chatty34

Oh, I am getting excited now, never thought about the fact that I would be going to a place where not one person knows that I got my boobs out at Wembley at the age of 18 (all in support of Chelsea) not to mentione no one to compare me to my abusive alcoholic father when I dare to express an opinion. I cant wait..............

wmoore

In many ways it was what I expected. I'll be honest here (but don't tell anyone) I'm a bit of a geek and spent a lot of time researching different things, from housing to income tax, to parks and beaches and just about everything else.

So I had a good idea what to expect. I like that there are no really huge high-rise buildings in the CBD (and that the council wants to keep it that way). I like how easy it is to get around the place, the public transport seems to be pretty reliable, clean and cheap. I like that people seem to have time for you, and I don't just mean the people who make their dollars in tourism. We found that wherever we were, people had a smile on their face and time to help you out. I like that within an hour you could be at the beach, in the mountains or in the bush. I LOVE the beach at South Bank, it's the most amazing idea. I can see a lot of weekends spent in the water or guzzling the slushie drinks at the cafe

I was really encouraged to get that far with the job. I don't think I have any special skills as such (I'm an IT jack of all trades really) but I have been told that my CV is well written. I've spoken to a few people about different jobs too - I've been trying to see if I could get a job and be sponsored for a 457 visa while the PR application is still sat on someone's desk at DIMIA. I've been told that I shouldn't have too much trouble getting work once I'm there and I'm realistic to know that to get a job offer without a visa would be 1 in a million!

CasG

Everybody knows now!

JackTheLad

As far as I can gather from his records, Jock is a springer/cocker cross, but he must be 75+ percent springer, cos he is the same size as Jack, but just not as muscular. He is pure springer in his attitude though. He pulls the arm off me in walks, and has the joy of life that all springer have.

Great dog, as I've said before, he is the best buy we've made since we got here, forget the car, house, everything.

And if anybody fancies getting a dog when they get here, check out the dog pounds first, there are some seriously beautiful,well trained dogs there. We got Jock at

http://www.awlqld.com.au/

So if you're coming to Brissie, thats a good place to start, and they usually have about 6 or 7 springers a year.

Cheers,
JTL

Edit: In answer to your question, Jack was a pure bred English working springer, built like Mike Tyson on steroids, but with the springer personality, Jock is the girlie version Still powerful enough to pull, but doesn't have the rippling muscles. Hard to tell if he was originally a welsh, english or american springer, I don't care, he's got the same attitude as Jack, so we are all happy.

Phoenixuk2oz

Are you THAT Sharon from THAT Chelsea match?

We know who you are now then

CasG

Goodnight all - time for me to sleep.

Thanks for your lovely replies

Cas x

wmoore

Night Cas.

CasG

'Tis here

Goodnight x

Phoenixuk2oz

You've summed Brissy up there Wayne. It's obvious you did your homework. We noticed the lack of high rise buildings too and also liked the idea and the Aussie people are great too and like anywhere I suppose, you get back what you put in so to speak

As for the visa. I guess you've gone for a skilled Ind visa and are almost at the end then i.e it's due in June/July? To be honest, this is probably y9ur best bet as it's less stressful i.e with a 457 I think you'd have to be with an employer for a certain amount of time [2 years?]...and given this is a different culture etc..then it's sometimes hard to have to stay with someone for your first two years that you are happy with. At least with an independant visa you can pick and choose and if you don'tlike..then move on

I have a few mates here in IT. You'll have no probs finding a job. Brisbane is growing at the rate of notts and IT is still pretty strong. The IT jobs advertised are never ending and with a great CV you should have em knocking at your door soon after arrival. Have you got interviews with the big IT agencies? No doubt you have [hence first offer and all the research ].

With a good IT background, a bit of Yorkshire nouse...and a "can do" attitude....then..... "you'll be right mate"

Phoenixuk2oz

Awww..he's your mate then eh

Great that you rescued him. Did they say why he was in there?

I find it strange that people can hand them in but I try not to pass judgement as people obviously have their reasons. I couldn't imagine putting mine in a kennel and leaving her for someone else

Has anyone else noticed there's a hell of a lot of dogs in the "for sale" adds here and in the pet shops? Is neutering not encouraged do you think? It's like it was in UK some 20/25 years ago.

Whilst my mum was here on hols ....we were in the car one day and there was a car in front of us....and someone pushed their dog out of the car at the roundabout!!!

JackTheLad

Yeah, he's a great guy. Believe it or not he had been abandoned 3 times! :scared: The last time they found him wandering the streets, and they couldn't contact the "new" owners.

The staff at the Animal welfare league tried to warn us off him, they said the dog was mental. It was only when I told them I had owned a springer in the UK they started to even consider us possible candidates as new owners.

They were great though, once they saw we bonded with the dog, they offered to look after him until we got our house. I'm a doggy person so I hope they saw that, and hoped it was worth the wait for Jocks sake.

As its turned out, the wee guy is brilliant, and those other owners don't know what they are missing.

But it isn't always that scary. We took a risk and it worked, there are loads of dogs at the animal welfare league that are no risk and have been abandoned for various reasons, my best advice on this forum , is at least check them out

Cheer,
JTL

Phoenixuk2oz

Maybe he gets bored and buggars off.... so it's him that's abandoned the previous owners

He maybe likes you and chose you ....rather than the other way round

Do you get vetted like in UK? and does it cost anything to get them from the rescue homes?

Phoenixuk2oz

Goodnight Cas. Sleep tight..and make sure the bedbugs don't bite

HiddenPaw

Do you ever sleep Phoenix?

HiddenPaw

Yes, never thought of it like this but I guess you really can get to know "you" without the pressures, obligations and prejudices of those you normally spend time with (and hence may influence your behaviour in a way you don't always like). Interesting way of looking at it...I've been musing over this thread whilst walking round the park with bub this avo!