British Expats

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   The Update Forum (https://britishexpats.com/forum/update-forum-107/)
-   -   2.5 weeks in! (https://britishexpats.com/forum/update-forum-107/2-5-weeks-674609/)

Jane and Jason Jun 29th 2010 11:39 pm

2.5 weeks in!
 
Well, we have been here (North Brisbane) for 2 weeks now so thought I would update. The flight over with Cathay Pacific was excellent, couldn't fault them. When we arrived at Heathrow our luggage was overweight by about 5kg a bag (will never buy luggage scales again) and as we had 4 bags that made us about 20kgs over, but they didn't even mention it, just let us have the extra weight. We were also over weight on the hand luggage, so they just asked us to buy another bag and spread the load, which we did.

We stopped over for 1 night in Hong Kong which was fab, really enjoyed it and really glad we did it. I also think it helped with the jet lag, as we didn't really suffer at all once we arrived in Oz.

We have been non-stop since we have been here, we bought a car within the first week (a Ford Fairmont), and have secured a 4 bed rental which we get the keys to tomorrow. The kids are almost signed up for school, just have to finalise everything once the holidays are over, but all the uniform is bought ready to go. Hubby hasn't started work yet, but that is mainly down to wanting to settle into the house, get the kids into school etc first, so hoping to start on July 12th.

We have both got our Queensland driving licences which were easy to sort out, have got our temporary Medicare cards, have filed for TFN numbers, bought some private medical insurance as well.

We have met up with several people that we had 'met' on here and on another expats site, and they have all been great and really friendly, in fact everyone has been really friendly and genuinely interested in us, and how long we have been here, where we are from etc. We bought some furniture on Sunday which is due for delivery on Friday, and the sales lady told us that a couple of bits would take a couple of weeks as they weren't in stock, and she said that she would delivery them to us herself as she has a large car to save us paying for two lots of delivery! How nice was that!

So far we are all loving it here, and have no moans and groans. I know people moan about the driving here, but we have had no problem at all, and so far find the driving very steady and much slower than the UK, have seen less idiot moves here than UK. I also quite like that fact that when you go into a shop they ask 'how are you doing', so sorry, can't moan about that either!

Anyway, as I say, we're only 2 weeks in, but if everything carries on as it is, then we're gonna LOVE it here.

Jane

Sally Simpson Jun 30th 2010 12:36 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Good start & hope all continues well for you all:fingerscrossed::thumbsup:

4500 Times Jun 30th 2010 12:38 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Gidday and welcome to Brissie

LouiseR Jun 30th 2010 6:47 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Welcome to Brisbane!! Sounds like you're settling it great and you'll be saying How You Going instead of Doing before you know it ;).

Bigaitch Jul 1st 2010 9:58 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Positive start. I'm envious, keep us posted on you progress. All the best, H. :thumbsup:

Syedney Jul 2nd 2010 1:11 am

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Welcome to Oz!!:thumbup:


Don't worry about what others think and just enjoy it!:thumbsup:

We all moan a bit but overall, Oz has its good points too.

You will find things like surfing, fishing, canoeing and diving as fantastic as you can do these here during summer, without having to take a flight to another country to do them in (like Spain from UK!!!)...

Welcome again and settle in and enjoy!

Antney Jul 5th 2010 11:18 am

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Welcome to Brissie.

Great post.

Carl England Jul 11th 2010 8:39 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 

Originally Posted by Jane and Jason (Post 8667613)
Well, we have been here (North Brisbane) for 2 weeks now so thought I would update. The flight over with Cathay Pacific was excellent, couldn't fault them. When we arrived at Heathrow our luggage was overweight by about 5kg a bag (will never buy luggage scales again) and as we had 4 bags that made us about 20kgs over, but they didn't even mention it, just let us have the extra weight. We were also over weight on the hand luggage, so they just asked us to buy another bag and spread the load, which we did.

We stopped over for 1 night in Hong Kong which was fab, really enjoyed it and really glad we did it. I also think it helped with the jet lag, as we didn't really suffer at all once we arrived in Oz.

We have been non-stop since we have been here, we bought a car within the first week (a Ford Fairmont), and have secured a 4 bed rental which we get the keys to tomorrow. The kids are almost signed up for school, just have to finalise everything once the holidays are over, but all the uniform is bought ready to go. Hubby hasn't started work yet, but that is mainly down to wanting to settle into the house, get the kids into school etc first, so hoping to start on July 12th.

We have both got our Queensland driving licences which were easy to sort out, have got our temporary Medicare cards, have filed for TFN numbers, bought some private medical insurance as well.

We have met up with several people that we had 'met' on here and on another expats site, and they have all been great and really friendly, in fact everyone has been really friendly and genuinely interested in us, and how long we have been here, where we are from etc. We bought some furniture on Sunday which is due for delivery on Friday, and the sales lady told us that a couple of bits would take a couple of weeks as they weren't in stock, and she said that she would delivery them to us herself as she has a large car to save us paying for two lots of delivery! How nice was that!

So far we are all loving it here, and have no moans and groans. I know people moan about the driving here, but we have had no problem at all, and so far find the driving very steady and much slower than the UK, have seen less idiot moves here than UK. I also quite like that fact that when you go into a shop they ask 'how are you doing', so sorry, can't moan about that either!

Anyway, as I say, we're only 2 weeks in, but if everything carries on as it is, then we're gonna LOVE it here.

Jane

Hello

Fantastic to hear great post we have been here for 8 weeks and loving it too where are you in Brissie?
Long may it continue
Carl

Alfresco Jul 11th 2010 9:07 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Great update. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

menulc Jul 12th 2010 1:07 am

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 

Originally Posted by Jane and Jason (Post 8667613)
Well, we have been here (North Brisbane) for 2 weeks now so thought I would update. The flight over with Cathay Pacific was excellent, couldn't fault them. When we arrived at Heathrow our luggage was overweight by about 5kg a bag (will never buy luggage scales again) and as we had 4 bags that made us about 20kgs over, but they didn't even mention it, just let us have the extra weight. We were also over weight on the hand luggage, so they just asked us to buy another bag and spread the load, which we did.

We stopped over for 1 night in Hong Kong which was fab, really enjoyed it and really glad we did it. I also think it helped with the jet lag, as we didn't really suffer at all once we arrived in Oz.

We have been non-stop since we have been here, we bought a car within the first week (a Ford Fairmont), and have secured a 4 bed rental which we get the keys to tomorrow. The kids are almost signed up for school, just have to finalise everything once the holidays are over, but all the uniform is bought ready to go. Hubby hasn't started work yet, but that is mainly down to wanting to settle into the house, get the kids into school etc first, so hoping to start on July 12th.

We have both got our Queensland driving licences which were easy to sort out, have got our temporary Medicare cards, have filed for TFN numbers, bought some private medical insurance as well.

We have met up with several people that we had 'met' on here and on another expats site, and they have all been great and really friendly, in fact everyone has been really friendly and genuinely interested in us, and how long we have been here, where we are from etc. We bought some furniture on Sunday which is due for delivery on Friday, and the sales lady told us that a couple of bits would take a couple of weeks as they weren't in stock, and she said that she would delivery them to us herself as she has a large car to save us paying for two lots of delivery! How nice was that!

So far we are all loving it here, and have no moans and groans. I know people moan about the driving here, but we have had no problem at all, and so far find the driving very steady and much slower than the UK, have seen less idiot moves here than UK. I also quite like that fact that when you go into a shop they ask 'how are you doing', so sorry, can't moan about that either!

Anyway, as I say, we're only 2 weeks in, but if everything carries on as it is, then we're gonna LOVE it here.

Jane

Very sensible update.Pls contd.

All the best

Jane and Jason Jul 12th 2010 9:06 am

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 

Originally Posted by Carl England (Post 8695323)
Hello

Fantastic to hear great post we have been here for 8 weeks and loving it too where are you in Brissie?
Long may it continue
Carl

Hi Carl

We are in Narangba, where are you?

Carl England Jul 12th 2010 9:57 am

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 

Originally Posted by Jane and Jason (Post 8696938)
Hi Carl

We are in Narangba, where are you?

Hi we are in Redcliffe not to far from you think it is about 30 mins there is me (Carl) the mrs (Jen) and 4 kids 12,11,4,1 :D

shirlw Jul 12th 2010 10:51 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 
Well done Jane,you guys seem to be very organised for such a short time there so far.Can only hope that we too have as smooth a journey later on this year!

Jane and Jason Jul 12th 2010 11:24 pm

Re: 2.5 weeks in!
 

Originally Posted by Carl England (Post 8697031)
Hi we are in Redcliffe not to far from you think it is about 30 mins there is me (Carl) the mrs (Jen) and 4 kids 12,11,4,1 :D

Glad to hear that you are loving it as much as we are. Yes we are about 30 mins from you, we often pop over that way, and are hoping that the boys will join Nippers when the season starts again in September at Redcliffe.


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