JoandJon

And although the threat to Hotham has eased, Harrietville is at real risk right now .... (copied from the latest CFA update) HARRIETVILLE - FEATHERTOP Harrietvi...lle Effective: 25/01/13 7:42 PM Expiry: 26/01/13 1:00 AM Incident Information: There is a bushfire in the Harrietville area. The fire is backing down the hill and is in close proximity to Harrietville. Weather on the fireground has moderated, however residents need to remain vigilant to any changes to the situation. This bushfire is approximately 2900 hectares in size and is out of control.

I call the rain we got today 'pretendy-rain' not enough to be much use, although it did drop the temperatures.... Here's hoping we get a decent downpour (maybe take just a bit off Nth Queensland - I'm sure they wouldn't object) where it's needed most. And if anyone has ANY information about bloody fire-bugs, please call crime-stoppers or their local cop-shop...... (as tempting as it might be to tie them to a tree and set fire to it)

There are lots of options - it will depend a bit on where you live. Many schools have breakfast/after-school clubs etc, and there are other options too (e.g. family day-care type stuff

I'd be really interested, except the closest we have is Leo who's almost 3 .... Siena is much too young to be able to pretend she's listening

All of it

Australia DOES get public holidays if Xmas and Boxing day are on a weekend, ditto for all the other public holidays. Don't forget you also get 'leave loading' as well

They're pretty good - u'll need to buy a myki card ($6 - nonrefundable) plus put some money on the card for your journey. So long as your card has some money on it (even if its 20c) you can touch on for a journey (it will take the balance ibto negative) & then top it up later into positive again

It depends how long you have them in your cupboard Mine are pretty much the same as when I used them in the UK - and they are made in the UK so I assume they're the exact same stuff.

Mum & Dad live in the hills, and Dad commutes to the city every day. It's gorgeous up there, absolutely stunning

lol, we'd declared dog stuff b/c of other bits we'd included, but the grotty bag was amongst other stuff in a box! And yep that's Satch - she loves it here!! Not too keen on the stinking hot days - but she copes ok. Theres a few dog friendly beaches around here which are brilliant, plus parks etc etc. She wasn't brilliant in quarantine, (I was worse tho!) but she's a bit special on occasion anyway - and they did their best for her We used Spotswood (Melbourne)

We accidentally shipped a bag full of grotty tennis balls and dog-toys that were supposed to go to the local rescue centre - the packers were too quick for me!! They got through ok, but I wouldn't rely on that being the case! We bought her a new bed in Oz though When we went to visit Satch in quarantine (spotswood) they had her blanket from the crate on her bed (I assume they'd washed it), but one of her favourite toys I took in my luggage and brought it to her when I visited

There are loads of options for wildlife around Melbourne - and in Melbourne too As Petals said, for the best access you need to get out of the city, but within an hour or so of Melbourne are loads of options... They'll be different to Sydney and Brisbane, and whether you think they're better or not will be a personal opinion, not a statement of fact

It won't be cheap - sorry can't give you an idea, but various freight companies could help. You can get a porta-cot here for as little as $59 brand new (and yes it meets Australian standards), so I'd suspect that would be a cheaper option if you're after something until the rest of your stuff arrives (or if you're here for a holiday). Cheers p.s. Check out the following sites for some idea ... Porta Cots: http://shop.target.com.au/baby/travel-transport/portacots?viewType=grid&sortBy=latest&maxItemsPerPage=12 http://www.babybunting.com.au/cots-changetables-furniture/portable-cots.html?dir=asc&order=price Normal Cots: http://shop.target.com.au/baby/furniture/cots-mattresses?viewType=grid&sortBy=latest&maxItemsPerPage=12 We've recently bought the Phil & Teds Traveller and love it!! http://www.babybunting.com.au/cots-changetables-furniture/portable-cots/travel-cots/phil-teds-traveller-portacot-black.html

I'd get some advice from a well regarded agent to make sure you present your case / application the best you can,

I'd check rescues - you'll almost certainly find one that way

You can ship dog stuff, but you'll need to make sure its clean - and declare! It wont be allowed in the crate but u could attach something to the outside - check the aqis site to be sure ...

Since 29/12/12 ..... There is a visitor myki with discounts, but you dont get money back if u return it ... easy to use tho!

The other thing you may need to get done (i'd do it anyway, but hey!) is install child-seat anchor points. I think that was all the audi needed, and sorry but i can't remember what it cost!! I think you can do it yourself if you want to ....

Our council gives you a second recycling bin for FREE if you just ask for it - check out the details for your council and see if you can get one And make sure you check the regs for burning stuff - prolly not a good idea right now ......

Definitely not the norm - have at em ......

Must remember to put people who pi&$ me off back on ignore, i've read 2 posts and already getting grumpy ... Must also remember to tell hubby that he's been imagining the good seafood we've enjoyed in Melbourne, and particularly all that totally inferior stuff he's caught himself...

There's a suspected death being reported ... (not in Paynesville though)

rarely fresh & mostly imported .... you're shopping at the wrong places!

It's not quite at the stage that they're referring to them as 'complexes' yet ..... but 44,500 hectares at last assessment is pretty damned huge.

Welcome back - hope you're coping with the heat!