Hiya Storms,

Looking at going middle of August but can't book quarantine until we get import permit back!! Also got to book a cat and dog so could make it a bit difficult......we'll have to wait and see. Not booking flights until we've got quarantine booked, I want to take them up to the airport myself (sad I know!) but I'm going to miss them, my dog is a bit of a mummys boy and will sulk and pine for the whole time, although my cat is a evil, twisted beast who hates everyone and will probably not care!!!
I got a couple of quotes from carriers (massive difference in price between them), haven't tried Golden Arrow so might give them a ring on Friday, thanks for the tip Ast...

Pam x x

hey chaps i just wanted to let you know this.i sold my car yesterday and we had to hire a car for 21 days.i found a company called 1car1,they were the cheapest car hire company i could find.
i happened to mention ,i dont know why,perhaps its because i am a crafty bleeder, that i was going to oz an was a member of a forum that had thousands of potental customers..not only did they deliver the car,there picking it up and i got a free upgrade.
so if anyone would like the number just give me a shout...

ast

Hi Guys, Can I ask for a bit of advice I had White and Co around today to quote for shipping. Not sure if this is true or not but they said that it wasn't a good idea for us to pack our own stuff as customs tend to check the ones that have pbo (packed by owner) by them...is this true or is he spinning me a yarn to try and get me to spend more money!!!

On a good note we sold our house and had the survey done today so fingers crossed that turns out ok I've also sent e-mail inquires to airpets, parair and animal airlines I'll try crown on friday!

Hi Ozzy,
I think customs do tend to look at pbo more frequently than those items packed by shippers, but I'd ask several companies for quotes and their advice before making a decision...
On the cat and dog front, animal airlines by far gave me the best quote.....Golden Arrow and Parair wanted over £250 for the export licence alone which cost me £140 for 2 pets!!! The people at DEFRA are really helpful if you phone them they will send you loads of info on how to complete most of the work yourself with your vet....more complicated for a dog but do-able all the same.
I've booked quarantine for 23 August (and that just takes a phone call with your export licence no) so hopefully we will fly out 24th or 25th August.
Pam x x

Vodafone gave us unlock codes FOC. Charge for phone less than 1 yr old is £20. We bought ours in July 2006 so just said hey were a year old in the email and got the unlock codes the next day

Congrats on getting the car sold Ast. How did you do it? We're thinking eBay and Auto Trader.

auto trader,jeez someone had a bargain i just wanted it gone..

Hi Pam

Your pets sound like mine!! Anti social cat and babied dog!! We are using Ladyhay for shipping, best quote, shipping from Ireland via Heathrow so they booked in overnight at quarantine there............spoilt!!!

Glad you got your dates booked, we still haven't booked flights, leaving around the 9th as aminals going on the 8th. We're leaving them to the airport ourselves, and have decided to book a vist in Perth for the day we arrive, we staying a couple of nights in Singapore.

Storms

Hiya Storms,

Might see you at the quarantine station then!! Will probably go down to see them a couple of days after we arrive in Perth.....Not looking forward to it though as I will feel really guilty leaving the dog again, but needs must. Haven't tried Ladyhay....do you have any contact info for them as I might give them a call before I book with Animal Airlines.
Where abouts in Perth are you looking to settle??? We are going to one of the suburbs north of the Swan river but not sure where....depends on high school for the girls.
Pam x

Hi Pam

Have pm'd all the details of Ladyhaye.

Storms

Hi Pam,
Thanks for the advice, I've got more coming over the next few weeks so I'll see what they have to say. The first quote was bloody expensive so I don't think we'll be using them anyway.
As for the cat I'm not sure what were going to do....my dads cat died a month ago she was 17 and our cats only 2 1/2 and he's said that he would love to have him...I'll be honest I'm gutted but it may be the best for him as by the time we get space in quarantine, he could be leaving over a month after us either that or we're all homeless..it's not easy moving half way around the world is it?
Thanks again for the advice
Maz xx

Hiya Max,

Maybe rehoming would be better for your cat, that said when I spoke to the quarantine station in Perth they had spaces earlier for cats....it's the dog that seems to have delayed their trip (and cos I want them to go together!) I would probably have rehomed both our pets but for the fact that they are part of the family and I didn't want to take the risk of them not settling with new owners etc....plus the kids would have been devastated!! That said a family member is probably going to look after your cat over and above the call of duty so you know they will be happy!
It's not an easy choice and is one that I agonised over for a couple of months before making the decision. The cost pales into insignificance when faced with two kids crying that they won't go without the "boys"!!!
Pam x x

We fly out on 31st July to Melbourne. I am all over the place. Sold house ages ago and just got car to sell. There is so much to do, I just don't know where to start?!

It's coming really quickly now isn't it Bexie?

We transferred our money this morning. Got 2.402. Would have been better a couple of days ago, but could get worse.

Had a difficult call with my Mum last night. I was asking her advice on how to say goodbye to my 87yo gran. She says Gran is really sad about it and doesn't really want to have to say goodbye (we all know this could be a "proper" goodbye). So, we've arranged to have her round to Mum's for lunch the week before we fly, and when she goes home, we'll just say see you next week Gran......but we won't. I was asking about when I'd get a chance to see an aunt too (not really an aunt, but a long standing dear family friend) and she's on hols the fortnight before we go. She's told my Mum though that she'd rather not see us between now and then as she just can't bear the goodbye. I totally understand, I'd have loved to have seen her, but I do see her point.

Uh, oh, there I go again crying. Saying goodbye is just sooooo hard I think I'm going to be crying for the next 9 weeks solidly, I'm going to look like a wreck by the time we get to Melbourne.

The thing is my little boys been ok about it...he said he wants a dog instead....its me thats gutted....watch this space I could change my mind again!!!

Oh hun, I know how you feel I have no idea how I'm gonna tell my grandad we're going. As we haven't actual signed for the house yet, it feels a bit unreal at the moment. I'm sure once I book the flights it will be more real and it will hit me then. But I know we are doing the right thing not one person (other than my grandad) has said why are you going, they all say I don't blame you! It's a hard move but we're up for the adventure