[ali]

Hi Girls,

As Gil said we've been here for almost a year and my daughter Alex had many of the same fears as you did. She hates bugs and spiders too and I can assure you we've never yet been bitten on the bum lol.

I know it's easy for me to say but try not to worry, having seen Alex make the move here and adapt so well (as did her younger brother), I'm sure you'll find it a piece of cake.

Of course you'll miss your friends, Alex was on msn all the time for the first few months, then less and less - she probably talks more to her Aus friends on it now than ther British ones. She keeps in touch with her very best friends via email, postcards etc., and you'll probably find that you stay friends with special people no matter how far you are away.

Alex made friends pretty easily, and she's a quiet sort of girl. She said that people are arriving all the time in school from lots of different countries and you're never the new kid for very long. She starts high school in Feb and is looking forward to that. Bullying at school is very much frowned upon (as in the UK) so don't worry about that.

It is chilly in winter and people do wear Ugg boots so bring them with you.

Hope this helps put your mind at rest

Ali