2 Years in.....grab a coffee....

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

Well where do i start.

 

 

We arrived here on my birthday, the 17th April 2008, landed at Adelaide airport with 4 kids, 20 or so items of luggage around $12K and no-one was there to meet us.

 

got a mini-bus to pick us up from the airport and take us to out 2 weeks furnished rental, we had no jobs, no car, no rental....we got hold of an old Ford Laser which ( touch wood ) is still goin strong and i use it for work 80kms round trip every day.

 

I secured a job toolmaking, i was in touch with alot of companies from the yUK and had been to see alot of these guys as soon as we arrived but some of the money these guys were offering was frankly a joke, after around 10 days, and on the same day we secured a fantastic rental, an old double brick house, 1 road back from the beach, life was looking good.....

 

As i found a job first Kat then stayed at home with the kids etc etc...we have had some issues with the big kids some of which i wnt go to mention...but it has involved the police and the legal sysytem here in Oz, the little kids have settled in well and Seb is turning intio a proper little Aussie dude.

 

I have been in and out of work whilst we have been here and have had a quite a range of jobs from Roadie to DJ, from Sales rep to working at Bunnings, now i am back toolmaking and loving it!!!!!

 

During a prolonged time of unemployment, and as soon as lil man started school, (chef)Kat went to work for a very well known restaurant in The Vale, she loved it there but the hours were so crap night times and no weekends to ourselves, Kat never really had a life....

 

Kat now has an amazing job - Barista trianer for massive Aussie company and she totally loves it.....the change in my babe was like having a new woman around...amazing.

 

We are also in the middle of building our own house, thanks to the Government giving us $25k....ok its been a roller coaster regarding the house but we WILL get there. Thankfully our landlords have been great and are letting us go on a rolling monthly agreement til we move out.

 

We've had vistors, both mothers, horrile when they go, Kats mum came back and has stayed - lives with us which is great, Kats bro n family have been, convinced his partner to move here, so once theyre here Kats mum can go for her parent visa.

Family goodbyes are terrible - weve had it bought home to us that it could be the last goodbye (its not just grandparents that pass away- which is sadly what we worried about/assumed when leaving the yUK) Kat went back for her nephews funeral in Nov 08.

 

On the whole we are loving it out here and have the MIL staying with us too which helps out so much when it comes to the kids, the biggest thing is it enables us both to work and work on achieving our dream....

 

 

Well thats about it guys....

 

We have also made some pretty amazing friends whilst we have been here, these guys have become more like family to us, we share the great times and the bad times - this is a crucial thing to to do as soon as you can when you get here some go onto being family and some are just acquintances but all in all its about building the networks of people to share stuff with.

 

Work hard, its worth it......life is the same here as in the yUK you still have to goto work, the kids still get upto mischief....but if you want it you can get it as long as you are willing to put in the hard yards.

 

Heres to the next however many years, and i hope that we have been of some help and assistance/help/inspiration to some guys whilst we have been on board this super special roller coaster....getting the visa is the easy bit!

 

Heaps Good......

[suzer]

Congrats - it is a bit up and down those first couple of years. I just hit 2 years as well:)

[carryon]

Nice one mate, glad its all working out for you all, we're right behind you on the 2 years of being here, hope life keeps onwards and upwards!!!!

 

Simon:)

[Guest caoimhe]

Congratulations on getting this far Martin and I'm sure with more hard work and determination yourself, Kat and the kids will continue to thrive here. Good luck

[sueoc]

Well done HG.A great post.Yup it's all up and down at first as you say,but hopefully for us all,things turn for the better,and a structure to our lives falls into place.We been here 19 months and it is defo getting better.All the best Sue.

[Guest katsmajic]

Well said hun,

[Rachiegarlo]

wow 2 years already.......the next 2 will fly by too

[Guest Guest5035]

More or less the same after 19 years being here.

 

Stevi

[Riponian]

thanks Heaps and congratulations on your 2 year anniversary and to many more.

 

well done

x

[Guest Guest75]

Top post mate,congratulations to you all.

Wishing you many,many more happy years here

[Guest KP Nuts]

Happy Birthday, and great post, and here's to many more........

[Dawn&Andy]

congrats kat n mart and kids:)

 

we ourselves hit the same milestone in 12 days:)

 

Dawn xx

[Andrew from Vista Financial]

Congrats on the 2 year mark, here's to many more.

[Guest mOZzy]

great achievement!! - and what a journey it has been!

 

good to see you all so happy

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

Thanks guys.....it feels like we have been here for bloody ages.....in a nice way that is !!!!!

[Guest The Dimmocks]

Congratulations on your 2 years in Adelaide, and heres to many more.

[Guest Carolandcraig]

great post HG, Nice to hear your still loving it.

[mydearboy]

Great great post hg, and well done, about to start the big long journey myself, great to hear an honest account of good and bad experiences heres to the next 2

[ozzieclare2be]

you guys never fail to inspire and amaze me, youve had so much against you from day one but still battle on, but your both so driven it doesnt suprise me youve fought through so much hardship and are still going. I just know the best is yet to come for all of your family, bloody brilliant!!!

[kjc79]

congraulatons and great post. not too far off our 2years ourselves and feeling the same with feeling like we have been here for ages - in a good way:). heres to the next many years of happiness and your new house

 

kathx