Originally Posted by Weasy

Wendy - yes, it was on the Saturday of that weekend, my cousins wedding, so we've almost met then.



Lou
xx

Originally Posted by Wendy

Almost

She looked absolutely beautiful.

Originally Posted by Nick11

Great to hear that Adelaide is living up to all your expectations.Hoping to join you around July.Tell Chaz to get his veggie bbq on for us!
Nick

Originally Posted by Weasy

Ooooh Nick, not too long then. Chaz may not be veggie by then - he had a bacon sandwich the other day

Lou
xx

Originally Posted by Weasy

Ooooh Nick, not too long then. Chaz may not be veggie by then - he had a bacon sandwich the other day

Lou
xx

Originally Posted by curly

Hiya

Great to hear that you're settling in so quickly, keep enjoying life all of you

Originally Posted by Weasy

At last I've found a few minutes to do an initial update!!!! Hope it's not too long and boring.

Our last days in the UK were very weird. Having booked our flights for the 10th of January when our assuror lodged our bond on the 6th December and was told it would only be a few days until we got our visas, we then had a gruelling 4 week wait over Christmas and New Year!!! We were beginning to panic that we'd have to fly without our stickers and get them in New Zealand... Anyway, at about 4am on the 2nd January I woke up to do that early morning email check (you all know what that one is like....) and there it was. The email had arrived at 1.30am – surely the first grant of 2007?

This left us with 8 days to say our goodbyes properly as the reality of it hadn't hit until that email. Not an ideal scenario but good in some ways as I hate long drawn out emotional scenes.

So, we left Nottingham at 6am on a typical dark January morning having said all our goodbyes the day before and had a very relaxing taxi ride to Heathrow.

We had an amazing 2 week holiday on the west coast of the States where Arizona had the coldest temperatures in 17 years!! This meant we had to bring all our winter woollies with us but the trip was well worth it and a lovely break before starting our new lives. We did have to buy an extra suitcase to fit in all the cheap clothes we bought at the outlet malls in LA, and were more than pushing our luggage allowance! Top marks to Air New Zealand, could not fault them overall.

At 10.35am on Australia Day (Friday 26/1/07) we landed in Adelaide and were met by our rellies who drove us up into the hills and straight to the rental we'd managed to organise prior to arrival, thanks to a certain person on another forum to whom we will be ever grateful. Our landlady and her mum were there to greet us and they'd even made us a pavlova for Australia Day – how lovely was that? Our rental is in a place called Piccadilly and we just love it in this area, it's beautiful.

We bought a car the next day, the girls started at school on the following Tuesday (on 6 acres of grounds with their own wood and heaps of facilities), we got medicare, drivers licences, centrelink etc sorted out. We managed to finalise the transfer of our money when the exchange rate hit its peak and we got $2.54. We've caught up with a couple of friends off forums but have a few more to see yet, I've started going to a few coffee things etc with other mums from school and generally finding everyone very welcoming. We've been to a wedding on Port Noarlunga beach, gone to the beach after school on a Friday, the girls have already had a few play dates each, our previously not very sporting 9 year old has signed up for a beach volleyball tournament with school and I've had lunch at Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary with some new Aussie friends and ate lunch looking out at an amazing array of wildlife. Chaz went to catch up at a couple of agencies that he'd visited when we were here on our reccie last year and generally scoured the career websites.

However, this week Chaz got an interview for a great job that he'd actually applied for just before we left the UK and he got offered the job the next day . Should be starting sometime next week so we've now also bought a second car.

We can't quite believe it's only been 3 weeks so far, we feel so 'at home'. As I said, this area is truly beautiful and as the girls adore their new school and we love whole feel of the area we'll be staying up 'in the hills'. We love listening to the birds and crickets at night and on a very clear night we can see the milky way.

Overall we're loving everything so far. I've only had one night where I suddenly had a moment of panic and thought 'what have we done?' - no idea what brought that on and it went as soon as it appeared. I'll let you all know if I still feel the same in a few months.

Originally Posted by brissydeb

Lovely post, got to admit since "Wanted Downunder" we had only thought of Brisbane to move to cos the OH has family there, but to be honest Adelaide looks amazing. I think we will check it out when we move downunder. Hope everything works out for you, take care!!!

Debbie

Originally Posted by Bishop3912

Wicked post. Congrats on doing the "move" bit, I at the mo am pooing myself to say the least. OH would have come out straight away once we got our visas in July 06 just me being a worry bum, dont know why as only got 2 brothers and an aunt left here now. I agree with brissydeb we were originally going to Perth as this was the place "for us" until our recent trip when we saw the massive price hikes for properties, after watching "Wanted Down Under" we also think Adelaide looks amazing (and also Tas) never been to either place but I have decided today to take the plunge and go for it (will regret it if dont give it a try) (better call OH and give him the good news!!!) just cant decide now on Adelaide or Tas so will come to Adelaide and have a look (what is best area to look at with young kids aged 5, 4 and 1) hubby in IT so will need to work in CBD. Would appreciate any replies with advice. My God I can't believe I have finally made the decission!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes!!!!!!!! It definately helps reading positive posts as all I kept finding were more negative ones!!!!!

Originally Posted by Weasy

Glad I've 'sold' Adelaide to a few people. We think it's a lovely city with so many nice areas to live and beautiful beaches. We've chosen the Adelaide Hills but we'd have been happy in quite a few other places. The schooling seems generally very good and the pace of life is definitely more laid back here.

Tracey, if you want to investigate Adelaide further a good place to start is here http://z2.invisionfree.com/Adelaideb...ex.php?act=idx or ask me as many questions as you want

Lou
xx

Originally Posted by Katsmajics other half !!!

we have been sold to adelaide ages ago weasy its just nice to hear really vibes from the place........my mate says he loves it there and couldnt think of living anywhere else.

great to hear you are finding it so nice.......cnt wait to egt out there in Sept VISA pending we can hook up and have a few beers.