Hey there y'all!!
I'm terribly sorry, I have been rather tardy about the blog.
The story soo far......
Jennifer has now started school..wahey! She is soo enjoying it, that she is most upset she doesn't go the whole week! She is in full time except wednesdays, for the month of February any way, and in the whole week starting march. She even wants to go at the weekend, when spotted trying to get her uniform on on the staurday morning!
So Jennifer in Prep A and Caitlin now in Grade 3/4. They both seem to settling in really well. Surprisingly, as their previous classes all get mixed up as they go onto the next year, so they are not really with the same people from one year to the next! That must have some major plusses that the classes are well balanced, and potential problem groups get separated.
I went to their assembly on monday, and they all sing the Australian National Anthem to begin with. Feels brilliant, and the anthem really uplifting.
And she has lost yet another front tooth! The Tooth fairy going to be on overtime soon, as Caitlin due to lose antoher 9 teeth. We went to the dentist recently and Caitlin and myself got x-rays, and she counted about 9 teeth struggling through. I've been unfortunate to get some root canal treatment recently. I go back for another 2 visits. But they are exceptional...well, what do you expect for private dentistry!! There isnt a national health service here, which is good I suppose!
Stuart still doing really well in work, he's enjoying the banter with his fellow collegues. His bike also going well, now he's changed it to the V~strom. Something he should have went for in the first place, but there you go. We only use the car for long journeys really.
I've started doing Avon, something to keep me out of mischief. But have put a couple of resumes into a couple of places, but haven't heard from any place yet, but here's hoping. A part time job for a few days a week will do. Then can up the hours as the kids get older.
Anyway, as you probably know, Victoria is in a state of mourning as fires still burn. I feel just as devastated, even though I am a newcomer. But everyone is soo passionate about their country here, so it's hard not to feel a sort of loss for all the people who have lost all their loved ones and possesions. I wish peace for all these stricken families and justice for them as the ones responsible are caught!!!
So i'll go just now, and let you know about my job situation.
Greetings from Oz
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Almost Christmas!!
Hey all!!
Really sorry that I havennt updated the blog in a while...
The story so far.....Nothing really nuch was going on, just waiting for all the furniture to arrive. Which it did, on the 11th December. So that's us had it all for just over a week now, and already feels like we have always had it.
Will take a picture of what it looks like, then post it on the blog. But what it does do, is make it all real. Not just some kind of secondment, or holiday. Having all our furniture from scotland really makes it look like home.
Even the weather recently has been like home. Ever since the stuff got here, and I've now had a washing machine, I 've been unable to hang it out...would you beleieve it has rained almost non-stop?? Stuart actually had to pour out water from his motorcycle boot when coming home from work. But it's now the 20th December (oh happy Birthday Gran..) and today i've managed to hang it up, as the sun is shining and there are blue skies!!! Apparently this is highly unusual for this time of year, but a welcome sight for all australians. If you didnt know, this is their 13th year of drought, as they havent had much rain all those years do alot of the dams are drying up. Just our luck eh? Whats the bets that they will be over the drought come their winter????
Stuart beginning to think they dangled a carrot to get us here, lied about the great weather. but they assure us that hotter weather will be on its way!!
Oh, we went out last night to see if we could spot real, live, hopping kangaroos, as they come out at dusk and guess what........WE DID!!! Yehaa, thought they were also telling us fibs about that as well. But there they were, in this field hopping about. The night was really nice, a slight wind and we even got a back drop of noise thanks to the crickets and a couple of cookaburra's!! The real Aussie experience, and it was amazing. We have never seen a hopping kangaroo, as in zoo's they tend just to stay still. One was keeping it's beady eye on us the whole time, while the rest of them hopped about in the distance!
Perhaps go up to Mount Macedon, they have signs for Koala's and Wombats, so would be great to see these in the wild. Stuart did see a possum walking along the top of the fence outside our house, rather large domestic cats with really bushy tail.
So we are nearly all prepared for Christmas. We are going to someones house for Christmas lunch, which should be good to be amongst company. The weather report alot better for Boxing Day, so will be up early, load up the esky and head to the beach!!
Well, had better go now, Caitlin has a play date with a girl from her class, but will add those photos of our newly furnished house soon.
Until then, all our love to all who read this blog
Denise, Stuart, Catilin & Jennifer
Hope you all have a wonderful christmas and a bonzer new year!!!!
Really sorry that I havennt updated the blog in a while...
The story so far.....Nothing really nuch was going on, just waiting for all the furniture to arrive. Which it did, on the 11th December. So that's us had it all for just over a week now, and already feels like we have always had it.
Will take a picture of what it looks like, then post it on the blog. But what it does do, is make it all real. Not just some kind of secondment, or holiday. Having all our furniture from scotland really makes it look like home.
Even the weather recently has been like home. Ever since the stuff got here, and I've now had a washing machine, I 've been unable to hang it out...would you beleieve it has rained almost non-stop?? Stuart actually had to pour out water from his motorcycle boot when coming home from work. But it's now the 20th December (oh happy Birthday Gran..) and today i've managed to hang it up, as the sun is shining and there are blue skies!!! Apparently this is highly unusual for this time of year, but a welcome sight for all australians. If you didnt know, this is their 13th year of drought, as they havent had much rain all those years do alot of the dams are drying up. Just our luck eh? Whats the bets that they will be over the drought come their winter????
Stuart beginning to think they dangled a carrot to get us here, lied about the great weather. but they assure us that hotter weather will be on its way!!
Oh, we went out last night to see if we could spot real, live, hopping kangaroos, as they come out at dusk and guess what........WE DID!!! Yehaa, thought they were also telling us fibs about that as well. But there they were, in this field hopping about. The night was really nice, a slight wind and we even got a back drop of noise thanks to the crickets and a couple of cookaburra's!! The real Aussie experience, and it was amazing. We have never seen a hopping kangaroo, as in zoo's they tend just to stay still. One was keeping it's beady eye on us the whole time, while the rest of them hopped about in the distance!
Perhaps go up to Mount Macedon, they have signs for Koala's and Wombats, so would be great to see these in the wild. Stuart did see a possum walking along the top of the fence outside our house, rather large domestic cats with really bushy tail.
So we are nearly all prepared for Christmas. We are going to someones house for Christmas lunch, which should be good to be amongst company. The weather report alot better for Boxing Day, so will be up early, load up the esky and head to the beach!!
Well, had better go now, Caitlin has a play date with a girl from her class, but will add those photos of our newly furnished house soon.
Until then, all our love to all who read this blog
Denise, Stuart, Catilin & Jennifer
Hope you all have a wonderful christmas and a bonzer new year!!!!
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Monday, 10 November 2008
We are now Gisbonites!!!!
Hi all...well, we are now living in beautiful Gisborne. We have been here over a week now, and have some mixed weather so far. When we first got here, it was rather cold, and had to get extra blankets for our airbeds.
So we are now cosy and are beginning to sleep well. It had rained for a couple of days and Stuart was ready to just go back to Scotland. But the weather picking up, with temperatures reaching 28 degress. All the locals keep saying "Cant wait for summer", Help ma boab, you mean this isnt it????
Anyway, Gisborne is a very green and lushious place, with surprisingly enough alot of Oak trees...we have one beside our driveway, with loads of saplings!! Also a gum tree outside our door.
Alot of bugs here as well, alot of beetles and seen huge spiders. I'm hoping it was the same one, didnt want more of one of these guys around. Thank god for the fly screens!!
But there are beautiful birds around, parrot like things and cockatiels, all flying around wild!! A most bizarre sight. And there are breath taking views from the top the road, over to the next hill, and Mount Macedon. Have yet to visit one of the many wineries here, so will look forward to that excursion.
I'm most disappointed, though, that I have not seen any Kangaroos since we touched down, and there have been plenty signs for them. Have seen the tail of one, that had been knocked down, but yet to see a live hopping one. I think I have seen the evidence of a possum, droppings on driveway that are too large for a mouse!
Caitlin seems to be enjoying school, and I thnk she looks really smart in her school uniform, complete with hat. Will get a piccie of her on.
Jennifer is itching to get starting school, and is going to pre prep classes, and should get her uniform before christmas. But she seems to be settling well into Aussie life, and enjoying all the wildlife around her.
Stuart is doing okay at work. But he is getting abit tired of the temporary furniture we have, but not long till our real stuff comes. After living with minimum, going to seem really crowded.
Anyhoo, will hopefully be getting a new bike soon, for ease for Stuart to go to work. The roads are soo straight that it's perfect for bikes. And we have our eye on one, so watch this space. And hopefully get our true blue Aussie Bar-B-Que soon, and with our fridge on its way will be stocked with loads of meats for it.
Our neighbours here are really nice, but everyone here is so friendly anyway, and would do aything to help you. They also love the Scottish accent as well. Although, I dont really notice it unless I talk to a scottish person.
So thats the story so far, so will update with photos, and hopefully hear from you soon..
hope you are all well, so until next time, my love to you all
Denise & Co
xxxxxxx
So we are now cosy and are beginning to sleep well. It had rained for a couple of days and Stuart was ready to just go back to Scotland. But the weather picking up, with temperatures reaching 28 degress. All the locals keep saying "Cant wait for summer", Help ma boab, you mean this isnt it????
Anyway, Gisborne is a very green and lushious place, with surprisingly enough alot of Oak trees...we have one beside our driveway, with loads of saplings!! Also a gum tree outside our door.
Alot of bugs here as well, alot of beetles and seen huge spiders. I'm hoping it was the same one, didnt want more of one of these guys around. Thank god for the fly screens!!
But there are beautiful birds around, parrot like things and cockatiels, all flying around wild!! A most bizarre sight. And there are breath taking views from the top the road, over to the next hill, and Mount Macedon. Have yet to visit one of the many wineries here, so will look forward to that excursion.
I'm most disappointed, though, that I have not seen any Kangaroos since we touched down, and there have been plenty signs for them. Have seen the tail of one, that had been knocked down, but yet to see a live hopping one. I think I have seen the evidence of a possum, droppings on driveway that are too large for a mouse!
Caitlin seems to be enjoying school, and I thnk she looks really smart in her school uniform, complete with hat. Will get a piccie of her on.
Jennifer is itching to get starting school, and is going to pre prep classes, and should get her uniform before christmas. But she seems to be settling well into Aussie life, and enjoying all the wildlife around her.
Stuart is doing okay at work. But he is getting abit tired of the temporary furniture we have, but not long till our real stuff comes. After living with minimum, going to seem really crowded.
Anyhoo, will hopefully be getting a new bike soon, for ease for Stuart to go to work. The roads are soo straight that it's perfect for bikes. And we have our eye on one, so watch this space. And hopefully get our true blue Aussie Bar-B-Que soon, and with our fridge on its way will be stocked with loads of meats for it.
Our neighbours here are really nice, but everyone here is so friendly anyway, and would do aything to help you. They also love the Scottish accent as well. Although, I dont really notice it unless I talk to a scottish person.
So thats the story so far, so will update with photos, and hopefully hear from you soon..
hope you are all well, so until next time, my love to you all
Denise & Co
xxxxxxx
Friday, 24 October 2008
Our New House
Hi there...
Well, we have finally got the keys to our new house. So as promised, here are photos from it.
It will be more like home once all our furniture is here.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Another Countdown now!!
Hi all...
Well, we have another countdown now. This one is until we move to our new house in Gisborne. Which is now only 11 days away!!
We have purchased airbeds, for again we sleep on them until we get our things in the crate. Which will hopefully arrive in Australia on the 22nd November, so could be then or a week after.
Then I happen upon the quandry of, "Where will I store all the things we brought over??". I don't think they have lofts in this country. Luckily didnt bring an awful lot, but still!!
We also got our car last weekend there. It's a ford explorer. We will perhaps get it fixed up for LPG gas which alot of cars have over here. They all seem to have extra tanks for it, and bigger cars easier to put it in, although the cars we see using it usually have the tanks in the boot. So we are going tomorrow to get our drivers liscence exchanged for Victoria ones. This will get the insurance down, as well as having it for ID, which they all need over here. So we managed it!! Get a car and a house to live in in 6 weeks!! Although, quite difficult as some of the houses quite strange, and seems that no two houses are the same.
Anyway, will put some piccies of the car on this site, then when we get the house, take piccies of that.
Also on friday, get Caitlins school uniform ordered for when she starts Gisborne Primary school. She is going to look exactly like what they do on home and away. They wear the blue and white checked dress in summer and the jogging pants and sweatshirt in winter. A hat is also compulsory in the summer as they dont get to play if they dont have it. The sun was so strong the other day, it melted Jennifer's crayons & pastels, I kid you not! So that you will need to see. Jennifer will start Pre-Prep, which is our primary 1. She will start Prep after christmas. Here they go to grade 12 when they start high school, at age 13 years. So they end up leaving about 17 or 18 years old!! Imagie that, but quite a good idea, then they are slightly older and may have a better idea what they want to do.
Weather abit mixed these days. Was warm but then cooled right down, even with a bit of smirry rain on sunday there. But we have to remind ourselves that it is only spring!!
Another reason I'm worried that I'll miss Christmas...illogical to have it in the summer!! So totally going to sicken you all by having a barbie for christmas dinner, and perhaps go to the beach for the day!!! Well, It has to be done really! Would be letting you all down otherwise!!
Stuart getting right into the Aussie way. Will post a piccie of him in here. All that's needed it the Billy Ray Cyrus pony tail or mullet and we will be sorted. Although, he hasnt had a drink of the amber nectar though. So he will need more practice there. Been drinking plenty of Coles apple juice though...
Will wrap this up now, nearly time to go and get Caitlin from school. So until next time
Lotsa love from Oz
Denise & Co
Well, we have another countdown now. This one is until we move to our new house in Gisborne. Which is now only 11 days away!!
We have purchased airbeds, for again we sleep on them until we get our things in the crate. Which will hopefully arrive in Australia on the 22nd November, so could be then or a week after.
Then I happen upon the quandry of, "Where will I store all the things we brought over??". I don't think they have lofts in this country. Luckily didnt bring an awful lot, but still!!
We also got our car last weekend there. It's a ford explorer. We will perhaps get it fixed up for LPG gas which alot of cars have over here. They all seem to have extra tanks for it, and bigger cars easier to put it in, although the cars we see using it usually have the tanks in the boot. So we are going tomorrow to get our drivers liscence exchanged for Victoria ones. This will get the insurance down, as well as having it for ID, which they all need over here. So we managed it!! Get a car and a house to live in in 6 weeks!! Although, quite difficult as some of the houses quite strange, and seems that no two houses are the same.
Anyway, will put some piccies of the car on this site, then when we get the house, take piccies of that.
Also on friday, get Caitlins school uniform ordered for when she starts Gisborne Primary school. She is going to look exactly like what they do on home and away. They wear the blue and white checked dress in summer and the jogging pants and sweatshirt in winter. A hat is also compulsory in the summer as they dont get to play if they dont have it. The sun was so strong the other day, it melted Jennifer's crayons & pastels, I kid you not! So that you will need to see. Jennifer will start Pre-Prep, which is our primary 1. She will start Prep after christmas. Here they go to grade 12 when they start high school, at age 13 years. So they end up leaving about 17 or 18 years old!! Imagie that, but quite a good idea, then they are slightly older and may have a better idea what they want to do.
Weather abit mixed these days. Was warm but then cooled right down, even with a bit of smirry rain on sunday there. But we have to remind ourselves that it is only spring!!
Another reason I'm worried that I'll miss Christmas...illogical to have it in the summer!! So totally going to sicken you all by having a barbie for christmas dinner, and perhaps go to the beach for the day!!! Well, It has to be done really! Would be letting you all down otherwise!!
Stuart getting right into the Aussie way. Will post a piccie of him in here. All that's needed it the Billy Ray Cyrus pony tail or mullet and we will be sorted. Although, he hasnt had a drink of the amber nectar though. So he will need more practice there. Been drinking plenty of Coles apple juice though...
Will wrap this up now, nearly time to go and get Caitlin from school. So until next time
Lotsa love from Oz
Denise & Co
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Three weeks here already!!!!
Hey all!! well, we have been here three weeks already!! Can't hardly believe it.
To bring you all up to date.... Caitlin has startd school at the local school here for now, Williamstown Primary school. It seems really fun, I mean, they have climbing frames complete with monkey bars and a chute!!! And not one bit of graffitti anywhere.
Back in scotland that would have been destroyed by now. And you can use it outside school hours.
And it's so laid back, the teachers are known by their christian names! Caitlin's teacher is Nicki or can be called Mrs S! She seems really nice. And next week, Caitlin will also be in school for the first time ever, on her birthday. In scotland, it was always in october week. And she is going on an excursion to a lego toy exhibit. As the project in school at moment is toys and the engineering of them. I may actually go with them, also for the first time ever, as a parent helper. I've always been at work and could never go with them. Jennifer is too young at the moment to start school here. She has to be five before the april before the new term, ie after christmas holidays. So she will need to go to a kindergarten for the time being. Shame as it seems like a seems like a step back. Caitlin is in grade 2!
So thats what I've been up to, walking Caitlin to and from school. I dont think i've walked so much. But Jennifer gets to go to the park, so we are pretty much outside all day.
Today we went for a drive along the Great Ocean Road. With breathtaking views, but really twisty roads. You climb up, then drop down towards the beaches. So we stopped off and purchased some swimming wear for the children. Something to protect against any jelly fish. So they really do look the part. Didnt take photos as Stuart's phone was dud, but will next time. Stu also got the Aussie vibe going on by purchasing his first ever pair of "thongs". So he is now truly aussie!! So my face, hands and arms are a nice shade of brown, but yes, the legs are still milk bottle white!! Don't think I have pigment there at all!! And stuart has got a really deep tan on his neck!! Sun was behind us at the last beach we were at. So we stopped at Bell's Beach for a dip, then went further round to stop at Lorne Beach, a really awesome sight, as far as the eye can see both ways, with the temperature getting up to 28 degrees.
So more news, we also managed to get our house we had our heart set on. A beautiful two storey town house in the middle of Gisborne. A lovely wee town, almost like a Strathaven. So when you come out the house, turn left, you can see the shopping precinct. And turn right, 200 yards up the street is the local primary school. It has lovely wooden floors downstairs, with carpet in the bedrooms, the living area along from the kitchen area, with two bedrooms with a full bathroom downstairs. The only thing upstairs is the master bedroom with an ensuite!! Absolutely gorgeous!! It has a small "backgarden" area, but a new build, with a gravel bit set aside especially for the Bar-b-que!! Which is one of the first things we will need to get. It's just brilliant. Even better with wineries close by as well, i'm in heaven!!
Stuart is working away, good man that he is. And although it's 10 hours a day, the day seems to go by quite quickly for him. And he enjoys coming home everynight and still having most of the night. And also having the weekends brilliant for him. He's soo much happier here. I've always thought he had that S.A.D thing, as he was always miserable in Scotland, but what a difference being in the sun has made. Makes it all worthwhile.
Well, I'll go now, got the washing to hang up and get my dinner, but please, i hope folks are starting to save up cos I'm soo looking forward to sharing all this with you. I really wish you could be here with us!!
Until the next blog, keep well, love to you all
Denise & Stuart, Caitlin & Jennifer
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To bring you all up to date.... Caitlin has startd school at the local school here for now, Williamstown Primary school. It seems really fun, I mean, they have climbing frames complete with monkey bars and a chute!!! And not one bit of graffitti anywhere.
Back in scotland that would have been destroyed by now. And you can use it outside school hours.
And it's so laid back, the teachers are known by their christian names! Caitlin's teacher is Nicki or can be called Mrs S! She seems really nice. And next week, Caitlin will also be in school for the first time ever, on her birthday. In scotland, it was always in october week. And she is going on an excursion to a lego toy exhibit. As the project in school at moment is toys and the engineering of them. I may actually go with them, also for the first time ever, as a parent helper. I've always been at work and could never go with them. Jennifer is too young at the moment to start school here. She has to be five before the april before the new term, ie after christmas holidays. So she will need to go to a kindergarten for the time being. Shame as it seems like a seems like a step back. Caitlin is in grade 2!
So thats what I've been up to, walking Caitlin to and from school. I dont think i've walked so much. But Jennifer gets to go to the park, so we are pretty much outside all day.
Today we went for a drive along the Great Ocean Road. With breathtaking views, but really twisty roads. You climb up, then drop down towards the beaches. So we stopped off and purchased some swimming wear for the children. Something to protect against any jelly fish. So they really do look the part. Didnt take photos as Stuart's phone was dud, but will next time. Stu also got the Aussie vibe going on by purchasing his first ever pair of "thongs". So he is now truly aussie!! So my face, hands and arms are a nice shade of brown, but yes, the legs are still milk bottle white!! Don't think I have pigment there at all!! And stuart has got a really deep tan on his neck!! Sun was behind us at the last beach we were at. So we stopped at Bell's Beach for a dip, then went further round to stop at Lorne Beach, a really awesome sight, as far as the eye can see both ways, with the temperature getting up to 28 degrees.
So more news, we also managed to get our house we had our heart set on. A beautiful two storey town house in the middle of Gisborne. A lovely wee town, almost like a Strathaven. So when you come out the house, turn left, you can see the shopping precinct. And turn right, 200 yards up the street is the local primary school. It has lovely wooden floors downstairs, with carpet in the bedrooms, the living area along from the kitchen area, with two bedrooms with a full bathroom downstairs. The only thing upstairs is the master bedroom with an ensuite!! Absolutely gorgeous!! It has a small "backgarden" area, but a new build, with a gravel bit set aside especially for the Bar-b-que!! Which is one of the first things we will need to get. It's just brilliant. Even better with wineries close by as well, i'm in heaven!!
Stuart is working away, good man that he is. And although it's 10 hours a day, the day seems to go by quite quickly for him. And he enjoys coming home everynight and still having most of the night. And also having the weekends brilliant for him. He's soo much happier here. I've always thought he had that S.A.D thing, as he was always miserable in Scotland, but what a difference being in the sun has made. Makes it all worthwhile.
Well, I'll go now, got the washing to hang up and get my dinner, but please, i hope folks are starting to save up cos I'm soo looking forward to sharing all this with you. I really wish you could be here with us!!
Until the next blog, keep well, love to you all
Denise & Stuart, Caitlin & Jennifer
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
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