Hi Cathy,
To be honest with you my Wife and Son and my Mates now do all the work for me and I see them right .I hardly lift a finger.I help the wife out with simple household chores muck about in the veggie patch and do simple no lifting, no tugging, no shoving, DIY jobs.Drive to and fro and generally accept the life of an "oldgit".I check on the stock but my Wife does anything needed.
That roast sounds good can you waft the smell to us all here in Tassie
Today Sunday 1 June is the first day of the Tasmanian winter.Winter??? wot winter??
I think site access problems are now history.
Loved pics of your holiday destination go for it...
This time last year ( 31st May GMT/1st June Southern Cross local time) after being separated from my family for equivalent of 2 years ( granted had return visits to see them in the UK) i can still hear the air conditioning as the 747 approaches NZ with about 4 hours to go to landing in Auckland where we spent several months just outside Auckland. Wife Self and our 2 dogs before onwards trnamission to Melb and to Tassie.Son joined us too a couple of months later.
You enjoy that holiday like crazy all of you.I looked at my wife on the day of departure from the UK and i saw a ghost. At LHR she put one foot in front of the other she was drifting in and out of it big time....... having.risen to the occassion so often she boarded and sat in that first aircraft and she slumped out of this world.But then in no time at all she started to revive.But both of us needed those flights.I wanted it to go around the world twice the rest and relaxation was sooo wonderfull.Obviously small children would have made us change our minds about going around the world twice.
We had gone through " the house not selling for months" experience.removals, dogs to NZ/Aus the "are we doing the right thing" traumas what if, what if, what if,.....
And Aussies look at me gone out when i say "Migrants are very brave people"
I thought your house looked very nice and presentable in an earlier email you posted there has to be somebody somewhere sometime.We didn't believe we were ever going to sell but we did.
Espagne pour favor
Cheers Peter

Hi Peter Roast all done and dusted now - hardly any leftovers! We've been a bit naughty this week and haven't had many "proper" dinners as i would call them - so i think a plate full of veg went down well with us all!
I dont think wafting the smell would have gone in your favour though - seeing as we had Roast chicken stuffed with PAXO!!! Did you ever go to that shop that specialises in English food? I know you were interested in getting your hands on some paxo!
Andy's now taken the kids over the park - so i've got an hour's peace and quiet before they get back to get a few jobs done around the house! He got the painting done thankfully - although now he's been asked to do the cutting in around the ceilings before my Mum paints the walls herself during the week....but he'll do that one afternoon/evening whilst i'm at work and my Mum can watch the kids. My Mum had a stroke a couple of years ago and it affected her vision - so her doing the cutting in probably wouldnt be a good idea!

Where did you stay in NZ? Was that with relatives or just as a holiday?
Sounds great anyway if you got to spend a couple of months there...
So how many times have you returned to the UK since being out in Oz?
Is it just a couple of times? How do you feel each time you come over and then leave? Curious about this with people and as to whether you actually miss the UK then - or if its the people connection that people are drawn to.
I've never minded flying - but it is less enjoyable with young children....not so bad when they're old enough to have their own seats - we paid for Jared to have his own seat to Oz last year even though he was only 11months - but he was a big boy and we didn't fancy having him on our laps for that length of time - but saying that he spent most of the time asleep on Andy's chest - but the extra seat allowed Eden to spread out and get a good sleep...
Thankfully Eden's well travelled so she's good on the plane normally - but i am relieved that it'll be a short journey in July as it means we can just get there and get on with the holiday in next to no time...

I think everyone must go through the "what if, what if" stage....i know i did last year...and that's why we're still here more than a year after getting our PR Visa's... But i think if we'd gone last year - then i may have returned by now - because i certainly wasn't ready for the big move then.... I still have doubts now but from having spoken to other people in the same position i think that's very normal....as life here is good for us (to a certain degree) but i know that having come this far down the process we would regret it in later life if we didn't take the chance and at least move for a while just for the experience.....

All i know is that every Monday in work my manager comes over to me and asks if i've sold my house yet - and when i say no he says "good good good "!!!! Nice to know i'm wanted i guess - but fingerscrossed when we put the house up with another agent in a few week's time we'll find that elusive buyer!

Anyway, better get off and do those jobs! Bye for now
take care
Cathy

I know great aint it but ohhhh so true!!

HI all we went to the Hollybank Treetops adventure yesterday, I've gotta be honest I was cacking my pants but it was fantastic I just want to do it again

unlike other flying foxes you are continuously connected to the wire so there is no unhooking/hooking up etc heres a link to it

http://www.treetopsadventure.com.au/

they currently have 2 for price of one on and we thoroughly recommend it.. brilliant.

That looks great, thanks very much for the link

We've been to Go Ape here in the UK, which is along the same lines, but probably a bit more tame. Have shown the children and they can't wait to go, me too

Sam

Wow you're brave!!! It looks great fun though. Will look that up if I'm ever up that way.

That looks excellent - although i think i'd need some dutch courage before attempting it myself! Sounds better that there's no unhooking/hooking up etc on that one though.....
I'll have to show Andy my OH that link tonight - he'd love a go at that...

Hi Sam, you survived the weekend then!
Heard on the news last night about the possibility of more flash floods in your neck of the woods....how has things been with the places that were flooded last week?
and i hope you hear back from your solicitors soon!

Cathy

Yes, I'm still here, was very strained and uncomfortable to say the least!
OH had words with them about their behaviour just before they left and I encouraged him to go round to the B & B where they were staying to make amends. I can't stand them but this may be the last time he ever sees them (they have made it perfectly clear they will never visit us in Oz) and I don't want it on his conscience or mine that he never said good bye properly.

However, I don't feel so nice this morning
They ignored the children for most of the meal, then when the children were playing outside on their bikes, his mother made a huge fuss about taking some photos of them in the garden. This is when OH got cross with them, and said that filling their house with photos of the children (which have they done, it looks like some sort of shrine) when they don't bother to even speak to the children when they are with them, is all rather hypocritical!

His mother just got shirty about that and started blubbing. They even had the cheek to moan that they thought we were about to leave any day, and now we tell them we don't know when we are going - I asked if they would have ever come to see us if they did not think we were leaving, got the silent treatment on that one (they have never visited us for over 3 years) I was really cross on behalf of the children, Izzy, (who is really self conscious at the moment)looked lovely, she's just had her hair cut and made a real effort to look nice for them and they never said a bloody word

So anyway, the've been and gone, its their loss, but I also feel sad for my children too

How are you, did you have a good weekend?

Sam

Oh dear....it sort of went how you envisaged it might do then! That is a shame - like you say yourself - especially for the children. Your in-laws sounds like a right pair, but i know it's very common, as i know loads of people that have similar experiences..... not that many "happy" families about really....most are grinning and bearing it outside of their immediate family... and the photo taking is a classic. Truth be known she probably shows pics to all her friends etc like my MIL does...and deep down is probably proud of them but just doesnt know how to show it... But i know that doesnt help, especially when the kids feelings are concerned. It's probably better in a way that they dont see them often, because really it would be worse if they saw them regularly and they acted like that still.

My weekend was ok thanks. I saw a close friend Friday - she came round to see the kids and to have lunch. Had to pop into work for just 3 hours friday evening... Saturday we just pottered about really - Eden had a 5th birthday party to go to in the afternoon so we dropped her off there and me, Andy & Jared went shopping to kill a couple of hours till we picked her up.
Yesterday he did some painting over my parents - funnily enough during 3 1/2hours of him being round there - my Mum didn't mention Australia at all!

Andy had a bit of a row with our agent on friday, so we had to give them a letter on Saturday telling them that we were giving them 7days notice to take the house off the market. We were previously under the impression from the contract we'd signed that when the 12weeks were up that we just had to tell them that we wanted to terminate the agreement - then come friday we're told that they need 7days written notice.... So now our house is officially off the market this coming weekend, and the for sale board should be taken down in a few days time...
We're definitely going to leave it a few weeks now before going with another agent. Might even wait till after our holiday now before putting it up - just so that we can enjoy some of the summer without the worry of being free for viewings.... But then i'm not sure if we might regret waiting longer down the line....

My phone keeps bleeping this morning as i'm organising a girls night out on wednesday - going to see the Sex and the City film at our local cinema - and as usual i'm the organiser! I do love that series though so cant wait to see the film.

I'm going to take Jared out for a walk in a minute to post some letters...the weather's not sure what it's going to do i dont think....i did feel some spits of rain when walking Eden to school earlier.... so i'd better go soon just incase!

Anyway, i'll say bye for now!
take care
Cathy

A question for the locals! (and in particular perhaps Ian&Helena might be able to help here!)

I need to replace one of the pairs of glasses i am currently wearing...and i know that is going to cost me approx £200 here...plus i will probably need a new eye test etc at the same time...

As i have two pairs of glasses (one for general & one for best) but both are designer frames - is it worth replacing the lenses in my other pair before i come over? I've heard that eye tests / frames / lenses etc are more expensive in Australia generally but dont know how true that is...

thanks
Cathy

Hi Cathy,
Sounds like a lovely meal.
No what you say is quite true.I would have been following the smell of chicken with paxo stuffing all the way back to the the UKMrs Oldgit decided she would ask our local independant grocer and he said he would get some for us.But good of Gary to help me out like he did ( if you are looking in Gary Mate ta awfully again)
Yes between the lot of you you seem to have the cutting in and the kids well sorted.Cutting in is a bit more than your mum needs I agree.
We stayed in Devonport across from Auckland linked by ferry or a longer trip by road.It was a holiday.We thought go to NZ now.If we leave it for another year we will get settled in Tas. There will be animals to look after we will never get to go to NZ. So we did just that.We stayed most of the winter there.The North Island winter is warmer though wetter than Tassie.We just built ourselves up like you will do in July ready (you will feel better) to take on what Fate chucks at you.
Yes i went back a couple of times.Each time I came over to the UK I quietly said to myself as the plane taxied down the Launceston runway " I'll be back soon Tassie" It was great to see my family again but that only lasted until it lasted and I couldn't wait to get out of the UK.I sat in the Leeds /Bradford departure lounge and i felt great going home back to Tassie. I have rarely felt homesick for the UK why would I my home was /is in Tassie.
Travelbug... you are, kids and all, so the way you tell it fits in with everything you say.Sure July won't phaze you.Would me
As for the "what if, what if" well for my part i have learn't to live with it.For me it never entirely goes away.For me it is the way i now deal with it.I can cope with it.I don't lose sleep over it and it doesn't control my life.But yes it is there still and i expect it will be there for evermore so be it.Like you deal with things now you will deal with them again and again whether you are in Tasssie or Tunbridge Wells.That's the way i see it for me if it helps any.Of course from time to time i worry but to worry within reason is to be human.
I think being truthful I thought much the same give it a go and live the experience.I can only speak for me.
As for your Manager...as you say nice to know you are wanted ... of course he will want to keep your job open in case you come back as you are so needed tell him and at twice the salary
Fingers crossed the new agent delivers the goods.
Pic of Launceston Seaport for you .
Cheers Peter

Update!!!

Been back a week and just getting over the jet lag. Still not changed my mind on Tassie nor has the family. Weather is not too good and the crush of people here and the traffic. Stood at the Gateshead Metrocentre and watched loads of poeple honking their horns in frustration at being stuck in a jam. Cops came to sort them out. Oh boy were back in the UK.

Still it's greener than i thought. Great to see my mates and stuff. But i just can't get ovet how bad the air quality is. Really shocking. Been spolied in Tassie. The bread here just seems like tough old leather and bland to taste. Mind you food prices are cheaper here but fuel is not. Car prices are cheaper too for old ones. I had to pay over $2k for an old car in Tassie only to see them here for £400. Still the roads are way better etc. So now just have to sell the bloody house and go back ASAP.

Any one got any good tips on selling.

Evening Peter Your trip to NZ sounds great - and like you say once you're responsible for animals etc it does make trips away harder.
You seem to share the same opinion of the UK that quite a few people that have settled elsewhere have! ie, nice to see relatives but not really anything else!

You didnt manage to attach the picture... please try again - i'm sure i speak for everyone in that one of the best things about our Tassie thread on here is the sharing of pics of Tassie...

Cathy

Hi Lenmil. Glad you're all ok - albeit fed up with the UK already!
I really hope you manage to sell your house soon and get to go back to Tassie this year. I haven't got any good tips myself on selling (otherwise i'd be joining Carina and Sammy T on their journey to Tas very soon) - but i'd be interested to hear if anyone else has any!