Evans Reccie

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Evans Reccie
Topic Started: 13 Feb 2009, 10:15 AM (342 Views)
grax2	13 Feb 2009, 10:15 AM Post #1
Member Posts: 15 Group: Members Member #2,508 Joined: 24 October 2008 My Location stirling, scotland	We have been in Melbourne for 20 days and here is our story. Usual disclaimers about it being our opinions and not offending anyone etc etc. We received our PR visas on 26th Sept 08 & had to validate by Feb 28th 09. Connor was competing in India at the Youth Commonwealth Games for Scotland in October, then had mock exams at the beginning of Jan for his Highers in May. Once his mocks finished, we travelled to Melbourne. Before we left, we contacted Kate from Moving to Melbourne and rented the house at Seaford. Kate was very helpful in our search for information about the suburbs in Melbourne and a big thanks has to go to her. After landing, we met with Shane & Elaine who own the property in Seaford and they took us to the accommodation. Again, huge thanks to Shane & Elaine as they had to arrange babysitters for their 2 kids whilst they picked us up at 3am!!! Day 1 Settled in really well after a good nights sleep (helped by the welcome pack left by The Bears), and decided to explore a bit (should say that the Seaford accommodation comes with the use of a car and a copy of Melways, bargain!!!!). Found the beach, the creek, town centre & supermarket. After buying a trolley load of groceries (not much of a price difference we found), we ate heartily and spent the rest of the day at the beach before jetlag took over. Verdict – real success. Day 2 We decided to check out Frankston and I bought a rather natty sun hat (ah la Oasis 95 and the kids started calling me Kevin from the Harry Enfield show), rash vests for the kids (and how they would need them in the coming weeks) and a pre-paid mobile phone from Crazy Johns. We ate heartily then went to the outdoor swimming centre at Pines. Kids loved it as it was fairly quiet and they could do their best performing seal acts. Verdict – real success. Day 3 First really hot day. OMG!!!! We decided to do something indoors as it was just so hot. Connor described it as being in an oven, then turning a hairdryer on. We went rock climbing at the Victorian Climb Centre in Seaford. Again kids loved it and it was relatively cheap for a family of 5. Connor got blisters on his hands, Jack got multiple bruises on his shins by trying to copy his big brother & Kerry gamely tried to match the 2 boys with varying amounts of success. We all realised what a real stecky is when we watched Kerry (anyone not Scottish will get a description later). Ate at the RSL club in Seaford, which was really nice, welcoming, tasty food and very reasonably priced. Verdict – success as it was too damn hot. Day 4 We went to the beach as the temp dropped. Played in water for couple of hours, then walked to Frankston beach before eating in Sophias. We weren’t ready for the portions so anyone going, be warned – they’re huge. Took our doggy bags back to the accomm, played pool and we all fell asleep exhausted by 7:30pm. Verdict – real success Day 5 We went to Frankston beach. Kids loved jumping from the pier and being able to use the boogy boards in the surf. Again, once home everyone sleeping within 2 hrs. Verdict – when can we move here? Day 6 Another scorcher. This time we went to the 10 pin bowling & cinema in Frankston. 2 power cuts at both places during our time there. Went back to accom and ate. Went to beach until 9:30pm. Verdict – have I died and gone to heaven? Day 7 Connor, who we were a bit worried about making the move, told Kate & I that he will go to school for a year ONCE we move to Melbourne to make friends. ONCE!!!!! Kate & I were stunned to say the least and he just shrugged his shoulders, smiled then challenged Kerry to a game of pool. Verdict – there must be magic in the air I am sorry to bore you all, but this was our timeline. I will post some more in the next day or 2 once I am settled into my shared accom. Cheers Graham



Karo	13 Feb 2009, 01:39 PM Post #2
Addicted Member Posts: 464 Group: Members Member #1,916 Joined: 30 January 2008	Hi Graham A great update, thank you for sharing. Hope Kate and the kids have settled back at home. Kate



Michele	14 Feb 2009, 12:51 AM Post #3
What's your location? Posts: 1,015 Group: Members Member #1,483 Joined: 11 June 2007 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood Couldn't be better!!! My Location St Kilda, VIC then Adelaide, SA	Thanks for the update Graham, sounds like your having a great time. Wish we were there too!



Thebears	14 Feb 2009, 09:03 PM Post #4
Posts: 2,172 Group: Moderators Member #798 Joined: 8 July 2006 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood GO CATS GO My Location Malvern East	Thanks for the vote of confidence in our house. We're glad you enjoyed it in Seaford and Frankston. Does that mean you'll all definitely make the big move soon? And thanks to Mags who helped babysit our 2 sleeping girls. Mrs Bear



grax2	18 Feb 2009, 09:04 AM Post #5
Member Posts: 15 Group: Members Member #2,508 Joined: 24 October 2008 My Location stirling, scotland	Part 2 Day 8 Me, Kate & Kerry went looking at opens in and around the Frankston \ Seaford area. Some really nice houses within our budget and some that I can’t believe people would open. Filthy kitchens, stinking of dogs\cats\birds, washing basket waiting to be washed etc. Picked up our 2 boys who played pool and the PS2 all morning (did I mention that we liked the Seaford accommodation ;-)) and went into the other enclosed swimming pool in Frankston. Chippy dinner afterwards followed by many beers and family laughs round the pool table. Verdict – nice and relaxed. Day 9 We went to Patterson Lakes jetty as we had booked a surprise jetbike day for Connor for his birthday. Guy was really, really helpful and even got someone he knew to take Jack out as well!!! Were we parents of the year or what? After 4 hours on the jetbikes, we went to accom changed and had a relaxed meal at the RSL club in Frankston. After a great meal and family conference, we all agreed that this was fantastic and we would all like to give Melbourne a chance. No pressure on me to get a job then is there!!!! Verdict – when can we move here? Day 10 Happy Birthday to Connor. He turned 16 today and opened some of the cards family & friends had given him prior to leaving. Reading some of the cards, was the first I had realised what great friends & family we have back home during this trip. We will need to try and persuade them to come over as well. Moving to new accom in the CBD so cleaning, packing and moving was the order of the day. New apartment in CBD was great for being close to the CBD, but after 2 hours we all wanted to be back in Seaford. Went to a great steakhouse for Connors birthday meal. Verdict – how old do I feel when my son is now the same age as I was when I met his mum???? Day 11 After a particularly shitty nights sleep due to no aircon and the trams thundering past at all hours of the night, we awoke and went swimming at the onsite pool. Too much chlorine made the kids eyes weep all day and spoilt the day. Verdict – can we go back to seaford? Day 12 Went to the Melbourne Swimming & Aquatic centre. Great facility and kids loved it. Connor & Jack were doing their best performing seal impressions with front & back flips off the diving boards. I stuck to just bombing. Walked into CBD and we were all impressed with the skyline & lights. Amazing just how diverse the people walking around were. Found a fantastic and reasonably priced restaurant on Southbank and all ate heartily. Verdict – better impression of city living Day 13 I went to speak to a few recruitment agents (Hi Dave & thanks for the tea) to see what the IT jobs market is like in Melbourne just now. Not good news. Not a lot on offer just now and what is on offer, is looking for a fair amount of Australian job experience. I had even mentioned that I was willing to go back to 3rd line engineer \ support so as to give us all time to hopefully settle in. I was then told I was too experienced to even think about that. Left the CBD in a huff as I was roasting with the bad job news and roasting with a suit & tie on. Had lunch with Kate & the kids then we went to the war memorial then played tennis and swam before hiring a dvd and falling asleep on the couch. Verdict – why did I choose now to come over when there are no jobs?? Day 14 Met another couple of recruitment agents and just got some more of the same from the previous day. No internet access at the accommodation (did I mention Seaford had internet access and a pc) so I spend about 2 hours catching up at an internet café. Bad news for Kate as our sister in law’s dad (Kates brothers wife) died suddenly of a heart attack. Kate & her and Jack & her son are very close, so Kate was on the phone for a while with her. I took the kids to play tennis and swimming onsite. Dinner, dvd then sleep. Verdict – has bad luck followed us since we left Seaford?? More to come soon.


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