linda@no9

Thanks, Suzie.

Hi. I'm sure I saw a thread somewhere with a link to uk equivalent of family allowance. Do the Australians have it here and can anyone offer advice if we would qualify? Thanks.

Hi Ian. I'm a dressmaker (I make wedding gowns primarily). Spent the last 3 years building up a VERY successful business in Uk. Won a huge award this year and now arrived in Perth where I feel I have to start all over again! Back in Uk it was/is very cut throat. You have to keep up with everyone elses game, keep the momentum going. Here, I have experienced that it's not so much of an issue. You just 'get on' I was asked for my CV in a fabric house recently. I guess going from working for myself to arriving here and my hubs being the main earner now, the thought of just working would be great. I dont have a problem with taking instruction, but know that I want to continue with what I do best. So, if you know anyone getting married, Evening gown, Annual Ball etc, give me a hollar! Also do a bit of curtain making!!

Ok, feels like one of those internet dating sites introduction 'about me' kind of things, but here goes. Here with hubby and 2 girls 7 and 16. Son 23 still in Uk at Uni finishing his last year. Am older mum (wrong side of 45) I work from home dressmaking (when my stuff arrives on the boat) and currently filling my days cleaning. There has to be more than cleaning! If anyone fancies meeting up for coffee and a chat (whether that's life in Perth, Desperate Housewifes or real Housewives of NYC) then a PM would be lovely.

Such a shame we are not closer elfie. Our hoovers would have had so much fun together

We have one for sale in Uk Do you not like it here?

Sometimes things really wind me up and yesterday I saw something that really wound me up! We pulled up alongside a guy while driving. He was English, going to assume he was english as he had a dirty great Leeds United sticker in his back window. He was about to pull in to the lane taking him to the Mitchell Freeway and as we pulled alongside, he was driving with his knees. The reason he was driving with his knees is because he was texting! For crying out loud. What a total idiot! Concentrate on the road why dont you. Texting while driving requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver. Take your mind off the job in hand and you could kill someone!

Consider buying alfresco furniture to use indoors. can then transfer outdoors when furniture arrives!

I actually cook a mean Basa in batter and chips with skin on if any one fancies it?

Apparently they do as do River Island

From my experience many agents wont allow applications unless the tenant has viewed the property as demand for rentals is extremely high. References and wage slips are also a must. Regarding dogs. We have one small 'toto' type dog and it does limit the type of home you get. I have viewed 3 properties out of around 14 we liked on the web that allow pets. Even if you ask the owner if they would consider, if an application comes in without a pet, they normally go for that. Be warned, it is an extremely stressful and unsettling time. We are currently in our short term furnished let, dog in quarantine and container arrives early Nov so we are now hunting our long term empty rental. Trouble with looking on the net, they do 'doctor' or use very old images. The home open we viewed yesterday was however, exactly how it was presented on the net. Google earth is a great tool to get an idea of what's around. I actually hate the whole process. The driving round to find 30 other people all scrapping for the same house because the last one was a flea pit. I've learned the description lingo now. Neat and tidy often means tired and dated.

Crikey, was impossible to find a good English fish n chip shop in Bradford let alone Perth! However, we LOVE our local chippy. Portion sizes are huge and extremely tasty!!

We made 2 phone calls. One at primary, had a meeting with the principal and he enrolled her there and then. She is in a split year 2/3 group as she officially would be in year 3 in uk, but finishing up Australian year 2. Older daughter at a senior high. Again, meeting with assist principal who looked at daughters GCSE grades to determine where she would 'sit' in the group. Again, enrolled that day. As she has officially finished her year 11 in uk, she is in Australian year 11 for social reasons only and determine which subjects she wants to take for her final year 12. Both schools have good reputations. We actually found the process extremely easy. We gave our 6 month rental agreement with a utility bill. We are currently trying to find our next unfurnished rental in the catchment but if not then I have a 10 min drive. No great shakes for me and not an issue for the school either it seems

I walked all the way to Hillarys harbour yesterday for a picnic with my girls, then that "have I closed the garage door" question popped right on in there. As bad as "have I left the iron on?" Walked all the way back, yes, door closed, so walked back to beach. Hate that!

http://www.sorrentobeach.com.au/ this is a holiday resort so may suit short term.

So, another home open today. Looked really nice on the site. property very very near to school. Shame it looked nothing like it did in the pictures!

What is this barrier spray of which you speak? I have my Mortein and am not afraid to use that either!

Hi Emma. My kids are 16 and 7 (son 23 still uk side at uni) Carramar is lovely. All the best for the move.

We were sat on Whitfords beach and a pod swam by so close they almost hit the surfers! Awesome experience.

Well, am house hunting again this week. Have seen a few, but staggard at the variations or rent prices. One can be very 'dated' and want $700 per week, one can be modern with a pool for $600 Who does the price fixing and do they think we are stupid?

It was FABULOUS on Monday. We opened doors to let heat in, keep the fly screen closed! Defo keep the slip slap slop and fluids. We also have a beach tent. A godsend. I sat in it most of yesterday for shade. We actually have 2. Small one for food/eskies and stuff, large one to get out of sun.

Good luck, Paul. 4 weeks in now and loving it!

So, we have our inspection date for Monday 8th October between 8.30am and 3.30pm. Today, in readiness for the weekend (so I have nothing to do and I can see exactly the timescale I have in readiness for the said inspection) I cleaned the house or should I say, am half way through. I've dusted, moped, cleaned skirting boards, cleaned the fridge, kitchen surfaces, curtain tracks, washed my bedding, bathrooms cleaned and bleached. That's probably 1/3 of the jobs on the list and Im still not done at 2pm. I haven't even started on the garden!! I pick the kids up in an hour so intend to go to Dan Murphys for reserves. I just hope to god the weekend prior to inspection is cr@p weather as it's going to take the whole weekend to prepare!

Fab news Ross!

We brought ours with us. She's at Byford now. A decision we couldn't make but appreciate you must be devastated. Big hugs x