We've arrived !!!

Well we're finally here. I've been offline for over a month now which has been a real struggle.

On Monday 28th August we left Bristol and ended up in the Heathrow Novotel. Lovely hotel, cheap too so just right. We finally managed to pack all of our belongings into many, many suitcases and squeezed them into the car. Kenrina came round, luckily, and helped fit things by directing and, after a few reshuffles we made it.

On Tuesday 29th August we, mistakenly, went to Legoland. It absolutely bucketed it down. We got wetter in the queue for the water ride than we did on it ! A number of rides weren't working because of the rain so we gave up and went for a look around Windsor. After having sat in traffic for an hour we gave up on that too and went back to the hotel.

Wednesday 30th arrived and we decided to set off early for the airport due to the tighter restrictions because of the foiled terrorist attacks. Paul once again squeezed the cases back in the car and we got to Heathrow at 7am. We found three luggage trolleys and piled our stuff on then went to check in. We were over our luggage allowance of 160kg by 55kg. Singapore Air said they'd charge us £850 but excess baggage said only £350. What they didn't tell us was that we'd have to pay another $250 Oz end on picking up !! We then had to take the bags to Arrivals (why ?) and then remove all batteries (because, apparently, their planes fly higher and the batteries would explode!). Luckily no one weighed our hand luggage and we pretended it was as light as a feather when really it was back breaking !! Eventually we got through to departures just as our plane boarded so went straight on. It was an hour late taking off which meant we only had time to walk to the next departure at Singapore but, at least there was no hanging around.

In all it was a good flight. Nakita stayed awake the whole 12.5 hours to Singapore as the films were just too exciting. She finally fell asleep an hour from Perth. Paul slept most of the way !

We landed, picked up the hire car, shoved the reduced number of suitcases in and headed to Merriwa. The holiday house was dark, damp and cold but big enough for us all and had a pool. It took us a couple of days to work out that reverse cycle air conditioning gives heat as well so froze for a bit. On the friday we went out and sorted the bank accounts and TFN's then had a nose round the shops. On our first weekend we visited some northern suburbs and, of course checked out the beaches. We visited Hillaries, Quinns Rock, Yanchep and Two Rocks to name but a few. Mindarie caught our attention. The schools were good and area nice so that was top of our list. Paul loathed Butler with a passion, he is still dreaming about having a ranch on acerage with a verandah and a rocking chair. I think he watched too much of the Waltons when he was growing up.

The next week we checked out south of the river and, once again, ended up in Halls Head. The primary and senior schools have good reputations, beaches are lovely and all facilities were there so we decided to make our new home there. Unfortunately it was 1.5/2 hours away from Merriwa so we travelled a lot of miles !! We had real estate agents working their backsides off looking for rentals and we found a gorgeous one (after seeing some sights I can assure you) up on a hill, with ocean glimpses. The girls walk to school and the area already feels like 'home'.

Whilst still up north we visited Lucy (a work colleague from AXA in the UK who moved over in March) and Theresa and Steve (who we met from expats and moved here in January) so never felt lonely. Lucy has since visited us in Halls Head too !

So now we're south and looking to buy. Our budget of $450k doesn't stretch far but we can buy a house with 'potential' so are looking hard. Every weekend includes a trip to the beach to body board and a bbq provided by Paul although as soon as he puts it on it gets really cold !!

We currently have no tv as the aerial isn't working at the property, nor a sofa to sit on so most nights we go to bed. We've already adapted to the Ozzie way of life by going to bed early (you try going out for a meal here after 7.30 !) and getting up early. Even Paul is up and out by 9am weekend mornings  but I haven't quite got there whilst shopping (no one hurries) yet. As for claiming family tax benefit - I've been trying for two weeks but no one wants to deal - it's a nightmare !!

The girls have settled in easily at school, especially Tallulah, we have three of their friends round on Tuesday which will be good for them. Tallulah now calls this 'home' but regularly talks about moving back to the UK when she's 18. She misses Jane badly. I think if Jane was here, life for Tallulah would be perfect.

It's late now so I'm off to bed. It's a bank holiday here tomorrow but Paul is working so I'm going on a cleaning bender ready for 5 children on Tuesday.

More soon

11:07 - Sun 1 October 2006 - comments {2}