I see what you mean! Crikey, Andy wont be happy - he'll be moaning about the lines around his eyes!

The beaches were lovely when we went - although it wasn't overly warm during the day when we were there....and it was very windy! But i imagine in the summer they're really nice....

I think thats a very good idea, keep it quiet!

Sam

I like this beach, although it was very crowded as you can see This was taken at Bay of Fires, near St Helens.
The next one is us kayaking at Coles Bay, I was unlucky enough to be in with my 9 year old son, who just laid back and let me do all the work, it was darned hard and a strong wind didn't help, well that's my excuse anyway!
Next is Salamanca Square in Hobart
Eagle Glide at Tahune Air Walk, bit pricey but the kids loved it
View from Freycinet Lodge, the most wonderful place, I can't wait to go back.

Blimey, these are making me want to be there asap!

Hi Sam, they're great photo's! Especially love the last photo - that is lovely Does kind of make you want to be there doesnt it - i often look at our pics and dream!

I know what you mean, sometimes when it all still seems very far away, lookig at our holiday photos cheers me up lots. Even though, they are "holiday" photos and that's not we'll be doing every day, it still great to remember all the great places.

Had an offer on the house today
£20k under the asking price but an offer it is. Haven't had chance to discuss with hubby yet and these are the people who have dithered around for a while as the wife does not like the house! So, not getting any hopes up yet.

Any more viewings for you?

Sam

Hi Sam, i agree. I'm a BIG fan of photo's.... one of the things i really must sort out and put to disk before we make the big move. I have tons of albums from over the years and would be devastated to lose any of them....
I'll be an old lady one day in a house full of albums!

Good news about the offer - but NOT so good news about the price!
£20k is a bit much isn't it... I think people are going to really try it on with what's happening on the property front over here.... I hope you manage to negotiate a much higher price with them...
We had a 2nd viewer on Saturday - but no other viewers at the weekend...
Andy rang the estate agent and asked if they'd been any interest after we'd had a lot of interest the 1st two weeks we were up for sale - but the agent said that it had been quiet on all their properties... The couple that came back Saturday stayed about 5mins - didnt ask any questions - didnt ask to see the loft or anything we expected them to - they didnt even venture out into the garden. All the lady said was that she knew she'd liked our house but wanted to refresh her memory! We know they'd been to look at a couple of other houses in our area that are up for a bit less than ours....so we're expecting that they may be more interested in them......although ours is a semi with off street parking. The guy drove a Lexus and asked Andy the 1st time he viewed what kind of insurance we paid for our car living where we live as where he currently lives means he pays more premium! As we have a "family" car - a Renault Scenic - we're a completely different insurance category anyway so there was no point him asking that!
I was all waiting for them to ask how much water rates etc etc were and was very surprised to get not one question! Oh well, i just hope things pick up a bit - we found out today in work that our company need to lose 40 people by the end of this year.....so they're talking about redundancies....The place is getting unbearable to work in - so i need a buyer so that i can start working my 8 week notice.... Even though i'd have been there 20years in August i know i wont get offered redundancy as they know i'm going at some point - plus they'd have to pay me too much money!
Typically my luck!

Hi Cathy

no he hadn't been to Oz before and he loved it, and yes it was great to see him !

the sea was perfect for swimming, daytime temp in Byron Bay was about 28-30C so it was a shock when we landed in hobart on sat to find a chilly 11C due to a southerly wind.

new job is good so far, friendly people working there and all very helpful thanks.

Hi I'm glad your brother really enjoyed Oz. Has he any plans to visit you in Tasmania next time? That was a bit of a difference with the temperatures comparing Byron Bay with Hobart!
I have a close friend that has just returned from 1 week in Sydney and 1 week in Brisbane and she said the weather was nice whilst they were away....

Me and Andy were remembering our 1st night in Tas the other day - we went for something to eat at Mure's with the kids - and it was quite windy then - and a bit refreshing to say the least as we were walking along the front there... I came from Perth with just a denim jacket - so i think when we come over for good this time i'll definitely be packing a fleece or something for those chilly days/evenings...

Glad the new job is going well Definite plus having friendly and helpful work colleagues so that's good!

As you're into your music etc....where do you tend to buy your CD's etc from. Do you buy music online or are there music stores like HMV kind of thing in Hobart? I buy a lot of films but i know they're not particularly cheap in some of the larger dept stores in Oz...

for cd's and dvd's - JB Hifi are the best, they have finally opened a store in Hobart but there online store is great

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/

JB is good and for specialist blues stuff (which is what I like), also jazz etc there is Music Without Frontiers on Collins St.

Also online, Dirt Cheap CDs is good as well.

http://www.dirtcheapcds.com.au/

and don't forget Amazon.co.uk will deliver globally now.

Can someone tell me if we live in Blackman's Bay (Hobart)......are there schools within walking distance?
My girls are 12, 11, 8 and 3......so not sure what school the older two would go to.....high school or primary. Need to be able to get to both schools ideally.
If not....what nice areas are within walking distance to schools?
Beth x x

Blackmans bay has two primary schools one private one state. Not sure about senior think you have to get bus to get to one. You could walk depending on where you were, but my god the hills here are something to be desired!!! Leg muscles or what!!!

Thanks Corinne
Trying to focus on an area to rent.....but the schools will be the deciding factor really.
My oldest has to catch a bus to school here in Wales.......but I have to walk the others.
Girls will have to go to a state school....LOL
Any other 'nice' areas I could settle in......near shops and schools?
Beth x x

Lindisfarne is nice, two schools depending on what side of Lindisfarne you rent on. Both walkable too and have shops you can walk to in Lindisfarne Village which has 2 bakers, coffee shop, gym, patisserie, butchers, woolworths and loads of others, post office etc. Buses frequent too, 10 mins into Hobart. Taroona is nice, school there is good but nearest shops are Sandy Bay or Hobart on a bus, very hilly (and I mean Tassie hills not UK hills!!). Kerry liked Moonah and know there is a primary school there, shops I think you may need to get a bus depending on where you rent. Bellerive is lovely, walkable schools and small village too, bus into Eastlands big shopping centre (also from Lindisfarne).

Will check out Lindisfarne first then
Are you staying in Tas now....or moving back to UK?
Beth x x