Evandale

On 10/22/2017 at 12:02, Toots said:

Just heard on the radio that a bushfire on the east coast in the St Helens area has burnt 4,600 hectares of thick bush.  It's so dry there - and here because of the rain everything is lush and green.  I hope they get a lot of rain before summer starts.

We once escaped a huge bush fire Toots and this was one of the reasons we left our rural location. My thoughts with the victims but thankfully so far no loss of life !

6 minutes ago, abhvor87700 said:

Abhishek, 

BREAKING NEWS: a win for multicultural Australia

I wanted you to know straight away, just moments ago, the Senate here in the Australian Parliament threw out the Government’s changes to Australia citizenship laws. 

That means they have said no to the university level English test. It means they have said no to the three year additional wait that was going to cause some people to wait more than ten years before they got to become Australian citizens. 

Because of the university English test, some people were going to live here their entire working lives and were never going to be able to become Australian citizens. 

So right now, we’ve just had the win that you’ve been campaigning for. 

I want to give you full credit, because let’s not pretend this was done by members of Parliament. 

This was done by an extraordinary community activism that you were part of and you made sure that you never wasted a conversation.

This will make a real difference to the lives of people who will become good Australian citizens. 

This will make a massive difference in people’s lives. 

And will guarantee that a whole lot of people who were never going to hear the words ‘Welcome home’ will now be able to make a pledge of commitment to Australia. 

Now the Government may well have another go at this. 

The Government may well come back and try again. 

So, if you are eligible for Australian citizenship under current law my advice is don't waste time. 

Get your application in under current law. Get your application in before the government tries to do this again. 

I was Minister for Citizenship for a time and when I was, I got to write the message that was read out of every citizenship ceremony and the message that I had finished with the words ‘Welcome home.’

We want to be able to say ‘welcome home’ to you. 

Those of you who are ready to become good Australian citizens, those of you who are ready to make your pledge of commitment to Australia. Get your applications in. Make the application go through the existing test. Make your pledge of commitment to this country and the Labor Party will be very, very proud to say back to you ‘welcome home’. 

No doubt the government will come back. 

There will be another attempt at this. 

But right now enjoy the victory, enjoy the moment and know your activism made this happen.

 

 

Congratulations. 

 

Tony.

On reading some "dummy questions" and "dummy" being the operative word, the standard of English was shameful.

Yes this is a victory for the Labour party.. well done!

Glorious shame I have to work this afternoon!

What a gorgeous  day it is here. 25 and rising over the week apparently. The mop top trees are out , Evandale is ablaze in blossom, it really looks like an English village at the moment.  Planted some weeping cherries, a variety of apples  and olive trees a while back and had some stunning blossom already... 

Almost time to put the pool out for the head of the house.. our pooch!

I have had good and bag chips here in Oz.... the Italians or the Greeks  excel imo.... but in London I always go where the black cabs go to, amazing fish and chips, glass of wine and  mushy peas. salivating at the thought.http://www.seafresh-dining.com/

42 minutes ago, Pura Vida said:

Worst I had was Barra. Mistook it for being a short hand version of Barramundi, a different kettle of fish all together. You can't beat fresh caught and cooked fish, regardless, for the most part of variety. (never fresh water Mekong Bara though) If deep fried usually find Snapper does the trick out here, if Barramundi unavailable.  But grilled far better.

Chips I agree. Rather poor most places. Some exceptionally so. Most palatable if not much more.  

Are you talking about Barracuda and the shortened version is "cuda"! normally "Barra" is shortened  for  Barramundi!

1 hour ago, Toots said:

The weather here in Devonport today.

 

And we have glorious sunshine with the occasional shower but the temperature has escalated to 15 lol

11 minutes ago, ScottieGirl said:

True what I meant by that comment is he will respond better to a telling off from the man of the house. He clearly has no respect for the wife. Having lived in Aus for 17 years I found that to be common in elderly men I'm  afraid. Most were civil but clearly sexist.

It's  not clear to me whether his behaviour is due to mental health  or ageing issues as suggested or just plain bad behaviour. 

You are right, but I am sure the Australian scenario is so similar to the Scottish scene as I lived too lived in Scotland for a number of years and found the sexist /racist situation quite unbearable which imho was far worse than in Australia, ripping one off to boot!

"He sounds like a traditional old fashioned Aussie" In my experience, the traditional old fashioned Australian, respects your privacy. but is there to help if required!  We have never come across this scenario before and we have lived both in rural and major cities!

To record/video someone when you are stressed could be slightly difficult and rather confronting. For a couple of hundred bucks perhaps install your own CCTV camera (they are removable for your next place) and at least you can have a record of what is happening when you are away. 

On 8/19/2017 at 10:38, Toots said:

After a few days of wind and rain, today we had frost and a lovely clear sky.

And its getting colder, strange seeing spring flowers, lambs and snow!

snow.jpg-large

5 hours ago, evets said:

emm, believe the same could/would be said if invited to a BBQ in the UK or any where else in the world. Same principle would apply to being invited to dinner/housewarming/etc, bring a bottle of vino or something for the hosts.

Same courtesy applies world wide, well IMO. Not really an Aussie specific thing.

Quite right,  Alcohol for a BBQ or party is a huge expense so it is expected you bring your own which is a huge saving and you take home any "alcohol leftovers". we usually have a few slabs of beer/wine to start the part going but it invariably doesnt get used.

When I first came to Australia I was asked to bring a plate and a plate I did bring.... got some very strange looks

36 minutes ago, Gareth 666 said:

Can you see the Milky Way there at night at the moment? DD has been dying to find a spot here on hols in Koh Samui that's light pollution free enough and accessible so she can get a few good photos.

Havent seen it the  last month Gareth, and the Aurora last September in Evandale  was absolutely stunning ... looks like 24th August is prob the next star gazing weather in Koh Sumui..https://www.accuweather.com/en/th/ko-samui/5470/astronomy-daily-forecast/5470?day=16

Absolutely beautiful weather here for the last two days, cold nights, clear skies full of stars.  Sitting here outside in gorgeous sunshine looking up at Ben Lomond ... Daffs, tulips, primroses all coming through. Spring is with us in three weeks...

Fog, mist and beautiful impressionistic scenes today our way, luckily no delays at the airport.

5 hours ago, Toots said:

Just as well we enjoy the four proper season Evandale!    We are at sea level so very doubtful we will see snow.  I've seen flurries of the stuff but it's gone soon after.  A friend in Sheffield has a bit of it though each winter.

We love the seasons too  Toots, magical state. We are booking Peppers @ Cradle Mountain for next weekend, lovely to have saunas surrounded by snow lol. I think my OH said there had been flurries at Devonport but it soon disappeared, a lovely town btw, we love the architecture by the front.

2 hours ago, Bobj said:

Ho hum...20C at 5 AM

Cheers, Bobj.

Ho hum, not bad! but the snow is stunning, soz we love the seasons lol!

On 6/24/2017 at 11:32, Skani said:

Yes...woke up to a light dusting of snow at my place (300 m. above sea level) this morning.

Paradise! Nothing cleaner and more romantic than seeing the snow on the ground and trees. Slush forget it!

It was minus 5 this morning at 5am here in Evandale, the grounds looked beautiful, the duck pond was frozen over with very perplexed ducks ! Our dog must have the bladder of an ox because he wasnt interested leaving his duvet!

As you say Toots, a glorious day today. perfect skies and oh so cold here.  I see there is snow down south. Might venture up Ben Lomond this weekend.

44 minutes ago, emj1986 said:

What is the rental market like? On the coast there are sometimes 100's of applications per property so trying to secure something when you have pets is almost impossible. Is it like that in Hobart or is the competition less fierce? Also, how are the agents at letting you secure a rental without a prior inspection?


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I cannot comment on the Hobart market Emj, Skani will have more of an idea. Personally I wouldnt like to secure anything without personally looking at it. Pictures are so deceptive and then you are stuck with it for x amount of time!,

We love Ben Lomond  and Cradle Mountain  Emj! Mount Wellington (Hobart) is also lovely in the snow as well and on a clear day the views are wonderful. We are so lucky with the most wonderful scenery , all different, throughout the whole state. People think you can see Tasmania in a weekend, it takes  many months to explore this gem of a state.

You are right Toots we had a wonderful summer here and winter so far is proving to be glorious days and of course cooler nights.  As we have said the seasons are just like back home and as we are also snow lovers we are so lucky to have a Ben Lomond close by.

Welcome to our wonderful state! We live in Evandale in the north near Launceston airport an old historical  Euoprean style village. 

My suggestion is if you love your cars keep hold of them. You will have 3 months to put them over the pits and re rego them.

Service Tasmania is your service provider for rates, rego etc. driving licences   https://www.service.tas.gov.au/records/?task=1114&topic=1730 ---https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/MRSWebInterface/public/transfer/transferAccept.jsf

Regarding relocation costs, they are usually very open to bartering a tad, so try and cut  a deal with them. As Skani has said back loads are popular and I am sure you will come up with an agreeable price, we did! ----http://www.tasfreight.com.au/

I would try and work out what it would cost to replace your items, the usual K Mart is here but no Ikea although they do deliver online now.

I love the meat here in Tasmania, many good butchers who excel at sausages, bacon etc. and  we do freeze  the glut of fruits and vegetables which are plentiful and very reasonable.

Regarding shopping, I am find it getting a bit better although we both shop on the mainland but specialised shops for gifts etc are in abundance particularly Tasmanian made gifts.

Residents do  not require ambulance insurance here in Tasmania  -----http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/ambulance

http://www.aera.asn.au/tq12/docs/tq12_quarrantine.pdf is useful and this includes information vis a vis bringing dogs on over. "tapeworm treatments etc) Dogs to Tasmania telephone  1800 684285  ----http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Importing_dogs.pdf

Outdoor life is wonderful  with the most amazing wild life.

I dont think you will be disappointed, we wouldnt live anywhere else in Australia, cute pubs, wonderful colourful seasons and akin to many parts of Europe.  Enjoy!