GrandpaGrumble
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Posts posted by GrandpaGrumble
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Thanks NicF, that's helpful.
We were able to sit in the shade yesterday, and yes I could see the screen there, but it was so cold that we moved into the sun for the second innings! This was a kids' game that started at 8am. The box worked OK and it wasn't as windy as forecast, but I don't think that'll be a permanent solution. Not all the grounds will have shade.
Yes, I've seen other scorers using an iPad and as you say they didn't seem to have as much trouble seeing the screen. I haven't got my head around the software we're supposed to be using, but it does run on the iPad. Maybe I should get round to learning it (currently using something I wrote myself which only runs on a PC).
Or I know a couple of people who are into woodwork, another option might be to commission them to make a sturdier, collapsible version of the box.
Gazebo is a good idea but wouldn't fit in the car.
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In backyard trials, sticking the laptop inside a Big W cardboard box, on top of a portable table, worked well.
Wearing a hat as per your hint also helps - thanks.
Main concern for tomorrow is that it's going to be windy, which might be bad news for both of those strategies.
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I've volunteered to be a scorer for the local cricket club this summer, which basically involves using a laptop out in the sun. For various reasons, using the old-fashioned scorebook isn't really going to be an option.
First match was on Saturday. The scoring went OK (esp. as I'd never done it before) but I struggled to see the screen, even on max brightness and under my Bunnings umbrella - which wasn't particularly convenient anyway.
Any tips about being able to see the screen better? Particular sunglasses? I've had a look at laptop sun shades but they get mixed reviews - though if/when the weather gets hot I guess I'll need some kind of shade to keep it cool as well as to see it.
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9 hours ago, Elaine N said:
Hi, we recently got our 190 grant. We are looking to move to NSW. I’m just look at renting/buying at the moment. I’ve read some where that you need to be living in NSW for at least 200 days before you can buy a house. Is that accurate?
thanks.
As far as I'm aware that 200 day rule only applies to New Zealanders on the 444 visa, so you should be fine.
Edit: And if I remember correctly, that was just for the stamp duty surcharge anyway. You'd still be able to buy a house, it would just be prohibitively expensive to do so.
But, yes, that's what you were reading about, I think.
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On 30/06/2022 at 16:55, newjez said:
Have you considered south east Asia as a base? If you're son managed to get it into Australia, (possibly after UK degree) then you would be in a position to visit him regularly. I'm not up on South East Asia, but I have heard of it being popular as a retirement destination. Or possibly NZ.
As far as I'm aware (which might not be very far) the only realistic option for NZ would be the Investor 2 visa, which is for "Experienced business people who have a minimum of NZD $3 million in available funds or assets", 3 million NZD currently being about 2.7 million AUD. Age limit 65.
Considerably easier ('only' need $1 million NZ) if you've got an adult child living there, maybe something the OP and his son can think about for the long term?
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1 hour ago, Parley said:
My passport expired 2 years ago. Is that still considered a renewal or will it be treated more like a new passport and take ages?
A renewal, if the information in the following link is correct, and if the old passport was issued in 2006 or later, and the information on it is still up to date, and it just expired (i.e. wasn't cancelled):
https://www.passports.gov.au/getting-passport-how-it-works/passport-renewal
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I thought that if you satisfy the residence requirement for the 155 you don't usually need to provide any documentation, and the visa is normally granted on the same day that you apply?
All the online documentation says under "Character documents" is "We will tell you if and when you need to get a police certificate", so I don't think you need to upload anything until they ask you to. Won't they have done the character checks when granting PR in the first place?
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/resident-return-visa-155-157#HowTo
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5 minutes ago, North to South said:
This may seem a daft question, but if we went in July this year for a couple of weeks, would that impact our 'living in Australia' for 2 years if we applied for RRV's next year ?
I'm not an agent, but my understanding is that it's 730 days out of the last 5 years, and doesn't have to be a continuous 730 days. Full eligibility criteria are here:
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4 hours ago, North to South said:
Thanks for the comments it most appreciated. We just need to decide whether to travel in December or wait until Easter where we know we'll get the five year RRV.
I agree with Marisa. If it was me I'd just wait until I could get the 5 year travel facility, given that you're not far off qualifying for it anyway.
Also I'm assuming that "my existing initial 5 year visa" is shorthand for "the existing 5 year travel facility on my current permanent visa"? As far as I'm aware you can't get an RRV if you're on a temporary visa (unless, possibly, you've had a permanent visa in the past) ... though I don't completely understand the eligibility rules, which are complicated, and there might be exceptions.
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14 hours ago, Cantabrigian said:
1. I havent't entered Australia since 2011, would I be ineligible to apply ? I did have an RRV granted for 12 months in 2013 but didn't make it back, I wondered if that may allow me to apply.
As far as I know, if you've had PR in the past, it doesn't matter how long ago it was. Full list of eligibility criteria here:
You do have to demonstrate 'substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia'. I think that having a job offer is a big plus there, but I'd still definitely get an agent to help with putting together your case. Ideally you'd want to show ongoing ties.
Processing times are currently given as about 3 months or less, which sounds about right. I don't know what, if any, options are available for you to come and start your job before the RRV is granted - that's another thing a good agent could advise on.
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Thanks for the input everybody. We decided to opt out as we're not bothered about knowing our usage on an hourly basis and there doesn't seem to be any other particular benefit. We don't use much off peak electricity apart from the water heater, which is already on controlled load.
I had a look at the Energy Made Easy website, but the information didn't seem very accurate. The cheapest AGL tariff it found was about $35 more than what we paid last quarter, and the cheapest over all suppliers was only $4 less, which is not worth the hassle of changing suppliers. Plus when I contacted AGL to discuss this they offered me another tariff, for the existing meter, which would work out around $30 per quarter less than the current one, so I'll probably just switch to that.
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AGL want to replace our digital electric meter with a smart meter, but we can opt out if we want to. They say the tariff will change, but are being cagey about what the new tariff would be.
Does anybody have an opinion about this? I'm inclined to opt out.
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On 29/01/2022 at 00:06, Bvirador said:
“You must have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of five years immediately prior to application, and have commenced that period of usual residence on or before 19 February 2016.”
Since 19 February 2016 is more than 5 years ago, your current period of usual residency needs to have started before that date if you are to be eligible.
However, that "usual" is another key word. You don't necessarily need to be resident in order to be usually resident. I'd have thought that a gap of nearly 4 years (Jan 2016 to Dec 2019) would be pushing it, but that's where a good migration agent would be able to advise.
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8 hours ago, Nemesis said:
I wouldn't take the risk of submitting it like that. Take it back to Aus Post.
Incidentally the employee signing it was probably just signing in their capacity as an Aus Post employee, and may not actually be a JP.
Agreed. Best to have it done properly. JPs are easy to find, e.g. there's one at our local shopping mall five mornings a week who will witness things for free, probably something similar where the OP lives. JP in Australia isn't as big a deal as in the UK.
Though the person at AusPost might well have been qualified to do it, the list of eligible people includes "permanent employee of the Australian Postal Corporation with 5 or more years of continuous service who is employed in an office supplying postal services to the public".
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4 hours ago, ramot said:
No disrespect, but as you mention you are Grandpa? We have to have a Drs check up before ours is reissued over a certain age (75?) in Qld. Hope I pass on Thursday, will polish my glasses to make sure I can see the eye chart
Thanks! But no, the moniker is just the name of a character in a book I was reading to my kid when I signed up to the forum. Other than that I don't know why I chose it really.
Good luck with the renewal
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Quick question. My driver's licence is due for renewal next month. Do I wait for Service NSW or somebody to send me a reminder, or should I just go ahead and do it?
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On 07/10/2021 at 17:46, DrDougster said:
Dumb question...
We have PR but haven't been out of the country on it yet and our passports expire March/April next year. What's the best plan for renewal? If I do an online renewal and get delivered to my parents in UK will the issue of a new passport while we're here in Aus impact on on our PR visa? Is this a reasonable thing for us to do or do we have to go to an embassy?
There isn't an option to go to an embassy (or consulate or high commission or whatever) any more. If you're the worrying type, like me, it's worth paying the extra for the quicker processing and tracked delivery. We've done this a couple of times recently, for different family members, and it's been fine. Good luck!
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5 hours ago, ashleym23 said:
Hey everyone! quick question for those who have travelled to australia recently, are the flights only half full? Im flying with an 18 month old and im wondering if there will be a seat beside me i can let him sit in? thanks in advance!
At 18 months he will probably still fit into a bassinet. Weight limit for Singapore Airlines is 14kg for instance, though I've read that airlines do differ on that. Speaking from experience of transporting an infant from the UK to NZ and back a few times, I'd definitely recommend that if you can get it!
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On 22/07/2021 at 20:35, HappyHeart said:
May un Mar lady
Rate good! I've still got the 'Arfur Tow Crate' booklets I bought in the 70s.
On 22/07/2021 at 20:39, HappyHeart said:He's going to have to make oatcakes tomorrow now.....
The best thing to come out of the Potteries Poveys were our favourite. Or Tunstall market ones.
I'll have a go as well soon, but unfortunately I've kenched my thumb so no fancy cooking for a few weeks.
On 23/07/2021 at 10:48, HappyHeart said:They are delicious. Made to go with bacon and cheese, sausage and cheese, cheese and tomato, just cheese or any savoury combo you like. I like to keep mine simple. Good smoked bacon and cheese.
Historically there waa a hole in the wall oatcake shop baking fresh oatcakes (and pikelets) on many a street corner in Stoke on Trent and surrounds. Sadly not many left but still a massive thing for people from Staffordshire. A traditional breakfast item.
Some people try to fancy them up and use sweet ingredients but that's not for me.
Yes, the bacon/cheese/sausage combo is the way to go, though I have been known to use up left over ones with tomato and olive oil. Agreed, definitely not for sweet things!
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They definitely look like the real thing, I'll give it a go. Many thanks!
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4 hours ago, HappyHeart said:
It’s a rite of passage for the little uns. Are you from Staffs?
Yes, from the Moorlands.
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15 hours ago, HappyHeart said:
He cooks them in a frying pan. Time consuming but tried on the bbq flat plate and not as successful.
I’ll dig out the recipe. I think he tweaks it a bit though. Has to be thin enough to get them just right. I tried once but too much faff. It’s his baby.That would be great (but no worries if not of course). The tweaks are probably the most important bit!
Oatcakes were the first solid food my nipper ate.
15 hours ago, HappyHeart said:Good try at the accent btw
Just coe me Owd Grandad Piggott.
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On 09/07/2021 at 14:41, HappyHeart said:
Good man.
My hubby makes his own now. A breakfast isn't complete without them. The family go crazy for them.
Ar'd goo a long wee fer a coupler Staffy cher wrote cakes.
I've tried making them but without much success ... do you think he'd share his recipe? And what does he cook them on? In the shops they use a kind of convex griddle.
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Our insurer has just given us a quote for CTP that's 22% higher than last year. None of the rating factors have changed apart from us being a year older.
Is this a general trend, or time for us to look for a new insurer? There might be legitimate reasons like a big increase in claims, just wondering what other people are finding?
Commuting to Sydney
in New South Wales
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Stanwell Park is leafy, on the beach, 70 minutes on the train to Central, and within your price bracket. Not many facilities though. Helensburgh, about 10 minutes drive inland, has more facilities and is also about 10 minutes closer by train but probably isn't as nice (though I don't really know the place).
The trains are extremely slow and fairly cramped / uncomfortable, but not particularly crowded by UK standards except possibly at the very peak of the rush hour.