A Sunday walk over the Harbour Bridge

As we've had to furnish an entire house, pay the bond and first month's rent, all on a single salary, we have been pretty broke over the last month. Thankfully this will change on Wednesday (plus I have some temping work so will have some pocket money to finally start giving the house that feminine touch!).

Yesterday though, we'd had enough of counting the pennies and staying within a kilometre radius of home so we don't spend money. As the sun was streaming through the blinds when we woke up, we decided to walk into the city over the Harbour Bridge. According to Google Maps it's just over four kilometres so easy enough.

And it was an easy walk as it is all downhill (we got a bus back!), and it's interesting to see North Sydney during the weekend. It's pretty dead but you can find the odd coffee shop open and we enjoyed delicious cappuccinos on the walk down to the water. We climbed the steps to get onto the bridge at Kirribilli, although the Sunday market was in full swing, so we had a little detour there for a browse.

Heading up to the bridge.

Once on the bridge, you practically forget the freeway is right next to you. The pedestrian walkway is quite wide and there are lots of places to stop and take in the view. And the view is pretty spectacular. It's just another great way to see the Opera House and the harbour.

Of course, if you want a real view of the harbour you should do the Bridge Climb. I'm afraid I'm too scared to get up there, but for many it is the highlight of their trip to Sydney.

Bridge Climbers beginning their ascent.

Once you come off the bridge you find yourself in the Rocks area, which is one of my favourite parts of the city. It is quite touristy, especially at the weekends, but has a great vibe and you can always avoid the crowds by ducking down a lane or alleyway. There is some lovely architecture here, some of the best in Sydney I think, which reminds me of Victorian buildings in the UK.

 All in all, a great Sydney afternoon!

Details

Kirribilli Markets www.kirribillimarkets.com

Sydney Bridge Climb www.bridgeclimb.com
 

Somewhere to call our own

Yes, we finally have somewhere to live. Apparently we were really lucky as we were only rejected for three places before being approved for a house in Cammeray which is just north of the city, over the Harbour Bridge. We were told to brace ourselves for rejection from at least 10 places, but in the end we decided to look away from Manly where competition for rentals is fierce. We are paying slightly over our original budget, but commuting to the city will be much cheaper so we are actually saving money.

And we have a house! The last time I lived somewhere with stairs was when I was still living at home with my parents, so this has got me very excited. We now have the task of furnishing a two bedroom house on a somewhat limited budget. Thank goodness for places like 2nds World - I don't want to spend valuable money on washing machines when I could be spending it on candles and cushions (!), and to be fair I don't really mind what the washing machine and dryer look like as they will be behind closed doors (did I mention we have an internal laundry room?!). So this month's wages will be going on a sofa, fridge, bed, TV and basic kitcheneware. Next month's will be spent on a BBQ, outdoor furniture and a bed for the spare room (my parents arrive in less than two months).

So we finally have something to get excited about - a place of our own again. After nearly four months of being nomads, it will be such a relief to close the front door and relax in our own space. It's a pretty blank canvas so I'm looking forward to being able to start from scratch and style the house how I want it. I will post pictures as and when we get organised!

The delights of Sydney real estate

Well I could do a whole blog on the trials and tribulations of the Sydney real estate market. We've only just started applying for rentals, so I know we're still in for a whole world of pain, but I'm already sick of open houses (I never thought I'd say that!) and trying to make small talk with real estate agents. We've been to open houses where we were the only people viewing, and we've also been to one where there were over 30 people trying to squeeze into a two bedroom unit! Suffice to say this one went within 24 hours (it had the most beautiful view of Sydney harbour).

This morning I submitted two applications for properties in Manly. We both LOVE one of them - its balcony hangs right over the water, there is a secluded beach and freshwater pool one minute walk away, and it is only a 10 minute walk to the ferry to get into the city. The other one we saw a couple of weeks ago and I was sure it was going to be snapped up immediately so we didn't bother putting an application in as Steve hadn't started his job at that point. Fast forward two weeks and it's still on the market and is in a brilliant location; again 10 minutes walk from the ferry and a five minute walk to the local cafes, shops and the beach.

Beautiful Manly beach.

So I would be really happy in either of them and I have everything crossed that we get one. I know we will be so incredibly lucky if we are considered for either property, so I am still on the hunt. We are also looking in Balmain, Neutral Bay/Cremorne and North Sydney. We feel that we are pretty laid back with where we live, as long as we get two bedrooms (for ALL our guests from the UK to stay - come on guys!), outside space and a relatively new bathroom and kitchen. But you don't get much for your money round these parts, even coming from London.

Will keep you updated...

An Australian resident...finally!

I haven't blogged properly in a while; we have been pretty busy with lots of exciting things happening. My visa was finally approved last week, which involved a four-night trip to New Zealand (more about that in another post), but I now have permanent residency! I originally applied for a temporary partner visa (subclass 309), but ended up being granted a permanent visa (subclass 100). I thought I'd share the timeline of my visa processing for those who are considering making the move down under, or who are already embarking on it.

8th March: submitted application via post.
12th March: email received from case officer confirming receipt of application and informing me that there was currently a 5-6 month wait. I was also asked to attend a medical examination as soon as possible.
27th March: attended medical examination in London.
4th April: received confirmation from my case officer that the medical results had been received and she would be in touch when my visa was ready to be approved. 
9th May: confirmation from case officer that I could travel to Australia on a tourist visa while my partner visa was still being considered.

12th July: we arrived in Sydney with me on a three-month eVisitor visa.

10th August: I received an email from my case officer that said they were ready to grant my partner visa and that I needed to leave Australia for at least three working days in order to do so.
3rd September: we flew to New Zealand for four nights.
7th September: we arrived back in Sydney and confirmed with the border staff that I was now on a permanent residency visa (partner visa subclass 100).

So in all it took almost six months, but that was because I was already in Australia and had to leave so the visa could be formally granted. It was actually five months from submitting the application to receiving the email to say they were ready to grant the visa. We still believe we did the right thing by coming out here before it was granted though, as we wouldn't have got out here until at least October if we had waited for it in the UK.

I would love to hear others' experiences of the visa process - drop me a comment or contact me on Twitter (@hollygalt).

Details

Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Website: www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/family-visas-partner.htm 

Instagram Sydney-style

I haven't done a picture post while I've been in Australia, so here are my Instagram photos since I arrived in Sydney in July. They give a snapshot of our life over the last few weeks, and as you would expect they are mostly of beaches, the opera house and lots of sunshine!

At the airport, my fab husband bought me a new iPad so I can FaceTime family and friends. Note: large glass of wine, sorely needed after many tearful goodbyes.

First morning in Oz, and the sun is shining!

On the Manly Ferry to the city to pick up our bank cards.

The garden where we are staying in the Northern Beaches. Looking forward to afternoons spent in this pool when summer arrives!

Manly beach

You can just about make out the hubby.

Kilo of prawns in Gerringong.

Palm Beach AKA Summer Bay.

Breakfast by the beach in Manly.

Manly flags!

Visa granted!

'Dear Mrs Galt

The processing of your application has reached the stage where I am in a postition to grant your visa...'

I finally received this email last week from my case officer at the Australian High Commission in London! Unfortunately though, as we were so impatient and came over here before it was granted it means I now have to leave Australia for at least three working days. So we are now looking into last minute deals to go anywhere within a 3-4 hour flight from Sydney. At the moment we are hoping to go to Auckland for four nights at The Langham as they are doing a really good deal, but this could all change if we don't book it soon! This news has coincided with Steve landing a couple of interviews this week, so it all depends on the outcome of these meetings.

Hopefully though, this time next week I will be flying off to spend a few nights here...

Images from The Langham website

This aside though, it has come as an enormous relief that my visa has finally be granted. It now means I can start looking for a job as soon as I return to Sydney, which is not only good news for our financial situation but also for my sanity! If we both get jobs in the next four weeks, we should be able to secure our own place by the beginning of October which is the thing I am focused on at the moment. It is really hard to settle anywhere when you are living out of suitcases, and the need to nest is growing by the day!

A visit to Hyde Park Barracks

Being a History geek, I got very excited a couple of days ago when I stumbled upon the Historic Houses Trust website. For UK readers, it's the Australian equivalent of the National Trust and they have a number of historical houses in and around Sydney. We were going into the city yesterday for a wander around, so I dragged the husband to the Hyde Park Barracks museum on Macquarie Street. He wouldn't admit it but I know he enjoyed it!

Between 1819 and 1848, Hyde Park Barracks housed male convicts who had been transported to Sydney to serve out sentences handed to them in the UK. After 1848 the main building housed female immigrants, mainly from Ireland, who had been encourgaed to emigrate out to Australia. The main building and surrounding outhouses are now a museum after several reincarnations as courthouses and government buildings during the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a beautiful building from the outside and there are lots of Victorian features still evident inside.

Hyde Park Barracks. (Image from Time Out Sydney www.au.timeout.com/sydney)

The museum itself is definitely worth the AUS $10 admission fee with exhibits on the transportation of convicts from the UK, their daily lives in the barracks and the integration of reformed convicts into Sydney society. There are also fascinating models on how the building itself was transformed during the 19th and 20th centuries.

My next visit will be to the Museum of Sydney and then I will hopefully make my way though the list of other historical houses. Check out the Historic Houses Trust website if you're into all things historical like me and you happen to be in Sydney!

Details

Hyde Park Barracks, Queens Square, Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000. Open daily 9.30am-5pm (Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day). Adults: $10; Child/Concession: $5.

Historic Houses Trust www.hht.net.au

A winter's morning walk along the beach

Even though it's winter at the moment here in Australia, it is still a lovely 16-18 degrees during the day and bright sunshine (although still very cold at night). I've had a few days where I've felt extremely homesick already (mostly when I'm given insipid tomato sauce instead of Heinz Ketchup!), but going out for a morning walk along the beach in Manly has made me realise why we made the move here. Sipping coffee and power walking along with all the yummy mummies while watching the surfers may even encourage me to exercise more... I'm so looking forward to exploring more of the Northern Beaches in the next few weeks and discovering more walks to enjoy on bright sunny mornings.

 

AFL, Christmas in July and a bush walk!

So I haven't posted for a while; unfortunately Steve's grandma passed away 10 days or so after we arrived so the last week has been spent up in the Blue Mountains attending the funeral and helping out wherever we could. 

We are now back in the Northern Beaches and are trying to get into some sort of routine. Steve is looking for work and I can't wait until he does so we can start to look for our own place to rent.

I attended my first AFL (Aussie Rules football) game last week. Notice I don't say match anymore; it is a game, NOT a match. It was fun to start with, but I don't think I'll get used to the length of it - the game lasts over 2 1/2 hours. Luckily I was with a couple of other girls, so we drank wine and gossiped most of the day, much to the annoyance of our other halves sat in front of us. Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was great though; easy to get food (important) and wine (even more important). 

The old part of the SCG.

One of the stands was being demolished though and they were only part way through. Check out the crane holding up the big screen in the below picture!

I have also experienced my first 'Yulefest' or 'Christmas in July'. It is absolutely FREEZING up in the Blue Mountains at the moment, so it's the perfect time to have Christmas dinner! Steve's Dad booked us tickets for just that at the local golf club and we had a hysterical evening last Saturday with friends and family. My favourite part of the evening though had to be the Kath & Kim impersonators who were brilliant. And that was before someone (we don't know who yet) set Steve up and he was half-dragged onto the stage by Sharon and Kim. I don't think I have ever seen him look so embarrassed. But it made my night... If you are ever in Oz during Winter, make sure you attend 'Christmas in July' wherever you are. Who wouldn't want to celebrate Christmas twice in a year?! And you don't need to go to the trouble of buying presents or posting cards. Result.

After eating a massive Christmas dinner the night before, we had to go for a bush walk the next day. There was not a cloud in the sky and we had a beautiful walk down to Wentworth Falls.

The beautiful Blue Mountains.

Standing at the top of the Falls.

So it is now on with the job search for Steve, and I will be attending a few open houses over the next few weeks to see how far our money will go (not far I imagine). Will keep you updated...

Seven days in: cars, golf and...sunshine!

Well we have arrived! Actually we arrived a week ago, but jet lag has severely claimed both of us despite getting bumped up to Business Class for both legs and managing to sleep for a massive nine hours in total! This is huge as I normally only get about four or five hours sleep on the journey to Oz. Business Class was something else; I'm not sure I'd pay for it (a whopping £5000 each) but to get it for free (well, the cost of two premium economy seats) was amazing. The best thing is having a double bed when both seats are lying flat and having the privacy from screens so it almost feels like you're in your own private room. We stopped off at Singapore for an hour (photos below) and arrived in Sydney at 5am last Thursday.

Steamy in Singapore.

Not looking TOO bad after 13 hours on the plane.

So here we are. We haven't done too much in the last week - waking up at 5am and falling asleep at 3pm and again at 8pm has put a stop to most things. But the weather has been fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen the Mountains so sunny the last few times I've stayed here. By Mountains I mean the Blue Mountains, which are about 100km west of Sydney. It is absolutely freezing (we are about 950m above sea level), but the sun has now been shining for seven days straight. Coming from the UK after such a washout of a summer, this has been a welcome change.

We have managed to get one thing done though - buy a car. This was a bit of an adventure yesterday as we set off for the ominous-sounding 'Car City'. Our brief was a medium-sized car (it's a struggle to find a small car round here!) that would last us about 12 months without breaking down, with a budget of $7000. Sounds simple? Not at all. Car City has hundreds of cars but we only found about three that we actually liked and that we could afford. Cars here are not cheap, and having been brought up on European cars (particularly German ones) I was finding it difficult to consider Holdens, Fords and Hondas. In an ideal world I wanted a 4x4, but those in our budget were pretty scruffy and needed a bit of work. We will hopefully get a newer one next year when we have both been working for a few months. The other half finally convinced me to look at a Holden Commodore which was at a good price and was in surprisingly good condition for its nine years on the road. I took it for a test drive and it drove just like our Audi A4 which was nice and familiar. So we are now the proud owners of a good old Aussie Commodore.

Apart from that, I had my first experience of a golf course this week as I drove around on a cart with my father-in-law while my husband played 18 holes. It was fun to start with, but three hours of watching Steve line up a golf ball, look at it for ages, sigh and then move it again, got pretty tedious. I think it will remain as something he can go off and do on his own or with his Dad/cousin/uncle, while I amuse myself with something I am interested in!

So that's about all our news from our first week down under. We're off to Sydney tomorrow which I'm really looking forward to, as we'll be catching up with other members of Steve's family and some friends too. And it's a lot warmer down there! I also have my first AFL (Aussie Rules football) experience on Sunday so I'll be blogging about that next week. 

D-day

This is just a quick post as we are about to set off for Heathrow. In typical fashion, the motorway gods have decided to close the motorway to Heathrow so fingers crossed we make our flight in time. It has been a week of mixed emotions; sometimes excitement, but more often there have been tears as we have said farewell to some dear friends and family. The hardest goodbye of all is still to come at the airport though. So I will see you on the other side! When I can get to an internet connection I will blog about our arrival in Sydney and our first few days in the Blue Mountains. Farewell England and to all our fabulous friends and family. I will miss you all so much.

14 days to go: packing, cocktails and emotional farewells

That's 14 days until we leave the UK; there are only six days until we move out of our flat and leave London. The boxes for the shipping container left this morning - I really hope we see them again in Sydney, and with no breakages would be even better!

We treated ourselves last night to a bottle of champagne as we had finally finished packing the boxes and the sun was out! It's evenings like this I will miss about London and our flat - sitting in the lovely garden with a drink as the sun goes down.

('scuse the lack of make up!)

We've also been doing more rounds of saying farewell to people. I've been out with friends quite a bit recently and it was my last proper girls' night last week - lots of cocktails, yummy food and a bit of dancing in Camden which was perfect.

The Mr and I also had a leaving party for our London friends last weekend, which was pretty emotional but great fun. I knew saying goodbye to our friends would be difficult but didn't realise it would be quite so traumatic. This has made us realise how much our friends mean to us, and the big part they have played in our lives over the seven years we've been together.

The calm before the storm...

So now we just have our last few days in London to look forward to, including more dinners, drinks and golf (for Steve; I will hopefully be in the spa with my friend and her mum!).