Originally Posted by stacey and jordan

Well we are finally here, it took us a year but we made it. The last few days in the UK were very hard saying goodbye to all the people we love , watching the kids getting upset saying goodbye to there friends. We asked ourselves so many times were we doing the right thing. We flew with Singapore airlines who were absolutely fantastic the kids were kept entertained all the way here. I was so worried about flying with a 1 year old but I can actually say I enjoyed the flight. Lots of films for adults and children, game consoles and plenty to drink and eat all the way here. We only had a 3 hour stop over in Singapore but it went very fast. We got to Brisbane airport on the 5th January at 8.40 pm, where our meet and greet were waiting for us. It was so nice to have someone at the other end to meet us and to help with all our luggage. We stayed at the Champelli apartments on the Gold coast and for the first few days we just relaxed and took in the sights, I can’t believe how much jet lag can mess you around, we felt sick and dizzy for days. In our first few weeks we registered for our tax file numbers, Medicare, and found ourselves a rental and a car. 3 weeks after arrival my husband started work and the kids started school and my furniture had arrived from the UK and we had some kind of routine back in our lives.

My kids love there new school, I’m not so keen on the colour of there uniform though(brown and yellow) They have even learnt the Australian National anthem for there school assemblies. Then after school twice a week they have swimming lessons and tennis lessons they are making lots of new friends. My husband has settled into work really well and he is meeting new people, which they did give him a lot of stick for the 1st week about the cricket but funny enough that has all stopped now. I go once a week to a mother and toddler group at our local church and I love meeting up with my friend for coffee and cake ( I love the cake here) at the Coffee club.

I have no regrets about leaving the UK. I speak to my family all the time by phone and web cam who keep me update with all the family gossip. We have settled in really well. It feels like home now. I can walk through my local shopping mal and people will smile and say hello now like they have known me forever. I can take the kids to school now without the help of my Tom Tom, and I am starting to find little short cuts to avoid the traffic. I now have my Flyby card to start collecting my points, and people don’t beep there horn at me so often now. I love the drive back from taking my kids to school where my views are of the hinterlands. I love being woke up by the bird with the happy whistle (don’t know it’s name). We are surrounded by some many fantastic things to do and a lifetime to do it in.

There are a few things that don’t change even all the way across the other side of the world. It still rains at 3 o clock picking the kids up from school, and you still have to wait forever in a doctor surgery.

Well I’m off to prepare the food for the Barbie tonight, so the husband can tell me again that he cooked the dinner. For all of you about to start the long process of emigrating to Australia, all I can say is the wait is defiantly worth it!!!!!

Stacey xx

Originally Posted by Issie

Only two months ago you were loving it.......hope things work out good in the end for you what ever your decision.

Thinking of you

Originally Posted by moneypen20

I think you might be replying to another thread

Originally Posted by moneypen20

I think you might be replying to another thread

Originally Posted by mickagnew

Nice one Stacey, glad its all going well.

Mick

Originally Posted by Issie

I have had so many Pm's about this post..........

Thanks Wendy i don't know how to do that

Originally Posted by Wendy

Just highlight all of the address bar, right click, select 'copy' then in the post right click again and select 'paste'.

Originally Posted by Issie

Only two months ago you were loving it.......hope things work out good in the end for you what ever your decision.

Thinking of you

Originally Posted by stacey and jordan

Yes it's true we are finding it a bit hard. The honeymoon period is over. The good news is my husband has found a job which he likes and bringing in a ok income, and the ducks have stopped crapping around the pool. I'm just taking it one day at a time, it makes me feel better that way. When i start thinking of it long term that's when i start panicking. That's when i start thinking of the security side. I'm just looking at it as a long holiday at the mo, and giving our self no time limit or date when we are going home.

Thank you for all the kind Pm's.

From a happier Stacey