DavidIII

I’ve read and enjoyed many posts on this forum, but to see someone break the rules and put people’s health at risk regardless of their own result is disgusting and it doesn’t matter how much money was on the line, there’s an intent to break the rules that Australia puts in place to protect their residents.  It’s not only defrauding the UK regulations, Australian regulations, but also moral obligations which clearly Dorsetbrit doesn’t have.  
 

Shame on you!

Hi,

I read in admiration the way that Covid has been managed in SA, but just wondered how day to day life is with the restrictions in place.  Can you go as a family to a supermarket, go to a cafe as a family, should you wear masks when shopping, can you go to markets in a group, can you go into places without the Covid app  ?  
 

It would be great to get a sense of how things are, so any guidance would be helpful.

I'd be happy to pay any speeding fine right now as I'd know I'm in Australia and not stuck in limbo in the UK.  Today I waved off my possessions in a container and I just want to be in Australia to meet them or I could be completely buggered.

These past few weeks have not been the easiest, I had flights cancelled with Singapore Airways due to transit restrictions, I then booked with Qatar in mid-Feb and they managed to lose my arm and a leg to get on an earlier flight.  At least when I booked them I told the agent that now you've taken half my body to pay for this, I should get a discount for only needing half a seat :)

I'd just like to know that this time next week I'll be in quarantine.....

Test Booked for tomorrow morning and results within 24 hours.

Personally, I know its another worry to have to get the tests done, but at least you know the flight you're on is more likely to be safe.

53 minutes ago, Wanderer Returns said:

"Travellers from the UK will be required to undergo rapid testing pre-flight and post-flight that would deliver a result within hours or even minutes."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-07/national-cabinet-uk-strain-coronavirus-travel/13040314

Sounds like they'll be doing them at the airport. I'd get in touch with Qatar, as they'll decide whether you can get on the plane or not. Failing that, and given the current situation - getting your own tests might be a good insurance policy.

What might be of more concern is that arrivals have been capped by 50%, so you might get bumped. Make sure you've got a Plan B.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/international-arrival-cap-lowered-commonwealth-declares-brisbane-a-hotspot-to-stop-new-covid-strain-20210108-p56sp0.html

72 hours - that's squeaky bum time!  Well, good luck mate 

It's a bit more than squeaky bum time :

We are flying flying into Adelaide and they I believe are not reducing the cap levels.  I've spoken with Qatar who are unaware of this, but am booking a Covid test just to be on the safe side.

The only thing I find frustrating is that they haven't announced it's effective from this date, on the Australian Health website it states that people must now get a PCR test, but again it's not really clear from what date.  Anyway, tomorrow I'll book a test so that I know we're safe to travel.

Hello,

With the introduction of the new Covid PCR tests as a pre-requirement on international arrivals, I just wonder if there's anyone here in the UK who like me is trying to find out whether this is immediate or at a date to be confirmed.  My flight leaves in 72 hours with Qatar, so now slightly concerned I need to obtain a Covid test, which I'm perfectly happy to do, but just don't know who you can use as I know certain airlines only allow certain providers.

All help would be most appreciated.

D.

24 minutes ago, mt9754 said:

Oh dear, if you are looking for other flights then I would definitely suggest Qatar is your best bet.  Throughout the pandemic they have been the only reliable airline.

They got me over earlier in the pandemic when all other flights were cancelled.

Hi, I've just been looking at them and they have availability early Feb, but just concerned that they Qatar will follow the trend and close off the UK too.

And just when everything was going so well....

This morning I was just about to exchange on my house sale in the UK ahead of moving on 8th Jan then in my inbox pops an alert advising me that all flights from the UK with Singapore Airlines are cancelled indefinitely !

Now scrambling for other flights, but I fear that with Hong Kong already shutting its borders to the UK, Duba and Qatar won't be long in following leaving all routes to Australia closed, well most major routes unless you want to fly via the US which given their handling of Covid I don't feel is the best route.

Anybody else in the same problem ?

I don't see any problem with it.  Alan Sugar went to Aus and was allowed to quarantine as far as I'm aware in a private residence on his arrival, which to me was totally unfair given everyone else, regardless of wealth had to quarantine in a hotel room.

I can only speak as a tourist having been to Perth and Brisbane and for me Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast would be my vote.  I spend 10 days in Noosa every year and fell in love with The Sunshine Coast from the first time I was there.  Perth was lovely, but just felt very British, whereas Brisbane felt Australian and yes one of the draws from moving from the UK to Aus is the weather which Perth has, but for me you also want to feel you're living in another Country which I felt more in Brisbane and towards Sunshine Coast.  

Hello,

It's now 45 days until I board a plane and head off to Adelaide and there's many things going around inside my head of what I need to do, but aside from the final bits of the sale of the house, dispose of the cars, I'd really like to know some key things that I should be doing here, and more importantly getting organised for my arrival in Adelaide.  I'd really appreciate any lists/tips from recent arrivals on what I should be expecting to do before the panic really sets in.

Thanks, Dave

30 minutes ago, Lavers said:

We just used the hotels phone number

Thanks for this :)

8 hours ago, Wanderer Returns said:

I was in your situation a year ago, and I signed up to an Optus SIM-only deal because they were the only ones I could find who would post the SIM to the UK, ensuring I had an active service on arrival. I've ditched them now in favour of Amaysim who are much cheaper, and use the same network. You'd be very unfortunate if your quarantine hotel didn't provide free wifi, although I've heard stories that some people haven't been able to get it based on where there room is located.

You do know that international flights into Adelaide have recently been cancelled, don't you?

Hi, thanks for this.  Not sure how my daughter would cope without access to Netflix, snapchat, tik-tok or whatever else teens use these days.  I think I'd rather her use my data than risk a teen moaning every day with no access to wi-fi :)

I know flights have been suspended, but I spoke with Singapore Airlines yesterday and they've given some re-assurance they will be flying in Jan, or at least they did when they took 50% more from me than I usually pay for the same flights to Adelaide :(

Just can't wait to get there now!

Hi,

I’m soon to arrive in Adelaide and based upon some good guidance on quarantine I thought I’d sign up for Woolworths/Cole’s to be prepared, but it needs a Australian phone number which I don’t have yet so just wondered what other people have done.  Have you purchased a SIM ahead of leaving or used the hotel phone number.  All tips most welcomed.

thanks, D

Hi,

With the days counting down to leaving and flights still not booked, my mind turned to quarantine when I arrive and how to fill the days without needing new glasses from staring at an iPad, TV or book all day.  I'm sure the first day will be like any normal first day after travelling or shower and sleeping, but then how do we (myself, my wife and our 15 year old daughter) get through the next 13 days.  Do you get any say on the type of room you have when you arrive at the hotel because I am concerned about being in a room with only AC which won't do my asthma any good?

Any comments from recent arrivals who've been through the quarantine process would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Hello,

This may seem the most daft question for which I apologise, but the closer I get to the date of departure, now 55 days I'm beginning to think more about the little things like what electrical appliances I really need to take, but once that's decided I wondered whether I should call a sparkie to fit new plugs when I arrive, or is this something that you can do yourself after a trip to a DIY store.  Any guidance would be most welcomed.

13 hours ago, Lavers said:

We are renting in North Plympton and love the area. Its 10min drive to the CBD and 10min drive to the beach. We also have a new reserve and a cycle path just 5min walk from our house.

We where sort of tied to where we could go as our daughter is in a government school so we had to look at catchment areas.

Before we came we looked at Sheidow Park and Mount Barker as you seemed to get better sized houses for your money but now we are here we may just stay around here when it comes to buying in a year or two.

Majority of suburbs without going into the hills look the same to me and you are always close to plenty of shops.

Are you renting and where will you be working?

Hi,

We hope to be buying as soon as we can after arrival.  The biggest thing for us is finding a somewhere to live that's near to a school coach service to avoid dropping and picking each day which is why for now we've focussed mainly on areas that a school coach service operates on.  I have looked at Mount Barker but just feel it's too far out and if you want to go for a stroll on the beach as you have just done, it's a bit of a drive to get there.  I have looked at the Athlestone area which seems to offer good plots with nice houses, but for now I think the biggest thing is just to get there and start to enjoy a new life.  My wife works for an Australian company in London and they are trying to find her a role in Adelaide which would be on the North side of the CBD, but even though we may live South, the commute to the North of the CBD has to be better than a commute on the trains, albeit not now, into London.  First time I was in Adelaide I rented a house in Sheidow Park for a week and even though it was nice, it felt a bit remote and just seemed a long drive to get into the CBD or up to Glenelg.  Anyway, back to flight hunting and trying to decide what date to fly.  Keep enjoying yourselves and maybe in a few short weeks I will be able to take that walk along the beach too

12 hours ago, Marisawright said:

The biggest shock, for a lot of people, is suddenly being friendless. You know you won't have family around you, but you've always found Aussies friendly, so you don't worry so much about leaving your friends.  But it can be very hard to build a circle of real friends when you arrive in a new country as an adult.

You'll find Adelaide folk are friendly, but they have their circles of friends that they established in school/college/university and they don't need any more, thank you - so although they're happy to chat with you as an acquaintance, you'll struggle to find real friends.  It may take you a couple of years to be accepted.  

Hi, my wife has a big family and a close knit circle of friends and she's not looking forward to the prospect of leaving them behind.  I don't have any family so on that front it's easier for me and being a man, we don't have real friends   My wife does quite a lot of keep fit classes here and I hope that doing some there, and working she'll soon build up a network, even though I know it won't be the same for her.  Our daughter who's about to turn 15 I hope will start to build up some new friends when she starts school.

4 hours ago, Lavers said:

Been here for 4 months and never looked back ....on a serious note though the transition for us has been seamless.

We did loads of research, made a plan then managed to excecute it it stays that way.

Everyone we have met has been friendly and most are more than willing to help you. 

My eldest has slotted straight into school and is loving it.

Weekends just feel like you are on holiday and there is loads to do.

The cost of things takes a while to get used to as it seems a lot more expensive, but when you start earning $s it doesnt seem as bad.

For me most things seem cheaper here rather than the UK. Last weekend we went to Adelaide zoo for $96 as a family of 4, if I went to chester zoo in the UK it would cost me £100.

Reserves (parks) are better maintained here (or atleast compared to where I lived in the UK) and also near me there are 4 flood lit tennis courts that are free of charge for you to use.

1 thing to watch for though are the drivers as they are shite haha.

Hi, that's good to hear.  Where have you settled ?  We've almost decided our daughter will go to Seymour or Concordia College so keep looking at houses in the Hills where you seem to get more space, but also I quite like Henley Beach South but they seem to be limited on the plot size.  I do like Belair and even down to Flagstaff Hill, but just not sure if its too far out.  Just can't wait to get there now and start to experience a new way of life.

Hi,

We have a 40KG allowance per person, but need to take 2 other large suitcases with us which is £42 per kg for both legs of the journey. 

Hi,

I will be travelling with Singapore Airlines and have just been quoted a ludicrous price for excess baggage and just wondered if anyone has used an alternate provider to ship excess luggage which doesn't involve me paying the equivalent to 3 more adult fares for taking an extra 60KG of luggage.

All comments most welcomed :)

Hello,

I'm sure anyone living in the UK right now wishes they were somewhere in Asia, Australia or NZ where the Covid rates are lower, or zero and however tough the decisions, they are led by leaders who put party politics aside and put the safety and health of the nation first...Unlike Mr Johnson and his dithering. 

I'm due to move to Adelaide and I just wondered from anyone that's there, what the day to day life is like in this new world that we're all living in and whether the restrictions that are in place do make you feel safe?  Being an asthmatic I find it very stressful in the UK and recently have become a hermit and I just hope that living in Adelaide, even with the restrictions, it will be a place where I can venture out and relax, but obviously still be wary of the virus. 

Any comments would be appreciated.

Hello,

Tomorrow will see one way flights booked for Adelaide in January so no turning back now....We've been to Australia 14 times in the past ten years and have enjoyed every moment we've been there, whether that's been Port Douglas, Noosa, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and what will now be our new home in Adelaide.  But, going on holiday knowing you'll be returning home in 2/3 weeks I'm sure is different from going one way!  So to all my fellow PIOers who might read this, what are some of the biggest transitions we'll be facing or are likely to face in the first few months that we need to be prepared for ? 

Please, any guidance / comments however random would be most welcomed.

David.

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone on PIO has a recent experience or knows of reliability flying with Qatar or Singapore to Adelaide from London as I can’t decide who to book with.  Logically, Singapore would be my usual choice, but we now live in a very different world where the same logic sadly doesn’t exist.

Any comments would be most welcome.

Thanks.

I think we're all hoping our flights get us there right now, but I won't believe we're on the way until the plane leaves the runway at Heathrow.  You've chosen a lovely part of Australia to live and once we've settled in Adelaide my wife's already blocked out Easter at Noosa to start the search for a holiday home there.