LOL - we're not that young anymore ourselves...if our visa ever expired we'd have to do the same now Andy's over 40!

You're very right Possums. I do agree... I think if we were 10 years younger that we wouldnt have hesitated in the slightest - especially if we hadn't had kids as well. Easy to fall into a "security" trap i think. The way we were thinking is that with both of us working in fairly well paid jobs here we'd be silly to jump into the unknown - which i know to some is being realistic - but deep down i know we both feel that's a defeatist attitude for us to take...and like you say life never has any guarantee's - neither of our jobs is completely 100% safe here!

I know how hard it is to make the decision Cathy and it makes it a 100% living in limbo I really hope you get a buyer soon. Have things picked up in the market at all?

Limbo - i think that's my middle name now! LOL.
Things have picked up in the market a lot over the last couple of months, we are seeing plenty of for sale signs in the area - and quite a lot of sold ones, altho there's a few "stickers" that i've noticed on rightmove - not sure what the problem is with those houses, either overpriced or need a lot of work i think. I think the problem we had last year was that it was the start of all the property price crash & all the doom & gloom of the recession - i believe that's why we didnt sell last year, and with hindsight we should have left the house on the market rather than taken it off for 6months. This year, i think the reason we haven't sold yet is because we've just used the wrong agent - and we weren't getting viewings from people requesting our specific area. Didnt help that the agent shut their local branch to us 2 weeks after we signed up Altho we had that one offer - it was too low - and as it was made by a property investor - we know our house is definitely worth more than they were willing to pay...so i'm glad now that we didnt accept it.
Just need to be a bit patient i think - hopefully the right buyer will come along for us soon....

It will happen Cathy,
I belive in things happen when they are ment to, So maybe the house not selling yet is due to it not meaning to happen yet!!!!
I am sure we will all see you down here in Tassie and you and your family will love it.
This weekend there is a big agricultral show on called Aggfest, We are going on Sat its ment to be really good, Will have some pictures on after the weekend!
How's things in Bridport Colin and Kay????
Will have to catch up again soon?? Has the boat left from Brisbane? Did Colin get to go on it???
Gary Vikky and Hollie,
Not sure if I put it on here I got my PR visa the other week so now waiting the 4 years for the citizenship test!

Hi thanks for your reply. I do hope you're right.
I've read about the Aggfest show - we went to something similar in Perth - and i know that Kezzabird and her family normally go to it when it's down South...it does look a good day out. Be nice to see some photo's, I like seeing a glimpse of Tassie every now and then!
Congratulations on receiving your PR visa.... Do they not take into account the time you've already spent on the island? that's a shame if you have to start your 4 years from receiving the visa, especially if you've been living over there for such a long time as you have. That's one of the frustrating things for us - knowing that by the time we get to Tas we'd have had our visa's for well over half of the time that we would have needed in order to apply for citizenship! Oh well!

Cathy

good to hear properties are selling.

yep your prob right there Gary, the timing is not right

didnt realise it was Agfest this weekend, I fancy going to that.

No Colin is going on the boat either next tues or wed they've been working flat out on it, it goes in the water on tues and then they go with the tide. I will take some photos I then fly up on 21st for 5 days woohoooo

yes we must get together, fine up here had a couple of really warm days cold at night though!!

official congrats on the the PR

Congratulations on your PR Gary, next stop citizenship!

Agfest looks really good but as I'm working this weekend and it's a long old drive from down here, we'll have to give it a miss this year.

Have a good day

Sam

We went to the AgFest last year and had a great time. There is lots to see and do, and lots of sampling at the food stalls. Unfortunately I'm too huuuge and too far gone in my pregnancy to go this year as it's quite a drive and a LOT of walking around once your there. I don't fancy going into labour so far from the Royal. I am very disappointed to say the least, but there will always be next year. Plus I'll have more space in the twin buggy to store goodies. Look out for bargains on tools and stuff, Duncan got some great deals on tools last year, and don't be afraid to ask for more money off either especially if you're spending a lot.

1) Favourite 5 things you like about living in Tas
2) Top 5 things you dislike about Tas
3) 5 things you have done since being in Tas that you never did in the UK (or wherever you originate from)
4) 5 things you eat now you're living in Tas that you never ate before

1) The sun shines most days
The people are really friendly
You don't have to go far to be in complete wilderness
The sheer breath taking beauty of the countryside
The fresh air and clean water

2) TELSTRA (what a pile of shit they are!!)
Hoons driving dangerously close on country roads
Lack of decent heating systems
Expensive double glazing
Expensive groceries

3) Not be overly bothered about the way I look
Shear my own sheep
Live on 12 acres of land
Grow my own orgasmic veg
Wear trainers almost everyday/as opposed to heels (I used to be a city girl)

4) Wallaby mince
Venison mince
Home grown veg
Trevalla
Pink eye potatoes

Interesting to see Telstra and bad driving making a common appearance on everyone's list

Telstra are still in our bad books, after taking $1520 from our bank account, finally relenting to giving it back again, they have now sent us another bill asking for that amount again despite having spoken to someone who promised it would be sorted out. I despair, I really do

Sam

OMG Sam I feel your pain, they really are the pits of an organisation.

Sammy - have to admit Telstra arent really high on my priority list after we received a bill for my partners father (who passed away in Jan) with a fair amount in Feb because we hadnt cancelled the phone (they did tell us it was cancelled from the date he passed away not when we cancelled)

Agfest - I'm unsure whether to go... my little one would probably only last an hour or two... but if I do it will be on Sat afternoon (we have other commitments in the morning). Have been a couple of times previously and enjoyed it but not sure if its more hassle than its worth with an 18mth old

Gary - congrats on the PR! Is it still the same that it has to be time on a PR for citizenship qualification?

I have my little girls passport application all filled out and just need to get her pic endorsed (not an issue but need to see the person first!) - decided to just get an oz one for the time being to save $'s given that she will only use it a few times.

Hey Effie, I'm just in the middle of re newing my sons British passport, he turned 5 this year and kids ones only last 5 years. I down loaded the application form online and I have to send it off to Canberra British Consulate. We are also expecting our own little twin Aussie girls due in July, is it possible to get them British Passports too? Did you register your little girl with the British Embassy when she was born? I'm all a little confused as what to do when the time comes to travel with the wee ones.

hi Kezza,

The BHC said that my daughter (who I didnt have registered with them at birth) is entitled to a british passport due to both her parents having british passports, but she would need an Oz one first. I decided that she doesnt really need 2 at this stage so am getting the Oz one on its own - the application is available at any post office... but if you intend getting one for the twins try to make sure that you know someone who can endorse their photographs from birth (so someone that is likely to know them for either a year or however old they are). She can come through the EU queue with me on her Oz passport. When she is older I will get her a british passport.

Hope that helps a bit?

I see, yes there is no point spending the money getting two passports, they are not cheap!! Seems strange that they would have to get an Aus passport first though. But as long as they can come through the same bit as us don't spose it matters too much. Thanks for that!