Phoenix16

Reminiscing about landing here on a 457 over 12 years ago and the rose tinted glasses, that many on here sought to shatter very quickly, still here, citizens and got PR within 12 months of landing.. things changed and it wasn’t so easy for a while, the doom and gloomers went into overdrive, posting messages designed to quickly shatter others roses tinted glasses, and constantly warn them ‘oh you can’t stay here forever’. Many of us came here on a whim and an opportunity and I feel it’s nice to see that for the determined, yes, there is a chance.. the chance we all got! Good luck to ya all xx

Just finished ‘The Palace Papers’ by Tina Brown, Not sure how accurate it is but enjoyed it, particularly the Camilla parts, she clearly loves Charles!

I also loved this book, I read it after I discovered Big Little Lies, which I just adored (and hated the americanised TV adaptation), I’ve persevered with her other books but just not found the same ‘magic’, I abandoned ‘Apples Never Fall’ half way through, which is something I never ever do without much thought, I just could not get into it and decided life was simply too short to push on…

The latest Robert Galbraith, AKA J K Rowling, ‘The Ink Black Heart’, absolutely brilliant and a bit of a tome at > 1000 pages, but I can’t put it down, a great series and this is book 6, The Cuckoo Calling was the first, I read it but didn’t love it, but was intrigued enough to get the next book and the series has just got better and and better, highly recommend this xx

Joined late and have not read previous posts so might be repeating… I read an article about how his accuser became a perpetrator, she apparently brought friends and acquaintances into the ‘circle’, she may once have been a victim but she eventually became no better than ghisilane maxwell.. I don’t really understand why she hasn’t been held accountable for her crimes along with the rest..

Another recommendation is ‘The Good Wife of Bath’ By Karen Brookes, based on the Geoffrey Chaucer Canterbury tales but a rollicking great read, especially for history buffs like me! And a final recommendation, Traitor King by Andrew Lownie, a very interesting insight into the life of ‘David’ and Wallis after he abdicated….

I’m going through a Greek mythology phase after reading Stephen Fry’s Mythos, Heroes and Troy. superb books and unfortunately have unleashed a Greek mythology passion in me!! I’m now about to embark on Madeline Millers Circe.. as my current fascination is Odysseus’s return to Ithaca after the Trojan war..!

And another local author, Natasha Lester! I have met her from afar through school drop offs and pick ups as our daughters go to school together.

Try it again, I tried many times to start it and gave up, when the final installment came out I gave it another go and just fell right into it, Thomas Cromwell is utterly fascinating in the book, you really grow to admire him and his tenacity, how amazing to have a family link, for that reason alone you have to give it another shot!! Xxx

Another book comment! I’m currently besides myself awaiting the release of Troy by Stephen Fry, it’s 3rd November and just cannot wait... it’s the follow up to Mythos and Heroes, just love them, brings Greek mythology to the masses in the most entertaining way, both books 10/10 again!

I’ve just finished ‘The morning and the Evening’ Ken Follet, a prequel to Pillars of the Earth, another massive tome to read but loved it and highly recommend!

Kept me guessing right to the end! It’s a very large tome but I just didn’t want it to end, 10/10 for me xx

Can’t disagree! It was frustrating at the time!

I think the initial response to covid was very different in the UK as it was in OZ, they possibly just didn’t appreciate the tough approach OZ took very quickly in closing its borders, I believe borders were still wide open there for quite a few months after ours closed. I think the reference to the visa is that as it’s such a ‘vulnerable’ one there was simply no way to get back into the country, definitely not blaming the visa just wanted to highlight how, in such a unique situation, It gave them no protection, as we all know temporary visas don’t... it just all happened so incredibly quickly and I just wanted to share the story..

So we have lovely friends who were over here on a 457, they were in between contracts for a month in Feb/Mar and decided to have a 4 week trip back to the ‘motherland’... they had vacated their house and left heaps of their stuff here (and I mean heaps) in the knowledge they would relocate closer to the new job on their return... and then covid went mad... I’m messaging initially to warn them they potentially couldn’t return and stay with us as they would need to self quarantine and I’m a nurse so clearly not here! I got messages back like ‘just off to the Lake District life is good, visiting old friends...’ I’m thinking they just don’t get this... my messages got more panicked like you really need to rethink your return them my message was the borders are closing... the new company contacted them to say If you can get to Heathrow on Saturday we will fly you back before the borders close and they were like oh we’re out and about visiting friends I don’t think we can get there for Saturday!! They just did not realise how serious it was here... anyway, they are locked out, the job has gone to someone else, we have had to pack 2 crates of their belongings to return to them, we still have a motor bike that they want returned to the UK and we are trying to sort that out, I can tell you it has been pretty stressful for us here. They feel pretty sad and upset at their situation and we miss them dearly but covid for us has increased both of our work demands (certainly not complaining, we are lucky) but organising all of their stuff has been stressful. Covid has also meant that my 6 months of childcare that was flying in June while I worked antisocial shifts for 6 months couldn’t happen, so the added stress has been managing it all between the 2 of us. Luckily the borders are closed and hubby can’t do his weekly flight to Sydney so I’ve been lucky in that respect!! Anyway, most are doing it worse and not complaining but yes, the dangers of a 457 very clearly highlighted in the worst way!!