1st Week Up Date

[Guest Martin and Val]

Ok we have been here now for a week! Time has gone so quickly and it feels like we have been here for months.

We didn’t have a brilliant start to our new lives in Australia due to the death of our pet Boxer `Pace’. He had become ill while in quarantine in Melbourne and was transferred to University Hospital. They did all they could for him but unfortunately he had contracted an infection (which they say he must have had prior to his flight to Australia) which resulted in pancreatitis, this in turn caused damage to other organs and he died of Kidney failure.

Our advice to anybody bringing their dogs with them is to think very carefully, if they are elderly or have any existing health issues find them a home back in UK or at least fly here before them so that you are here ready for their arrival. If you get here before them at least you can visit them straight away and seeing you may well help them get through the trauma of the long journey.

Although Pace was nine years old, we had hoped that he would enjoy at least a couple of years playing on the beach. We still have `Megan’ who is doing fine and will be reunited with us on 17th November.

The South Australian government has provided us a nice three bedroom house in an area called `Golden Grove’ which is situated to the north of the city. We can honestly say if you’re lucky enough to be granted On Arrival Accommodation take it and be grateful as accommodation is hard to find. We were initially given a flat in the city but when we arrived it had been changed to the house in Golden Grove as they had overlooked the fact that we had pets and realised before we got here.

I had an interview on our second day here for a company specialising in the manufacture of stage, film and stunt sets amongst other things, unfortunately I discovered on Wednesday that they recruited from within the company.

We have had many things to do since we arrived so we were please that we had already opened bank accounts and obtained driving licences earlier this year on a previous visit. Time has just flown by as we did all the essential things, Apply for Tax File Number, Report to The Immigration to confirm our arrival, Sign up for Medicare, Apply for a dog licence plus all the other things like shopping, paying the rent, meeting with SA Housing department etc. It really has been a very busy time.

On Tuesday 28th we bought our first Aussie Car and we are really pleased with it. A nice RAV 4 Wagon in metallic blue. We found it on the internet and went to have a look, did a test drive and then the following morning rang them to say we would buy it. First of all we went to the vehicle registration department where we filled out a form just to check that there was no outstanding finance on the car, at no cost to us. We were told within minuets that the car was clear of any finance and therefore safe to purchase. If we had wanted a written certificate to say it, it would have cost us $9 (£4.50)

The day we went to look at the car, Val had gone to the couple’s next door neighbour’s house as she had a business making dog beds. Well she had a look at them but decided not to buy as they weren’t quite what she was looking for. When we collected the car the following day the lady had made a beautiful new bed for Megan complete with spare cover and exactly as Val had described to her the day before and had placed it in the back of the car as a gift!

We went looking for a more permanent house rental on Wednesday and soon discovered this is not an easy task! Anyway we have a few that we would like to view so that’s a start.

One of the hardest things is communicating with family and friends back in England, the time difference puts us currently 10 ½ hours ahead and with no land line and only having the library for communication is proving hard. When you’re sat at home at night and would just like to ring or send an e-mail your unable to!! And mobile phone calls cost a small fortune with Pay As You Go!!

Still it will all come together in the end. So far we are very happy and pleased we made the move, it has not been easy and we have had loads to do. The loss of Pace was the hardest thing we have had to deal with and one that we didn’t expect to go through.

We can honestly say that everybody we have met so far has been so helpful and kind.

Adelaide and the people who live here really are special people, we already feel at home and welcome in our new country.

We have updated our photo albums which can be viewed at: http://martinandvaldarling.spaces.live.com/

Take care and good luck to all those making the move and those who are already here.

Martin and Val

[Guest mOZzy]

thanks for a great update!!

 

i am so so sorry to hear about pace! that must have been a shock!

i am sure they tried everything to help him! and as you said you still have megan!

and what a nice neighbour to make you the bed for megan especially - wow!!!

 

glad things are going smoothly for you so far and good luck with the house and job hunt!!!

 

what's golden grove like for you?! it was always on my list as a maybe ....

[Guest salisbury massive]

Hee Hee, I know where you are living in Golden Grove. I helped some people who are now friends in that OAA there last year, its a convenient location and the dog park isn't far away either.

 

So sad you lost your doggy, must have been terrible for you both.

 

Jo

[Andrew from Vista Financial]

Hey Martin and Val

 

Sorry to hear the news about Pace.

 

Hope you have a smooth ride form here in. Good luck.

 

Andy & Stacey

[Guest Alipally]

Hi Both,

 

So sorry to hear that Pace didn't make it. I remember you posting that they were flying out a few weeks ago. I hope you get the opportunity to visit Megan before her release, if not I'm sure that she'll be as pleased to see you as our girl was when we collected her.

 

Looks like you've been busy yourselves. I hope that you find a job soon. OH is still looking too.

 

Take care.

 

Ali

[Guest caoimhe]

Hi Martin and Val

Sorry to hear about Pace, we lost our dog last year and I know it is very hard. The kids still think he is away playing on a farm but they were so upset at him being ill I couldn't face telling them the truth.

Hope everything goes well for you both and you continue to enjoy your new life

[Guest Vicks&Stu]

Hi Martin & Val

 

Gongratulations on getting here.

 

Very sorry to hear about Pace.

 

I hope you are settling ok, there are always lots of people on here for good words of advice.

 

Take care and enjoy the warm weather in October!

 

vicks & stu

[scooterdan]

Hey martin and val,

 

Great to hear off you again!! Sorry to hear about Pace...

 

You seem to be doing well though...got alot done!!

 

Look foward to seeing ya again!

 

Dan and Steph...

[The Monaghans]

Hi Martin and Val,

 

So sorry to hear the sad news about Pace, what a rotten start to your new lives here. But congratulations on getting here and good luck with whatever the future holds!

[Guest brandyslad]

Hi there,

 

This is something we have been agonising over. We have a Boxer who will be two at Xmas and we really want to bring him. My sis has said she will keep him for a few weeks/months til we get settled and then send him. I think after reading this, it might be best. As I said to my OH it would be best for us to be settled and have a routine and suitable house before bringing him over. Although he is a brute of a dog he is like a baby! Boxers can be so sensitive to change.

 

So sorry to hear about Pace, that's tough going.

[Guest The Angus Clan]

Glad to hear you are making progress and slowly settling in - so sorry though to hear about your dog. Our Beardie will be 9 by the time we come to make the move and I am really concerned for him. OH is adament he is coming with us , but I have a friend who has a bearded collie too , and I wonder whether it would be kinder to re-home Gus with my friend. Keep your chin up and hope life continues to get better and better now your in Oz.

Marcia x

[Denise]

Hi Martin and Val

 

Really good to find out what you've been up to and nice to read a positive post about settling in. As with everyone else, I am so sorry about Pace, you have been my 'dog contacts' in my little PIA book of people to contact from day one. I wish you all the best and look forward to reading more posts from you as you settle in.

 

Denise

[Guest happy feet]

So sorry to hear about Pace, but glad you our geting things sorted and enjoying your time so far.

Take care

Cara

[Guest Guest75]

Welcome to Adelaide you 2!!!

 

Looks like things are going well here.

 

So sorry to hear about Pace though.

[Trevali]

Hi Martin and Val,

Lovely to hear from you both and that you have arrived safely. You certainly have been very busy and very well organised. Sorry to hear your news about Pace. You are an inspiration to us all. Good luck for your future life in Oz. Maybe we will meet one day soon.

Alison xx

[Kimbo]

Hi Martin and Val

 

I'm really sorry to hear about Pace - send you and Megan big hugs.

 

You're getting so much done in a such a short space of time - wish you guys all the very best and look forward to hearing how you're settling in.

 

Take care.

 

Kim x

[Diane]

Hi

For calling back to the UK, get a Daybreak voucher from your local post office ($20 usually) and find your local call box/pay phone. You can then call back for the cost of a local call (40c - save your 20cent pieces!) and about half a cent per minute. This time of year, easiest way to work out when to call is add 1.5 hours to current time, and change am to pm. Actually 10.5 hours difference isn't too bad - you can call in the morning when you get up, or in the evening. I find that easier to plan than when its 8.5 hours difference.

Sorry to hear about your dog. Fancy coming along to our girls drinks on 20th November - Golden Grove Tavern? Drop me a PM or just come along.

Diane

[orrelljet]

Good to see you finally made it guys. Welcome to SA!

[Guest Martin and Val]

Hi All,

Thank you all so very much for your kind words.

Now in our second week we have come to a bit of a stand still with things to do although Martin does have another interview on Monday afternoon and then we have a few house viewings. So watch this space for further updates....

Mozzy, you asked about Golden Grove. Well it really is a very nice place with wonderful views and some great looking houses. For us it's not where we wan to be as we have always wanted to live by the sea so thats what we are ultimately looking for.

Diane, we went out last night with Kev and Mall (Swampo) and Mall spoke about the 20th girls meet up, unless anything important comes up Val will be there. What time are you looking at?

Martin says as the boys will be sat at home bored how about they meet next door in the sports bar?

Oh yeah, we have the phone card thingy which is a great idea but the call box at Golden Grove Shops near the Tavern doesn't take the card and eats your money!

All for now

Martin and Val