Dave-april

Hi all,

We went to Plymouth to have our X-rays and then on to Tavistock this afternoon to have our meds. A long day with 4 kids in tow!!!

All went well apart from our eldest son had a bit of protein in his urine, they asked him to do another sample after drinking lots of water but it was still present. We have been told that this can be normal in a young boy (he's 9) but tomorrow we have to take him to our GP just to see what the cause is or if it's now normal. This won't affect our PR's but apparently could hold it up a little if they question it.

We are just so pleased that this bit is now over as it's the final hurdle, well, we need to sell the house!!!!

Dave and April

Getting There

CONGRATULATIONS. You're coming around the final bend now and the finishing line is in sight!

Eamonn & Janet.

RGPickles

Congrats

We are still in the UK with PR cards, but medicals seem a long way behind us.

Eamonn & Janet. you are right, the light at the end of tunnel is getting bigger... Passport Requests, you have made it, then the real stuff hits in, as you will have made it.

Cheers

Bob

krn

congrats,,, now the wait for passport requests

Getting There

Indeed, there was something of a reality check in our household when the PPRs arrived. After we had our shiny visas in hand, we went on a long final recce, to try and figure out it we REALLY, REALLY wanted to do this...and we did!...so here we are...not without trials and tribulations along the way (perhaps especially re missing family and friends) but nearly 11 months in, it's feeling like a good decision thus far.

Eamonn & Janet.

Dave-april

thanks everyone for your replies, just wanted to say special thanks to Eammon and janet as we have looked at your blog and it's good to see your experiences and the other side of the tunnel! We are looking at Cochrane and Okotoks as possible places to settle and were wondering what your takes are on these areas (bearing in mind we have 4 children under 10!) as we know you live in Okotoks.

Dave and April

Getting There

Thanks for the kind words re the blog. Have got loads to updates to post - we just need to find time to get them uploaded.

We'll let the Cochrane contingent speak for Cochrane although every time we have visited there, it has seemed like a very pleasant place, excellent for the Rockies (not that it's a problem to get there from Okotoks) and seems a decent place to raise the children.

We could equally have settled in one of the southernmost communities in Calgary and if our working life demanded we get to downtown Calgary in rush hour, then we would probably consider making that move to take the edge off the commute time. However, that's not the case at this time and so Okotoks suits very well indeed. It is a very family oriented place. Indeed, as a couple without children, one of our concerns re settling would be whether we would be accepted in a place that is quite as family oriented as this...but that's not proving to be a problem, which is good. The schools seem well thought of. There are lots of activities for the children, a very good recreation centre and if you are in the Crystal Shores area, you've got the "Beach-house" and associated access to the "beach" and "lake" (both man-made of course...hence the " "s!) which are very popular with the local children. One of the very pleasing things (and we're not suggesting this is an Okotoks thing) is the propensity for children to be polite and respectful around here. We're not suggesting that all the children are that way but it is really pleasing to see quite as many as we do who seem balanced, well adjusted and happy young folk. We don't think that's an accident - we think that's the product of parental attitudes and a supportive local environment. IF we were choosing again and we had a young family and we didn't have to get to downtown Calgary at peak times, then there might be other places that match Okotoks (invitation to the Cochrane folk to chip in ) but there wont be that many that beat it. We doubt you'd regret it.

Hope this helps and feel free to PM us (or email us - you can get the address from the blog) if you want more specific info on, well, anything at all really!

Kind regards,

Eamonn & Janet.

deenailz

congrats , hope everything else comes through quickly for ya xxxx