Somgirl

Welcome to PIO, sounds like a good plan. Keep posting and let us know how it unfolds.

Has anyone heard how Mrs B is doing since returning to the UK?

Thanks for all your lovely comments, It is a good time of the year to be going back, hopefully we'll have some sort of Summer in the UK this year! I'll keep in touch. :biggrin: P.S. Also in my original post should have read, 'Camper van from Brisbane to Cairns' not Brisbane to Brisbane - too much fizzy white wine!

our plans have changed again. We came to Perth in September 2011 on a two year secondment with the company oh was working for in the UK. When we arrived we were in an apartment down in the city, but as CHOGM was about to happen, apartments were all booked in advance and we had to move several times. By October 2011 we had found a rental NOR, our container had arrived from the UK, and life settled down. Our adult children arrived with their partners to spend Christmas with us which was brilliant. We had a mixed Brit/Aussie Christmas day, Traditional Christmas lunch and then a trip to the beach and a dip in the sea. We have had loads of visitors while we have been here, and have visited Margaret River (several times) and Esperance, and even got to Alice Springs and Uluru. Our second Christmas, we decided to spend in the UK, and on returning to Oz, we managed a trip to New Zealand which was amazing! On the downside, two weeks after arriving, our car was broken into, and my handbag was stolen, as we weren't settled in a rental, I had things in it which I don't normally carry around, such as my passport, driving licence, ipod etc. However the thieves were considerate enough to be emptying the contents of my bag out of the window as they left the car park, so I managed to retrieve my passport and driving licence. I am normally really careful not to leave things in the car, but I was in holiday mode, became complacent and I paid the price! We were only away from the car for less than 5 minutes! The other drama was an attempted burglary at our rental property. Forensics said there was probably a group of them, and they had tried every window/patio door on every level of the house to gain entry. We were only out for about an hour, had left lights on in the property, the car was on the drive, and yet they still thought it was worth a try. Anyway, oh has been offered a job back in the UK, and as there was no guarantee of a job with the company we came out with, at the end of the two years, we have decided to sacrifice the last few months here for something solid to go back to. Our time in Oz has been exactly what we knew it would be, a snapshot in time, good and bad, would we do it all again, you bet! What's more the Company my oh is joining also have offices in Perth, so you never know ........ So, packers arrive on Monday, and our container leaves on Wednesday. House to be cleaned, carpets shampooed, and keys to be returned, and then we take off for the east coast, spend a few days in Sydney, then fly to Brisbane to pick up a camper van, and tour the coast up to Brisbane, before flying back to Perth and leaving for the UK on 15th May. So, on to the next chapter, I will pop in from time to time when I've returned, just to see what's going on. PIO has been good over the last 18 months, and it's good to see posts from people on here who are just beginning the journey!

Have flown the return trip quite a few times, usually on my own or with oh. Don't really 'enjoy' the flight, but don't dislike flying as much as I used to. It's just a means to an end ...... :biggrin:

Hi, Welcome to PIO. Just bumping this up for you.

Yes, it can be windy, but as others have said it is most welcome in the afternoon on a very hot day. We live on the coast, and we have had the odd few days, where our lounge and dining furniture have blown from one end of the balcony to the other, Lol! but that doesn't happen very often! I certainly wouldn't see it as a reason not to live here.

She's cute! Good luck with your adventure!

Good luck and best wishes for your new life in Oz!

I remember it well! Good luck with your adventure.

I remember reading your earlier posts Emmaroo, i'm sorry that you're feeling unsettled, hope you arrive at a decision soon.

Longest job (but not the happiest) was 10 years, shortest was a Christmas job I started, but left within 48 hours.

Good luck and enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ....... and glad you're enjoying your time in Oz!

Only managed 1 so far (Uluru) however, still time left, and we hope to get over east.

We are in the Uk for a visit at the moment (family reasons) it is cold, I've been wearing a padded Gillet in the car and in the house. I haven't been warm since we arrived.

Yes, we still have plans to head back to UK later this year, about September time. It is brilliant here, we've managed to get out and see lots of places. I have made some friends here who I will miss, along with the big blue sky, and the sunshine, though the heat of a Perth Summer does stop me doing the amount of walking I like to do! I'm not looking forward to the 'greyness' of the Uk, but will enjoy seeing more of/and spending time with my family and friends. We still have our house in the UK, my old job is gone, but will try at some stage to get back into the school I was working in. As has been said millions of times, nowhere is perfect, there's good and bad in both countries. I had always wanted to come to Australia in particular, and have still to explore the east coast. We always looked upon this opportunity as a two year holiday, but I think I would struggle to shake off this feeling of being away from 'home' and settle here permanently.

We came to Perth in September 2011 on a 457 visa. We came with the company oh was working for in the UK. Visa came through in about 2 weeks. Adult children remained in the UK. Thoroughly enjoying our time here, but no plans to stay permanently. As has been previously said on other threads, this is a long term work permit, it's worked perfectly for us. No complaints.

Lol! that made me laugh, haven't come across that one!

Hope 2013 is better for you!

I think this is one process where you learn to be patient! for everything.

Can we see the picture please? .........

A picture of each coming up ........

Congrats, enjoy the adventure!