Stellathedog
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Everything posted by Stellathedog
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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
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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