Hi Sam.
I know you're right about some viewers playing it cool and coming back with an offer - but i dont think it'll happen in this instance! But never mind....we'll have to be patient i guess.... At least it looks like we'll definitely get that 2week holiday in July though ....as i'll now be able to book something this week without worrying that it'll clash with moving!!!

I'm not surprised you and Angus have had words this weekend - it must be extra stressful for you guys now that you've got to wait for the solicitors etc to get back to you...it's horrible that things get taken out of people's hands.
and i do know what you mean about adding up costs etc. We too spent our savings on our trip to Oz last year...and although we've been back home 6months since that trip we haven't recouped anything in the old savings pot as we keep having to fork out for things... but that's always the way isn't it? Me and Andy have had the same conversations about money ourselves during this process - and it is surprising how much everything adds up to...especially when there's 4 of you to consider with flights etc.

Andy's been pretty laid back about it all himself - but dont you find that men
generally worry less than us women ?
I dont think he worries so much as he knows that 6 years ago we didn't have as much money as what we would have now - just that we've been lucky that our house has doubled in value since then...so we're lucky to have made the equity we have...although that's gradually dropping as the house prices drop plus we wont see a penny of it unless the house sells anyway!!!

Anyway, i'd better get ready to go out - not sure where we're going to go - but the thought of being couped up inside all morning/afternoon with the kids when the weather's awful is too much! So we'll find somewhere to kill a few hours! I agree - lets hope the weather improves for the rest of the week!

take care
Cathy

Hi thanks, yes it nice to be all together again. Going to see how things go with a view to return to Tassie but it all depends on the house selling. But it is shocking how agressive people are here compared to other countries. So now we have tried to move as a whole family to NZ and returned due to house not selling so then tried the just me for the job and sell the house apart. Both are just too much. Need to sell the house to do it. But it's all a gamble. Love Tassie though, we all do. Still if we can't go back at least we had a good go at it and lived there. I will keep you up to date as how things go. But i have to say i liked the Aussies a lot. They made me feel so welcome and part of them and with a sense of humour too.

What a bummer Lenmil, I'm sooo sorry for you I hope you get a result too and return to this fab place again some day. But like you say at least you did try your best, some people don't get as far as you did, so for that you can be proud. I know what you mean about the aussies though I think they are a great bunch too, Duncan has made some friends for life here and so have I (at last).
We went to a friends 40th birthday bash today and I made him a naughty cake, will try and upload a piccie for you
Hang in there you folks in blighty you'll make it soon I'm sure.

Hi

Glad to hear you got back Ok despite Jetstars efforts!

Sorry to hear you have had to return, will you be able to go back to Tas in the future?

Sam

Hi again

Sorry for the awful whinge earlier

Cathy - Glad to you will have a holiday to look forward to, just what you need to take your mind off everything

Lenmil - hope it all works out for you and as you say, you've really tried to give it the best you could but selling the house is the bugger that's messing it up - hope you sell soon and then you can choose what you would like to do

Kerry - like the cake

Sam

You don't have to apologise for the winge Sam!! Its good to let out your feelings, whether it be on here or some where else, and we all understand what you're going through. After all some of us have been there and some of us are going through it now. Then there are those that have yet to get there

My employer will keep my job open as long as they can. So it's open to fate as usual. But we hope to go back.

Hi Cathy
Have been unable to access the Site since 16th May.The change to new servers stuffed up my computer way of accessing Ex-Pats.Pollyana (Moderator) kindly put me on the right track towards returning and my son and i finally made it back tonight.
So rather than attempt to reply to all your postings spoiling the continuity of postings and turning the thread into "the Oldgit show" i will work through one at a time til i finally catch up or I die of old age
Tassie friends of mine are resigned to their public health system.Like we were with the National Health.....go Private or put up with it.Again much nearer the time of your arrival see what you think then.BUPA has recently taken over MBF a large private health provider in Aus ( to include Tas).As a BUPA existing member you may be exempt from the waiting conditions that apply when you join as a "new" member but this may only apply if you choose MBF.Following a Budget concession ballpark figures of over 400.000 may leave the private sector to go Public so Private health Contributions will certainly rise if that forecast turns into reality.If you were to arrive in Tas tomorrow i would say that if you are a family basically healthy like i suspect you are maybe stay out of Private til you see how things are going.When you arrive as you will most surely do things could be different i don't have a crystal ball wish i did.
Can't help you on pensions. Would if I could.
Picture of our dogs Mitzi (by the gate) and Monty (nearest the camera) for Eden.We flight cargoed both dogs over from the UK.
Cheers Peter

Glad you're back in the fold Peter

If anyone else knows of any poster having problems getting online still, please pm me!

Like the cake!

I'll second that - that's one of the best things about this site and the people on it.... It's nice to follow people from start to finish in this whole emigration business - and that includes all the grotty bits as well! and i dont think any of us on this particular thread whinge as much as some of the other expats on the site!

That's good of your employer Lenmil. Fingerscrossed things work out and you get back in time for them and you guys....

Hi Peter - we missed you! Welcome back. We did have a day recently when we couldn't access BE but thankfully weren't as unlucky as you. Glad Pollyanna got you back on the site ok though

Thanks for all the info about the private health stuff. I imagine i'll do what you suggest and wait when we arrive to see whether i feel we need private healthcare or not. I will bring my current bupa membership details with me though as i've been a member for more than 15 years now - so you never know it might mean something!

Your dogs are lovely - especially the old fella by the gate....He's the kind of dog i love....a face full of character. How old are your dogs?

I hope you've had a great weekend... The rain finally stopped about mid-day here - but it's a bit humid still - so i reckon we'll see more rain before the day is out. Going to visit a friend after we've had dinner - Eden is so excited as it's like visiting a mini-zoo at her place. She has two dogs, a giant rabbit, guinea pigs, two large avaries with too many birds to mention, parrots, tortoises - and until recently also owned a chameleon but she doesnt have that anymore.
Her husband - our close friend Pete died of skin cancer a year ago aged only46 so we're going round there to not just see her but to remember him as well. I dont know where the last year has gone really ... The one good thing about kids though is that the mood is never down for long - especially with my two who are turning out to be a mischievious pair!

Anyway, i'll say bye for now!
talk to you soon. It's going to take you a while to catch up on the threads - just reading them - let alone replying to them all!

take care
Cathy

Hey kezza, I love the boob cake, you did a good job, yes I did get the pic on my phone, but I am going spare with my Mum here and no time to keep in touch with people.

We bought Mum a 2 bedroom Unit in Huonville on Saturday, pushing for a fast settlement, she and we need her to have her own space.

Hi Teabag. Hope your Mum's doing ok. It sounds like it will be good for you all to have your own space back.....How quickly do you think the sale will go through on her own place? I know it all happens much quicker in Oz - but what's the quickest time frame generally? Anyway, i hope moving her into her place goes smoothly..

How is your Mum finding the difference weather wise? It must feel very different from what she was used to in Brisbane.

Cathy