The 14 things Aussie expats in London miss most

In London, off-licence convenience stores are just as commonplace as neighbourhood supermarkets, with alcohol being a quick grab-and-go experience. Meanwhile, many Aussies miss the efficiency of a drive-thru bottle shop, comfortably staying in the car to purchase alcohol with the same effort as a Macca’s run.

Bunnings sausage sizzle

What started from humble beginnings is now an iconic Australian foodie experience, the Bunnings sausage sizzle. The hardware store is famed for barbecue fundraisers, with weekend visits giving many the spontaneous craving for sausage in bread after getting a whiff of beef snags and onions cooking on a barbie, aka the smell and taste of ’Straya.

“I miss the distinct taste of a beef sausage on buttered bread with tomato sauce and mustard,” former Sydney resident Ben Day, 26, says.

Stars

London is known to have grey night skies, awash with light pollution and hardly a star in sight. For former Ballarat resident Mandy Garnett, 50, not seeing the Southern Cross is something she misses about Australia’s dark skies.

“There is something comforting about looking up and recognising the stars.”

The sound (and smell) of rain

London does not lack rain, far from it. A day without drizzle seems like a rarity. But rainfall feels different for some Aussies.

“Hearing rain on a tin roof and the smell after rain. I miss it so much!” Larissa Claridge, 28, originally from Brisbane, says.

Meanwhile, former Rockhampton resident Lori Nancarrow, 50, misses “the smell and feel of the air just before a big storm hits”.

Ocean pools

I remember being asked if I wanted to go swimming in London. Where? I queried. The response: a pond. I was horrified. Yearning for a dip, I decided this would be my cultural immersion, swimming in waters where I cannot see my toes or what lurks below.

Hampstead Heath swimming ponds – as wonderful as the location is – have nothing on the public swimming pools and ocean baths in Australia. Clear waters are a start…

Public barbecues

Public barbecues stand out like furniture in Australian parks. It’s a source of entertainment for the older ones: kids make use of the playground while adults converse around the barbie. It’s Australia’s version of water cooler talk, where adults socialise, tongs and possibly drink in tow while cooking snags to perfection. It’s this type of budget-friendly pastime that Maria Kratsis, 54, originally from Melbourne, misses: “Public barbecues allow you to be outdoors and start conversations with others so you meet new people.”

Dim sims

Many expats admitted missing the Aussie deep-fried staple: dim sims. The Chinese-inspired dumpling, occasionally found in a fish and chip shop, is filled with meat, cabbage and flavourings and then cooked to golden perfection. It’s a guilty pleasure and a snack many Aussies in London long to gobble up.

Kmart

The United Kingdom has Primark, a fashion, home and beauty department store, and Poundland – the latter self-explanatory. A mix of the two? Kmart. Aussies in London miss Kmart – a place where you can buy just about everything for rock-bottom prices under one roof.

Magpies

Love them or loathe them: despite their scary ways, many admitted to missing magpies and their loud squawks, forgoing the need for a morning alarm. Some even miss the dreaded swooping season.

Expat Sean Hayes confesses: “I miss the sheer excitement and fear running down the street, not knowing if you are about to be the next victim of the local nutter, a maggie.”

Food culture

This one is a bit controversial. Despite being one of the most multicultural cities in the world, former Sydneysider Josh Gordan, 29, reckons London lacks food culture.

“The UK just doesn’t know good food (it’s not a myth). For a multicultural city, it has to be one of the blandest food scenes in the world.”

Power points in bathrooms

Who knew the absence of power points could be so painful? In the UK, having power sockets in bathrooms is a big no-no. According to the UK’s electrical safety experts, Electrical Safety First, “Sockets are not allowed in bathrooms or shower rooms (apart from shaver-supply units) unless they can be fitted at least three metres from the bath or shower.” So forget about using a hairdryer in front of a mirror – this must be done on the makeshift vanity you have elsewhere in the home.

For Nicole, it’s a painful experience: “Blow drying my hair in my bedroom with a small hand-held mirror or my phone on selfie mode is no bueno.”

Green spaces

Australia is all about wide open spaces – cities included. Our capital cities are peppered with greenery, something that London doesn’t have much of.

“Everywhere you go in Australia, there are trees, parks and gardens. But in London, there are no trees anywhere except in the parks. I miss the trees,” expat Julia Daffey says.

Sun

Vitamin D deficiency is a thing in the UK. With the lack of sunshine, there are a variety of supplements – tablets, sprays – to make up for the loss of rays many of us in Australia take for granted.

“I’ve just been told I have a vitamin D deficiency, so I’m definitely missing the sunshine at the moment,” Anna says.

And now living back in Australia, days without carrying an umbrella, dodging rain or wearing a thick coat are something I will always appreciate.