tinaj

Got a call today from Quarantine to say they had a query about 2 Xmas candlesticks I had, they had a block of wood on the end. Did I want them fumigated at $100 or disposed free?! Needless to say I went for the latter option.

Paid $395 for charges and the stuff is being delivered on Tuesday.
We sent it on the 12th Dec and it arrived 24th Jan spent 5 weeks waiting for customs etc. I can't wait to see all my things again and to get some furniture in this house!

Also I am back online now so I will be using expats with a vengence!

footie chick

Good to have you back. Can`t wait to catch up on all the goss. Hope you and the family are well.

footie chick xx

tinaj

We are all well and are settling in really well. There are so many new families around here who want to socialise. Lots of Sydneysiders are moving up here and I have met a few Brits, hopefully we will get on with some of them.

Off to a BBQ this and next Saturday ( people from school and neighbours) and I am going out on 2 coffee mornings with other mums as well as a cinema visit!!! I am developing more of a social circle than I had in the UK!!

Kids love it here, they have been to camps and parties. My daughter is going to a sleepover next week and my 13 yr old wants to go to a disco on Friday - unheard of!!!!

sky

its so good to see your stuff...we were just going to come with our suitcases but as the hubby had lots of work stuff to bring i thought we might as well bring everything else lol glad we did .... I feel sooo at peace and comforted with my furniture around me....I cried when I unpacked my linen bedding etc it still smelt of home... was blubbing over pillow cases for goodness sake

footie chick

My god haven`t you been busy!! With all this socialising you will have a new circle of friends in no time. Glad to see your eldest is settling in there is hope for mine after all.

Talk to you soon

fc x

tinaj

He is still as much a Kevin as ever though!! He can't wait to get his bike so he can go out galavanting with his mates. His pal rekons he is going to teach him to surf, can't see that being successful though!!


Sky, I will probably be the same when I see all of our stuff, it must feel odd having it all arrive here after such a long time.

ANA123

Hello Tina,
glad to hear you're settling in well. Lucky you getting your stuff, guess we've got quite a wait yet if yours took 11 weeks, ours only left uk 4th feb

Look forward to more updates,
Michaela

Pollyana

Makes a really big difference doesn't it, Sky, as if you really are at home at last. The Bloke is still falling over all my stuff around the place, but I think I am a little less stressed since it arrived!

=====================

Tina, he almost looked like he was enjoying himself at the wedding...or was that cos there were no other Kevins to look miserable with?!!!

Footie Chick, you have to hurry and get over here, lots of celebrating to do!

And Michaela, Petra and I are working on some girlie nights out...do you two wanna join us?!!

steandleigh

TINA J!!!!

Haven't read anything from you for ages, thought you were enjoying your new life down under so much that you'd forgotten about us!!!

Glad to hear that you have all settled in so well and are enjoying life.

Do you think that you've managed to socialise so well because of the kids? Am hoping this is the case and I manage to meet other mums etc through school and whatever.

Good on 'ya gal! keep the posts coming!

Best wishes, Leigh.

P.s Hows 'ya teabags?!

booboo1

Hi Tina

How things with you....

Good to see things are going ok and that you got there safely..

Good wishes to you and your family

booboo

S J Jackson

Hi Tina

You should be counting your blessings!! Our stuff left the Uk on the 22nd August and did not arrive until mid December - must have gone the long way around!! And then we had Xmas and New Year and our stuff finally arrived!! Over 4 months!!!
Oh and i reckon customs take at least 1 thing from practically every shipment just to make a few dollars - with my brother it was fake flowers which had to be gamma xrayed - $125 dollars OR $75 to throw them away and for us 2 pairs of golf shoes cleaned for $65 Or $65 to throw them away. What a decision! I also expressly remember cleaning them thoroughly to sparkling new with that `orrible Jeyes fluid before we left the UK!
Anyway, glad you have settled and are enjoying Oz.
Where are you living on the Sunshine Coast ?

See you

S.j. (currently going through a 'missing home phase!!")

artep

Tina!!!

So glad to hear everythings going well!!! If my 'kevin' ends up as happy as yours sounds to be, and I get the social life you've got, then I will be one happy bunny!!

Petra

debs&tim

Hi Tina
Glad to hear you are all ok.
Sounds like you are having a whale of a time.
Great to hear you are settling ok.
We will be over in April, it would be great to get together with you at some stage.
Give my regards to the sunshine coast!!!
It must feel great to actually be there finally.

Take care
Debs

debsy

Hi Tina

Nice to see you back on line.

Glad to hear that it is all working out well.

podgypossum

Hi Tina

Really great to hear you are settling in well... i can also relate to the social life side of things...i have made heaps of new friends since being here. Somehow people seem to want to make the effort more than they do in UK.
I have read about some members feeling lonely and have no friends, it makes me wonder whether they are keeping the barriers up and not making an effort themselves. I read somewhere yesterday (can't remember where) that one member was complaining because people kept asking her where she from and similar other repeated questions etc,. etc........ all i can say is, if you take that attitude it will shine through and it doenst really make you very popular!!!
It is up to US as new immigrants to make the effort to integrate, not sit back and wait for everyone to fall at our feet.

You certainly have the right attitude Tina... good onya!!