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    ... Talking About Houses!

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    With temperatures soaring in Australia, I had to do my walking in three separate batches on Wednesday, trying to avoid the worst of the heat. Still, it gave me time to talk about housing and property. Which, as you would expect, is top on my list of priorities at the moment. Time is ticking on; it won't be long before we finally buy a place of our own!

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    If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

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    I had an early start yesterday, getting the train to Fremantle to hand in a CV for a job in this historic town. The hour-long journey, stopping at every station, and believe me there are a lot of stations, isn't really something I wanted to do every morning, so in many respects I was glad things turned out the way they did.

    On handing in the relevant paperwork, I was asked to do a test, which should have taken about an hour. Looking at it, I was dumbstruck, this wasn't the job I was applying for, this was an A level paper, and I was not in the slightest bit interested.

    I want a job that pays the bills and gives me as much time to explore Australia as possible; this test was a warning, that it was a position best avoided. So I politely made my excuses and left, practically running down the road and back into the centre of Freo. To be honest, I don't care what they thought. I was looking for a job in retail, a front facing customer service role, and this was not it; it would not have suited me at all. Still, we live and learn. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, so next time I'll be careful where I apply!

    Despite a disappointing end to the morning, I made the most of the rest of the day, sitting in the 31 degree heat, quietly passing the time with a cup of ginger and lemon tea and an ice-cold glass of water, badly needed in the scorching temperatures.

    I do love Fremantle as a place to visit, but I really don't think I would want to travel in to work there every day, let alone live there. Fremantle really is just a tourist destination. There are small boutique shops, all overpriced, and expensive cafés and restaurants. Yesterday, I fell out of love with the place and left hurriedly, taking the train to Perth for a spot of lunch!
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    I went into the Belgian Beer Café as usual to grab a pint, after walking up Murray street to get Darrell a couple of vapes for $50.00 (£28.47,) from the tobacconists. Apparently there is no nicotine in the vapes he buys, it is illegal, and I believe from what Darrell said, they use a substitute chemical instead. It does however seem to work for him, and he hasn't touched cigarettes since he has been back!

    Now I have personally never vaped in my life, but it does feel rather odd, that you can sell cigarettes, but you can sell nicotine vapes.

    After listening to a recent debate on Australian television, it appears the Government believe there is more research to be done on any harmful effects, before they even consider legalising it. This of course won't stop people like Darrell from smoking them, and prohibition only drives the practice underground, which is happening in states across the country.

    The new summer menu is out at the Belgian Beer Café, so there was no Roast Beef Baguette, but Fish and chips instead. Usually at home in Britain I would have Cod, but here it's something totally different, Barramundi and Chips, which actually tasted lovely. It had a much stronger taste than the British equivalent and a considerably firmer texture than Cod; This was a meal I thoroughly enjoyed.

    From Murray Street, I spent a few hours looking around the city, and ended up at The Shoe for a final pint of Carlton and a train ride home. With Darrell working, I've been getting to know Perth as best I can. Luckily it has a fantastic, cheap, transport system that works remarkably well. I quite enjoy spending time to myself, travelling around this city. After all, if everything goes right, I won't be doing it for much longer!
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    Now I know it's not Marmite, but after seeing this Vegemite and cheese ready cooked chicken in Coles on the way home, it got me thinking what I could do with Marmite instead. Like most people, I use the black stuff a lot in my cooking. Whether adding it to sauces and gravy, or putting it on roast potatoes before cooking, I use it all the time.

    Vegemite is a big thing over here, there are a lot of 'spin off' products that have Vegemite in the ingredients, and although I don't personally like it, it is easy to see why. Marmite could do far better. I've messaged Julio on the chicken counter at Tesco to get lubing the chooks up with the black stuff, it tastes bloody lovely, Vegemite or not.

    Also this morning on 'Sunrise,' the Ozzy version of 'Good Morning Britain,' they had a feature on ice cream, in particular Vegemite Ice cream. Now that is something I'd like to try. I have tried similar products in the UK, especially the Marmite chocolate, which I enjoyed, and I used to spread Marmite on Chocolate biscuits myself as a child, but I'm not too sure about the ice cream. Nevertheless, if I see it, I will certainly give it a go!

    For now, adios amigos, have a wonderful day!
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    Ending The Week on a Positive Note!

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    Focused on Health and Fitness
    Like always, I have done my best to keep busy this week. I really am not used to doing nothing, and need to keep myself occupied. Blogging is my preferred choice to stay active, in mind at least, but I have to get out and about as often as possible. I do walk over 10,000 steps per day, and I am enjoying a very active life here in Perth, more than at anytime in my life!

    With distances that much bigger in Australia, I find myself walking much further than ever before, as a result my blood pressure has gone down even further, than it was in the UK, and this morning it was a healthy 111/72. When I look back to Spain and when I was first prescribed high blood pressure tablets in 2017, I have come along way. Back then, my blood pressure was 148/95 and rising. I have done a lot of work to bring these levels down, without cutting out everything I used to enjoy. More movement, less sedentary and a desire to succeed, has all contributed to an uplift in my wellbeing and general sense of happiness!

    I can't stress how important it is for me to stay healthy right now. I have a lot of medical examinations to come over the next twelve months, so I do have the time to get in shape. My weight is a stable 75 kg, down from 98 kg when I started my diet programme in October last year. This is an amazing achievement, but I have put on 3 kg since I started my travels in September. I hope to get back down to 72 kg as soon as possible; this is what I consider to be my optimal weight and a figure I don't want to go above!

    Health wise, I am feeling better than ever; many of the issues I had in the UK, seem to have disappeared in Australia. I don't have the aches and pains I had; maybe the odd twinge now and again, but nothing more. Also, despite the cost of food, I am actually eating even more healthy here than ever before. A combination of careful shopping, buying seasonal vegetables and fruit as well as having the time to go from shop to shop, to get the best deals, has allowed me to not only buy better, but also keep fit in the process. Presently I am feeling top of the World, lets just hope that continues, as my new Bridging Visa kicks in!
    Durty Nelly's
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    Rather like Zest, when we lived in Spain, Durty Nelly's is gradually becoming our favourite bar of choice when we are in Perth, the food is fantastic! Wednesday is steak day and at a cost of $18.00 (£10.22) for sirloin and $25.00 (£14.19) for fillet steak, it really is a bargain not to be missed.

    After a walk around the city, looking at the Christmas decorations that are now being installed, we stopped off at the Belgian Beer Café for a pint of Stella, the only place I have seen my favourite tipple being sold. Like a couple of old alcoholics, we were one of the first patrons in the bar and settled down in the distinctly colonial feel restaurant, for a breather and a chat. The setting is relaxed, comfy and extremely homely; reason enough to return alone, especially with the weather looking rather overcast.

    From there, we made our way around the city, looking for a present for Darrell's Birthday on 26 November. Being 50 isn't your everyday occasion, so I wanted to get him something special, sadly to no avail.

    We spent a good hour looking for all things Japanese, which Darrell currently loves, but the shop we were seeking out was closed until 17 November, which was a bit of a disappointment. Nevertheless, it gave us a chance to chat about the future, as we do when we are out together and discuss the remote possibility of buying a house in Perth.

    Now I say remote, because the reality is, we have only just moved back to Australia and with Darrell only a few weeks into his new job, it does seem unlikely that it will happen anytime soon. On Friday, however, we have an appointment at The Commonwealth Bank to discuss a new joint bank account; it will give us the opportunity to mention our plans and see what response we get. I don't hold out much hope, but let's wait and see.
    Shopping - Price Watch
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    As you would expect from a supermarket employee, I am constantly monitoring prices here in Perth. Apart from anything else, it is essential that Darrell and I keep a close eye on our finances, especially right now as we save for a mortgage.

    Shopping every day, not only gives me time to walk my 10,000 steps, but it also allows me to get to know the local area and more importantly, keep close scrutiny on supermarket prices. Alternating between Coles and Woolworths, I go from one to the other each day, getting the cheapest products.

    Personally, I think I do very well and have really become a canny shopper. As someone who is watching the cents, I am always struck by the price of some items that you can get for a fraction of the price back home in the UK. A prime example of this is Quality Street. So Far I have seen this good old-fashioned British Christmas staple as cheap at $15.00 (£8.51) a box to an astonishing $30.00 (£17.02) a box.

    Now, I quite understand this is an imported product and not native to Australia, but it really is a constant shock to see how madly expensive these chocolates are. I have no idea if this was always the case, since I haven't lived here for many years, but a combination of inflation, the cost of living crisis, and import duties, has seen what I can only describe as the biggest fluctuation in price in WA. If Quality Street was a barometer of how bad things are economically, I can safely say we are living through unprecedented times!
    Armistice Day
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    On the 11 November, Australia commemorated Armistice Day like everyone else. I didn't realise they did so in the same manner as we do in the UK, probably because I haven't seen anyone selling them in the street. After a quick google search, I discovered that Woolies sold the poppies, and I immediately took a walk to Midland gate and bought a pin for $10.00. They were kept behind the customer service counter, and there wasn't a charity tin in sight.

    I paid the young lady using a debit card and even got reward points; a rather different process to that followed back home, but I was just glad to be able to do my bit for service men and women in Australia. I have always been grateful for the sacrifices they made, so I could lead the life I do today. Those who fought deserve our gratitude, and thanks for all they did. I await the ceremony from the cenotaph in London on Sunday, 7pm Australian time, when the new King, Charles III, takes the salute. Whether I am in Australia or not, it is a connection to my heritage back home that I will continue to participate in, wherever I am!
    Hilary's boatyard
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    On Friday, Darrell and I took a road trip to Hilary's boatyard or Marina, along the coast near Sorrento beach.

    This is another one of those places I have apparently been to before, according to Darrell, although I have no recollection of the occasion.

    Hilary's is a rather pleasant, up market destination, full of shops, restaurants and expensive yachts. A few years ago I would have been delighted to spend a few hours window shopping, but as I have got older, I really don't have the same level of attachment to these sorts of places. In the end, they are just overpriced shopping centres, and I really don't have the money to waste at the moment. We are saving every penny we have for a deposit on a house and a very expensive partner visa.

    However, it was pleasant sitting in the sun with a pint or in Darrell's case a milkshake, dodging feral seagulls and enjoying the fantastic views. It would be a wonderful if expensive place to live on the surface, but as Darrell said, 'it has no soul.' The expensive multimillion-pound houses along the coast look out of this World, but would I really want to live in such a place? Well maybe... But on my budget, we'll never know!
    The Crown
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    This week, I have also managed to watch the entire new series of 'The Crown!' This is the only show I have ever binge-watched on Netflix and has become something of a tradition for me. I literally can't wait for the next series to come out each time and watch it with gusto.

    This series was not a good as I would have hoped. I did find it slower than the last four season's and the subject matter a little obscure. There was however one saving grace, Elizabeth Debicki playing Princess Diana, What an extraordinary actress she is. At times, you just couldn't tell her from the real Princess, and it was just like watching Diana on the television set all those years ago.

    According to The Queen herself, the 1990s was a particularly difficult decade for the Royal Family, but in reality, this wasn't portrayed as such, and I was left feeling a little cheated. The series concentrated on trivialities, rather than events of national importance; if I am honest, it all felt rather over done and unrealistic. In the end it was a bit of an anti climax, and I was just left wanting more. Instead, I will have to wait for another year, for the last and final series 6 to be broadcast.
    Dare to Dream
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    With my days and weeks merging into one and becoming more and more frustrated at the lack of progress, it was heart-warming to have some positive news this week. After opening a new joint bank account with The Commonwealth Bank on Friday, Darrell and I had time for a brief chat with the financial advisor dealing with our case. We wanted to know about the remote possibility of getting a mortgage sooner rather than later. She duly took some details from us and said Rob, the Mortgage advisor, would ring on Sunday.

    Rob actually phoned me on Friday evening, when I gave him a few brief details about our situation. In my head, I was thinking the worst, but was actually pleasantly surprised by his reply.

    He said everything was doable, and I shouldn't worry so much. I explained we wanted to borrow a minimum of $200,000, a figure he wasn't phased about, and in typical ozzy tones repeated the phrase 'no dramas' again and again. It does seem on the surface at least we can borrow what we need, to buy a house rather than be a part of the ridiculous renting circus that exists here. A fifteen-year mortgage, with a 25% deposit at an interest rate of 4.79% should cost us about $1500 (£851.21) a month. This figure does seem awfully high at first glance, but it is actually cheaper than renting, and I have to keep telling myself it is only over 15 years.

    After speaking with Rob this morning, I have been reassured about the much simpler process of buying a house in Perth. Both Darrell and I will only need to provide a single payslip, and we are then all good to go. The process is far less invasive than the UK, and we can also borrow far more than I thought. He felt he would be able to get us a twenty-year mortgage, which would make me 71 when I finished paying. Once again, he put my mind at rest and said I could repay the balance as quick as I like.

    With fees low and completion times quick, it looks like we could have our own home early next year. This is wonderful news and gives us both hope for the future. This week has certainly turned out to be positive in every respect, let's hope everything else now falls into place!
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  • Published on

    Christmas, Home or Away? Debbie Wakelin!

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    'I have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off this year, so will be spending time with my elderly father, in case it is his last!'

    Debbie
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