All our stuff / our bikes

When moving from Louises place to our rental in Ocean Reef, the car was very able to carry everything we are currently having with us.. (except for the bikes that is). Look HERE.

Although just a regular dialup connection, we are now reconnected to internet through our own laptop. Look HERE.

As promised, here are the photos of our bikes. Including the 'shockies' under the saddle and at the front ;-). Look HERE.

Coastal bike ride / Anzac day

Today we made the bike ride (as planned yesterday) to Hillarys and back. Only 21 km's, but the bike path mainly runs through the dunes along the coast, so it does go up and down all the time.

Our bikes have shock absorbers on the front and under the saddle. We can tell we would never have anything else anymore! Riding our bikes reminded us of the test drive we did a couple of months ago with a Jeep Grand Cherokee (that was in Holland). That car took every speedbump without any problem whatsoever. Our bikes do the same with all kind of irregularities in the road (and bumping up sidewalks is no problem at all).

The weather (yep, again ;-) was oke during the first part of the trip (lots of big, black clouds), but just 5 minutes before we arrived in Hillarys the rain started to fall. On the way back there were still lots of clouds, but no rain. Temperatures just above 20, so couldn't be better for bikerides.

Today is also a national holiday in Australia, Anzac day. On this day people remember the fallen soldiers of the wars. Originally started as a remembrance day for fallen Australian and New Zealand soldiers during a war against the Turks in 1904/05 at Gallipileo. It was too early for us to have a look there, but in Kings Park in the centre of Perth people gather before 05.00 am, and than at sun rise start marches through the street.

Moved to Ocean Reef

Last Friday we moved to our second 'home' in Perth, Sunset Cottage in Ocean Reef. The first day and night we had to get used a little bit. Although very silent (in a little cul-de-sac), at night there are thousands of crickets (krekels in Dutch). Also the first night was pretty humid.

Yesterday we have (for the first time since we're Down Under) taken the time to just sit outside and read our books. The weather was great, 23 degrees and a nice warm sun (Please, if you are getting bored with the good weather news, just let us know ;-).

As of today we have transferred the telephone (landline) into our name, so now we are having our own phonenumber and more importantly we are re-connected to internet through our own laptop. Although it is a bit slow (normal modem connection), we are now able to surf without having to bother anyone else.

Today we have bought some (new) pillows, because although the beds are not too bad, it is of course not as good as our own beds (which are under way in the container ;-). Also today we picked up our bikes, which are now complete with accessoiries like mud-spats, bagage-racks and lots more. Tomorrow or the day after we'll take some pictures and post them here. Plan for tomorrow is to have a nice bike ride to Hillarys (visit Louise) and back.

Photos of our car

Today we (I ;-) found some time to put photos of our car on the internet so you can have a look at them HERE.

Tomorrow we will have a look around the south of Perth (Secret Harbour, maybe Port Kennedy), and also visit a co-immigrant that we know from the emigration forum.

Point of no return

The day before yesterday we got our bikes. We have been riding them a bit today to check for any neccesary detail adjustments. Some parts like mud spats were not in yet (that is, they only had one set in the shop) so had to be ordered. These final parts are expected in 2 weeks. Meanwhile we can test the bikes further.

This afternoon we made a little walk on the beach followed by cappucino's on a terras. Being a bank holiday there were lots of people on the terrasses, though nog on the beach. Temperatures of 22 degrees, but a fresh wind from the sea did make it a bit cool to sit on the beach.

When walking on the beach we came to an important (albeit quick) decision, we are here to stay! We used to say that we would not be able to live in Holland anymore after probably living here for half a year or a year, but we (both) find that this ' point of no return' has already arrived.

Tomorrow we will visit a Medicare office to formalize our healthcare, and at the same time let them tell the options (and costs) of extra ' private' healthcare.

Driver's licenses arrived

Yesterday (Thursday) we went to Ellen's aunt (Sjaan), and much to our surprise our WA-driver's licenses had already arrived. Also the bank cards (handy-cards), a bank statement from Holland (so the address change has worked ;-) and my (Peter's) first phone bill.

Also yesterday we picked up our car, and it is really a wonderful car. In the evening we drove Michael and Oscar (his son) to the airport for their short holiday (2 weeks) in the UK! Loads and loads of space in the back of our car.

We have no specific plans for today (being Good Friday's, all shops will be closed) but are now working on our resumees. Later today we will have a walk on the beach and/or throguh the dunes. Forecast for today and tomorrow is 29 degrees and lots of sun. For Sunday and Monday the temperature is expected to be 23, lots of clouds and some rain is expected.

Today (Monday) we have arranged our car insurance. The insurance company was happy to accept our claim-free history, so we got the maximum no-claim discount (65%) and even ' for life'. Meaning that we won't lose that maximum after making a claim. Of course, if you would claim too much you'ld be kicked out of the insurance ;-). Besides arranging the car insurance we were also informed about the possibilities of placing the health insurance, contents (of the house) and possibly the house itself at their company too. That would give discounts like 2.5, 8 or even 10% on the premiums.

After that we went to the licence registration office to get our driver's licences transferred into Western Australian ones. First we talked to an Irish guy (who did remind us a bit of Mr. Bean!) who did some cheks on our papers and our eyesight. After confirming that a Dutch licence is applicable for transfer without doing any theory test, we had to fill in (another) form. With this form we then went to another counter where they checked the data again. After that they took a picture of us, and told us the licences will be sent by post in a few days. Since next weekend is Easter we will probably receive them somewhere next week.

So, all together, going strong !!

Amazingly enough we hardly had any jetlag. The day before last we arrived at 14.30 at Perth airport. The actual immigration procedure didn't take any extra time at all. Just a simple stamp in the passports was all. After arriving at Louise's place we had a nice dinner and a nice chat. We were able to stay up untill 22.00 before crashing into bad. A good night sleep, and we were up and running the next morning.

Yesterday we went to the bank to change our addres and arrange some more account and bank cards. Also Peter bought a new mobile phone and a pair of sunglasses. At the end of the afternoon we had a look at a Ford dealer and saw an interesting (demo) Territory. This morning we went back for a test drive. After that drive and some tough negotiating we bought it !! We didn't expect beforehand that we would buy a car this fast, but we did...

When we will have some decent access through a broadband connection, we'll upload some photo's..

In Singapore

A short update: We are now on Singapore Airport. Local time is 06.30 am. Our connecting flight to Perth will leave in 3 hours. Just had a nice cup of cappucino. So far the flight was pretty much oke. The plane was filled only half. More news later...

Moving Day

At the end of a tiring day we are now sitting in an empty house to post this post (;-). The movers were gone by 3 pm, which was a bit earlier than expected. We have made over a 100 photo's today. You can find a few of them here.

Early this morning we have been measuring the weight of our suitcases and boxes. That was a shock, a total of about 115 kilograms. We are allowed to take 80 kgs with us. A quick call too Singapore Airlines learned that every kg above 80 would cost us 55 euro's. So, we were lucky that the movers were still working downstairs, so we had some time to empty some boxes and put stuff in the 'container' room. At the moment we have a total bagage weight of 78,5 kgs. And now we are hoping that at checking in they will agree on that...!

Our last working day

Tuesday, March 28 was the last day for me (Peter) to go to work and Thursday the 30th was Ellen´s last day. Not that any work has been done on these days, since they were our last ones! This were the days to say goodbye and farewell to our (Peter´s & Ellen´s) colleagues. The rest of this month is all holidays.

So, the situation that we won´t have a job at all will only occur if we do not find a job by May 1st. Even then, a few extra weeks of ´holiday´is not that bad either.....

Moving impression

The last days (more than a week in fact) we are busy organising all our stuff as a preparation for the actual moving day next Monday. We´re going through all the stuff to decide what we have to take with us on the plane, what can be thrown away (emigration is a very effective activity to really start sorting all your old stuff out ;-) and what can be sold or be given away. And of course what stuff has to be packed and loaded in the container by the moving company. Have a look at this short impression.

Farewell friends

Last Saturday we organised a little party to say farewell to our friends. Have a look at some photos here. We are still very amazed to find that the farewell´s still do not feel like a farewell at all! We´re still too anxious to get on the plane and get to Perth ;-)