One month in
Mar 28th 2006, 10:21 pm
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Brisbane w.e.f 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 401
One month in
We've been in Brisbane for a month now and here is our personal experiences so far :
Friendly and also helpful people. We have had to ask total strangers questions and they have always been helpful. There seems to be shopping malls all over the place and always fairly nearby. All the shopping malls have a food shops, a bottle store, chemist, doctor, pet shops, post office, clothes shops, banks etc. so you dont need to drive into the big city. The hassle we had was with HSBC bank which we had to drive into Brisbane for. We have since opened a bank account with Westpac so solved this problem as they have branches everywhere. We took our 15 year old daughter to the doctors yesterday she has had a bad cough since her trip to France in January. When I have been to the doctors in the UK asking wether she has asthma as well and they kept on saying no. Yesterday she was thouroughly checked including an xray and has been given an inhaler and we have to go back in two weeks. It cost us 100 dollars but we can claim some money back from medicare which is in the shopping centres as well. So impressed there.
We have rented a lowset (bungalow) which is virtually brand new. Its 4 bedrooms and costs us 250 dollars a week. With a deposit of 1000 dollars plus two weeks up front. Highset is an upstairs downstairs house. We were lucky and informed what are rough areas and ordinary areas.
We bought mobiles and asked for a 49 dollar capped rate which gives you 20 mins to phone the uk as well as plenty of phone calls. When buying a phone as the assistent about capped rates it works out a lot better.
Our dogs arrived from Sydney to here on Sunday and one of them no longer looks like a 'pot bellied pig' she was so fat
and like a proper dog she lost so much weight. They both looked in excellent condition. The quaratine place was excellent with queries and looking after them. It is very strict with dogs being off leads here and you have certain areas to allow them off lead to run. I went through Jets4pets and wouldn't use them again as I had to do the chasing with all queries considering they promised to 'hold our hand' through every step of the way.
My daughter has taken a while to settle into school and I was really worried but now she is going alright. The standard of the school she goes to and soccer is a lot higher than the UK.
Hubby left the job he had because they were taking the mickey with pay and hours. I told him to look elsewhere. He still has to apply for all the paperwork and tests for the electrician bit so it's making it harder to get employment but there still is plenty out there you just need to work harder to get it. Tradespeople tend to work from 6.30am to 3.30pm.
We have found that furniture is around the same prices as the UK depending on what you want.
We have been through a lot of crap since arriving as there has been a relatives wedding which we helped out with. A death in the family, one relative being hospitalised twice so we helped babysit 4 over active young children. A bug had gone through the family so everyone had been sick, FIL and partner arrived at the same time so we had to put them up. She is 'rent-a-gob' in a big way who hasn't lifted a finger or paid for anything and still has the cheek to moan about a meal out or what you you put on her plate and thinks she has a right to tell everyone what to do. I got pished the other night and gave her a 'small' piece of my mind, she still hasn't shut up ! Absolutely noone likes her including me in a big way. I will personally escort her on the plane back today and if she misses it drown her in the bloody ocean. Through her I have wanted to run away
Through all this we were having to try and find a rented place to stay, work, furniture (even though we have shipped stuff here) schooling etc. My son has arrived and now wants to stay and BIL is here. I have been ready for a divorce or a trip back several times but know in the back of my mind that all good things will come.
The wildlife is amazing here. We see all sorts of amazing parrots flying around all day. Some you can even hand feed. Hubby has been to a local golf course and wallabies and kangeroos are all around just watching you. Geckos are also absolutely everywhere. The first few weeks we were eaten alive by mozzies but there is plenty of stuff around to stop them biting.
The sea is 3 miles away in Redcliffe and its lovely and warm to paddle in. There are some magnificent places to see and experience.
Everyone walks around in what they are comfortable in and don't seem at all self concience to what they look like. I love that and just dress for comfort . 
Sorry this has been so long. If there is any info I can help with just ask.
Please please let me know if there is a Redcliffe meet up in the near future.
Wishing everyone the best of luck.
Lesleym
Friendly and also helpful people. We have had to ask total strangers questions and they have always been helpful. There seems to be shopping malls all over the place and always fairly nearby. All the shopping malls have a food shops, a bottle store, chemist, doctor, pet shops, post office, clothes shops, banks etc. so you dont need to drive into the big city. The hassle we had was with HSBC bank which we had to drive into Brisbane for. We have since opened a bank account with Westpac so solved this problem as they have branches everywhere. We took our 15 year old daughter to the doctors yesterday she has had a bad cough since her trip to France in January. When I have been to the doctors in the UK asking wether she has asthma as well and they kept on saying no. Yesterday she was thouroughly checked including an xray and has been given an inhaler and we have to go back in two weeks. It cost us 100 dollars but we can claim some money back from medicare which is in the shopping centres as well. So impressed there.
We have rented a lowset (bungalow) which is virtually brand new. Its 4 bedrooms and costs us 250 dollars a week. With a deposit of 1000 dollars plus two weeks up front. Highset is an upstairs downstairs house. We were lucky and informed what are rough areas and ordinary areas.
We bought mobiles and asked for a 49 dollar capped rate which gives you 20 mins to phone the uk as well as plenty of phone calls. When buying a phone as the assistent about capped rates it works out a lot better.
Our dogs arrived from Sydney to here on Sunday and one of them no longer looks like a 'pot bellied pig' she was so fat
and like a proper dog she lost so much weight. They both looked in excellent condition. The quaratine place was excellent with queries and looking after them. It is very strict with dogs being off leads here and you have certain areas to allow them off lead to run. I went through Jets4pets and wouldn't use them again as I had to do the chasing with all queries considering they promised to 'hold our hand' through every step of the way.My daughter has taken a while to settle into school and I was really worried but now she is going alright. The standard of the school she goes to and soccer is a lot higher than the UK.
Hubby left the job he had because they were taking the mickey with pay and hours. I told him to look elsewhere. He still has to apply for all the paperwork and tests for the electrician bit so it's making it harder to get employment but there still is plenty out there you just need to work harder to get it. Tradespeople tend to work from 6.30am to 3.30pm.
We have found that furniture is around the same prices as the UK depending on what you want.
We have been through a lot of crap since arriving as there has been a relatives wedding which we helped out with. A death in the family, one relative being hospitalised twice so we helped babysit 4 over active young children. A bug had gone through the family so everyone had been sick, FIL and partner arrived at the same time so we had to put them up. She is 'rent-a-gob' in a big way who hasn't lifted a finger or paid for anything and still has the cheek to moan about a meal out or what you you put on her plate and thinks she has a right to tell everyone what to do. I got pished the other night and gave her a 'small' piece of my mind, she still hasn't shut up ! Absolutely noone likes her including me in a big way. I will personally escort her on the plane back today and if she misses it drown her in the bloody ocean. Through her I have wanted to run away
Through all this we were having to try and find a rented place to stay, work, furniture (even though we have shipped stuff here) schooling etc. My son has arrived and now wants to stay and BIL is here. I have been ready for a divorce or a trip back several times but know in the back of my mind that all good things will come.The wildlife is amazing here. We see all sorts of amazing parrots flying around all day. Some you can even hand feed. Hubby has been to a local golf course and wallabies and kangeroos are all around just watching you. Geckos are also absolutely everywhere. The first few weeks we were eaten alive by mozzies but there is plenty of stuff around to stop them biting.
The sea is 3 miles away in Redcliffe and its lovely and warm to paddle in. There are some magnificent places to see and experience.
Everyone walks around in what they are comfortable in and don't seem at all self concience to what they look like. I love that and just dress for comfort .
Sorry this has been so long. If there is any info I can help with just ask.
Please please let me know if there is a Redcliffe meet up in the near future.
Wishing everyone the best of luck.
Lesleym
Mar 28th 2006, 10:32 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Yorkshire,now Brissie
Posts: 80
Re: One month in
Thanks for that lovely post! You seem to have taken on far too much, what with looking after all and sundry already. You'll need a break once the Guest from Hell has left! That's the only drawback with emigrating - having people to stay for longer than you would have to put up with them in the UK!
Good luck with the future
Sue
Good luck with the future
Sue
Mar 28th 2006, 11:21 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Cairns FNQ, a bit of paradise on earth:-)
Posts: 1,104
Re: One month in
There, there, bet you feel better now taking time out to have a good moan about the visitor from hell - bit soon after just emigrating eh! I know I would not have wanted someone over that quickly - let alone someone I didn't get on with - nightmare!
There is so much to do in the first few months isn't there! We all get thru it in the end. You are already appreciating your surroundings by the sounds of it - good! Hard to find the time I should imagine
Things do get better, the stress and strain of moving 12,000 miles away from UK takes its toll every so often. Things that just pop up and hit you in the face also takes its toll - but of this I/We are sure - we love living here! It is a fact - seeing sunshine more often than rain, does help so much in your everyday attitude to life - gives you a better frame of mind.
Life always throws challenges at you wherever you are - but when all is ok Australia is such a beautiful country to live in and explore, so diverse its incredible! Cant wait to get out there and see more of it
Take care and try to have some 'time out' for yourselves ok
There is so much to do in the first few months isn't there! We all get thru it in the end. You are already appreciating your surroundings by the sounds of it - good! Hard to find the time I should imagine
Things do get better, the stress and strain of moving 12,000 miles away from UK takes its toll every so often. Things that just pop up and hit you in the face also takes its toll - but of this I/We are sure - we love living here! It is a fact - seeing sunshine more often than rain, does help so much in your everyday attitude to life - gives you a better frame of mind.Life always throws challenges at you wherever you are - but when all is ok Australia is such a beautiful country to live in and explore, so diverse its incredible! Cant wait to get out there and see more of it
Take care and try to have some 'time out' for yourselves ok
Mar 29th 2006, 11:15 am
#4
NorthLakes, Brissy
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Bridgehaven release - North Lakes!
Posts: 2,423
Re: One month in
We we over there (Redcliffe) last week and have decided that Northlakes is the place for us - so we'll be almost neighbours !!
Isn't Suttons Beach nice !!
Isn't Suttons Beach nice !!
Mar 29th 2006, 11:26 am
#5
Living the Dream!
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 6,515
Re: One month in
Thanks for such a lovely post....sounds like you have been really busy through no fault of your own....families eh? 
It sounds absolutely wonderful where you are....must put it on my list of places to look at when I come out for my reccie later this year!
Hope things settle down a bit for you soon.... if not might help!
Jackie x
It sounds absolutely wonderful where you are....must put it on my list of places to look at when I come out for my reccie later this year!
Hope things settle down a bit for you soon.... if not
might help! Jackie x
Mar 29th 2006, 12:25 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Location: Coventry to Ocean Reef,WA
Posts: 634
Re: One month in
Lovely post, keep em coming
Mar 29th 2006, 12:29 pm
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Middlesex
Posts: 395
Re: One month in
What a lovely post, thanks for sharing
Mar 29th 2006, 12:38 pm
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,693
Re: One month in
Originally Posted by LesleyM
We've been in Brisbane for a month now and here is our personal experiences so far :
Friendly and also helpful people. We have had to ask total strangers questions and they have always been helpful. There seems to be shopping malls all over the place and always fairly nearby. All the shopping malls have a food shops, a bottle store, chemist, doctor, pet shops, post office, clothes shops, banks etc. so you dont need to drive into the big city. The hassle we had was with HSBC bank which we had to drive into Brisbane for. We have since opened a bank account with Westpac so solved this problem as they have branches everywhere. We took our 15 year old daughter to the doctors yesterday she has had a bad cough since her trip to France in January. When I have been to the doctors in the UK asking wether she has asthma as well and they kept on saying no. Yesterday she was thouroughly checked including an xray and has been given an inhaler and we have to go back in two weeks. It cost us 100 dollars but we can claim some money back from medicare which is in the shopping centres as well. So impressed there.
We have rented a lowset (bungalow) which is virtually brand new. Its 4 bedrooms and costs us 250 dollars a week. With a deposit of 1000 dollars plus two weeks up front. Highset is an upstairs downstairs house. We were lucky and informed what are rough areas and ordinary areas.
We bought mobiles and asked for a 49 dollar capped rate which gives you 20 mins to phone the uk as well as plenty of phone calls. When buying a phone as the assistent about capped rates it works out a lot better.
Our dogs arrived from Sydney to here on Sunday and one of them no longer looks like a 'pot bellied pig' she was so fat and like a proper dog she lost so much weight. They both looked in excellent condition. The quaratine place was excellent with queries and looking after them. It is very strict with dogs being off leads here and you have certain areas to allow them off lead to run. I went through Jets4pets and wouldn't use them again as I had to do the chasing with all queries considering they promised to 'hold our hand' through every step of the way.
My daughter has taken a while to settle into school and I was really worried but now she is going alright. The standard of the school she goes to and soccer is a lot higher than the UK.
Hubby left the job he had because they were taking the mickey with pay and hours. I told him to look elsewhere. He still has to apply for all the paperwork and tests for the electrician bit so it's making it harder to get employment but there still is plenty out there you just need to work harder to get it. Tradespeople tend to work from 6.30am to 3.30pm.
We have found that furniture is around the same prices as the UK depending on what you want.
We have been through a lot of crap since arriving as there has been a relatives wedding which we helped out with. A death in the family, one relative being hospitalised twice so we helped babysit 4 over active young children. A bug had gone through the family so everyone had been sick, FIL and partner arrived at the same time so we had to put them up. She is 'rent-a-gob' in a big way who hasn't lifted a finger or paid for anything and still has the cheek to moan about a meal out or what you you put on her plate and thinks she has a right to tell everyone what to do. I got pished the other night and gave her a 'small' piece of my mind, she still hasn't shut up ! Absolutely noone likes her including me in a big way. I will personally escort her on the plane back today and if she misses it drown her in the bloody ocean. Through her I have wanted to run away Through all this we were having to try and find a rented place to stay, work, furniture (even though we have shipped stuff here) schooling etc. My son has arrived and now wants to stay and BIL is here. I have been ready for a divorce or a trip back several times but know in the back of my mind that all good things will come.
The wildlife is amazing here. We see all sorts of amazing parrots flying around all day. Some you can even hand feed. Hubby has been to a local golf course and wallabies and kangeroos are all around just watching you. Geckos are also absolutely everywhere. The first few weeks we were eaten alive by mozzies but there is plenty of stuff around to stop them biting.
The sea is 3 miles away in Redcliffe and its lovely and warm to paddle in. There are some magnificent places to see and experience.
Everyone walks around in what they are comfortable in and don't seem at all self concience to what they look like. I love that and just dress for comfort .
Sorry this has been so long. If there is any info I can help with just ask.
Please please let me know if there is a Redcliffe meet up in the near future.
Wishing everyone the best of luck.
Lesleym
Friendly and also helpful people. We have had to ask total strangers questions and they have always been helpful. There seems to be shopping malls all over the place and always fairly nearby. All the shopping malls have a food shops, a bottle store, chemist, doctor, pet shops, post office, clothes shops, banks etc. so you dont need to drive into the big city. The hassle we had was with HSBC bank which we had to drive into Brisbane for. We have since opened a bank account with Westpac so solved this problem as they have branches everywhere. We took our 15 year old daughter to the doctors yesterday she has had a bad cough since her trip to France in January. When I have been to the doctors in the UK asking wether she has asthma as well and they kept on saying no. Yesterday she was thouroughly checked including an xray and has been given an inhaler and we have to go back in two weeks. It cost us 100 dollars but we can claim some money back from medicare which is in the shopping centres as well. So impressed there.
We have rented a lowset (bungalow) which is virtually brand new. Its 4 bedrooms and costs us 250 dollars a week. With a deposit of 1000 dollars plus two weeks up front. Highset is an upstairs downstairs house. We were lucky and informed what are rough areas and ordinary areas.
We bought mobiles and asked for a 49 dollar capped rate which gives you 20 mins to phone the uk as well as plenty of phone calls. When buying a phone as the assistent about capped rates it works out a lot better.
Our dogs arrived from Sydney to here on Sunday and one of them no longer looks like a 'pot bellied pig' she was so fat
and like a proper dog she lost so much weight. They both looked in excellent condition. The quaratine place was excellent with queries and looking after them. It is very strict with dogs being off leads here and you have certain areas to allow them off lead to run. I went through Jets4pets and wouldn't use them again as I had to do the chasing with all queries considering they promised to 'hold our hand' through every step of the way.My daughter has taken a while to settle into school and I was really worried but now she is going alright. The standard of the school she goes to and soccer is a lot higher than the UK.
Hubby left the job he had because they were taking the mickey with pay and hours. I told him to look elsewhere. He still has to apply for all the paperwork and tests for the electrician bit so it's making it harder to get employment but there still is plenty out there you just need to work harder to get it. Tradespeople tend to work from 6.30am to 3.30pm.
We have found that furniture is around the same prices as the UK depending on what you want.
We have been through a lot of crap since arriving as there has been a relatives wedding which we helped out with. A death in the family, one relative being hospitalised twice so we helped babysit 4 over active young children. A bug had gone through the family so everyone had been sick, FIL and partner arrived at the same time so we had to put them up. She is 'rent-a-gob' in a big way who hasn't lifted a finger or paid for anything and still has the cheek to moan about a meal out or what you you put on her plate and thinks she has a right to tell everyone what to do. I got pished the other night and gave her a 'small' piece of my mind, she still hasn't shut up ! Absolutely noone likes her including me in a big way. I will personally escort her on the plane back today and if she misses it drown her in the bloody ocean. Through her I have wanted to run away
Through all this we were having to try and find a rented place to stay, work, furniture (even though we have shipped stuff here) schooling etc. My son has arrived and now wants to stay and BIL is here. I have been ready for a divorce or a trip back several times but know in the back of my mind that all good things will come.The wildlife is amazing here. We see all sorts of amazing parrots flying around all day. Some you can even hand feed. Hubby has been to a local golf course and wallabies and kangeroos are all around just watching you. Geckos are also absolutely everywhere. The first few weeks we were eaten alive by mozzies but there is plenty of stuff around to stop them biting.
The sea is 3 miles away in Redcliffe and its lovely and warm to paddle in. There are some magnificent places to see and experience.
Everyone walks around in what they are comfortable in and don't seem at all self concience to what they look like. I love that and just dress for comfort .
Sorry this has been so long. If there is any info I can help with just ask.
Please please let me know if there is a Redcliffe meet up in the near future.
Wishing everyone the best of luck.
Lesleym
You aint mising owt here.
Dave
Mar 29th 2006, 12:44 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,927
Re: One month in
Nice post, inspiring to all us people who are on the move soon.
Where abouts are you, obviously 3 miles from Redcliffe put you northside. We are looking at Sandgate just down from Redcliffe.
Im sure there will be plenty of meets around Redcliffe so we’ll see you there after June.
Where abouts are you, obviously 3 miles from Redcliffe put you northside. We are looking at Sandgate just down from Redcliffe.
Im sure there will be plenty of meets around Redcliffe so we’ll see you there after June.
Mar 29th 2006, 12:49 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 191
Re: One month in
Originally Posted by LesleyM
We've been in Brisbane for a month now and here is our personal experiences so far :
Friendly and also helpful people. We have had to ask total strangers questions and they have always been helpful. There seems to be shopping malls all over the place and always fairly nearby. All the shopping malls have a food shops, a bottle store, chemist, doctor, pet shops, post office, clothes shops, banks etc. so you dont need to drive into the big city. The hassle we had was with HSBC bank which we had to drive into Brisbane for. We have since opened a bank account with Westpac so solved this problem as they have branches everywhere. We took our 15 year old daughter to the doctors yesterday she has had a bad cough since her trip to France in January. When I have been to the doctors in the UK asking wether she has asthma as well and they kept on saying no. Yesterday she was thouroughly checked including an xray and has been given an inhaler and we have to go back in two weeks. It cost us 100 dollars but we can claim some money back from medicare which is in the shopping centres as well. So impressed there.
We have rented a lowset (bungalow) which is virtually brand new. Its 4 bedrooms and costs us 250 dollars a week. With a deposit of 1000 dollars plus two weeks up front. Highset is an upstairs downstairs house. We were lucky and informed what are rough areas and ordinary areas.
We bought mobiles and asked for a 49 dollar capped rate which gives you 20 mins to phone the uk as well as plenty of phone calls. When buying a phone as the assistent about capped rates it works out a lot better.
Our dogs arrived from Sydney to here on Sunday and one of them no longer looks like a 'pot bellied pig' she was so fat and like a proper dog she lost so much weight. They both looked in excellent condition. The quaratine place was excellent with queries and looking after them. It is very strict with dogs being off leads here and you have certain areas to allow them off lead to run. I went through Jets4pets and wouldn't use them again as I had to do the chasing with all queries considering they promised to 'hold our hand' through every step of the way.
My daughter has taken a while to settle into school and I was really worried but now she is going alright. The standard of the school she goes to and soccer is a lot higher than the UK.
Hubby left the job he had because they were taking the mickey with pay and hours. I told him to look elsewhere. He still has to apply for all the paperwork and tests for the electrician bit so it's making it harder to get employment but there still is plenty out there you just need to work harder to get it. Tradespeople tend to work from 6.30am to 3.30pm.
We have found that furniture is around the same prices as the UK depending on what you want.
We have been through a lot of crap since arriving as there has been a relatives wedding which we helped out with. A death in the family, one relative being hospitalised twice so we helped babysit 4 over active young children. A bug had gone through the family so everyone had been sick, FIL and partner arrived at the same time so we had to put them up. She is 'rent-a-gob' in a big way who hasn't lifted a finger or paid for anything and still has the cheek to moan about a meal out or what you you put on her plate and thinks she has a right to tell everyone what to do. I got pished the other night and gave her a 'small' piece of my mind, she still hasn't shut up ! Absolutely noone likes her including me in a big way. I will personally escort her on the plane back today and if she misses it drown her in the bloody ocean. Through her I have wanted to run away Through all this we were having to try and find a rented place to stay, work, furniture (even though we have shipped stuff here) schooling etc. My son has arrived and now wants to stay and BIL is here. I have been ready for a divorce or a trip back several times but know in the back of my mind that all good things will come.
The wildlife is amazing here. We see all sorts of amazing parrots flying around all day. Some you can even hand feed. Hubby has been to a local golf course and wallabies and kangeroos are all around just watching you. Geckos are also absolutely everywhere. The first few weeks we were eaten alive by mozzies but there is plenty of stuff around to stop them biting.
The sea is 3 miles away in Redcliffe and its lovely and warm to paddle in. There are some magnificent places to see and experience.
Everyone walks around in what they are comfortable in and don't seem at all self concience to what they look like. I love that and just dress for comfort .
Sorry this has been so long. If there is any info I can help with just ask.
Please please let me know if there is a Redcliffe meet up in the near future.
Wishing everyone the best of luck.
Lesleym
Friendly and also helpful people. We have had to ask total strangers questions and they have always been helpful. There seems to be shopping malls all over the place and always fairly nearby. All the shopping malls have a food shops, a bottle store, chemist, doctor, pet shops, post office, clothes shops, banks etc. so you dont need to drive into the big city. The hassle we had was with HSBC bank which we had to drive into Brisbane for. We have since opened a bank account with Westpac so solved this problem as they have branches everywhere. We took our 15 year old daughter to the doctors yesterday she has had a bad cough since her trip to France in January. When I have been to the doctors in the UK asking wether she has asthma as well and they kept on saying no. Yesterday she was thouroughly checked including an xray and has been given an inhaler and we have to go back in two weeks. It cost us 100 dollars but we can claim some money back from medicare which is in the shopping centres as well. So impressed there.
We have rented a lowset (bungalow) which is virtually brand new. Its 4 bedrooms and costs us 250 dollars a week. With a deposit of 1000 dollars plus two weeks up front. Highset is an upstairs downstairs house. We were lucky and informed what are rough areas and ordinary areas.
We bought mobiles and asked for a 49 dollar capped rate which gives you 20 mins to phone the uk as well as plenty of phone calls. When buying a phone as the assistent about capped rates it works out a lot better.
Our dogs arrived from Sydney to here on Sunday and one of them no longer looks like a 'pot bellied pig' she was so fat
and like a proper dog she lost so much weight. They both looked in excellent condition. The quaratine place was excellent with queries and looking after them. It is very strict with dogs being off leads here and you have certain areas to allow them off lead to run. I went through Jets4pets and wouldn't use them again as I had to do the chasing with all queries considering they promised to 'hold our hand' through every step of the way.My daughter has taken a while to settle into school and I was really worried but now she is going alright. The standard of the school she goes to and soccer is a lot higher than the UK.
Hubby left the job he had because they were taking the mickey with pay and hours. I told him to look elsewhere. He still has to apply for all the paperwork and tests for the electrician bit so it's making it harder to get employment but there still is plenty out there you just need to work harder to get it. Tradespeople tend to work from 6.30am to 3.30pm.
We have found that furniture is around the same prices as the UK depending on what you want.
We have been through a lot of crap since arriving as there has been a relatives wedding which we helped out with. A death in the family, one relative being hospitalised twice so we helped babysit 4 over active young children. A bug had gone through the family so everyone had been sick, FIL and partner arrived at the same time so we had to put them up. She is 'rent-a-gob' in a big way who hasn't lifted a finger or paid for anything and still has the cheek to moan about a meal out or what you you put on her plate and thinks she has a right to tell everyone what to do. I got pished the other night and gave her a 'small' piece of my mind, she still hasn't shut up ! Absolutely noone likes her including me in a big way. I will personally escort her on the plane back today and if she misses it drown her in the bloody ocean. Through her I have wanted to run away
Through all this we were having to try and find a rented place to stay, work, furniture (even though we have shipped stuff here) schooling etc. My son has arrived and now wants to stay and BIL is here. I have been ready for a divorce or a trip back several times but know in the back of my mind that all good things will come.The wildlife is amazing here. We see all sorts of amazing parrots flying around all day. Some you can even hand feed. Hubby has been to a local golf course and wallabies and kangeroos are all around just watching you. Geckos are also absolutely everywhere. The first few weeks we were eaten alive by mozzies but there is plenty of stuff around to stop them biting.
The sea is 3 miles away in Redcliffe and its lovely and warm to paddle in. There are some magnificent places to see and experience.
Everyone walks around in what they are comfortable in and don't seem at all self concience to what they look like. I love that and just dress for comfort .
Sorry this has been so long. If there is any info I can help with just ask.
Please please let me know if there is a Redcliffe meet up in the near future.
Wishing everyone the best of luck.
Lesleym
great post, thanks for keeping us all updated, it is so nice to hear news from "the other side" and thanks for mentioning what hours tradies usually work. My husband is a carpenter and we thought it would be an early start.........but then again, he can get to the beach earlier to surf.
Mar 29th 2006, 1:30 pm
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209
Re: One month in
Hi Lesley
At least you are out there. We are still here waiting for visa (now 8 weeks)
I'm sure things will work out for you and you wont regret the move.
I'm sure things will be tough for us when we get there but seeing your post gives us inspiration to battle it out.
Keep us updated. Michelle and Paul
At least you are out there. We are still here waiting for visa (now 8 weeks)
I'm sure things will work out for you and you wont regret the move. I'm sure things will be tough for us when we get there but seeing your post gives us inspiration to battle it out.
Keep us updated. Michelle and Paul
