GabrielleT

Hi Luke Myself (30) and other half Andy (34) are arriving on October 10th, we are part of a group of couples here in the UK and love doing things like dinner, drinks, spontaneous weekend road trips If you would like to meet up maybe a week after we arrive that would be great, it would be lovely to know people who have been in Perth for a while and give us some insight on settling in (over a glass of wine, even better!) Gabrielle

Thank you for the reassuring words! The 'goodbyes' the day before are going to be so emotional I think, but the airport I am really dreading! We go to Heathrow o the 8th to put the dog on his flight to Sydney as Byford quarantine is no longer operational, then we fly on the 9th so will stay overnight at Heathrow the night before we fly. We have friends taking us to the airport as I know for a fact if it was my parents I couldn't get on the plane! Then we don't actually fly til something like 6pm so there is quite a bit of waiting around... Poor Andy is not going to know what to do with me! xx

Thanks Deb I would definitely love to grab a coffee, I'll message you when we arrive, and the meet up in Kings Park sounds great, aren't the views over the city great from there?

Hi Everyone I wanted to see if I could get some advice and experiences from those of you who have already made the move; what were the last few weeks in the UK like for you and how did you cope with the journey itself? My OH is a super laid back and chilled kind of guy but I am naturally pretty highly strung, and my mind is starting to play tricks on me, I think. I have lived and worked (temporarily, max 1yr at a time) all over the world, been in and out of the UK since I was 21 so I weirdly I am not concerned about adjusting to a different culture or pace of life, I am a pretty adaptable person in that regard and easily pleased. I am the world's most organised person, I know that everything to date is done and know exactly how each day is going to play out until we leave. Our shipping is sorted, dog and quarantine booked and paid, temporary home in Rockingham for 8 weeks, car hire; we even treated ourselves to business class flights with Cathay Pacific for our special journey (lie flat beds!!). It's almost like my brain is inventing things to worry about. What's bothering me is I am worrying more and more about WORRYING, and thinking the most awful worst-case-scenario type things. Like it's a vicious circle and I'm winding myself up even more. I get upset thinking about missing my parents even though we will probably talk at least 3 times a week on the phone or Skype. I worry how I will cope if someone at home gets sick or has an accident, and how I'll get home and whether my job in WA will understand. I am worried that I will cry all the way on the flight over or that I won't even want to get on the plane at the last minute. I am worried that something will happen to my little dog on his trip over or that he will be terrified and upset in quarantine. I am worried I will make no friends and be lonely even though that is the opposite of 'me'! Did anyone else get these sorts of 'irrational' thoughts? Did they dissipate once you got there and got into a routine? Or did you feel a bit crazy for a while afterwards? I am worried that over the next 6 weeks I am going to reach fever-pitch crazy over things I have ZERO control over! Any kind words, advice, harsh truths or personal experiences welcome Gabrielle xx

Hi Victoria Also 'Hi' to many others of you who responded to OP! I'm Gabi, just turned 30 and will be arriving in just over 6 weeks with my other half Andy. I am beyond excited about the move and can't wait to meet some new girly mates to have shennanigans with Nights in and out, dinner parties, learning to surf, general exploring... don't have any kids and not planning on any anytime soon but we do have a little Italian Greyhound and I love taking him out to the beach or parks and on random adventures. My FB is gabrielle.l.thomas xxx

Brilliant, thank you! I am so excited, I can't wait to get stuck in to all the new 'things'!

Hi Guys! My name is Gabi (30) and my amazing other half is Andy (34), and we arrive October 10th; we will be staying in the Rockingham area for 8 weeks (about the only thing right now that is certain!) while we suss out the city and surrounds and work out where we want to settle a bit more long term. Both on a permanent residency visa so we are coming to stay Also joining us is our little Italian Greyhound boy (4), Shelby. We are DINKS, and have no plans to add children to the mix just yet. I work in real estate, Andy is a glazier and we are both pretty normal(!), like to have fun and are excited to get to know new friends up for weekend and evening socialising. Things we like; having friends over for dinner, raucous laughter and general silliness, the odd alcoholic beverage, taking our dog on adventures to nature parks/swimming/meet other dogs pretty much anywhere, learning new things, good restaurants, the sea & the beach, cinema, shopping, technology (Andy), and a whole bunch of other stuff in between. We would love to meet others with a 'let's give it a go' attitude to life, whether you have been in Perth for a while and can show us some stuff, or are brand new too and fancy joining us on our adventures a we try all the things we can't do (or don't want to) here in the UK! And along the way we hope to make real lifelong-friend connections with wonderful people in our new country We both have have Facebook and Skype, so if you would be interested in meeting up when once we arrive (less than 7 weeks OMG), or having a chat over the web first, get in touch! Look forward to hearing from you! xxx