Our stuff has arrived!

Yipppeeeee! Our 14 boxes have arrived. All our wordly goods are here and it feels like Christmas. Would love to write more but I have goodies to look through....

Homesickness Hits!

Woke up this morning and felt soooo sad! I guess it had to happen sooner or later. All my family and friends live so far away. I know we'll be back to visit (and I really hope some of you come out to visit) but in some ways it feels like we'll never see our loved ones again 'cos it will be so long until we do see them.

So I cuddled in close to Andy and had a wee cry! I know we've been away for 2 years before but travelling is different to emigrating (obviously). Don't get me wrong - we are loving it out here. Andy is motivated to get his business going and has a couple of clients now. Schools go back on Monday and I'm pretty sure I'll have some supply work. Pete & Cindy (those fantastic people we live with) are. . . fantastic people and we have met some great folks who have gone out of their way to welcome us to their country & community. But it's not the same as rocking up at someone's house who you've known for years.

I really hope that one day this will feel like home. I know it takes time and I know things will be strange and tough at times but I had/have such great friendships in the UK that I'm bound to miss them. Can't wait to get our computer (it's currently in quarantine) so we can get skype and msn going . . . still trying to work out facebook.

Anyway, the house emptied (Andy & Pete to work, Cindy to daycare with the kids) and I went for a long walk on the beach. The sun was shining and the beach was deserted. Played my music loud, talked to God, cried a bit more and then felt much better. So I think I'll live to see another day!

Whale watching

On Sunday we went to Victor Harbour (just over an hour's drive from here) as we'd seen on the whale watch website that there had been sightings over the weekend. We hopped into the 'car' (feels more like a monstor truck - Pete loves his Toyota Land Cruiser!) and off we went. There was a mother whale and her calf that we could see from the beach and they were both pretty active. They kept rolling over (so we would see one fin followed by the other) as well as jumping backwards (head first) and then doing dives so that their tails were in the air for ages. It was great and we felt so lucky. And to think it's only 'down the road'. Yay!

I've had a birthday!

Last Monday (9th July) was my birthday so now I have reached the ripe old age of 35. To be honest it doesn't feel any different to 34. The day started with breakfast in bed and present opening. One of the presents from Carla was 10 different bottles of Australian beer for me to figure which ones I liked. Obviously, I am pacing myself with this but they don't make too bad a brew down under and it is best served cold (well you wouldn't want a warm beer would you).

The day then continued with a trip into the city for lunch and shopping followed by a chest x-ray at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Confused? Well I had to have a check up because they found something suspicious on my original x-ray. Good news is that there is actually nothing wrong with me and the mark on the original x-ray was to do with a problem in the processing (go figure!). The day ended with a surprise get together at Semaphore Palais with a whole bunch of Pete and Cindy's friends who came out to help celebrate the occasion. So even though we are the other side of the world, miles away from friends and family I still had a bunch of people to hang out with. Thanks guys!

Saturday Night

What a difference a day makes! On Tuesday I decided to go for a long walk on the beach and got all wrapped up for the cold wind. I set off and returned 5 minutes later as I was beginning to melt! It was the most beautiful, warm winter's day imaginable so I changed into summer gear (no, not a rain mac like you're wearing in the UK summer) and off I went. Great!

The next day the weather turned into winter and in the evening there were severe weather warnings issued. Gale force winds whipped the sea into a frenzy and the jetty walkway was smashed to pieces by the force of the waves. The rain absolutely teemed it down and it was incredible to hear it bouncing off the roof of the verandah.

So, apart from the weather report, our other news is that we've been to a "Welcome to South Australia" meeting which was informative. Our visa is only a provisional visa for 3 years so we have to check in with Immigration SA in order to apply for Permanent Residency when the time comes.

On the work front, I (Carla) have been given the Authority to Teach letter from the Teacher's Registration Board - hurrah. I've done a first aid course (8 hours) which all teachers are required to do. I'd done similar courses before but I don't recall learning how to treat a snake or spider bite on any courses I've done in the UK! I've got an informal interview on Wednesday at a school to do some supply work (which they call Relief work) and I'm about to sign up to some agencies for the same thing.

Enjoy the photos of winter in Semaphore...

A short break in Middleton

Went to Middleton for a couple of nights which is down by Victor Harbour. We stayed at The Beach Huts which were really cute...beach huts! The area was really lovely and quiet although apparently it gets really busy in the summer. But right now we're in the middle of winter. And it's so lovely when the sun shines. The days have been gorgeous - bright blue skies, wispy white clouds and hours of beautiful sunshine. Never thought I'd say that I like winter, but I do now!

We spent our 2 days at Middleton walking on the beach and chilling out with our friends Pete and Cindy. We feel so privileged to have this as our life style. We go for walks along the beach most days and marvel at this creation. Wow.