Cant believe a year has passed already

[2quick4u]

Tomorrow is an anniversary for my family

1 year ago on September 18th we arrived here in Australia, can't believe how quickly it has gone by.

Thought I would post a little update of how we have found life down under for anyone who may be interested

Its been a hectic year with a lot of highs and lows, the kids have settled in really well, and Paula has too, it has been a bit more difficult for me, I have missed friends in the UK a lot and really missed going to shows, trackdays, pub meets etc, but I have still enjoyed my time here as well.

We have been really busy finding, schools, a job, and a house, then renovating it as it was a bit of a mess, + dealing with the import and customs on all of our stuff (mainly the 5 cars I brought) and adapting to the Aussie way of life (beers and barbie most weekends)

And we still havent unpacked everything we brought with us (god knows why we brought some of the shit we did)

The Aussies we have met have all been a really friendly bunch, although I dont think they quite understand the pommie sense of humour

I have finally started to get some use out of my Escorts, and have met a few people here who are into classic fords, but the car clubs here seem a bit boring though, a little to over organised and official for my liking.

Driving here is totally different to the UK, the roads have virtually no traffic, and some of them are awesome (through the Adelaide hills), there are nowhere near as many speed cameras,
but everyone drives at the speed limit because there are mobile cameras, and they are extremely sneaky, many are built into the grills of unmarked cars, which hide partially in bushes, some others are built into wheelie bins the enthusiasm for the local plod when it comes to catching speeders is unrivalled anywhere else in the world I think
They also have some extremely harsh laws known as "hoon" laws for people caught doing burnouts (a national pastime) or street drifting, playing loud bass boxes repeatedly, whichg allow them to confiscate your car if they catch you, after the 3rd time the car will be disposed of with no appeals, this leads to everyone sneaking into quiet industrial estates at night and wearing their tyres out for 5 minutes before taking off elsewhere, the roads on these estates are covered in tyre marks

Fortunately there isnt much crime for the police to deal with compared to the UK, I am talking about the "small" crime that really affects so many people like burglary, car crime, muggings, and sheds/garages getting broken into, it still does happen here but nowhere near as much,

We dont have scummy chavs hanging round everywhere, but there are some yoof problems, one of the main ones is grafitti, dont stand still too long in some areas as you will get tagged.

Thats about it for now, I am off next weekend for a 2000km drive to Brisbane, we are going to have 3 weeks holiday in Queensland and see some other parts of the country, then I have my first visitor from the Uk staying for a couple of weeks so a nice long holiday for me.

[PIG]

glad its all gonig ok out for you mark

[Tone]

good on you mark this country is percy: percy: you did the right thing and your kids will be forever greatful

[Pitstop]

Its been a hectic year........... adapting to the Aussie way of life (beers and barbie most weekends)...........I am off next weekend for a 2000km drive to Brisbane, we are going to have 3 weeks holiday in Queensland and see some other parts of the country........ so a nice long holiday for me.

Sounds really terrible mate. Never mind, it'll soon be your summertime - keep trying, we've got our fingers crossed for you back here in the ovetaxed, windswept, rainy, crime ridden, chav infested UK!

[2quick4u]

you did the right thing and your kids will be forever greatful

I hope so Tony, it certainly does seem much better and safer for the kids, and that was our reason for coming here.

It is definitely not an easy thing to do though, it is so different from having a holiday somewhere nice, and it is by no means perfect here either, there are plenty of things that arent too good here much like the UK.
It is alos very hard to leave behind all the friends and things you have enjoyed for a long time, it is amazing some of the things I miss, but on the whole I believe it is a good move.

It is good to be able to come on here though and still keep in touch with people, it makes it seem like I havent gone so far away

[Esme]

Its good to catch up on how you are Mark I think the overhauling weekend was the weekend you were missed most but I thought of you at the BBQ this weekend too as I knew you would have been up for that if you were still in the UK.Im sure quite a few people looked round at the BBQ and thought of you and raised a glass

[Clint]

Nic i doubt if Mark would have come he must be bloody sick of barbies by now


Fook wheres the time going, cant believe its a year gone by m8.

[2quick4u]

Nic i doubt if Mark would have come he must be bloody sick of barbies by now

I will never be sick of barbies m8

Cheers Nickiy
Yeah I definitely miss the UK when I see the big events like the overhauling weekend, bbq, CF day and Ford fair etc, maybe someone can setup a webcam at the next meet-up and I can join in LOL

[Mk1_is_For_Sale]

All the best to you m8 i think you are living the life most of us would like to

[Scott_B]

i think you are living the life most of us would like to

Hes not wrong there mark, glad its all cool for you out there and if you start to miss home a little just think a little bit harder as to what your really missing, sh!t weather, sh!t food, Sh!t traffic, little chavvey sh!ts, pikeys, the list goes on......
Im really looking forward to linking up with you out there next april and experiencing your new life.
I'll be in touch with you soon,
Give a big hug to Paula and the kids for us,
Scott n claire

[2quick4u]

Scott, you are welcome here any time mate, I am off this week so will ring if you are about, what shifts are you on?

[Retromotorsport]

Glad to hear its ok.. supose the first year is the hardest, when you left i caught a few programmes on the tv about people going to, and then leaving OZ, the change was too much. Glad your settling in and yes, the BBQ was a " wheres the headmaster"... one year you'll be here for a holiday, and lets hope its timed right so you can show us all your new barbie skills

[Scott_B]

Funny enough im off this week also, i was gonna ring you yesterday but some how your email with your telephone numbers been deleted
But claire didnt do it
PLease do ring, today should be ok if you have time

[RS Yod]

HI Mark,

Glad to hear you are all well and enjoying Australia. I cant velieve it was a year ago I collected my Cossie from you, just a few days before you were leaving.

Im going to be a dad soon, in about a week. Thats the most exciting news I have really.

Take care

Yodi

[BigDave]

Well done to you and your family mate. i for one know how hard it can be! Keep stuck in for the next year and they say it does get easier. Sadly my Mrs never made it past year two but there were other personal issues as you know.

Good luck and hopefully catch up in the future.

CheeRS

[RICKB]

Good to hear thing are going well for you Keep it up m8

[2quick4u]

It's 2 years today since we landed in Adelaide, I was just reading through this and some other old posts, it seems odd how much enthusiasm and optimism I once had for coming here, so thought I would post another update.

Unfortunately the second year has certainly not been any easier

There have been a couple of high points, we had some visitors, first Tony came over for 3 weeks, and then we Had Scott and Claire here for a fortnight.
But other than that for the most part I have felt very unsettled here, it's not any one thing about Adelaide that I don't like, and in many ways it is a very nice place, but I just can't call it home.

As time has passed we have had less and less contact from friends and family, and this has not helped the way we (mainly I) have felt, coming on here always helps a bit though as I can keep in touch with what's happening easily.
I have found that I miss things in the UK (especially friends) more and more, and nothing here so far has really made up for it, I guess Adelaide is just not right for me.

Despite the homesickness I can still see all the benefits of living here, it still is much better for the kids, so we have decided to try another big move interstate, we will be putting our house up for sale in the next couple of weeks, and heading for Queensland.
We spent some time there last year having a good look around and really liked it, it seems to have a lot more of what we wanted when we first emigrated, hopefully we will get back our enthusiasm there, if not then who knows what our next move will be

I think these 2 years have changed us to an extent, we now realise that in some ways the grass is not always greener on the other side after all, and although the UK has many problems that everyone complains about, it can also have many good points too.
We also realise that no matter how much friends and family say they will miss you and keep in touch, it doesn't take long to fade away.
But it has also been good to learn that some people are always there for you, whenever you need something or some kind of help they will be there. (you all know who you are)

So it's a more depressing update for this year, but hopefully things are looking up.

[checkyouout]

Hi Mark,

Well reading that has definitely depressed me ........ as regards things in the UK v elsewhere I have always been of the opinion that it is 'better the devil you know ..'.

I'm sorry that things haven't worked out as you hoped they might but hey that's life.

I am sure that thoughts of leaving friends and family behind would have killed it for me in the first place but I applaud you for giving it a try. And a big up to you for sticking at it for your next move. I wish you the very best of luck.

Regards
Andy

[2quick4u]

Thanks Andy

I reckon we have to keep trying with it for a while yet, the kids are doing really well here, and I want them to have this opportunity, if it wasn't for that we would have packed up ages ago.

But as you say Thats life,
I definitely have no regrets, and am glad I did it, I would sooner sit here after a couple of years thinking "this aint right for me"
than to have given up the chance to come here, and found myself sitting at home later in life wondering what it would have been like

[mogsmex]

hope Queensland works out better for ya Mark and you find what you were looking for when you went out there

as I have mentioned before If you fancy a little toe back in the water get a flight over to coincide with the lakes tour next year it's right up there as one of the best car related weekends I have had and your always welcome to crash at mine I've even "deliberately" not touched my mex since you left in case you fancy taking up where you left it

keep us updated and get some pics up of your new gaff to make us all green again

[2quick4u]

Thanks Glyn
A trip back to the UK is definitely on the cards for next year

The lakes tour sounds great, I may have to do that, and possibly a Saturday night trip to Bentleys in Southend followed by a greasy doner kebab (I cant believe I miss doner kebabs)

[Gmac]

I hope you feel happier with the new move Mark & big up to you for sticking it out, and putting your kids first

[mogsmex]

Thanks Glyn
A trip back to the UK is definitely on the cards for next year

The lakes tour sounds great, I may have to do that, and possibly a Saturday night trip to Bentleys in Southend followed by a greasy doner kebab (I cant believe I miss doner kebabs)

good on ya

Bentleys is now called "Muse" different name, same girls

[2quick4u]

good on ya

Bentleys is now called "Muse" different name, same girls

have you been recently then Glyn?

Actually one of the good points about Adelaide is the erm Gentlemens Clubs in Hindley Street, it's a wild town on a Saturday night don't get out there often enough though

[Retromotorsport]

Mark.. well done for sticking it out ... and good luck in the future ... be good to see you, but hey ... good not to too. if ya get me

[Kieron]

You know my thoughts mate and I sincerely hope things get better in Adelaide for you Paula & the kids!

Anytime you want to chat when I'm on msn I'm there for you.

[Tone]

hello mark
i still think you are doing the right thing this country stinks grays is a s@@thole m8 i think in the long run your not regret what you have done and the kids will have a fantastic start in life

[Ricky]

Really glad life down under is treating you and yours well I reckon there are a fair few people here that are missing you as much

[duncan]

Stick with it mark will be worth it in the end.

bloody liberals screwing us over and over here as usual you realy not missing much

traffic free roads in OZ makes my 9 mile commute to work that takes average of an hour seem even worse plus the 93p a litre for the fuel grrr...

ps how much is the fuel in oz? bet its really cheap actually don't want to know lol

[Ratters]

Fair play for giving it a go Mark Like you say, best to regret doing it at a later date than regret not doing it Nice to think of the kids first too, makes me wonder what sort of place my kids will grow up into

Hope the new planned move works out in your favour

[Esme]

Hey Mark ,I still miss ya

Glad your sticking it out for now but not too proud to rule out coming back if thats what you decide will make you happier,of course its important to give your children the best possible start in life but in the end being happy is the most important thing in life,hopefully this next move will be the one where you find what your looking for

[mk1matt]

I dont really know you mark, you were the bloke who left for aus about the time i joined (well started posting).
I have two youngs kids and theres not a day goes by when i dont worry about the country they are about to grow up in
I think you putting the kids first in what sounds a much nicer enviorment than we have here is great I hope you and your partner also manage to settle in eventually too

I must abmit that when i was in aus i found queensland better than adelaide but then i was into jumping out of planes and drinking lots of beer

[2quick4u]

Thanks for the messages of support everyone

We are really looking forward to our move, but not looking forward to packing up my excessive amount of cars and crap again

Will let everyone know how we get on.

Duncan, petrol prices here go up and down all week, they have a wierd discount cycle system, so the cheapest time to buy it is Tuesday, and the most expensive is Wednesday afternoon, it goes up by around 20c a litre, then starts to drop back again.

yesterdays price though was $1.12, so thats about 48p a litre, there are definitely some advantages to being here

[RS Yod]

The prices vary so much dependant on day of the week, surely everyone fills up on a tuesday then right?

Also I can't believe how the last year has gone, I wrote the post above a year ago tomorrow and from expecting our first baby, my daughter is going to be One in a couple of weeks...

Glad your sticking it out though, if it was down to me we'd have moved a long time ago but the misses doesnt allow

[2quick4u]

Yodi, yeah some of the petrol stations are packed on Tuesdays, with dozens of cars waiting to get in and fill up.

They are also into discounts on fuel in a big way here, all the supermarkets have some kind of deal, where if you spend a certain amount on your groceries (not much) you get a discount voucher for petrol at one of the suppliers (shell/caltex etc) it is very popular.
I have a BP credit card, and that gives me 5% discount (sometimes 10% on promotion months) on fuel or anything else at BP, and 1% of everything else I buy anywhere.
So I use that for my fuel and purchases then pay it at the end of the month, works out to about 1 free tankfull every 2-3 months with the amount I use.

Your little-un is almost 1 eh? doesn't time fly when you have kids

[RS Yod]

Yep almost unreal, 1 year old. Thats Angelina in my avatar <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[Dave]

Best of luck in Queensland Mark.

[sholdowa]

Well, if you don't like qld, then you could always keep on going across the ditch! We landed 23rd Dec 2003 - been back to the UK for 2 weeks and hated it.

Got plenty of hoons, not much money, but wouldn't swap it for the world.

[popuptoaster]

Hope you get settled in Queensland ok mate, funnily enough Romany was asking why we hadnt been to "the garage" for ages, took me a while to work out she meant your old workshop.

She misses you this much.

Notice the dirty hands, getting her trained up as an assistant already.

[2quick4u]

Hope you get settled in Queensland ok mate, funnily enough Romany was asking why we hadnt been to "the garage" for ages, took me a while to work out she meant your old workshop.

She misses you this much.

Notice the dirty hands, getting her trained up as an assistant already.

Oh bless her, thats put a smile on my face

Working down at the the farm was great, especially at weekends, never got much work done on a Saturday or Sunday cos it was more like a social club then, always lots of visitors popping in
I do miss it a lot