0:00:02 > 0:00:05In 2013, Dave Howes was hoping Australia would be
0:00:05 > 0:00:09the paradise he remembered when he spent a week in a country on
0:00:09 > 0:00:13a mission to persuade partner Laurra to make the move there for a good.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Today, two years after their trial week,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19we'll find out what happened next.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24A trip 12 years previously had seen Dave fall in love with Australia.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30It was just unbelievable. I was living the dream, I really was.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35He was determined to move his family there, but wife Laurra was nervous.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36It terrifies me.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38But if I don't go and have a look, then I'll never know.
0:00:38 > 0:00:43A trial week down under saw the country fall short of his memories.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45It's not right for us at all.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48And Laurra faced with the reality of leaving her mother.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I'm considering taking her grandchildren
0:00:50 > 0:00:52to the other side of the world.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56So, two years on, have the family made the move?
0:00:56 > 0:00:59For me, it was, "Could I? Couldn't I?"
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Every year, around 34,000 Brits moved to Australia,
0:01:29 > 0:01:33attracted by its mild climate and relaxed outdoor lifestyle.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35But not everyone finds the promised land.
0:01:35 > 0:01:41And over half return to the UK, some with their dreams shattered.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46Two years ago, the Howes family set off on a journey that dad Dave
0:01:46 > 0:01:49was hoping would change their futures forever.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Having fallen for Australia on a previous trip,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56he was desperate to make a permanent move to the country.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59All he had to do was persuade his wife, Laurra,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03a life in the sun was worth giving up the close bonds she had at home.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Today, we'll discover
0:02:05 > 0:02:09if the dream life Dave was chasing has become a reality.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23The Howes' trial week started with more than 24 hours in the air.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25And on landing in Brisbane,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Dave had already realised things weren't as before.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32This trip has been SO difficult. Ten years ago, it was easy.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Just had myself to worry about. And now there's two kids...
0:02:36 > 0:02:39And Laurra's not great at flying. So it's been an experience!
0:02:39 > 0:02:44It's just a really hard trip to do with two small children.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- No.- Yeah, but we made it! - Dad!- We've made it.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Dave was staying positive,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50but Laurra wasn't sharing his enthusiasm.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54It's such a huge ask to expect anybody to come that
0:02:54 > 0:02:56distance on an aeroplane.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59And the weather wasn't helping either.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00Just for today.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03There'll be sun tomorrow, I'm sure.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- That's lovely. - THEY CHUCKLE
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Dave really had his work cut out convincing
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Laurra a life in Australia was a good idea.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21In 2013, the Howes called Hereford, in the West Midlands, home.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Dave and Laurra lived with baby Carmen, then one,
0:03:24 > 0:03:25and Jack, then aged five.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Dave had been fascinated by Australia after
0:03:31 > 0:03:34a trip 12 years previously left him captivated.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39When I think back to it, it still makes me smile now.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I didn't have to write a journal, because I remember every single day.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44I can't remember last week, what I was doing at work,
0:03:44 > 0:03:45but I can remember ten years ago.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49It was a very exciting time in my life.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Wife Laurra had been living with his obsession ever since they met.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56So I've always known that he's been a bit Aussie mad.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59One of his cheesy chat-up lines was,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02"One day I'll take you to Byron Bay,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04"and they've got the most beautiful sunsets."
0:04:04 > 0:04:06And then he'd show me the pictures, and they are beautiful.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Because I went alone, it'd be nice to share it with somebody,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13and Laurra would be that person.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18Hardly a day went by without Dave talking about emigrating.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21I pester Laurra about Australia a lot.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26I don't think I do, but I know I do. I want to get Laurra over there.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29And I have been trying to for the past ten years.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32But things have changed in the last decade.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35When we go over, it's going to be as a family.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38There'll be two little children. And we now look at things for them.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41I know you know that, but when you went ten years ago,
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- it was a lot different to what it is...- Yeah, definitely.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Despite this, Dave was convinced Australia was the perfect place
0:04:50 > 0:04:52to raise their family.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I think there's a better way of life.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00For all of us, not just for the kids. I think for me and Laurra.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04I know he wants the best for us, and I know that and I trust him,
0:05:04 > 0:05:05so the thought of going...
0:05:05 > 0:05:08It makes it easier, in a way, because I know that
0:05:08 > 0:05:11he wouldn't do anything that would put us, as a family, at risk.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Laurra means a lot to me, and her thoughts,
0:05:14 > 0:05:19if she is not happy over there, then us as a unit won't work.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22And that's important to me. Because over here it does work.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25So after ten years of constant nagging,
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Laurra had agreed to give it a go.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I listen to Dave and think, "Well, maybe you're right.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33"Maybe there is more for us over there." I don't know what...
0:05:33 > 0:05:36what more is over there, but if I don't go and have a look,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38then I'll never know.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42But for both Laurra and Dave, leaving family would be difficult.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45We see them all the time. We see my mum and dad all the time,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48we see Dave's mum and dad all the time.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Laurra enjoyed a close relationship with her mum,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54who was so upset she refused to discuss the move.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57It is a big no for her, at the moment.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00It's not something she wants to deal with. And I don't blame her.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Because I'm considering taking her grandchildren to the other
0:06:03 > 0:06:06side of the world, and then I think, "How selfish am I?"
0:06:06 > 0:06:09If she thought something was going to hurt me,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11she'd never even consider doing it.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Erm...
0:06:13 > 0:06:14Yeah.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19It was a massive ask for Laurra.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Could Dave persuade her a life down under was worth
0:06:22 > 0:06:26the heartache of leaving behind the family she loves so dearly?
0:06:26 > 0:06:31And ten years on, would Australia still be the utopia he remembered?
0:06:34 > 0:06:37The Howes spent their trial week in Burleigh Heads,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41a Gold Coast suburb an hour's drive from Brisbane's city centre.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43It's a favourite spot for families,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46with calm waters and sandy beaches.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Their temporary home was this modern beach-side apartment.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51And straightaway, Laurra was impressed.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Oh, this is lovely. This is really nice.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Kids love it! Out here, the view...
0:06:58 > 0:07:00You can see the sea.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02But Laurra still needed persuading.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07We need to find out if it is what Dave expected it to be.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09For Laurra to want to move over here,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11it's going to have to be pretty much perfect.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15It's going to take... Something will have to blow me away, to live here.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Back in the UK, home for the Howes was this semidetached
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Victorian house near the centre of Hereford.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33We've been living here for six years,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35and everything has happened here.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- We've had Jack, we've had Carmen, we got engaged...- Yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40..married...
0:07:40 > 0:07:43You put a lot of love into a home, I think. And this is our home.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44And it has an awful lot of memories.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47And that will be really difficult to leave.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48If they did make the move,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Dave had high hopes for what their budget could get them.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55We'll be looking at between 180,000 and 200,000.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I think Dave thinks that he might be able to get
0:07:58 > 0:07:59a four-bedroom house with a pool.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01And if that wasn't the case,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Dave was determined to keep the dream alive.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07I'm sure there's a property,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10in the whole of Australia, I'd find to keep the dream alive.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15No, I believe somewhere over there is for us.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21To give the Howes an idea of the Gold Coast property market,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23we showed them three properties.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24One on their budget,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27a potential dream home, and one in between.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31After seeing each of the houses, we revealed what they cost.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36The search began in Reedy Creek, a southern suburb on the Gold Coast.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38With schools, major shopping centres and restaurants,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41it was perfect for young families like the Howes.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44But Laurra spotted a problem straightaway.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- NEARBY TRAFFIC - It's quite, erm...a noisy...
0:08:48 > 0:08:51That's the main freeway, isn't it, to Brisbane?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Yeah, it is noisy.- Yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Looks a nice-looking property. - Yeah, a nice-looking house.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59The noisy motorway wasn't helping Dave's case.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03So did this three-bedroom, two-bathroom house help make amends?
0:09:03 > 0:09:05DAVE CHUCKLES
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- It's an...open space.- It is.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- But it's a bit small, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13No.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15And outside, things went from bad to worse.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Bit crazy out here!
0:09:17 > 0:09:19That's some sort of foundations!
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I don't think this is for us. This is tiny.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24What a view, eh?
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Freeway.- Yeah.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Was the Aussie dream fizzling out already?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Based on this property, erm...
0:09:34 > 0:09:38This isn't going to work out to be a great day. Erm...
0:09:38 > 0:09:40I just hope it gets better than this.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41HE CHUCKLES
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Would the price make a difference?
0:09:43 > 0:09:46The house may not have been what they wanted,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49but if it was within the family's £180,000 budget,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52it might have been all they could afford.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55So, what do you think this is worth?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57I think it's 1,000.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58Yes, me too.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Erm...it's... It's got to be under.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Got to be. I'm saying it's under.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- Freeway, no garden...- A big rock.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09If it's over-budget, then...
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Bad.- Damn! - THEY LAUGH
0:10:12 > 0:10:13- Dream ends here.- Taxi!
0:10:13 > 0:10:16But it's...
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- It's one house. - It's one house.- Yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- 171. Yeah.- Yeah.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Is it 1,000?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- It's 171.- Yeah.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30That's only £9,000 under budget.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34It is quite scary, actually, thinking about it now.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38That is close to budget. And it's a bit of a...
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Yeah, it's not right for us at all.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43So, yeah, I think it's going to be a bit worrying,
0:10:43 > 0:10:44the next ones we see.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49It wasn't the start Dave had dreamed of.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52If he was to win Laurra around, things had to improve.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Could the next house help his case?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It was in the suburb of Burleigh Heads, home to the
0:10:59 > 0:11:04Gold Coast's best beaches, the area offered a small community feel.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09Would this modern three-bedroom semi turn things around?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11It's a very busy road, isn't it?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Oh, dear. Another busy road!
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Yeah, it is busy.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17But Dave was quick with the hard sell.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20It's a nice feel, though, isn't it? Childcare across the road.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Do you like it? It's nice and big.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23Things were looking up.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29Plenty of space. Just needs changing to how we'd have it.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Laurra was making all the right noises about the interiors.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Yeah, I do like this.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38But the noise outside was still a problem.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Apart from a big old lorry going by!
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Yeah.- It spoils it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45The main bedroom did impress.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- Look in here!- Ooh!
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Ooh. An en-suite... Wow! This is a big room.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55And Laurra seemed at home.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- This is more like it.- Yeah, it is.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59This is nice, isn't it?
0:11:59 > 0:12:00It is nice. I like this.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02But...
0:12:02 > 0:12:06I couldn't see myself living here, at the moment. Erm...
0:12:06 > 0:12:08TRAFFIC NOISE
0:12:08 > 0:12:11A big old lorry going by.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12This wouldn't make me move.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15This property had the space Laurra wanted,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17but the noise outside put her off.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20And with only a small garden for the children,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22it was another set-back for Dave.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It is nice, it's just...
0:12:24 > 0:12:27There's not a lot of space out here, is there?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30All was not be lost, though.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Oh, look down there. Look at this.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36How nice is that?!
0:12:36 > 0:12:38That was more like it.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41The house was in a complex with a shared pool and barbecue area.
0:12:41 > 0:12:42This is nice.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45If you've got this sort of space and you don't mind having...
0:12:45 > 0:12:47And it's safe, as well.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49It'd be a nice place to meet other families,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52kids to make more friends...
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Although they'd both been excited by this property, Laurra
0:12:55 > 0:12:59wasn't convinced it was worth moving halfway round the world for.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01With a budget of £180,000,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04was it somewhere they could actually afford?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07So what do you reckon? Under or over?
0:13:07 > 0:13:08- I think over.- I think under.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- Under?- OK. I think over. - OK, so, are you ready, Jack?
0:13:13 > 0:13:14THEY LAUGH
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Come over here.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- Turn it over, then.- Turn it over.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Go on.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- Oh. 205.- 205?
0:13:25 > 0:13:27That was £25,000 over budget.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29That's...
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- That's a surprise.- Why? - Don't you think?
0:13:33 > 0:13:34Yeah, I suppose, yeah.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37I think that's about right, for here.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Yeah. I'd... Yeah.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- You wanted it...to be a lot more, didn't you?- Yeah.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44THEY LAUGH
0:13:44 > 0:13:46But for Laurra, it wasn't about the cost.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48It's just not singing and dancing for me. You know?
0:13:48 > 0:13:51To move to the other side of the world...
0:13:51 > 0:13:53it has to be singing and dancing.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01After years of waiting, everything rested on the final property
0:14:01 > 0:14:04if Dave was to have any chance of fulfilling his dream.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Last stop of the day was in the Gold Coast suburb of Currumbin,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11a bustling beach-side village, perfect family living
0:14:11 > 0:14:1452 miles south of Brisbane.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17This four-bedroom traditional Queenslander house should've had the
0:14:17 > 0:14:21space they were looking for, but was it enough to bring Laurra round?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Ooh, look at this one, Dad!
0:14:25 > 0:14:27I like this!
0:14:27 > 0:14:28The house needed work,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31which wouldn't have been a problem for carpenter Dave.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33But what did Laurra think of it?
0:14:33 > 0:14:34I love it. I think...
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- I mean, I like it. - What?! What did you say?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40No, I think it's really nice. It is really nice.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43That was music to Dave's ears.
0:14:43 > 0:14:44It does need a lot of work, but...
0:14:44 > 0:14:47For something like this, it's worth it, isn't it?
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Yeah.- Nice to see you smile. - THEY LAUGH
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It looked like Laurra was coming round,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56and Dave's dream was finally gaining traction.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00But was the price within their £180,000 budget?
0:15:00 > 0:15:05If not, Dave faced being right back at square one.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10I'm hoping it's under, but I think it's going to be...slightly over.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- What do you think? - Found it.- Hold on, Jack.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- I think it's going to be over. - You think it's going to be over?
0:15:16 > 0:15:18I'm hoping it's going to be under!
0:15:18 > 0:15:19It's not going to be over!
0:15:19 > 0:15:21I don't want to turn it over!
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Oh, gosh!
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- 240.- 240. - That's not too bad, really.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It was way over budget, but Laurra had liked it so much,
0:15:30 > 0:15:34she was already wondering if they could stretch their finances.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I don't know what I think now because I'm so...
0:15:37 > 0:15:40I didn't think that we'd find anything that we'd like,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and now that we have, erm...
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I don't know what to think any more.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- You didn't think we'd see this, did you?- No.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- And now you have...- Yeah.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53And it throws everything upside down, I'm guessing.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Yeah. If we could afford this, then...
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- Mm.- Hm!- Yeah.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04The Howes had seen three very different properties.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08While the first house was within budget, it was too small
0:16:08 > 0:16:10and too close to the motorway.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13While property number two had offered some appeal,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16it hadn't been enough to win Laurra round.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18And though over budget,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21the third house had been a big hit.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22And could've been affordable
0:16:22 > 0:16:24if they found the right jobs.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28So, when it came to properties, which way did the Howes vote?
0:16:29 > 0:16:32We've had a great day, seen some amazing locations
0:16:32 > 0:16:34and some interesting properties.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36But now it is time to make the vote.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40- Australia.- Undecided.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45What's going on?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48I don't know. I don't know that I've seen enough today.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- No, that's fair enough. - At least it's not UK.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Yeah, that's really good. Well done, babe.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58For Laurra to vote undecided is a big thing.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00It's been a positive start.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03But not one that's going to make me move yet.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06It was a better result than Dave had expected,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09but he still had some way to go to convince Laurra
0:17:09 > 0:17:11to commit to a new life in Australia.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Finding the right work prospects was going to be key
0:17:21 > 0:17:24if Dave was ever to turn his dream life down under into a reality.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Back in the UK, he ran his own carpentry business.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34It's taken five years to build.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38My clientele is very good, and it keeps on building.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42It'd be hard to leave my business, because I've put so much time
0:17:42 > 0:17:43and effort into it,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47and I really have put in some long hours to get where I am.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Laurra was working part-time as a receptionist
0:17:52 > 0:17:55and ran a small cake-making business from home.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59All being well, I'd want to continue doing this. And, erm...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04..and make cakes over there.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08I'd want to work for myself, but ultimately,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I'd want everything to go right for the children first.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14My dreams of a job would come second to them.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20We're going for a better lifestyle for more time with the children,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23to do more things with the children, erm...
0:18:23 > 0:18:27and if it's Australia that has those opportunities,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30then I'd be silly not to take them up.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40While the children were looked after by a childminder,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Dave and Laurra set off to explore their work opportunities.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Dave met up with John from the Master Builders Association
0:18:47 > 0:18:50to find out if his skills would transfer down under.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53With carpenters coming here from England, especially, even if
0:18:53 > 0:18:56you've got a City & Guilds licence or qualification,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58it's actually not recognised here, regretfully.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00You need to get a skills assessment done.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02It was a big blow for Dave.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05And as the main breadwinner, it meant a possible set-back.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Were Laurra's prospects any better?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12She visited a local cake-making company,
0:19:12 > 0:19:14where she met manager Andi.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- Thank you.- On the Gold Coast, there's a lot of weddings.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20So wedding cakes is definitely a good place to start.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23But then everybody has got children who want birthday
0:19:23 > 0:19:25cakes for their children. So it's...
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I think it's one of those businesses
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- there's room for everybody. - OK. Lovely.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32It was encouraging news for Laurra.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Meanwhile, Dave had met local builder Shaun to get
0:19:35 > 0:19:37the lowdown on working in Australia.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41About the sort of money over here...
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Would you have any idea of how much I could earn if I come over?
0:19:44 > 0:19:46It depends what you get into.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49If you went and worked for someone, you'd probably earn around
0:19:49 > 0:19:5250,000 a year, average.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55If I was sort of self-employed, working for myself,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57would there be any difference?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Yes. There's the potential to earn a lot more.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03You can earn up to 150,000 if you work hard.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Laurra was keen to find out how much dough there might be in cakes!
0:20:07 > 0:20:10If you were to start it as a business,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13what would your potential earnings be?
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Most cake decorators working from home,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I would say, probably charge about 25 an hour.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24However, if you were running a business from a business premises,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28you'd have to take into account your overheads and things like that,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- so you should be charging more along the 50 an hour.- OK.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Dave had discovered working for someone else in Australia
0:20:35 > 0:20:38would give him a salary of £46,000 a year.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43And he knew that wouldn't be enough to get the lifestyle he wanted.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46If I take it on the 46,000,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50it means Laurra is going to have to get a decent-paid job as well.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Because on that money, I know we couldn't survive.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57After waiting ten years, was Dave's dream a lost cause?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59It was time to vote.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03OK, after seeing our work opportunities here in Australia,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05our vote goes to...
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- Undecided.- Australia.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Why have you gone undecided?
0:21:18 > 0:21:22With a bit more research, maybe it would've been Australia, but...
0:21:22 > 0:21:26I need a bit more time to check out pay and...
0:21:27 > 0:21:30You can't just get over here and start working.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33But, you - Australia - what's going on?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35There's more opportunity down here in regards to the clients.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39It's such a long coastal area that it...
0:21:39 > 0:21:43There's so much more work available. So, yeah.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- So that's an Australia and a... - No, that's...- ..maybe, so...
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- OK, OK. Calm down. - ..that's pretty good.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51Calm down, calm down.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Dave may have been worried about work prospects,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04but Laurra's vote for Australia meant his hopes of a life
0:22:04 > 0:22:06down under were still very much alive.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Next it was time to find out if they could afford it.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13While Jack and Carmen took a nap,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Dave and Laurra get to grips with the figures.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18To see how their finances would work,
0:22:18 > 0:22:23we'd provided a breakdown of living costs in the UK and Australia.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25First up, the weekly food shop.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Everything seems to be just that little bit more, doesn't it?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Yeah.- Nappies?
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- That's a big difference.- Yeah.- Wow.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36£5 more.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39So what did the weekly shop add up to?
0:22:39 > 0:22:45£56 more...to do your shop here than it is back home.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46Yeah.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49It was a big jump for the shopping bill.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Basing their sums on the traditional Queenslander property
0:22:52 > 0:22:54which Laurra loved,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57the couple would've faced a mortgage increase of more than
0:22:57 > 0:22:59£400 per month in Australia.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Then there were the other household outgoings.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05The electricity. Wow!
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Mm.- £60 back home, £188 here.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12So where did their calculations leave them?
0:23:12 > 0:23:18£192.34 worse off in Australia than in the UK.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21That was just over £2,000 a year.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- So...- That's me working full-time.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I want to work, but I also want some time with the children.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30With the children, yeah.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32It is quite worrying, really.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38- It's one of those things, isn't it? - Yeah, yeah.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- Sorry.- No, it's... That's how it is. Figures don't lie.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46After ten years of hoping, the hard reality of money risked
0:23:46 > 0:23:50destroying Dave's dream of a better life for his family down under.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53- BOTH:- UK.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- Sorry.- I've got the same.
0:23:59 > 0:24:05There's no point coming if you're going to be worse off, really.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08The finances had been a huge disappointment,
0:24:08 > 0:24:12but Dave wasn't giving up on his dream just yet.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I hope it isn't a dream killer.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18I'm hoping I can maybe look at the figures a bit more
0:24:18 > 0:24:22and be able to come over here to work like back home.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Come here for the lifestyle.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31High on the couple's wish list was time outdoors with the children.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34So if Brisbane could offer a lifestyle they'd enjoy,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38it could've meant a step in the right direction for Dave.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44With Jack a big fan of animals and nature,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47the Howes visited a local wildlife sanctuary.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51It was a taste of what they could've done on a regular basis,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54and it's going down well with Laurra.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Oh, he's lovely. You can't deny that's...
0:24:57 > 0:25:00He's so sweet! It's just lovely, yeah.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Being in a place like this does make me feel different about moving here.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09Because Jack is enjoying it so much. And Carmen. And she's...
0:25:09 > 0:25:11She's loving interacting with the animals.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14It's a lot different now to ten years ago, obviously,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18because I was a single man. But seeing stuff like this
0:25:18 > 0:25:21really does bring back how good Australia is.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26After sampling just a little of what was on offer,
0:25:26 > 0:25:30had everyone been convinced by the Australian lifestyle?
0:25:30 > 0:25:34After an amazing family day today, it's time for us to make our vote.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35You ready?
0:25:41 > 0:25:42- DAVE AND LAURRA:- Australia!
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Oh, little man! You've gone UK?
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Why have you picked home?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Because we would miss all our friends.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54- We'd miss all our friends?- Yes.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58- Would you miss Nanny and Grandad? - Everybody.- Everybody.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I knew she'd vote Australia today,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04but I still know that it's going to take so much for Laurra to
0:26:04 > 0:26:08want to come because of the family, and how close she is.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Laurra's second vote for Australia had been a boost for Dave,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21but there was one hurdle left to overcome.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24And he knew it wasn't going to be easy.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Laurra had always been clear leaving family and friends behind
0:26:29 > 0:26:30would be a massive wrench.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33And her mum was dead set against the move.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37So what did messages from loved ones back home
0:26:37 > 0:26:39mean for Dave's dream?
0:26:40 > 0:26:44The couple settled down to watch a DVD of friends and family at home.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- ALL:- Hi!- Hi, love. - Hiya, Laurra! All right?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Hi, Laurra. Hi, Dave. My babies - Jack and Carmen.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Hello, everybody.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Hello, everybody.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01- Hi, Laurra. - Hiya, Laurra, David, Jack...
0:27:01 > 0:27:02- And Carmen.- Carmen.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Oh, they're a lovely little family. Very hard-working.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09David is a lovely lad.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Dave's always been the same, hasn't he?
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Perfect gentleman, sort of thing. Isn't he?
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Well, to me, Laurra is my little girl.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Although she is 28, or whatever it is, she is still my little girl.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Stunning. Erm...
0:27:24 > 0:27:25Gosh, you're making me cry!
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Just a beautiful girl.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32And we'll miss her if she goes.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36The children are...
0:27:36 > 0:27:39well, they're everything to us, really, aren't they?
0:27:39 > 0:27:44Not being able to touch them, hug them, that would be the hardest.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50My initial feeling was...fantastic.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54If I'd had my time again, I'd do it.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55I wouldn't hesitate.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I think it's an amazing opportunity.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Then my reservations started to creep in,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03because obviously it would break my sister's heart.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06We are close. I'm quite close to David.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09He's always been there, as a brother. I'm getting choked up!
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Erm... I can't. I'm gone.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14I didn't think I was going to cry!
0:28:17 > 0:28:19- Well, it is the grandkids.- Yeah.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23You know, because we do see them a lot.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27Well, you can tell, we are a close family. So, yeah, it would be hard.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33I just hope that you make the right decision for yourselves.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39Erm...and I'll support you 100% in whatever decision that is.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40Wholeheartedly.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45We're all going to miss you, of course we will.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47But you must follow your dreams.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52And just stay safe and be happy.
0:28:54 > 0:29:01I really can't believe that you're thinking of leaving us all
0:29:01 > 0:29:02and going to Australia.
0:29:05 > 0:29:06Erm...
0:29:06 > 0:29:08I shall miss you all very much.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16I hope that you don't go, or decide to stay.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17Erm...
0:29:21 > 0:29:22Just...
0:29:22 > 0:29:28But if you do, then we'll support you in whatever you decide.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31But I hope you come back.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32And I love you all.
0:29:36 > 0:29:41I would be devastated if he went,
0:29:41 > 0:29:44but if it's your dream,
0:29:44 > 0:29:49and it's what you really want to do, then...
0:29:52 > 0:29:53..we'd deal with it.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01So good luck. And have a good time.
0:30:10 > 0:30:11- Not easy, is it?- No.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17This is an idea of what it would be like if we said goodbye to them.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19And that's why I am upset.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24Seeing my family as emotional as they were,
0:30:24 > 0:30:31it does make me think how special our family are back home.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39Messages from loved ones at home had been a poignant reminder
0:30:39 > 0:30:41of everything the Howes stood to lose.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45As the end of their week approached, the couple had plenty of time
0:30:45 > 0:30:48to think before they made their final decision.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56Dave had been dreaming of a life in down under for a decade.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01We've had a great time, seen some great properties, locations...
0:31:01 > 0:31:04We had great time on the beach the other day.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08I actually think Laurra hasn't thought about home
0:31:08 > 0:31:10too much this week.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12In the morning, I've been waking up and thinking,
0:31:12 > 0:31:17"Maybe this is a good move. Maybe it is the right place to be."
0:31:17 > 0:31:22But the thought of leaving family had left the Howes torn.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27Seeing the videos of family back home really made me think,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30"Am I doing the right thing?"
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I don't know, I'm still really confused on...
0:31:35 > 0:31:37..the UK and...
0:31:37 > 0:31:40All I know is that, in the UK, I've got my family.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43I still think we could have an amazing life over here,
0:31:43 > 0:31:48but the family would be a massive, massive issue for us both.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51But definitely for Laurra.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Without her family, she's still struggling.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55And you could see that.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58It was a huge moment for Dave.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Ten years of dreaming rested on the final turn of the cards.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12- Australia.- UK.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- It's family. I'm sorry. - I know.- I just...
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- I don't think I could be that far. - I know.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- You enjoyed yourself, didn't you? - We did.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- If the family were living over here...- Yes.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- You'd live here then, wouldn't you?- Yes!
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Well done.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41While Laurra had seen some advantages in a life down under,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45it appeared for her the pull of home was just too strong to resist.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49So, two years after their trial week on the Gold Coast,
0:32:49 > 0:32:53is it still the West Midlands the family calls home?
0:32:55 > 0:33:00It's November 2015 and the Howes are living in...
0:33:00 > 0:33:02the UK.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04But not for long.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07At the end of the trial week, Laurra's fear of disappointing
0:33:07 > 0:33:10her family meant she couldn't commit to a move down under.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12It was...
0:33:13 > 0:33:16I can't say yes, because I don't want to upset my family
0:33:16 > 0:33:18and Dave's family.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21I don't want to jump into it and say, "Yeah, I'll do it."
0:33:21 > 0:33:24And then turn round and say, "Oh, actually, no, I don't."
0:33:24 > 0:33:26So that would upset him, then.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30I didn't want to hurt Dave and I don't want to hurt my family.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38But while the vote wasn't what Dave had hoped for, he did have an
0:33:38 > 0:33:42inkling the week down under had begun to work some magic on Laurra.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47Burleigh Heads was definitely where Laurra enjoyed the most.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51And I think at the end of the week, we kind of nailed it.
0:33:51 > 0:33:56Even though she showed the British flag, I think,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59in her head, it definitely put doubts.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02The couple stayed on in Australia for a fortnight,
0:34:02 > 0:34:04living with family friends.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10We stayed with Lynn and Danny, Dave's mum and dad's friends.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12It was just perfect.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17Familiar faces made a big difference to Laurra's perspective on a move.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20You could see that if you lived there and you lived near them,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23you'd have people around you, wouldn't you?
0:34:23 > 0:34:25And their family as well.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27That, for me, made me feel better.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It was great and I could see Laurra getting really into it then.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Living a typical Aussie family life for a fortnight gave them
0:34:34 > 0:34:38both the opportunity to ponder more on the decision they'd made.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40You could see how they lived.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44They went off to work and seeing what the kids had done...
0:34:44 > 0:34:48You could see how we perhaps could be in the future.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52It was just so much fun. It was really good.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55It couldn't have been any better. It was absolutely perfect.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58The extra two weeks made me think about it more.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01Not necessarily change my mind but brought me round
0:35:01 > 0:35:03to a different way of thinking.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04On the long journey home,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Laurra continued to question the choice she had made.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11You have 26 hours and you've just then got time to think.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16And for me, it was, "Could I? Couldn't I? No. I can."
0:35:16 > 0:35:20It was just a battle of could I and would I?
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Once back in the UK,
0:35:24 > 0:35:28Laurra initially kept her new-found feelings to herself,
0:35:28 > 0:35:32but on the quiet started researching a possible move.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I was just having a look for myself, looking at houses,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39what we could afford, if he could get a job,
0:35:39 > 0:35:43if I could get a job, what the visas are like.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48I want to do all that first before I said, "Yeah, I want to go."
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Cos I don't want to get his hopes up.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53I caught her one day just checking out jobs in Australia.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55I said, "What are you doing?"
0:35:55 > 0:35:59"Oh, nothing. Nothing. Just checking out jobs in Australia.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03"There's a couple of jobs here for carpenters and builders."
0:36:03 > 0:36:05I was like, "Oh, right, OK. OK."
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Once her change of heart had been rumbled,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Laurra finally felt able to admit she was ready to take the plunge.
0:36:11 > 0:36:18We'd been home a few weeks and then I started to think, "This is crazy.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23"Why don't we just go and enjoy it for a few years and just enjoy..."
0:36:23 > 0:36:24- An adventure.- Yeah.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Laurra and Dave took the bull by the horns
0:36:28 > 0:36:30and put their house on the market.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33That was the biggest decision.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Cos it was our home. But it was time.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37You know, that was the biggest decision to make.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40- So we made that decision...- That's the first step, we thought.- Yeah.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44But the process didn't go entirely to plan.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46It's old and...
0:36:46 > 0:36:50We're like, "Yes, OK. This is it now. Ready to go."
0:36:50 > 0:36:57And the woman who bought it pulled out at the last minute.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59It's like a wrench, it is.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02It's like a wrench and you just think, "Oh! Why?!"
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- It wasn't meant to be. - No, it wasn't meant to be.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- It wasn't the right time. - No.- That's how we see it.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09The loss of a close friend made them
0:37:09 > 0:37:13more determined than ever to make the move.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16It really hit home...how...
0:37:18 > 0:37:22..how sad life can be. How short life can be.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Cos, unfortunately, he was only young.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27So it really kind of hit home.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31If we were to do something, just do it now.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35What you do take from it is that you live every moment
0:37:35 > 0:37:38and you grasp every single second.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39Enjoy every moment.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46Not wanting to delay, the couple put their house back on the market.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48While signed up to the move,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Laurra's only committing to an initial
0:37:50 > 0:37:52four-year trial run down under.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56If you're just going over there for four years, that's not a lifetime.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58That's how I look at it. We'll go there.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01And we're going to have our adventure as a family,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03and then we'll come back here.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05- That's how I see it.- Yeah.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08You might see it differently. That's how I see it.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12I think we need to be there for a certain amount of time
0:38:12 > 0:38:13to give it a go.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16And hopefully, when we get around the four years,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20she's made a good career over there and enjoying it,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22and the kids are loving it, and they're settled,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25it's going to be a little bit harder to come home.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Over the last two years,
0:38:27 > 0:38:31Laurra's love of baking has turned into a full-time occupation.
0:38:31 > 0:38:36I decided to take the plunge and I got myself a shop.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Now it's a proper business,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42so it's something that I want to take forward wherever I go.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Demand for her cake creations has risen so fast
0:38:46 > 0:38:50the Australian move will have to wait for at least a year.
0:38:50 > 0:38:55I'm busy throughout next year with weddings, and then...
0:38:56 > 0:38:59And that's my business and I don't want to jeopardise that,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02so I think give us 12 months.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05It gives us some time to put more money into savings as well.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- Well, that's it.- Be a bit more comfortable.- When we get over there.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13But Laurra's plan for work in Australia is now anything
0:39:13 > 0:39:15but half-baked.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19I hope that I can take this over there. I hope that...
0:39:19 > 0:39:22that they feel that the standard is good enough
0:39:22 > 0:39:25and they'd appreciate what I'm about.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29I'd like to see Laurra's business really boom over there.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32I'd like to concentrate more on that than myself, really.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36- So I can kind of retire early. - THEY LAUGH
0:39:36 > 0:39:38The move may be some way off,
0:39:38 > 0:39:42but attention has already turned to dealing with more emotional matters.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46It'd be so tough leaving my family, because we are close.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49So it would be very tough. And I...
0:39:49 > 0:39:50I'd miss them loads.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53They don't really want to talk about it.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55We do drop subtle hints.
0:39:55 > 0:40:00I've only brought it up with my mum the past few months that I'm...
0:40:00 > 0:40:05That I've changed my mind. But we don't really talk about it.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09The thought of separating Jack and Carmen from their grandparents
0:40:09 > 0:40:13is weighing heavily on the couple's shoulders.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17It's probably the worst feeling I have.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Because of the fact they are so close to both sets,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26equally as close to both sets, and they see them equally as much.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29They get spoiled absolutely rotten. They love it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31They love seeing their grandparents.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36I know that and I feel so bad...taking that away.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- There's always going to be guilt, isn't there, because...- Oh, yeah.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41..you know, this is your decision.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44That you're moving them somewhere else.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49Jack is in two minds about living on the other side of the world.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53One day he'll say, "Yeah, I really want to go."
0:40:53 > 0:40:56And the next he'll say, "Nope. I've got football."
0:40:56 > 0:40:59And, "I want to go and watch Chelsea."
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I'll miss...
0:41:01 > 0:41:05my dog. And I'll miss...
0:41:05 > 0:41:07my friends.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10But I'll be happy there.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13But Carmen has proved open to persuasion.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Being daddy's little girl, she kind of listens to everything I say.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19I have said to her, "Would you like to go over to Australia?"
0:41:19 > 0:41:20And, "Yeah."
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Because it would be fun.
0:41:25 > 0:41:31With just a year to go, Mum and Dad are cautiously optimistic.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32I have days where...
0:41:34 > 0:41:40..I am really excited. I think, "Wow, I really want this to happen."
0:41:40 > 0:41:42And I think Laurra feels it as well.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45I can see myself in that area by Currumbin.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49I don't want to let myself think about it too much in that way.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Cos I always think I'm going to jinx it.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54If I get too excited about something by focusing on it,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56then I'm going to jinx it and it's not going to happen.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Though it's been his dream all along,
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Dave's hoping the move will benefit Jack and Carmen most.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10We want it all for the kids.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13I really want them to blossom over there.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15Make friends very easily, I hope.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17And just do really well at school.
0:42:17 > 0:42:2014 years after the trip that inspired him,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Dave can't wait to be down under once more.
0:42:23 > 0:42:29In three years' time, I'd like to be settled in a nice, decent house.
0:42:29 > 0:42:35I'd like to think I would...maybe be working, possibly for myself.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41I'd like to think Laurra's found a place, she's working close,
0:42:41 > 0:42:43and the kids are settled at school.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46That would sound a really nice place to be.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Sitting down with a load of friends, kids enjoying themselves,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52in nice little place, with a cold one.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54That'd be great.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00It may have been a long time coming,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03but Laurra's change of heart means Dave's dream
0:43:03 > 0:43:08of a life in Australia with his family is finally within reach.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12We hope the move goes smoothly and that the Howes go on to have
0:43:12 > 0:43:16a successful and happy future together down under.