Well I finally bit the bullet and decided to drive to see Xena, all by myself! I’m getting quite good driving by TomTom, and learning the roads a little more, so I know not to turn off the highway when she wants me to go weird ways! Going over the Westgate bridge gives me palpitations, it is twice as high and twice as long than the Thelwall, I daren’t look down! Anyway, I made it there and back ok, so I’ll do it again now, scary driving near the city with all the trams to deal with also!
The roads are great though, just seem to be 3 or 4 lane highways, even the smaller roads are dual carriageways, still only 30mph though, but never see any traffic jams.
Went to Maria’s yesterday for lunch and a quick visit to her local mall as feeling at a loose end, then picked Ellie up from school. She needed more A4 books and pens, so we called at our local mall, Southlands. It is as big as the Trafford centre, and is only 1.5 miles up the road from our house, there are 2 big supermarkets there also, so its very handy!
We heard yesterday that Nissan have approved the finance on the car, don’t know when we will get it though. Petrol prices are good here today, every Thur or Fri they reduce the price, 60p gallon today (haha), but goes up at weekend and bank holidays??? So you have to choose your day to fill up!
We will go for a meal tonight with Ellie, and take our own wine (seems so wrong!), got a viewing on a house tomorrow,not many decent rentals around at the moment, unless you want 1970’s bungalow type! Got alerts logged with the agents though if any properties come on the market, the weather is forecast to be sunny so we may go and investigate the beach as Ellie and Ste haven’t seen it yet.
I have arranged to go to the local fitness first for a free 3 day pass on Mon, the gyms aren’t as nice as the UK, don’t seem to have the same relaxation/steam/jacuzzi areas, but this one has a pool and steam room. The manager is from Nantwich, he says that quite a few Brits go there, will have a good chat with him then, might get to know some other people!
May 14, 2010 at 10:28 am
Well done you. I know what you mean about bridges, I hate the Widnes/Runcorn bridge as well as Thelwall, scary, dont do heights. Enjoy your meal and the wine. Going to the gym will be good to meet other Brits by the sound of it. Enjoy the sunshine and the beach, it raining here.
xx Kath
May 14, 2010 at 10:53 am
hiya Gill, so youre getting to be a dab hand and it sounds enjoying being a lady of leisure!!! 🙂 weather miserable here, nearly rang you the other day see if you wanted a ride TKmaxx..lol, so easy to forget youre no longer round the corner!
Well, still on SCBU…its ok, bit boring but pace is ok! enjoy the beach, spk sunday am your pm..xx Jo
May 14, 2010 at 4:47 pm
hi you lot, sounds like your settling in ok n getting to know ur way round… im so envious of you, the weather is miserable as per and everyone is ill because of the tempreture change, including archie!! 🙁 im loving ellie’s new school uniform, its so home and away, strange that you have to provide everything though isnt it….. well hope to speak soon, take care and enjoy the beach!!!! lots of love em, darren and archie xxxxx
May 14, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Hi You sound like you are finding your feet, Ellie looks great in her uniform, she will fit into school well. Well Skye was lovely, but it rained for the last two days , so have come home a day early. Will put some pics on facebook. Will also set up an account on Skype so can chat to you. Will E mail you also, do you have an E Mail address yet. Don’t be too homesick, just think about the mundane life’s we seem to be leading. I am dreading going back to work on mon, would rather be a lady of leisure.
Take care
Jackie x x
May 15, 2010 at 4:35 pm
No way would you catch me going over that bridge. I chose the passat coz I was too frightend to go over the Thelwall in the astra after the wind got behind me and took me into the other lanes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’ll just have to move over the other side Gill or forget the dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!Joke xx
May 15, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Just think in a few weeks it will feel like you have always lived there. Sounds fab beach and shopping within walkng distant my two favourite pass times. I bet there is no one on the beach either if it is anything like the ones near Andrews dads.I do miss our chats in the morning. All is well here has been freezing cold this week heating back on.
Well good luck at the the gym and hope you enjoy the beach. Take care JanineXXXXXX
May 15, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Hi, You all sound like you are settling in to your new life in OZ. Ellie looked good. Just got back from holiday Lanzarote. Sat watching TV and was thinking about you so decided to look for your blog. Nosy bastard!! Went to see Peter Kay last night. Well laugh… I nearly wet my pants.
May 17, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Hey Ellie, Holly loved your shoes, she said she wouldn’t mind some like that ! Anyway we all agree you look very smart, hopefully you won’t need your jumper soon cos your weather will be fantastic. Love Chappies xxxx