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markb28

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  1. markb28

    Sausages

    markb28 posted a topic in Household

    A short post. I have always hated the sausages from the supermarket here but..... I then discovered Jamie Oliver Cumberland pork sausages in Woolworths. Can confirm a genuine English pork sausage experience. Bit expensive at 8 bucks for 5, but totally worth it. Give them a try. Mark
  2. markb28
    I'm moving house, specifically 500 meters away in Newtown. To get broadband, Telstra want $300 up front for cable, Optus $150 and $100 a month. Internode etc all expensive also. Origin want to charge me $45 to read the electricity meter here and another $90 for reading the meters at the new place Also $500 for the removal costs. I could get broadband for the whole year back home at less than the startup costs. Good thing I don't have Foxtel also. All the companies charge for absolutely everything, even for existing customers. It's sickening
  3. markb28
    Oh dear, it's a real dilemma. I'm a Londoner out here with a Sydneysider. Been here nearly 2 years now but the push/pull of home/Oz is a continual pressure. I don't have the same pressure however as my partner would happily follow me back to London (she loves it but hates the weather). This does give me peace of mind. Agree with some that the new baby may have brought this to a head. I don't know how long we will be here, maybe a few years or forever, who knows. However after 8 years your partner has certainly given it a go, however doesn't appear to have let go and the yearn for home is still strong. As for where is best to be I'm unsure, culturally UK, weather Oz, opportunity Oz, exciting lifestyle UK, relaxed lifestyle Oz. It never ends. I think it will probably come down to a selfless act to move on your part mate to keep the family together. You seem like a good bloke and I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
  4. markb28
    Yeah I've got one - however its not really saving me anything yet - make sure you tap on and off or they charge you $8.10 and the trip doesn't count towards your free travel after 8 rides.
  5. markb28
    Good BI people are in demand here and the UK, some BA skills would be useful as well. You've got a broad base there. With a couple of months to go, may be worth changing your Linked in profile to Perth - then the jobs tab will start populating with similar job titles to your skills set. I notice that IBM have hooks into a lot of outsourcing contracts here, so getting some Cognos skills would probably be useful (conversion skills wouldn't be too hard with your BO background). The Telco I work for offshores a lot of the BI however which is probably the most concerning IT trend in Oz. Be careful with the seek ads when you arrive, a lot of the ads are fishing and the agency doesn't have any special relationship with the firm recruiting (who may well be recruiting the role themselves and be seeking to save commission). Bare that in mind when you are asked to go to a meeting - make them Skype you if they are serious
  6. markb28
    Hi all I rent my property out in London but it's been hammered with damp this winter and needs a fair bit or work. I'm in the non-resident tax scheme for landlords. The quote I received is 2700 + VAT. Do I have to pay the VAT element upfront and claim back or do I not pay it at all - asking for a zero VAT invoice to pay? Been looking around, this is not really a home improvement more rectification works. Thanks Mark
  7. markb28
    As quick as that. That's awesome. Will get on it as soon as possible. Cheers all!
  8. markb28
    Hi all 2 years since applying for my partner visa is coming up, my partner has been given a heads up by email (not me strangely). Will be putting the paperwork in shortly - anyone know how long this currently takes to turnaround - think our case is very straightforward as no major changes. Thanks Mark
  9. markb28
    A good website that details all the options is http://www.eyeondemand.com/ Streaming over VPN is usually poor quality due to the distance from the UK. Smart DNS mentioned above is much better and you could use Filmon via that service. I'd suggest that you bring over a Now TV box from the UK which will give you iPlayer, BBC News, 4oD, Demand5. It's only 10 quid and Smart DNS will cost about $12 a quarter. https://shop.nowtv.com/
  10. markb28

    world cup

    markb28 replied to bovered's topic in New South Wales

    SBS (free to air) has exclusive rights and will be showing all games live.
  11. markb28
    Moved out here (from London) in Oct 2012. Live in Sydney. Had all the trials of homesickness, cant find a job etc, no friends. Overcame all these issues. Was back in London at Christmas for a week. I do miss aspects of home but in truth they are all minor and I can afford to go back whenever I like so I am pretty fortunate. I have a standard of living that is much better than I had in London. Now I am a bit more settled, have steady work and live in a nice place but do feel occasionally I am losing my edge, Sydney is a small city in respects. Never hated London, quite the opposite and may well move back someday. My partner is Aussie and she feels the same. For all that, sometimes I look at the harbour bridge/opera house from Circular Quay station and remember why I came. Similarly when we drive for two hours and have an unspoiled beach to ourselves or hang in a beer garden on a beautiful day without fighting for a seat. Or the friendly service at (most) pubs and the fact that I can wear t-shirts and shorts for 10 months of the year and realise most of my day to day problems are utterly trivial. Will be hard to leave...
  12. markb28
    Two wives, a hot one and the homely one that can cook and likes ironing? What's not to like?:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:
  13. markb28
    Hi all Heading back to London for a couple of weeks commencing Xmas eve, however my UK passport is expiring in March 2014. Thinking of getting the same day passport replacement while there, however my 309 visa is on my current one. Would travelling back on the new passport cause any issues, assume I will have the expired one with me for visa checking purposes? I will need a new one for March when my processing for a 100 commences. I don't want to get stuck at Heathrow/Sydney on the way back if I haven't got a valid visa for Aus entry. Anyone been in this situation? Thanks Mark
  14. markb28

    Sky TV?

    markb28 replied to srg73's topic in Household

    There is less channels on Foxtel, however most of the best stuff in the UK (and on Aus TV) is the UK FTA stuff. Sky has a bit more variety and is cheaper than foxtel ($150 to get it installed for a start).
  15. markb28

    Sky TV?

    markb28 replied to srg73's topic in Household

    If I was you, the cheapest way to get set up would be: Hola's OK but has loads of problems, can't be relied on but free. Get a DNS service (not VPN - performance is bad as UK is too far away for a reliable VPN service). That's unotelly, unblock-us or overplay service. About 12 bucks a quarter isn't expensive. This will get access to BBC iplayer, ITV player, Filmon, 4od (about 20 UK channels streamed). Will also give access to Netflix if you want it and will ensure that ipads, phones can all stream also. I use a PS3, laptop, ipad and mobile using this method. It's easy to get most things with the above method - although live sport remains the one area where streaming isn't great. Sky Now TV box (gives you the option of paying 10 quid for 24 hours of Sky sports streaming). Bring one with you and use it with a DNS service. If you have a relative with Sky in the Uk, ask for their Sky Go credentials and use it with unotelly or other DNS. Foxtel is nowhere as good as Sky, big setup costs (although the premier league coverage is better than the UK).
  16. markb28
    Thanks, I booked my flight a while ago, travelling 4 Oct to Bangkok, 2 weeks in Thailand before going on to Sydney. Coming back in June 2013 via a HK trip on the way back. At least I can start applying for work now Leave my job here in London on Friday next week but its been hectic, I'm keeping hold of my flat here and letting it via an agency, trying to get rid of stuff, shipping and trying to finish work, say goodbye to family, have a number of leaving do's also. will also have time to fit in my birthday in London.
  17. markb28
    and........I've just got mine in the last 30 minutes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bloody hell its happening!!!!
  18. markb28
    Me too lhigman but chin up I think our time is coming! But congratulations to the new visa holders, glad your wait is over.
  19. markb28
    I'm still waiting as well My partner is starting to wind me up about having to leave me behind. Have 3 weeks of work left. My flight out is on 4 Oct so have some time, just wish I had it under my belt though.
  20. markb28
    5 months since I sent in my application - could I be next :biggrin:?
  21. markb28
    Went on a limb and booked our flights. Had little joy from the travel agents who were much more expensive that Qantas. Was very happy with the £1002 return flight leaving Oct, 2 weeks holiday in Thailand, returning 18 June next year via 5 days in HK. If you are looking for flights with stopovers, the Qantas site is very flexible for online booking, use http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/multi-city-flight-search/global/en. My original estimate from SV was mid August, hopefully will be granted in Aug, but Sep would be OK. I've sent her an email asking if this is realistic now, I put the application in on 21 March. I've handed in my notice, it's three months for me so I had to do it My partner has just finished work and being typically Australian is now on a tour of Africa coming back early Aug Our cat has been arranged though Petair and will be entering quarantine Now need to sort out the flat for rental and start getting rid of stuff Will be staying in Bondi with a friend upon arrival so that problem is sorted I always thought that after a final awesome summer in London I would be very torn to leave - the Summer we've had is making it a hell of a lot easier. Good to see some people being put out of their misery after a barren spell of visa grants :twitcy:
  22. markb28
    Update from me: Adding my details for spouse 309 visa app, been together 3 years living together 1.5 years: Sent special delivery on 21/3 with police check Payment taken 22/3 Acknowledgement by CO (SV), asking for Medical 22/3 Medical undertaken at Bridge Clinic Maidenhead 2/4 Email stating case has been assessed and my visa is due to be granted mid-August dated 5/4. Hopefully will get the visa then which would be fine. Also have a cat to ship so need to plan araound him too! Cheers Mark
  23. markb28
    Adding my details for spouse 309 visa app, been together 3 years living together 1.5 years: Sent special delivery on 21/3 with police check Payment taken 22/3 Acknowledgement by CO (SV), asking for Medical 22/3 Medical undertaken at Bridge Clinic Maidenhead 2/4 I guess now we wait 4-5 months. Hoping to get the notification that everythings in order soon. Cheers Mark
  24. markb28
    My application has finally been sent special delivery today for partner subclass 309. No medical but police check submitted. The wait begins. Hopefully will hear in 4-5 months but unlikely to go till October if Successful. Hopinbg it will be straightforward as no kids involved. Have had challenges in getting the paperwork together (waiting for decree absolute after being separated for years).
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