We have finally unpacked our suitcases and do our own thing without being conscious of intruding on Stu and Maria. The rental is absolutely lovely, all mod cons and brand new, has internet and cable, even movies! Cant tell you when we last watched tv! Went for a walk, the beach is 5 min walk down the road, all palm trees and grass areas with bike tracks, the weather over the weekend has been lovely, sun and 21.0C.
Went to do our first supermarket shop, the prices seem the same on average as UK, but the alcohol is sold completely seperatley in liquor stores, no children allowed. Spirits are very expensive, but beer and wine ok. Woolworths is one of the big supermarkets over here, known as big W, they also have petrol stations, there is also Safeway and Coles, which is where we went. The washing detergent is Omo (persil), I remember my mum buying Omo!!!
The thing I am going to have to get used to is the local way of shopping. Imagine Golborne being full of great shops, grocers, butchers and street cafes, well that’s what its like in Sandringham and all the other little towns In Melbourne, like going back 20 years in the UK before supermarket power.What is surprising is that these shops are much cheaper than the supermarkets, fruit and veg actually taste of something, dont think Ellie knew tomatoes had a smell!! So I will be shopping local most of the time.
We did buy a car yesterday, opted for the new Murano, 3.5l V6. The Aussies just don’t do small cars. We did test drive a 2.4l Honda CRV, but because they are automatic (dont do manuals here) felt really underpowered, but petrol is only about 70p a litre! They only have one diesel car, wasn’t very good though,so we collect it Tue if everything OK.
Going to speak to the principal of school again tomorrow, hopefully will get a decision, and then to see the dog, have bought her some tennis balls!
Thanks for all your comments and keep them coming, it really helps to keep in contact with you all, as I’m feeling a little homesick at the moment and they cheer me up! Ellie has been amazing, no tears or anything, she has been much stronger than me, taking it all in her stride and being really positive, only one problem, no Lush shops!!!!
May 9, 2010 at 1:13 pm
ooohh!! it all sounds wonderful…transported back to Golborne centre eghh!!! is there a centre sane, sayers bobs greengrocers….shoefarye….Tootels and a stoniers too? lol… bet theres a Billy Dyke on the scene somwhere too! haha
well…you sound about ready to go, get Ellie in school….then thats your new life up and running..Well done!!!
Get some pics on soon, misss you, hoping we can chat soon, Jo, Baz and Lilly xxx
May 9, 2010 at 4:32 pm
That must be great to have small local shops like that, wish we still did. It will help you to get to know people aswell. Glad that the rental place is good and good luck with the school tomorrow. How good is that to be so near the beach and in warm sunshine not like here in a cold blustery wind (it has been sunny though), Karen had her wooly hat on this afternoon. Give Xena a hug.
Kath xx
May 9, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Those Omo’s get everywhere.
May 9, 2010 at 6:45 pm
good luck with ellie and school tomorrow wish stephen the same with his job hope he as got his hat ready with the corks on! your new home sounds great xmum
May 9, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Omo.. that’s a blast from the past, my mum used to buy that as well!
Glad you moved into your new home, sounds lovely so near the beach. Hope you get school sorted soon. I’m sure Xena will enjoy those tennis balls. Give her a big cuddle from us. At least your keeping out of trouble now (no more free bus rides or parking tickets.)
Can’t believe the price of petrol! x
May 12, 2010 at 9:45 am
Sounds idealic I love that way of shopping I wonder if it will go full circle here and we will go back to that.One of the things about moving here I missed when we lived in Glossop you could shop like that and we did save money that way. Take some pics of the house so we can see how beautiful it is and then we can picture you there, all seems a little unreal feels like your on holiday from this end.
Take care
Janine:)XXX