Stellathedog
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Well done Jane and Clive! Let's hope it goes all the way and you are living your dream soon. As they say, it only takes one person to buy, and seems you have found that one. Hope next week is better than this one. Cheers Pam
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You are indeed lucky to be on the rollercoaster that a cpv is. I am a grandma here to 2 gorgeous girls, 3, and 3 months! It is the most amazing wonderful 'job?' Unpaid in currency but overpaid in special moments!! My only grandson is in Sydney, he is coming up for one year old. I miss him sooo much, especially after a surprise visit a few weeks ago from him and his mum. My OH doesn't think we should move as it would leave daughter here with far more to handle than daughter in Sydney presently has. We are going for 10 weeks at the end of the year, so might be able to have a rethink all round. Enjoy your ride everyone, I'm enjoying it with you, warts and all!! Pam
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Many thanks for this. Have you, or anyone you know, used them? I'm always a bit twitchy with insurance policies and what they will or will not cover. It certainly sounds a good idea anyway, so thanks again. Pam
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Oh Chudleighval, how I feel for you when your Daisy was ill. So glad to hear she is better now. Also good to hear that you can jump a flight pretty quickly when necessary. I live just a bit further down the m4 from you (by the K&A canal!) and it has crossed my mind before just what would you do in those dreadful circumstances. I have just returned from Heathrow, taking my daughter and grandson to go back to Sydney. I feel pretty lousy now, even though I have two granddaughters here. It is pretty inspiring to hear stories like yours, thank you for sharing. Sure all will go well with the meds and you'll soon be back on the other side. Cheers Pam
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Oh Katie, well done! I had ummed and arred for so long about when to leave, I even emailed my practice manager to forewarn her what was coming, before I actually saw her to give in my notice. Wimp, I know....... I just have 2 days more to work and then that is it. Freedom to go wherever, whenever just not the extra cash to pay for it. I have sort of decided to start using savings. I remember telling my Mum when she was living with us to spend her money, I just hope my girls agree with that philosophy for me??????? How fantastic that Amy may be coming with you, although sad that her relationship has ended. Will be thinking of you over the Easter weekend and imagining you walking round with a big grin on your face. Enjoy!! Cheers Pam
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Thanks for this Phoebe, I actually became 'pensionable age' in January this year, although turned 60 last September. I do get some pension, but in reality only enough for a couple of loaves of bread (no fish!). Seems because I worked parttime at weekends selling houses and therefore had to pay a NI stamp, some of those credits got overridden. However the NI stamp was only the lower married womans one, so no pension credit came from them. The pension people do make up to a certain basic level because of my husbands payments, so we aren't destitute! Sorry to have misled you by saying I get no pension, I do get some just not a lot. I really appreciate you passing on the pension link though, it may be of help to others who are nearing retirement. Thanks again, Pam
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Hi Katie and Phoebe Seems we are all in the same boat with offspring here and in Aus. You guys are just braver than me/us!! Maybe after the 10 weeks over there at the end of the year, it will give us the push to go or settle?! Like you Katie I am working my last week at work next week, so will have more flexibility from there on. (Not that I will get any pension, as I stayed at home with the children, then only paid the 'married womans stamp' when I did work and then spent the last few years looking after my aged Mum) I decided that money wasn't the main concern after my big brother who lives in the US had another major heart attack and it was the final reminder that NOW is the only time we have. Tomorrow we don't know about!!! Good luck to both of you, I hope one day to be following in your footsteps........and Katie, once you actually hand in your notice, there is a huge sense of relief, enjoy it!! Cheers ladies, Pam
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Hi Phoebe thanks for the quick reply. I have used wotif in the past and had some great bargains! I did go see my daughter last year on my own, to see new grandson before he got too big (6 weeks old), and I ended up going to bed at 8.30 pleading tiredness, but just to give them time on their own!! After a few days of this, my daughter said please stay and keep s.i.l company as she wanted to go to bed early!!!! Can't win eh?? I'm sure you will think I'm mad, but I do envy you so much saving for your 2nd vac. I would go tomorrow, but OH isn't the same opinion and we would leave another daughter here with two other grandchildren. I am retiring from work next week and just feel time is now for a bit of an adventure??? Sorry, rambling now. Thank you for your thoughts. Will keep an eye on your progress. Enjoy your new grandchild. Cheers pam
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Hello Phoebe Just a quick question for you (if you don't mind me asking?). Do you stay with your family for the whole 3 months or do you rent somewhere, or go off for weeks? I only ask because we are going out again later this year, end of October to January, and we don't want to 'impose' on our daughter and s.i.l, but we do want to see them as much as possible. She assures us we are 'no trouble' and are more than welcome to stay the whole time, but I still wonder. Want to be there to help, and to see only grandson, who we won't have seen for a year! Reading this back, I sound very paranoid, but I just wondered what other Mums/Grandmas/Daughters think????? Cheers Pam
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Hi Les Quiet congratulations to you! All the best for your Dad...... I know from the past what a difficult time it is and for me that was without the added visa scenario! Keep strong Cheers Pam
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Hi Peewit Can I ask who you use to find furnished rentals in Sydney? We are coming over in October for 2plus months and don't want to be in our daughters place 24/7. Not fair on them (or us!) Any advice gratefully taken. Cheers Pam
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Thanks for that Matt. Decided we are too 'chicken' to leave the airport, so have booked the Crowne Plaza, apparently in T3?! Will take the tourbus trip to see bits of the city on the way out and not have a hotel at all. Hope you enjoyed your weirdo brekkie:wink: Cheers Pam
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Hi SirMatt101 Hope the next leg of your journey goes as smoothly! We have just booked with singapore airlines and have also got the extra legroom seats upstairs. (Reasoning that it was the nearest we could afford to business class?????) Can you say which hotel you were in and whether it was worth it? Good luck to you in your new life, wish we were doing the same , rather than just a 2 month holiday. Cheers Pam
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Thanks for that Mike. Can you also give us a quick explanation of the real estate terminology. I get a bit confused with villas, duplexes and townhouses. How do they compare to our bungalows houses and semi detached? It sounds like I am really stupid, but it does get confusing doesn't it? Cheers pam
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Simply can't get everyone to think the same as me??????? I'm actually going on my own next week, but hubby is coming with me again in the spring and we intend to stay for a long trial. The trial will be both how we get on over there and how our daughter left here will get on without us (we do help a lot with childminding). Nothing worthwhile is ever easy is it????? How lovely for you in November to have all your family together again. Enjoy! Pam
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Phoebe! Can't believe you left the best bit to the end. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!! I too have another grandchild due in February, that will be two here in UK and one in Oz, who I will meet in 5 days time, not that i'm counting????? Waiting for the cpv must be a nightmare, but I envy you that wait, as we can't do it yet. Congratulations again, Pam x
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Congratulations! I can imagine the state you are in, glad you found time to share your good news though. Thankyou! Sure you'll manage the 49 days limit, no problem! Cheers An envious Pam
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Hello Wilma I'm sure someone will come on this thread and give you an idea of when. Just wanted to say there is a 'sticky' Parent Visa thread at the top of the migration pages. Expect you'd find it there and get regular updates too. Hope you hear something soon! Cheers Pam
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Hello Sheila Welcome! Gill certainly is a mine of information, as are a lot of the other posters. To send Gill a PM, just click on her name Gollywobbler on the left of any of her posts and a drop down menu appears. Choose 'send private message' and follow instructions. Hope you find all you are looking for! Pam ps To Gill, Sorry I only just realised this was 'addressed' to you. Apologies!, Pam
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Thanks for explaining your 'name' Gollywobbler!! It's fascinating to hear these things! Must say you sound a lovely posh bird, especially as you went to school near me here in Wiltshire. That said you are so so helpful to everyone on here, thank you!!!!!!!! Pam x
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Hi, certainly wish you all the luck! I am very envious! Will follow your progress....... Cheers Pam
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Thanks for your replies Gramanne and Mike. Seems really strange skyping my daughter last night, for her to be shivering in front of a fan heater, when last time we were there we were baked in the middle of the night! Again thanks for your replies, maybe I will swim by you without knowing at Leichard or drive by you in the very well used tunnel.................
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Hello Graham and Anne Welcome to PIO! You'll find a lot of similarities to others on this thread, not least, the children on Oz. Our daughter is in Russell Lea and we have visited four times already, last time in January this year. I am coming on my own in September to see a new aussie, due July 12th! We use the pool at Leichard and run the Bay Run (in my case walk!). It is a lovely area and I am quite envious of you living there. We still have one daughter here in Wiltshire with her husband and our first granddaughter, so we can't make a move yet. I am still holding on to the hope that we will all be together there at some point. One question for you, how long before you get used to the high heat/humidity that descends occasionally? The temperature was 39 when we arrived in January and didn't get much cooler even at night. Sadly it put off our SIL and he is quite adamant now that he doesn't want to live where it is so hot. Anyway, I am sure your knowledge will be much appreciated on the forum, so again welcome! Pam
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Quote: The 2010-11 Parent Migration program will consist of: 1000 places for Parent category visas; and 7500 places for Contributory Parent category visas Of these it is expected that in the Parent category, approximately 700 places will be allocated to Parent (Subcalss 103) visas and 300 places will be allocated to Aged Parent (Subclass 804) visas. In the Contributory Parent category, it is expected that approximately 7000 places will be allocated to Contributory Parent (Subclass 173 or Subclass 143) visas and 500 places will be allocated to Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 884 or Subclass 864) visa. The above quote is from BE, assuming that its pukka, the time for a parent visa will be ridiculously long unless you are willing to do the contributory route. Maisies, yours is the second onshore visa I've heard in the last few days that has gone through really quickly. It's a really tempting way to go, although I would need my husband with me as he is the 'aged' one. We were out in Sydney in January/February this year and our daughter told us we were to be grandparents in July! So, I am going back in August to see the new one. Sadly, we cant afford two of us going again so quickly, but as its my birthday then (the big 60!) I got the trip! It really seems if you can get the onshore option, you can do everything quickly. Maisies, any info on the way you handled your application would be much appreciated. Good luck to all in the various queues, Pam
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<p>Hello Andy & Kelly, Gill has sent your names to me after I was asking about ways of getting my son inlaw into locksmith jobs in Aus. If you can help in any way with suggestions I would be very grateful. Gill suggested you and s.i.l talking on the phone. If you are up for this, I will speak to Dunc (s.i.l) and send you his phone number. If you prefer email or PM please do that.</p>
<p>Many thanks either way, Pam</p>