Tr1boy

I think we are a step closer for a return to Oz now. I was offered the role that I do now at a pretty good salary but ultimately and after a good think and chat with Mrs TB, turned it down due to the amount of stress and the fact that my Mgr was at the back of the queue when people skills were handed out. (we all work globally and remote).

I have another Mgr for the same company who is absolutely desperate for me to work for her but I don't know what the package is yet. She (and her Mgr) are very much more pleasant to deal with than mine but the dept is a sister dept to ours, so I'd still know the people involved day to day. Plus it means we could live in Dorset rather than Hampshire which is better for a waterboy like me

I think we'll see what is being offered first. Also I need (yet another) spine operation in the next few mths. So if this latest role does not deliver, I will have the op privately and then we'll head back.

Having a serious look at Melb these days, Brighton/ Hampton area but I have two racing mates that live in Williamstown and love it there.

Who knows, interesting times.

moneypenny20

So reading between the lines you don't really think the second job is going to materialise? Sod about the new op. Is it as mad as the last one or just a bit ouch?

Tr1boy

I think it will materialise but need to see the package. I know it will pay less than my current role (if I had gone perm) it's just a question of the gap.

Yeah it's a real shame with the op because I had a big op in Nov but not as big 'the big one' in 2012. When I broke my back, I had some of these bad boys lobbed in there:

TRANSITION Stabilization System, posterior fixation solution

But now they are causing more harm than good as they've stiffened, plus my back is a bit stronger now. What's a shame is the damage didn't show up on the scans last Oct, just the problem they went in to fix. Of course once in there, they couldn't take the devices out because it had not been discussed with me and it needs a specialist tool kit to be ordered. (when they were installed, some of team flew from the US but removing is more straight forward).

Of course if we'd known this, it would have added about £1500 to the cost of the op but now I'm looking at paying the same amount again roughly (approx £7k).

I'm off to Gran Canaria for a training camp in 3 weeks, so we should have some direction after that.

moneypenny20

2012? You're kidding? Holy shite, I'd have said late 2014.

Tr1boy

Broke my back Sept 13th 2011, the 'big op' in 2012 was the third. Been pretty stable up until last year at an Ironman race which went 'less than well'

moneypenny20

Bloody hell where does time go? Have you considered erm maybe stopping the Ironman comps? They don't seem to be doing you any good these days.

Tr1boy

I have considered it but I've been doing that and cycle racing for 24yrs now, I'm a hopeless addict but don't like crack or gambling, so what am I to do?

Bermudashorts

Have you tried wine? Or chocolate?

Tr1boy

That what my sister keeps saying to me I did join Netflix in an attempt to watch more tv but once I recovered from the last op, I don't think I've logged into it since.

Bloody hell I've wasted a lot of my life in pain and suffering. I'm on the turbo trainer in 30mins time for an hour of Sufferfest (you don't wanna know!). I shall give it some thought.

Tr1boy

Hoping you good folks can help me out. Back a while, there was a Syd vs Melb thread and I think way back there was a thread about living in Williamstown, Vic. I'm buggered if I can find them now though

Would be a good read, particularly the Melb stuff. Sydney, I'm 'pretty' familiar with ( not sure if I lived there the longest on this board, must be close though!). Cronulla, Nth Narra etc.

I'm weighing up lifestyles, in particular regards to surfing (and the associated costs with housing that would bring), against living near the sea with no surf (W'town, Brighton etc). Plus of course cycle racing.

Mrs TB is keen for me to live the lifestyle that I want but I don't want this if it will break the bank and of course, I'm less flexible these days, so my competitive short boarding days are numbered. I have two friends that live in W'town and one of them reckons they can be at Bells in 50 mins, which seems optimistic to me?

Also I have other priorities regarding Flipper's education etc. Lousy kids, who'd 'ave em

moneypenny20

There's a few that deal with Williamstown, the main one is
http://britishexpats.com/forum/austr...wn-vic-809350/

but there's also these but with less detail (although I only skimmed).
http://britishexpats.com/forum/austr...needed-859562/
http://britishexpats.com/forum/austr...uburbs-824326/

As for Sydney vs Melbourne there are these but they're a while ago

http://britishexpats.com/forum/austr...lbourne+Sydney
http://britishexpats.com/forum/austr...lbourne+Sydney
http://britishexpats.com/forum/austr...lbourne+Sydney

there are a few more but they're all around the same time so I'd guess they're all saying the same stuff. I haven't look at what info is given, just found the links.

Tr1boy

ah, you're a star, many thanks

ozzieeagle

Not far of that I'd say.... 55 mins once your on the freeway perhaps... depends on how long it takes to get to the Western Highway... at 5am probably 5 mins at 11.30 am on a Saturday possibly 20 or more mins to get to the Freeway.

Williamstown Rd can be a right pain in the Arse.... there are alternatives, I'm not that familiar with them though. There is one hell of an interesting road down that way which takes you right under the Westgate bridge... well I found it interesting.

Tr1boy

Thanks for the info. Would I have to go through Geelong, looks like I'd bypass it?

'Interesting' is that like when the press use the term 'colourful character'?

Rhubarb65

Yes, you bypass Geelong now and join the Great Ocean Road between Anglesea and Torqauy at Bellbrae.