Stellathedog
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Hi Ann, Sorry to contradict you about NAB, but you can transfer money to them before you arrive to validate the account. I opened a NAB account online and then used Ozforex to transfer AUD into it for our holiday this time. There were no problems at all, once I had the account numbers, I entered them as the beneficiary from Ozforex and hey presto, money to spend when we arrived. It has actually been a godsend having aussie currency to draw directly on, they even gave us a visa card so we can buy online etc. You sound very organised with Westpac, but I just wanted to say NAB are good too! Must be 23 weeks now??????? ha ha Counting in weeks is much better isn't it? Our holiday is 10 weeks long, sadly we're over half way now, maybe I should go back to counting in months and say it's still another month here!!!! Cheers Pam
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Hello Mike Where are we? In the Hunter Valley, giving our daughter in Sydney a break from us!!! We have been in Aus for 5 weeks almost and sadly, the only thing we have realised is that our other daughter in UK would not be able to afford to live here. So I guess we are set for the travels between here and UK for the foreseeable future. Still, on the bright side, we won't have to go through the visa process!? We do both love the life out here and it's not just the weather, as that has been dire for the last week! There are just so many parks around for the children and safe places to walk/run for the older generations. Love it! Do you think the Aussies in general appreciate all these things? Small in the grand scheme of things, but so nice... Anyway that's where I am. As to where everyone else is, we will have to wait and see! Cheers Pam
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Hi Moira, Just to say that we opened an account with NAB before we arrived, albeit only on a long holiday. They were brilliant when we went to validate the account and opened a savings account to go with the current, and also we had a visa card sent within the week to our temporary address here. It helps when you want to order stuff online! We could not use internet banking until the account was validated, but now we can, it's a doddle moving money between savings and current, instantly where you want/need it!! Have to agree Forex is very good and very simple, thanks to all those that recommended this way of transferring money. We have only been here just over two weeks and have had a couple of days with 'sole charge' of our grandson. It was scary at first, but absolutely everyone we have met has been soooo helpful, even down to advice on what to buy for a 16 month old for Christmas! I could so easily stay here and become a fulltime grandma.............maybe one day????? Cheers Pam
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Thanks Fiz We certainly are happy here! Such a novelty to be able to travel so easily, especially on the air conditioned transport! How about you? Was all the hassle you had to get the visa worthwhile? Is there anything you would have done differently? Hope you don't mind the questions? Cheers Pam ps Saw The Jersey Boys at the Theatre Royal today and, if you haven't already seen it, I would recommend it! This was my second visit and it was just as good this time, but it finishes in December............
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We are here for 10 weeks with family in Sydney. Making the most of the $2.50 all day (anywhere?) tickets. City, Cronulla etc Going up to Terrigal on Sunday for a couple of days (treating to ocean view room at Crowne Plaza), hope it's worth it! We are going house hunting from there and wondered if anyone had any recommends of where to look for realistically priced areas. Will have to be nosy and look up in Woongarrah, as it looked so nice on Phils show! We've been here a week now and seem to be getting acclimatised already. Is this possible, or have we not had the best/worst of the heat yet? We will have a car so probably no further than an hour from Terrigal is the area we would be looking. Thanks Pam
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Well, after nearly a year planning this we are off to see Harry, our grandson, (and his parents)!!! We had an excellent flight here with Singapore Airlines, all the recommendations were great. I was somewhat p**ped when we arrived, all the tension about have I done everything etc???? We booked into T3 transit hotel for a few hours and that helped. The airport has a tremendous amount of things to do and 'stuff' to see, whatever age you are. Can't wait for the morning when we arrive in Sydney for 10 weeks with Harry. He wasn't walking last time I saw him, so that will be just so.........well all you ladies know what I mean (my OH can't understand why I get so emotional about it all!!) Have just skyped our granddaughter back in UK and she is excited for us too, although at 3 years old, she doesn't realise how long we will be away. Maybe it was the singapore sling in Harrys Bar, but really don't want to do this journey again, too emotional, give me the visa application forms and just wont go back:confused: Anyway, let me be the first to wish all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! See you in 2012 Cheers Pam
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What a gorgeous little girl!!! Hope her health continues to improve............ Cheers Pam:biggrin:
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Hi Phoebe I really feel for you having to make the decision to pull out. We too have just had problems with our business. Although OH had retired from it, we still had links and payments into a pension and we had hoped to sell our interest in it at some point! The economy and mostly the banks and their charges put the final nail in the coffin and the receivers were called in a month ago. As long as the banks don't come after us for guarantees we will walk away with our health, but nothing else, no pension, no future nest egg. Our health is the main thing and again, sorry to hear of your family health issues! Will you still visit for holidays while you are making your mind up? We are off at the weekend for 10 weeks with our grandson Harry, another sort of 'link' with you. Since we last saw him he has started walking and looks to be a real character when we see him on skype! I do hope to convince OH to think of applying for a visa while we are there, although we have 2 granddaughters here to consider. I just feel that this country is looking after the wrong people and sadly we pensioners, who have kept people employed for years and years, are not the ones! You are younger than me and you will have more chances in the future to start again. The right time will come for you and Harry will wait!!!!! Keep strong, Pam
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Oh my goodness!!!! You certainly don't let the grass grow under your feet! Good luck with the survey and have fun in your new home................the story continues.............. Cheers Pam
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Hello Phoebe As I intend going over as often as possible, to see only grandson Harry, I wanted to have some access to aussie funds and yesterday tried online to open NAB account. The process seemed really easy. Then, when I was making tea at 4 this morning!!, I saw an email from them, asking why I was applying as their 'rules' say you have to be going there for at least 6 months. I sent a reply back saying that the account would be for hopefully frequent holidays and also to buy Harry presents at any time. Had a reply from them by the time I got up again, saying they were going ahead with the application. Heres hoping!!!! Cheers Pam
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G&T on the central coast from K and M, meet up in Melbourne with you Moira..........any other offers??????? We are visiting from beginning of November till early January, so plenty of time to take up offers!!!! We will be with our daughter and family in Sydney, but will be trying to leave them on their own for a couple of days a week, although if we are needed for babysitting???????? I'm always up for that. Moira, this will be my 7th time of visiting and leaving each time gets harder. Won't stop me though, until I'm too old to travel!!!!!! I'm trying Singapore Airlines this time, as so many on here have said they are the best. When I booked back in January they were also the cheapest! Have a wonderful holiday, and if we venture to Melbourne again, I'll give you a shout!! Cheers Pam
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Hi Moira! I guess no-one has an easy life do they? Sorry to hear about your daughter, but you never know. The open door policy is always a good one. When do you hope to be in Melbourne? Looks like the times are coming down and the dollar rate going up!! Long may it continue that way........... I'll be keeping an eye on your progress1 Cheers, Pam
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Nicely put Moira, quite agree! Pam
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To Les and Wanda, Jane and Clive and all the others that have recently completed the PV process...........Congratulations!!!!!!!! I have been on here for over two years, aching to be one of you, wanting to be suffering the 'not knowing' of whether visas would be granted or when! Also knowing (in my heart of hearts) that I could not leave my daughter and two granddaughters here and therefore, won't ever be making that cpv application. Now, so many of the names I knew are on the other side in the sunshine and I just wanted to say "Keep in touch!" Mr Avalook, you have made me laugh so many times with some of your posts, and obviously been so helpful to people with their visa journeys, it would be sad not to see your name on any more posts. Jane and Clive, whenever you get to a computer again, I was thinking of you on Wednesday, wondering what the last minute outcome was. Glad it fell into place! Again, congratulations to all that are on, or about to be on the other side. Cheers Pam
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"not fair as others seem to get it who come into the country and haven't paid a penny into the system" I quite agree Ann. We had people come into our dental surgery having only been in the country a matter of days AND they had government paid for interpreters too! "What about British Nationals? I have paid taxes in the past. Nationality or past or present payments of UK taxes and National Insurance contributions are not taken into consideration when establishing residence. The only thing relevant is whether you ordinarily live in the UK." Thanks Steve, I didn't know this and actually find it quite shocking.
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Hi Pete and Marg I signed this this morning, but just wanted to say: If you're not sure if you have already signed, do try again as it won't let you sign in twice and better signed than not!! This is probably a last chance to get things changed, so let's hope they get the numbers they need. Cheers Pam
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Sounds like a good plan Fiz. As long as your carry on case will be big enough to hold the extra clothes! and you won't need access to the case during the flight. Doing battle with a full case in the aisle is never a good idea???? Those 4 days will fly by and drag............at the same time, if you know what I mean. I'm very envious of you! 59days till we leave for our visit, sadly we have to come back. All the best to you. Pam
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Fingers crossed for you! Do let us know......... Cheers Pam
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Oh Wow!!!!! What a fabulous way to begin your new life..............a very full on week, but I'm sure you will enjoy every minute........very envious and looking forward to hear all about your trip with Singapore Airlines as we are with them in October. Go girl!!!!!!!!!! Cheers Pam
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Congratulations Pete and Marg!!!!! Is that the sound of corks popping????? One day I'll be following you.........I hope...... Congrats again, Pam
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Oh dear John! I too took offence at your post, but I did not see the wink!! I guess some of us (me!) aren't up with using smileys and therefore don't actually see them. So, I apologise for the comments I made on your post (not that you or anyone saw or heard them) whilst enjoying my daily trail through this thread!!!!! All the best Pam
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Congratulations Chudleighval!!!! So there is a good reason for being awake at 4am!!!!!!!!! Have a wonderful new life, Pam
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Great update, thank you Keith and Margaret! The drop in your house price must have hurt, but the end justifies the means!! You are on your way, enjoy! Whereabouts are you heading on the CC? We will be there November and December, but sadly we will have to return to UK in January. (Haven't been able to convince other half yet) Have a brilliant new life, I'm sure your daughter is excited. Mine is and we are only going for a holiday. Cheers pam
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Fingers crossed again for you! This time it will all sail through, keep positive!! Pam
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Are you still looking at the stickers?????? The next lot of paperwork will be a doddle, after all you'll be filling them in in Sydney!! If I can convince the 'old man' after we have spent 10 weeks in Sydney (including Christmas) that it is the place to be, we'll follow your lead and start on '***ing paperwork'. Congratulations Pam