JoandJon

If it's into Oz (i.e. for the return journey) there is info available here: http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/avm/vessels/yachts/pets Your best bet is probably to contact DAFF directly for more specific advice

We're big Weber fans - as for the BBQs we've got 2 charcoal ones for proper BBQing and smoking, and also a Gas 6 burner for quick BBQing / cooking snags for crowds. (We also like Webber, but I imagine he'd be difficult to use as a BBQ)

Angle grinders are one of the definite 'NO' items on TFBs (Total Fire Ban Days), (as is pretty much anything that can create a spark. A gas/electric BBQ is ok IF you're within a certain distance from the house, and have ready access to a certain volume of water to immediately put out any problems. But if you're not within a certain distance of a permanent dwelling .... There are also restrictions on the lighting and use of fires (less strict than TFB restrictions) during the entire 'fire season' in many places. More info on the CFA website too - http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/restrictions-during-the-fire-danger-period/

Cheers The baby girl is almost 8 months now ! (and I'm rarely on PIO anymore) speaking of which... must dash, off to the wilds of Gippsland for work

The drive up to Sydney is easy - motorways pretty much the whole way. But as others have said - definitely take breaks more often than every 4 hours!!! (Remember you'll need to account for the moron factor - i.e. keep alert so you can avoid morons on the road) Depending on what side of Melbourne you're coming on, I'd probably break the journey at Wangaratta or Benalla, then the other side of Albury etc etc. And remember that once you cross the border the quality of the coffee can be unreliable .....

We'll be there

Jon brought a decent chunk of his woodworking hand-tools and power tools with him and is very glad he did. He just wishes he'd brought more with him now!! But this isn't because the quality here is rubbish (because it's not - it depends on what you buy, as with anywhere) but because it all adds up, all the little bits and pieces you don't think about .... Just make sure the electrical systems are compatible .... (I have no idea about Germany, I think it would be ok ...)

The next request you get, simply reply and say something along the lines of: ' That would be a FABULOUS time to come, OH desperately needs a few extra hands to (crutch the sheep/drench the lambs/fix the fences/mow the lawn/tip the cows) and I've got a STACK of (composting/manuring/seeding/weeding/painting) to do. Bad news is that we're running really short of wine/beer, meat and money, so if you don't want a dry, vegetarian diet then please make sure to bring along a decent selection to share ' If they're true friends they won't mind helping and bringing stuff along

Awww great big hugs Tony. And what a beautiful message.

pretty sure you cant bring the bird at all ... check out aqis website to be sure. feeding baby sorry bout typing!!

That should give you a good chance to figure out if it's for you or not The cinema at Belgrave is fabulous too - much nicer than the big soul-less megaplexes - good luck with it all!

We've got two golden labs at the moment - Satch of course (who we brought over from the UK) and we're also fostering an elderly golden girl called Blondie (who's also blind). Satch is around 32kg - she's quite tall for a female, and Blondie is around 36kg - but a shorter girl (she really needs to lose at least 6kg, probably more). We're working on getting Blondie's weight down for when her owner gets her situation sorted out. It's simply a matter of less food - as you say hard when kids help ... Just keep cutting the main feed down until you're seeing the difference And well done so far!

We didn't have to put new tyres on - but they were in pretty good nick

Telstra have a pre-paid option that lasts up to 12 months (depending on how much you top up) Do a search for 'Telstra pre-paid long life' or browse from their website http://www.telstra.com.au And pretty sure they still have the best coverage in most places

Look for somewhere that's a proper PADI centre and go for it. I learnt in Merimbula NSW, and they were great