Lurkio

Well that's good to hear! Time is dragging for us as we've been playing the waiting game for a while. We're still in Norfolk England for now - just east of Norwich. We plan to move June/July at the end of the school year.

Oh I'm sorry Tinkerbell. Keep your chins up and hopefully something better will come along. x

Hi Hogan. 5 months in - are you still lovin it? :yes: By the way, your location shows Norfolk. Is that Norfolk England or Aus?

I'm 48 and the OH (main applicant) is 40. We got our visas last year and will be making the move this year (hopefully with our two Sons). The OH is a mechanic so we're hoping he'll be ok. I'm a conveyancer and my job doesn't exist in Aus so I'll be retraining - or retiring :wink: I hope you can find your path x

Fantastic! Thank you for popping on to give us your update. It's always to great to hear some good news. I hope things continue to go well for you x

Thanks Milo - and back atcha x

Nothing wrong with looking keen though Barry. Besides, what have you got to lose? Good luck anyway.

It's quite normal nowadays for indemnity insurance to be requested to cover the lack of a FENSA Cert. I think it's a rip off myself, as I've never yet heard of anyone actually claiming on the insurance. It's reasonably cheap though and would cover you if the Council did ever come aft

Wow - a baby! That's fantastic - congratulations twice over xx

hi we found remove essential tools from box ,we were quoted 350 for 45 kilos air freight then ship your tool box in the container you can then put other stuff in the tool box space

You're a long time dead. Go. xx

Just heard that yet another of our good friends has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He gave up the weed many years ago, whilst his wife carried on with her 40 a day... it's the third time this week that I've heard similar news and frankly, tonight I've come home with my head in my hands (like the headless huntsman) and I wonder if my years of smoking will catch up with me one day. Sorry to dump my angst online - but sometimes you just need to say something out loud.

Yup - still same advice about declaring conviction

Heck I've just noticed that you are on a tourist visa. So the validation bit doesn't apply to you. Sorry to be misleading.... Have a wonderful holiday in Aus.. you never know, you may end up applying for a permanent resident visa when you get back!!

No love. Your visa is validated at the airport when you enter Australia - presumably Perth Airport? It's automatic and you don't have to do anything except actually go there within the time boundaries that you are given when your visa is granted. Your trip sounds lovely. Enjoy!!

S'no prob. Yup, like I said, declared on visa application and also on flight in. Don't know if you have to declare it every time we enter Australia or just on the validation trip. Where are you planning on being around Perth?

It was as we were going through the passport control bit. He showed his passport at the desk and by the time the short formalities had been gone through there was someone waiting to speak with him. The only question he was asked was "what was your offence". He replied that it was drink driving and the imigration bloke simply said "good, that's what we were looking for". Really that simple - so there is nothing to be gained and potentially everything to lose by not declaring it.

Definitely - honesty at all times when it comes to visa stuff. My H has a drink driving conviction from years back that he declared on his visa application, and when we went in to validate he was actually pulled to one side and briefly questioned about it before being allowed to enter Australia.

I wouldn't take any chances with an ear problem for a Lab or any other dog for that matter. Aching ears are flippin miserable aren't they. I don't know of anything over the counter that will work and would hot foot down to the vet. I'm going to keep an eye on this thread though in case someone else comes up with something good.

I'm so sorry to read of your loss. Time heals it's true, but remember the good times and make no effort whatsoever to forget. More hugs to you :hug:

Totally agree - just think - every time you need something for the first time - you will need to buy it! Don't know how much needle and cotton, scissors, tape measure, screwdriver, calculator, rolling pin, thermometer, tweezers, (OMG the list is endless) cost in Australia - but I do know that I would soon spend the £3 - 3,500 that shipping will cost. Ok I will have to wait for 6 weeks for everything to arrive - but I wont need everything for the first 6 weeks will I? Just my opinion mind :wink:

Hmm - Jonny Depp - would he provide his own tub of chocolate hagen dazs do you think?

Well congrats to all the family and welcome to Jack :happy_face_mummy_bo

I did our 176 for Hubby, me and my two children with some help from the good folk at PIO. The Vetassess (now TRA) was the most time consuming bit, but if you are ok with paperwork and your application is straightforward (ie no messy child related stuff, criminal convictions involving jail time or medical issues) and you have the time to do it, then you can save yourself a tidy sum. If it's going to get complicated, consult an agent, at least to get advice on pathways. Other than that, this forum is great and people are happy to give you the benefit of their experience. You can usually find out what you need to know. Good luck with it.

Oh you poor old thing. I expect that reaction is setting in following your accident. It's good that no-one was hurt, but total pants that the car is a write off. I hope you get sorted out with another one at a decent price. As for your man - well, wait and see about that one. Tempers flare up and people stomp off in a paddy sometimes. I hope that it turns out the way you want it to. However I wonder out loud whether there were any issues that needed to be sorted out anyway? As Bex says, maybe he has been waiting for an excuse to get some stuff said? Maybe you were too? In any event, better out than in! As for Australia, are you the sort of gal who could happily do it alone? Only you know that. I think Australia is a lovely place with friendly people on the whole (from the short time I've spent there). It is however quite expensive to live there and until you are earning dollars I think you may well go through your savings at a heck of a rate if you aren't careful with your cash. Once you are earning dollars I maintain that the cost of living is not very different to England. Make sure you have enough cash to tide you over until you get employed. My advice for what it's worth is not to make any major decisions right now. Maybe your emotions are running a little high at the moment? Relationships come and go, and at 30 you are a young woman with the world spread out in front of you. Take some time to consider what's right for you. If it were me I would go off for a nice break in April and validate my visa. Look around, smell the coffee and enjoy the days. PS. Maybe we will be on the same plane. Oops - you posted again whilst I was writing this....