The Journey from Wigan to Perth

A Week off From Work

We visited the botanic gardens and played mini golf and had a fun day out, we also visited the AQWA Aquarium at Hilary’s Boat Harbour which was very interesting and going through the shark tunnel seeing the Sharks, Stingrays, Tortoise and fish swimming above you.

We also popped into Perth on the Sunday prior to our week off and visited the shops in the city, as we never get time during the lunch break to have a wander and a look round the city.

I noticed a Borders shop :), so got some books to read and went to David Jones shop (to me a bit like Selfridges) and bought a few bits for the house.

We were planning on going horse riding (2 hour trek) but it was booked up so we have booked for this Saturday.

The Weather has been the like the weather normally in the UK, Grey clouds and rain and typical we go back to work and the weeks forecast is looking lovely blue sky’s and sun. How typical, (We had to say to ourselves though it is winter....)

We went to Karrinyup shopping centre which also has a David Jones and a Myer and we also noticed the Pumpkin Patch shop, There seems to be different shops there so we might be going back there. 

We also got some more furniture for the house, we got a Coffee Table and a Coat Stand (at last we looked everywhere for a coat stand). We have sorted out the house contents insurance and only have left to sort out life insurance.

Dave & Julie

3 Months On

Well since our last entry, there has been a lot going on.

The Rental

After looking at loads of properties from the south of the River to the Northen Surburbs we eventually got a rental in Ocean Reef, about 5-10 mins walk from the beach. The rental scheme here in Perth seems to work different than the Uk, where if you see a property that you want to rent, then you contact the agent and they arrange a viewing. When you arrive at the viewing all the other people that are intested in that property also view the property at the same time and then you can get an application form.

It also seemed norm to secure getting a rental that you offered more than they advertised, espcially as we had bailey (Our dog). We had to up our budget for the rental and gave $655 a week (Advertised as $600 a week), We also gave 10 weeks rent up front which swayed it I think.

The House is a 5x2 with a Pool for the spring and summer months for cooling down a bit.

We also bought a table tennis and play that some nights, at first we were hitting the ball slowly but we are gaining pace. (watch out Matt, you might have to get used to losing at that game when you come out)

The dog (Bailey)

We visted him everyday in quarantine between 11.30 - 12.00 apart from the weekends when they arev closed. We booked a pen everyday (No Cost) for a walk outside where we spent time with him and gave him a few treats. He lost a bit of weight in quarantine but has but that all back on. We got the rental the day before he come out of quarantine (Close call). He has settled well now and walks round like he owns the joint. A lot of places we visted for rentals were asking about our dog saying "is he an outside dog"  thats what i think was our biggest hurdle for the rentals.

We have already visited the Vets and have booked him in for a yearly worming, jabs etc and we have taken him down the beach a few times and have also taken him outside for walks.

The Jobs

I applied for a job on the internet on SEEK.COM.AU for a test analyst position and we was called up the next day to go for a chat with an agnecy (Robert Walters). They put us forward for contract roles with a few companies and after the 2nd job interview, after leaving the interview our agent phoned us and said we got the jobs. We both work for Ajilon - Sub Contracting for BHP Billiton working as testers. There is a lot of learning here as there are multiple systems to learn. We are both enjoying the work and it is so different to what we used to which was banking which is a nice change.

The Car & Petrol Costs

Aftrer looking at different cars for about 2 weeks after arriving, Julie eventually decided on a Nissian Pathfinder 4X4 that John (Family we lived with) got us, it had reasonable mileage but to fill the tank its costing about $95 (about 65 Litres).

It has been really handy getting a 4x4 as we have used it to get furntiure back to the rental and not pay the delivery charge.

The Price of Fuel has changed in the last 3 months, when we got here the price was about $1.30 litre and it went up to $1.55 a litre, it is going down a bit and the average is now about $1.52 a litre.

Also if you do your shopping like tescos then you get a 4c a litre discount up to the value you spent on shopping.

Food Shopping

Our grocerie shopping at the moment for the month is a lot more expensive than in the uk, but then we are still buying bits that you dont tend to get once fully established, It seems that food is about equally priced as long as you go for the vegtables that are in season (basically the same as the uk)

Alchole seems more expensive and you can't buy alchol from the shops you need to go to the Liquor Stores.

Shopping In General

In General shopping is good apart from that the shopping centres are closed on a sunday and so far we have not seen any 24hour stores. Late night shopping is on a Thursday and the quality of products are good (No Complaints), The one problem is Julie needs to find a shop for (Hobbits) as there doesnt seem to be much of a range for Petite. There doesn't seem to be many dedicated Card Shops in the shopping centres.

There are loads of Coffee shops, Australians do like there coffees with drive through coffee shops called "Muzz Buzz"

Outlet shopping & DIY

It seems that the versionn of B&Q (Bunnings) has the monoplpy of DIY stores and I have not seen any other DIY warehouses. We have also not seen any Huge Book stores like borders, or First sport , but they do have outdoor pursuits and loads of furntiure shops, and IKEA.

Activities

So far we have not done much due to the fact we are trying to funish the house and getting into a routine of life, eg. Grocery shopping on a Thursday, Cleaning through the week, Washing on a Friday/Saturday etc.

We have visited the beach a few times and been to a national Park where we saw Kolas, Kanagroos and we done a walk round the lake (Nice Day out). Been out to a pub for a few bevvies after work

We have a week off next week so hopefully we will ahve done a few more things. And joined a squash club.

The Aution

When we got the rental we went to the auction and bought the following which saved quite o lot of money.

Bed & Matress, Fridge Frezzer, Book Cases

Finances

Our finances are starting to grow again slowly (better than not at all), We automatically pay into a pension scheme they are called "Supers" and we have private medical that covers almost everything from Dental, Eyes, Back as well as doctors and hositals that costs about $250 a month which is good.

The dentistry costs are about the same if not a little bit more expensive, The doctors you pay to see them about $60 but claim that back from either medicare (Gov Scheme) if not in a private sheme. Pharmacy costs are about the same.

Overall we are both really happy and both think that emigrating is the best thing we have ever done, with no regrets at all.

I think thats about all I can think of for now.

Dave & Julie

1 Week after arrival in Perth

Within the first week we have got the bank accounts activated and are awaiting the bank cards in the post.

We have registered with medicare and have applied for our tax numbers. 

We have seen Bailey our dog and was so happy to see us, he has had a bit of a funny tummy but is doing really well. We have seen him everyday apart from Friday as it was Anzac day and are looking forward to getting him home.

We have been looking at rentals and a car to buy, but not sure if to get a job or rental first.

We planned to get the rental first so that bailey is home and then go for jobs, but the family we are staying with advises get a job first, so not sure what to do.

Leaving the Uk.

We left work on the 4th April, and the last week and a half before we left Wigan to go down south, we were very busy finishing the house, doing painting and the odd jobs that have been put off for ages.

We did a trial pack and thought that we would fit all our clothes in the cases, not so much for space but weight, we had 100kg in total and after a trial pack we were 80kg over. We took some out and tried again, we must of spent the entire day doing this until we eventually got down to 120kg and the charity shop got a lot of clothes.

On Wednesday the 16th, Jeanette, Tony, Peter and Julia came out to Wigan to take our suitcases, all 5 of them and 2 hand luggage as well as furniture and bits of bobs we were giving to the family, Many thanks to the family for helping out.

On Friday we arranged to meet up with family for the last good-bye party and it was very emotional.

On the day of the flight it all went well until we got to the security check-in when we needed to say good-bye (It's not a good-bye though its a see you later) and we all got very emotional and it was very hard going though the security.

We flew via Dubai and by the time we got from our arrival gate to the departure gate we boarded about 10 minutes after arriving.

We landed in Perth just gone 6pm on the Sunday.

The last leg with only 30 Days before we leave the Uk

Well since the last blog entry there has been many things that have been done.

Firstly all of the major jobs that needed to be done have been completed with the thanks to Family and friends for helping out. The Garden is all sorted, the garage has been emptied, kitchen work-tops and sink replaced with many other jobs as well.

The last major job has just been done which is getting the facias and guttering replaced all over the property and the house is looking really good now, typical now that we are leaving the house.

We handed our notice in with the company giving in 4 weeks notice, but I'm sure they want to get there moneys worth out of us, as we have been so busy with juggleling 7-8 things on our job to-do list and all of the jobs are not small requests.

Our dog bailey had his booster, and we also decided on him having the rabies shot, as we thought we would get him done just incase a diaster did happen and we had to come back to the Uk, It's just being prepared for the worst as well as the best as you never know what life throws at you.

We also had our first leaving do down south on the 15th March and would like to say thank you for friends and family for making the effort to come and visit us and making the event really special. We would also like to thank uncle michael (sorry Mick) for arranging and sorting the venue for us. Last we would also like to thank mum and tony for organising the invites, to speaking to old childhood friends to come down and for sorting everything out on the day.

After the weekend we went back home to continue sorting the house out before the shippers arrive. We already started half the house about 2 weeks ago, going through cupboards and deciding if we would take items to Oz, sell, give to family, charity or ditch. Well we started at 8am on the monday and finished at 12:30am and then the next day from 9am till 1.30am and finished sorting the house out apart from a few little jobs. We put little yellow stickers with a cross on them to inform the shippers what cupboards etc NOT to take and it worked really well.

Some money has been transferred into are Oz bank account, just keeping our eye on the exchange rate, we based our costs on the exchange rate of 2.20 to the pound.

Sky Tv and and the broadband has been cancelled, so as of the end of March no sky or "tin-ternet" for 2 weeks before we leave.

It now seems weird that the house is empty, we have put the bed in to the lounge so we have something to sit on while we watch tv and we have one pan and plastic plates and plastic cutley, thats it.

For now thats all I can remember as we are knackered and need a good sleep........

50 Days of Work or 67 Days till we Fly

Well It's starting to him home, what we are doing. It seems wierd leaving my Job as I have always had a job to walk into once I leave, (Even though this is only my 3rd Full Time job). We have arranged to give the company mobiles back in mid March so we will pass on our new mobile number when we get one.

Well it has been an eventfull month, We have had a few downs over the last month and half with some bad news, but we are a lot better now and focused on what needs to be completed before we leave for Oz.

We have the house with a letting agent now (Full Managament) and we are finishing bits of what needs to be completed. The Fence Panels have all been stained, The windows have been sanded and varnished, the main bedroom has had its touchups, So the list is getting there. The car is still not sold, hopefully it will be soon.

Our dog is booked in to the vets for his blood tests and his booster and we get him groomed as well, total cost £290. Its working out bailey is costing more than a business class ticket to Oz. (well half of one)

Can't think of anything else so for now so back to work and get ready for the day.

Dave & Julie

15 Weeks to Go ......

Well its Now 2008 and we have 13 weeks or 91 days until we leave work and 15 weeks or 108 days until we are on the flight to Australia not that we are counting.....

We are going through mixed emotions as we are exited on our new life, but worried about getting jobs, rent as well as feelings about missing friends and family.

Well we still have lots to do and Julie seems to calm as I can’t help but think how much needs to be done. We have decided to rent our house out and have sent away for a pack on Full Management from a rental agency, this is while we decide where we want to buy in Oz. Our Dog Bailey is booked for the 17th April (2 days before we go so that we can check on him before we fly). We are still sorting stuff in the house and it is starting to get there, but it seems like it is taking for ever.

I will be a lot calmer once I can see that the majority of jobs are done and complete, knowing that there is no rushing around at the last hurdle.

We have booked the 1st leaving party down south for family and some friends for the 15th March, Thanks again to Uncle Mick for sorting the venue out. We are also arranging another do on the 1st March up North for Friends and Family and work colleagues. We will probably do another do for work but that will be a few drinks in the local pub and a Chinese.

Start the Booking Process - The "Emotion"rollercoster starts

The time had come when we needed to make a decision about flights. The decision was taken to book flights for the 19th April 2008, after a phone call with our pet shipment company to ensure we could book the dog in.

Our dog "Bailey" will be leaving on the 17th April 2008, this will allow us to check that he has arrived safety before we board our flights. 

The flight is on the 19th April at 2pm and arrives in Dubai at 23:55 then leaves 2 hours later and arrives in Perth at 17:15 on the Sunday.

After booking the flights it felt a bit strange as we was happy but also feeling a bit strange, even thought we are looking forward to leaving on the same note, it feels a bit sad leaving family ( I suppose the rollercoster of emotions is starting)

One month on from getting the Visa - Things starting to come together.

Well It's been a month since we received the news about the visa, and we have been very busy so far.

1) We got 4 quotes for the international removers and we have decided on one of them at a quote of £2100 for a shared container. 

2) We also got all quotes for the pet transport and went down to see of them and was really happy so we will be booking them at £1660.

3) Our finances are coming into place with the next 6-12 months budgeted for allowing for rental costs for 6 months and buying white goods when we arrive in Perth, flights and all costs to emigrate.

4) Flights we are looking at using Emirates as we are looking at leaving the UK on the 12 May at flight costs of £440 and we can get a huge 50Kg allowance each. (that means Julie can take her suitcase of shoes and a suitcase of bags.)

5) We have been working out which bank to have all our bank accounts with (working out all charges and rates)

So hopefully with in the next 2-3 weeks we will be booking flights, pet shipment and international movers.

The family have been given us a little bit of grief about getting married before we leave, and as we said to them we can not afford the wedding that we want. If on the other-hand the family "Pay" for the wedding that we want then "yes" we will marry before we go.

Now starts the sort out of the house, E-bay Items, auctioneering items, Car boots, giving them away. This will take some time as Julie likes to keep even the empty boxes. (The loft has been sorted so many times already) 

Dave & Julie

The Visa has been Granted

Today is the 22nd October and at 7am this morning I checked the email and still no news. When we got into work I checked our email again to find out if we had received the quotes about shipping Bailey (The Dog). When the mail opened I noticed the mail from our Agent saying Visa Granted....

By heart was beating fast and a called over Julie and said look at the screen and then said I have got to tell everyone, over the moon and a big smile wasn't even half of it.

I ran round the entire office informing everyone that we had the Visa and our plans, then phoning everyone, family, friends, old work colleagues, anyone and everyone.

It is now 20:40 and we have just had dinner as the last phone call finished at 19:30.

The hardest bit was telling my Mum as I could tell that she was upset, happy for us, but upset. I am not looking forward to the day that we leave as there will be loads of tears.

We still can't believe it, Julie is going though the Anti-Climax at the moment as we have been waiting for what seems like for ever to hear the news, Myself on the other hand I have been on a high and still will be for quite sometime.

Well Last week we had 2 companies come to do quotes for the removals and we are awaiting the prices. We have also had 2 quotes for the pet transport and we will probably use Golden Arrows in Shropshire as the information that they provided was excellent and it seems the service that they provide is top quality.

Well thats it for now, back to the champagne

More waiting and another week.

Well it is now week 15 and I'm so fed up, just want to hear the words "Visa Granted".

I'm getting so fed up now. Its sounds stupid but if and when the words arrive, I don't know how I am going to feel. If you would have asked me 6 weeks ago I would of answered "Over the moon", but now I don’t know.

All I do know is that I am fed up with the waiting.

Dave

The Waiting Game

On the 1st September our agent informed us that they have received an update from our case officer. Our case officer is awaiting the medicals and PCC for Julie, after hearing this are spirits lifted a bit thinking that we should hear any day now, but that didn't last long.

Well we have completed the 13th Week of waiting (Tuesday 18th September) from sending our medicals to LCU and the wait has been painful. Every morning consists of getting up and while I or Julie is in the shower, one of us will check our email for the good news, but every morning is disappointment. It has come to the point where we are both fed up of checking our email.

We have emailed our agent today to ask them to find out if the case officer or LCU have progressed any further.

It just seems that our life is on hold until we find out; just hoping its good news. Please Australia let it be good news.

Awaiting Visa Decision

Today is the 4th July 2007 and all the documentation was sent to our agent on the 20^th June. The medicals were sent of on the 22^nd June and arrived in Sydney on the 25^th June.

On the 20^th June myself and Julie went on a family holiday to Portugal with Mum, Tony, Matthew, Hayley and her friend Daisy.

The holiday was lovely, nice and relaxing during the holiday we wanted to find an internet café to check the status of the visa.

On arrival back in the uk, we checked that status again, we are now suffering from the holday blues, but hopefully within the next week or two we should hear about the visa and hopefully the holiday blues will turn to joy.

Last stage of the Visa Process

It is the 19th June 2007 and Julie is at home working and I'm in the office. We are driving down South tonight for a holiday to Portugal with the family, so we were wishing the pcc's would arrive today.

Anyway at 9:30 this morning I was in the sorter room when my phone went, It was Julie, she informed me that the pcc's had arrived. At first I thought "your joking", then she confirmed "No I'm not joking, they are here, and I know which one is mine as its thinner"

So Julie opened the pccs's and read it to me and checked that everything seems correct. I couldn't keep quiet I had to tell someone "the last stage" so I told some people at work.

When Julie comes to pick me up from work we will scan them and send them to the agent.

All we are now waiting for is the medicals to be sent off on Friday.

It seems we are at the final sprint stage....... Lets pray its a yes :) :)

Phase 2 of the Journey (Case Officer Assigned)

Since the last post on our blog we sent the information of to our agent........

We were acknowleded about 2-3 weeks after the paperwork was sent from our agent. Just over a month from the acknowledment a case officer was assigned and we both couldn't stop smiling , we expected to it to be a longer wait, what a result

The case officer wanted more relationship evidence, as well as more detailed references and was requested to go for our medicals, and pcc's.

Personnel at work provided me a more detailed reference for the case officer as requested, and after some searching in our paperwork we was able to find more evidence for the case officer for our relationship. This was all sent off via scanning them to our agent and the pcc's were requested.

On the day of the medicals (25th May) we were really nervous, we spent about 2 hours at the doctors having blood tests, eye test, chest x-ray and may more tests. During the medicals Dr Smith (@ Manchester) made us feel at ease. Our BMI was a little high (30 - 31) but our general health was good and our blood pressure was very good (Julies was very good, mine was just good  -- Julie might beat me on that one ).

Things at home have been really busy, trying to sort everything out, so that when the visa arrives there wont be much left to do. Sorting out old photos and sorting out the loft, etc

Julie has been doing more research, I'm sure Julies want to change jobs to a research analsyt, as she is getting very good at find out information.

Its now the 8th June and other BE members from the march threads have just been given the visa. Congrats to them....

We have booked to go on a family holiday to portugal with family (Last holiday wih them while we are still in the UK), but the pcc's are due (40 days after requesting them) on the day we fly on holiday, so fingers crossed that they arrive before we go. If they do then will have to check emails everyday while on holiday, find that internet Cafe......

The Journey Begins (The Beginning)

 Dave has always been interested in moving to Australia and actually never shut up about it, so in January 2006 he talked me into going there for a holiday.  We decided on Perth because of the yearly weather and after a lot of research it just seemed to suit us both better.

Anyway off we flew on January 1^st and landed on January 3^rd (via Hong Kong).  We stayed in Perth City for 2 nights then travelled south along the coast through to Albany and then back to Scarborough Beach for the last 2 days.  The whole trip was amazing, the people are so friendly, and Perth City was so clean and with free transport in the City (wow).  We also loved Kings Park as it's so family orientated with public barbies to use, you couldn’t ask for more except the view of the City which it had.  Plus we also went there at night when it was busier as a lot of family’s seem to gather at night to relax.

Dave decided to take his CV with him to start circulating to see what job prospects are out there as well as researching house prices and also to find an agent.  He dropped his CV off at an agency in the City, and when we returned home he checked his email and there was a job offer from the agent, for a 3 month contract sent on the day we dropped his CV off.  So hopefully finding a job shouldn’t be a problem when we eventually arrive.

We travelled south all along the coast and found we fell in love with Mandurah, Bunbury, and Margaret River.

To cut a long story short I agreed to move to Australia, so after our long journey back to the UK we started the even longer journey of applying for a visa.  Dave had an eventful past were myself I’m uncomplicated so finding an agent was a godsend who helped a lot with the forms and where to look to find out information.

Having Dave’s job assessed with the ACS and having to do the RPL has taken months to complete.  This was the biggest task of all, much more to it than you first think, but hey it’s all been done and a positive result at the end, phew!!

After receiving this positive result, we we’re just starting to collate all the information to fill in the visa forms when I started to become ill.  After a few months of sever itching and lack of energy I was diagnosed with having a condition named PBC which is a progressive illness of the liver, but can be maintained with a few tablets and a couple of powders to stop the itching.  It was very depressing for a while thinking our Australian dream was vanishing, but I start to get better after taking the tablets and my liver is now back to normal, although I will need to take the medication for life. 

We thought we would ask our agent and several other agents what the outcome of the medical would be with me now having this condition, but they all seemed quite positive but the only real way of finding out is to go for it so that’s exactly what we have done.

I will be very nervous when the medical is due, and have everything crossed my illness won’t stop us.

So now we have both decided to go on a health kick and joined a gym, Dave has stopped smoking on January 1^st using patches and is doing really well, and we are now starting to eat healthier, and hopefully ready for our new healthy life in Oz.

So after all this our visa was sent from the agent in Perth to the processing centre on the 28^th of February 2007.  Now the journey is really beginning!!