JoandJon

It's slightly different from state to state In Vic you can drive on your UK licence for either 3 or 6 months (can't recall which) - when you 'change it over' they don't actually take your UK licence though. And you don't have to do a test, it's just all paperwork and a vision test. But if you're in another state it could be different ! EDIT: The above is only true for PR visa (if you're on a temp visa I think you can keep driving on your UK licence)

If you've just come off a long haul flight though I'd go Skybus to avoid the changes... Skybus takes you to Southern Cross, and you can jump straight on the Pakenham line from there - where are you coming out to?

We carried 2 of Jons guitars and shipped the rest - His Les Paul & his hand crafted custom from what i recall. If you decide to carry the Les Paul it will still need to be checked & you'll want to make sure it's in a GOOD flight case (e.g. Hiscox or the original if you trust it enough). Just remember to declare it and you'll be fine - they've often asked us to oopen them up when we've travelled back & forth, but it's usually just so they can have a nosey

Hi Su, We were just outside of Canterbury - the tiny village of Westbere http://www.yewtreewestbere.co.uk/

if u need to replace them brefore u move then bring them, but if u can limp on through then wait until u get here ... scuse typos, am feeding baby & typing one-handed!!

The PSS time-line looks like a quote for a sole-use container, rather than for groupage/shared. I'd definitely not believe that short a time-scale for a shared container, although I'm just basing it on the stories I've heard and seen. We had a 20ft container to ourselves and it took from 18-19/10/11 to 22/12/11 (i.e. the boys spent two days packing in Kent, UK, and it was delivered to us on 22/12/11 in Melbourne) (and we had lots of timber and outdoor stuff declared so I'm sure they took a look at a few boxes)

If there's no bark, and they're all varnished/oiled/finished then you should be fine - so long as there is absolutely no sign of bugs, worms or disease. We didn't ship carvings, but did ship a smeg-load of guitars, and guitar bodies and necks - all made from timber in various stages of completion. He did leave behind his timber collection (unfinished/uncut), and still thinks longingly of some of the pieces ..... Definitely declare, but I think it's worth the risk Oh, and according to my husband it's not a smeg-load of guitars, there's apparently only just enough for him to get by and he really needs more ......

If you're going to be buying stuff to fill your container then I wouldn't bother - just buy it out here. Remember that the prices you'll see online aren't necessarily the prices you pay Haggle, haggle haggle Plus it will mean you can get stuff that suits the house you're living in, suits the climate / 'culture' and will give you an excuse to explore the area while you're shopping. (Sorry just got the giggles - Satch the labrador has decided that Siena's playmat is the place she must sleep..... large lab squeezed onto small playmat is quite bizarre .... siena's in her cot so don't panic)

Satch chases stuff I'm sure - possibly dreaming of catching next doors guinea pigs .... (that they let run around their front yard = its only a matter of time I'm sure!)

I'd give the local school principal a call and see what your options are. They might be able to help with some advice. Sorry i can't be more helpful - fingers crossed you get some more experienced people to help!

I agree with Que Sera Sera - Jon turned down a rather lucrative job in Sydney because I'd already got a job in Melbourne and that's where we wanted to be based. Best decision we made - and without which there would probably be no Siena

I'd say to come over in Sept / early October - gives you a chance to (hopefully) get work sorted before the summer slow down. And munchkin can maybe do a few weeks / term at a school before summer holidays. Might help for him to meet some kids - plus if you decide the school is rubbish you can always move to another one in the new year

I'm afraid i'd have to agree with the others on this - you'll need to shell out for professional advice to even have a hope I think ... There are some very good agents who post on here (i haven't used them at all, but their advice seems sound and their reputations are solid). Just remember to make sure the agent is MARA thingy thingy... Good luck (and congratulations !)

Think carefully about any gas stuff - some aren't compatible with Oz regs. Only bring stuff if its good - you can easily get loads of really good gear at reasonable prices here, don't let the nay-sayers scare you! We camp under canvas - but that's on a trailer-tent so tis a it different! This might give u an idea (but don't forget they have BIG sales) http://www.raysoutdoors.com.au/#FeaturedProductHome

For parks down on the peninsula you could try: http://www.morningtoncaravanpark.com.au/ http://www.mpcp.com.au/ Feb is after school goes back, so hopefully you'll have some luck!

You dont need to shell out more than a month in advance - plus the bond of course (1 month usually) - especially as you've got a job.

Stupid new rental doesnt have drapes - only shitty venetian blinds, but they're closed & I have air con running pre emptively to avoid living area heating up .... Satch was walked at 0600 & is now relaxing in the lounge ...

Have you tried laying them out to dry rather than hanging? I'm wondering if the weight of the water while they're hanging is what's stretching them out? good luck anyway

I've only been properly bitten once - by a toy poodle ..... little sh*t

This comment from the dog walker concerns me - they have an agreement / contract with you to provide a service, and I'm sure you would never have contracted them for the service if you were aware that they can't tell you of any concerns. I think it's them covering their bottoms and is possibly a load of twaddle (but can't be sure!). When you're speaking with the Quarantine station, I'd recommend making sure you're speaking with the person in charge. Although I agree with the others that it does look like the damage isn't deliberate and is probably the result of SA, they are still required to check on the poor man and should have noticed. It's at odds with the care Satch received whilst she was in Q at Melbourne - they fussed all over her. But, great big hugs to Buster, and I'm sure he'll be running all over the place in no time at all

We've got a little gadget (sort of like a double sided sieve) that lets you make just a cup of 'real tea'. scoop leaves into little gadget, shove in cup and pour over water. Theoreticaly anyway. I'm a coffee fan and am rubbish at tea. But those in the family who are tea fiends say the gadget works ...

Lol - no, the other two are my nephews (my brother's little boys), they're right little monkeys

I think the best Santa is at Casey Central - lovely, lovely Santa and photographer, without the crowds of Flannygate! Whoever they are, they've fabulous

We shipped our Audi separately because the extra cost just wasn't worth it for us. Investigate insurance properly though if you're going RORO - if you want it to cover damage rather than just total loss you need to sort it out before you ship EDIT: Oh and it worked fine - we used Iron Chef to sort it all out for us and all we had to do was pay the bills ...