Norma was a school teacher before retirement and Trev was a management consultant. Son Neil and daughter in law Shirley immigrated to Australia to both work at Bond University, and now have a 2 year old son, Ben, hence the drag back to Australia all the time.

“We come over, have a couple of weeks with them, then set off on the road, and join them for Christmas where we all go to Noosa. After that we continue travelling and before departing at Easter, we have another week or two together,” Trevor advised.

When asked for highlights of their Australian travels, there was a little silence and an "Oh dear that's a hard one!' before nominating Great Barrier Reef and of course the Great Ocean Road. So far they have been in land to Broken Hill, back up through the Darling Downs. After Christmas, they are going to Perth across the Nullabor and will have three months in Western Australia.

Trevor advised if you join the national trust in Australia, there is a reciprocal arrangement with the British National Trust, and you can go and visit all the stately homes, properties, castles etc. So that is a good tip for anyone going to the UK.

How long will they keep up this envious lifestyle? "As long as we physically can" can the simultaneous answer. Having downsized their UK base and with the advantage of their Australian base, they can't see any reason why it shouldn't last for a long time. Good neighbours mind their small home in Southport and the Freeway goes in for a service before they set off on their Aussie travels and just before they go back to the UK. The funds left from downsizing their home enable them to fly out before the English winter sets in - "it is quality of lifestyle which is most important", Norma added "and we have absolutely the best of both worlds with what we are doing!"

Who could disagree? We hope to meet our new friends on the road sometime and we have a standing invitiation to visit when we next go to the UK, provided it is the right half of the year!

Chrissy Eustace