12 months in Adelaide
Oct 27th 2010, 2:25 pm
#31
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Removed that photo because it was an awkward size.
Here's a better shot:
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Re...38_B5Wec-L.jpg
That's about half the frame. It's a double-width double-sash.
Here's a better shot:
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Re...38_B5Wec-L.jpg
That's about half the frame. It's a double-width double-sash.
Oct 27th 2010, 2:36 pm
#32
Fighting my corner
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
For central heating I bought a 37Kw (very approx 100,000 btu) sealed system boiler (is outside under the back verandah, 7 radiators, all the piping and connections, thermostatic valves, room stat, absolutely all that was needed and it came to $6,000. Free delivery from melbourne to us 400 klms away.This runs on LPG and is a bit thirsty but on mains gas would be a doddle.
Pipe work (all double insulated) is under the house as we are on stumps, the modern pipework is a 5 layer composite flexible pipe, no pipe bender needed.
$6,000 may sound expensive but when you think of new wood heater, all the ducting etc etc, I think it is good value.
Pipe work (all double insulated) is under the house as we are on stumps, the modern pipework is a 5 layer composite flexible pipe, no pipe bender needed.
$6,000 may sound expensive but when you think of new wood heater, all the ducting etc etc, I think it is good value.
Still, definitely something to think about for the future.
Oct 27th 2010, 2:36 pm
#33
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Sorry to hijack this: Should just mention, when googling for central heating, put hydronic central heating or hydronic heating.
Oct 27th 2010, 2:38 pm
#34
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Wow, that's a lot less than I expected! Unfortunately our suburb doesn't have gas mains, so we'd have to be on LPG too. Installation would be a bit of a challenge, since our house is double brick on a concrete slab with solid brick internal walls.
Still, definitely something to think about for the future.
Still, definitely something to think about for the future.
Oct 27th 2010, 3:07 pm
#35
Fighting my corner
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
The hardest part about moving overseas is leaving your family and friends behind and arriving in a new place where you have to start all over again.
Our advantage is that I am Australian, so we had a ready-made support network waiting for us before we even left Heathrow. Adelaide was a "second home" for me even when I lived in Western Australia; I have lots of friends and extended family here, so it was no effort at all to pick up where I had left off.
When we lived in the UK, we were ~2.5 hours away from Mrs Stampede's parents (Devon <----> West Midlands) and only saw them occasionally (perhaps three times a year at most). But here in Adelaide we are only 20 minutes from my mother's house, and 15 minutes from local friends. Whenever we've needed help with anything, there's always been someone ready to lend a hand.
During our first few months my mother bought Mrs Stampede a brand new sewing machine as a "welcome to Australia" present, and taught her how to use it. Mrs Stampede learned quickly, and has now made (a) all the curtains for our lounge and her study, (b) two baby blankets, (c) several cushion covers, and (d) some dresses for Pup. Not bad for a woman who didn't know one end of a sewing machine from another before she left the UK!
Our friends and family have been very good to us. Some of the more practical gifts we've received this year have included a baby seat (for Pup) and a Moses basket (for the baby due in November).
Earlier in the year we had to make a choice between paying off our credit card and buying a car; we chose to pay off our credit card, and sadly waved goodbye to $7,500 (though we breathed a sigh of relief when it was done).
At the time we were borrowing my mother's '92 Nissan Pintara; she later traded it in for a '98 Mitsubishi Magna station wagon, which we are allowed to keep on permanent loan for as long as necessary. When I go back to uni next year we will need two cars, but fortunately a mate of mine has offered to give me a dual-fuel '94 Commodore wagon that he doesn't need any more.
My mother further astonished us today by announcing that she and her husband are buying us a 1.52kW grid-connected solar power system, to be installed in December. We'll still have to tighten our belts while I'm studying, but at least our electricity bills should start to come down a bit.
I'll wrap up with a few photos of the house, taken several weeks ago when it was looking vaguely respectable because I'd just mowed the lawn. Look at those long afternoon shadows! (Oops, just noticed I'd left the garage door up. That's the Mitsu's backside poking out).
It's been an interesting year. We're looking forward to the next one.
Our advantage is that I am Australian, so we had a ready-made support network waiting for us before we even left Heathrow. Adelaide was a "second home" for me even when I lived in Western Australia; I have lots of friends and extended family here, so it was no effort at all to pick up where I had left off.
When we lived in the UK, we were ~2.5 hours away from Mrs Stampede's parents (Devon <----> West Midlands) and only saw them occasionally (perhaps three times a year at most). But here in Adelaide we are only 20 minutes from my mother's house, and 15 minutes from local friends. Whenever we've needed help with anything, there's always been someone ready to lend a hand.
During our first few months my mother bought Mrs Stampede a brand new sewing machine as a "welcome to Australia" present, and taught her how to use it. Mrs Stampede learned quickly, and has now made (a) all the curtains for our lounge and her study, (b) two baby blankets, (c) several cushion covers, and (d) some dresses for Pup. Not bad for a woman who didn't know one end of a sewing machine from another before she left the UK!
Our friends and family have been very good to us. Some of the more practical gifts we've received this year have included a baby seat (for Pup) and a Moses basket (for the baby due in November).
Earlier in the year we had to make a choice between paying off our credit card and buying a car; we chose to pay off our credit card, and sadly waved goodbye to $7,500 (though we breathed a sigh of relief when it was done).
At the time we were borrowing my mother's '92 Nissan Pintara; she later traded it in for a '98 Mitsubishi Magna station wagon, which we are allowed to keep on permanent loan for as long as necessary. When I go back to uni next year we will need two cars, but fortunately a mate of mine has offered to give me a dual-fuel '94 Commodore wagon that he doesn't need any more.
My mother further astonished us today by announcing that she and her husband are buying us a 1.52kW grid-connected solar power system, to be installed in December. We'll still have to tighten our belts while I'm studying, but at least our electricity bills should start to come down a bit.
I'll wrap up with a few photos of the house, taken several weeks ago when it was looking vaguely respectable because I'd just mowed the lawn. Look at those long afternoon shadows! (Oops, just noticed I'd left the garage door up. That's the Mitsu's backside poking out).
It's been an interesting year. We're looking forward to the next one.
Last edited by Vash the Stampede; Oct 27th 2010 at 3:12 pm.
Oct 27th 2010, 3:22 pm
#36
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
The hardest part about moving overseas is leaving your family and friends behind and arriving in a new place where you have to start all over again.
Our advantage is that I am Australian, so we had a ready-made support network waiting for us before we even left Heathrow. Adelaide was a "second home" for me even when I lived in Western Australia; I have lots of friends and extended family here, so it was no effort at all to pick up where I had left off.
When we lived in the UK, we were ~2.5 hours away from Mrs Stampede's parents (Devon <----> West Midlands) and only saw them occasionally (perhaps three times a year at most). But here in Adelaide we are only 20 minutes from my mother's house, and 15 minutes from local friends. Whenever we've needed help with anything, there's always been someone ready to lend a hand.
During our first few months my mother bought Mrs Stampede a brand new sewing machine as a "welcome to Australia" present, and taught her how to use it. Mrs Stampede learned quickly, and has now made (a) all the curtains for our lounge and her study, (b) two baby blankets, (c) several cushion covers, and (d) some dresses for Pup. Not bad for a woman who didn't know one end of a sewing machine from another before she left the UK!
Our friends and family have been very good to us. Some of the more practical gifts we've received this year have included a baby seat (for Pup) and a Moses basket (for the baby due in November).
Earlier in the year we had to make a choice between paying off our credit card and buying a car; we chose to pay off our credit card, and sadly waved goodbye to $7,500 (though we breathed a sigh of relief when it was done).
At the time we were borrowing my mother's '92 Nissan Pintara; she later traded it in for a '98 Mitsubishi Magna station wagon, which we are allowed to keep on permanent loan for as long as necessary. When I go back to uni next year we will need two cars, but fortunately a mate of mine has offered to give me a dual-fuel '94 Commodore wagon that he doesn't need any more.
My mother further astonished us today by announcing that she and her husband are buying us a 1.52kW grid-connected solar power system, to be installed in December. We'll still have to tighten our belts while I'm studying, but at least our electricity bills should start to come down a bit.
I'll wrap up with a few photos of the house, taken several weeks ago when it was looking vaguely respectable because I'd just mowed the lawn. Look at those long afternoon shadows! (Oops, just noticed I'd left the garage door up. That's the Mitsu's backside poking out).
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...90_MU4nj-L.jpg
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...21_4TKWd-L.jpg
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...22_fE6U3-L.jpg
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...98_vWHiz-L.jpg
It's been an interesting year. We're looking forward to the next one.
Our advantage is that I am Australian, so we had a ready-made support network waiting for us before we even left Heathrow. Adelaide was a "second home" for me even when I lived in Western Australia; I have lots of friends and extended family here, so it was no effort at all to pick up where I had left off.
When we lived in the UK, we were ~2.5 hours away from Mrs Stampede's parents (Devon <----> West Midlands) and only saw them occasionally (perhaps three times a year at most). But here in Adelaide we are only 20 minutes from my mother's house, and 15 minutes from local friends. Whenever we've needed help with anything, there's always been someone ready to lend a hand.
During our first few months my mother bought Mrs Stampede a brand new sewing machine as a "welcome to Australia" present, and taught her how to use it. Mrs Stampede learned quickly, and has now made (a) all the curtains for our lounge and her study, (b) two baby blankets, (c) several cushion covers, and (d) some dresses for Pup. Not bad for a woman who didn't know one end of a sewing machine from another before she left the UK!
Our friends and family have been very good to us. Some of the more practical gifts we've received this year have included a baby seat (for Pup) and a Moses basket (for the baby due in November).
Earlier in the year we had to make a choice between paying off our credit card and buying a car; we chose to pay off our credit card, and sadly waved goodbye to $7,500 (though we breathed a sigh of relief when it was done).
At the time we were borrowing my mother's '92 Nissan Pintara; she later traded it in for a '98 Mitsubishi Magna station wagon, which we are allowed to keep on permanent loan for as long as necessary. When I go back to uni next year we will need two cars, but fortunately a mate of mine has offered to give me a dual-fuel '94 Commodore wagon that he doesn't need any more.
My mother further astonished us today by announcing that she and her husband are buying us a 1.52kW grid-connected solar power system, to be installed in December. We'll still have to tighten our belts while I'm studying, but at least our electricity bills should start to come down a bit.
I'll wrap up with a few photos of the house, taken several weeks ago when it was looking vaguely respectable because I'd just mowed the lawn. Look at those long afternoon shadows! (Oops, just noticed I'd left the garage door up. That's the Mitsu's backside poking out).
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...90_MU4nj-L.jpg
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...21_4TKWd-L.jpg
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...22_fE6U3-L.jpg
http://sporkboy.smugmug.com/Other/Ho...98_vWHiz-L.jpg
It's been an interesting year. We're looking forward to the next one.
Oct 27th 2010, 9:39 pm
#37
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire - Queensland - NSW
Posts: 843
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Congrats on the 12 months 
Fantastic update and pictures
Heres to the next 12 months goodluck with it all
Fantastic update and pictures
Heres to the next 12 months goodluck with it all
Oct 28th 2010, 10:09 am
#38
no stressin no fussin....
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Fantasy Island....
Posts: 12,616
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
For central heating I bought a 37Kw (very approx 100,000 btu) sealed system boiler (is outside under the back verandah, 7 radiators, all the piping and connections, thermostatic valves, room stat, absolutely all that was needed and it came to $6,000. Free delivery from melbourne to us 400 klms away.This runs on LPG and is a bit thirsty but on mains gas would be a doddle.
Pipe work (all double insulated) is under the house as we are on stumps, the modern pipework is a 5 layer composite flexible pipe, no pipe bender needed.
$6,000 may sound expensive but when you think of new wood heater, all the ducting etc etc, I think it is good value.
I used this lot
http://autoheet.com.au/
there is also http://www.melbournehydronic.com.au/
All the rads are modern, low capacity, slim type.
It's great for warm days and really cold nights
Pipe work (all double insulated) is under the house as we are on stumps, the modern pipework is a 5 layer composite flexible pipe, no pipe bender needed.
$6,000 may sound expensive but when you think of new wood heater, all the ducting etc etc, I think it is good value.
I used this lot
http://autoheet.com.au/
there is also http://www.melbournehydronic.com.au/
All the rads are modern, low capacity, slim type.
It's great for warm days and really cold nights
Oct 28th 2010, 10:12 am
#39
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Autoheet have an outlet in Brissie I think.
Last edited by Sherlock Holmes; Oct 28th 2010 at 10:15 am.
Oct 28th 2010, 10:16 am
#40
no stressin no fussin....
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Fantasy Island....
Posts: 12,616
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
i think your updates are fantastic, your pictures awsome and I love your house, it's just lovely and has that *look* that feels like home mate
Oct 28th 2010, 10:56 am
#41
Fighting my corner
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Thanks guys.
Oct 28th 2010, 11:22 am
#42
no stressin no fussin....
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Fantasy Island....
Posts: 12,616
Oct 28th 2010, 11:22 pm
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Limerick-Shropshire- Perth.
Posts: 3,215
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Your home and your family look lovely and despite your ups and downs you seem pretty contented.Well done for being happy with your lot and doing the best you can.Good luck with uni and your new numpty.
Oct 29th 2010, 12:32 am
#44
Fighting my corner
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: 12 months in Adelaide
Thanks mate. I think the key to being satisfied with life is to expect very little from it!
Oct 29th 2010, 12:41 am
#45
no stressin no fussin....
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Fantasy Island....
Posts: 12,616
