SA state sponsored timeline

[Guest Claire]

Wow after reading all the comments, its making me excited - just hope we get that YES in two weeks, the past 6 weeks have felt like a life time, madness!!

 

If your granted SA they say it doesnt mean the visa will automatically approved, but has anyone ever heard of someone not being granted a visa, am worrying like mad and I havent even submitted it yet arghhhhhhh!!

 

So happy for you guys that got turned blue........please keep me posted!!

 

Claire xx

[Guest owenker4]

Congrats Cara & Gav,

 

Wot fantastic news !! Our paperwork was received 28th Jan, so hoping for a yes in next week or so - Ive already prepared our Visa app online so just needs submitting so can't wait !!

Enjoy the good news xx Kerry & Neil xx

[Guest Cara&Gav]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for your replies. I'm even more excited than I thought as I didnt realise how much I was holding back. I see the main visa as a formality really. I think as long as you've got the points,the correct documents and pass the medical and police check that's it really. Correct me if I'm wrong. Although famous last words and I'll probably still worry lol

 

I hope I haven't overdone the excitement on here as so many of you are still waiting - apologies if I have. But all of you will get your ss & docs arrived around the 28th is imminent now.

 

I will still keep checking daily, positive thoughts for everyone.

 

cara xx

[Guest natmark]

Another day of torture....

Still no news as yet

[Guest chickeni]

Nothing for us either. It definitely tests your nerve! Hope someone has had good news this am? X

[Guest Steph&Lee]

Hi all,

 

Paperwork now recieved by SA 17/03/2011

[Guest Cara&Gav]

Morning all,

 

Great news on the docs arriving Steph.

 

Sending positive vibes to everyone, all those paperwork recieved around the 28th will be very soon.

 

Good Luck

 

Cara xx

[Guest jools123]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for your replies. I'm even more excited than I thought as I didnt realise how much I was holding back. I see the main visa as a formality really. I think as long as you've got the points,the correct documents and pass the medical and police check that's it really. Correct me if I'm wrong. Although famous last words and I'll probably still worry lol

 

I hope I haven't overdone the excitement on here as so many of you are still waiting - apologies if I have. But all of you will get your ss & docs arrived around the 28th is imminent now.

 

I will still keep checking daily, positive thoughts for everyone.

 

cara xx

dont worry your excitement is infectious:biglaugh:

its great for the people still waiting

i hope it all turns out with the visa i wish i could say thats the way put things change so offten in this visa buisness.... so allways keep something crossed and never give up

thats my mantra lol:arghh:

jools xx

[Guest Steph&Lee]

Hi Everyone

 

Occ - Neonatal Nurse (me), Business manager (hubby)

Positive Skills Assessment - Jan 2011

SS SA lodged - 28/02/2011

Paperwork Recieved - 17/03/2011

SS granted - still waiting!

Visa Lodged - not yet

8 week wait begins!!

[Guest Opportunities]

Hi,

My husband is a welder, guessing you guys can speak the same language! We also submitted our SS Application online on 1/3/11 and they received the Documents on 7/3/11. Waiting in anticipation... Good luck to you guys.

[Guest Opportunities]

Although I am a South African, can you add me to the SS waiting list? I have decided that I enjoy the people's concerns and encouragement for each other on this forum and would like to join in.

 

Tian (39) & Karen (37) Kirsten (14), Kristel (9), Christian (21 months)

Tian: Welder (First Class) AQF III Obtained 9/12/10,TRA Submitted and Acknowledge 23/12/2010,TRA Positive Skill Assessment 20/01/11 IELTS 12/02/11 Tian 7 Overall, Karen 8 Overall, SS for SA submitted online 1/03/11, SS doc. received and acknowledged 7/03/11, Now the waiting starts!

Congrats to all that received the SS this past week!

 

Regards

[Guest littlem]

Morning, no grants yet today, but good to see the paperwork arriving and all the new people waiting.

 

(blue have had ss approved)

 

December 2010 - 3 approved

Sharons Dream

Ss lodged 8/12/10

Paperwork received 10/1/11 ( after a postage delay)

Decision - Approved 28/2

Starting new life hopefully 2011

 

Congratulations pleasure turning you blue!

 

Name - Cara&Gav

Occ - Plasterer (Gav)

SA SS lodged - 28/12/10

Paperwork received - 18/1/10

SS granted? - 16 March

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 I hope

 

Fantastic ! Congratulations!

 

Name - Lisa Sedgley

Occ - Staff Nurse (medical)

SA SS lodged - 28/12/10

Paperwork received - 17/1/11

SS granted? - Approved 2/3/11

Visa lodged - can't yet

Visa granted - hope so one day!!

 

Fantastic news congratulations!

 

January 2011 - 15 waiting 6 approved

 

Name - Littlem (aka Michelle)

Occ - Project/Programme Administrator

SA SS lodged - 6/1

Paperwork received - 18/1

SS granted? - Approved 28/2 yeahhhhhhhh!

Visa lodged - 475 27/11/09

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 I hope

 

Name - Mr & Mrs T (I'm new)

Occ - Project/Programme Administrator

SA SS lodged - 6/1

Paperwork received - 28/1

SS granted? - still waiting

Visa lodged - 176 06/04/2009

Visa granted - Within the next year would be nice:notworthy:

Name - Stephen and Rachel

Occ - Furniture Upholsterer

SA SS lodged - 6/1

Paperwork received - 27/1

SS granted? - still waiting, check every morning like the rest of you.

Visa lodged - 176 October 2008!

Visa granted - Soon I hope

 

Name Johnny Walker. yes i'm scottish and heard all the whisky jokes.

Electrician.

ss applied 7th jan.

docs received 1st feb.

Being assessed.

Visa not lodged

In auz as soon as pos please.

 

Name- Jwana

Occ- Electronic Instrument Tradeworker

SA SS lodged- 07 Jan 2011

Paperwork Received- 11 Jan 2011

SA SS granted - 24 Jan 2011

Visa lodged- not yet

Visa granted- hopefully sometime in 2011

 

Si, Su and Steph

Occ – Sheet Metal Worker

SA SS lodged – 8/1

Paperwork rec’d – 28/1

Visa lodged – 175 8/1/2010

SS granted – we live in hope

Visa granted – we live in even more hope

 

Name - Louby Lou

Occ - Architectural Draftsman

SA SS lodged - 08/01/11

Paperwork received - 28/01/11

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - hopefully some time in 2011

 

name - alex27

Occ - primary school teacher

SA SS lodged - 9/11/11

Paperwork received - 25/1/11

SS granted- Approved 21/2/11

Visa lodged - 175 lodged in Oct 2009-moved to cat 4 in July 2010. Hoping to switch to 176 with SA SS

Visa granted - ????

 

Name - Jay & Lou

Occ - Binder and finisher

SS SA lodged - 10/01/11

Paperwork received - 18/01/11

SS granted - 16 March

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - hope in 2011

Happy days! Congratulations!

 

Name- lena007

ss lodge 11/1/11

docs received 17/1/11

SS Approved 2/3/11

 

Congratulations great news!

 

 

Name - natmark

Occ - Project/Program Administrator

SA SS lodged - 11/1/11

Paperwork received - 28/1/11

SS granted? - Being assessed - still waiting!

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - I wish!

 

Name - Clan Fortune (Elizabeth)

Occ - Registered General Nurse

SA SS lodged - 13/1/11

Paperwork received - 28/1/11

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - 2011 sometime hopefully

 

Name - Neil & Kerry

Occ - Telecommunications Engineer

SS SA lodged - 13th Jan 2011

Paperwork received - 28th Jan 2011

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - Hoping for Nov/Dec 2011, really don't want to do another xmas in the UK !

 

Name - Fade

SA SS Applied: 14 January 2011

Document received and Application being assessed: 18 January 2011

Approval: Still waiting...

 

Name Debbie & Graham + 2

Occ. Hairdresser

SA ss online 14/01/11

Docs rec. 28/01/11

SS granted? not yet

Visa lodged 175 Oct 09

 

Name- chicken1

Skill- Cabenetmaker

AQFIII achieved Feb 2010

Positive TRA July 2010

Spent 6 months waiting for SMPs!

SA SS applied 14th Jan 2011

Docs received 28th Jan 2011

Decision - nothing yet!

 

Name - Leccyman

Occ - Electrician

SA SS lodged - 17/1/11

Paperwork received - 28/1/11

SS granted - 1/2/11

Visa lodged - was lodged in April 09 as family sponsored originally

Visa granted - not yet

 

Congratulations - very quick turnaround!

jools123 aka juliette hammon

176 applied for 14-11-09

ss online submitted 17-1-11

ss docs received 10-2-11 (thanks to royal mail taking 3 weeks)

occupation hairdresser

 

Name - Claire & Ross

Occ - Electrician (Ross)

SA SS lodged - 18/01/2011

Paperwork received - 02/02/2011

SS granted? - still waiting

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 we hope!!

 

Name - BOCS

Occ - Supply Chain Manager

SA SS lodged - 25/01/2011

Paperwork received - 15/02/2011

SS granted? - still waiting

Visa lodged - Sept 2009

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 I hope

 

Mervyn and Lindie

Occ- Wall and floor tiler

SA SS lodged -26/01

Paper worked received- 14\2

SS Granted- not yet

Visa lodged-not yet

STILL WAITING....

 

February 2011 - 4 waiting

Name - Steve & Wendy

Occ - Motor-Mechanic

SA SS lodged - 02-02-2011

Paperwork received - 11-02-2011

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - 2011 sometime hopefully

 

nicola and nathan

bricklayer

ss application - 03.02.11

paper work received hopefully this week! TODAY 09.02.11 YIPPEE

ss granted - no not yet BEING ASSESSED

visa lodged - not yet

visa granted - hoprfully this year early next

adleaide here we come

Name: Mary

Occupation: Sales & Marketing Manager

Positive skills assessment: 03/02/2011

SA SS lodged: 11/02/2011

Paperwork received & application being assessed: 24/02/2011

SA SS granted - Waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - Not yet

 

Steph&Lee

SA ss lodged 28/2

Paperwork recieved 17/3

SS approved

 

March 2011 - 6 waiting

 

Opportunities (Tian, Karen,& family)

SA SS applied - 1/3/11

Paperwork recieved - 7/3/11

SS Approved

 

Name - Vasko & Biljana

Occ - Electronic Equipment Trades Worker

SA SS lodged -03-03-2011

Paperwork received - 07-03-2011

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - We hope soon as posible

 

Name - Steve and Vicky Reynolds (plus Tabitha Reynolds - nearly 1)

Occ - Bricklayer

SA SS lodged - 9/3/2011

Paperwork received - 15/3/2011

SS granted? - not yet

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - not yet

 

Hughes'Roberts (Nat & Gaz)

Occ - Painter & Decorator

SA SS lodged 9/3/11

Paperwork recd

SS Granted

Visa Lodged

Visa granted

 

Name - Shane & Helen Rimmer (plus 6 Children)

Occ - Metal Machinist (First Class)

SA SS lodged - 13/3/2011

Paperwork received -

SS granted? -

Visa lodged -

Visa granted -

 

Name - Kevin and Vicky (boys Glenn 4 and baby Alex )

Occ - Diesel Mechanic

SA SS lodged - 15/3/2011

Paperwork received - not yet

SS granted? - not yet

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - not yet

 

 

Good luck for some approvals this week everyone!

 

Michelle x

[Guest teamV]

Although I am a South African, can you add me to the SS waiting list? I have decided that I enjoy the people's concerns and encouragement for each other on this forum and would like to join in.

 

Tian (39) & Karen (37) Kirsten (14), Kristel (9), Christian (21 months)

Tian: Welder (First Class) AQF III Obtained 9/12/10,TRA Submitted and Acknowledge 23/12/2010,TRA Positive Skill Assessment 20/01/11 IELTS 12/02/11 Tian 7 Overall, Karen 8 Overall, SS for SA submitted online 1/03/11, SS doc. received and acknowledged 7/03/11, Now the waiting starts!

Congrats to all that received the SS this past week!

 

Regards

 

I don't think were your from matter's ,its were your are going that counts,so welcome to the waiting club:biglaugh:

[Guest littlem]

I don't think were your from matter's ,its were your are going that counts,so welcome to the waiting club:biglaugh:

 

Well said! welcome to the thread, I have updated your timeline.

Michelle

[Guest Opportunities]

TeamV,Littlem and Chicken1,

Thanks for the kind words!I agree,everybody is heading in the same direction! Strange,but true, I now no longer feel so alone. Nice to be in touch with people with the same vision in mind for their families! Good luck to all! Holding thumbs as tight as humanly possible for everyone.

[Jay & Lou]

Hiya,

 

I'm sooo pleased for you guys!

 

We got it too, they must do it in batches!

 

I feel so extatic! It's such an amazing feeling isn't it!

 

When are you applying for your visa? Our agents have drafted it & we are sorting out the documents and the rest of the payments over the next few days.

 

It's really starting to feel real now!

 

Cara xx

 

 

Hi Cara,

 

Sorry for the late answer, had a few drinks last night!

 

We are filling in the visa ourselves, doing the on-line app this afternoon and then getting things we need signing done on Monday, so it should all be sent off this time next week! Then we will both be waiting agian!

 

Good luck with everything.

 

Louise.xXx

[Guest Guest6899]

Wow after reading all the comments, its making me excited - just hope we get that YES in two weeks, the past 6 weeks have felt like a life time, madness!!

 

If your granted SA they say it doesnt mean the visa will automatically approved, but has anyone ever heard of someone not being granted a visa, am worrying like mad and I havent even submitted it yet arghhhhhhh!!

 

So happy for you guys that got turned blue........please keep me posted!!

 

Claire xx

 

We have to keep fingers & toes crossed, as we have 2 major medical problems within our family. They are serious enough for us not to get a visa, but all we can do it hope.

Lisa

[Guest Claire]

We have to keep fingers & toes crossed, as we have 2 major medical problems within our family. They are serious enough for us not to get a visa, but all we can do it hope.

Lisa

 

 

I hope everything works out for us all, would be great once are all in SA to have a barbie hehe, I am sooo excited and I havent even been granted SA yet!!

 

Oh well back to looking at SA houses on my lunch break, is anyone else as sad as me?? hahah

Claire x:jiggy:

[Guest littlem]

Your not sad Claire your normal lol! I have already found my dream house he he shame I can't afford it!

 

It's fun looking!

[Guest Claire]

Your not sad Claire your normal lol! I have already found my dream house he he shame I can't afford it!

 

It's fun looking!

 

 

Awww some of the houses are just out of this world! I find it hard to work out what we would be able to afford based on salaries etc, should look into it a bit more!

 

How is the visa application going? xx

[Guest littlem]

Awww some of the houses are just out of this world! I find it hard to work out what we would be able to afford based on salaries etc, should look into it a bit more!

 

How is the visa application going? xx

 

I know I guessed at what I think we will earn and put it into one if the calculators, I think we will be ok we are gonna rent initially at least a year I think. Still waiting for co to request meds. Diac said we were being processed but I think until I get that request it won't feel real. Have started pulling all the info together for police checks will send them off tommorrow. Meds are gonna cost us £744 so gonna wait till instructed on them.

 

Still just more research to be done :-))

[tori0609]

just read your post - are there online calculators to help with working everything out? if so would really appreciated the link! Didn't realise that meds were that expensive (gulp!)

[Guest littlem]

just read your post - are there online calculators to help with working everything out? if so would really appreciated the link! Didn't realise that meds were that expensive (gulp!)

 

 

Hi dont know if this link will work but should take you to real estate calculator

 

Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au

 

Nab bank have one too and i am sure there are lots more. Interest rates are high in oz and although we could afford to get a mortgage when you see the weekly amount its quite scary.... which is why were gonna wait and make sure everything is stable before we commit.

 

Our med prices are for 4 of us, we will be going to the bridge clinic in Maidenhead.

 

Michelle

[Guest littlem]

Just updating a few bits on the list, good luck to all those waiting for tommorrow:

(blue have had ss approved)

 

December 2010 - 3 approved

Sharons Dream

Ss lodged 8/12/10

Paperwork received 10/1/11 ( after a postage delay)

Decision - Approved 28/2

Starting new life hopefully 2011

 

Congratulations pleasure turning you blue!

 

Name - Cara&Gav

Occ - Plasterer (Gav)

SA SS lodged - 28/12/10

Paperwork received - 18/1/10

SS granted? - 16 March

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 I hope

 

Fantastic ! Congratulations!

 

Name - Lisa Sedgley

Occ - Staff Nurse (medical)

SA SS lodged - 28/12/10

Paperwork received - 17/1/11

SS granted? - Approved 2/3/11

Visa lodged - can't yet

Visa granted - hope so one day!!

 

Fantastic news congratulations!

 

January 2011 - 15 waiting 6 approved

 

Name - Littlem (aka Michelle)

Occ - Project/Programme Administrator

SA SS lodged - 6/1

Paperwork received - 18/1

SS granted? - Approved 28/2 yeahhhhhhhh!

Visa lodged - 475 27/11/09

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 I hope

 

Name - Mr & Mrs T (I'm new)

Occ - Project/Programme Administrator

SA SS lodged - 6/1

Paperwork received - 28/1

SS granted? - still waiting

Visa lodged - 176 06/04/2009

Visa granted - Within the next year would be nice:notworthy:

Name - Stephen and Rachel

Occ - Furniture Upholsterer

SA SS lodged - 6/1

Paperwork received - 27/1

SS granted? - still waiting, check every morning like the rest of you.

Visa lodged - 176 October 2008!

Visa granted - Soon I hope

 

Name Johnny Walker. yes i'm scottish and heard all the whisky jokes.

Electrician.

ss applied 7th jan.

docs received 1st feb.

Being assessed.

Visa not lodged

In auz as soon as pos please.

 

Name- Jwana

Occ- Electronic Instrument Tradeworker

SA SS lodged- 07 Jan 2011

Paperwork Received- 11 Jan 2011

SA SS granted - 24 Jan 2011

Visa lodged- not yet

Visa granted- hopefully sometime in 2011

 

Si, Su and Steph

Occ – Sheet Metal Worker

SA SS lodged – 8/1

Paperwork rec’d – 28/1

Visa lodged – 175 8/1/2010

SS granted – we live in hope

Visa granted – we live in even more hope

 

Name - Louby Lou

Occ - Architectural Draftsman

SA SS lodged - 08/01/11

Paperwork received - 28/01/11

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - hopefully some time in 2011

 

name - alex27

Occ - primary school teacher

SA SS lodged - 9/11/11

Paperwork received - 25/1/11

SS granted- Approved 21/2/11

Visa lodged - 175 lodged in Oct 2009-moved to cat 4 in July 2010. Hoping to switch to 176 with SA SS

Visa granted - ????

 

Name - Jay & Lou

Occ - Binder and finisher

SS SA lodged - 10/01/11

Paperwork received - 18/01/11

SS granted - 16 March

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - hope in 2011

Happy days! Congratulations!

 

Name- lena007

ss lodge 11/1/11

docs received 17/1/11

SS Approved 2/3/11

 

Congratulations great news!

 

 

Name - natmark

Occ - Project/Program Administrator

SA SS lodged - 11/1/11

Paperwork received - 28/1/11

SS granted? - Being assessed - still waiting!

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - I wish!

 

Name - Clan Fortune (Elizabeth)

Occ - Registered General Nurse

SA SS lodged - 13/1/11

Paperwork received - 28/1/11

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - 2011 sometime hopefully

 

Name - Neil & Kerry

Occ - Telecommunications Engineer

SS SA lodged - 13th Jan 2011

Paperwork received - 28th Jan 2011

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - Hoping for Nov/Dec 2011, really don't want to do another xmas in the UK !

 

Name - Fade

SA SS Applied: 14 January 2011

Document received and Application being assessed: 18 January 2011

Approval: Still waiting...

 

Name Debbie & Graham + 2

Occ. Hairdresser

SA ss online 14/01/11

Docs rec. 28/01/11

SS granted? not yet

Visa lodged 175 Oct 09

 

Name- chicken1

Skill- Cabenetmaker

AQFIII achieved Feb 2010

Positive TRA July 2010

Spent 6 months waiting for SMPs!

SA SS applied 14th Jan 2011

Docs received 28th Jan 2011

Decision - nothing yet!

 

Name - Leccyman

Occ - Electrician

SA SS lodged - 17/1/11

Paperwork received - 28/1/11

SS granted - 1/2/11

Visa lodged - was lodged in April 09 as family sponsored originally

Visa granted - not yet

 

Congratulations - very quick turnaround!

 

jools123 aka juliette hammon

176 applied for 14-11-09

ss online submitted 17-1-11

ss docs received 10-2-11 (thanks to royal mail taking 3 weeks)

occupation hairdresser

 

Name - Claire & Ross

Occ - Electrician (Ross)

SA SS lodged - 18/01/2011

Paperwork received - 02/02/2011

SS granted? - still waiting

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 we hope!!

 

Name - BOCS

Occ - Supply Chain Manager

SA SS lodged - 25/01/2011

Paperwork received - 15/02/2011

SS granted? - still waiting

Visa lodged - Sept 2009

Visa granted - sometime in 2011 I hope

 

Mervyn and Lindie

Occ- Wall and floor tiler

SA SS lodged -26/01

Paper worked received- 14\2

SS Granted- not yet

Visa lodged-not yet

STILL WAITING....

 

February 2011 - 4 waiting

Name - Steve & Wendy

Occ - Motor-Mechanic

SA SS lodged - 02-02-2011

Paperwork received - 11-02-2011

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - 2011 sometime hopefully

 

nicola and nathan

bricklayer

ss application - 03.02.11

paper work received hopefully this week! TODAY 09.02.11 YIPPEE

ss granted - no not yet BEING ASSESSED

visa lodged - not yet

visa granted - hoprfully this year early next

adleaide here we come

Name: Mary

Occupation: Sales & Marketing Manager

Positive skills assessment: 03/02/2011

SA SS lodged: 11/02/2011

Paperwork received & application being assessed: 24/02/2011

SA SS granted - Waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - Not yet

 

Steph&Lee

SA ss lodged 28/2

Paperwork recieved 17/3

SS approved

 

March 2011 - 6 waiting

 

Opportunities (Tian, Karen,& family)

SA SS applied - 1/3/11

Paperwork recieved - 7/3/11

SS Approved

 

Name - Vasko & Biljana

Occ - Electronic Equipment Trades Worker

SA SS lodged -03-03-2011

Paperwork received - 07-03-2011

SS granted - still waiting

Visa lodged - Not yet

Visa granted - We hope soon as posible

 

Name - Steve and Vicky Reynolds (plus Tabitha Reynolds - nearly 1)

Occ - Bricklayer

SA SS lodged - 9/3/2011

Paperwork received - 15/3/2011

SS granted? - not yet

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - not yet

 

Hughes'Roberts (Nat & Gaz)

Occ - Painter & Decorator

SA SS lodged 9/3/11

Paperwork recd 17/3/11

SS Granted

Visa Lodged

Visa granted

 

Name - Shane & Helen Rimmer (plus 6 Children)

Occ - Metal Machinist (First Class)

SA SS lodged - 13/3/2011

Paperwork received -

SS granted? -

Visa lodged -

Visa granted -

 

Name - Kevin and Vicky (boys Glenn 4 and baby Alex )

Occ - Diesel Mechanic

SA SS lodged - 15/3/2011

Paperwork received - not yet

SS granted? - not yet

Visa lodged - not yet

Visa granted - not yet

 

 

Good luck for some approvals this week everyone!

 

Michelle x

[tori0609]

thanks very much for that! didn't realise the meds were so expensive, and that link was really helpful - hard to know where to start sometimes! (even though I feel as though I have been researchign for years!)