A month in....

We have been here a month now! It seems to have gone so quick!


So what’s new?

Harry has started school. He goes to South Halls Head primary school and he has settled in well. Today was the last day of school for the six week summer holiday and between now and the 2nd February, he has intensive swimming lessons and he is going to a gold academy, so he can become the new Tiger Woods and we won’t have to work! He has also joined the 1st Mandurah cub pack and loves every moment of that.

Clare has been riding once; it was very different to the UK. She is trying finding a different riding school, but at least she has found the two horse shops that are in Mandurah!

I’m off to the WACA tomorrow to watch the 3rd day’s play between Australia and South Africa. No sign of any rain, so it will be the complete opposite of sitting watching the rain fall at Canterbury!!

Harry and I went to watch the Perth Glory (managed by former Millwall player Dave Mitchell) beat Melbourne (captained by former Millwall player Kevin Muscat). Perth won 3-1 and we are looking forward to the next home game against Adelaide.

Along with new friends Fay and Gary, we went to watch the Perth Wildcats beat Adelaide in the National Basketball league. Another good night out, with the exception of the 4 mile hike from the train station to the stadium……We called a cab to get back to the station!!!!

We got the keys to the new house on Wednesday. There are a few pictures with this posting, so you can get a good idea what the house is like. We HAD to buy a BBQ as well as other furntiture!

Along with the house, we had 4 red back spiders in the garage... Take a look at the link to see what they are like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redback_spider

Looks like I have found a veterans football team to play for…I don’t think news has reached here yet of my super goal scoring record..(That one was just for you Neil!!)

Anyway, if I don’t manage to write anything before the 25th, We all hope that you have a lovely Christmas and hope that some of you will venture out one day to come and see us!

G’Day from down under!

Well, the first week is over, where do I begin?

We left Heathrow airport at 11am on Tuesday 18th November, and travelled to Perth, via Singapore, on the new airbus plane that Singapore airlines use, and even had the luxury of travelling business class! (Well it was a one way trip and we won’t do it again!). The seats were amazing, and both Clare and me managed to sit comfy on one seat! Anyway, 19 hours later and a change of plane we arrived in a sunny, warm, no hot Perth.

We were met at the airport by Kendra, Hayden and Oskar who welcomed us to Australia. Then John turned up, who gave us a lift from the airport to our new house which we are staying in for the next couple of months. It’s a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house and only a 10 minute drive to a white sandy beach.

Jet lag then kicked in and before we knew it, it was 9pm and we were all asleep for a nice long night…..

BUT THEN…

At 1am, we were all woken up, by what we later found out, to be one of Perth’s greatest electrical storms for a long time. It seemed to go on for ages and by the time it had stopped we were all wide awake. The house we are staying in has a table tennis table and Harry and I were playing at 4.30 am! We had a chill out day for that day, trying to stay awake for the next night.

Moving onwards, we have been house hunting. We have looked at three houses so far. One was to buy, but until one of us gets work, we won’t be able to get a mortgage. The other two were for long term rent. The first was in a nice area, but inside was just dark. The second house was really nice and we both thought this was it, but then we found out that it had no air conditioner unit and that’s something that will be needed when it gets really hot. The looking goes on tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day….

Talking of the weather, it has rained every day so far. Temperatures have been in the low to mid 20’s so its been quite nice. By Christmas, the temperature will reach the high 30’s to low 40’s…hence the reason why the air con is needed.

We have just put a deposit down on a new car. It is a Nissan Tiida. Hopefully we can have it by the weekend, providing the funds clear the bank. We also have new mobile numbers, so don’t bother with our UK mobile numbers any more. If you want our number, then just contact one of us.

No luck on the job front yet, although I have only started to look for work. It will be difficult to start with, as the temptation of the beach rather than sit in the office is there!
There is probably loads more to put down, but that will do for now. I’ll do another update soon

We’re leaving, on a jet plane……

Or for another song title..”What a difference a day makes..”

Who said a week is a long time in politics? Well a week is a short time when making the move to the other side of the world.

Ok, the last update was on Friday 24th October, since then, we have packed, put our stuff on a boat, sold the house, moved out the house, booked the flights, booked the first 9 weeks accommodation and arranged a leaving drink for close friends and family.

So we leave Heathrow airport on the 18th November, and arrive in Perth around tea time on the 19th. We are flying with Singapore Airlines on the new A380 double decker plane, so that will be a new experience!

More updates to follow

Long time no blog…..

I have been surprised about the amount of people who have asked me when I am going to update this blog again. Well the truth is that first off, there really wasn’t anything to update it with and secondly, I did not want to tempt fate.

Today, well this afternoon, at around 4.45pm, we got a call from the solicitors, with the news that all parties are ready to exchange contracts!

Talk about short notice…Its not like we are just moving to the next town is it!

Unfortunately, the buyers solicitors decided to go home early today, so we will have to wait until Monday to get it all confirmed, but our solicitors are still going to push for a moving date of Friday 31st October.

So, until now and then, I have to sort out the removal men to come and pack, and put our possessions on a boat and then we need to arrange for the cats transport to Australia and our own. So many things to do in such a short space of time!

More news to follow, after the weekend…..!

A Trip to the Post Office...

Not necessarily the most interesting of trips, but on this occasion, it was to pick up our passports. We now hold the required visa to let us into Australia!!

Now, who wants to buy a house..???

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-18976129.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

Back to Square 1

This house market in the UK is bad. Plenty of people came to view the house, but with it being a buyers market, they have plenty of choice.

Our prospective buyer pulled out of buying the house. I’m not surprised as it had all gone quiet from the estate agent. After an agreement with the current estate agent, we have now joined up with another one.

Apart from that, on a happier note, Clare and Harry have just returned from Euro Disney, so the passports can be sent off to Australia House in the morning, so that all important visa can be stamped into them.

Although still without work from my redundancy from Orange, I am enjoying some time off. I know that I have been promised some part time work to do, but in the mean time, I’ll carry on claiming my £60 per week in job seekers allowance.

It’s been busy times these last few weeks. First, there was the 20/20 cup final; where I watch my Kent team narrowly lose the final to Middlesex. Then I spent most of the day on Saturday watching the rain, when I should have been watching day 3 of the test match, but drink beer with Simon, Sarah, Tim, Alex, Matt, Keith and Scott (Not all at the same time!). Still we saw 17 over’s bowled and a wicket. The most important weekend is still to come, when Kent play Essex in the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lords on the 16th. Keep your eye for me, as I am sitting in row 1 of the Compton Stand and the game is being covered live on Sky.

That’s about all for now – not one mention of Millwall and the football season started yesterday!

Just like buses

You wait ages for an update, then 3 come in one month!

Today, at 7.40am, we received an email from the Australian Government, department of immigration and citizenship. What this letter said was that we have been granted our visa's and have to be in Australia by the 7th March 2009!

So, as soon as we sell the house, the flights will be booked and off we go!

I'll post more when the news actually sinks in!

Last day at work..Its like the last day of Secondary School!

I have only had this feeling a couple of times. I left secondary school in July 1988 with all those promises to keep in touch etc etc, followed by leaving my previous job, where I left in December 1996, with again the same promises.

However, the difference between then and today is the internet. In 1988, I had never heard of it and the mobile phone was the size of a small house and then in 1996, the internet was only used by a minority of people and the mobile phone explosion hadn't started, although I did have one then!

So that brings me around to today - 25th July 2008. It is my last day working for Orange and after 11 years, 6 months and 19 days, I have handed my security pass in, given the car back and nearly finished with the laptop.

I just want to take this oppotunity to thank the vast majority of people who I have worked with all the best and that when we get to Australia, there will be a cold beer in the fridge waiting for you!

And if you really have the urge to keep in ouch, then your comments on here will always be welcome!

Now I understand why estate agents have such a bad reputation

So, for the second weekend running, we have another no show to view the house. The second occasion really takes the biscuit. After getting a phone call on Monday, from the estate agent, who said that someone wants to look at the house on Saturday and that the estate agent would be with them as well...guess what? No show from either the customer OR the estate agent. Not even a phone call to say they are not coming.

I think it may be time to start looking at an alternative estate agent....

Anyway, that rant over and done with! Since the last update, not a lot else has happened. Been selling lots of stuff at car boot fairs and eBay. Still got loads left to sell, just waiting for a decent Sunday, with the sun shining to do that. Bought a new laptop, so will be able to keep in contact with everyone when we get to Australia and have signed up with Skype. Already tried it with Nick, who emigrated out to Canada a while ago, and the voice and video quality was amazing. If anyone else is on Skype and wants to add me as a contact, then drop me a message.

Lots going on these next few weeks. Only have 5 working days left with Orange, and then that will be 11 and a half years of hard work, blood sweat and no tears all finished with. Even better news is the amount of cricket that is happening. Kent has reached 2 cup finals (thanks to Sarah for getting me the tickets) a day at the test match (Thanks to Simon for getting those tickets) and then the football season starts as well!

The Australians have been giving out quite a few visas in the last few weeks. December applicants have been getting their visas. There have been a couple of January applicants as well, now with visas, so I am sure it won’t be to long before we hear about ours. Just some advanced warning, that there will be a small farewell drink up for our friends, so some of you may get an invite in the post or email when that time comes.

Now someone must want to buy this house!!!

I’ve delayed an update to this blog until now, due to a variety reasons. First off, we have been busy tidying up the house, as it is now on the market. So far we have had three viewings, which doesn’t sound much, but in this current credit climate, is quite a few. We have even had a couple of offers, but they were rejected due to the very low offer. However, the second offer was close to the minimum we want, so I am waiting for the estate agent to earn their money and do their bit. If you are thinking of buying a house, then take a look at this website:

http://www.manncountrywide.co.uk/content/001_Search/Search_Results/Property_Details/property-sales-MKT_RPS-WLM080474-1213351124

So what else has been happening? Well, at the time of writing, I have 35 calendar days left with Orange, before they no longer require my services. As of the 26th July, I will be a free man, having served 11 and a half years with them.

On the Australia move, well the only progress since the last blog, is that the department of immigration have now acknowledged our medicals and have started to look at them. Otherwise, the only other news at the moment is that the Australians have slowed down in issuing visa’s, as they are now coming to the end of the years quota. The next window of opportunity starts on the 1st July, so hopefully we will see a increase in visa’s issue…ours included!!

Right, now I am off, to sort out another cupboard and put a load of crap, I mean good quality stuff, on ebay!

So, for everyone who keeps asking "when you going to Australia?"

Could you please pay a pound into my pay pal account. At this rate, if I got a pound for everyone who did ask, we would be able to travel there first class, or even our own private jet!

Seriously, it’s nice that people are interested in our progress. Well, I hope it’s nice or do they want to get rid of us? Anyway, it looks like my employer wants to get rid of me, having told me that my role at work is redundant at the end of September. Fingers crossed, I can get an early release date and leave at the end of July, in order to start packing, and selling the rubbish that we no longer need and watching as much cricket as possible.

So is there an update? Well, no, not really. According to one website I look at, the Australians are currently processing applicants who applied in November, we are a January applicant.

However, due to the supposed housing crisis, we are currently just tidying up the house, garden and any other odds and sods, in order to get a few estate agents in to put the house up for sale. A bit of a risk, but one we feel is worth taking. If anyone knows or is looking for a nice, tidy 4 bedroom semi with garage and rear back garden, in the suburbs of South East London, please point them in the way of this house that’s for sale

More news...

Another chapter was added to the story today.

On the 14th April, the 3 of us attended a posh hospital in London to complete our medicals. After 3 hours of poking, prodding, blood taken and the most painful bit, paying over £500 for the privilege, we were passed fit!

These medical reports were sent to Australia, who know have everything they have requested, so it’s back to the waiting game!

'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello...what have we here then???

No idea officer, as I have never heard you say it! and how do I know??

Well I have proof. The letters came back from the Met. Police today, telling us that we don't have a criminal record (well, I could own up to having a Duran Duarn single somewhere!).

This really goes to show that not all Millwall supporters have criminal records!!!

Now, we have the medicals booked up in April, more money, but hopefully the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger.

On the first, well 3rd day of February....

I just checked my credit card account. The immigration department have just taken some money from it. Thats good news!! That means that the VISA application has been recieved and hopefully, some more progress will be made.

That Famous English Test...

Well, as they say after all the songs have been sung in the Eurovision Song Contest, Hello London, can we have the results from the UK jury....

Well, here goes: (All scores are out of 9)

Listening - 9 points
Reading - 8 points
Writing - 8 points
Speaking - 9 points

Overal Score - 8.5 points!

So what does this mean?

I can now claim 15 points, which makes 125 points and we are now able to apply for our VISA!!!!!!!

Now I think I know what I am doing, here is the story so far.

I blame Grayson.....and then I blame Tom......

IF Grayson hadn't met Kendra and asked me to be best man at the wedding, I probably would never have set foot in Australia...

IF Tom got his career break when he asked, then he MAY have come back to England after his trip......

However, these things happened, and Grayson and Kendra are in Perth, and Tom and Connie are in Sydney and having now made 3 visits, its time to make the move for a new start and some decent weather.

Back in June 2007, I just joking said, let move to Australia. The response was a laugh, but then a few weeks later, Clare said that she had been looking at houses and jobs in Perth..that's were the story really begins.

A quick search of the internet to find plenty of discussion forums. The best one for generic moves to Australia is http://britishexpats.com/. What ever the question, no matter how trivial you think it is, there is always someone with the answer. From here, I found that there are several agents that will help you with the move. After a few phone calls, I decided to go with a company called Go Matilda http://www.gomatilda.com/. Speaking to the agent and giving all our details, we were told how the process works and the different stages of it. Al looked plain sailing, until we were told we were 10 points short of the magic number of 120...

However, all is not lost as I was told that I can do an English test, and providing I pass, then I get 15 points, making our total 125. More about the english test later...

So, after signing the agreement form with the agents, we then needed to get a skills assessment completed. This meant getting various references from all my full time employment since leaving school, copies of all my qualifications since leaving school, and any other information that would assist me in getting my skills accepted. Once all this information was completed (I must thank Trevor Hall, Branson Jackson, John Wohglemuth and Mike Bowling for their assistance) I sent of certified copies to the Australian Immigration office. I was told that the process would take around 8 weeks to complete, so imagine how surprised and happy I was when I got an email from the agents after only 3 weeks, that my skills had been assessed and they were needed in Austrlia! Eventually, Clare got her skills assessed and they to were needed, and before we know it, it is November 2007 and stage 1 was complete!

So what happens now? I asked that question on the website forum, and was told to have a few beers and celebrate. So after a nice bottle of wine, we were told a few days later that one of us needed to do the forementioned english test. Looking at where the test centers are and the avaliable dates, the first one that either one of us could do was on the 12th January 2008. Now who had to do the test? Well either one of us could do it, but as the test date was on Clare's birthday, I said that I would do it. Six weeks to prepare and get to see what type of exams there were to do....More to follow about the exam itself...

So in the meantime, discussons of where are we going to live once we get there were happening. We knew that we wanted to go to Western Australia and knew that we wanted to head out to the Perth region. So eventually, we narrowed the area to 2 places: Mullaloo or the strip between Rockingham and Mandurah. Once we saw the house prices we decided that the latter was going to be the one for us.

So whats Mandurah like, you maybe asking? Well take a look at this http://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/. It should give you all the information that you need to see the lifestyle we are hoping to adopt. Mandurah is around 50 minutes drive south of Perth and linked to the city by a new train line. If you want to see the type of housing that we are looking at, then this site http://www.realestate.com.au/ will help you.

So finally, Christmas and the New Year came and went, and before long, it was time for the English test. Registration was at 8.30am, but the first test didn't start until 10am. For the first three hours the exams consisted of reading, writing and listening and then in the afternoon was a speaking part. I got home at 5.30pm, so it was a long long day.

So did I pass? Well I don't know. The results are sent out 13 days after the exam, so hopefully, on the 25th Jan, I should have some good news. If the results are good and I have reached the mark required, then our VISA application can be sent off..

Hello..can anyone hear me?

Well, I have signed up to the world of blogging..How late am I?

By the time I work out what to do, then blogging will be out of fashion and people will actually go back to seeing each other face to face!