What we up to now!!

Hey all!!

Well, staring to climatise to our new surroundings. Jennifer took a wee while, she took to sleeping quite alot in the first day or two, but now she is going to bed at the normal time and getting up at usual time, so that's good. Caitlin is just fine through the whole thing, although she is bored as there aren't any other children nearby, so she isn't used to playing too much on her own. I do try and walk to the park most days so far, in between the long walk to the shopping centre, but all good for me. Thats what I tell myself.

Today we spent the day looking for rental accomodation. So far Gisborne looks fantastic, and everything else doesn't quite compare. Stuart would love to stay there. I don't know quite what it is, but it has a wee certain something that the other places don't...character? Closeness? Community feel?? But really hope we get it. The other houses are okay, plenty big for the money, but will wait to see what the inside looks like. you can't really say for sure from the internet photos.

Stuart is enjoying his work, well, as much as you can enjoy work. But it's so much nicer environment than waht he was used to. And has even done some overtime already, so keep it coming!!!! Me, on the other hand, am getting twitchy. I'm not used to not working, so will look forward to settling down to some sort of pattern, then quickly get a wee part time job. Otherwise, could go slowly insane!!

The weather really nice, and apparently just got nice this past week. Alot of wind , mind you, but in saying that, the wind was also warm. Apparently can get to about 40 deg C in the height of summer, so wil get to know what a chicken would feel like when it enters a fan assisted oven!!!! I may even turn a shade of pink!!!!!

I will try and put a photo or two of our temp accomodation on this, then will obviously put our house ones on it when we get it. So will leave you just now, so I can figure out how to do it.

Hope you are all well, love ya, speak soon

Denise & Co xxxxxx

The Greens have Landed!!!

Hi all!!

Well, we are here, after what is one mammoth journey, and one I hope not to do in the very near future. Well, at least not in the same way.

The journey was okay, until we dropped into Hong Kong. We got caught in the tail of a tropical storm, complete with lightening just outside the plane!!!! Stuart loved the extravagant light show, but I wasn't in the least impressed, in fact, my body just went to pot. Yes you guessed it, I had made use of the sick bags!! Then tried to calm myself for the next leg of the flight, another 9 hours from Hong Kong to Melbourne. I did manage to sleep most of the way, although not brilliant. We all managed to catch 40 winks, but again, needed the bags!! I don't do well with sleep depravation.

The girls were excellent the whole journey, I think Caitlin watched Kungfu Panda 4 times, and Jennifer watched the mickey mouse show and of course the simpsons!!

We arrived in Melbourne at approx 9pm, only to find that one of our cases had wandered off, apparently it was Quantas fault. But surprisingly we got it the next day.

Our house for the time being is gorgeous. Not much garden, but lovely big rooms, and extremely close to the water marina and town. Would you believe I have already done one washing?? It is an extremely up to date top loader, sop need to get used to not over packing the machine and using just enough powder.

Our first day was spent getting a few provisions, setting up bank accounts, of course going to the park. And Stuart and Jennifer have succumed to the dreaded jet lag. Jen just completed passed out in the car, Stuart stared feeling the same, so at this moment they are sleeping. I did get abit sleepy myself, but managed to get back on my feet again. The only person who doesnt seem affexted at the moment is Caitlin, but then again, she could just completely zonk out later.

Anyway, going about town, saw alot of children. They are on holiday at the moment, would you believe they are off from 20th september till the 6th October? They also have 2 weeks in june to early july, in all july and august, but off 2oth december till end of january.

The weather today was lovely and warm at 17 deg c, but had a fresh breeze, especially in the shade. But got to the park and went to another town to check it out. Something we will be doing alot of between now and november, when we have to leave this accomodation.

Well, I'm going tol go now, prepare dinner, and wake up the family.

And it's not all fun, as Stuart is starting his new job tomorrow. But he will still be easing him into it, as I don't think they work the weekends.

So will pass my love to all you over the water...

Until next time

Denise
xxxx

Only 2 days to go!!!!!

Hi all!!

Well, we are nearly there!! Only two more days left, and only one more sleep in our house. We will go to the airport hotel on sunday night. Well, we have to give all the beds back, and will need somewhere to sleep.

But a nice, proper bed sounds amazing, even if we dont sleep, what with the mammoth journey we have to take.

So all the suitcases are packed, well, still have things drying that still have to go into suitcases. But apart from that, we are almost set to go.

I have a couple of books, the girls have loads of activities in their back packs, plus all the films we hope to watch. Don't know what Stuart going to do, probably get a book today or something, and probably watch films.

So we leave early monday morning and we will eventually get to Melbourne about 8pm tuesday, which is about 10 or 11 am tuesday scotland time!! Yes, I will endeavor to get get two clocks, one obviously showing Scot-Time!!

Well, I'll go just now, need to get ready to throw out last of the clutter. And hopefully next blog will be from Oz!!

Thank you for listening, speak soon

Love to all

Denise Green

9 Days to go!!!!

Hi all!!

Well, not long to go now. Only 9 days left!!

I have finished my work, ending in a very pleasant lunch with my collegues. Now just trying to empty a house!!

Now it's going to really hit home what we are doing. We have been so busy recently, so haven't really thought about what it was all for. But soon we won't have an option.

Next sunday will be our last in East Kilbride, as we will stay overnight in airport hotel. Well, we need to give back the airbeds, and also easier, as dont want to have to travel far to the airport, think we are going far enough when we get onto the plane.

Would just like to take this opportunity to thank all my family, friends, collegues, for all their help and their lovely sentiments on our epic journey.

I will endeavour to write in this blog once a week, almost like a diary!! Think this will help, keeping a contact with you all until we get established!!

So until then, Hopefully next time I do this we will be in Oz ( our internet access will probably be stopped by then!!)

Love to all

Denise Green

Two weeks to go!!

Hi all....Well, the countdown continues...Only two weeks to go!!!!

We are steady but surely emptying the house, so will start getting the suitcases down to start living out of them for next fortnight.

I will try and take photos of each airport. We leave at 7.30am on the 22nd September, then land in Heathrow. My first ever time in London!! Then from there have a wee stop in Hong Kong, then finally onto Melbourne, should be arriving there at approx 7.55pm 23rd September!!
Will be funny to see the deterioration of us with each airport...airplanes do something really funny to your hair, no matter what you do to it to avoid it!!

I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the way the time differences will fool with my own clock. Stuart may fare abit better, as he's used to night shifts. So small bouts of nacrolepsy will possibly be unavoidable when we get there!! Will let you know!

So, i'll go just now....keep you updated!!

Love
Denise xxxx

Hey all...Denise here!!
Just want to say a big thanks to Linda who has made this blog possible. I will indeed try and keep it updated everyday, tell you all about the flight etc..that way, it may feel like we havent gone away at all!!!!
Still in scotland for now, and having a wee adventure already, not having the basics of washing machine or fridge, lucky for us the temperature is dropping so the "fridge" is just outside the back door!! And trying to get a decent night's kip on two airbeds isnt easy..perhaps should try it with alcohol??!!
Anyway, i'm hoping people will be able to leave messages to us on this also...
But i'll go just now, remember to chrck this page often...i will!!
My love to all of you
Denise
xxxx

On our way

Well as you'll all of heard by now we're on our way. Our stuff is packed up and on it's way and we leave on 22nd September which is only 16 days away.

We've made up this blog so that you can log on and see what's happening with us. We'll try to keep it up to date as much as possible and will be posting pictures of everything and everyone when we can.

You can also leave comments for us here so it's basically a one stop shop for info on us.