(rockpooling)
Really, the way I disappeared here for months on end might make one suppose that 4 moves, 3 significant birthdays, a new country, new job for D (with some seriously harrowing down-to-the-wire-do-we-wait-for-the-job-that's-taking-forever-or-go-to-plan-B dramas) and all the related malarkey that goes along with these sorts of adventures were a tad time consuming and stress inducing. One would probably be right!
(watching the surfers)
By rights we really should just about be pros at this moving nonsense - this is the 5th international move for Cole and Imogen after all, and they've only just had their 5th birthday, but this one was easily the hardest move for me yet, both logistically and emotionally...even if it was the shortest international move we've ever done! We're going to try and stay put for a little bit now, just for a change!!
So where did we end up? We are in the gorgeous Hunter Valley region in NSW, Australia, in a large country town, just over half an hour from Newcastle, and about 2 hours from Sydney! The move was purely dictated by D's new work, even though we were actually in Australia looking to settle up Brisbane way before we finally got word that this job was his (I wasn't kidding about the down to the wire stuff - it seems that's just how we operate!) The place though is lovely and so far, so fabulous! It is extra nice that everything else has fallen into place so well, given this was D's preferred job. Oh, and the Hunter Valley is a major wine producing area...I know I know, it's a terrible hardship being surrounded by all this squashed grape - we're doing our best to deal!
We moved into our lovely rental place 7 days ago, and whilst we're glamping it up here on airbeds and beanbags whilst our furniture wends its way to us (it's taken a bit longer to catch on to our change of plans and arrive at its final destination) it is already starting to feel like somewhere we can settle and feel like we're home. I will share some of the sillier, crazier, lovelier moments from the past few months soon, but for now, I'm back, patchy mobile internet and all! (Mr Telstra man, name your price for organising my ADSL quicksmart!)
(in all our rockpoolong, we never once found a starfish with *just* 5 appendages!)
**The photos of Cole and Imogen are from Newcastle beach, where we stayed at our dear friend - and best man - Phil's apartment for 10 days. His apartment is right. on. the. beach. Utter heaven for us all. And as for Phil - man, the definition of a best man? Someone who offers for your family of 4 to invade his 2 bedroom apartment for an unspecified period whilst house hunting. Definition of The Best Man Ever: the man stays with a mate around the corner so you can have the whole apartment to yourself. Seriously - how do you say thanks for something like that? (I'm thinking this may take more than a handknitted beanie and a couple of home cooked meals!) And then just when he couldn't get any cooler, Cole discovered *uncle fill* had a skateboard...and taught him how to use it!!! And he pushed Immy round (and round and round) the tennis court on the skateboard as well. And that was it, 2 small hearts utterly devoted to their dear UncleFill! D and I are just glad the kids love Phil as much as we do...even if I still think he is an utter pain in the arse to watch a royal wedding with!
(taking time out to compare war wounds, lol!)
Glad you are finally settling in (AGAIN!). UncleFill sounds like a saint--how cool that you will live near him! Happy adventuring, Jo!
Posted by: AmyK | August 12, 2011 at 04:15 AM
It is lovely being closer to *UncleFill*, especially since D has been a bit short on close friends near by the past few years, but unfortunately Phil is planning in heading back to NZ fairly soon. Rest assured though we shall be employong all manner of sneaky tactics to see if we can get him to stay, lol!
Posted by: Jolie | August 12, 2011 at 09:49 PM