Kingpin

Hi We were in a similar position to you but, instead of the two dogs, we had three kids under 8. In the end we had to go with another sh**ty rental at the top of our budget for 6 months and that gave us a little breathing space. It's no fun moving truck loads of furniture every few months and breaking leases left, right and centre but we have now found somewhere fab where hopefully we will stay for the foreseeable future. Hope you find somewhere soon

If you have two children of buggy using age and two adults able to push it will be fine. We have travelled to Hong Kong, Thailand and Oz several times with 2 buggies and never had issues.

Forget the money. I think if your husband loves you he will understand how you need to go home to your 10 year old son!! How about you and your son both come back to Oz to visit him in the UK school holidays and again at Christmas time maybe? We are not talking here about having trouble settling in and a general feeling of homesickness. This is in a different league. I know people leave their adult children in the UK but I can't fathom leaving a small boy. Go home pronto. Hope you work it out. Sarah

OK. Can I talk about mine? Electric (also with origin) 16 jan to 7 April $254. I thought this was really expensive compared to UK bill. We used the Aircon once in that period for about 2 hours one stinking hot evening. Other than that we try to be really careful - lights switched off, dishwasher on once a day, washing machine no more than three times a week. Electric hob and oven unfortunately so that probably racked it up. Gas (hot water only) $70 for ONE MONTH!! 2 x 4 min showers once a day and 3 kids sitting in 4 inches of bath water every couple of days. Normal?? Water - dread to think -haven't had bill yet!!

I can't find a number for the branch but try +61 3 8641 9083 as they say to call this number for general enquiries if calling from overseas. You could then ask them for the number of the branch directly. Or email branch and ask for the telephone number so that you can call them and speak to a human. Sorry to probably have told you nothing you didn't already know or could have worked out on your own. Hth Sarah

Yes - have used several times with no problems. Brilliant idea!!

We (myself, husband and 3 kids) have stayed at Think Apartments Tower bridge and found it excellent. Just down the road from The Premier Inn. Really reasonable rates, helpful staff and beautiful top floor apartment.

Thanks. Just having trouble working our how after Suzysmith bought all her white goods and bikes she would have enough left over to furnish a whole home including plasmas and decent furniture and not spend more than $4k. Basically is my guess. Our container also included beds and bedroom furniture for 3 kids plus all the other paraphernalia that they entail, computers and printers, tents and camping equipment, power tools for my business and a whole heap of other stuff that I could NO WAY ON EARTH have replaced for under $4k. Sarah

Did you buy a dishwasher? Having trouble finding a bargain!

Yes - medically diagnosed depression here - of the Post Natal kind.

We are in Adelaide from SE London. The water is springlike compared to where we have come from. After months of use the kettle and shower head have no build up of lime deposits unlike in London where I would be scrubbing it of every couple of weeks. There is also no problem getting a lather when washing my hair. That could be down to the type of shampoo being used!! As for tea bags Foodland here sell Yorkshire tea at normal prices and the pyramid PG tips are widely available in Coles and Woolies for around $5.50 a box.

Not so much shopping but this fantastic website does include links to money off ideas and discounts for eating out etc. It also lists free days out and ideas for families, exhibitions and ideas for holidays. Brilliant!!!!! www.weekendnotes.com Just pick your city.

We have left one open with £1500 in it and a credit card connected to it as we will be going back for a visit at some point. Before we came out we opened an account with NAB. On arrival we went into the city and signed a few documents and collected our cards.