.

[/quote]

 

Luckily this seems not to be the case for cancer patients at The Christie hospital. 98% of patients get their first consultation within 14 days of referral by their GP, 98% of patients start their treatment or have surgery within 28 days of diagnosis.  I have already had the MRI scans, and will take these images/reports with me.

[xylophone]

35 minutes ago, simon43 said:

sorry I mean prostate removal!

Using the da Vinci robotic machine I hope Simon?

[Mac Mickmanus]

11 minutes ago, simon43 said:

[quote]

I  recall years ago over on TD you having to sell one of your resorts due to a medical condition 

[/quote]

 

Are you sure?  I can't think what that was, sex-change? er no.  Maybe it was to pay for the psychiatric hospital bills for mad ex #2...

 

Can you remind me?  I'm interested!

 

A chest terminal infection or something .

You were selling your profitable resort in Phuket because you had a chest infection and you thought you would only live for a few more years and you wanted to sell the resort and retire , this must have been about ten years ago 

[youreavinalaff]

33 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The most significant thing to your situation that has not changed is the NHS is still providing health care free at the point of need.

 

The most significant thing to your situation that has changed is waiting times to see a doctor, get diagnostics and get treatment.

 

You’ll meet a lot of foreigners in the NHS, they’re a significant part of medical professionals and and very significant part of NHS auxiliary services.

 

Good luck with your treatment and keep us posted on how you get on.

I called my doctor yesterday morning. Had a phone consultation at 17:30. No further consultation needed. Had I needed one I would have been at the surgery this morning.

[youreavinalaff]

1 hour ago, VinnieK said:

I always thought the elites (in Blighty) never wanted the peasants to have mobility..

Torches and pitchforks and all that..

These fares prove my point.

With 100 quid you can easily fly as far as Prague or Lisbon.

Within Blighty though, no no, no.

You can fly in UK for that, if you so wish.

 

However, both UK and European flights are not as frequent and not as cheap as they look once you add luggage fees, etc.

[Chomper Higgot]

27 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

I called my doctor yesterday morning. Had a phone consultation at 17:30. No further consultation needed. Had I needed one I would have been at the surgery this morning.

Personal experiences differ.

[simon43]

OK, I have booked a flight from Heathrow to Manchester and the train to Blackpool where I'll stay initially. 68 quid for the plain and 13 quid for the train.  Seems reasonable.

 

@Xylophone - yes the fiendish DaVinci robot will be used, (assuming my lumps are cancerous, which would seem very likely).

 

[quote]

A chest terminal infection or something .

[/quote]

 

That would have been more than 10 years ago, maybe 15. It was probably when I had a bad day with my lungs ????  Or maybe it was an excuse to get rid of my mad ex ????

[youreavinalaff]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Personal experiences differ.

Exactly. 

 

So, when you post heresy, you should start with " in my experience" just to show you are not speaking about a subject, in this case NHS, in general. 

[Mac Mickmanus]

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

Now medical circumstances mean that next week I will fly back to live in the UK. 

How much UK tax have you paid in the last 21 years ?

Tax which funds the NHS .

[Chomper Higgot]

5 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

Exactly. 

 

So, when you post heresy, you should start with " in my experience" just to show you are not speaking about a subject, in this case NHS, in general. 

Which is why it’s so much better to skip the claimed personal experiences and rely on verifiable date:

 

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7281/