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| One year on...; the good and the not so good! | |
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| Topic Started: 10 Sep 2007, 09:07 PM (1,200 Views) | |
| jacky | 10 Sep 2007, 09:07 PM Post #1 |
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Hi everyone. Not posted much lately so hope you'll forgive me rambling on but it's a year ago today that we flew out from the UK and I thought I'd mark the occasion by sharing some of what's happened to us. First of all finding this site whilst still in the UK was fantastic . It led to us being picked up from the airport by a Britvics member (thanks Paul!), and we've made some good friends (you know who you are!) and got lots of useful advice, including which part of Victoria to settle in (Thanks Bordy!) So, first the good bits..... In some ways the time has flown and we've managed to cram lots in. I've fulfilled a few lifelong dreams :- watching the Australian Open from inside the Rod Laver arena, catching sight of a dolphin in the bay, living by the sea in a fantastic area, watching the Cirque du Soleil under a circus tent in the centre of Melbourne, seeing Roger Federer up close! and lots more. We've been to several big sporting events, concerts (i'm now a total Robbie Williams fan!), and exhibitions and we've been camping and witnessed some of the most awesome scenery. We've seen animals we'd never seen before and heard birds in our garden that make the most amazing sounds. I saw a vertical sunset which was truly amazing and the beaches around here are second to none - perfect for swiming or plenty more to choose from for surfing. The kids love school and are very relaxed. They've both performed with their classes at the local theatre for their school musical which was fantastic - especially the sight of Adam singing 99 Red Balloons in German! Stephanie was fantastic in costume as an Egyptian singing Walk Like an Egyptian. Adam has been Aussie of the month at school, he competed in the Regional swimming finals, came second in the state life saving beach sprint, led his team to gold in the relay, came second in the individual championships at Nippers, competed in the district cross country and regional soccer finals and has been strutting his stuff on the soccer pitch for the local team. Stephanie got to perform at the National theatre with her theatre group which involved singing, dancing and acting and she has really taken to swimming - she recently achieved 5 personal best times in one evening! They have both made friends at school, have great teachers and have thrown themselves into life in Oz so we are very proud of them both. Our family has also grown to 6 as we now have 2 really cute rabbits - Alfie and Fudge. Graham and I both found work in the first few hectic weeks. I'm working part-time at one of the local private schools which is going well although it does get in the way of my tennis, swimming and coffee mornings but I guess I'll put up with it! I was persuaded to join the schools army cadet unit and I'm now a fully fledged 2LT with pips and an officer's hat! Graham is on his 3rd temporary contract and has had a very stressful few weeks applying for permanent positions which seem rather hard to come by. He has been doing some soccer coaching and refereeing and tonight he's at the surf club hoping to qualify for his boat licence so he can sail/drive/pilot? the inflatable rescue craft when he's on beach duty as a lifeguard - imagine him in a pair of speedos running towards you to rescue you - need I say more (I can supply pictures if anyone is interested...) We've bought a house and are moving in on 29th September. It's a few minutes away from where we are now and a real Aussie single-storey house with room for the BBQ out the back and a decent garden for the kids, a spa and fantastic views over the countryside - a bit of a change from our old house but we hope we'll be as happy there as we were in our houses in the UK. I've been playing tennis and have 2 trophies which I'm very proud of! It's perfect tennis weather here now, a bit of sunshine and great outdoor weather. We've met loads of people and quite often bump into someone we know when we're out and about. We've made some good friends too -mainly English at this stage but it's been great to have people around to compare notes with and share the ups and downs. The Aussies are very laid back and friendly and Graham and I have resolved to learn to chill out more and go with the flow - not that easy for those of you that know us well but we'll give it a try!! We've had 3 lots of visitors already which has been fantastic. And now the bad bits....... We've spent loads of money and are feeling a bit skint!!! Food shopping is expensive, we have to pay toward the kids school (which is money well spent!), all doctors and dentists are private - ouch! Houses are cheaper than the UK but stamp duty is a killer and the mortgage rate is higher! Graham and Adam really, really, really miss the Premiership and we were at friends at the weekend who have the Aussie equivalent of Sky and they were both drooling at the mouth! Think we may be signing up when we move! The kids miss their grand-parents and friends but they are still very happy here. I've found the last couple of months much harder than I expected. I've missed people in the UK and in particular the security of close friends. I've made some good friends here but it''s all still evolving and some friendships have/are changing a bit and that's made me feel a bit homesick. Family are also really struggling to accept that we're here and that makes the weekly phone call back to England quite hard at times. We hope that maybe when we move into our own house they may come round but it doesn't seem likely at the moment. Graham has had a very stressful time with jobs but he's stayed so positive and has kept us all going. The last month or so has been hard as one or other or all of us has had tonsilitis, flu, chest and ear infections so we've had a bit of a bad run. Hopefully we're over all that now and looking and feeling a bit healthier. So, I've rambled on enough. Our adventure is still moving in the right direction, it's been a fantastic/hard/easy/stressful/exciting 12 months. Our family time and quality of life have definitely improved and what we lack financially we make up for with more time together, beautiful beaches and great opportunities for the kids. We're so glad we took the plunge and look forward to another exciting but hopefully a little less stressful second year.There is so much for us to see, do and experience that we can't even consider the possibilty of going back to the UK! This feels like home and in spite of some tricky moments there have been far more times when I've had to pinch myself and say 'oh my, I actually live here in paradise!!!!' . For those still in the UK, it's a huge adventure and everyone's experiences are different but this site is great for suport and encouragement and at least we can all said WE DID IT!!! Must go now and have a glass of Aussie wine, all this typing has made me quite dry! Jacky |
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| Joanne | 10 Sep 2007, 09:31 PM Post #2 |
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Hi Guys, congratulations on reaching your 12 months, here's to the next 12 and the next 12 and the next 12!!! You get my drift!! We'll crack open the bubbly once you've moved. Lots love to you all, Jo xx |
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| mark 'n' joe | 10 Sep 2007, 10:31 PM Post #3 |
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Great update thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed reading it. Hope you have a less stressful year and all the best in your new house. What area are you in? Joex |
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| jacky | 10 Sep 2007, 10:33 PM Post #4 |
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Thanks for that. We're in Mt. Eliza, near Mornington on the Peninsula - beautiful!! |
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| Jimma | 10 Sep 2007, 10:46 PM Post #5 |
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:thumbsup: Great post Jacky. Reading that had reinforced the reasons behind us wanting to move to Oz. Quality of life, and hopefully meet some quality friends along the way. I just hope we are not here too much longer to start living it. Good luck for the next year. And here's to many more :Beer: |
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| mark 'n' joe | 11 Sep 2007, 12:45 AM Post #6 |
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Thats one of the areas we will be looking at on our validation trip next month :) Jx |
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| Kapri | 11 Sep 2007, 05:36 AM Post #7 |
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Hi Jacky
:) Great post - It's good to hear the positives and negatives. we are hoping to move to Mt Eliza / Frankston south area depending on jobs. Are your kids at primary school or secondary? |
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| Lorraine44 | 11 Sep 2007, 07:05 AM Post #8 |
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Great update Jacky :thumbsup: you sure have packed a lot into those 12 months :D Congratualtions and I hope the next year is as exciting for you! |
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| jacky | 11 Sep 2007, 07:41 AM Post #9 |
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Hi Kapri. My kids (10 and 8) are at Primary school in Mt Eliza. Feel free to PM me if you want some details. Jacky |
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| The Butterys | 11 Sep 2007, 09:12 AM Post #10 |
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Hi Jacky Great update, so glad you have settled in. Sounds like the kids have done very well at their sport. Congrats on all the awards. Its good bumping into you now and then. I think I saw Graham at the kings swim pool back in the last school break with the kids. Ours were doing the fast track lessons aswell. Maybe we could catch up soon. Now that you have moved will you still have the same phone number? Good luck in your new home. Lorraine |
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| Lindsay Clan | 11 Sep 2007, 02:51 PM Post #11 |
 
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Congratulations on your first year and good luck with the next one! :waving: |
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| pete&co | 11 Sep 2007, 02:51 PM Post #12 |
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Hi Jacky, what a great update. If my life in oz is half as full as yours I will be really pleased, the days must be longer there
:D . I can see why your so proud of your children they have achieved such a lot in a short time (as have you and your oh). Makes me want to be there even more, not that I play tennis or do any of the things you mentioned, but your post makes me feel like I could :) Nadine xx |
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| Kaz and Malc | 20 Sep 2007, 06:54 AM Post #13 |
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What a great update Jacky. You have all done so well, keep doing what your doing and maybe we will see you at a meet up next year. Karen :waving: |
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| louise | 20 Sep 2007, 06:41 PM Post #14 |
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Fantastic post! Great to hear the good and not so... Well done! Louise |
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| carlton cold's | 21 Sep 2007, 06:40 PM Post #15 |
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Hi, brilliant post and it's really made us feel even more excited about our adventure which starts beginning of Jan when we are aiming to book our flights. Our boys (aged 9 & 7 yrs) are really looking forward to the new experiences, but as you know yourselves we've still got a list as long as our arm to organise and in particuraly selling the house.. We are aiming to the north west side, as our cousin lives there and it will be a good base to look around.. Good luck for the next 12 months and I look forward to reading your next post.. Best wishes Russell & Sarah |
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| SalSa | 23 Sep 2007, 08:20 PM Post #16 |
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Hi Jackie and family :waving: Loved reading your update :) We've been in Oz 10 months now and are still enjoying every minute :flower: Best wishes to you all and wishing you lots of happiness in your new home, Love, Sally & Gang xxx |
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| Michele | 24 Sep 2007, 06:59 AM Post #17 |
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Hi Jacky, I really enjoyed reading your post, what an eventful 12 months. Whew.... I hope that the next 12 month are just as exciting! :D Good luck with the move and enjoy your new home. |
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