There is a sneaky cop that stands in Derwent park just at the end of the 40 zone during school times, you can't see him until its too late. So far I have manage to play it safe as I drive past there twice a week, but I've seen him pull over lots of vehicles and also book parked cars.

Is it still going ahead in light of the fire they had last night? I heard it was pretty devastating.[/QUOTE]


Kerry

As far as we are aware its all still going ahead, I believe the damage was mainly to office buildings not the main hotel. They never mentioned anything at school today so fingers crossed its all OK.
They have to be at Wrest Point by 8am and the show does not finish until 10pm, so a long day for her!! It was her 12th birthday on Tuesday so a busy week all round for us!

Sam

There is a sneaky cop that stands in Derwent park just at the end of the 40 zone during school times, you can't see him until its too late. So far I have manage to play it safe as I drive past there twice a week, but I've seen him pull over lots of vehicles and also book parked cars.



It may pay you to do that. But then again it may not, if they do have a photo and prove you wrong you may get a bigger fine. The equipment they have these days is amazing. When we got pulled the cop car was way off in the distance but he knew our speed. Mind you i think he was flooring it too but he is allowed to do that of course.

And I guess there are a fair few permanent speed cameras set up as well and with those you would only know you'd be caught when the letter arrives

I know there is one on the Tasman bridge.

Sam

Kerry

As far as we are aware its all still going ahead, I believe the damage was mainly to office buildings not the main hotel. They never mentioned anything at school today so fingers crossed its all OK.
They have to be at Wrest Point by 8am and the show does not finish until 10pm, so a long day for her!! It was her 12th birthday on Tuesday so a busy week all round for us!

Sam[/QUOTE]


Hi Sam, i hope Izzy enjoys being a part of the show - does sound like a long day - but i guess if all the kids are together than they probably have a laugh and giggle all day. What does she have to do in the show?
Belated birthday wishes to her.....12 eh? those teenage years have now arrived!
How are you finding things this week? do you think you're getting into more of a routine now that the kids are settling in a school ? when is their next school holidays?
Cathy

Just a quick question for those who have been here a long time.

Do you have Private medical insurance? If so, how does it work and which one is the best? We have until October to make our minds up or else we miss out on the life time price thing that the gov introduced. As that was when we joined medicare and new residents have a year to decide.

I checked out Medibank and Mbf, but am a bit confused by it all.

Hi Sam, i hope Izzy enjoys being a part of the show - does sound like a long day - but i guess if all the kids are together than they probably have a laugh and giggle all day. What does she have to do in the show?
Belated birthday wishes to her.....12 eh? those teenage years have now arrived!
How are you finding things this week? do you think you're getting into more of a routine now that the kids are settling in a school ? when is their next school holidays?
Cathy [/QUOTE]

Hi Cathy

Yes, we are getting into a routine, Izzy has netball training and Ally has Tae Kwon Do on a Tuesday, they started swimming lessons today so it feels just like back in the UK, rushing around from one place to another!
They didn't enjoy their swimming much though as the other children are so much younger than them, they are obviously well ahead of the UK when it comes to swimming and sport here.

Izzy only has a tiny part in the play as a reporter holding up a fluffy microphone but it still sounds like its going to be good fun, its a big thing, the Wakakirri, held over Oz, in heats and semi finals, the school that wins gets on national TV!! So, its been quite intense since she started at school, I don;t think she has done much work yet Ally on the other hand regularly gets 3 pieces of homework a night so he's not impressed!!

I am so proud of them both, they are doing far better than we are, kids just get on with things better, don't they

Sam

Hi Cathy

Yes, we are getting into a routine, Izzy has netball training and Ally has Tae Kwon Do on a Tuesday, they started swimming lessons today so it feels just like back in the UK, rushing around from one place to another!
They didn't enjoy their swimming much though as the other children are so much younger than them, they are obviously well ahead of the UK when it comes to swimming and sport here.

Izzy only has a tiny part in the play as a reporter holding up a fluffy microphone but it still sounds like its going to be good fun, its a big thing, the Wakakirri, held over Oz, in heats and semi finals, the school that wins gets on national TV!! So, its been quite intense since she started at school, I don;t think she has done much work yet Ally on the other hand regularly gets 3 pieces of homework a night so he's not impressed!!

I am so proud of them both, they are doing far better than we are, kids just get on with things better, don't they

Sam[/QUOTE]

That sounds great that they've both got involved in out of school activities already, wont be long before they have bundles of friends! What are the swimming pools like? is it a school pool or a public pool where they're having lessons? Do you know what age they tend to teach kids to swim at school in Oz? Eden is now 5 1/2 and although she's really confident in the water i really need to get her some "proper" swimming lessons rather than just me and Andy showing her... We belong to an Esporta Gym here in Romford that has two pools and they do swimming lessons as an extra - but seeing as we already pay £125 a month membership i'm being tight by not wanting to fork out on extra's when we really dont use the gym/pools as much as we should anyway...
I remember when we were on the Island we drove past what looked like a brand new swimming pool / sports centre place - but for the life of me i cant recall where it was (although it wouldn't have been too far from you guys).
I'll have to see if Andy remembers...

Wouldn't it be great for Izzy if her school got through and were on national tv!

Although i'm sure that Ally isn't impressed with the homework - it sounds good that he is getting homework from his school. I'd find it worrying if they got nothing at all...

Kids are very adaptable aren't they. But i remember as a kid that i would have gone anywhere or done anything as long as i was with my Mum&Dad and my brothers.

I think you're all doing so well. You've already crammed so many things into the short time that you've been there....

Cathy

Hi Kerry, Oldgit (Peter) has private medical care as it was one of the terms of his visa as he wasn't eligible for medicare. He's not been coming on the site lately - but if you want to PM him - i can tell him to check his messages and he might be able to answer any questions for you....
I did ask this question myself absolutely ages ago but dont think i got any responses from people that had private cover...
I have BUPA cover over here through work, not sure if the Australian versions are similar or not really....but with mine you have to pay an excess for any medical treatment you get referred to have privately, and there's a top limit for what you're covered for on certain things...

hey beautiful pics just look at that sky

cheers Cathy

there's one at each end of the bridge but they only cover the three central lanes-drive on the outside lanes and you can't be caught!

we went with HCF.

try choice.com.au for more info.

Thanks for the tip

Sam

Hi Cathy, yes went to Romford a few weeks ago, it is nearly finnished, know what you mean about the memories of the grass and stalls, its sad in a way as we all know that eventually the market will disappear, they just cant keep up with the prices of shops like Primark and Peacocks. It makes me chuckle though as to what our kids will be saying about their shopping experiences in years to come, will they remember or will it all be via the computer!!! (I keep using delivery shopping at the moment, although did go to Liddels yesterday and done a whole shop for 48 quid, couldnt believe the price!!!!! All food so far tastes good!!! Love C x

Cool will have a sticky beak!!!! When I say he is on the mend I mean he has stopped moaning so much!!!! Still not eating and only drinking very little, at least he got out of bed for a couple of hours yesterday!!! Love C x