Fiona&Ricky

<p>Hi Deb Glad everything is going well and you will have a home soon. Our container left the UK about 10 weeks before we did so it arrived on our driveway as we pulled up from the airport. Very exhausting unpacking on the day you arrive, but got it over and done with. Hope Lou is ok. Look forward to hearing from you . Fiona xx</p>

<p>Hi Sam, you've probably heard from Sereena by now, we're meeting in Macarthur Square at 11am. Do you want to go together again or have you got some running around to do. Hope you mum's ok. Mine arrive 2 weeks today!!!! Fiona xx</p>

<p>Hi Sam, you have a crazy life. I think it's something to do with having girls who dance - mine's very similar! Give me a call if you have a gap over the weekend. Tasha injured her back in rehearsals yesterday afternoon but managed to pull of a great performance last night after a load of painkillers. See you soon Fiona xx</p>

<p>You probably won't read this before you go, but if you do RELAX, have a good flight and call us when you arrive. See you soon!!!</p>

<p>Fiona xx</p>

<p>My mum and dad arrive 3 weeks on Wednesday - haven't seen them for two years! Glad the hangover passed in time for lunch. Hope you get a good nights sleep before you fly - I don't know about you but I can never sleep on a plane. I just watch the same movie about 4 times. Who are you flying with. I'm guessing you probably land about 6am in the morning, if you do it's still cold at that time in the morning so make sure you keep something warm to put on. Happy packing Luv Fiona x</p>

<p>Sounds like you had a good time, can't wait to see the piccies. How did the kangaroo suit go down? I'm sure by Sunday lunch the hangover will have passed and major hunger would have kicked in. Is it the 2nd Sept you leave? I'm sure you must have started packing by now (unless you're like me). Enjoy the last few days in good old England Luv Fiona x</p>

<p>Hi Deb, Have a fantastic party. I can tell you from experience that it won't seem like you are actually saying goodbye, so just enjoy yourself. Have a good flight - hope you get some sleep. Give us a call when you arrive - can't wait to finally meet you. Flu has finally left the building and we are all back to school on Monday. It is also warming up here - just in time for you. Have fun. Fiona x</p>

<p>Hi Sam, will text you my number and email address. Girls are still sick with flu so next weekend would probably be better for us as well. Have a good weekend. Luv Fiona</p>

<p>Hi, We don't have a gym here but there is one in Narellan and Camden. They are starting to build Harrington Grove which will have a country club and a gym. We have soccer fields, an oval (cricket and AFL, plus it is great for letting the dog off for a run as it is completely fenced) tennis courts, Basketball courts & miles of cycle tracks. Around the lake are exercise stations for sit-ups, pull-ups etc plus the lake is a good place to run. There are also parks dotted around Harrington Park - good for picincs. We also have a supermarket, butcher, baker, newsagent, pharmacist, restaurant, take-away, hairdresser, doctor, dentist and a coffee shop. There is also an estate agent who can hopefully find the home of your dreams. Hope that is helpful. Fiona</p>

<p>We have a doctor's surgery and a dentist at Harrington Park, also a pharmacist. We seem to use the doctor all the time - both girls off with flu at the moment, I'm sure it's now only hours before it gets me!! Good to hear Lee has an interview, it will make things a lot easier not worrying about getting a job. Keep hunting for houses - been there, done that - it's frustrating when you see something you like and you can't do anything about it. You must be counting the days down by now. Fiona</p>

<p>I think the feeder school from Harrington Park is Elizabeth Macarthur High School. Don't know much about the high school but I have heard that Harrington Park is really good. Because you are part way through the year you should try all the schools as people leave during the year and the ones that wouldn't have places in Jan may have places now. Once you have Jake in, Lou should get into the same school. Because we looked at the Catholic system we didn't check out the others. Nice timing Lee! Hope he has a comfy seat on the way out here. Fiona</p>

<p>Like I said before, anything we can do to help. Do you already have your residency. When we arrived we didn't and as non-residents you have to pay $4,000 a year even for a public school. If was actually half the price for us to pay for Catholic education. If you already have your residency no problem. Don't worry about buses - most of the friends he makes will be on the bus (although saying that I'm so glad Jodie will have her older sister next year - Jodie has no sense of direction). Big vehicles are the norm here, my CRV even looks small parked to most of them. Stop worrying - it will all work out Fiona</p>

<p>Hi Deb, Had a good day today, we will all have to get together when you arrive - not long now. It's poured with rain today and been freezing. I have two miserable kids at home with flu - can't wait for the warmer weather. Also have a very bouncy dog who won't get a walk today (her choice not mine). Have you got any schools in mind or are you going to wait until you get here? Fiona</p>

<p>You bad girl!! Harrington Park doesn't actually have a bmx park but it has miles of cycles paths and on the soccer field is a hill that lots of kids use. Tasha goes to Magdalene Catholic High School and Jodie goes there next year. At the moment Jodie is at St Paul's in Camden. Magadalene is about 4 mins from Harrington Park and St Pauls about 8 mins (by car - bus would take a few mins longer). I'm not sure about skate parks having 2 girls. Glad you're getting excited about your new venture and not just stressed. On Friday I'm meeting up with a couple of other people I've met through PIO - it's a good site.</p>

<p>Hambledon Circuit is probably about 10 mins staggering distance from our house. I'm not very confident about driving to places I don't know. I'm fine locally, but Rick always drives when we go into the City. I had to drive to Wollongong for a course as part of my job - the first trip was a bit nerve-racking but by the 4th day I was ok. I passed the theory test first time so it can't be that hard, when I took mine in the UK it was about 4 questions asked sitting in the car. I have heard that you don't have to take it anymore if you have a uk licence, but I'm not sure. At least we drive on the same side of the road! Harrington Park just has one shopping centre but they have built so many new footpaths that you can walk there from most of Harrington Park. We often do our weekly shop at Harrington Park, Coles has most of what we need. I know most people do rent when they arrive but it's annoying if you see an amazing house and you are stuck in a 6 month contract. Fiona</p>

<p>Tasha does everything, but Sunday was a modern expressive section. She also sang and got a highly commended. Competing again on Sunday night at Port Kemba (south of Wollongong), it's going to be a late night! So you have decided to bring the lotus with you - I've always said if ever went back to the UK I would take my car as I finally have my dream car - a silver Honda CRV Sport - it took me long enough to get it! It hasn't rained here for a while and it's the middle of winter!! don't stress Fiona</p>

<p>Weather a bit cold here, but will be warming up when you arrive. Sounds like an interesting wedding. Natasha competed with her dance solo for the first time last night and got 1st place, so a good weekend. It is nearly time, you'll be here before you know it! Fiona</p>

<p>I only have 1 sister who has four kids. The oldest is nearly 22 so grandchildren may appear in the near future (although if they do he'll have some explaining to do to my sister!) The longest my mum and dad have been out is 5 weeks but it is usually 3. This time they are landing in Perth and getting the train to Adelaide and then Sydney - so I miss out on a week with them. My dad find the summer here too hot but I don't think there's such thing as too hot. Enjoy the wedding especially the pampering bit. Fiona</p>

<p>When I told my mum we were going to Australia her response was "oh dear" - not quite what I was expecting. My parents have been here 4 times now and after their first visit, they saw how much more we had and what a great education the kids were getting and have never made us feel guilty. I keep trying to convince them they should join us but with my sister living in Torquay one of us will always miss out on them. They are 76 now and as they get older it will get harder to be apart. Target is a store here that sells clothes similar to Next but we still look forward to our Next pressies from England. Fiona</p>

<p>Not sure what express sales means other than maybe a quick sale wanted. Things move much faster here than in the uk. We went from viewing to moving in in a month. How are the kids feeling with only 2 weeks to go. When my two left their school I was the only one crying. Have you started packing yet - does all the 'Next' stuff fit in? Fiona</p>

<p>First time buyers get a $7,000 grant which we missed out on as we weren't residents at the time. Sorry this is short and sweet - late for work. Fiona</p>

<p>My girls do drama, singing , musical theatre and dance at a local dance school. Tasha also competes and is doing so on Saturday in a solo singing section and a modern expressive dance section. I am a teaching assistant at St Paul's or an SSO (School Support Officer) as we are called out here and I work with the children with special needs (aspergers, austism etc). I work 24 hours a week which is 4 school days, I also get all the holidays off which is the best bit. I did the job for 4 years in England and now nearly 5 years here. I work in year 6 a lot so I spend a lot of time with Jodie - I am going to miss her next year. Rick is Product Manager for a company that sells concrete cutting and polishing equipment. He has been with them for 12 years - 7 in the uk and 5 here. I think your departure will be a lot less traumatic without family, you can just check-in, have a McDonalds and check out the shops. Make sure you call us when you get here. If you need anything when you get here especially when you are in the caravan please ask, we are more than happy to help.</p>

<p>Fiona</p>

<p>You'll be pleased to hear it isn't all Aussie rules footy over here, loads of kids play soccer and with loads of local teams Jake will be able to get back into it easily, especially if he is as good as he sounds. When we had our leaving party it didn't seem like a leaving party, just a really good bash. Even at the airport it didn't seem real saying goodbye to everybody. My mum and dad have been here four times including their viist in a few weeks, but the older they get the more I worry they won't come out any more. We have just got back from Natasha's Year 9 electives meeting so now lots of thinking time needed to make sure she makes the right choices. Top of the list is drama. As you have probably guessed she is seriously into the Performing Arts. We got Tasha an Apple laptop last Christmas. The high school is now doing a lap top programme in year 7 where all kids get one and we pay for it over 4 years but Tasha missed out by one year. Would love to see piccies of you dressed as a singing kangaroo - have fun!! Fiona</p>