House Update...

We had some good news on the house front this week with the contracts being signed and exchanged as well as the good news coming in about the mortgage. In Australia as soon as the contracts are signed thats it, the vendors are legally bound to sell and we have to buy!

There is now a settlement period of 42 days before we can move in and start painting the nursery!!!

Australia Day

Here's the history lesson:

Yesterday was Australia Day a national holiday held every January 26th to remember the origins of Australia and celebrate its achievements.

It marks the arrival of the first fleet in Sydney on January 26, 1788. The ships under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip had brought a load of prisoners from England. The prisoners on the ships were not all criminals as we would think of them today. Many of them were people who had been arrested because the government didn't like what they had to say, also some were poor people who had been jailed because they owed money.

These prisoners were the first Europeans to settle in Australia, before 1783 many of Britain's unwanted criminals had been sent to the United States.

Today Australia is the only day that you can officially become an Australia citizen, you need to wait two years so we'll be taking up dual nationality on 26th January 2009... of course the baby with have Australian nationality before its parents!!

On this Australia day we went into Newcastle's Foreshore and checked out the community events taking place. There had been a lot of hoo haa about the waving of flags etc and the offence that it can cause to other ethnic groups (Australia not so different from England after all then!) but most people seemed to be carrying one wearing one. We also enjoyed the Fun Fair, Horse Rides and jumping of the sea wall (well the kids did anyway!)

In the evening there were free fireworks and a concert with a wide variety of bands. One of the strangest sights was the Pre-Schoolers and Punks mosh pit!

End of the Weekend...

Sunday Surf Carnival

Today we went down to the local beach (Red Head: named after me and our camping trip last Summer!) for a surf carnival. There didn't seem to be any floats with lots of waving children on them like carnivals at home just lots of kids running around with those speedos on wearing those round hats. Fair play to them though as it looked really tough with paddling on lifesaving boards, beach running and swimming all part of the event. Each beach has their own life saving club with youngsters who progress from Nippers (like Liam) up through the ranks to adults.

I had my first surf (now that the boards have arrived!) and enjoyed it although the water was rough rather than having large waves. Red Head is one of the more exposed beaches around Newcastle. Beth got in too... but no further than knee high to avoid being knocked over by the wash of the waves. The sand was so hot that it was burning our feet as we walked on it. We've had the two hottest days since we've been here, today is +40 degrees and the wind so warm, a bit like opening the oven and sticking your melon inside.... as the Aussies say "It's stinking hot!"

MONDAY UPDATE... in the local newspaper it said that many of the carnival events were cancelled due to the hot sand, 10 people were taken to hospital due to heat exhaustion and bizarely 3 to hospital with Hyperthermia due to the strangely cold water (14 degrees which is unseasonably cold by Australian standards) Being an Atlantic surfer I didn't really notice and had a good time in my shorts and rash vest! ;0)

The tower you see in the pictures is the shark tower (now not used!) and is a popular site for wedding couples, in fact there were two wedding groups there on Saturday! More often sharks are now spotted from the helicopters. Newspaper reports suggested that a 6 metre had been spotted last week in South Australia and swimmers were asked to leave the water... you'd only have to ask me once!

The House...

We think we have found the perfect first house for us here in Australia. It has enough space for us and the baby, land to extend onto..... as well as any visitors we might get in the future!!

We've had building checks, pest reports (no termites found!!!!) and a valuation report which have all gone well. At the moment we have paid a 5% deposit (refundable before Friday!!!!!!!!) and we exchange contracts on Friday all being well.

We've had some issues with the bank as both being self employed through Hamilton we've struggled to prove that we earn what we earn and that it is likely to continue. Hamilton have been fantastic and done everything that they can do to help out which has moved things along, as have the building Society who are giving us every chance!

It has been a tense time but we hope to have some good news at the end of the week!... and in five weeks we could be updating the blog from our new home!!! Keep your fingers crossed for us.

The Yak!

We thought it was about time that we posted some pictures of our car. We've had it since before Christmas but we've been so busy with one thing and another that we haven't had time to wash and polish it. We picked it up on Ebay Australia for about £6000. OK so it's not a VW and it's not aircooled... we miss you Stan!... but it gets us around and it won't break into a million circa 1960 pieces when rear ended on the freeway! Maybe its the first visible sign of how babies change people! It also has air con which is vital at the moment as we have 38 degree heat, in stark contrast to the weather at home which is making Australian news!

It has leather seats so that we can wipe away all those bits of partially digested banana and breadsticks that people with children seem to have living in the back of their cars. We can chuck everything we need like surfboards and the cool box (eskie!) (soon to be pram, changing bag etc!) in the back either through the glass which opens or the whole boot lid! The engine is 3.2ltr which is fairly small by Australian standards... 6ltr is not uncommon and we know someone with something more than 7ltr!

We both seem to have taken to driving a bigger car quite well and parking isn't an issue as the spaces seem to be that little bit bigger. Last night Beth and I drove through the middle of Sydney to pick up Matt and Sharron at the airport. It was quite a nice drive taking in glimpses of the bridge and the Opera House etc. We also used the cruise control (the car is an automatic!.. most cars are here) which was a strange experience... you set the speed and the car does the rest. All you do is steer and brake if someone, or something pulls out in front of you. The maximum speed here is 110km although more often you find yourself crawling along at 60km in built up areas which does feel slow at times... but then at least you can take in all the views as you pass.

We both have Australian driving lisenses having done nothing to get one other than smile for the photo in the traffic office and hand over the cash... we were fully expecting to take tests and everything.

Anniversary Weekend

Nearly a year on from our big day Beth and I went out for a meal on the Saturday with Matt and Sharron, which was one of those spur of the moment things. We then went to a bar and had a couple more drinks there.

On the Sunday I treated Beth to breakfast before we went outside to open some cards and gifts. All the gifts were practical ones as we start to stock up on all the things we sold before we left the UK. As a result Beth was delighted (check the picture!) with her toaster and kettle while I was treated to a coffee pod machine (which actually was a really nice gift!) We also had some other practical gifts like coffee cups and saucers, T-towels and another toaster from Beth's mum and dad, and the all important wine glasses from Matt and Sharron as well as a boules set, we'll give that a spin when we're next on the beach.

In the afternoon Beth and I had a paddle down on the beach, and found the water cold even though it was a warm day. The weather is doing strange things at the moment and is very changable, some warm days followed by a cloudy day or so. Usually at this time of the year the weather can get very warm and very settled with sunny day after sunny day. Most people blame us for bringing the weather with us. Anyway the sea is cold at the moment due to the wind direction which is taking the shallow water up to 25m off the beach which warms in Summer off shore... leaving colder water behind.

In the evening Beth and I had a fantastic meal including a complementary mussel ravioli which I felt obliged to eat... most people know I don't really do fish, although I did eat some the other week (Am I rambling today??) A fantastic day that brought many memories of that day last year flooding back.

Bumpwatch Slideshow

Always happy to respond to suggestions we've put the bumpwatch pictures in order so that you can see Beth blossom! Updates soon...

A year ago today....

What a year we've had since this fantastic day, we've certainly crammed in a lot and enjoyed everyday of it together (honestly!) We feel that we've slightly let ourselves down by leaving the birth of the baby and the house purchase until the second year but there you go! ;0)

We thought you might like to look back at our special day....

Common old Garden Spider...

Worried that Australia's poisonous spiders are getting all the blog publicity we thought we would take a picture of this fella that Matt found out in the front garden. This is a common Garden Orb that makes fantastic webs in contrast to the Redbacks that are lazy and messy web builders.

Thanks for Matt for the use of his hand to give an idea of scale, would have done it myself but I had to take the picture from five metres away using the zoom!!!!

Stuff Arrives

Stuff arrived today and has been piled up all around Matt and Sharron's house. Managed to find most of the stuff we've been missing since September. Beth managed to sort out where everything should go while me and the two guys lugged the boxes up the stairs. Thanks to them we don't need to get it stored before we sort a house and move it all out again! We should have some news on that in the next couple of weeks!!!

Congratulations James and Lisa...

Congratulations to James (my cousin) and Lisa on the birth of their first child Callum who was born at 7:45pm on the 10th January 2007. Weighing in at 8lb 2oz he's sure to be cherished by two wonderful parents...

Bumpwatch #3

Here is Beth at 24 weeks. Beth is still doing really well and enjoying the whole pregnancy thing.

New Years Resolution Update...

Thought we better update on how the resolutions are going!

1. Be a good Dad.
... not had much opportunity yet, but have been doing some talking to bump at night!

2. Get fit ... Beach Boot Camp starts 8th Jan. 3 days a week 6am-7am for one month!
... started today and then went to boxing! Evidence below:



3. Get good at Wake Boarding... wake to wake without eating Lake.
... progress! I can stand up and starting to think about controling where I go!

4. Get a game at any level for the local football side (see point 2!)
... Football season starts April!

5. Surf three times a week... dependent on weather conditions/ probability of being eaten/stung!
... no boards arriving Friday!

6. No beer... during week. (Small print... unless out socialising!)
... so far so good (making up for it at the weekends!)

Beth's:

1. Eat an apple everyday!!!
... nearly! although she has eatten other fruits... she would like to significantly increase the challenge and extend her resolution to all fruits!

2. Do thirty minutes of something!!!
... this has also been achieved, somethings have included dog walking, swimming, shopping & washing car... (yet to be started!!!)

When animals attack #3 Redback Spider

We spotted this little fella hiding out under Joel's ride on car. The body was as big as your thumb nail and Matt says that it was the biggest that he had ever seen in fourteen years! This is an interesting read, particularly the bit about the harsh treatment dished out to the male by the female. Life with Beth not so tough after all!

The Redback Spider is found all over Australia in open bushland, but is especially common in urban areas. As one of a number of spiders that prefer inhabited areas, and because it often builds its web in places like bins, sheds or outhouses, the Redback frequently comes into contact with humans, especially during the summer months. Although not aggressive, over 600 bites occur each year in Australia-often when the spider is accidentally pressed against the hand when cleaning, or lifting material containing a web. Bites are always from females as the male is much smaller and has jaws that are unable to penetrate human skin. The venom is highly toxic to humans but effective antivenom is widely available and no deaths have occurred since its development. As a member of the 'widow' group of spiders, the Redback Spider is also famous for the male's suicidal tendencies. After mating, he spins around so that his abdomen is against the female's fangs, effectively sacrificing himself to her. She mauls him, usually fatally, and eats him. If he escapes, he does so severely injured and returns to mate again-this time to certain death.

Happy 66th!

Today was John's 66th (Beth's Dad!) He had a lovely day which started off with the usual Sunday morning cooked breakfast, the boys had written a lovely message on their whiteboard and had put the finishing touches to their cards. John got a variety of summer related presents and a sizable delivery of cards from England.

Matt and I then took him to the local for a couple of pints staying only long enough to lose some cash on the pokies (fruit machines!). I was then back home to collect the rest of the family for a meal down on the waterfront. We had a lovely meal watching the coal ships gliding past. We then moved (via a very short train journey) a little further down through the harbour to another bar where Liam and Joel entertained all with their dancing moves from which we could all learn a thing or to!! It was a lovely day for everyone at the end of another action packed weekend!

Exeter Aircooled Australia Branch welcomes South West Splits...

A phone call to Gav and Faye before Christmas highlighted the potential for a catch up early in the new year. Our second phone call was on Friday afternoon from Gav who had already arrived in Newcastle from Sydney (a two hour drive!) We hooked them up with a camp site and went down to collect them. They had a fantastic little spot right on the Lake for one of their soon to be exported campers. We collected them and hit down for bite to eat and then a premier of a surf film all about surfers being towed into Super Typhoon waves off Japan.... crazy! It was a lovely evening if a little breezy (I know we'll get no sympathy!!) and it was certainly good to see some familiar faces and hear familiar accents!

On the Saturday we again collect Gav and Faye to take them out on the Lake for the day. It was great of Matt and Sharron to take them out, but it's something that is very much open to all visitors!! We had a great day, soured only by Faye's shorts being lost to the bottom of the Lake! It must have been something of a daunting experience as Gav and Faye were soon introduced to more people than they had bargained for... however they received the usual warm Aussie welcome, had drinks thrust into their hands when they may not have wanted them and talk of cricket whitewashes was kept to a minimum.

After a long day we returned home to shower before hitting the town again for a nice meal followed up with a meeting with Matt and Sharron for coffee afterwards. It was a pretty full on couple of days but it shows you all what you're missing if you don't save those pennies!!!

Here's a nice clip of Gav being rag dolled across the Lake! "I like your work Gav!"

Water Sports Progress

In an attempt to show that we are actually learning something while out on the lake I thought I would make an ickle film to show off how much we have progressed with our water sports! Sharron is now a dab hand on the Skis (always has been!) and Matt and I have now progressed on the Wakeboard to the point that we now have a good chance of actually getting out of the water and up onto the surface of the water (which is like walking on ice!) We had a good session on this particular day as we all managed to get up and riding, aided with the knowledge of getting in the right position!... anyway enough chat take a look at the film.... the grainy effect is an attempt to make it look arty!

Thanks to Exeter based and the best of friends Sancho Panzer for the soundtrack... A Currrent Archetypal is available on Casket Records in a record shop near you!

The long road back to fitness...

Went for a run this morning and all I can say is that it wasn't comfortable! Can't believe I ran a marathon three years ago... now running a bath is hard work!

Still you've got to start somewhere and bootcamp starts next week... gulp!

I am unable to verify if Beth has eatten her apple this morning although she has been making fruit ice lollies with the boys... so maybe that counts!!!

Bumpwatch #2

I am sorry to say that we have received a complaint about the regular feature Bumpwatch. The complaint refers to the fact that the feature did not make reference to the number of weeks Beth is pregnant. I would like to apologise for this omission and also appologise for any concern or upset this may have caused!!!!

In this the second of the bumpwatch series I can confirm that Beth is now 23 weeks.

On a related issue we have established that the baby is a boy, well sort of! I asked the baby on New Years Eve if it was a boy or a girl asking it to kick in response to questions. It kicked on four different occasions each in response to the "are you a boy?" question, I also mixed up the questions.. sometimes starting with "Are you a girl?" other times asking "Are you a boy?" first! To make the answer more conclusive Beth dangled her wedding ring from a hair (Her's not mine!)and it swung from side to side clearly identifying the baby as a boy!

New Years Day

New Years Day was an understandably quiet affair with me doing very little and when I did do anything I did it very slowly. I hear through the grapevine that the locals were impressed with my Jim Beam drinking potential and that I had passed the initiation!

Later in the afternoon the lads went off to watch the Newcastle Jets take on Sydney FC. The Jets play in the "A" League of eight teams and have been doing well of late. This was not a good game played out in front of their highest ever attendance of 21,000. Football seems to be really taking off after the Socceroos success in the last World Cup. Getting tickets was real easy as we bought them on line and then printed them out to take along to the game. Entry was free for the kids as they play football locally and six pound for adults. It was enjoyable although the standard of football seemed to be little better than the Oxford United v Exeter City conference game I went to at home!!! ... maybe I've been spoilt after being reared on a diet of attractive free flowing entertaining football watching Argyle!

New Years Eve

We kicked off our New Years Eve celebrations in traditional fashion but some eleven hours earlier than all you guys in the UK. We were lucky enough to be invited along to some good friends of Matt and Sharron's, avoiding conversations about cricket long enough to have a great night. We all had a bite to eat before moving out into the street to get a good vantage point of Warners Bay to see some fantastic fireworks. We then had a few drinks before seeing in the New Year and jumping in the hot tub to have yet more drinks... as you can see from the picture above I had a good time and paid dearly for it the next day!!! How I feel today makes resolution number six look more likely.... I can confirm that Beth ate an apple today and did do thirty minutes of something!