Well we had our hearing about the house finally, all very intimidating. We had to go to the court and be security checked and empty our pockets etc, just like the airport security. When we got into the waiting area the landlord was already there along with his workmen that had come to give evidence in support of him! We went into the courtroom and it was a female judge, which was quite funny because he has no respect for women, and had to swear on the bible that we would tell the truth. She then asked him why he hadn’t corrected all the outstanding issues and he launched into his speech about the some of the issues being under warranty and he has had workmen looking at some of the problems and he had brought them along to prove he had. At that point she cut him short and said ‘so they are still not fixed?’ Excuses came but she basically said he had not fulfilled his obligations as a landlord, she didn’t care for his excuses and we were free to vacate when we find a new house! To say he was fuming was an understatement, we agreed to be out by the end of Jan so have 3 months to find somewhere. He didn’t even get the chance to call his witnesses.

Ellie has managed to get herself a babysitting job, her friend Maddie asked her was she interested as Maddie babysits for another family, so she had a go. It is an American family, mum is a teacher and have 2 children age 3 & 7 and are really nice. The youngest was in bed when she got there but he did wake up, he went back to sleep after a story or 5! Anyway she got $60 which is really good, and she has asked if she can also do a couple of hours in the week so she can get some jobs done.

I have done my first couple of weeks in the job, it is going well and is as I expected so far. I am getting to know the area a lot better, which is useful as we are looking for a new place and may not end up staying in Beaumaris, there are lots of equally nice little suburbs. I have also been offered another job as a practice nurse in a very highly regarded GP practice. They have 13 doctors and 9 nurses ( all part time). I went to have my interview and a look around and it seems a lovely practice, they do minor surgery procedures, dressings, vaccinations and a little walk in centre so I think it will be interesting. The money will be slightly less as it is a permanent position, but you get paid holidays and sick leave, so I may end up doing bank work for the district nurses 1 or 2 days per week and 2 days per week in this new job until I decide what works best. I have decided that I don’t think ward work is for me, too much to learn after being out of the hospital for 12 years.

The weather here has been beautiful, clear blue skies and 27 deg, but in true form as every bank holiday weekend it started to rain yesterday and didn’t stop until lunch time today. Ellie has gone camping with Maddie and her family down in Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, so I think they would have had a very wet day yesterday! It is slightly better today but not great, we are off to watch the  rugby – England v Aus shortly, which will be shown in the UK, so you will see what the weather was like! We are going down to Rye tomorrow to meet up with Caroline tomorrow so hope the sun shines, otherwise I’m sure Ellie will be coming back with us  instead of staying until Tuesday.