British Expats - Tricia's Aussie Diary Part 2 November

NOvEMBER

The weather has changed beautiful blue sky every day and the temperature has started to creep up as well:shades_smile:

November started with the pool arriving on the 2nd (or so we thought!) There I was at 7.30 in the evening just finishing off my shopping in Woolworths when my mobile rang. It was the pool company calling to tell me they would not be doing the pool tomorrow as the mould broke! Well as you can imagine I was not to impressed especially when after giving the poor man who got the job of calling me a blasting down the phone it transpired that they had known this was not going to happen for a week and a half. :mad:
I had booked the day off work, and decided to take it anyway ………….just as well……because at 8.30 they turned up with the bobcat. Confused?? :confused: So I rang the company to be told it was only the pool they couldn’t deliver. Something to do with the mould breaking, and it having to be recast. The bobcat driver was still coming to prepare the ground. So for a week I had a garden that looked like it has been hit by a meteorite, sand everywhere and no sign of a pool.
10 days later and the pool is delivered, really nice men that got it in the ground and after chatting to one particularly nice man It transpired there was nothing wrong with mould they were just behind on there orders. I could have got mad again, but what’s the point? I now had my pool. (I think living in WA must be starting to have an effect on me)
We filled the pool and all stood there watching it fill up Took hours, but we kept going out to watch …well we were exited……….Just found out they cant come back for 10 days to fit the pump! No surprised there then. I did ask if the pump man had to recast or was he just behind on his orders as well. All I got was a slightly embarrassed cough from the other end of the phone
It all finally got finished and was it worth it?? YES YES YES
The patio planning came through in 2 weeks, “wow I said to my husband that was quick, even the patio people thought 6 weeks good was if you were lucky, I wonder why we got ours so quick”? My husband just looked at me and smiled “what did you do”? Was my next question :sneaky:
He only went down there and pleaded the innocent pom, told them we did not realise it was going to be this hot (oh yes we did)
Our children cannot play outside in the sun (they are 14 and 18 playing outside disappeared yonks ago)
They can’t even go out there as they are Ginger! And burn really easily (Blonde and Brown both olive type skin that tans easily)
My wife is so stressed with having to keep them indoors all day I think she might be on the verge of a nervous breakdown (Hmmmmmm).
Well it worked (I just hope we never get a visit from the man at the shire as I will have to get out the hair die and calamine lotion!!

December

Well like most of you I have found that this month has crept up on me really quickly. I am still finding it hard to get into the Xmas spirit despite going to the shops and hearing Bing singing about a white Xmas and sleigh bells in the Snow (since November!)
The Xmas tree has been put up to try and make us and our time clocks believe it is Xmas time.
My son is 18 on the 18th December and we decided to have a BBQ on the Saturday prior just a small gathering, well it kept escalating, mainly due to my husband and kids inviting everyone we met. Still it went off well and most importantly my son had a good time. Not so sure about the next day and the hangover though.:beer:
On his actual birthday we went to the Burswood Casino for a meal in the Atrium, it was very nice and my mum felt well enough to come along too so that was good.
We went into the casino after our dinner and Daniel won $120 on the poker machine with a $5 bet. It really helped to make his day special.

Still at boring job, but they decided to close over the Xmas period and I finished on 21 December, and don’t have to go back until 2nd Jan so that was good.

We went to the beach Xmas morning and took all our food to BBQ our breakfast all except one vital ingredient MATCHES! :o:rolleyes: So after we had swum in the ocean and basked in the sun we came home and had our breakfast done on the self igniting BBQ at home.
Kate Stuart and James (Essex meet Expats) came for dinner along with my brother and his wife.
I forgot to mention that Mum had to go back into hospital the Friday before Xmas so after the beach we went to the hospital to visit Mum. Which is just as well as my brother did not bother, in fact she has been in 2 weeks now and he has not been near, he did say that he would go Boxing Day if he got time. But he could not have got it as he never went!
It does not really bother me as such as I am used to looking after my Mum, it’s the hurt on her face that upsets me when he does not go. She says she doesn’t care, but she does. He has gone away now up north for the week so now he has the perfect excuse, I wonder if he will make the effort when he gets back (I doubt it)
Xmas day as those of you In WA reading this will know was hot. And after everyone had gone home I walked into the pool in my shorts and T-shirt and it was heaven I just floated there looking at the stars. The funny thing was I never missed the UK once, thought about friends and wished they could be here to enjoy with me, but no yearning to be there.
Boxing Day we went to the beach again in the morning and spent the afternoon relaxing as the temp hit a record for Boxing Day at 44.2 so anything to energetic was out of the question.
I did feel at bit sad new years eve :( I think its because we used to have such a good time in the UK always went out with friends to a social club that we belonged to and had a good laugh (usually at mine and her husband expense, when they had to much to drink)
Although I missed my friends and the good time we generally had I did not get that terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that I used to get previously and NO Tears!
The more time goes on the more I am adjusting to my new life here. I still don’t feel like this is home though. And I could not say 100% that I wish to stay here for evermore. Although my Kids absolutely love it here and have no desire to return to England. They are outdoors more are eating healthier and generally enjoying all this country has to offer.
My hubbie loves it here too and so do the dogs. Yes I did say DOGS. Forgot to mention that one! Just before Xmas John comes home with a scruffy little thing tucked under his arm, owner was going to have him put down as they were breeders and this poor things coat was not right, so consequently they would make no money on him. He was the real runt of the litter to small, wonky ears and funny fur.
“We don’t have to keep him” He says “I just thought perhaps we could find a home for him”. The poor thing was terrified of everything, to scared to even come out for his dinner and if you managed to pick him up he would shake in fear.
We decided that Xmas was perhaps not the best time to find him a new home and would wait till the New Year. Well Lucky as he has now been named has his own food bowl; new collar has had his first lot of injections. My daughter adores him and has managed to bring him out of his shell and he is not so scared anymore, my other dog Jack has also taken him under his wing and sort of looks after him in a doggy way. It’s really nice to see them playing together. Do you think Lucky will be going anywhere soon? No? ……….Hmmmmmm :unsure:

2008
Oh well a new year in OZ happy new year to all who read this for those of you waiting to get out hear good luck please don’t let mine or anyone else opinions, disasters, triumphs or whinging put you off. It’s a real personal journey; it’s not easy and can be very stressful. I have just tried to be as honest about my feeling as I can and I know I am not completely sure yet how I feel, but things are getting easier.
If you have just arrived and are feeling down hang on to that reason of why you came, just keep reminding yourself and it will help. If you’re new here, and loving it already, then good for you. I envy you.
I am looking forward to this year and hope it brings me happiness luck (and no more dogs!)
I will continue to write my thoughts as I think I will look back on this and laugh or cry at some stage. I probably will not post any more now though. I might do the usual 1 year 2 year thing.

Bye for now and thanks for reading my post.:)

Tricia

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHN G BLOOM (Post 5737133)

I loved reading your post, so glad its getting easier for you.

We hope to be out aug/sept all pending visa, meds, house sale etc.

Keep enjoying your new life.