Category: Moving

Training Week in Joondalup!

5/5/2024

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It feels so nice to actually have a home again - After years of travelling, we've finally come home!

11/2/2023

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It has been a long time since we last had our own home, so long, in fact, that I can't remember what it's like to live as a couple. Darrell and I are now settled in a new house, another country and a World away from our life in Portsmouth. Sitting here now, writing this blog, I am annoyed with myself for not doing this sooner. In reality, we could have both emigrated here years ago, but the time never felt right. Today, our current circumstances feel normal, natural and if I am honest, what we have both wanted to do for a long time. Until today, we never really had the courage to take that final leap, today we are glad we did.

Official settlement occurred on Friday, when the house officially became ours. The last eye watering sum of money left my account and both of us became homeowners once again. Despite spending thousands of pounds over the last few months, there was no regret or bitterness from me, just a desire to rebuild our life and work hard to pay the bills. This is 'normality,' what most people do, but it isn't something we have done before, certainly not in recent times, and it really does feel like my life has gone full circle. At 51 years old I may well be getting older, but this new adventure into suburban living in Australia, has given me a new sense of direction and the will power to succeed, where similar endeavours have failed in the past.

The villa, as they call it here, is big, bigger than anything I have lived in before. There are three double bedrooms, one with walk in wardrobe, a lounge, family room, kitchen, laundry room and small garden - just what we wanted. This house is my dream home, something I never believed I would live in, let alone own, and it finally gives Darrell and I the space we have craved, for so long. Unlike most people, we have not begged, borrowed and stole, we have both worked hard to get good, well paid jobs, and a beautiful house, unlike anything we could afford in the UK.

So far, Australia has opened doors and given both of us opportunities we wouldn't have otherwise had. Both of us are just waiting for the first thing to go wrong, yet everything seems to be going our way. I hate feeling positive, but I actually have nothing to feel negative about and that has to be the first time I have felt this way in many, many years, if at all. I like to think I am in the right place at the right time, but only time will tell if that is correct or not. Traditionally I have never got on in Australia, so this is a new experience for me; like Darrell, I am getting used to the success we are now both enjoying. As the saying goes, nothing lasts forever, so we will ride this wave of satisfaction for now.

Last Sunday we began the process of moving into our new house, by once again going for Sunday lunch at the Stirling Arms. This would be our last meal there for a while; now we have a roof over our head, it isn't so important to get out. Nevertheless, we had a lot to discuss; although settlement occurred on Friday, we were actually given the keys on Monday, after the previous owner agreed we could move in early. This was a blessing is disguise - we both had the day off and literally threw everything into moving our belongings in. With both of us at work the next day, it was important to make the most of the time we had.

In the morning all the lounge furniture and new bed was delivered, later that morning, the white goods arrived and in the afternoon, the antique furniture I ordered from Guildford's Antiques were delivered. After all the cleaning, arranging of furniture, and shopping, we were both shattered by the end. In fact, I am still tired now, and we have a long way to go yet.

Like most moves, there are a few niggling issues that need to be sorted and on Wednesday we had the taps replaced in the laundry, and arranged for an electrician to come out this Monday and put in some extra sockets in the lounge. This is a house that was built in 1995, at a time when there was less technology in all our lives; consequently the electrics are not up to present day standards and will have to eventually be replaced completely. For now, installing extra plug points will suffice until we have the money to do everything we want.

Once the electrics are sorted we want to buy furniture for the family room, finish the bedrooms and finally get to grips with the garden, which needs a complete overhaul. All this will take time and a lot of money; with this in mind, we will have to take things slowly. As we are beginning to discover, it isn't cheap being a homeowner in 2023 and with all the utilities in place, we are looking at a substantial outlay each month. Like everything, it is all doable though, leaving us with plenty of money to spare for increasing the mortgage payments and saving money each month.

With settlement now complete, we are both officially homeowners again, able to live our life as we would wish. Living in a detached villa, we can make as much noise as we like; not that we are rowdy party goes any more, but it's just nice to be able to drill a hole in the wall, without repercussions from irate neighbours. This is what freedom is all about.

On Monday, we will pick up a new addition to our household, a rescue cat called Pippa. Pippa is one year old and will finally make our lives complete. She is also different from the other cats we have had in the past; she has a congenital birth defect called hyperreflexia, which causes problems with her back. In essence, her shoulder blades sit higher than her spinal cord. This makes it impossible for her to jump like other felines, but to us, it makes her even more special.

Darrell and I have always had cats in our life and when I saw this beautiful girl, I just knew I had to have her as part of my family. She needed a home, and we could give her one. It was unlikely anyone else would give her the opportunity we have, but after losing both Lily and Precious in Spain, we decided we would like to adopt a cat with special needs.

Despite the difficulties she faces, it is clear from her foster carer, that she is perfect in every way - loving, affectionate and well-adjusted. Now we have Pippa, it looks like we have everything we have ever wanted and couldn't ask for more.

Australia is the final stop for us, on a life journey that has taken us to nearly every corner of the World. It is important for us to keep travelling, but now we will have a base to call home. Pippa will likely keep us grounded for the most part and with both our careers now taking off, it is time to do the right thing and settle in a place we have both grown to love, and a country that has always featured prominently wherever we are. This is home, this is the future, this is where our journey stops for now!

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Countdown to Moving Day!

4/2/2023

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We are literally counting down the days now until we move to the new house in Perth. All the paperwork has been finished, we have received the formal approval from the bank and the exchange of contracts will happen next week. It really has been a long road getting to this point.

Last Sunday, we took our friend Joy out for lunch at The Sterling Arms in Guildford, to thank her for all she has done for us since we have been here. From Christmas Dinner, to running us around in the car, she has been there supporting us through this difficult period. Without Joy's help, we would have found it very difficult to get things done in time for settlement of Monday, so it was only fitting that we showed our appreciation.

With the sold sign now up, it has been time to shop, and boy have we shopped. We have turned up in Australia with absolutely nothing, so we literally have to buy everything. After another gorgeous Sunday lunch, we went on an impromptu shopping trip, to start the process of making our new house a home. This isn't a small place, mind you, so it will take time and a significant amount of money to do everything we need to do, but we have at least started.

With both of us working in well paid jobs, we are lucky to be able to have the money to buy the things we want, without credit; that will definitely be a first for me. I have made a pact with myself, never to use credit of any kind again; it may well make things harder, but we need to plough all our hard-earned cash into paying off the mortgage earlier. I hope to pay an extra $2000 a month on top of the $1400 we will be paying. That may sound a lot, but for the first time in our life we can actually afford it and have cash left over to save. I keep telling myself, 'why the hell didn't I do this earlier?'

On Monday we went to 'Jack's' in Belmont to buy some of the furniture - a sofa, TV unit, coffee table, bed and mattress. Rather than waiting 16 weeks, as we were told elsewhere, they informed us, they could deliver the next day if we so wished. From Jack's, we drove back to Midland and to 'The Good Guys' electrical store, where we bought a fridge freezer and washing machine. The Fridge was a little more than I wanted to pay and wasn't as big as I would have liked, but it is top of the range and made to work in these hot Australian temperatures, plus I absolutely love the stainless steel.

After much deliberation, we decided to buy a front loading washer, rather than the top loader we were going to get. I did some research and discovered top loaders weren't as good; in fact, they are positively awful in comparison. It has something to do with the motion of the drum. So even though it was a little more expensive, we went for the popular UK version, which will suit our needs perfectly.

Today, after receiving my severance pay from Tesco, on the first day of my three-day weekend, I went into Guildford. I had seen some lovely pieces of furniture in the antique shop there, that I just couldn't resist. I am not a fan of flat pack stuff, so wanted to get something more durable, with character and a little bit of style, just to create a statement in the formal longe.

After a bit of haggling and polite negotiation, I managed to get a great deal on a beautiful oak bureau, with cabinet above, and an oak chest of draws. I don't intend to have everything antique by any means, but a couple of well-chosen items will go well in our new home, and it will give me somewhere to put my 'old tat' as Darrell calls it. Having said that, I have very few personal items left, since we relocated, so the cabinet should be the perfect size! There are also plenty of other items in 'Jones of Guildford' that I would absolutely love, but with funds depleted, I decided to head into Perth for a spot of window shopping and lunch in Yagan Square.

I haven't been into the city for a while, not since I started work anyway, so it was nice having a wonder round the shops, even though the weather was blisteringly hot. I stopped off at The Belgian Beer Café, for a couple of pints of Stella in my favourite bar on Murray Street. Once again, there was just me and a couple of local alcoholics at eleven this morning, but I didn't mind that too much; takes me back to my time living in Portsmouth. To be honest I'll do anything for a pint of Stella, so since this is the only place I have seen it on tap in Perth, I'll have to put up with what ever is thrown my way.

After a shopping trip to London Court, I headed to The Shoe on Yagan Square for a spot of lunch and a pint of Peroni. The view from the Shoe is amazing and despite the heat, it was great sat on the balcony looking out over this beautiful city. I don't suppose I'll be making many more trips like this once we start paying the mortgage, so it was good to do it today, before the big move on Monday.

Today, Perth is really beginning to feel like home; that is something I never thought I would say. For the first time since Spain, I can really say, I am feeling happy and content, looking forward to a bright and successful future... With a bit of luck! At 51 years old, this hasn't been an easy move to make, and the last five months have been challenging, but with light now at the end of the tunnel, both Darrell and I can nearly breathe a sigh of relief. There is only one more obstacle to cross now, and this one could be the biggest hurdle of all!

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Cor Blimey, It's been a Scorcher!

21/1/2023

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Cor Blimey, Governor, it's been a hot one. Today has been the hottest day in Perth, so far this year and considering 2023 has only just started, I bet there are a few more days like this to come. The temperature in Midland reached a top of 43 degrees earlier today; well, that's what it registered on my Fitbit anyway, but luckily I was working in a lovely air-conditioned shop. I'm really not used to these extreme temperatures, coming from the UK, but having lived in Spain I am more used to the heat than most. Surprisingly, however, there is very little humidity here, so you don't really sweat in the same way you would during a humid UK summer.

Today is also the end of the second week in my new job, and I am looking forward to a few days well-earned rest. The last couple of weeks have been particularly stressful because of everything that has been going on. The house sale is progressing well, after Darrell and I had the mortgage confirmed by Commonwealth bank, and we are looking to move very soon; everything is just so fast here. When the Home loan was confirmed, we were given a fifteen-day settlement date, and we should be in our new villa by the middle of February. Thankfully for us, there will be no stamp duty to pay. Under normal circumstances, we would have been liable for a bill of $8000, but because we are first time buyers here, Western Australia has waved that fee.

On Monday we have a surveyor checking the house, and always up for a bargain, I am shopping around for the cheapest settlement solicitor in Perth. So far I have been quoted $1000 less than the original price I was given. Darrell is worrying about letting the other firm down, but I am of the opinion, why should we pay more for the same service? Yes I may be tight, but in all honesty, I have to be. Saving the cents is important for me now, especially with mortgage repayments of $1300 a month.

We decided to take out a variable rate mortgage, in order to pay it off as quickly as possible. We want to repay it within ten years, which is doable, as long as interest rates start to stabilise. Furthermore, we are both lucky to be earning a very good wage, so can afford to double our repayments each month and pay it back in record time. Of course, only time will tell if that actually happens or not. I am confident, that as long as we continue on the same path we are on now, we won't have too much to worry about.

The paperwork trail this week has been astronomical, we just haven't stopped filling in forms. However, most of this has been done remotely and with the help of our amazing mortgage broker at the bank, we have managed to get this done and dusted relatively quickly. Yes, I am stressed and sleeping less, but I am also working and able to concentrate my efforts elsewhere, thus avoiding worrying about moving, every day.

When all is said and done, we have achieved our goals in superfast time. Not only do we both have well paid jobs, but we are also buying a house, new car and looking forward to the rest of our life together. It really has been a long road getting here, but I can finally say, without a shadow of a doubt, we made the right decision. Putting the past behind us is our overriding priority now. Those who have played an important role in our future are welcome with open arms, as for the rest, well, they are just a warning to do better in future. This isn't the first new start we have had, but it is the most successful to date; for that reason it is important to stay focused, and remain positive as this new year progresses. This is the life we have both craved for so long, the success we have dreamed of, and the break we both need; finally contentment it's only a heartbeat away!

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New Year, New Home!

16/1/2023

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This month is turning out to be busy, beyond busy to be more accurate. Not only did I start a new job last week, but Darrell and I have finally found a home; everything seems to be coming together at once. As stressed as I am, I understand just how important it is for me to relax. I came to Australia for a change in pace, not to inadvertently increase my blood pressure (which is perfectly fine at the moment) and have absolutely no time to myself. Nevertheless, I have to accept just how fast the pieces are falling into place and, for once, embrace the possibilities that are coming in thick and fast. To think I used to hate this place and never saw Western Australia as a land of opportunity nor a long term solution to our ambitions and aspirations, when actually, currently, it is!

The house is a three-bedroom villa in a small community of six dwellings, just off Morrison Road in Perth. Interestingly, it was built the same year Darrell and I got together, in 1995 and is a typical Australian home. It has a large kitchen and family room, a laundry and separate toilet and a formal lounge at the front of the property. The house is also air-conditioned throughout and is in relatively good decorative order.

There is a very small courtyard garden at the side of the property, which, although small, suits us perfectly; neither of us want the responsibility of a garden. We don't have the time or desire to be outside gardening, especially in the Australian climate.

Having said that, there is work to do outside; the boundary fence is coming down, and it will need to be replaced or fixed. I also want to repave the outside areas and shade part of the outlook at the back, so we don't have to look directly onto the highway at the rear of the house. Some people would be put off by the proximity to a major road, but for us, city dwellers at heart, it is perfectly fine. We will be a five-minute walk to Midland Gate shopping Centre and a twenty-minute walk to my place of work. The set-up works for us, but it wouldn't be to everyones taste. I like being close to local amenities and although there are aesthetics to sort out, I am happy to get to grips with that in time. After all, if you had seen some of the places I have lived in the past, you'd understand why!

With the offer accepted, now comes the hard bit. We have arrived in Australia without a stick of furniture, so that is now on a priority list. For now, we will get what we desperately require, and the rest can wait. What it does mean, however, is we will have to put a lower deposit down on the villa, so we have some spare cash to buy what we need. Luckily furniture and electrical goods are a lot cheaper here, so I have worked out we will have to pay out $13,000 initially, which is achievable in the short term, especially with us both working. We also need to buy a car, especially now I want to start my driving lessons again, and I personally want a contingency left for maintenance and any eventualities that may occur.

I have also discussed getting a mortgage where I can repay far more than I have to. I want to pay it off in record time. The only way I can do this, is by getting a variable rate home loan, which is a bit scary at the moment, with interest rates continuing to rise in Australia. It is either that or have a fixed rate mortgage, which restricts payments; that isn't something I am contemplating, but will discuss the possibilities with Rob, our wonderful Mortgage Broker at The Commonwealth Bank, over the next few weeks.

All being well, we should be in the house within a maximum of eight weeks; in fact, it could be a lot sooner than that. The current owner, who is in Queensland, has already said we can move in before completion, once the Mortgage has gone through. The whole process here is far more relaxed and laid back, which is actually a bonus for me, especially having started a new job at the same time. The easier this period is, the better.

So Darrell and I have reached yet another milestone in record time, and we are both delighted. On the surface at least, for now, Australia seems to have been the best move we have made. Of course part of me thinks we should have done it years ago, but the other half remembers the memories we made in between, principally in Spain. We can always look back in hindsight and imagine, 'what if?' The important thing today, however, is to move forward with our life and try to build a future, once again, from scratch; luckily that doesn't phase me one bit. Neither of us are young any more, but age aside, this is just another steppingstone on our journey together. Australia will be our home for now, where we hope to make even more happy memories to share with all of you.

A little bit of retail therapy to stay positive this afternoon, as we wait for the final stage of the mortgage. As long as the house is OK, and the bank think it's worth the money, then we are good to go. In the meantime, I've got shopping to do!... Thank God for Kmart; I'll always be a pikey at heart.

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Hyacinth Bucket of Aussie Prospector? You decide!

15/1/2023

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Settling into Expat life, in Gran Alacant!

5/1/2023

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Walking down Heart Attack Hill!

We had a house full of furniture and two cats to bring from the UK, to our new home in Gran Alacant. The easiest option for us, was for Jamie and me to fly from Southampton Airport and for Darrell and close friend Dale to drive from Britain, down through France, into Spain and onto the Costa Blanca; two days in a van with me, Darrell and the cats, was likely to end in bloodshed otherwise.

This was a journey that took Dale and Darrell several days to complete. In France, halfway through the journey, they stopped at a cat friendly hotel and rested as long as they could, before completing the journey. When they arrived, it was a frantic few days of unpacking, before Darrell dropped off the van in Alicante, and we could finally start to live our lives, far away from the troubles of the past.

Sitting in the tiny lounge, surrounded by boxes, slightly shivering on a cold February day, I remember how happy I was to finally be away from Britain. Our last few months there were not the best, and Spain was just the new start all of us needed. None of us knew the area at all, so once Dale had left for the UK, the three of us began to explore our new home of Gran Alacant.

The 'Rehab,' or 'Recovery train,' (recovering from life in The UK) was our first venture into this quiet urbanisation. This miniature train, on wheels, would circumnavigate Gran Alacant several times a day, and we could hop on and off as and when we liked. After a particularly wobbly walk down Heart Attack Hill, to Molly Malone's Irish Pub, the first pub we visited in GA and one of our favourite haunts, We caught the train, just outside the bar and travelled the short distance to the Centro Commercial. This modern town had everything you could need, including several supermarkets, Mercadona and Lidl, the obligatory tobacconist, where I would by my Mojito flavoured cigarettes at 4.35€ a packet, half the price they were in the UK, and of course plenty of bars and restaurants.

Barloko, as it was named then, was situated at the top of the main shopping centre and during our first few weeks we went there several times. We hadn't yet found our own neighbourhood local, Sierra Mar, which was actually hidden away in a small gated community, down the bottom of a rather steep incline, a few minutes from our house in Calle Canarias.

At Barloko, or Roger's bar as we liked to call it, we met many of the locals at this popular venue and of course the amazing Roger himself, who was always a friendly face, even when things weren't going our way. He would often sit and chat with us, explain a bit about Gran Alacant and help us find our way around. Roger is one of those characters you just can't forget, and it was always lovely to see him.

We also spent a lot of time in Alicante itself, just a forty-five-minute bus journey away. This cultured city, full to bursting with architectural wonders, a beautiful castle and our favourite part, the marina, was just what we needed to get over the UK. It was a World away from the drudgery of Britain and even in winter, we could sit in our preferred venue of choice, 'Soho Mar,' just passing the time of day, forgetting our worries and feeling every bit like we were on holiday.

Of course, we weren't on vacation, we were there to start a new life in the sun and by the beginning of March, it was time to start building a future, and looking for work in Gran Alacant.

Out of the three of us, I was the first person to find a job in GA, at 'The Easy Horse Care' Charity shop in Plaza Mayor, at the bottom of Heart Attack Hill, a fifteen-minute walk from Carabassi. I worked several days a week and was paid a small wage to keep me going while I looked for something more permanent. The charity did what it said on the tin, rescuing horses and donkeys in the local area; this magnificent shop, consisting of furniture on one level and clothing above, was my first real foray into the neighbourhood of Gran Alacant. At first, I was a bit dubious about taking on the position, after my bad experience working for a charity in the UK, but my reluctance soon passed, as I made friends, worked hard and began to integrate into a community that welcomed me with open arms.

The Charity shop opened my eyes to the well established Expat community, and it wasn't long before I began to venture out more and more. Sierra Mar, was a short walk from my house on the hill, so I wandered down to this friendly square whenever I had the chance. It wasn't long before 'Zest,' a newly opened bar, became my second home. Lee and Brett were the perfect hosts and always welcoming, as were Steve and Paul behind the bar. Along with Aunty Pam, who cooked the best comfort food and was always free for a hug or two, they soon became akin to family in Spain; these were familiar faces in an unfamiliar World. When confronted with a new beginning, it is important to find your niche, somewhere to feel relaxed and at home and for me at least, Zest was it.

It wasn't long before I got to know the locals and when Darrell was called away to Australia, a few months after we arrived, these were the people that got me through. Darrell's Mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and although we didn't know it then, our time would be cut short in Spain because of her illness. With Darrell travelling back and forth to Perth, I made the best of a bad situation. Settling into life in Gran Alacant was the most important factor, in me staying there for as long as I did. Had it not been for my Mother in law's illness, in all probability we would still be there now.

Of course, part of settling into a new neighbourhood is establishing lasting friendships. Luckily I met long term friends Andy and Katie, who lived just around the corner from me and then there was Paul and Michelle, who were instrumental in making me feel a part of their lives, especially when Darrell wasn't there. It is true to say I went into myself a lot more and became very withdrawn at times, but when you see your dream ebbing away, it is all you can do to cope with the changing landscape.

Gran Alacant was an easy place to settle down, it had everything I ever wanted and more - people I cared about, a community of like-minded individuals, helpful friends and local residents, and the perfect location on the Costa Blanca that worked for us. It wasn't in the throng of Benidorm, it offered a more relaxed place to live, but with a busy social scene that came into its own, especially at night, making you feel you were actually somewhere bigger. With so many nationalities living in one place, it was the best choice for us, and I am so glad we lived there, even if it was for only a few years. The memories I made, and the friends I still have today, are a tribute to the place I was honoured to call home, and a fitting homage to the Expat community who looked out for me, in a way nobody had done before!

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Just One More Piece In The Jigsaw Left!

16/12/2022

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What a week it has been, I literally haven't stopped. My focus, for the most part, has been on getting a job, for when I am finally allowed to work on the 28th December. I have gone all out to achieve that goal in record time, hoping for the best, but anticipating the worst. The pessimist in me is still there, unshakable as ever. However, sometimes I can shake him off and do good things to achieve the unthinkable. This has certainly been a week of attainment, but like everything in our life, there has been an annoying sense of dread, as everything come hurtling down the track at once.

The week started on a high note; I had an interview with a lady called Elissa at 'Retail World Resourcing' in Perth. She had come across my CV on 'Indeed Australia' and said she could help me find a job. To be honest, I was expecting the same sort of position I had in the UK - working a checkout or a placement on the customer service desk of a large supermarket. However, being interviewed by Elissa on 'Google Meet,' I soon became aware that that wasn't what she had in mind.

My CV is long and varied, encompassing the time I lived in Spain and also in the UK. There are many different jobs highlighted, from my appointment as cook at Dunbar's Family Restaurant in Gran Alacant, teacher at a school in Elche, to working behind the bar at the Newcome Arms in Portsmouth and of course my much loved Customer Service role in Tesco Fratton. My lack of consistency would be a problem forging any semblance of a career in Australia, in my view, but nothing could have been further from the truth.

Elissa encouraged me to apply for three Management roles immediately, which she believed I would be suitable for. Within 24 hours, she had arranged an interview with a bedding and soft furnishing outlet, less than ten minutes from where I am living now. There were two positions available - Manager and Assistant Manager, salaries ranging from $40,000 - $61,000 + per annum. Naturally I assumed I would be interviewing for the Assistant Manager role, but I soon discovered, shortly after the interview began, that that wasn't the case, and they were looking for me to take on the position of Shop Manager.

Don't get me wrong, I have managed shops and businesses before, but I wasn't expecting to be a candidate for a large store manager, only a few months after arriving in Australia. The penny must have dropped whilst I was being interviewed by Jack from HR. Both of us got on like a house on fire. This was the first interview I felt really positive and at ease; he said he would contact me when he had made a decision about going forward to the next stage. In reality, I thought no more of it, not expecting to hear back, and got on with the rest of my day.

Shortly before 5pm that same day, Elissa contacted me to say Jack wanted me to attend a formal conversation with the Regional Manager, on Tuesday on Microsoft Teams. A little taken aback, I agreed and prepared myself for an interview I never really believed I would get.

Georgina was lovely and once again I felt positive throughout the hour-long process. Despite a slight technical glitch five minutes towards the end of the interview, everything went well, and I felt like I had at least achieved something. Practising for an interview is invaluable, and this would be a stepping stone towards others I had lined up in the future.

The next day was Wednesday, the day I had arranged my medical at 'Bupa Visa Services' in Perth city centre. This was a make or break day, where I would find out if I could actually stay in Australia or not. Darrell was also off work, so we got the morning train to Perth, where we had a coffee and slice of cake at 'Dome' in St George's Terrace. Not sure if that was particularly wise, eating sugary cake before a medical, but I had waited so long for this day, I just didn't care and enjoyed every bit of it and the peppermint tea to boot.

At 11.45 I arrived at the clinic; they began by doing a chest X-ray, followed by blood and urine tests, for HIV and Diabetes and then a full check up by a Doctor, who poked and prodded me about, took my weight and height and asked me a number of probing questions. I was in and out within half an hour; all done and dusted for the princely sum of $500. Shocking for what they actually did, but this was the last piece in the jigsaw, for my application to remain in Australia and all part of the course. This whole process will have ended up costing me near on $20,000 by the end, whether I fail the medical or not. This is of course the only stumbling block to us settling in Australia. If I fail it, I am out, and we will have to leave. I won't know for a while whether I am home and dry or not. I just hope to God it is positive news for a change.

Medical complete, Darrell and I headed to The Belgian Beer Café for a well-earned pint of Stella. Here we met Darrell's old school friend Dana, who was an absolute delight. It was great to talk to someone outside our rather close, small group of friends, who understands more than most, the difficulties we had experienced on our journey together. We don't often get the time to spend with other people, so it makes a pleasant change to listen to others perspectives on life. Dana said all the right things and made both of us feel content with our choices, who could really ask for more.

From The Belgian Beer Café, we headed to Durty Nelly's for a cheap Wednesday Sirloin Steak and chips, costing the equivalent of £9.00 a pop. That is amazing value, and it is always cooked to perfection, and tastes great. For me, sat in this little Irish bar, I am transported back to Europe; it is an oasis in the middle of a large city, where Darrell and I can unwind and relax. Topped off with an ice cream from London Court, and we had reached the end of a perfect sunny day in Perth; In less than 24 hours I would find out if I had the job or not. I wasn't holding out too much hope, but a little piece of me just dared to dream... What if?

Early Thursday morning, Elissa phoned. I held my breath, preying we would finally get some good news. She began by congratulating me on three perfect interviews, followed by - the offer! Yes, the offer of a full time position, earning approximately $60,000 a year before enhancements and Superannuation on top. She mentioned a number of other benefits, but I was too busy dreaming to take it all in. I had actually got a position I wanted in a few days, with hard work and determination. If everything else works out, and I pass my medical, this would literally be the new start we both need and that last piece of the jigsaw would be within reach at last; I can nearly taste the freedom. Of course, nothing is over until the fat lady sings and the pessimist is still lurking large, but maybe, just maybe, we can start to live our life again!

More Marmite(ish) products to add to my stash today. Only yesterday I was thinking about Twiglets, as you do, and how I really fancy a packet or two for Christmas. Well today, I ventured down the British isle in Coles to get some 'Our Mate' or Marmite for those living in the UK, and found my all-time favourite, go to snack of choice, Twiglets! They were pricey, but not that expensive, a little over $2.00 a packet, so not too bad and when I raid my piggy bank tomorrow, I shall be back to buy the lot. Christmases are made of these.

I also tried a Coles Vegemite Scroll; the next best thing when you can't find a Marmite spin off, is a Vegemite one, because they taste more or less the same. It tasted delicious, even though I can't abide Vegemite itself. For a poor old British expat like me, it is the perfect salty alternative and highly recommended if you are in Coles, Midland Gate.

Stay safe y'all!

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Sunday Morning Catch Up!

27/11/2022

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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back!

22/11/2022

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These last few days have been something of a rollercoaster, one minute we get some good news, the next nothing but. Sitting here today writing this blog, I have literally given up on predicting the future, because it is so bloody difficult at the moment.

After being told by The Commonwealth Bank that we could both get a mortgage, we decided to start looking for properties to buy. Within a few short days, we found a one bedroom unit not far from where we are now. The tiny house was small but perfectly formed, offering everything we needed and more. It was freshly decorated, had a sizeable garden and security shutters back and front. Situated in a small cul-de-sac of seven similar properties, well maintained and looked after, it would have been the perfect bolthole for us. When travelling, we could have just locked up and left, knowing the unit would be secure in our absence. To say I was quite excited would be an understatement; this was a home I wanted for us both, so we did our very best to secure it, without delay.

This was Sunday afternoon, but I duly emailed our Mortgage Advisor at the bank, and he said he would do some figure work for us when he returned from a Barbecue later that evening. In the meantime, the Real Estate Agent came over, and we made an offer of $229,000 on the property, after filling out pages and pages of paperwork. All going well, we should have been in within a few weeks - yes, that is how fast things are done here.

The next morning, I awoke with bad news; Darrell had not been in his job long enough to secure the Mortgage we wanted. He was told to submit payslips over the next few months, so they had more of an idea of his wages, and then they would think again, hopefully making us an offer for the full amount. This was not the answer we wanted, and we were both pretty deflated as we headed for a day out in Perth. Immediately we pulled out of the deal and will just have to wait a little longer before we find somewhere else to call home. In many respects it was our own wishful thinking that got us here, we were so focused on getting out of my Mothers-in-law's house, that we didn't really think about how long we had been back in Australia. It was after all only two months ago we were travelling around Thailand. The fact they offered us a Mortgage at all was a surprise. For now, we will just take one step at a time!

It wasn't all bad news yesterday. While sitting on the train to Perth I received a message from my lawyer, who said my partner application had been lodged with the Government and I needed to pay the $8085.00 (£4511.43) fee to ensure the application would not have to be resubmitted. Yes, that was a shocking amount of money to lose in one day, but I was finally on the road to residency and within a year I should be able to call Australia home. It is great news everything has started to move in the right direction, despite the high costs involved.

Within a few weeks, I should hear about my medical examination and will have to spend yet money to have it done. I was also told I could apply for my Medicare Card straight away, which I did this morning, at Centrelink in Midland. I suppose I was expecting it to be hard, having dealt with the official side of Australia before, but it was actually straight forward. After booking in at the front desk, (oddly I had an active Centrelink account) I waited no more than ten minutes to be seen, by Darlene, who spent most of the appointment coughing her guts up, to my horror. With COVID on the rise here again, I just got on with it, what else can you do now. I asked if she was alright, to which she replied (I hope so), which didn't instil much confidence in me.

She took my details and immediately told me I already had a Medicare card, and I just needed to reactivate it. This card was from 1997 and my second trip down under. I couldn't actually believe how easy it was to reinstate it. After a lot of questions about my marital status, I was good to go with immediate effect. She duly wished me luck and politely asked me to return to the office once my bridging visa kicks in, so they could make 'everything permanent,' whatever that means. Anyway, by that time, I just wanted to leave; her coughing was just getting worse and worse and I thought it was best to take my leave, no matter how chatty and agreeable she was!

With my Tax File Number also being processed, and the Bridging Visa now activated, but remaining inactive until 28th December, I am hoping the process of getting a job will be more or less pain free. The biggest concern for me now is the impending medical. As someone who tends to suffer from health anxiety on occasion, I am understandably worried about the outcome. At my age they could find anything wrong, but the hope is, I've done enough to avoid any difficulties obtaining a visa on health grounds. Putting all worries aside, I hope to live a relatively normal life until my permanent residency is granted. Then I will have the freedom to leave and go as I please; I am counting down the days until this happens, after all, travel is my life. In the meantime, it's sit tight for now, keep my nose clean and follow the rules, to ensure my transition to Australian life is as trouble free as possible. I have done as much as I can to make sure that happens; the hard bit comes next!

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From a new life in spain, to an old life in britain, 'roaming brit' documents uncertain times!

Training Week in Joondalup!

It feels so nice to actually have a home again - After years of travelling, we've finally come home!

Countdown to Moving Day!

Cor Blimey, It's been a Scorcher!

New Year, New Home!

Hyacinth Bucket of Aussie Prospector? You decide!

Settling into Expat life, in Gran Alacant!

Just One More Piece In The Jigsaw Left!

Sunday Morning Catch Up!

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back!

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