Settling in is easy. And settling in is hard.
Having thought for so long it'd be a piece of piss to settle into a new country, I think it's time to admit that it isn't.
It's really bloody hard.
I'm not sure in fact that I can imagine a more stressful thing to do. For instance, we have both moved to the other side of the world, away from our families & friends, away from new births and arrivals, away from events and fun with them, away from our home. And we're starting from scratch; new jobs, new roles, new responsibilities, new friends......it's taking its toll on us, getting used to it.
But I do feel that if we can brass it out the first year, we'll have it cracked.
One thing is for sure, if it wasn't for a couple of key people here, we'd be screwed in a big way. Sure we'd eventually find our own path, but conveniently hooking up with an old mate from university - one who, albeit, I didn't really know that well there - who was and is prepared to make sure we're included in anything and everything his group of mates are doing is frankly amazing.
Thanks Mikey and Kirst.
I've been doing stuff I'd never have got into at home. Who'd have thought for example, that we'd have gone snowboarding once already this year. In Australia. For Gods sake. And we're back there in two weeks for more snow action plus Christmas dinner in July with a Cosby Sweater Party.
Truly, this is a land where anything is possible.
And that, in a nutshell, is what makes the downside of moving away all the more bearable. Australia is a place where you can do as much as you want; it's all there, but it's up to you to get off your arse and do it.
So I now race my (mountain) bike weekly near the city in one of the many parks Melbourne has to offer. I used to love biking in the UK, especially when I was younger, but lost interest as work took over, and now BANG we're back in big time! We even took in a 6 hour enduro race a week or two ago, teaming it up with a nights stay on the Great Ocean Road. Fantastic.
The other thing that gives me a lot of reassurance about being here is the incredible warmth and friendliness of the Australians I come into contact with in general. I've never met a nation so accepting in my life. Example: at the bike race t'other week, got chatting to a bloke who was just stood next to me waiting for his turn to ride too. He was asking me about my bike, it being a British built one and therefore a bit rare in Oz, and I mentioned how long I'd had it and how long we'd been here, only a matter of months.
He got off his bike, took off his gloves, shook my hand and welcomed me to Australia.
I love this country!
No doubt some of you will have thoughts about white Australia's less than hospitable approach to their indigenous population and some ethnic immigrants, but I think that's one for another day.
Coming soon......our trip to BrisVegas......
It's really bloody hard.
I'm not sure in fact that I can imagine a more stressful thing to do. For instance, we have both moved to the other side of the world, away from our families & friends, away from new births and arrivals, away from events and fun with them, away from our home. And we're starting from scratch; new jobs, new roles, new responsibilities, new friends......it's taking its toll on us, getting used to it.
But I do feel that if we can brass it out the first year, we'll have it cracked.
One thing is for sure, if it wasn't for a couple of key people here, we'd be screwed in a big way. Sure we'd eventually find our own path, but conveniently hooking up with an old mate from university - one who, albeit, I didn't really know that well there - who was and is prepared to make sure we're included in anything and everything his group of mates are doing is frankly amazing.
Thanks Mikey and Kirst.
I've been doing stuff I'd never have got into at home. Who'd have thought for example, that we'd have gone snowboarding once already this year. In Australia. For Gods sake. And we're back there in two weeks for more snow action plus Christmas dinner in July with a Cosby Sweater Party.
Truly, this is a land where anything is possible.
And that, in a nutshell, is what makes the downside of moving away all the more bearable. Australia is a place where you can do as much as you want; it's all there, but it's up to you to get off your arse and do it.
So I now race my (mountain) bike weekly near the city in one of the many parks Melbourne has to offer. I used to love biking in the UK, especially when I was younger, but lost interest as work took over, and now BANG we're back in big time! We even took in a 6 hour enduro race a week or two ago, teaming it up with a nights stay on the Great Ocean Road. Fantastic.
The other thing that gives me a lot of reassurance about being here is the incredible warmth and friendliness of the Australians I come into contact with in general. I've never met a nation so accepting in my life. Example: at the bike race t'other week, got chatting to a bloke who was just stood next to me waiting for his turn to ride too. He was asking me about my bike, it being a British built one and therefore a bit rare in Oz, and I mentioned how long I'd had it and how long we'd been here, only a matter of months.
He got off his bike, took off his gloves, shook my hand and welcomed me to Australia.
I love this country!
No doubt some of you will have thoughts about white Australia's less than hospitable approach to their indigenous population and some ethnic immigrants, but I think that's one for another day.
Coming soon......our trip to BrisVegas......