18 months!!

Well all i can say is that we have lasted 18 months here already. Things are so much better now. We have our Permanent Residency. It makes things so much easier. The next goal would be citizenship.

14 Months later

We have been now 14 months in Townsville already. Its been a real wild ride thus far. The place is really expanding and holds an excellent future for us. The kids have adapted exceptionally well to school. The wife has also slotted in quite well with the Aussie culture.

I am also adapted well to the work environment. Its been a bit hard going in the beginning but getting slowly there. Things are slowly falling into place.

We miss family extremely alot. Its worst over the holidays and with birthdays. We get to phone at least once a week home, so it helps a bit.

We are in the final stages of our Permanent Residency. That too has been a struggle but quite positive we will overcome the hurdle.

But for now we will enjoy the festive season!!

Australia

Australia

We have been almost 4 months now in Australia. This is a beautiful place. It's safe and peaceful. The people have been very friendly thus far. Townsville is a really nice place. Being a coastal town just makes it even so better. The people here are so relaxed and easy going. They are always jogging, walking and cycling. We have adapted quite well thus far. The kids are really enjoying school. The schools are top notch here as well.

There are times that we miss home but such is life. The kids really miss their cousins as well.

Kids in uniform

Townsville, Queensland, Australia

We are settling in slowly. Are body clocks are still set on SA time. The Jhb to Sydney flight was ok but the connecting flights were crappy.Arrived here at 10 Friday night.Picked up by my manager and his wife. Brought to our place he renting for us. First took us for a small drive on the beach front. Woke at 03:00am the Saturday morning. Slept off from 10:00 until 17:00. Went for a walk on the beach front.These people have water fountains along the beach front and even water troughs for the dogs. If you dog sh*ts on the grass you have to clean up. Came home and was awake till after the final......GO BOKKE!!!Slept until 11 then manager collected us for a braai at his place.

Its a bit on the humid side here but its bearable. Did the bank and tax thing this morning. Very different to back home. Got myself some wheels, not a BMW, but will do for now.Their is a huge amount of Fords and Holden XR6/XR8 muscle cars.

Most of the people that i have met are not as arrogant as thought. They are truly helpful and friendly. Its probably still early days though. I only got one cold shoulder from a young girl at the KFC. She probably got nothing the previous night or she caught her boyfriend with another girlie!!

I only start work next week Monday. Its a real culture shock this side. The people are really laid back here and don't have that SA work ethic.

Got my tax number and opened a bank account. very efficient service. I have placed an application for a rental property and will hear tomorrow what the outcome is. Got my internet connection up and running. That was crucial for contact back home. Broadband is the boss. Man its worth every cent...oops every dollar.

Some pics!!!

End of an Era

Today was the end of an era for me in Pietermaritzburg and with Hulamin.Its been an eventful almost 5 years. I really enjoyed working there and have made some great friends. I was well accepted by all the guys. A very strong bond has developed that cannot be broken. I have learnt a great deal and will take it with me on my new adventure. It all still seems so unreal. It was an honour to be associated with Hulamin and its people.

Lancashire Cricket Club Pmb SA

Just had the most wonderful send off last night. I am really proud to be associated with Lancs Cricket Club. I started playing at the club in 2003. It was daunting as i had not been playing club level for almost 10 years.

The guys really welcomed me as new member.I immediately felt as if i belonged there.Some of the guys who made it even easier - Uncle Bully,Lee,Frank,Donny,Kenrich,Gareth,Kerwin,Kevin,Kelos and skomjan,but to name a few.

I have seen guys coming thru the ranks and going on to be excellent players. When i joined Coach was up and coming and Sheldon was still a junior. Coach played for the Inland team and Sheldon has started with the under 19's. Coach played a few seasons in England as well.

It was and always will be an honour to wear my Lancs blazer.

Back to work

October 03 marked my first day back at work after my 2 week break. Its gonna be a long week next week.

Kimberley

Day 1
Quiet and relaxed.

Day 2
Took the wife to do some shopping.
Met up with old friend.

Day 3
We had a storm like no other last night. My mother says its the first time in 50 years that she experienced a storm like that.Looks like there is more to come.

Day 4
Went to town. Had small party as my son turned 10. Went to karaoke at the casino and came home at 4am the morning.

Day 5
Very very very bad day!! Worst hangover ever. Had quiet evening.

Day 6
Went to town. 4 of my friends popped in to say hi. Went to 25th wedding anniversary. Took it easy. Nice to see all the family again!

Day 7
Went to church. Relaxed!!

Day 8
Left back to Maritzburg

Secunda holiday

Came here on Friday afternoon. My niece looked stunning for her Matric farewell. We have had a very good time here but will be leaving today for Kimberley.

Visa Approved

Finally my visa got approved today!! Its the best news i have received in a while. I resigned today already and will finish off on the 12th October and will be flying out on the 15th or so October. It has not yet settled in but we are very excited.

The Wait Continues!!

Man this is another story. I am entering week 10 waiting for my visa approval. I am starting to doubt if it will ever come!!! Everyone is starting to get anxious!!!Well will have to just wait.

The Wait

Damn this waiting for the visa is a killer. I spoke to my agent last week and said all we can do is to ride it out. We are all getting very anxious on this side. My new employer is also waiting on me now. If only they could come to a decision ASAP.Week in Week out!!!!

The Wait Continues

Its been 8 weeks since i lodged my visa application. Our lives have been put on hold..period. Its difficult as you are not here and not there. It should not be too long now.....i hope!!We are all very restless!!!

English

I need to prove my English capability. Their is the IELTS that has too be taken. The problem is that they have a huge backlog and the bookings a sitting in the new year already. My agent said that i could submit school letters stating that i have been taught in English. I have received that and from the Tech as well. Now its a waiting game again!!! The joys of immigrating!!

The Wait

This is the worst part of this entire process. You dont know if it will be approved or not. I will only put in my resignation once i have confirmation of approval. Then its another 4 weeks notice period. I will then only land in Aus 2 weeks after notice completed.Your entire life is basically on hold. You are neither here or there!!

Medicals

I received great news on the Immigration website this morning. Marco's medicals have been finalised. This means that we are in the last stretch in getting our visa approved. It should hopefully be another week or so.

Soooo lonely

Took the wife and kids to visit her family up in Pretoria yesterday. The house is so quiet its frightening. Usually when i come home in the afternoons i get greeted by the wife and kids,but now i only get the chirps of Tweety bird,the parrot. I have to make my own supper and wash dishes. The laundry will end up at the Laundromat!!! They might be gone for 2 weeks.Its a challenge but I don't know if i am gonna survive!!!