Christmas and more

Well, it's been a rather long time since my last blog.  I'm not sure where time goes out here.  We seem to have been busy most days and weekends but tis still fun if at times hard. 

I'm really enjoying work and the projects are different and varied and the people I work with are all really friendly and willing to help.  We have made some good friends amongst them and have gone down the beach or over to swim in their pools.  It has been really nice that Anna can meet up with other people in the same situation and do things during the day.

We had a nice trip out to the beach the other day to watch the sunset (its only 10 min drive from us):

We asked some Aussies for a picture.

Twas a really nice night and Finley enjoyed running into the waves, it was just the rather large drop off a few metres out that we were a little worried about.  All home safely though if a little wet and tired!

We had a great day a few fridays ago when all our stuff from the UK arrived, much happiness until the realisation that we needed to unpack everything sank in.  Anna, however was fantastic and most of the big stuff and toys etc was already unpacked by the time I got in.  We spent the next week or so trying to find all the little things that we had missed.  I tell you, cooking with your own saucepans again after nearly two months with just one saucepan, a cooker that takes for ages and a frying pan that is useless, is fantastic!!  We also got all our Christmas decs up the night that everything arrived, made it feel much more like a home.

We went to the boys Christmas Concert at Nursery the other week when all the kids sung to the parents half a dozen Christmas songs, much fun and Marcus and Finley both sung really well (ok, Marcus joined in the clapping and swaying in time to the music, which is more rhythm than i have ever had!).

However, it hasn't really felt like Christmas.  All the decs are up and people have lights on their houses but it's just not quite the same without it getting dark at 1500 or the cold and wet :p  We did however have a really nice day, we were invited to some friends and her family Christmas so we weren't sat around missing people as much as we would have if we'd stayed at home.  They have a fish tank outside which is quite large and a smaller one inside.  The boys had a really good time, both Finley and Marcus were fascinated by the fish and the excitement on Finley's face when he saw the crayfish in the water was fantastic.

It was still strange not seeing Family for the day but we got to skype my mum and sister on Christmas eve and Anna's mum and dad on Christmas morn so we at least shared some of Christmas with Family. 
Boxing day saw us out to Calamunda in the hills to the east of Perth and a visit to a camel farm.  You can ride camels but it's expensive, you even have to pay for Marcus ($35 for a 30min ride) so all in all it would have been nearly $200 for a 30 min ride.  So we decided to feed the camels instead.

 It's behind you Daddy

Mummy fed the camels :)

And then all the food was gone:

Greedy chicken, or was it the big Birdie?

I mean the Cassowary on the right!

The pretty one on the left is Mummy!

The day after we went to the beach, again, sigh it really is becoming tiresome going to the beach and playing in the water but it has to be done, it is, after all the Christmas Holidays.  It does rather beat the boxing day swims that some sadists do in the waters around the UK!  Thankfully the beach we go to is small and sheltered, unlike some of the others.  Tragically another two swimmers lost their lives to Sharks today.  One off Cottosloe beach and one off Rottnest island.  There seem to be an awful lot of sharks around this year by all accounts.

Talking of wildlife I saw my first wild Kangaroo going to site the other day :) twas big grey and bouncy.  But we have seen lots of other things as a family as well, our first red back spider on the walk to nursery, a praying mantis on the fly screens, insects and pretty birdies, see below:

So far we are doing okish with the heat but today and yesterday it was up at 38 and 39'C so rather warm.  We have every fan we can find turned on and put the AC on several times aday, it is pretty useless though and doesn't really cool anywhere down.  We are hoping for a new unit in the new year if the owner agrees to have it upgraded and then we may be able to get the lounge down below 30'C on the hot days. 

Hopefully Anna and i are off to the beach tomorrow morn before it gets hot again so that should be fun and a little quieter to as a lot of people are working this week. 

Fingers crossed it wont be so long before my next blog!  However to leave you with something nice, here is the boys nursery photograph (ages 3yrs 5months and 17months)

Oh, PS. Mum and Jon have arrived in Sydney fine :)

Beach and More

Wow, they have great beaches here :) Sunday (27/11/11) saw us going to a beach at Hillary's harbour.  Tis a lovely little beach, no more than 300m wide and about 30m from the walkway to the sea.  A playpark is built on the sand and there are big canopies that give shade all through the day.  They have really thought about things here! 

There are even lifeguards on duty for when I forget how to swim.  The beach is really sheltered and there are no waves at all so tis perfect for the boys, although Finley was a little disconcerted by the sea being salty :p he said it made his tummy funny.  They both enjoyed being in the water and after our false start of forgetting towels (yes we went to the beach with no swim costumes or towels...we have so much to learn about Aussie life).  We did however manage to get there by 0900, so not to hot and we are only 10mins from the beach!!!!!!!!!!!!

We met some friends down at the beach, the Folley's from Christchurch so that was fun and we all had a good time.  We have video's of the boys in the water and I shall put them up in due course.  Next time we hit the beach, next Sunday (predicted to be 37'C) we shall be more prepared in swimming kit, towels and lots of sunblock, likely enough to cause a small oil slick in the harbour.

Anna has had a few interviews, Kinetic Health said she was over qualified for an admin post...how can you be over qualified, surely that means you'll just be great at doing the job? Stupid people.  She has however had a very promising interview at a local Clarks type shoe shop in the Warwick Centro and has a follow up interview on Wednesday (30/11/11) so fingers crossed. 

I've been out drilling at Pinjar, just north and east of Joondalup.  Here's a picture of one of the drill sites:

It has been hot at times 36'C plus but the heat is fine, tis the flies that the first heat brought out which were hideous but they have gone now which is great.  I have rather fetching site gear (modelled by Finley and Daddy, so far Anna has refused to model it for me :(

                                                                                                 

Looks better on him than me!  I have also encountered some of the local wildlife:

So far no snakes or Red Backs yet but tis still early in the season.

New Home Dalwood

It's been a busy week at work but enjoyable, my new site gear is something to behold, picture to follow when I attached our new phones but tis on facebook if you look on Anna's pages.  Anna is doing good and still enjoying it out here.  She has gotten quite friendly with a few of the other wives out here and generally being a social butterfly (just a shame I cramp her style when ever I go with her!)

We moved into the house this Friday just gone (18th November 2011).

 

The first night was a long one with a late night trip back to the camping house to get a few bits n pieces.  However the boys seemed to like it and enjoyed the extra room to play about in.  The garden has gone down very well.  The only downside was the stalking of Anna by our first cockroach :p

Both boys slept fairly well which was a good thing.  Saturday we went swimming again and both boys did great and better than last week.  Then Saturday we had people coming round to the house all bringing things for us to borrow.  We have been lent a double mattress, sheets, duvet, chairs and tables, without Glynis, Wesu, Fi and John and Vikki our home would not feel anything like it does.  Having somewhere decent to sleep is wonderful and Finley having a blow up mattress is great. Marcus has a cot we have hired and he seems happy in it (most of the time).

Saturday also saw our first feathered visitors to the garden.  A pair of beautiful parrots (not sure what type, will let you know when I find out).  They came and sat in our mulberry tree that Finley rather enjoyed eating the fruits off.  However trying to tell a three year old to only eat the fruit and not the stalk proved rather pointless as the whole thing disappeared down his throat :p

Sunday saw us down to the camping house to give it a clean (we then found out that they had it professionally cleaned after we had cleaned it, Doh!).  We had a fairly relaxing day after that and spent some time chilling at the house, I saw some Galahs (grey and pink parrots) and a little lizard thing scuttling along the stone wall in the sun.  Twas lovely just sat relaxing in the garden.  We went to a park that is about 5mins walk away in the afternoon.  The floor is covered in sand which makes it lovely to play on and tis fine to take shoes and socks off and run about as there is no glass or the usual rubbish you get in British parks.  We met some locals and they were so friendly, they even offered us a car seat as we have found out the car seats we brought with aren't legal here, well they aren't illegal but if something happens then the insurance may not pay out.  Rather annoying but never mind. 

It's starting to get hot here, 28'C today and by Thursday 36'C when I'm out drilling...gonna be hard work me thinks!  The boys are doing ok in the heat and even Anna is getting used to it.  We shall see what she thinks of it next week!!!!!!

The boys have enjoyed their first day of nursery and both were shattered and went to bed early, hence why I had time to get this sorted.  (Anna's watching the final of XFactor Australia).  Oh I went to the Dojo that I'm probably going to join and I liked what I saw, so when we are more settled and worked out routines then I start training again :) looking forward to it.

Anna has an appointment with Hays recruitment tomorrow and an actual interview on Wednesday so fingers crossed there.  We are also supposed to be picking up our new car on Wednesday afternoon, so a busy day all around.

Finally a few more photos of the house.

Busy busy busy

What has happened to the last week or so?  We've been busy that's what and generally exhausted by the evening. 

We have seen houses, been to zoo's and aquariums, the races and paddled in the Indian Ocean.  So where to start?

The first Saturday that we were here we saw two houses, one was huge and right opposite a nice open space with a small swing park but it felt very dated and had some interesting features, like exposed burnt red/black brick walls which weren't overly nice.  Also the garden left a lot to be desired.  Very sandy and not much cover.  The second house which is in Warwick, is smaller but felt nicer, two open areas with play parks close by (a few mins walk) and a decent little shopping centre again just a two min walk away.  The house is in a quiet cul-de-sac a 10min max walk to the nearest station.  The garden is also nicer with grass and a large covered area to play/sit in rather than in the full sun.

So we applied for the second house after a rather hectic but very strange viewing process.  They open the house for 15min and everyone interested goes and has a look during those 15min, therefore you could have 20+ people in a three bed house.  Very cramped and rather annoying but that's what happens here.

On the Sunday we went to AQWA (or the Aquarium of Western Australia), twas much fun and the boys both really enjoyed seeing all the fish and watching the divers in the walk through bit.  Finley was fascinated by the size of the sharks and the sting-rays.  He did however have a few harsh words for the boatman (the diver from Finding Nemo) who was cleaning the glass of the tank!  Later a trip to the local play park was met with much enthusiasm by the boys who played for about an hour in the setting sun.  A couple of very tired and irritable kids where ushered into bed after a quick supper.

Monday was my first day at work and along with the rest of the week was pretty much a blur.  I have done so much training that I don't want to see another training course for some while.  Otherwise I have enjoyed the first week and have gotten to know people I sit with and everyone seems nice and also fairly new.  Some people only having been here 6 to 8 months so I don't feel alone at being new. 

On Wednesday 9th November we got the news that we had been lucky enough to get the house we wanted in Warwick.  So we sign the lease next Tuesday and move in the next Friday (18th November).  We are both so pleased and happy that we have got it and we can settle in there and get properly sorted (or at least as properly sorted as we can till our stuff arrives).  This will likely be the last working week in December or possible into the New Year, not ideal but not a lot we can do about it.  Will have to rent white goods but that is easy and not too expensive until we get ours.

We have also found a little nursery for the boys, not as good as Hollytree but child care is more expensive over here and the boys will be happy here until we can afford somewhere else.  Another plus is that it is next to the train station so good exercise for Anna on a morning and afternoon.  There is also swing parks on the way home, so she may end up being distracted by the boys and end up in theparks!

Friday night we went to the Trotts, this is a soft core take on horses and trap racing where the horses are restricted to a fast trot and race round a mile track.  We went with the team and their families but Marcus was creating at so much going on and being very tired.  Trying to get him into a proper routine is difficult due to sharing a room with Finley but hey we will get there.  The Trotts however was much fun and it was nice to see people and their families outside of work. Will arrange babysitters and go another night for a more relaxed evening.  Anna enjoyed it better than when she went to see dogs racing in UK so that's a plus.

On Saturday we took the boys to their first swimming lesson, very very different from home.  A 25m pool divided into about 5 lanes one end and 4 the other with a larger space for the babies.  Anna took Marcus into the baby section which was similar to Puddleducks but Finley due to his age went in by himself with armbands and the instructor.  He did so well and swam fine with the arm bands, they gave him the confidence to actually swim by himself and he did it fantastically and got a certificate to prove it.  Marcus did well too and enjoyed the class save for the last 5 mins.  Very noisy but great fun and both boys swimming at the same time (9.00am) means we can be off somewhere else for the rest of the day.


The afternoon saw us down to Freemantle and fish n chips by the sea.  It was a really enjoyable afternoon, we went on a Ferris wheel which meant the boys could look out over the docks and quays. we walked along and found a little path and Finley got his first taste of paddling in the Indian Ocean, he seemed to enjoy it although he did spend a significant time on his backside in the surf.  He didn't want to leave the small beach we found, can't wait to get to the real beach and let him loose.

Sunday we went to the Zoo via the ferry across the River Swan, Both boys appeared to enjoy the crossing with Finley wanting the window open, perhaps he wanted a swim?  We saw our first black swans on the south bank which are beautiful birds.  The zoo was much fun seeing elephants out for a stroll and the Kangaroos lazing in the sand, Koalas asleep in the trees and some Kookaburras in the trees so it was a really good time out and the boys enjoyed watching and pointing at various things they could and couldn't see.  It was rather exhausting for us keeping them in check but much fun was had in general.  It was "grandparents day" at the zoo, so there were lots of extra activities for the kids that grandparents could join in, although didn't see any grandparents on the bouncy castle! (Finley for some reason has talked non stop about bouncy castles since we arrived in Oz, so he was very excited to have a go).

Back to work tomorrow, roll on next weekend and our new home.

We're here!!

And it took a while to get here, so settle back, this is likely to be a long one!

Tuesday 1st November 2011 0300am.  Far to early to be awake but up and all packed into the car to go to Manchester.  Dad drove us in, a huge hug and thanks to him for getting up so early.  The journey wasn't bad, unsurprisingly the M62 was pretty empty at that time of the morning but it was throwing it down with rain (no surprise there).  We got to the airport fine and after a brief wait got checked in.  We had to repack some suitcases which was a pain but we got there.  We did however find out that our baggage would be off-loaded at Heathrow and we would need to collect it and check in for the next two flights again.  At this point we were severely pissed off as we knew moving all our bags and both kids would be a huge ordeal.  I think possible the hardest part of the journey occurred.  Saying bye to Dad.  He has done so much for us over the past four years we can't thank him enough.  Saying bye to Mum the night before was equally hard. 

Anyway, both boys were great on the first flight and both slept for most of it which was a bonus for us.  As predicted though getting our baggage at Heathrow and moving across to terminal 3 was an ordeal.  One paid porter and two taxis got us there but it took about 45mins to sort everything out.  A bit of flirting ( not sure who was the bigger flirt - James or the kids) and explaining what was happening meant that we got away with our bags weighing to much and not having to pay excess baggage saw us through check in.  If anyone is thinking of doing the same with small kids, security is a hassle.  I hate the taste of baby milk but I had to taste it every time, not a happy Daddy.

The middle flight was hard.  The in flight entertainment was a single screen at the front of the plane showing movies that wouldn't interest Finley even if he could see it.  So a long flight and nothing to watch.  Marcus did sleep for a few hours but Finley took till about 9 of a 12 hour flight to drop off.  So needless to say Anna and I didn't sleep at all.  Not good.  Marcus was great and only cried properly for about 45mins in a 12 hour flight.  We were so proud of both of them being so good.

Bangkok probably saw the only hiccup of the travel.  Our buggy got put on the luggage going to baggage reclaim, so for us to get it, it would have involved me get a tourist visa to Thailand, getting the buggy and then checking back into the airport and our flight, this was never going to happen in an hour stop over.  So we were told our buggy was put back on the plane and would be waiting for us in Perth...we were skeptical.

Last flight, sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday, I wasn't sure by that point.  Thank goodness we had individual screens and amazingly Scobby Doo was there to keep Finley amused for several hours.  Marcus was pretty good and slept for a large proportion of it.  We managed a few hours sleep as well which was good.

Landing at Perth in the mid afternoon was great, we were finally here.  We got put into the shorter passport queue because of the kids.  Baggage collected and then as expected...no buggy.  Anna sorted it out and got the airline to see if it was at Bangkok and get it on the morning flight so we would have it Friday.  It was rather gutting not to have the buggy as it does make things so much easier to do.  A huge thanks to the baggage people at Perth who were brilliant and helped us out with the luggage and ensured we got a Maxi Taxi and got us through so quick.

Taxi to the apartment and we got our first view of Perth, looks nice so far :)  Meeting Glynis was a real pleasure.  Such a wonderful person with a smile and warm hug to welcome us and it made us feel so happy.  The apartment is a lovely 2 bed place with open plan kitchen/diner/lounge.  two bathrooms which was unexpected and the washer/dryer in the kids bathroom.  However we were pretty crestfallen to find out it didn't have Internet and we couldn't skype anyone.  It was a real downer.  Our first meal consisted of half cold chips and pizza :p as it was fairly late by this point.

Bed was eagerly sought, a few wonderful hours and then...Marcus let all hell lose and was up to 0200 and Finley decided to be up till then as well.  Jet lag sucks especially with kids!!!!!  Thursday morning we all slept from 3am till 1130, it was sorely needed.  That afternoon we headed to the bank and sorted that, then found the main shopping bit and found a wonderful little thing that gives us WiFi in the flat, we got internet, yay!! Lunch was a lovely Chinese noddle thing, so far we are eating really Australian, lol.

Walking back home it poured but it was warm rain and Finley was jumping in every puddle and getting soaked and loving every minute of it.  He was soaked but warm and happy.  Thursday afternoon the buggy turned up and we spoke to mum and dad and it was brilliant to talk to them and tell them what we'd been doing. 

Friday saw a trip to the supermarket in our hirecar, automatics are weird!  It's very strange though walking into the supermarket and seeing basically everything we have back home but slightly different.  Same package, same product, different name but so much more fresh fruit and veg, very nice indeed.

Friday afternoon we went to the office BBQ and I met a load of my new workmates, they all seem really nice and friendly.  They all played with the boys on the balcony, yes a balcony, that they have drinks on every Friday (on the company:) ).  It was a really nice atmosphere and i'm looking forward to getting to know them better.  The low point was that I had to give a short speach saying who I was etc.  It went something like "Hi, i'm James, this is Marcus (who had walked over to me and I was holding) and the small child trying to jump off the balcony is Finley..." Only he would pull a chair over to the balcony and climb up on it!

Friday night saw a little better sleep, Marcus woke but went off again but Finley was awake and we ended up putting him on the sofa after Anna had said he would get a Strawberry in the morning if he went to sleep, so we heard Finley a little later saying "Mummy, i'm asleep can I have a strawberry! LOL

Still we got up about 0830 which was better and headed off to see out first house viewing.  It was in an area called Padbury which is about 18km north of the city.  It was a huge 4 bed bungalow but very '70's with exposed black/brown/red brick feature walls and greeny/yellow mottled glass in the entrance hall.  It was big and in a nice neighbourhood with a park and playground just over the road.  The garden was an ok size but not very nice, very sandy with little grass and not a huge area for the kids and little area under cover.  It is however only about 5mins to the beach :)  Finley was fascinated by a small white snail that he found.  I think he misses Slimy Bob :(

We then moved on to the next house, which is closer to the city and closer to a station.  About 10mins to the station, 10 on the train and 10 to the office, all good.  The house was lovely.  Smaller than the first one and the nearest play park is a few mins walk away but there is a WhiteRose size mall less than a 5 min drive away.  It is a nice family home with a grassed area and a large covered area.  Finley kinda played with the small boy who lived there.  There are nurseries close by and good schools as well.  It is also $200 a month cheaper and with the lower costs of travel. it would be saving about $300 a month which makes it even more attractive.  Anna is going on Monday to put in an application form and fingers crossed we will get it but we shall see.

Back to the apartment and we spoke to mum and dad and Lucy and Bren and it was great seeing and hearing from back home.  Sat now with a cuppa and Fox's biscuits from Batley!  Home sweet Home.

Take two

The phone rang at about 0315 this morning and it was GM, nice day in Perth apparently.  It now transpires that we are flying via Bangkok with Thai Airways.  We leave tomorrow morning (Anna was a little worried when I said 'This' morning and began a mild panic to get to the airport in a little over 2 hours), from Manchester again at 0710.  Rather early but we can now start getting excited and ready for the flights again.

Here we go again :)

So close yet...

We were set to go and then a phone call alerted us to the fact that all Qantas flights are grounded.  We couldn't beleive it when we saw what was happening.  Talk about being crestfallen.  We were all geared up and ready to go and then...nothing. 

We sent a long time trying to get through to the customer contact number and got no joy so a phone call to Perth and GM and disturbed her afternoon.  She has been brilliant though, keeping us informed of what the news in Oz was saying.  We packed up ready to go and orhanised to hear from her when she got up in the morning and saw what was happening.  So 0130 I was texting her and we decided that there was no point in going to the airport and subsequently we had it confoirmed that flights to Singapore and Perth were, indeed, cancelled.

The latest we have heard is that no flights will be in the air with qantas till early monday morning (GMT).  However we are skeptical of that.  GM is going to rebook flights for as early as she can get them so we shall see. 

Meanwhile we just have to sit with no furniture and wait and wonder.  Not a good situation for any of us but at least it gives Anna and Marcus a chance to get over their colds.

So keep your eyes peeled here for more details.

All systems go

Well, what a week.  After getting our visa through we really began to believe that this whole adventure was happening.  We were told that our flights would likely be around Tuesday 1st November.  A week away, not so bad.  A lovely weekend was had and a birthday party fro Grandma Tibby was held and Caroline, Steven, Oliver and Amy came up which was nice opportunity to see them again and to allow Grandma to see all the kids playing together, especially as Marcus is now up and walking properly. 

Me thinks we will be walking most of the way Perth!  Lucy, Bren, Amy and Anna also came up so a garden full of playing kids (and adults) was brilliant to see. 

Then Monday morning we got an email and asked if we could fly on Sunday the 30th!  well it gets us into Perth on Monday as opposed to Wednesday and so we get an extra two days to get used to things and find our feet.  So we leave Manchester at 0820 on Sunday 30th October 2011.  It all feels very real now.

Pickfords have come to pack up our stuff.  They have worked so quickly that some stuff we would like to have taken with us have been packed and taken away before we had a chance to say no.  Rather annoying but not a lot we can do about it now.  The house feels very bear now and very big.  No beds or tables, chairs or sofas.  Which made cooking and sleeping a challenge but hey ho who doesn't like a challenge?

We took the boys down to Nursery this morning as they would only want to 'help' or prove to be a mobile trip hazard for the movers.  When we went through the gates there was a huge sign saying Good luck to the Headons on their Ozzie Move.  Both Anna and I were in tears.  Finley went dressed as a Witch and Marcus as a Vampire as they will miss the Halloween party on Monday. 

It means so much to us that the people who have watched our boys grow and develop care so much about them that they go the extra mile and make it so special for us and the boys.  Finley was telling everyone that we were going on a plane and the beds were going on the ship.  We know that the staff and other kids will miss Finley and Marcus, we just wish them all our love and hope that they can follow the boys as they grow and will still be there when we come back to visit and they can see how much the boys have grown.

WOOHOO..........

GOOD NEWS.  Our Visa's came through this morning so the Aussie's are letting us into their country.  Rather silly of them I feel!!!!

Glynis and John called me this morning and we had a quick chat.  John wants me over as quickly as possible as the office is very busy but they recognise that we need to have our stuff packed and settle in a bit.  To that end we have the movers packed for the 25/26th October and we will likely be flying the week after, on the 1/2nd November.  We should be flying from Manchester which is good for us. We are going to opt for as short a stay over as possible, get the long haul over and done with as quickly as possible! 

I think we are both SO relieved that the visa has been granted.  It is all properly happening now, which means we can properly put energy into packing and getting everything organised for on the plane.  I think the hard work really starts now!!!

Anna can finally start applying for jobs and looking for somewhere for us to rent, which in turn will determine nursery places ect, all very exciting!  So if you want to see us for one last time in Blightly (well for a while), give us a call and we'll try to sort something out.

Fun time down south

First of all some good news.  We sold the Fiesta, with only a little hassle (we were asked to prove the mileage so we had to provide the mot certs thank goodness for the DVLA website)

But to the main point of this.  A huge thank you to our friends Nancy, Stu, Freya and Erin and bump.  After a fairly quiet journey down we arrived mid afternoon and Finley immediately found the swings, so that was basically him sorted for the next 24 hours! oh and the pond with frogs and newts in.  The boys also discovered the joys of classical music...

Nancy was looking well, albeit tired but being 8 months pregnant generally does that.  We are so happy for all of their family that they will have a baby boy to add mayhem to the mix.  They are fantastic parents and we know they will bring up a lovely young man.  Watching Stu sitting in the semi dark watching our boys sleep it was easy to see what a caring, loving and wonderful dad and husband he is.  I just wish I had had more time get to know him better.

It was such a nice evening with Nancy and hearing about her plans for the hypno-birthing business she is starting, such a passion and want to help others through one of the most wonderful moments in life speaks volumes about the sort of person Nancy is.  Anna and Nancy had a wonderful time swapping stories (I was a little at a loss but still it was really good to see Anna relax and spend time with her friends).

Saying bye was really hard.  Again it is often months or years between seeing them but it never feels like we have been away.  As Nancy and Stu have been large parts of Anna's life over the years role playing and moving so far, it brings it home how hard it might be to make friendships so strong.
A cuddly Koala will soon be winging it's way back to Blighty for new baby with all our Love and Best Wishes.

Scotland Road Trip

What a tiring few days.  We left 0900 on Thursday (29/9/11) morning and got back about 1730 on Saturday (2/10/11) afternoon.

The drive up wasn't to bad at all.  Marcus and Finley both slept at times which was great and we only listened to Room on the Broom a few times, which is always a bonus for the parents.  We arrived at Elsie's and she had put on a good spread of sandwiches and cake and lots of tea a most welcome end to the journey.

Elsie was on good form and it was lovely to see her.  We go far to long without talking to her but she is such a lovely person that when we do see her it is like we never left her.  Saying good bye was difficult.

We saw Great grandma Headon and although the boys won't really remember her while we are in Oz I was really pleased that She managed to see them both and have a cuddle with them.  It is a shame that we don't see her more often but we tend to so busy (not a great excuse I know) at a weekend that we never seem to have the time.  She was ok and pleased to see Finley again and to meet Marcus for the first time.

Dinner on Thursday was much fun.  Some good friends came down from Polmont and joined us and the boys for a meal.  Regaling us with stories of cats hiding under floorboards and talking about fun times at school and uni passed a few hours until the boys were well beyond tired and in desperate need of sleep.

Friday saw us traveling to Dollar to visit my school.  How things have changed in the 9 years since I left.  Twas a very odd feeling when I realised it was approaching a decade since I left.  It was sponsored walk day at School where they were hoping to raise in excess of £60K! A lovely day for a walk in the Ochills behind the school but we weren't kitted out properly for walking and I don't think Finley would have made a 10+mile walk...let alone us!

Seeing Craig was great, as per usual he was uber busy with the pipe band and generally running all things CCF.  The signallers were having issues receiving messages from the wandering radios.  Even though he was busy seeing him in his normal arena really took me back to be 18 and working alongside him to work through whatever had gone wrong and learning how to deal with problems and how to get the best out of people you work with.  Looking back I learnt an awful lot from him.  I just hope that I can pass on everything I know to the boys.

Heading up Dollar Beg was strange.  The number of times I had done it is the past had never really prepared me for thinking it may be the last time I ever saw the tree covered hill that conceals Castle Campbell or cross the River Devon in the flood plain at the bottom.  Dollar will always be a huge part of my life and leaving it behind really hit me.

On to Linlithgow to see Gail.  Unfortunately she was busy developing a new exhibition so we had a lovely walk around the Loch and ran Finley ragged.  Marcus was so excited by the ducks and swans (once he woke up anyway).

A fun afternoon by the Loch lead to us heading into to Edinburgh to have a wander through Princes Street and try to find some jitter balls for nursery.  The wander was good but the jitter balls were no where to be found.  We did however find some sunglasses for life in Perth, decent ones that I will try my best not to scratch!  As it was such a lovely day we had ice creams in the park and after I got mint choc chip for myself, Finley decided that he would rather that than the chocolate I had got for him.  So with grumblings I gave it up (the sacrifices we make for our children) until my Wonderful Lady managed to do a three way swap and got me my mint choc chip :) I Love her so much.

After ice cream we ran around bare footed with the boys.  Finley with Anna and Marcus with me.  Cue scene from some cheesy romcom.  Finley throws ball and it lands at the feet of a good looking guy reading in the shadow of his bike, he looks up and see's Anna looking sheepish and raises and enquiring eyebrow.  She smiles coyly and indicates Marcus and I.  Who I hasten to add were doing our best to block the walkway on Princes Street Gardens by walking and sitting down on the path and I was giving my best lines to a trio of 80+ ladies.  Who got the better deal? I'll let you decide that!

a short walk took us the pub where we were meeting some friends for a drink.  Vinca and Becky managed to make it and Vinca was a star in keeping Marcus amused and seeing Becky was great.  Hadn't seen her properly for a long time.  Was really sad to leave them.  However we had to as both boys were shattered and needed sleep.  Saying bye was hard.  We will really miss them and I will try and keep in touch better.

Another bad nights sleep led to Saturday morning and we headed to Linlithgow once more to see Gail. Again she was busy with the exhibition but still to see her was good and both Anna and I were in tears at saying goodbye.  Both Gail and Elisabet have been really good friends and have always given sound and unbiased advice and looked out for us and our Family.  Good friends are hard to find and we are lucky to count these two amazing ladies as ours.

The journey down wasn't to bad.  We had a lovely couple of hours with Gwen and Ernest who were really pleased to see us and meet the boys.  They had made a lovely snack lunch and found Janey's old toys for the boys to play with.  Both Finley and Marcus played really well and behaved themselves.  So proud of them.  I had always got on well with Gwen and Ernest, I spent many a happy hour sailing at South Shields and hope one day that I can show the boys my skill (or lack thereof) with RC yachts.  Again saying bye was very strange, I hadn't seen them properly for over 4 years and even though both Janey and I are now married to other people we felt welcomed and loved.  Driving away with a tear in my eye made the drive home hard.

And finally home it was that we come.  For the first time in, well ever, it really did feel like 'Home'.

Sherwood Forest

The Royal Oak, a 1000 year old oak tree.  What a sight.  We went down to Sherwood Forest today to meet Caroline, Steven, Oliver and Amy.  Twas a day where you're not sure if you need a jacket or shorts n flip flops :p

We took Grandma Tibby with us as well as it was the last time she would see all her great grandkids together for a while.  It was hard taking her with as I knew it may well be the last time she will see them together for over a few years.  But I think she had a great time and really enjoyed cuddling and holding Baby Amy.

Marcus was in the pram mostly but had a lovely walk with Daddy around the clearing at the royal oak and seemed to enjoy looking at the trees and all the different people walking around.  Well he was gurgling and smiling lots. 

Finley and Oliver had a whale of a time running and jumping off logs and enjoying the space and freedom to roam, Oliver liked the bramble patches for the blackberries (or blackbellies as he says it) after he and his Mom and Pa had taken him blackberry picking earlier that week.

Dinner was a lot of fun and Finley and Marcus both had a great time and ate very well (may have been partly starving them from breakfast but who knows?!?).

When the rain started to fall we headed home.  Twas rather sad leaving Caroline, I know we don't see each other that often but she is my Sister and it suddenly hit that it may be over a year before we see each other again.  Also the fact that Grandma may not see the four great grandkids together for a long time was upsetting, (but who knows when she would have seen them together again for a while anyway) feel like I am taking part of her life away from her but I know she would tell me to stop being silly and live our lives to the full.  She is an amazing wonderful Lady and we will miss her greatly.

Journey home was quiet, me lost in thoughts and Grandma as well I think and the two boys fast asleep after lots of fresh air.

Steak for dinner was GOOOOOOD!!!!!

Water Fountains Wakefield

Who knew that on a cold day in September we would have so much fun in Wakefield.  We headed off, after Finley and I dropping Mum at Dewsbury station.  Felt quite sad watching her walk away, very odd but it felt as though it was us leaving properly.  Finley was overjoyed at the £2 coin she gave him to spend on him and Marcus.

Anna had a fun dentist hygienist session and we decided that some fun was needed.  Que the water fountains.   Finley saw them and wanted a closer look, he certainly did that...

It was a huge amount of fun and had us all laughing and just purely enjoying being silly and relaxed.  So nice to just be us and mess about, felt like a long time since we had had that release.

Home after that and quiet time for Finley (after James had made macaroni cheese (huge ego boost as it worked!))  

We then went up to Mum and Dad's for a roller coaster of an emotional nature.  Dad came out and gave me his digital SLR and I truly didn't know what to say.  I was trying not to let the tears show as was Anna.  I felt so honoured and loved to be given his camera as I know he really enjoyed using it and to give it to me was a huge thing for him.  It really hit home how close everyone has become to me over the last four years, I can never thank Dad enough for everything he has done and how he and Mum have accepted me into their Family.  We look forward showing them our new life Down Under.

Then home and dinner for us and Marcus, he enjoyed the macaroni cheese and as a side some rather nice trout!  We did however have a load of fun chasing and being chased by Marcus in his walker, his laugh is great.

Bye Bye Bob

Well, today we said goodbye to our giant African Land Snail.  We gave him to Connor, one of my friends from the dojo.  He is a great young man doing a course in Animal Husbandry at Huddersfield so I know he will look after him well.

Finley was very cute and said bye to Bob and held him so we got some good photos of him.  Twas sad saying goodbye, who knew I would get attached to a snail that i've had for four years?!?!

Party

We had some good friends over on Friday night and had a fun night of wine, risotto and chocolate cake thingy.  It was really nice to just relax and laugh and feel surrounded by friends who want the same as you and are are so happy that you're doing something positive and exciting, Thank you.

We had a Bon Voyage party on Saturday night (16/9/11).  Twas an enjoyable evening, we had a right mix of people, Anna's friends from her old jobs, my friends from Edinburgh and Leeds and then new friends that we have made since being here. 

People started arriving from early afternoon and played with the boys, huge kudos to Paul for playing with Marcus for ages.  Finley was a little shy at first but he soon got over that and joined in and had a whale of a time, especially on Sunday morn when he made a fort with John and was jumping of the couch onto his new trampoline :p

It was also more than just a going away party, two of our good friends told us that they had got engaged.  So congratulations to Jaymie and Dan and to Frodo and Kat.  Our very best wishes to both the happy couples.

Saying good bye to all our friends was strange, emotional but at the same time because we do go for months at a time of not seeing each other it feels like that again and that in a few (well usually 6 months or so) we will see them all again.  I think it will hit more the nearer we get to actually flying and I will begin to realise that we will not see friends for a lot longer than a few months.  It will be strange.

Oh, my tooth where they did the filling still aches, so not a happy bunny.

Some good news

Well, I have now been off for a few days and enjoying the time off.  I have just about caught up on sleep and tried to make a chocolate tart today.... it was all going so well except I forgot the eggs, even though they were sat right in front of me whilst i was cooking.  Yes I know I am stupid!

We took Finley to the soft play yesterday and he had great fun climbing, running and sliding about and so did Anna, as per the video below.

But the good news that I spoke of is that we have heard from URS today that my references have arrived and been accepted.  A HUGE weight off our shoulders, we just have to wait for the visa and that should be through in the next 3-5 weeks.  It really feels like we are going now, so we have applied for an Australian bank account and can start to decide what we are taking in suitcases/hand luggage versus what will be shipped.  Once the visa is approved then URS instruct (hopefully) Pickfords to arrange packing and shipping of the rest of our stuff, which will take about 7 1/2 weeks to reach Oz.  URS arrange accommodation for the first 4 weeks so that will give us time to rent somewhere but we will still potentially have 2-3 weeks in Oz without proper beds etc - time for camping out indoors me thinks :-)))) the boys will love it!

Last Day

Well, i'm not sure where the last four weeks have gone, a mix of site work and finishing of projects I guess.  Very strange feeling today, excited to be going and moving on but I know I shall miss my friends here.  Locked away on site for a few weeks with just someone from the office you can form strong ties. 

My desk is looking bare, all bar two photos of the boys and my dragon bookmark are gone, doesn't really feel like my desk anymore and in two weeks then the new grad, another James who did his MSc in Hydrogeology at Leeds, so a like for like swap!

The visa should be done in 3 to 5 weeks but we are hoping for the shorter time period but we shall see, it will be appiled for first thing next week.

Going for a lunch with work today to say bye to everyone, last pub lunch in Headinley.  I thought I was going to be here for several years and move on up past the site work level before heading of to somewhere new but things change so quickly. 

I will really miss working here they are a good bunch of people and i've learnt a lot and made good friends.  Hopefully i'll keep in touch with people (I know i'm useless at emailing as all my friends will testify to!)

Getting somewhere(ish) Part 2

Well good news today.  The Boys passports arrived in the post after being told yesterday they would be 48hr to print and then at least 48hrs to post.  Go Figure.

So Anna has sorted them and sent copies to Australia and the Visa can be appiled for.  Woohoo :)

Getting somewhere(ish)

Well, things have taken another step forward to getting sorted.  We know the boys passports are sorted and so we are just waiting for them to drop through the letterbox, hopefully Friday or Saturday and then the Visa can be sorted. 

We have had a family discussion (the five of us) and we have decided to sell the house.  This is the best option really but a shame at the same time.  We have been in the house for less than 13 months (we moved in on the 3rd September 2010) but in that time mum and Grandma have been living at number 9 for nearly 7 months now and while we have been in the house we have had it either broken from the fire or a building site.  So none of us have really made a strong bond with the house.  Even though it was a really nice house.  We also asked mum if she would mind if took the Dragon and she is happy for us to do so.  Therefore we will have the Gatekeeper, Dragon and Garg and Goyle to keep our house in Perth safe.

We have sold the trailer tent now, again a shame as we never got to go camping properly but things moved so fast that we just never had the time and then the whole emigrating thing happened, oh well, we shall just camp in Oz (should be warmer at least!). 

We have also found a home for our Giant Sequia (that we planted for our wedding in 2009) and the Oak tree that we found as an acorn with Finley in Judy woods shortly after he was born in July 2008.  They are both going to Nostel Priory, a National Trust property just outside Wakefield.  We have been there several times and feel really happy knowing that the trees will be given the space and protection to grow to maturity, which for the Sequia could well be over 40 or 50m!

I tried to get a certified copy of my passport yesterday from the bank but they said that they don't do certified copies anymore...most annoying so we now need to go into the bank in Perth with passports to formerly open it, we can still deposit, just not withdraw or use the Internet banking.  Most annoying but such is life.  It's over 21'C in Perth today and a balmy 15'C in Leeds with heavy rain, need to start looking for a decent pair of sunglasses me thinks.

Finally for today and the most exciting news is that Marcus, complete with about 8 teeth and more to come the next few weeks, walked by himself for the first time yesterday (Wednesday 7th September 2011)  he took about 7 or 8 steps between Anna and myself and was really chuffed with himself, he walked to us and had a hug and then turned round to go back, meanwhile Finley was running between us and having a hug with the one who didn't have Marcus, he was also laughing and hugging Marcus as he walked backwards and forwards.

Things move quickly

As I said within a week of going to the Expo I was having a first initial interview with URS in Australia.  This was all a little odd as the nice people at the Expo had said that they wouldn't pass my CV on and I would have to send an email to their recruiting department in Oz, which I hadn't got round to yet. 

So anyway I was phoned and interviewed they said they would set up interviews with Perth, Brisbane and Christchurch.  All very exciting and rather scary at the same time.   All the while I was working on site in the north of England so early morning phone calls weren't overly welcome but at least I was up in time for breakfast.

I had an interview for the Perth office on the 14th July.  Only four days since I had gone to the Expo.  I thought it had gone well but I wasn't holding my breath, no point in getting excited about anything.  Meanwhile I was still trying to concentrate on work and do my job well.

Around this time I also had email contact with a company in Vancouver who said they were interested in interviewing me.  Things were looking good I thought.

Where it all began

10th July 2011, Finley's 3rd birthday and our 2nd wedding anniversary.  I went to the Expo in Leeds, Savile Hall and talked to the URS and KCB company representatives and well the ball just rolled from there!  A week or so later I was having interviews with sompanies in Vancouver, Perth, and christchurch.  All very strange having conversations at ridiculous times of morning and nights, especially when i was doing long days on site as well.