BuddysMum Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 LONG POST ALERT!!!! What a very busy two weeks. We have done a lot of the necessary paperwork; driving licences, registration as job seekers, appointments with skill agencies and employment agencies (no jobs yet, but steve does have 3 applications in), and we have bought a car, so were able to return thehire car earlier than planned. We have settled into our little short-term rental. It IS small, but has everything we need. Three bedrooms, a little lounge and larger kitchen/diner. One bathroom with dual access, a laundry a veranda and back yard. There is also a large single garage which we could use as an extra lounge for Ben if we wanted to. So, a tiny bit smaller than our last house, but perfect for us now. The cousins found it for us, we can have it until March but there isno lease so no penalty if we find a more permanant rental before then. They even furnished it by begging, borrowing and buying on our behalf. They even provided food for our first day (and wine!!) This is the main school summer holiday so there is a big event called "Sunfest" in Gladstone just now. Lots of different activities that you can sign a child (12-17) up to. Ben (12) did pottery wheel on Tuesday (the second part is next Tuesday). It cost about £12 and he made three items which he will finish off next week. Friday he did a surf school aimed at beginners. Loads of fun at a very local beach (25 minutes drive). The surf isn't huge, so just right for novices. That was also about £12 for 3 hours tuition. We had to hang around on the beach though which was just awful. Honestly! Then Saturday he is spent the morning fishing. That only cost £3 and he got to keep a brand new rod, reel and bait box. At the end they had a barbie lunch which parents were also invited to. They had sausages and steak! That one has been heavily subsidised but I still can't believe it! We have been able to socialise a lot with our cousins and we have already been saluted by people as we walked down the city centre streets. (It is a small city!!!) Went to one swimming pool. We were virtually the only ones there. No restriction on how long you can stay. Barbeques and covered picnic areas. and only £2 for an adult swim!! We went there on Friday night for a dive-in movie. You go after dark (7pm) and sit in the pool as they show a movie on a large inflatable screen. They showed Bolt first followed by Bedtime Story, but we only stayed for the first one. They also had a sausage sizzle ther, but we could have taken our own food if we liked. The movie and swim is free, but you have to pay for the food. I do love this country so far. I know we aren't working or anything just yet, but I honestly don't think we can go too far wrong here. Even though we will be earning less, the trips to the beach cost almost nothing. Also...the food here is wonderful. meat like it used to taste, and HUGE joints, of it, and not expensive either. All the fresh produce is fantastic. The seafood is wonderful, with so much choice. All in all though, we are eating less (the heat, you know) and although we are doing a bit less in some ways, I am sure we will lose weight as the food we are eating is such good stuff. Chocolate is horribly expensive here (I just saw a Freddo bar for $1.20 which is about 80p.) And although I haven't tasted it yet, I am told it doesn't taste the same at all. Oh, and for some reason mayonnaise is sweet!!! Not bad if you mix it with sweet chilli sauce but just yuck on a potato salad. Oh, and one of the boys Ben met last year when he spent a day in his new school, invited him round to play yesterday. He enjoyed that. When we went to collect him, we got chatting to his mum and it turns out they are very good friends with the irish "TV vet" who is based in Bray, Co Wicklow where we used to live. Ben used to go to school with his daughter!!! Small, small world. Steve has a few applications in, and I have just submitted my resume for a job which sounds very promising. The locals felt that today was a hot day, quite muggy. I was releived to hear that as I was finding it less comfortable to be honest. However, I think I am coping well with the heat really. We don't tend to use the air con much (so expensive) as we want to acclimatise as soon as possible, and our house really catches the breeze as it's quite high and faces east/west. So we just open it right up and put on the ceiling fans. We have some areas of the city which are plagued by flies and mozzies, but not as bad as one of our cousins found them to be in Perth! A few times we have been bothered by flies etc, but not near our home. We have certainly been feasted on. I gather they love the new pommie blood, but that eventually we won't react so badly to them. Anyway, sorry it has taken so long to update you all, and sorry that this is such a LOOOOOONG post! Hope it's helpful anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussex boy Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Good post, glad to see your making the most of the outdoors life even though you just arrived Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Great stuff! made up its going so well,hopefully it will be more of the same from now on:wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest juliemtaylor Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 lovely to hear from you, and glad things are doing well. Good luck with the job huntine, it will be us soon! Julie x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Ropey HOFF Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Hi Buddysmum, what are you doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its not right that you put your good news living in the sun in Brisbane thread on here, when we in the UK are freezing our pot noodles off. It sounds fantastic, i love the idea of that pool film, i think its the future, hopefully my future. Enjoy yourselves, you deserve it. jim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Hi Guys good to hear you are enjoying life, you certain;y sound like youve been busy,lol,,, did anyone tell you life just gets better,,lol Cal x p.s,,, The mayonnaise that tastes like UK mayo is called Whole Egg Mayonnaise , slightly more expensive but definately worth it.lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gary12 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Glad to hear you are enjoying it. Don't bet on loosing weight though! I have put over a stone on in the first year, all those lovely olives, breads, wine, cheese, wine, salami, wine!!! Carry on enjoying! kind regards Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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