George has confirmed that he has checked our application and forwarded it to the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA). We should get an acknowledgement soon, then a hefty wad deducted from our credit card followed by radio silence for up to 7 months :-)

Feels amazing. For such a long time, it didn't even look like we'd get to this point. I feel like we've joined some kind of club where the members are all awaiting visas. Lke we're bona fide expats in waiting now and not just wannabees;-)

Talking to Mike on the phone there, and I could almost hear his smile. Happy day.

Now, we start making lists. Lists of what to clean, pack, ditch, cancel. Lists of DIY needing done in the house for sale, lists of flight details for us and cats, lists of suburbs we fancy looking in, lists of money transfer agents. My head is just hurting thinking about it. Thank goodness I'm married to a project manager ;-)

The cold's a little better today. I don't feel so fluey today, and had a good long walk this morning followed by a large coffee so feeling a little more human now.

Ellie's got swimming lessons this afternoon which she's still loving. Thankfully, Rebecca's happy to sit with me at the side and not get in as there's no way I'm swimming with this cold. Will take her next week.

Mike's got a work do tonight and is out with his brother tomorrow so it's likely to be Saturday afternoon before we actually get a chance to sit and talk now. :-(

James came round last night to collect Ellie's old (new) loft bed. Ellie decided several months ago she didn't like sleeping up high, so we bought her a low bed again and agreed that James and Donna could have the high bed for Bethany. Ellie hasn't even mentioned that bed since then, until last night when she went ape when it ws being taken away. Total hissy fit!! We couldn't believe it. She said to Mike, "it's the saddest thing that's ever happened to me" Awwwww. Took her to bed with me for a cuddle while Mike got Becca in bed. That seemed to cheer her up, and it seems forgotten about today - phew.

Right, the kitchen's a disaster, gotta go.