Well, we've now been here a whole month so I thought it was about time I updated our blog!
The flight was long, but somehow, when we arrived, it still didn't feel like we'd travelled to the other side of the world!
It was very warm when we arrived although it was 8pm. My first memory was the noise....it was like arriving in the jungle!
The first few days were strange, although we didn't feel particulary tired from the long flight and lack of sleep, we kept waking up at 4.30 in the mornings when the sun rose! The days start early here, everyone is up and about before it gets too hot, and people go to bed earlier too.
We spent our first two weeks doing all the necessary stuff: making use of the swimming pool on site, buying a car, finding a rental property, registering the girls at school, registering with tax office, doctor, applying for family tax benefit, etc, etc. It was a very busy and tiring time. We were so lucky to have Jo with us though. Jo came out here on extended baby sitting duties, and was an absolute 'God send' in helping entertain the girls whilst we did all the necessary stuff.
We are now settled in to our own rental property for a year. It is still looking quite empty though, as we are still waiting for our shipment to arrive. Therefore, we are at the "camping out" stage again, borrowing from our new friends here. Last phone call to the port tells me that our worldy goods are currently waiting customs clearance, so they shouldn't be too much longer.
We have tried to explore as best we can since arriving and have taken the girls to a koala sanctuary, been to the beach, made use of all the parks etc, and of course we've had plenty of trips to the pool. We have had to remind ourselves on several ocassions that we are not on holiday though. We are here to live, therefore we have to be sensible!
Our first Christmas was great, although very different. We had BBQ's both days with friends we have met here. It was strange being so hot! Everyone still has Christmas lights up on their houses...it's quite big here. The malls are all playing Christmas carols including "white Christmas" despite the heat beyond the air conditioning of the shops!
We have been lucky enough to meet several families since arriving, two who have only been in the country a few weeks like us. It's great to have the support of each other. We have had some good days and evenings out with each other, including seeing the fireworks on the Brisbane river on New Years Eve.
Overall, we are very impressed. Brisbane is clean, very friendly, has excellent facilities for families, and the sun is always shining.
Kevin starts work next week, and the girls will be starting school on 23rd January, so watch this space for further news!
Love to everyone at home. Please start saving. We want to share all this with you!
The flight was long, but somehow, when we arrived, it still didn't feel like we'd travelled to the other side of the world!
It was very warm when we arrived although it was 8pm. My first memory was the noise....it was like arriving in the jungle!
The first few days were strange, although we didn't feel particulary tired from the long flight and lack of sleep, we kept waking up at 4.30 in the mornings when the sun rose! The days start early here, everyone is up and about before it gets too hot, and people go to bed earlier too.
We spent our first two weeks doing all the necessary stuff: making use of the swimming pool on site, buying a car, finding a rental property, registering the girls at school, registering with tax office, doctor, applying for family tax benefit, etc, etc. It was a very busy and tiring time. We were so lucky to have Jo with us though. Jo came out here on extended baby sitting duties, and was an absolute 'God send' in helping entertain the girls whilst we did all the necessary stuff.
We are now settled in to our own rental property for a year. It is still looking quite empty though, as we are still waiting for our shipment to arrive. Therefore, we are at the "camping out" stage again, borrowing from our new friends here. Last phone call to the port tells me that our worldy goods are currently waiting customs clearance, so they shouldn't be too much longer.
We have tried to explore as best we can since arriving and have taken the girls to a koala sanctuary, been to the beach, made use of all the parks etc, and of course we've had plenty of trips to the pool. We have had to remind ourselves on several ocassions that we are not on holiday though. We are here to live, therefore we have to be sensible!
Our first Christmas was great, although very different. We had BBQ's both days with friends we have met here. It was strange being so hot! Everyone still has Christmas lights up on their houses...it's quite big here. The malls are all playing Christmas carols including "white Christmas" despite the heat beyond the air conditioning of the shops!
We have been lucky enough to meet several families since arriving, two who have only been in the country a few weeks like us. It's great to have the support of each other. We have had some good days and evenings out with each other, including seeing the fireworks on the Brisbane river on New Years Eve.
Overall, we are very impressed. Brisbane is clean, very friendly, has excellent facilities for families, and the sun is always shining.
Kevin starts work next week, and the girls will be starting school on 23rd January, so watch this space for further news!
Love to everyone at home. Please start saving. We want to share all this with you!
