Well it's been six months now! ....
Sep 22nd 2006, 8:00 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,832
Well it's been six months now! ....
since we arrived! ... 
So I guess a 'six months in' post is in order.
I won't go on too much about my 'mission' as that's simple, to obtain PR in Australia. Briefly myself or Nic didn't have any skills that would get us into Aus so we're here now on a student visa and I'm doing hairdressing because we could do with MODL points really, plus it's our best chance of success!
Ok, well what can I say about Australia! ... well the Gold Coast really as we've not ventured outside of it as we speak.
WE ALL LOVE IT!
I'm doing my course 3 days a week and altho it has it's ups and downs, overall I guess I enjoy it. Nic is working at Wet & Wild, one of the many theme parks on the Gold Coast and thoroughly enjoys that, the kids are both doing well at school and STILL enjoy going to school! ... They're both teenagers and altho went to a very good school in South Hertfordshire, they HATED it there as it was VERY strict! Here the school is far more laid back and as I say they actually enjoy going, and we'll not complain!
Some random good points:
Weather! - cannot fault it and considering it was the biggest reasons we've come here, well it's just been lovely! Winter was a doddle and altho we've obviously not acclimatised, we ARE very familiar with UK Winters and Gold Coast Winters REALLY aint a patch!
People - again cannot fault really. Aussies DO have so much time for you and seem to be genuinely interested in where your from, why your here etc etc. A 5 min visit down the road to the shops can easily take an hour taking into account the 'chat' time spent in there ...lol. At my school I come across loads of expats from all over the UK inc '10 pound poms' and they all love it here! ... NEVER hear from one person how they hate it and want to go back!
Kids social lives - Our son was always very active in the UK and is popular with mates so he hasn't changed much over here. He's become a little 'Emo' tho and growing his hair, but this is all the rage over here. Our Daughter altho had many friends, most of them didn't live locally because their school was sooo in demand that most would travel to go there so would spend a lot of her time indoors on MSN and stuff. Here tho a totally diff ball game and is out and about a lot. At weekends there is ALWAYS a party or a 'meet up' goin. To be honest with both of them actually, they're either staying over, or having friends stay over EVERY weekend!
Driving - Well altho driving in Queensland REALLY is an experience, and I was a professional driver in London for over 20 years (Courier and cabbie) so I guess I'm qualified to talk, but altho it has MANY sides that I'll just never fathom (how some people tackle roundabouts ...lol) I actually prefer driving over here. Ok, don't head out the door in a rush as you'll never get anywhere in a hurry. Everyone will do 110kph in all four lanes of the motorway. 'Keep left unless overtaking' really doesn't exist over here! ...lol, but as I say, don't go out in a rush and you'll be ok. I like to just plod down the motorway ... that's what I like!
Dog Beach - We bought our dog with us (5 year old Staffy) and there is a 'Dog Beach' 25 mins from where we live. How cool is that? We go there every now and then and altho it'll have people on it that are without dogs, on certain days (weekends) it can be full with people walking their dogs! We love to go there and walk a mile or two and just paddle in the sea and mutters can run around and do his thing! ... love it!
Price of fuel - Under a dollar a litre in some garages on the Gold Coast now, what can I say! ...lol. I don't know what it cost in the UK now but I was paying over a £1 a litre when we left I'm sure!
Oh you know I could go on and on with 'good points' about living here but lets just say me and Nic will often say to each other "can it get any better?" We live on a nice estate here and to be honest pay top money to rent a lovely house with pool etc but at the end of the day we don't have any guarantee's we're staying so if we have to leave in May 2008 when visa runs out, then at least we'll of had a wonderful time here! ...
Random Bad Points:
Price of banana's!
So I guess a 'six months in' post is in order.
I won't go on too much about my 'mission' as that's simple, to obtain PR in Australia. Briefly myself or Nic didn't have any skills that would get us into Aus so we're here now on a student visa and I'm doing hairdressing because we could do with MODL points really, plus it's our best chance of success!
Ok, well what can I say about Australia! ... well the Gold Coast really as we've not ventured outside of it as we speak.
WE ALL LOVE IT!
I'm doing my course 3 days a week and altho it has it's ups and downs, overall I guess I enjoy it. Nic is working at Wet & Wild, one of the many theme parks on the Gold Coast and thoroughly enjoys that, the kids are both doing well at school and STILL enjoy going to school! ...
They're both teenagers and altho went to a very good school in South Hertfordshire, they HATED it there as it was VERY strict! Here the school is far more laid back and as I say they actually enjoy going, and we'll not complain!Some random good points:
Weather! - cannot fault it and considering it was the biggest reasons we've come here, well it's just been lovely! Winter was a doddle and altho we've obviously not acclimatised, we ARE very familiar with UK Winters and Gold Coast Winters REALLY aint a patch!
People - again cannot fault really. Aussies DO have so much time for you and seem to be genuinely interested in where your from, why your here etc etc. A 5 min visit down the road to the shops can easily take an hour taking into account the 'chat' time spent in there ...lol. At my school I come across loads of expats from all over the UK inc '10 pound poms' and they all love it here! ... NEVER hear from one person how they hate it and want to go back!
Kids social lives - Our son was always very active in the UK and is popular with mates so he hasn't changed much over here. He's become a little 'Emo' tho and growing his hair, but this is all the rage over here. Our Daughter altho had many friends, most of them didn't live locally because their school was sooo in demand that most would travel to go there so would spend a lot of her time indoors on MSN and stuff. Here tho a totally diff ball game and is out and about a lot. At weekends there is ALWAYS a party or a 'meet up' goin. To be honest with both of them actually, they're either staying over, or having friends stay over EVERY weekend!
Driving - Well altho driving in Queensland REALLY is an experience, and I was a professional driver in London for over 20 years (Courier and cabbie) so I guess I'm qualified to talk, but altho it has MANY sides that I'll just never fathom (how some people tackle roundabouts ...lol) I actually prefer driving over here. Ok, don't head out the door in a rush as you'll never get anywhere in a hurry. Everyone will do 110kph in all four lanes of the motorway. 'Keep left unless overtaking' really doesn't exist over here! ...lol, but as I say, don't go out in a rush and you'll be ok. I like to just plod down the motorway ... that's what I like!
Dog Beach - We bought our dog with us (5 year old Staffy) and there is a 'Dog Beach' 25 mins from where we live. How cool is that? We go there every now and then and altho it'll have people on it that are without dogs, on certain days (weekends) it can be full with people walking their dogs! We love to go there and walk a mile or two and just paddle in the sea and mutters can run around and do his thing! ... love it!
Price of fuel - Under a dollar a litre in some garages on the Gold Coast now, what can I say! ...lol. I don't know what it cost in the UK now but I was paying over a £1 a litre when we left I'm sure!
Oh you know I could go on and on with 'good points' about living here but lets just say me and Nic will often say to each other "can it get any better?" We live on a nice estate here and to be honest pay top money to rent a lovely house with pool etc but at the end of the day we don't have any guarantee's we're staying so if we have to leave in May 2008 when visa runs out, then at least we'll of had a wonderful time here! ...
Random Bad Points:
Price of banana's!
Sep 22nd 2006, 8:04 am
#2
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
lol - nice post guys - your dedication deserves PR if nothing else
Sep 22nd 2006, 8:08 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Ridgewood , Perth
Posts: 3,134
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Originally Posted by Paul&Nic
since we arrived! ...
So I guess a 'six months in' post is in order.
I won't go on too much about my 'mission' as that's simple, to obtain PR in Australia. Briefly myself or Nic didn't have any skills that would get us into Aus so we're here now on a student visa and I'm doing hairdressing because we could do with MODL points really, plus it's our best chance of success!
Ok, well what can I say about Australia! ... well the Gold Coast really as we've not ventured outside of it as we speak.
WE ALL LOVE IT!
I'm doing my course 3 days a week and altho it has it's ups and downs, overall I guess I enjoy it. Nic is working at Wet & Wild, one of the many theme parks on the Gold Coast and thoroughly enjoys that, the kids are both doing well at school and STILL enjoy going to school! ... They're both teenagers and altho went to a very good school in South Hertfordshire, they HATED it there as it was VERY strict! Here the school is far more laid back and as I say they actually enjoy going, and we'll not complain!
Some random good points:
Weather! - cannot fault it and considering it was the biggest reasons we've come here, well it's just been lovely! Winter was a doddle and altho we've obviously not acclimatised, we ARE very familiar with UK Winters and Gold Coast Winters REALLY aint a patch!
People - again cannot fault really. Aussies DO have so much time for you and seem to be genuinely interested in where your from, why your here etc etc. A 5 min visit down the road to the shops can easily take an hour taking into account the 'chat' time spent in there ...lol. At my school I come across loads of expats from all over the UK inc '10 pound poms' and they all love it here! ... NEVER hear from one person how they hate it and want to go back!
Kids social lives - Our son was always very active in the UK and is popular with mates so he hasn't changed much over here. He's become a little 'Emo' tho and growing his hair, but this is all the rage over here. Our Daughter altho had many friends, most of them didn't live locally because their school was sooo in demand that most would travel to go there so would spend a lot of her time indoors on MSN and stuff. Here tho a totally diff ball game and is out and about a lot. At weekends there is ALWAYS a party or a 'meet up' goin. To be honest with both of them actually, they're either staying over, or having friends stay over EVERY weekend!
Driving - Well altho driving in Queensland REALLY is an experience, and I was a professional driver in London for over 20 years (Courier and cabbie) so I guess I'm qualified to talk, but altho it has MANY sides that I'll just never fathom (how some people tackle roundabouts ...lol) I actually prefer driving over here. Ok, don't head out the door in a rush as you'll never get anywhere in a hurry. Everyone will do 110kph in all four lanes of the motorway. 'Keep left unless overtaking' really doesn't exist over here! ...lol, but as I say, don't go out in a rush and you'll be ok. I like to just plod down the motorway ... that's what I like!
Dog Beach - We bought our dog with us (5 year old Staffy) and there is a 'Dog Beach' 25 mins from where we live. How cool is that? We go there every now and then and altho it'll have people on it that are without dogs, on certain days (weekends) it can be full with people walking their dogs! We love to go there and walk a mile or two and just paddle in the sea and mutters can run around and do his thing! ... love it!
Price of fuel - Under a dollar a litre in some garages on the Gold Coast now, what can I say! ...lol. I don't know what it cost in the UK now but I was paying over a £1 a litre when we left I'm sure!
Oh you know I could go on and on with 'good points' about living here but lets just say me and Nic will often say to each other "can it get any better?" We live on a nice estate here and to be honest pay top money to rent a lovely house with pool etc but at the end of the day we don't have any guarantee's we're staying so if we have to leave in May 2008 when visa runs out, then at least we'll of had a wonderful time here! ...
Random Bad Points:
Price of banana's!
So I guess a 'six months in' post is in order.
I won't go on too much about my 'mission' as that's simple, to obtain PR in Australia. Briefly myself or Nic didn't have any skills that would get us into Aus so we're here now on a student visa and I'm doing hairdressing because we could do with MODL points really, plus it's our best chance of success!
Ok, well what can I say about Australia! ... well the Gold Coast really as we've not ventured outside of it as we speak.
WE ALL LOVE IT!
I'm doing my course 3 days a week and altho it has it's ups and downs, overall I guess I enjoy it. Nic is working at Wet & Wild, one of the many theme parks on the Gold Coast and thoroughly enjoys that, the kids are both doing well at school and STILL enjoy going to school! ...
They're both teenagers and altho went to a very good school in South Hertfordshire, they HATED it there as it was VERY strict! Here the school is far more laid back and as I say they actually enjoy going, and we'll not complain!Some random good points:
Weather! - cannot fault it and considering it was the biggest reasons we've come here, well it's just been lovely! Winter was a doddle and altho we've obviously not acclimatised, we ARE very familiar with UK Winters and Gold Coast Winters REALLY aint a patch!
People - again cannot fault really. Aussies DO have so much time for you and seem to be genuinely interested in where your from, why your here etc etc. A 5 min visit down the road to the shops can easily take an hour taking into account the 'chat' time spent in there ...lol. At my school I come across loads of expats from all over the UK inc '10 pound poms' and they all love it here! ... NEVER hear from one person how they hate it and want to go back!
Kids social lives - Our son was always very active in the UK and is popular with mates so he hasn't changed much over here. He's become a little 'Emo' tho and growing his hair, but this is all the rage over here. Our Daughter altho had many friends, most of them didn't live locally because their school was sooo in demand that most would travel to go there so would spend a lot of her time indoors on MSN and stuff. Here tho a totally diff ball game and is out and about a lot. At weekends there is ALWAYS a party or a 'meet up' goin. To be honest with both of them actually, they're either staying over, or having friends stay over EVERY weekend!
Driving - Well altho driving in Queensland REALLY is an experience, and I was a professional driver in London for over 20 years (Courier and cabbie) so I guess I'm qualified to talk, but altho it has MANY sides that I'll just never fathom (how some people tackle roundabouts ...lol) I actually prefer driving over here. Ok, don't head out the door in a rush as you'll never get anywhere in a hurry. Everyone will do 110kph in all four lanes of the motorway. 'Keep left unless overtaking' really doesn't exist over here! ...lol, but as I say, don't go out in a rush and you'll be ok. I like to just plod down the motorway ... that's what I like!
Dog Beach - We bought our dog with us (5 year old Staffy) and there is a 'Dog Beach' 25 mins from where we live. How cool is that? We go there every now and then and altho it'll have people on it that are without dogs, on certain days (weekends) it can be full with people walking their dogs! We love to go there and walk a mile or two and just paddle in the sea and mutters can run around and do his thing! ... love it!
Price of fuel - Under a dollar a litre in some garages on the Gold Coast now, what can I say! ...lol. I don't know what it cost in the UK now but I was paying over a £1 a litre when we left I'm sure!
Oh you know I could go on and on with 'good points' about living here but lets just say me and Nic will often say to each other "can it get any better?" We live on a nice estate here and to be honest pay top money to rent a lovely house with pool etc but at the end of the day we don't have any guarantee's we're staying so if we have to leave in May 2008 when visa runs out, then at least we'll of had a wonderful time here! ...
Random Bad Points:
Price of banana's!
What a great post Paul ! Glad you are all enjoying your new lives, I really admired the way you made your dream to live in Oz happen, it takes a lot of guts ! glad its paying off !!
All the best
Nicky
Sep 22nd 2006, 8:10 am
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,630
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Really glad it's all working out for ya
No k as I need to spread but as soon as I can I will
xxx
No k as I need to spread but as soon as I can I will
xxx
Sep 22nd 2006, 8:20 am
#5
In my own little world!
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Moving again!!!!!!
Posts: 573
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Excellent post, so glad it's working out for you and your family. Will be in Brissie and GC fro reccie in 2 weeks and can't wait.
Clairex
Clairex
Sep 22nd 2006, 8:53 am
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 1,217
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
What a brilliant post. It sounds like you are having a wonderful time over there.
Sep 22nd 2006, 8:57 am
#7
Banned
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Tapping (Perth)
Posts: 2,619
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Hi Paul,
glad it's all going well. You sooo deserve to get PR when you've finished the course. Will keep my fingers crossed for you
Gina
glad it's all going well. You sooo deserve to get PR when you've finished the course. Will keep my fingers crossed for you
Gina
Sep 22nd 2006, 9:00 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 238
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
So nice to read a positive post. Hope all goes well for you both. It sounds like u truly deserve it
Sep 22nd 2006, 9:09 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 567
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Hi Paul
Glad all is going well, best of luck with it all
Mick
Glad all is going well, best of luck with it all
Mick
Sep 22nd 2006, 9:16 am
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Sorrento Goldcoast
Posts: 459
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Hi mate,
SIX months already wow, seems like only yesterday we were chatting at one of Janes meets.
I'm pleased it's all going well for you guys, hopefully we'll be out there real soon as things are slowly moving forward.
Just make sure you have a few tinnies in the fridge mate
cheers
Phil
SIX months already wow, seems like only yesterday we were chatting at one of Janes meets.
I'm pleased it's all going well for you guys, hopefully we'll be out there real soon as things are slowly moving forward.
Just make sure you have a few tinnies in the fridge mate
cheers
Phil
Sep 22nd 2006, 11:44 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 757
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Dog Beach - We bought our dog with us (5 year old Staffy) and there is a 'Dog Beach' 25 mins from where we live. How cool is that? We go there every now and then and altho it'll have people on it that are without dogs, on certain days (weekends) it can be full with people walking their dogs! We love to go there and walk a mile or two and just paddle in the sea and mutters can run around and do his thing! ... love it!
Lovely update and loved the Dog Beach, we have 3 Staffords so great to hear.
Any idea if Oz has a PAT Dog scheme, one of my Staffords is a PAT Dog visiting hospitals, hospices etc
Wendy
Lovely update and loved the Dog Beach, we have 3 Staffords so great to hear.
Any idea if Oz has a PAT Dog scheme, one of my Staffords is a PAT Dog visiting hospitals, hospices etc
Wendy
Sep 22nd 2006, 11:53 am
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 29,154
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Great post
..and so glad you are enjoying life so much
..and so glad you are enjoying life so much
Sep 22nd 2006, 12:11 pm
#13
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,832
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Thanks everyone, I hope one day to be doing a 'we got it!' post but we'll see on that one!
Sorry Wendy, I don't have a clue to be honest.
Originally Posted by marvinc
Any idea if Oz has a PAT Dog scheme, one of my Staffords is a PAT Dog visiting hospitals, hospices etc
Wendy
Wendy
Sep 22nd 2006, 12:27 pm
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 812
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Hi Guys
Glad to see that you are really settled.
It's amazing how time fliess, only seems like yesterday that we were at the meets in the UK.
Look forward to your 12 months and your Got It post.
Graham & Sara
Glad to see that you are really settled.
It's amazing how time fliess, only seems like yesterday that we were at the meets in the UK.
Look forward to your 12 months and your Got It post.
Graham & Sara
Sep 23rd 2006, 10:53 am
#15
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,063
Re: Well it's been six months now! ....
Originally Posted by Paul&Nic
since we arrived! ...
So I guess a 'six months in' post is in order.
I won't go on too much about my 'mission' as that's simple, to obtain PR in Australia. Briefly myself or Nic didn't have any skills that would get us into Aus so we're here now on a student visa and I'm doing hairdressing because we could do with MODL points really, plus it's our best chance of success!
Ok, well what can I say about Australia! ... well the Gold Coast really as we've not ventured outside of it as we speak.
WE ALL LOVE IT!
I'm doing my course 3 days a week and altho it has it's ups and downs, overall I guess I enjoy it. Nic is working at Wet & Wild, one of the many theme parks on the Gold Coast and thoroughly enjoys that, the kids are both doing well at school and STILL enjoy going to school! ... They're both teenagers and altho went to a very good school in South Hertfordshire, they HATED it there as it was VERY strict! Here the school is far more laid back and as I say they actually enjoy going, and we'll not complain!
Some random good points:
Weather! - cannot fault it and considering it was the biggest reasons we've come here, well it's just been lovely! Winter was a doddle and altho we've obviously not acclimatised, we ARE very familiar with UK Winters and Gold Coast Winters REALLY aint a patch!
People - again cannot fault really. Aussies DO have so much time for you and seem to be genuinely interested in where your from, why your here etc etc. A 5 min visit down the road to the shops can easily take an hour taking into account the 'chat' time spent in there ...lol. At my school I come across loads of expats from all over the UK inc '10 pound poms' and they all love it here! ... NEVER hear from one person how they hate it and want to go back!
Kids social lives - Our son was always very active in the UK and is popular with mates so he hasn't changed much over here. He's become a little 'Emo' tho and growing his hair, but this is all the rage over here. Our Daughter altho had many friends, most of them didn't live locally because their school was sooo in demand that most would travel to go there so would spend a lot of her time indoors on MSN and stuff. Here tho a totally diff ball game and is out and about a lot. At weekends there is ALWAYS a party or a 'meet up' goin. To be honest with both of them actually, they're either staying over, or having friends stay over EVERY weekend!
Driving - Well altho driving in Queensland REALLY is an experience, and I was a professional driver in London for over 20 years (Courier and cabbie) so I guess I'm qualified to talk, but altho it has MANY sides that I'll just never fathom (how some people tackle roundabouts ...lol) I actually prefer driving over here. Ok, don't head out the door in a rush as you'll never get anywhere in a hurry. Everyone will do 110kph in all four lanes of the motorway. 'Keep left unless overtaking' really doesn't exist over here! ...lol, but as I say, don't go out in a rush and you'll be ok. I like to just plod down the motorway ... that's what I like!
Dog Beach - We bought our dog with us (5 year old Staffy) and there is a 'Dog Beach' 25 mins from where we live. How cool is that? We go there every now and then and altho it'll have people on it that are without dogs, on certain days (weekends) it can be full with people walking their dogs! We love to go there and walk a mile or two and just paddle in the sea and mutters can run around and do his thing! ... love it!
Price of fuel - Under a dollar a litre in some garages on the Gold Coast now, what can I say! ...lol. I don't know what it cost in the UK now but I was paying over a £1 a litre when we left I'm sure!
Oh you know I could go on and on with 'good points' about living here but lets just say me and Nic will often say to each other "can it get any better?" We live on a nice estate here and to be honest pay top money to rent a lovely house with pool etc but at the end of the day we don't have any guarantee's we're staying so if we have to leave in May 2008 when visa runs out, then at least we'll of had a wonderful time here! ...
Random Bad Points:
Price of banana's!
So I guess a 'six months in' post is in order.
I won't go on too much about my 'mission' as that's simple, to obtain PR in Australia. Briefly myself or Nic didn't have any skills that would get us into Aus so we're here now on a student visa and I'm doing hairdressing because we could do with MODL points really, plus it's our best chance of success!
Ok, well what can I say about Australia! ... well the Gold Coast really as we've not ventured outside of it as we speak.
WE ALL LOVE IT!
I'm doing my course 3 days a week and altho it has it's ups and downs, overall I guess I enjoy it. Nic is working at Wet & Wild, one of the many theme parks on the Gold Coast and thoroughly enjoys that, the kids are both doing well at school and STILL enjoy going to school! ...
They're both teenagers and altho went to a very good school in South Hertfordshire, they HATED it there as it was VERY strict! Here the school is far more laid back and as I say they actually enjoy going, and we'll not complain!Some random good points:
Weather! - cannot fault it and considering it was the biggest reasons we've come here, well it's just been lovely! Winter was a doddle and altho we've obviously not acclimatised, we ARE very familiar with UK Winters and Gold Coast Winters REALLY aint a patch!
People - again cannot fault really. Aussies DO have so much time for you and seem to be genuinely interested in where your from, why your here etc etc. A 5 min visit down the road to the shops can easily take an hour taking into account the 'chat' time spent in there ...lol. At my school I come across loads of expats from all over the UK inc '10 pound poms' and they all love it here! ... NEVER hear from one person how they hate it and want to go back!
Kids social lives - Our son was always very active in the UK and is popular with mates so he hasn't changed much over here. He's become a little 'Emo' tho and growing his hair, but this is all the rage over here. Our Daughter altho had many friends, most of them didn't live locally because their school was sooo in demand that most would travel to go there so would spend a lot of her time indoors on MSN and stuff. Here tho a totally diff ball game and is out and about a lot. At weekends there is ALWAYS a party or a 'meet up' goin. To be honest with both of them actually, they're either staying over, or having friends stay over EVERY weekend!
Driving - Well altho driving in Queensland REALLY is an experience, and I was a professional driver in London for over 20 years (Courier and cabbie) so I guess I'm qualified to talk, but altho it has MANY sides that I'll just never fathom (how some people tackle roundabouts ...lol) I actually prefer driving over here. Ok, don't head out the door in a rush as you'll never get anywhere in a hurry. Everyone will do 110kph in all four lanes of the motorway. 'Keep left unless overtaking' really doesn't exist over here! ...lol, but as I say, don't go out in a rush and you'll be ok. I like to just plod down the motorway ... that's what I like!
Dog Beach - We bought our dog with us (5 year old Staffy) and there is a 'Dog Beach' 25 mins from where we live. How cool is that? We go there every now and then and altho it'll have people on it that are without dogs, on certain days (weekends) it can be full with people walking their dogs! We love to go there and walk a mile or two and just paddle in the sea and mutters can run around and do his thing! ... love it!
Price of fuel - Under a dollar a litre in some garages on the Gold Coast now, what can I say! ...lol. I don't know what it cost in the UK now but I was paying over a £1 a litre when we left I'm sure!
Oh you know I could go on and on with 'good points' about living here but lets just say me and Nic will often say to each other "can it get any better?" We live on a nice estate here and to be honest pay top money to rent a lovely house with pool etc but at the end of the day we don't have any guarantee's we're staying so if we have to leave in May 2008 when visa runs out, then at least we'll of had a wonderful time here! ...
Random Bad Points:
Price of banana's!
what a brilliant post thanks Paul. Hope that PR comes soon