Our first full day in Melbourne, have lots of things that we need to do. We drove around a couple of areas to look at potential places to live. It feels very like Florida here, long 2/3 lane highways with stores located along them, and housing estates leading off them. The areas nearest to the city are older and more established tree lined streets and big character houses, feels like you are in Cheshire! We have an appointment at a girls school in this area (Canterbury), but we wonder whether we can actually afford to live within their school zone, looks like all doctors etc, expensive rentals! We are also viewing a school on the bay area this afternoon, area is a bit more affordable though.
We have broken the law already also! Its difficult to drive into the city, so we parked up in Canterbury and caught the tram in, but the payment system is swipe card or coins in a machine, th driver doesnt take payment. Steve only had notes, and explained to the driver, who just said ‘dont worry mate, if the inspector gets on I’ll give you a shout!’ Coming back we did have coins, but not enough as it turned out, so travelled back for free as well!! Beter not do that again tho.
We spent 2 hours in the bank, sorting out accounts and credit cards. The interest rate has just gone up now 7%, mortgages slightly higher, personal loan rate 14%!! The chap nearly fell off his chair when we told him what it was in the UK. You have to pay a small amount ($5) a month to bank also.
So we now have medicare, bank accounts and a place to live for the next 6 weeks. We are going to look at cars today, looking for similar to what we had in the uk.
Have just phoned the quarantine place, xena has arrived, has been seen by the vet and is fine, and we can go and see her, so off we go!!
May 6, 2010 at 7:31 am
Hi Gll,
glad to hear you have arrived safely. the blog is brill to hear all your news.I hope xena is ok. weather here is crap! work remains the same. you sound as if you are busy.
sarah jones
May 6, 2010 at 10:37 am
sounds very nice! cant wait to come and visit. Hows Ellie with it all?
Glad xena arrived safely, poor thing she,ll be on valium rest of her life! T
Take care, see you soon xxx
May 6, 2010 at 11:24 am
Glad you are getting things sorted. Try not to break the law anymore or they might send you back home haha .Give xena a big stroke from me. x
May 6, 2010 at 11:47 am
Am feeling nervous reading this as we may have to go through it all in the near future!!! Keep all your details for me about containers etc please!!!! Please let me know how Xena is. I got stuck in ASDA this morning due to torrential rain & coat being left in the car. You aint missing anything, girl!!!!!
Your blog is fab
loads of love
Mags
xxxx
May 6, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Trust you to go breaking the law. Glad Xena has arrived safely and that she is okay, give her a big love from me and lots of kisses of Ben. We can rest easy now we know she is safe and well.
Take care Kath
May 6, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Sound like its all go, when you going to have a few days R&R. You seem to be getting acquainted with the place though, best not get to acquainted will the law though, you might end up with a parole officer and you know what they can be like!!
Bet you are not missing the UK
Take care
Jackie. xx
May 7, 2010 at 10:15 am
just to say glad you arrived safely and so did xena sounds like your going to be busy for a while it will all be worth it xx