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.
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