Our first home???

Saw a house on the internet just before Christmas and have been anxiously waiting for the real estate agents to reopen so I could make an appointment to view. Anyway, went to see the house yesterday morning and fell in love with it. It's in a perfect location for us, literally round the corner from the kids school, walking distance to the beach, shops and within staggering distance of Debbie and Gareth's house. We put an offer in straight away but the process is way way different to the UK. We had to go down to the real estate's office and complete a contract because once an offer is accepted it then becomes legally binding so that neither party can change their mind. Anyway, after nearly an hour of paperwork we headed off to the beach. The agent phoned us shortly after to tell us our offer had been rejected. A few phone calls later and a bit of negotiation he finally called back to say the vendors had agreed to our price. He needed to get us to sign the amendment on the contract and offered to come down to the beach with the paperwork! Can you believe it? He actually came down to the beach and found us!!!!!

So that's that. We now have 28 days to secure the finance and then a further 28 days is allowed for settlement. I think this is the link for the house. It's no 56 Montebourg Meander, Port Kennedy
http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=106228457&f=0&p=10&t=res&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=8866416&s=wa&tm=1262093616

.........oh, and I went back to work today. How crap is that! I always have 2 weeks off at Christmas so I'm not impressed at just getting a couple of days off. Oh well, a couple more days being a Sales Consultant then onwards and upwards to Bank Manager next week. Does anyone know how to run a bank?.........answers on a postcard please. lol

Weather report: Damn hot! Beautiful!

Merry Christmas

Can't believe it's over a week since I last posted on here.

I had an interview for the bank manager job the day before Christmas Eve and I got the job!!!!! I start on 4th January, so back to being full time and learning another new job. I'm looking forward to it though.

Simon has got a job. He will be working for a glass company as a glass cutter. He starts on the 11th January. So things are looking up and we are now house hunting! Simon is adamant that he wants a house with a pool but I would rather we get the best house for our money now and put a pool in later, so no doubt there'll be some squabbles over the coming weeks!

The Bankwest Christmas Party was amazing. There must have been well over a thousand people there. No expense was spared, it was free bar all night and great entertainment laid on in two huge rooms. I had to be helped onto the coach at the end of the night so that's a good sign that it was a good do!!

Had a good day on Christmas day. Woke early with the kids and we all opened our pressies then had a lazy morning before we all got spruced up and went round to Debbie and Gareths. Debbie put on a great buffet and Stacey and Andy also came round. Debbie made sure we all pickled ourselves in alcohol. I drank a litre of Martini as well as some Ouzo, Advocaat, Rum and coke, Malibu and Baileys shot (yuk), and sambuka that almost stripped the lining of my throat. Suffered a bit today and although the weather is glorious outside we just slobbed out in front of the telly eating chocolate. Me and the kids all played with our new Nintendo games!

Linzi and Mark have entered little Harry into the Christmas spirit! Christmas Eve he was dressed up as an elf, yesterday he was a mini Santa and today he was a little Christmas Pudding. Thank god for webcam, I wouldn't have missed that for the world.........that poor child!

Not sure what we are doing yet tomorrow but on Monday the weather will hit 40 degrees so we are going down to the beach so the kids can use their new body boards they got for Christmas.

Weather is back down into the mid 20s this week and we woke up this morning to the smell of smoke in the house, a hazy fog outside and a dusting of ash on the cars. There is a bushfire burning down at Harvey which is about 90kms south of us. I think everything is under control, so nothing at all to worry about.

I've applied for promotion at work to Bank Manager............keep your fingers crossed!

Not much other news at the moment. We have been receiving packages and cards from England for over a week which just makes me want to spend Christmas with you all in the cold UK. If I win OzLotto tonight we'll be in Cleveleys next week!

Went for a walk on the beach on Sunday evening and guess what the kids found?................ a shed snake skin!!!.............on the beach!!!!! They've saved it in a tupperware box so they can show Grandad next time they see him!

The kids break up from school this Thursday and don't go back again until February! It's their "summer holidays". I only have three days off work over Xmas and New Year. Normally take 2 weeks off so I'm gutted. Never mind, I want to save my leave up for when Linzi, Mark and Harry come to visit.

15th December today and I've not done the Christmas shopping yet! I've never been so unprepared. I need to crack on!

Speak to you soon
xx

The heat!

Well I've just finished putting up the Christmas tree, Bing Crosby is crooning in the background and it's 38 degrees outside and I'm sweating like a pig!!!! Just had to walk down to the shops because the car is too damn hot to get into. Which brings me on to this...................below is something that our Uncle Dave in Serpentine sent us coz he thinks it's funny when I say I'm melting and it's only 30 degrees! Have a read, it's funny as hell and very appropriate considering the weather here today! Thanks Dave xx

DIARY OF A POMMIE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA .August 31 - Just got transferred with work from UK to our new home inPort Kennedy, Western Australia . Now this is a town that knows how to live! Beautiful, sunny days and warm, balmy evenings. I watched the sunset from a deckchair by the pool yesterday. It was beautiful. I've finally found my new home. I love it here.
September 13 - Really heating up now. It got to 31 today. No problem though. Living in air-conditioned home, driving air-conditioned car. What a pleasure to see the sun every day like this. I'm turning into a sun-worshipper
.September 30th - Had the back yard landscaped with tropical plants today.Lots of palms and rocks. No more mowing lawns for me. Another scorcher today, but I love it here.
October 10th - The temperature hasn't been below 35 all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? At least today it's windy though.Keeps the flies off a bit. Acclimatizing is taking longer than I expected.
October 15th - Fell asleep by the pool yesterday. Got third degree burns over 60% of my body Missed three days of work. What a dumb thing to do! Got to respect the ol' sun in a climate like this.
October 20th - Didn't notice Kitty (our cat) sneaking into the car beforeI left for work this morning. By the time I got back to the car afterwork, Kitty had died and swollen up to the size of a shopping bag and stuck to the upholstery. The car now smells like Whiskettes and cat shit.I've earned my lesson though: no more pets in this heat.
October 25 - This wind is a bastard. It feels like a giant f**kn' blowdryer. And it's hot as hell! The home air conditioner is on the blink anthe repair man charged $200 just to drive over and tell me he needs to order parts from f**kn' Perth....
October 30th - The temperature's up around 40 and the parts still haven't arrived for the f**kn' aircon. Been sleeping outside by the pool for three nights now. Bloody $600,000 house and we can't even go inside. Why the hell did I ever come here?
November 4 - Finally got the ol' aircon fixed. It cost $1,500 and gets the temperature down to around 25 degrees, but the humidity makes it feel about 30. Stupid repairman.
November 8 - If one more smart arse says 'Hot enough for you today?' I'm going to f**kn' throttle him. F**kn' heat! By the time I get to work, the car's radiator is boiling over, my clothes are soaking f**kn' wet and I smell like baked cat !
November 9 Tried to run some errands after work, wore shorts, and sat on the black leather upholstery in the ol' car. I thought my f**kn' arse was on fire. I lost two layers of flesh, all the hair on the backs of my legs and my f**kn' arse. Now the car smells like burnt hair, fried arse and baked cat!
November 10 - Weather report! It might as well be a f**kn' recording. Hot and sunny. Hot and sunny, Hot and f**kn' sunny! It's been too hot to do anything for two f**kn' months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week.
November 15 - Doesn't it ever rain in this damn f**kn' place? Water restrictions will be next, so my $5,000 worth of palms might just dry up and blow into the f**kn' pool. The only things that thrive in this hell-hole are the f**kn' flies You don't dare open your mouth for fear of swallowing half a dozen of the f**kers!
November 20th - Welcome to HELL! It got to 45 f**kin' degrees today. Now the air conditioner's gone in my car. The repair man came to fix it and said, 'Hot enough for you today?' I had to spend the $2,500 mortgage payment to bail me out of jail for assaulting the stupid f**ker F**kin'Port Kennedy! What kind of sick, demented f**kin' idiot would want to live here
!December 1 -WHAT!!!!The first day of Summer!!!!You've got to be f**kin' kidding!

A momentous day!!

The container that we waved goodbye to in Cleveleys on the 2nd September finally reversed onto our drive this morning! It took the guys 3 hours to get everything off and unwrapped and it took me and Simon another 7 hours to sort everything out and put everything away (well not quite everything!)

I didn't realise just how much bloomin stuff we had brought! We can't fit it all in here!! We have unpacked most of it and the house is now looking very homely after being so bare for so long! But now we have loads of stuff still wrapped and boxed and just sat outside under the car-port. I'm worried that the bogans are going to jump over the garden wall and nick it all. I need to phone round and get some prices for self-storage.

Everything seems to have made the long journey without any mishap, apart from the fridge-freezer. It has a small piece broken off from the back, which doesn't really matter but it also has one of the glass shelves missing so presumably it's been in the wars somewhere along the way. It works though, so I went straight to the supermarket tonight and bought loads of ice-cream and lollies. It's such a luxury to have a freezer!!!

When the guys brought my sideboard in I got a lump in my throat coz I was so pleased to see it!! How ridiculous is that! haha. (Not as bad as Simon......he HUGGED the fridge freezer! hahaha)

When the kids got home from school it was like Christmas day for them to have all their belongings back.....and also their beds! They have been sleeping on airbeds for 3 months!

So now it's 9pm.....my legs are aching and my feet are throbbing. It's been a hell of a day and I can't wait to finally climb into our own bed tonight. Not slept in it since August!

That's it for now but watch this space because there are possibly some exciting developments on the job front. I'll be back soon. xx

Aussie Jingle Bells (Brilliant!)

Dashing through the bush, in a Rusty Holden Ute

Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot

Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs

It's summertime and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs

Oh jingle bells jingle bells, jingle all the way

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day. Hey!

Jingle bells jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Engine's getting hot, we dodge the kangaroos

The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too.

All the family's there, sitting by the pool

Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.

Oh jingle bells jingle bells, jingle all the way

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day. Hey!

Jingle bells jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze

The kids and uncle Bruce are swimming in their clothes

The time comes 'round to go, we take the family snap

Pack the car and all shoot through before the washing up

Oh jingle bells jingle bells, jingle all the way

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day. Hey!

Jingle bells jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Holden Ute (rhymes with boot) = a type of open back van (just about every bloke in Oz dives one)

Esky = a cool box

Kelpie = an Australian breed of dog

Singlet = vest

Thongs = flip flops

Swaggie = swagman, a drifter

Just done my first week in my new job as Sales Consultant. Love the hours, 9am to 2pm but there's so much to learn, it's all a bit mind-boggling at the moment. Also it's bad timing going part time now Simon is out of work but we didn't know at the time. Simon has applied for a few jobs and is waiting to hear. He is also starting looking at setting up his own business doing pretty much what he did in the UK.

My new job is in Spearwood which is a 35 minute drive through a huge industrial area. All the guys in the Utes drive like nutters and the huge lorries aren't much better. I'm on a "Welcome to Bankwest" induction course in the city tomorrow and Tuesday. Need to catch the train at 7.25am in the morning! Thought those early train days were over when I left Paymaster!

Our container is due to arrive with us on Thursday. Yipppeee!! Don't know where the hell we will put everything though! We definately wont need the wardrobes we shipped coz all Aussie houses have built in closets. I'm betting that some of our stuff will be damaged as the guys who packed it in Cleveleys weren't exactly careful getting it into the container!

Well we are officially in Summer here now and the weather is certainly hotting up. The shopping malls have all got the Christmas Decs up and the Christmas adverts are on the telly, some of the houses are even decorated like the one on the National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, but I'm not feeling Christmassy at all yet! Worse still......I haven't even started Christmas shopping yet! If I was in Britain I would have it all bought, wrapped and under the tree by now! It's my work's Christmas party this Friday night, looking forward to that, it's a free bar all night! Got a new frock and new earring so I'm ready to go!!

Nathan has fallen in love (awwwww bless!) with a little girl in his year group. He wants to buy her some jewellery for Christmas! Maya has been snorkelling with Simon today at Point Peron. She's looking like a true beach babe now, with a gorgeous tan. Even Nathan has a tan so he doesn't look like Gollum anymore!

Not sure if anyone is still following this blog or if I'm just talking to myself. Can you click on the "comment" link below and just give me a quick "hi" to let me know that I'm not the only one on this blog.

Presuming there is someone out there.........I'll be back soon! x

Update

Little Harry was back in hospital over the weekend as he has jaundice. After some treatment under the UV lamp he is back home and being monitored. Just got off the phone to Linzi and she said he is now feeding better and seems happy and content so all is good. Missing them terribly but feeling better now I've seen them on webcam.

So what have the Dawbers been up to lately.............well, not last weekend but the weekend before, we went to Point Peron beach with the snorkles. The dolphins were quite close to the shore (about 100m away) so Simon swam out to them. They got up really close. Then Simon looked down under the water and there was a big stingray swimming underneath him (glad I wasn't out there I would have freaked!)

Simon, got laid off the same day little Harry was born so he has spent the last week applying for jobs. He had an interview yesterday and was offered the job but would need to buy a trailer and other equipment that would bite too much into our funds so he hasn't accepted yet while we think about it.

We had a lot of rain last week, absolutely torrential downpours on our steel roof! Kept us awake! Over the past few days though the weather has been slowly heating up and today reached about 36 degrees.

Over the weekend we went to Rockingham Spring Festival on Saturday and then on Sunday afternoon we went to Sepentine Falls. Dave - if you're reading this - it was hell on Earth!!!! Flies flies flies everywhere. Oh my God, I've never seen so many flies! Couldn't even open my mouth to complain about it or I would have swallowed 6 million flies! I sat on the rocks frazzling in the sun while Simon and the kids had a dip in the water. Next thing about 20 feral people with filthy feet and dreadlocks turned up, effing and jeffing all over the place. We were only there 15 minutes then got the hell out of there! So Dave - next time we drive down to Serpentine I think it will be for a few cool drinks in your bar and we'll give the falls a miss unless all the flies bugger off! hahaha x

It's my last week working in Baldivis. I move on to my part time post as Sales Consultant in Spearwood next week. Looking forward to the shorter hours but not looking forward to learning another new job so quickly!

Little Harry!

Our new arrival!!!!

This morning (or last night UK time) little Harry James Evans decided to shock us all and come in to the world a month earlier than expected. I haven't slept much last night. Spent the night nursing the phone waiting for news. He weighs a very healthy 7lb 7oz. Congratulations Linzi and Mark. You have made us a very very proud Nanny and Grandpa! Uncle Nathan and Aunty Maya are chuffed to bits. All of us feeling incredibly homesick right now. Wish we could all be there with you.

Well done Linzi, love you to bits!

xxxx

Well, Wednesday last week we were "livin the dream", Wednesday this week we are totally fed up!

Simon is at risk of being laid off and doesn't know from one day to the next if he's gonna have a job, so he's now on the job hunt again. Also we found out this week that because Simon is a sub-contractor we wont be able to get a mortgage any time soon and might even need to wait up to 2 years unless we can raise a 40% deposit (we only have a 20% deposit!). Then got home tonight and the Real Estate Agents who we are renting off are coming to do an inspection of our rental soon and have given us a list as long as your arm of things they will be checking. It basically means that we will have to go through every nook and cranny of the house with a fine tooth comb and do the mother of all spring cleans! If anything is not up to scratch they will charge us $25. From what other people have told me, these Agents will always find fault to try and rip you off for more money. I WANT A MORTGAGE!!! ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!

Okay, now that's off my chest................Maya went off to camp this morning. She will be in Balingup until Saturday. It was raining here all through the night and this morning, although it was really warm. Hope the rain keeps away from Balingup! The storm we had during the night was a bit fierce. The thunder was the loudest I have ever heard and the rain was bloody intense! Woke the whole house up. Maya and Nathan usually enjoy a good thunder & lightening storm but they were scared to death last night!

Nathan and Simon are going whale-watching on Saturday morning. I need to wait here for Maya to come home from camp but then we'll go up to Fremantle to meet them off the boat. I think we will be heading to Point Peron on Sunday so Nathan can try out his new snorkling set he got for his birthday.

Friday the 13th tomorrow. Joy!!

Catch up

Had a busy weekend, spent Saturday catching up on shopping, ironing, housework then got ready for the halloween fancy dress party. Sunday we eventually crawled out of bed (morning after the halloween party!) and we drove up to Kings Park in the city. It was a beautiful day and an even more beautiful place. Great views over the city and swan river.

Had a day off work yesterday (Tues) and had my first Aussie hair-do. I'm proper blonde again now instead of two-tone! Made a picnic in the afternoon and when Simon got home from work we picked up the Fitzes and all went down to eat our tea on the beach and watch the sun go down. The kids were playing in the sea, us adults were chilling on the picnic rug listening to The Eagles "Hotel California" as the sky glowed orange and purple with the sunset. Then to make the moment even more perfect a group of dolphins appeared bobbing about in the sea right in front of us. We really were "livin the dream"!! Perfect evening!

Anyway........back to work this morning and was told I'm being transferred to the Spearwood branch as a part time Sales Consultant. I'll be working 9.30 to 2.30 each day. So another step up the ladder and another job to learn! I'm really pleased.

Simon has not had such good news. The Govt over here has slashed the grants for the home insulation which means some of the insulation companies are going to suffer. Simon's boss has told him that it is likely he will need to cut back and as Simon was last in, he will be first out. So it's a case of waiting to see what happens and in the meantime Simon will keep his eyes and ears open for something else.

Back in the UK, Linzi has moved into her new home with Mark. Really proud of the pair of them! xx

Not coming back to England in 2010

Because I can't get enough annual leave and because flight prices to the UK in January are extortionate, I won't now be coming back to England next year. Instead, we are going to pay for Linzi, Mark and our little grandson to come out here to stay with us for a couple of weeks, hopefully in April/May. It's cheaper than me coming back to the UK on my own in January, and this way Simon and the kids get to meet the new arrival as well. Can't wait. It's going to be great!!

Change of plan! Simon hasn't gone away this week, his boss didn't get things organised in time so they are now going next week instead. I've got a day off next week (whoo hoo!). At the bank you get a rosta day off each month but you pretty much have to take it when your boss schedules it so I've ended up with a day off when Simon is away and the kids are at school.............what should I do with a whole day to myself?..............of course..............Christmas shopping!!!!!!
It's been like England here today, cold, windy and chucking it down. It's going to be cool for a few days yet, around 21 to 26 degrees. I've actually had to put a cardi on!
Did my exam today and I've sent off my written assessment, got to wait now to find out my result. Don't want to do it again so keep your fingers crossed for me.
Linzi gets the keys to her new house on Monday (can't believe I found out off Facebook Linzi!!! Tut tut!!). Really chuffed though, it's a relief to think she will be settled in her little nest with Mark when the baby arrives. The midwife has told Linzi she might be early because the baby is so big and is so many 5ths engaged (whatever that means!)
Nathan's birthday this Friday so the Fitzgeralds are coming round for a birthday tea, then we are all going to a Halloween Party in Waikiki on Saturday night. We are all in fancy dress and the lady who is throwing the party has spent a fortune on decorations, she is even having a graveyard in her back garden. Should be good!

Hi everyone, hope you are all okay.

My job at the bank is going fine, I'm picking it up quite well and have managed to balance my cash everyday. The girls I work with are lovely, there are only 5 of us in the branch. Only down side is the bloody hours! I'm trying to go on to part time but there's no post available for me yet so I'll stick with this for now. Simon is liking his new job as well but they have given him a big fat ugly van to drive which he has to bring home every night. So we've got that monstrosity sat on the driveway now, lowering the tone of the neighbourhood! Simon is working away next week, way out in Kalgoorlie which is a mining town way out in snake and roo territory about 8 hours drive inland! He goes on Tuesday and he wont be back until Friday night so he's going to miss Nathan's birthday which is a bit of a shame. Nathan's decided he's going to have his birthday on the Saturday instead. Simon has seen loads of creepy crawlies while working on the roofs this week. He saw loads of redbacks but managed not to get bitten!

Went to Debbie and Gareths for tea last night, drank way too much and woke up on their settee at 6am this morning wondering where the hell I was. Looked across the room and Nathan was asleep on the other settee but Maya and Simon were nowhere to be seen! Walked home with Nathan, feeling sick as a dog and found out that after I zonked out Simon and Maya buggered off home and left me, but Nat decided to stay and keep me company!

Went to Point Peron this morning, thought a brisk walk would clear our heads. Weather was boiling though so it made me feel worse. Had a laugh though, Simon and the kids were in the sea and I was stood paddling and Simon jokingly shouted across to me to be on shark watch............next thing, 5 mins later I saw a big dorsal fin sticking out of the water a few meters from where Simon and Nathan were. I shouted for them to get out of the water but then immediately realised it wasn't a shark it was dolphins. Simon spun his head round, spotted the dorsal fin and absolutle crapped himself! I've never seen him move so fast! He shot out of the sea shouting "Nathan, get out!!!" I was wetting myself laughing, his eyes were on stalks and his heart was beating out of his chest! Hilarious!

Anyway, I better go. I'm supposed to be studying for an exam I've got to do on Wednesday "Financial Services Regulations blah blah blah", or something along those lines! Apparantly everyone who works for the bank has got to do it!

I'll be back soon! x

Hot hot hot!

It's been a gorgeous weekend. Yesterday the temperature reached well into the 30s so we headed off to the beach with a picnic. The kids went swimming in the ocean and Maya was jumping off the pontoons. Simon walked the kids further up the beach where loads of people were diving in off the jetty. Maya took the plunge and was really proud of herself.

My hayfever was the worst it's ever been so my beach bag was packed with tissues and I was drugged up with absolutely useless anti-histamines! Got in the car after we got off the beach and couldn't touch the gear stick or steering wheel - hot hot hot! Had to sit there for 5 minutes with the air-con on full blast before I could drive!

This morning we had a stroll around Point Peron. It is a really really beautiful place. Saw a big fat lizard, a snake and then the best sight ever...............eight dolphins playing near the shore. Point Peron is my favourite place in the world!

Came home and did the ironing (see.......we do normal things as well!!!)

Simon has got an early start tomorrow for his first day in his new job.

I feel so lucky to be here!

Finished work at 5.30 today. Came home, got changed, then went down to the local beach in Port Kennedy. Had a lovely walk along the shoreline as the sun was setting. What a great way to unwind after work and build up an appetite ready for tea!

All the seaweed (and dead things) that were washed up a few weeks ago in the bad weather, have now gone and there is just a gorgeous stretch of golden sand..........and all within walking distance of our house. Bliss!

My new job

So I'm two days into my new job and I think I like it but I'm totally NOT impressed with the hours. After working flexi-time for the past 23 years it's a shock to the system working set hours............and getting out of work late each day! I start at 8.30 and I'm supposed to finish at 5.15 but on my first day yesterday I got out at 5.30 and today didn't get out until 5.40!! Not happy!

Good news is that I'm learning the job quickly and enjoying it. Yesterday I spent most of the day observing the other staff in the bank but today they put me on teller all day.......scary stuff as I'd never worked in a bank before. Got quite confident by this afternoon and when we closed up my cash balanced so all was good. Still got LOADS to learn though!

Kids went back to school yesterday and still love it! There have been athletic trials this week to select a team for the upcoming inter-school competitions. Maya has been selected for the team and Nathan has been put on the reserve team, so they are both chuffed.

Weather forecast is 32 degrees for Saturday so we are trying to decide which beach to go to................too many to choose from, decisions, decisions! It's such a tough life!!

Simon got the job he went for this morning. Much better conditions and better money!! He starts next Monday. My first day at work tomorrow. I've got quite used to being a lady of leisure so the 8.30 start is going to be difficult!! When I get my uniform I'll post a picture lol.

Kids are back at school tomorrow as well after their 2 week break, so we are all starting to settle down to normal life again. Looking forward to the weekend, it's forecast to get hot hot hot so we may have to spend some lazy hours on the beach to cool off!

Big hello to Uncle Dave and Aunty Jean!! Had a great afternoon at their house yesterday.

I'll be back in a few days to let you all know how I get on at work..........I'm expecting it to be difficult..........I haven't sussed out Australian money yet and I keep calling it "pounds" instead of "dollars"!

Latest news

Simon has quit the job he started last week. It just wasn't feasible, but he already has another job interview for 9am tomorrow morning. Seems to be quite easy to get work here but Perth covers such a massive area you just have to get something that's within reasonable travelling. Went to Debbie and Gareths on Friday night for a barbie and got smashed (again!!). Yesterday was a cloudy day so we went for a drive to Fremantle as we'd not seen it yet. I love it there! It has a very "old" feel to it and the older buildings mainly have a Dutch influence. It was really quiet because the weather wasn't great but I should imagine it will get heaving once we get into Summer. I'll definately be taking trips there more often, it's a lovely place. The parrot in the photograph was sat in a palm tree with it's mate just outside the shipwreck museum.

Going to meet Simon's uncle Dave and aunty Jean this afternoon out in Serpentine. They emigrated out here when Simonn was about 4 years old and he hasn't seen them since!

The newspapers here say that it's mating season for Tiger Snakes and so they will be coming out of the bush into the suburbs and into our back gardens! They kill!!!!! Arghhhhhh!

Nathan was very brave as well. Jake was looking on and thinking "should I?, shouldn't I?" .......and in the end .........he did!

Rather her than me!!

Maya giving little Joey his lunch.

How cute is this little Kanga?!!! Can't remember the name of this little wildlife park we visited but it's only about 15 minutes away so I'm sure we will be visiting again.....regularly!!

Do any of you ever feed my fish when you visit this blog? They look starving! Click anywhere near the fish to feed them. Thanks. :-) xx

Simon started work yesterday. He was working on a site way up north in Yanchep. He is hoping that he will be able to get work closer to home and that he can get on domestic properties rather than on site work. Then he'll be able to make top dollar. He's going to see how it goes over the next week or so but if all the work is as far north as Yanchep then he'll have to look for something else.

It's all change with my job as well. I've now decided to take a full time role in the branch which is closer to our house. I'll be No.1 Teller (whatever that is). If I'm working full time it will look better when we apply for our mortgage in a few months. Once we've got the mortgage I'll decide what I want to do after that. I'm still working for BankWest so I'll still be in the lovely orange and black uniform!! I start next Tuesday (13th). It's going to kill me after being off work for so long!! The hours are 8.30 to 5.15 and on top of annual leave I get a rosta day off every month. I'm looking forward to learning a new job and they are still putting me on fast track development for Branch Manager. Better get my brain back into gear!!

Gorgeous sunny day again yesterday so me and Debbie took the kids to Mandurah. Went to the little fair then for a walk round the lake. Got up close and personal with a pelican (bloody horrible things they are! Look at it's cartoon eye!!)

Woke up this morning with a suspicious bite on my leg, presumably from our walk yesterday!

Not sure what I'm doing today, looks a bit cloudy..........might have to go shopping!!

Point Peron

We spent a few hours at Point Peron yesterday. It's absolutely gorgeous and literally only 10 minutes from our front door!!! We had a lovely sandy cove all to ourselves. Sometimes dolphins turn up near the shore here but we weren't lucky enough to see any yesterday. When we came off the beach we walked through the paths in the area and saw 5 shingleback skink lizards.
Really beautiful place, feel so lucky it is so close. We will be spending quite a bit of time here in the summer!

Oh my God! I actually managed to upload a picture. Been trying for days but Blogger has been playing up! Anyway.....this is us on Saturday night with our fantastic mates Debbie and Gareth. They came round for tea.............and grog!

I'll try and upload some more piccies now that it's working again.

Whooooops!!!

I put the wrong telephone number on one of the previous posts.........our new number is 0061 8 95942814. Thanks Jane for pointing that out!

Not got much else to tell you today. Been to the beach, kids have been in the sea.......didn't get eaten by sharks!

I'll be back soon. xx

Simon has got a job!

Simon went for his first interview today and was given the job on the spot. He will be fitting insulation and starts next Tuesday. I got my contract of employment through today and I start next week too so we better sort out some childcare for the school holidays and after school!!!!!

I'm starting to think that maybe this really is the land of milk and honey!

Took a nice picture today but can't bloody (whoops sorry Mum) bloomin upload it!

Home phone number

We should have the home phone connected later today. Our number is 0061 8 **********. Don't forget that we are 7 hours ahead of you so don't be phoning us at silly o'clock!


Went to Ikea yesterday, I could have been in Warrington! Feel more at home now I've got an Ikea oven glove!

xx

Our rental house, plus my little Kia and Simon's Ute.

The sun has come out!

Finally out of the jeans and cardigans and into the shorts and vest tops!! Having some glorious weather this weekend. Moved into our rental yesterday, loving it!! Bought the biggest sofa you have ever seen (I really must upload some photos soon!), bought a washing machine, a huge garden table and chairs and a big telly. Apart from that we have borrowed a bed and bedding off Debs & Gareth, the kids are on air-beds and the place looks a bit sparse. Can't wait for our container to arrive!

Got invited to a party last night with some local ex-pats. We all have children at the same school. Was a bit nervous as we didn't know anyone there but what a great bunch of people! Most of them from North West England so dead down to earth and easy to get on with.

Simon has bought his pride and joy..........a massive "man" barbecue! Sat in the garden this morning eating barbecued pork steak butties for breakfast!!

We are absolutely loving it here. It's a great place to raise kids and it's true what everyone says about the Aussies laid back attitude......frustrating as hell sometimes but I'm sure I'll get used to it!

Hoping to get out and about a bit this week as it's my last week off before I start work.

Anyway, gotta go. We're off to a barbie this arvo!

Check back in a couple of days and I'll get my act together with the photos!

Love to you all, thanks for reading the blog! (and well done Jane Hargreaves for finally becoming a follower! Miss you mate, x)

We've got a rental

Another day, another success!! We have had our application accepted on a rental house......we move in on Saturday!! It's close to the school and Debbie & Gareth's. It's a large 3 bed, 2 bath bungalow. It's got a living room, large open plan kitchen/family room, master bedroom with walk in wardrobe and en-suite, kids bedrooms, family bathroom and laundry room. Only got a small garden but we will only be in it for about 4 months. Just at the bottom of the road is a small park with a little lake and barbecue areas. The place is unfurnished though and our container wont be here until the end of November so Debs & Gareth are coming to the rescue again and lending us some bits. Think I might have to make a trip to Ikea as well!!

Really pleased to get our own place but will be even more chuffed in a few months when we can apply for a mortgage and buy!!

Another bit of news today..........Simon passed his test for the "white card". It's a sort of licence that tradesman need before they can work. Simon can start applying for jobs now.

Whoooooo hoooooo!!!

I got a job!!! I will be starting in a couple of weeks working for a bank as Sales Consultant. I can choose the hours I wish to work (to fit in with the kids) up to Christmas then from January I will move up to full time Branch Manager!! Can't bloody believe it!! Oh my God I'm so chuffed!!!!

The kid's start school!!!

Maya and Nathan started school yesterday. They were really scared in the morning so me and Simon were nervous all day wondering how they were getting on. They came out of school with huge smiles on their faces. They both said that everyone was mega friendly. They have already made some friends. Nathan said "I can't think there could ever be a better primary school!". Maya said that all the kids in her class were really helpful to her. All the staff are lovely as well and made a big deal of their first day. There is a special assembly tomorrow and the kids will be presented with a certificate to celebrate them joining the school. So chuffed that they like it!!

Simon has bought a Ute (a van) which he picked up today so we have a vehicle each now. Took the hire car back to Perth airport but got lost on the way back because a new stretch of freeway opened this weekend and Sat Nav knew nothing about it!! Ended up out in the sticks with emus and things roaming round.......crapped myself! Anyway, eventually found civilisation again and went to view a rental house yesterday afternoon which we really like. We have applied to be tenants and we should hear tomorrow.

I had a couple of "informal" job interviews today which went really really well. Fingers crossed I should be working again within the next couple of weeks!

Weather has been traditionally English since we arrived (windy, rainy, with odd sunny spells) today has been gorgeous though, actually ventured out with no cardigan and bare legs!

Last weekend we went out for a meal with some other ex-pats and also Simon's cousin Carol came. Had a great night, everyone got on well together and were very welcoming of us.

So in the space of a week we have bought 2 vehicles, enrolled the kids in school, hopefully found a rental, got myself a job (touch wood), made some new friends and caught up with a long lost family member!! Not bad for a weeks work!

The kids are on half term holidays after this week and Debbie and Gareth have some leave so we are going to calm down a bit, do less running round, and go out and see the sights a bit. Looking forward to that.

We are feeling really settled here so far. I think we made the right move, it's a lovely place and everyone is so friendly (apart from all the idiots who majorly tooted and shook their fists at me on the freeway this morning because I was in the wrong lane!! lol)

Thanks for keep checking in on the blog. I'll get some photos posted on here within the next day or two. See ya soon xx

Bought a new car today!! I'm now the proud owner of a 2007 Kia Rio (well we are on a budget!). Really chuffed with it. Also bought our new mobile phones and sat navs!

Been out and about loads today....can't get over how many parrots are just flying about and strolling along the grass verges over here. UK has pigeons, Australia has multi coloured parrots!

Not encountered any deadly animals yet although the car salesman at the Kia garage nearly bored me to death today!!

That's it for now, speak soon. x

We're here!!!

This could be a long one.....you better get a brew!..........Arrived safe and sound on Monday teatime (Perth time). The flight was great, hundreds of films to choose from, telly programmes to watch and games to play. Debbie met us at the airport and it was great to see her, quite emotional. By the time we got through customs and collected the hire car it was going dark on the journey back to the house so we didn't see much. Jake and Luke are now speaking in Aussie accents like they've lived here years! So cute!! Debbie and Gareth's house is great and they have made us really welcome.

Yesterday we spent the day unpacking then had a walk round to get our bearings. It was really cold but we are just coming out of winter here. The Aussies are all wrapped up in thick anoraks but us hardened Poms were just in a jumper! Went to view a rental house last night. They have this strange system here where they open up the proprty for half an hour and about 6 families turn up to view it at the same time. Whoever is interested then applies to be tenants and the Agents just pick one! Pot luck really. The house was big and we quite liked it but we have a couple more to view over the weekend so we will wait a while before we start applying.

Simon went to check out the local gym at the leisure centre and couldn't believe the facilities on offer. As well as the gym there are several huge swimming pools including one for the kids with all the water slides and one for the serious swimmers where you get a lane all to yourself to swim up and down. There is also an olymic sized outdoor pool that has barbecuing facilities around it so the family can spend the day there and cook lunch on the barbie in between dips in the pool!

Met the headmaster at Maya and Nathan's new school today. What a lovely lovely bloke! In fact all the staff that we met made a real fuss of the kids and were so informal and friendly. The kids will start school on Monday. It sounds fabulous..........and they will be learning Indonesian (beats German!!). The deputy head is going to have Maya assessed to see if she can represent the school in their interschools athletics tournaments next term!! Nathan will be going on an intensive 2 week swimming course with the school in the new year as well. The schools here are big on water skills!

It was a bit warmer today - T-Shirts and sunglasses (not bad for the back end of winter). Went into Perth city on the train to activate our bank accounts. The train stations here are so clean and tidy.....in fact the whole place seems so clean and new. The streets round here are great. Each house is detached, most are 4 bed, 2 bath bungalows with huge front gardens and back gardens.

Need to go into Rockingham tomorrow to buy a car, because we only have the hire car until Tuesday. Also need to buy new mobile phones and the kids school uniforms etc. Then we need to crack on and start looking for a job. I've possibly got an opportunity with the bank, I need to chat with the area manager next week. Simon is applying for various different jobs. Keep your fingers crossed for us........want to apply for a mortgage asap!!

I'll be back soon to keep you posted. Don't forget to leave me a message! Missing you all. xx

Going to be off-line for a while now. Exchanged on the house today and we are now living in a holiday flat....with no internet access!!!! Aaaarrrgggghhh! Just popped round to Mum's to use the internet. Should be back online properly when we get to Perth.
Bye for now xxx

Empty House!

The shippers have gone!! Hurraaayyyy. They have been here all day again today. Didn't leave until about 6.30pm. This morning they carried on wrapping and packing and wrapping and packing but then a bit of excitement at about 2pm this afternoon...........the container arrived! I thought the lads were going to put everything in their lorry and then transfer it to the container at the depot but the battered old thing turned up this afternoon and it took them about 3 hours to load it in the end.

The driver of the container told us it's going on MSC Rhone which is currently docked in Liverpool. We can track the ship's journey on Marinetraffic.com. MSC Rhone looks like a battered old ship.......hope it makes it all the way to Oz!

So, now the house is pretty much empty and we are drinking champagne watching a tiny little portable telly perched on a little plastic box! Might as well get used to this, we won't see our furniture again until November!

Shippers!!!!!

Just a quick update as I'm in bed..........well actually I'm on a blow up air bed in a room that echoes surrounded by cardboard boxes. My lamp has already been bubble wrapped so I've got my torch here so I can see the the way out of the room without stubbing my toes on all this MESSSSSSS!!!

Shippers turned up at about 10.45am this morning.....only an hour and 45 minutes late. Then had a brew and a fag, then walked round the whole house summing things up. They did a little bit of packing but then by 11.30am were on the 2nd brew and fag break! They've managed to get quite a bit done (despite the pace) but they are coming back again tomorrow to do the rest. There are boxes everywhere. Maya has escaped and is on yet another sleepover (nice move), the rest of us are on airbeds.

Solicitors phoned today, we exchange contracts tomorrow and should complete as expected on Monday. That's a relief.

Anyway, lets see if this thing stays inflated all night. Goodnight! xx

Last Day at Work

Had an amazing but very emotional day yesterday. After over 20 years working in the same building I finally handed in my security pass and left yesterday. Got a fantastic send off. The office was decorated with balloons, streamers and proper dodgy photos of me and the team at the Rocky Horror Show! Helen, Carly and Jane were all there to meet me when I first walked in and had some beautiful pressies for me. At lunchtime we had a "bit of a do" in the bar and I was presented with more lovely pressies. Tim read out a poem that Rena had written for me and that set me off crying for about the 20th time that day!

Last night PSPA and Jane went out for a meal at Pulcinellas. The PSPA girls all had cameras at the ready and were flashing all night!!

It was a great night with the most fantastic bunch of people. Gonna miss you all so much. xxx

Today, the hangover wasn't as bad as expected so me and Simon got on with sorting stuff out ready for the shippers coming. The house is even more untidy now!

Simon has just gone out with the blokes for his "leaving do". I think it's going to be a long night as they are heading off to the casino in the early hours! Got the house to myself as the kids are sleeping out at friends hoouses tonight. They are trying to get as much time with their friends as they can as it's only 2 weeks now before we leave!

Anyway....enough for tonight, I'm going to have a Martini. x

Crikey....there is so much to do! Simon is busy selling his tools, equipment and van. I sold my car today so now have a hire car to see us over the next couple of weeks. I'm leaving work on Friday and going out for a meal with the team on Friday night.

The house is a tip with trying to get everything sorted ready for the shippers coming next week!
Thanks to Carly and Claire for adopting some homeless houseplants!

Now trying to suss out tax forms, bank accounts, transferring money blah blah blah. I've got a headache!

Anyway, the great news is that Linzi has had an offer accepted on a house, so her and Mark will be homeowners soon!

Welcome to my Blog

Hello everyone. I'm new to this blogging thing so let's just see how it goes!

Well.......we are emigrating to Perth in Australia on the 13th September so I guess this blog is the story of our emigration.

So who are we? Mandy, Simon, Maya and Nathan........Linzi (the lovely redhead on the photo) is not coming with us. She is just about to embark on a big adventure of her own......buying her first home with her lovely boyfriend and expecting their first child in December.

We've just about sold the house in Cleveleys, Lancashire. We have the shippers coming to pack up all our furniture and belongings on the 1st & 2nd Sept. Not looking forward to that!! Then we will have to camp out in our empty house a few days before moving into a local holiday flat and then finally leaving Cleveleys on the 13th Sept!! So things are a bit hectic here right now and stress levels are rising!

I'll be back soon to let you know how we are getting on.