Lazy Cow

They are both very interesting links, thank you . I was surprised to see that Blossom feels food prices have fallen over the years. I don't have people from other countries to compare prices with, and haven't travelled to the UK for a looong time, and even America was three years ago (sob!), so I found that thought interesting. Looking back though, even in the short time we've been here, I remember when it seemed to take longer to spend $100 on a basket of food. Now, if I'm not careful, or if I have to buy for my son (the omni of the family ), it seems like I get there in no time. Looking at the adverts, it does seem that the price of meat has fallen, which I think is actually quite shameful. I cannot see how an ethical producer can make a profit when the end price of a chicken breast (for example) is $9 a kilo. And we all know the problems dairy farmers have had. So I don't feel prices for the items I buy have fallen, but perhaps others really have. I'll be interested to see what others think. LC

Sorry I went quiet there, I was thinking! It's funny how quickly our weeks are taken up. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are all impossible for me, but although Wednesday isn't great either lol, I'm sure I can make it work! How frequently were you thinking of meeting? I've never been in a book club so I don't know what the norm is...or even if there is one! I'm ok with travelling up to Hahndorf, but I'm equally happy to move around to make it a bit easier for flossybeth. (I baulked at a forty minute drive, an hour would be !) Love Snifter's thoughts re. using library sets; didn't even know they existed. Guess it shows how popular book clubs have become . Will you select a book before the first meeting, or decide at the first meeting? I will be keeping an eye on your thread, Cherryripe, and look forward to meeting up with you all. LC

That sounds like a very good move. Counselling sounds like a gift you owe yourself. I'm a great fan of seeking outside help, whether professional counselling of some kind or even, as a starting point, on a forum. IMO, strangers are quite definitely outside the situation and because they don't have any loyalties, they will offer impartial advice. Whether it's right or not, only you can tell! I think there are a good few people who put on a 'brave face', but personally, I reckon it's better to be honest. I think people can recognise when something's not ringing true about a person, but won't necessarily guess what it is. It can send a mixed message. Much easier to be friends with someone who can use your shoulder for a few minutes, then relax and be their happier selves. As I was replying, I remembered a thread from ischa. S/he mentioned an expat support group which might be a way of meeting other people brave enough to discuss how they're feeling. This is the link: http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/aussie-chat/46691-expat-support-group.html It was nice to hear back from you, and it's wonderful to think that the forum might be able to help. LC

Hi Cherryripe, I'm interested, depending where you are in the Hills, what time, night etc. It might be nice to see if my brain still works, but in a relaxed environment where we're not (necessarily) analysing each and every word! LC

Star123, I have no words of wisdom lol, although I think Toni's suggestion was great. Perhaps someone totally neutral to the situation, whether a counsellor or mediator, will help - if only so you each feel the other has actually listened to you. I love my family, but I can't imagine not being connected to the outside world. I would imagine feeling of isolated at home, as the only person that wants to return to the UK, and without having external contacts to share a laugh / problem / walk with, would be horrible. I feel for you. I'm sure after being here four years you'll have tried most things, like volunteering? You really can get to meet some great people, and even if you don't become BFFs, you share a sense of purpose and set of beliefs (for that charity). Having five kids possibly takes up all your time, but if you have any time to yourself where you don't simply want to collapse, volunteering can be great fun. If your kids are still littlies, maybe volunteer at the school / footy / wherever their interests lie, then you may get to meet people in the same stage of life - with kids - as you. Have you figured out why your husband loves it here so much? Couldn't he share some of that contentment by sharing whatever's going right for him, rather than just telling you he'd put Australia before his family? Got to say that sounds harsh. If he truly means that, then perhaps there's more going on than you realise. Could be fear of going back, feeling that he fits here, having a bit of a tantie, IDK, but it doesn't sound very partner-y. I think I've brought it back to go see a counsellor! https://anglicaresa.com.au/children-families/relationships-2/family-relationship-support/ I'm not sure whether they're good, but I've heard good things and at least it's a place to start. I'm sure they could advise you, even if only where to try next. Good luck, Star123. LC

Sure you already know, but the rego insurance basically only covers injury to the person who was not at fault, and I don't think it's a huge amount either. I believe people can sometimes use their no-claims discount from the UK over here, if they bring some kind of evidence?

I think JB must be referring to a reply he's put on your other thread? I don't know anything about the trade, but I did like the pics on your 'demondipping ' link. (Welcome, btw.) LC

This Sunday, 29 May, Victor Harbour's whale centre is holding the Whale Time Playtime! $5 pays for entertainment including shows, the story tent, free rides, craft activities, entry to the Whale Centre...and heaps more! There's parking, tram rides etc as well as a pram park once you enter the festival. It runs from 10am until 4.30pm and looks like it will be a lot of fun . http://www.whaletimeplaytimefestival.com.au/program.html Hope to see you there! LC

RIP Sharon. Heartfelt condolences to her family.

I think it's pretty grim job wise at the moment, and it looks set to get worse. That affects the lower paid, less skilled jobs as people will (have to, if they're claiming Jobseeker's /Centrelink) apply for anything, thus making those jobs ludicrously competitive. Whether you'd be able to find work in your chosen careers is not something I can answer, although I'm sure someone will come along soon. I'm really replying simply to say, in my experience people who have jobs tend to think it's relatively easy to find work, those who are still unemployed, don't think it's easy. I realise that's probably stating the obvious, but deciding to emigrate can be such a huge decision that (IMHO) it can be easy to put too much credence in forum posts, when they're mostly just opinions. Or perhaps I should stop going on and go to bed! Night!

Welcome to South Australia! I remember when we arrived. We'd never been here before, had no one here for us, and suddenly it just seemed overwhelming. The journey from the airport (way tinier than it is now) started off well, but then we drove up along South Road, I looked at the shops, and they looked so mean and kinda shabby somehow. Not my dream at all. We went straight to our On Arrival Accomodation, which was a furnished housing trust property kindly rented to us by the state. The house was bare, except for essentials (and a TV!) and I remember thinking, "We left our lovely sunny home for this?". We needed some shopping so we went out, bought stuff and hired a car - I insisted; I couldn't bear to feel trapped. We drove to Glenelg which looked tattier than I imagined it would ( a fair bit has been built since we arrived). All in all, I felt shipwrecked; emotionally and physically drained. Over the next few days, we had to get to grips with recreating our life. In so doing, we met some lovely people and things started looking up. I don't think we've looked back since:smile:. Be kind to yourself. You might be suffering the effects of jet lag, as well as a kind of bereavement - loss of 'roots', country, home, friends, and family. I don't know if that helps. I hope so. LC

I'm only posting re the eight lesson-thing. My kids both passed their theory, completed the necessary hours driving, then needed a final test drive (VORT) / Competancy Based Training (CBT) to qualify for their Ps. They both felt more comfortable taking the CBT because the instructor ticks off all the manoeuvres they needed to pass during their lessons, instead of going all out for a final drive plus manoeuvres with someone they'd never met (Vehicle On Road Test - VORT). They were also told that they would need a minimum of eight lessons, which sounded fair because they had quite a bit to get through. It all worked out well, both passed, took their HPT, and got their Ps. I think, if they'd chosen to take the VORT, they wouldn't have had to take lessons (although I think it would be silly not to), but would simply apply to take the test. It is (was) a 45-minute drive and you had to get a higher pass mark than if you took the CBT. If you fail, you have to wait a couple of weeks before you can re-take it. Does that help at all? Good luck! LC

It's to take your mind off their playing!

What's wrong? It's not like you haven't been beaten before...or with a bigger margin... LC

So true. I noticed Rick attached a gofundme link (looks like it was set up by Sharon's daughter). Better than sending flowers. LC

I am so sorry to hear that, Rick. I have no words for you, but I am definitely sending healing thoughts and prayers. If anyone has the strength of life force to get through this, I reckon it would be Sharon. Caroline and family.

Glenn Cooper seems to have proven himself as an astute businessman. He's been involved in tourism as well as 'Buy Australian'. I think the point he's making is that the draft Strategic Plan is word-strong, action-weak. Love does not have to be blind. There are elements to SA that could be improved to the benefit of all. Dismissing every idea as somehow disloyal or over-critical is a nonsense. Asking what people want, how they see the future of Adelaide was a great idea, but then we need exciting, forward-thinking individuals to come up with a dynamic plan for our future. And that seems to be what's missing from the Strategic Plan. However, it's still a draft, so let's wait and hope. Alternatively, go to: http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/your-council/strategic-corporate-planning/stategic-plan/ and share your opinion. Finally, I don't know why Deryans continues to post on PiA, but surely each thread / post should be judged by content, not author? LC

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/rspca-renews-call-for-ban-on-jumps-racing-after-horse-dies-at-oakbank/story-fni6uo1m-1226883885812 No. Although, interestingly enough, in a poll last year 80% of race goers said they'd continue to go even if there were no jumps racing. LC

A report in the Australian Environment Review (Sept. 2014, Buxton and Carey): "Cities that protect the natural resources of their hinterlands will increase their adaptability and be more likely to thrive over the next century. Retaining the potential for agricultural production near cities will be a key element in their success in the face of increasing pressures on global food production. This potential can only be safeguarded through an emphasis on retaining land for agriculture, rather than viewing land on the urban fringe as a commodity to be consumed by urban development. The application of uncompromising regulatory measures over the long term is the only way to prevent the incremental loss and eventual destruction of hinterland" When I heard the plans for an arable belt, my first thought was that it might help our rapidly-diminishing wildlife but after reading around, IMHO, it seems an unusually well-considered proposal. LC

I think studying can only help, particularly if you want to work in pre-, or primary, schools. That said, there is no need to have any qualification if you choose to work in high schools. Just a thought. LC

I'd like to know too! We saw a couple of platypuses (much smaller than I thought they'd be) at Warrawong, on one of their twilight walks. I thought Warrawong had been handed back to the Ngarrindjeri, but was being administered by Zoos SA. It wasn't too long after that that Zoos SA closed it down. I didn't really understand how that worked at the time, so it would be lovely to find it had reopened. The 'Net seems to indicate it's still closed, but is it? LC

Would I have come if I knew how our life would be before I'd moved here...maybe not. I love my life here, and I'm a very proud Aussie, but do I love it more than where we came from...not sure. Would I leave now? I doubt it. As I said, I love my life here, my kids have grown up and don't consider the UK has anything to do with them, so I can't imagine moving state, let alone going to live in the UK. LC

Hi, My OH installed one of ours (the other was put in prior to 2005). It didn't take him long, and he said it was very straightforward - probably partly because our roof tiles lift out easily (and in fact that was one of the ways our ever-inventive, key-losing son entered the house. We've since put a lock on the loft door lol!). It hasn't made the house colder in winter, but I'm told it does reduce moisture in the loft space. Which is good because we've stuffed heaps up there . If you don't fancy installing it yourself, I think builders and roofers will put them in for you. I don't know how much they charge, but our cost was @$150 all up, I think, and it took him absolutely no time. HTH, LC

Like many people here, we hadn't visited Australia before migrating, nor did we have any family here, so I guess I didn't expect it to feel like home from the get-go. I was surprised how quickly it did, once we were here though. As for your wife's 'connected' comment, I totally felt a disconnect too. Even the sky seemed foreign. Sure shopping and every day life felt weird, but the fact I didn't feel a physical connection to my natural surroundings anymore really rocked me. Happily, although it took time, it's all good now. FWIW, Blackwood HS is great. It's an IB school until Yr 11/12 when students study for their SACE. I don't know much about the primary school, although I know their disabilities coordinator is one of the best. Welcome to the forum, and to South Australia! LC

I don't know if things have changed in the UK, but if he can get his full licence before he comes over, I reckon that'd be the way to go. If he waits then he'll have to pass a test (computer) to get a permit. Once he has his permit he will have a minimum of a year and 75hours driving before he can try for his P1s. He'll have to pass a test obviously. At this point, he can drive alone, but there are rules. I'm not sure exactly how they stand at the moment, but I think it's no driving after midnight (unless you work and can provide a letter or something), no passengers other than one (?) rellie, a speed restriction...that kind of thing. He'd hold P1s for a minimum of a year, then take ashort test before getting his P2s. Your son then has a further year before he'd be on a full licence. So you can see why it might be easier to rush it through over there! I'm assuming that SA will recognise an international full licence irrespective of your son's age, but I really don't know. Hopefully someone will! LC