Omg We Are Here
 

We have finally arrived in Australia, Taigum/Zillmere, Brisbane to be precise. :D
I dont think it has sunk in that we are here to live and not just for a holiday,
we arrived a couple of hours ago.
The last week at home was an emotional roller coaster. I just wasn't prepared for how upset everyone was going to be, all along I was thinking about how upset we were going to be leaving everyone but nothing could of prepared me for the emotions of the rest of our family.
I didnt want my family to come to the Airport but they insisted so I ended up with my Mum, 3 sisters and 1 brother all at the Airport and if I could offer any advice to anyone it would be dont let your family come to the airport!!! it was absolutely heartbreaking and I never want to go through anything like that again, my eyes are still swollen :(
We flew with Singapore Airlines and I would highly recommend them, the in flight entertainment was second to none and I will say the same for the crew too.
We also got away with being about 20 kilos over weight on luggage but the check in girl was great about it even though we had already validated in Jan and had a return ticket for next June.
Also would like to say that I was very impressed with PSS who came and packed our Container a week ago today. They arrived at 8am and had packed our container by 2pm, they were great, very speedy but careful and polite and I could not believe how stress free they made the whole process of moving out of our house.
Well at least we now have the weekend to take a breather. If anyone that has just done the move can tell me the first things we should do Monday morning I would be very grateful as my list ended up in the container :o

Thanks to Everyone that has helped us along the way, especially to all of those that offered their support when my husband was attacked in June, the messages I received helped me enormously at that time.

Sharon
xxx

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Wow, you were quick on here :)
Glad you've arrived safe and sound.
Please keep us updated on how things are going.
Enjoy.
Julie

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

So glad you arrived safe I bet June seems like a lifetime ago now!!

Good Luck settleing in keep us posted !!

Kris xx

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Just need to get rid of that 'Ashford Middlesex' bit on your profile now! ... :D

Glad all is goin well ... :)

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Congratulations ! How fantastic for you to finally be here.

Its great here :-)

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I'm so glad you've arrived safely. You poor things having to do all your goodbyes at the airport. I think if my family say they want to do that I shall have to put my foot down. I would probably change my mind and not go otherwise!!! I hope you have a brilliant life in Australia.......do keep us posted and let us know what you're up to.

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Glad you've arrived safely.

Enjoy your new life 'down under'.

BB

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Got your priorities right then, Sharon. Get back on-line! :D Life saver, isn't it?

Glad to hear you had a safe journey and a good one. Hope your new life in Australia is prosperous and happy. Go and get some sleep, girl....:D

Sue

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Glad you arrived safe and sound if a little emotionally drained. good luck with getting everything sorted, cant wait til its us.

We will no doubt have family saying farewell at the airport but fortunataly not mine, steves fam live 1 hour from heathrow and we are staying with them for a few days before we leave. I'm sure its going to be heart wrenching.

Anyway take care and keep us updated.

Laura

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Hi Sharon - I didn't realise you were in Ashford. I used to live in Staines before we moved 'oop North'.

Anyway glad to hear that you've arrived safe and sound - and yes, allowing relatives to the airport is not a good idea unless you relish walking round with eyes swollen like tyres for the next week! Shame, love, it must have been very hard leaving them but ......... on a positive note, you are finally there in Brisbane. All the waiting and the stress - you're finally there!!

So, look forward to hearing your news as you get settled and congratulations 'cos this is the start of your new life!!!

Nicky
xxxx

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

OMG! that was quick shazza. glad to hear your journey was a good one. it must have been heartbreaking for you all saying your goodbyes at the airport. I hope you settle in well and can't wait to hear all your news of how you are getting on.

Good luck from someone who is still at the very beginning of their long journey (still getting stuff together for my skills assessment lol.) Well I hate paper work. Need to get a spurt on though if we want to be out there for validation holiday next year...fingers crossed!

Best of luck shazza! :D

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Fantastic news Shazza :)

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All the very best to you and your family, Sharon. You have been through a tough time and you should now enjoy your new life. Good Luck.

Shelley x

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best wishes for your new life

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Ah congrats guys - bet you're feeling brilliant. Enjoy your new life, and put the crap that happened back here in drizzly Britain behind you. :)

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I personally want to congratulate you on getting "wired" within a couple of hours of arriving.

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Hello
nice to hear from you, we are just a few weeks behind you and we have been through such similar situations (but not quite as bad - I think)

Getting through the last couple of weeks is so tough - my dad went in for major spinal surgery today to top it all off!

So lovely to hear how things are for you - made me feel a little more positive today
thanks

Tara
x

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Here is the official gov advise as to what to do , print it of and get busy :D
http://www.immi.gov.au/settle/bookle...ts/qld/eng.pdf

Enjoy your new life !

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Really pleased you have finally got there. Things can only get better and better from now on.

No way are we having any family see us off at the airport. MIL and FIL asked if we wanted them there and were not offended to hear a horrified NO :eek: Have told my family the wrong date :o we are travelling up to the airport and stopping in a hotel for the night before flying. My SIL is determined to see us off but not if I can help it.

Get loads of sleep, relax a bit and then get going with all the paperwork but after the nightmare few months you have had, try and have a bit of a holiday now.

Take care.

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Great to hear you're finally there after all you've been through
Good luck and take care
Hilary

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I am so pleased for you. Good luck in your new life here.

Katie

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all the replies.
I feel I should explain that our rental had pc with internet and of course my daughter had her case unpacked and was on MSN chatting to her mates within about 10mins, it was a pure after thought that I could go on BE :D :o
Right I am off now to track down the guy that owns the rental, he promised car hire but no sign of car or him. My hubby has just had to walk to the super market and forgot he didnt have a car and had to carry 5 bags of shopping back, he is a bit hot now :D
I cant believe how hot it is today, my husband was here in November last year and said that the days were about 70, is this a hot spell or normal?

Cheers
Sharon
xx

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

Dont worry this is a bit unusual for october, sort of early heatwave, this is more the weather you'd expect in dec jan feb bit but then it can be humid too. Last summer was very cool not like a summer at all really.

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

SO glad you got out of Bully Central!

Re: Omg We Are Here
 

[QUOTE=chattyshazza]We have finally arrived in Australia, Taigum/Zillmere, Brisbane to be precise. :D

Hiya!

Glad to hear you've arrived safe and sound. cheers for info on container. (Mental note to self- don't pack "to Do" list!)

Keep us posted - its great to hear how people are gettin on :)
L-j

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I had 10 family members turn up unexpectedly at the airport, we even made the BA person looking after our cats cry.. :(
Glad you arrived safe and well. :)
Hope you have more luck in getting your daughter to empty the dishwasher over there, I still laugh about that post now.. :D

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Woodsey!

Ijust love your thingy under your post....u know...the one in small writing...think its called your signature about life . Absolutely excellent i say. so bloody true.

I have tatoos ...and people often say to me...oh wot r u gonna do when ur an old woman with tattoos...and I reply..."I'll look at them and say I've had a great life..who cares!!!.

So i'm definitely goin skiddin in cider in one hand. :beer: tatts on.various body parts!

But I must add - I do have the same tatooist as David Beckham. (Louis Molloy in Middleton) ;)

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All the luck in the world to you all, first post I read this morning and the bit about the airport had me bawling (again). I manage to stay strong in front of my family but I keep having secret bawls over the airport bit, I want to slip off quietly but I don't think we will get away with it either.

Thanks for thinking about us here on Expats and putting a post on, It is great to hear when people have finally made it after such a lot of **** to get there. Enjoy the ride!!

Much love and best wishes , Vics xx

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LOL, well she will be ok for 6 weeks as the rental doesnt have a dishwasher, and at least when I ask her to wash up she wont know the number for OZ childline yet :D

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You STAR!
Thanks for that.

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Hi Nicky
Thanks and yeah! we are finally here and I am on cloud nine!!
Staines eh, I was there the day before we left, doing a bit of last min shopping. How long ago did you leave?
Where are you heading and when?

Sharon

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so k :o

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Hi Sharon,

Just thought I would let you know that the bayside girls have arranged a get together on Friday in Cleveland, at around 12 noon, so if you have any free time it would be great to meet you. If not it looks as tho it will be a regular thing, so hope to meet up in the future.Pm me if you would like to come along..

Carol (Mrs S)