Last Saturday we had some friends over (Dutch immigrants and some partners). It was very nice, and we made some plans for starting up a 'walking'group'. A date for the first walk is set.
Last Monday we have been to Ikea (again ;-) and ordered some more cupboards, so we can start organising the last two 'to be organised' rooms, the office and the hobby-room. They just called that they would be here in half an hour to deliver them. We are also planning to have a look at Caversham Wildlife park in Whiteman Park. The idea is to organise the (1st) walk there, so we want to have a look first, and make some nice pictures.
Peter has joined a Bowling league (10-pin bowling). Last Thursday evening he played for the first time (in years ;-).
Yesterday we contacted Telstra (since they had not contacted us). There was no news concerning the sent package. First they agreed to just send a new package, but a few minutes later told us we could also go to any Telstra shop and simply buy the DIY package. The money for that will then be refunded on the invoices. So, that is one of the main items on the shoppinglist for today!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
End of the week
On the job front only one new thing to mention, Ellen has made a very good impression at her interview and they are now looking into possibilities to put her in a more fitting job somewhere in the next few weeks. Exciting!
Peter did not hear anything yet about a result of his interview, so hopefully that will come next week (but as mentioned in previous post, time does tend to go faster then expected, for everyone ;-).
Today we called Telstra (the phonecompany) because we expected the DIY (do it yourself) kit for the adsl connection somewhere at the beginning of this week. Telstra has called Australia Post (that they hire to deliver these packages) and they have not been able to tell where that package is at the moment. It has been delivered by Telstra to Australia Post at the 5th of July, so should have been here. In 48 hours (that is working hours, so next Tuesday) they should have more news ... :-( We'll wait and see!
Peter did not hear anything yet about a result of his interview, so hopefully that will come next week (but as mentioned in previous post, time does tend to go faster then expected, for everyone ;-).
Today we called Telstra (the phonecompany) because we expected the DIY (do it yourself) kit for the adsl connection somewhere at the beginning of this week. Telstra has called Australia Post (that they hire to deliver these packages) and they have not been able to tell where that package is at the moment. It has been delivered by Telstra to Australia Post at the 5th of July, so should have been here. In 48 hours (that is working hours, so next Tuesday) they should have more news ... :-( We'll wait and see!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Time flies when ...
Unbelievable….another two weeks passed without us publishing anything on the blog. Sorry for that! On one hand we just are very busy, and then when we do have some time left we are very much enjoying being able to see our dvd-movies again. We have been missing them for almost 3 months, so we are trying to catch up with the missed fun ;-)
Anyway…we are now living in our house for 2 weeks, and we really, really, really love it! All the boxes have been upacked by now, the bedroom, kitchen and dining room are in order (all the stuff is in the right place). The other bedrooms are not too bad: Most of our stuff is now in the right room. We just have to arrange it all within the rooms. This Friday a cabinet will be delivered that we can use in the office-room (bedroom 4) to put all the files away. We are also looking round (for example at Ikea, which, although a very big one, is present in Perth) for cupboards for the study and the hobby room (bedroom 3).
As most of you will know, when moving in a house the first 80% of the work gets done in about 20% of the time, but the last 20% always seems to be taking far more time (usually small stuff but a lot of it). Ellen has done a magnificent job by washing every clothing that we have (since most of it has been in the container for 2 months). It took her about a full week to get through it. And we are very fortunate that the washer we have here is a top loader. Although being a bit less water-efficient as the one we had in Holland, it is a lot faster. A full wash cycle takes only 30 or 40 minutes.
In the last weeks we have also met some other Dutch emigrants that we got to know through the xpdite website. This Saturday we have invited some Dutchies to meet at our home and exchange some experiences.
About the work: Last Friday Ellen has had an interview for a 6-month contract job as project manager. She should hear something by the end of this week. Peter has had an interview last Monday for a (permanent) position as change & release manager (this was the job mentioned in the ‘blue to the bone’ post on our weblog). That company has also said to inform by the end of this week if he is the preferred candidate or not. Now we both already found a couple of times that saying ´by the end of this week´ can easily mean in a week or two… So we are also looking for other opportunities at the same time. By the way, we are very happy that we did not have to work the last couple of weeks, because that would hardly be compatible with moving in a new house!
Talking about the new house, we are also waiting for a package by Telstra with the material to install (wireless) adsl at home. Once we have that we will finally be able to upload more photos than we used to do the last 3 months. We will be making some photos of our new house (inside and outside) in the next few days, and upload these anyway.
Last week we were changing a lamp on the ceiling (replacing one of them with one of our halogen lamps). We found that the ceiling is (if we name it correctly) completely made of plasterboard (´gips´ in Dutch). That means that you have to use a bit different methods to attach a lamp to the ceiling. For this one Ellen went up the ceiling which meant she had to climb above the ceiling (through an access panel in the hallway) and there walk from one wooden rafter (or beam) to the next. Because it is not wise to step on the (plasterboard!) ceiling which is attached to the bottom of these rafters (;-), and there are also conduits laying on the ceiling for the ducted air conditioning, this was an adventure in itself!
Fortunately in the mean time we have found other material that can be used to attach stuff to plasterboard ceilings, so any other things we want to attach to the ceiling will be pretty easy to get done.
And as a last remark: winter is slowly starting to creep in. Night temperatures of about 4 degrees, day temperatures around 15 or 16 degrees. Compared to where we are coming from not too bad for winter, but a warm sweater is needed. Only the normal winter rain(s) have not really started yet, but should be getting here.
Anyway…we are now living in our house for 2 weeks, and we really, really, really love it! All the boxes have been upacked by now, the bedroom, kitchen and dining room are in order (all the stuff is in the right place). The other bedrooms are not too bad: Most of our stuff is now in the right room. We just have to arrange it all within the rooms. This Friday a cabinet will be delivered that we can use in the office-room (bedroom 4) to put all the files away. We are also looking round (for example at Ikea, which, although a very big one, is present in Perth) for cupboards for the study and the hobby room (bedroom 3).
As most of you will know, when moving in a house the first 80% of the work gets done in about 20% of the time, but the last 20% always seems to be taking far more time (usually small stuff but a lot of it). Ellen has done a magnificent job by washing every clothing that we have (since most of it has been in the container for 2 months). It took her about a full week to get through it. And we are very fortunate that the washer we have here is a top loader. Although being a bit less water-efficient as the one we had in Holland, it is a lot faster. A full wash cycle takes only 30 or 40 minutes.
In the last weeks we have also met some other Dutch emigrants that we got to know through the xpdite website. This Saturday we have invited some Dutchies to meet at our home and exchange some experiences.
About the work: Last Friday Ellen has had an interview for a 6-month contract job as project manager. She should hear something by the end of this week. Peter has had an interview last Monday for a (permanent) position as change & release manager (this was the job mentioned in the ‘blue to the bone’ post on our weblog). That company has also said to inform by the end of this week if he is the preferred candidate or not. Now we both already found a couple of times that saying ´by the end of this week´ can easily mean in a week or two… So we are also looking for other opportunities at the same time. By the way, we are very happy that we did not have to work the last couple of weeks, because that would hardly be compatible with moving in a new house!
Talking about the new house, we are also waiting for a package by Telstra with the material to install (wireless) adsl at home. Once we have that we will finally be able to upload more photos than we used to do the last 3 months. We will be making some photos of our new house (inside and outside) in the next few days, and upload these anyway.
Last week we were changing a lamp on the ceiling (replacing one of them with one of our halogen lamps). We found that the ceiling is (if we name it correctly) completely made of plasterboard (´gips´ in Dutch). That means that you have to use a bit different methods to attach a lamp to the ceiling. For this one Ellen went up the ceiling which meant she had to climb above the ceiling (through an access panel in the hallway) and there walk from one wooden rafter (or beam) to the next. Because it is not wise to step on the (plasterboard!) ceiling which is attached to the bottom of these rafters (;-), and there are also conduits laying on the ceiling for the ducted air conditioning, this was an adventure in itself!
Fortunately in the mean time we have found other material that can be used to attach stuff to plasterboard ceilings, so any other things we want to attach to the ceiling will be pretty easy to get done.
And as a last remark: winter is slowly starting to creep in. Night temperatures of about 4 degrees, day temperatures around 15 or 16 degrees. Compared to where we are coming from not too bad for winter, but a warm sweater is needed. Only the normal winter rain(s) have not really started yet, but should be getting here.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Blue to the Bone
Again the last week has passed almost without noticing it. No news (yet) on the interview for the contract job. But since I (Peter) have also applied for a permanent job where the application period has closed last Friday and where they will contact candidates coming Tuesday or Wednesday, it is not a problem.
Last week Wednesday we went for a walk in the Kalamunda Shire (Perth Hills). Not too long a walk (5 km), but some very steep climbs and descents. Then also taking some time to take photos so we still needed 3 hours. You really have to be carefull when thinking about distances here, they do tend to be a lot longer then back in Holland ;-). A few pictures can be FOUND HERE.
Yesterday evening we went out with Paul and Ileana (the owners of our current holiday home). We went to Northbridge to enjoy nice Italian food, and after that we went to a blues-club (Blue to the Bone). In that club they have live (blues!) music. It was very nice!
Coming week will be a pretty week for us, since we will start moving in our (own! new!) house in Darch. Several deliveries will be made in that week. Wednesday the big day when the moving company will bring all our stuff from our container. We are very curious to see if everything is still in good order. If so, Wednesday night will probably be the first night that we will be sleeping there! One of the important things that should be arranged from Tuesday is our landline. We hope that that will go as planned. We can of course still make calls through our mobiles, but our connection to the internet (so in fact to all of you!) is depending on that.
Then about 2 to 3 weeks after the connection of the phoneline we should receive the DIY (do it yourself) package for a ADSL connection. After that is installed we will finaly be able to upload loads of pictures (we will be making lots of pictures of the house) again.
Last week Wednesday we went for a walk in the Kalamunda Shire (Perth Hills). Not too long a walk (5 km), but some very steep climbs and descents. Then also taking some time to take photos so we still needed 3 hours. You really have to be carefull when thinking about distances here, they do tend to be a lot longer then back in Holland ;-). A few pictures can be FOUND HERE.
Yesterday evening we went out with Paul and Ileana (the owners of our current holiday home). We went to Northbridge to enjoy nice Italian food, and after that we went to a blues-club (Blue to the Bone). In that club they have live (blues!) music. It was very nice!
Coming week will be a pretty week for us, since we will start moving in our (own! new!) house in Darch. Several deliveries will be made in that week. Wednesday the big day when the moving company will bring all our stuff from our container. We are very curious to see if everything is still in good order. If so, Wednesday night will probably be the first night that we will be sleeping there! One of the important things that should be arranged from Tuesday is our landline. We hope that that will go as planned. We can of course still make calls through our mobiles, but our connection to the internet (so in fact to all of you!) is depending on that.
Then about 2 to 3 weeks after the connection of the phoneline we should receive the DIY (do it yourself) package for a ADSL connection. After that is installed we will finaly be able to upload loads of pictures (we will be making lots of pictures of the house) again.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Coldest & Dryest start of winter ever!
Very interesting, the day after describing a 'typical' winterday, we heard on the news that on Friday morning the temperature in Perth (downtown) had broken a record. The lowest temperature EVER MEASURED (for the start of the winter anyway) of -0.7 degrees... At the same time it is also the dryest start ever. So our description of the winterday probably was not vey typical. But even so, you can understand we are still saying to each other every day: "...and this is what they call winter...". We are curious what we will experience in the next two months, which are the real winter months ;-)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Winter, Interview en Photoclub
We know that the weather in Holland is very summer-like at the moment (32 degrees). We think that that aslo means that it is very sticky (humid). Is that correct?
Here in Perth it is of course winter. I will describe a typical (?) winter day for you, as it has been today: At night the temperature goes down to about 4 or 5 degrees. So when you wake up it is pretty fresh. When going out at abolut 9 or 10 am, the outside temperature is somewhere around 12 to 14 degrees, which is (with a bit of wind) still pretty fresh. But then around noon the temperatures are back to about 20 till 24 degrees. So in other words, put on a jumper or cardigan in the morning, and leave that at home in the afternoon ;-)
This Friday I (Peter) will be having an interview at a company to see if they will hire me as a contractor for 6 months. This opportunity has been arranged by a recruitment buro! As you will understand, pretty exciting for me (us), and at the same time also a bit funny to think about having to go to work again ;-)
Last Monday evening we went to a club evening of a photoclub. This club arranges 2 club meetings per month. The first of the month is usually a competition evening, the second is reserved for topics like workshops, lecture, etc.. It was very interesting, and both of us are thinking of joining a photoclub. Next Monday we will have a look at antoher one, and after that we will choose one of these.
Here in Perth it is of course winter. I will describe a typical (?) winter day for you, as it has been today: At night the temperature goes down to about 4 or 5 degrees. So when you wake up it is pretty fresh. When going out at abolut 9 or 10 am, the outside temperature is somewhere around 12 to 14 degrees, which is (with a bit of wind) still pretty fresh. But then around noon the temperatures are back to about 20 till 24 degrees. So in other words, put on a jumper or cardigan in the morning, and leave that at home in the afternoon ;-)
This Friday I (Peter) will be having an interview at a company to see if they will hire me as a contractor for 6 months. This opportunity has been arranged by a recruitment buro! As you will understand, pretty exciting for me (us), and at the same time also a bit funny to think about having to go to work again ;-)
Last Monday evening we went to a club evening of a photoclub. This club arranges 2 club meetings per month. The first of the month is usually a competition evening, the second is reserved for topics like workshops, lecture, etc.. It was very interesting, and both of us are thinking of joining a photoclub. Next Monday we will have a look at antoher one, and after that we will choose one of these.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Container ready for delivery
Today we got a phonecall from the moving company. Our container is now through quarantine and ready for delivery. This is even a week or 2 faster than we expected ;-) .
Also today we learned that settlement on June 26th does not neccesarily mean that you can actually move in on that date... Legally the sellers have untill noon the next day (the 27th) to deliver the (keys of the) empty house.
Of course not a real problem, but we will probably be actually moving in a day later than we thought. And of course reschedule some deliveries....
Also today we learned that settlement on June 26th does not neccesarily mean that you can actually move in on that date... Legally the sellers have untill noon the next day (the 27th) to deliver the (keys of the) empty house.
Of course not a real problem, but we will probably be actually moving in a day later than we thought. And of course reschedule some deliveries....
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Two more photos
On our biking trip (Munda Biddi trail) cousin Eric was with us also. He also took some photos. Two of them we have added to our photoset. One of Ellen and me together, and one very special macro photo of a very agressive animal.... Take another LOOK HERE!
Also last Tuesday we have been at a short (dry ;-) introduction of the Swan Canoe Club. We are now thinking about joining the club and take up Kayaking. In a couple of weeks our stuff furniture and other stuff should have arrived and we should be moved into our house. After that we want to start with the (wet) introduction course, learning some basics. When we have done that course, then we can use the club boats any time we like ....
Also last Tuesday we have been at a short (dry ;-) introduction of the Swan Canoe Club. We are now thinking about joining the club and take up Kayaking. In a couple of weeks our stuff furniture and other stuff should have arrived and we should be moved into our house. After that we want to start with the (wet) introduction course, learning some basics. When we have done that course, then we can use the club boats any time we like ....
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Munda Biddi trail
Last weekend we have of course watched the (friendly) soccer match Holland-Australia. Friends invited us for that. They are real 'Oranje'-fans, while we were somewhere in between ;-).
Besides that we have done a part of the Munda Bidda mountainbike trail. When this trail will be ready it will run from Mundaring (north of Perth) to Albany, which is 900 km to the south! At the moment the first 300 km are ready. Since this was also our first experience with mountainbiking (or maybe we should call it bush-biking?) we decided to do an easy part of it, and not too long a part either. We choose a 10km part, to do that both ways. The trail mainly runs along (or through) the hills. You just park your car at a road close to where the trail crosses the road. Then get up your bikes and ride! It was a lot of fun to do this type of biking. Although it was an easy part, it still had some reasonably steep climbes and descents. Especially the descents were a bit challenging for since they are (or course, it is bush!) covered with loose sand.
I did take my camera with me, so here's a SHORT IMPRESSION
Besides that we have done a part of the Munda Bidda mountainbike trail. When this trail will be ready it will run from Mundaring (north of Perth) to Albany, which is 900 km to the south! At the moment the first 300 km are ready. Since this was also our first experience with mountainbiking (or maybe we should call it bush-biking?) we decided to do an easy part of it, and not too long a part either. We choose a 10km part, to do that both ways. The trail mainly runs along (or through) the hills. You just park your car at a road close to where the trail crosses the road. Then get up your bikes and ride! It was a lot of fun to do this type of biking. Although it was an easy part, it still had some reasonably steep climbes and descents. Especially the descents were a bit challenging for since they are (or course, it is bush!) covered with loose sand.
I did take my camera with me, so here's a SHORT IMPRESSION
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Container arrived in harbour
Today (that is 4.00 am) we received a (automatic generated) email that our container has arrived in Fremantle (which is exactly the date that has been planned 2 months ago), and is now on its way to the licensed bond of the Australian Customs. So, next week after the long weekend we expect to be contacted by the moving company about further steps and details.
We are of course very happy that there have been no delays! The house will (assuming no unexpected surprises will occur of course ;-) be transferred to us on June the 26th. So that's 3 weeks after coming Monday.
Last week we have againg been busy shopping for furniture. Meanwhile we have bought a couch set (3-2-2) for the 'games' room where the audio/video set up will be placed. You may think we're not right in the head, but the color we ordered it in is: snow-white!
Also last week we bought some appliancies (fridge, washer, dryer, microwave/oven combination) and a coffee machine (espresso/cappuncino).
Finally today we have bought a sofa for in the family room. This one in red. For those of you who can remember, 2 months ago (in Holland) we were saying that we would most likely NOT buy anything leather to sit on.... Well, we have been wrong ;-) As well the couch set as the sofa is leather... Since we have evaporative airconditioning in the house, we expect we should not regret that in summer ... !
About the work, as mentioned last week the bigger firms (where we have apllied for job(s)) do take their time to make decisions, so no news there yet. The only new information is that I (Peter) will be having a meeting with two consultants at the same recruitment office that Ellen has been last week.
All of you have a nice long weekend, enjoy the soccer game (Holland - Australia) if you can ;-)
We are of course very happy that there have been no delays! The house will (assuming no unexpected surprises will occur of course ;-) be transferred to us on June the 26th. So that's 3 weeks after coming Monday.
Last week we have againg been busy shopping for furniture. Meanwhile we have bought a couch set (3-2-2) for the 'games' room where the audio/video set up will be placed. You may think we're not right in the head, but the color we ordered it in is: snow-white!
Also last week we bought some appliancies (fridge, washer, dryer, microwave/oven combination) and a coffee machine (espresso/cappuncino).
Finally today we have bought a sofa for in the family room. This one in red. For those of you who can remember, 2 months ago (in Holland) we were saying that we would most likely NOT buy anything leather to sit on.... Well, we have been wrong ;-) As well the couch set as the sofa is leather... Since we have evaporative airconditioning in the house, we expect we should not regret that in summer ... !
About the work, as mentioned last week the bigger firms (where we have apllied for job(s)) do take their time to make decisions, so no news there yet. The only new information is that I (Peter) will be having a meeting with two consultants at the same recruitment office that Ellen has been last week.
All of you have a nice long weekend, enjoy the soccer game (Holland - Australia) if you can ;-)
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