Yes, we have had success! We are now the proud new owners of a silver Honda CRV! We figure it will be a great vehicle when company comes to visit – passengers, luggage and dog. We should have delivery of it the end of February. NOTE TO SELF: One of the major items stroked off our list.
Dawson gets out of quarantine Sunday March 2nd. Seven more sleeps! For those of you that think it has “gone by quickly”, Dawson may have a different opinion. Having said that though, Dawson has been doing awesome. He knows the routine and never complains or sulks neither when I get there nor when I leave. He seems to have adjusted to the routine and is content and happy. NOTE TO SELF: Sometimes I think that I could learn a lot of lessons from my dog.
Still no movement on the home front. I decided that maybe I was too picky. So I scoured the internet and widened my swath and Saturday we hit the road again in search of neighbourhoods and housing. It was a Good News/Bad News story. The Good News is that I was right and not being picky, and the Bad News is that I was right and not being picky. Bottom line is there is not much of a supply. And even if we said “just spend more money” it would still not get us anywhere. I am now getting desperate and starting to call houses that are for sale, hoping that they are desperate and will rent to nomads and homeless gypsies. Still not getting me anywhere. The clock ticks and I must find something before March 11th.
Weather is fantastic right now. Being south of the equator summer is ending. Temperatures are high 20’s C (around 80F) to low 30’s C (high 80’sF). It is not humid and the evenings can be cool. We have been to 2 outdoor movie theatres in Parks (WOW – what a concept!) and it does get cool when the sun goes down. (To my fellow countrymen suffering through a brutal winter with heaps of snow, one of the worst in the last 100 years, I do apologize for mentioning the wonderful weather we’re experiencing. In your summer and Perth’s winter it will be your turn to gloat.)
If anyone knows of an empty house in Perth – let me know….
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Contact Details and e-mail address change
No, we still don't have a home.....
We've had some technical difficulties and found out our previous instructions to contact us on the cell phone don't work.
Soooooooooo............. here we go again:
Cell phone:
011 61 435 147 400
All the rest is the same:
John Kealey
Mustang Engineering Australia Pty
Level 11 - The Forrest Centre
221 St. George's Terrace
Perth, Western Australia, 6000
Australia
Direct: 011 61 (8) 9216 7762
Switchboard: 011 61 (8) 9481 7765
Time Difference example:
10:00 pm Perth time is:
Ottawa/Toronto: 9:00 am
Houston: 8:00 am
Calgary: 7:00 am
Best Times to call us in Perth:
Ottawa/Toronto time:
7:00am – 10:00am will be 8:00pm to 11:00pm Perth time
7:00pm – 11pm will be 8:00am to 12:00noon Perth time (next day)
Houston time:
6:00am – 9:00am will be 8:00pm to 11:00pm Perth time
6:00pm – 11:00pm will be 8:00am to 1:00 pm (next day)
Calgary time:
7:00am – 8:00am will be 10pm to 11:00pm Perth time
5:00pm – 11:00pm will be 8:00am to 2:00pm Perth time (next day)
And then all that changes with daylight savings time.
When in doubt check these sights:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/dialing.html?p2=196
Also, we have a e-mail address changes:
frederick.linda@gmail.com
kealey.john@gmail.com
The SBC e-mail will work until the end of March, after that just the gmail accounts.
You can view our photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda
We've had some technical difficulties and found out our previous instructions to contact us on the cell phone don't work.
Soooooooooo............. here we go again:
Cell phone:
011 61 435 147 400
All the rest is the same:
John Kealey
Mustang Engineering Australia Pty
Level 11 - The Forrest Centre
221 St. George's Terrace
Perth, Western Australia, 6000
Australia
Direct: 011 61 (8) 9216 7762
Switchboard: 011 61 (8) 9481 7765
Time Difference example:
10:00 pm Perth time is:
Ottawa/Toronto: 9:00 am
Houston: 8:00 am
Calgary: 7:00 am
Best Times to call us in Perth:
Ottawa/Toronto time:
7:00am – 10:00am will be 8:00pm to 11:00pm Perth time
7:00pm – 11pm will be 8:00am to 12:00noon Perth time (next day)
Houston time:
6:00am – 9:00am will be 8:00pm to 11:00pm Perth time
6:00pm – 11:00pm will be 8:00am to 1:00 pm (next day)
Calgary time:
7:00am – 8:00am will be 10pm to 11:00pm Perth time
5:00pm – 11:00pm will be 8:00am to 2:00pm Perth time (next day)
And then all that changes with daylight savings time.
When in doubt check these sights:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/dialing.html?p2=196
Also, we have a e-mail address changes:
frederick.linda@gmail.com
kealey.john@gmail.com
The SBC e-mail will work until the end of March, after that just the gmail accounts.
You can view our photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The City of Perth – A Newcomers Perspective
This is a gorgeous city!
It is full of parks of all sizes, lakes, 2 rivers (the Swan and the Canning) and the Indian Ocean. Water is clear blue with gorgeous sandy beaches. There are boats everywhere (well, primarily in the water.) There is so much nature and outdoor life to enjoy.
We have been here two weekends and on Sundays we have enjoyed breakfast on the Indian Ocean and Matilda Bay. There is outdoor dining “al fresco” everywhere. Views are spectacular.
Housing along the water is phenomenal. There are so many beautiful mansions with breathtaking views. There is no one style of architecture. The homes range from Mediterranean to Miami Vice modern to just gorgeous.
It is like living in a vacation paradise. We think we have won the lottery!!!!
REALITY CHECK
Okay, there are some downsides to life in Perth.
There is an economic boom going on right now – mining and oil and gas. This translates to “accommodation is impossible to find!” And we need a home. REALITY CHECK: The beautiful housing is not within our reach.
Our first 10 days here we stayed in a very very basic apartment hotel and are now in a very basic furnished 2 bedroom home for the next 3 weeks. REALITY CHECK: As of March 11th we will be homeless. And we have no prospects on the horizon. ANOTHER REALITY CHECK: This is not an enviable situation to be in.
Normally The Worry Queen would be frantic over our homeless situation. However, for some bizarre reason, I’m not. WOW! It is just such a novel concept to go through life without worrying! I should have tried this sooner! (Maybe I’m taking the Aussie expression “No Worries” to heart.)
However, if I am writing about our homeless situation from a beachside tent it will not be such a novelty looking out at the beautiful blue ocean. And if I am still writing about our lack of accommodation in June I will probably be writing from an institution of some sort. REALITY CHECK: I guess that would mean I am no longer homeless and Dawson would be visiting ME in the lock-up.
From our perspective, prices are extremely expensive. For instance, on my first grocery shopping trip I found: pink lady apples @ $10/kg ($5/lb), bananas @ $5/kg ($2.50/lb), box of cereal @ $10, cherries @ $30/kg ($15/lb), Caesar salad in the restaurant $25, 6 pack of beer $20 (the staple of all life), cell phone $0.35 connect fee plus $0.27 per ½ minute, gas at $1.79/litre ($6/gal)…. And the list goes on.
When we are shocked by prices, or unfamiliar things, or feel like complaining, we have a new expression – “Dorothy, you’re not in Houston anymore!” There was a period of time where it was being muttered “occasionally”, which necessitated shortening it to “DOROTHY!”
In addition to being homeless we are also carless. We are looking to buy a Honda CRV, which will cost MORE than the TOTAL that we sold BOTH of our cars for. Once again “Dorothy, you’re not in Houston anymore!” To add to the challenge, car dealerships are only open until 6pm, except for Wednesday until 9:00pm, Saturday until 1:00pm and closed all day Sunday. “DOROTHY!”
At this point we would have to say that people in Perth take their leisure time and leisure activities very seriously. As they should – sand and surf and outdoor living abound. However, that means car dealerships have limited operating hours, stores are not open evenings or Sundays…. Dorothy!!! Well, downtown (CBD – Central Business District) stores are open Friday night and suburban shops are open Thursday night. We have heard rumour that there are some stores open on Sundays. So far the majority of them have remained elusive to us. Although, Sundays we have found quite a few liquor stores are open. Dorothy….
Despite the whining, we have noticed that Dorothy has been much quieter lately, so this is a good thing.
Once we have a home and wheels y’all are invited down for a visit to check it out for yourself!
We do still believe we have won the lottery.
BTW - Dawson gets out of Quarantine Sunday March 2nd. I have finally abandoned thoughts of cutting a hole in the fence and making a run for it with him.
It is full of parks of all sizes, lakes, 2 rivers (the Swan and the Canning) and the Indian Ocean. Water is clear blue with gorgeous sandy beaches. There are boats everywhere (well, primarily in the water.) There is so much nature and outdoor life to enjoy.
We have been here two weekends and on Sundays we have enjoyed breakfast on the Indian Ocean and Matilda Bay. There is outdoor dining “al fresco” everywhere. Views are spectacular.
Housing along the water is phenomenal. There are so many beautiful mansions with breathtaking views. There is no one style of architecture. The homes range from Mediterranean to Miami Vice modern to just gorgeous.
It is like living in a vacation paradise. We think we have won the lottery!!!!
REALITY CHECK
Okay, there are some downsides to life in Perth.
There is an economic boom going on right now – mining and oil and gas. This translates to “accommodation is impossible to find!” And we need a home. REALITY CHECK: The beautiful housing is not within our reach.
Our first 10 days here we stayed in a very very basic apartment hotel and are now in a very basic furnished 2 bedroom home for the next 3 weeks. REALITY CHECK: As of March 11th we will be homeless. And we have no prospects on the horizon. ANOTHER REALITY CHECK: This is not an enviable situation to be in.
Normally The Worry Queen would be frantic over our homeless situation. However, for some bizarre reason, I’m not. WOW! It is just such a novel concept to go through life without worrying! I should have tried this sooner! (Maybe I’m taking the Aussie expression “No Worries” to heart.)
However, if I am writing about our homeless situation from a beachside tent it will not be such a novelty looking out at the beautiful blue ocean. And if I am still writing about our lack of accommodation in June I will probably be writing from an institution of some sort. REALITY CHECK: I guess that would mean I am no longer homeless and Dawson would be visiting ME in the lock-up.
From our perspective, prices are extremely expensive. For instance, on my first grocery shopping trip I found: pink lady apples @ $10/kg ($5/lb), bananas @ $5/kg ($2.50/lb), box of cereal @ $10, cherries @ $30/kg ($15/lb), Caesar salad in the restaurant $25, 6 pack of beer $20 (the staple of all life), cell phone $0.35 connect fee plus $0.27 per ½ minute, gas at $1.79/litre ($6/gal)…. And the list goes on.
When we are shocked by prices, or unfamiliar things, or feel like complaining, we have a new expression – “Dorothy, you’re not in Houston anymore!” There was a period of time where it was being muttered “occasionally”, which necessitated shortening it to “DOROTHY!”
In addition to being homeless we are also carless. We are looking to buy a Honda CRV, which will cost MORE than the TOTAL that we sold BOTH of our cars for. Once again “Dorothy, you’re not in Houston anymore!” To add to the challenge, car dealerships are only open until 6pm, except for Wednesday until 9:00pm, Saturday until 1:00pm and closed all day Sunday. “DOROTHY!”
At this point we would have to say that people in Perth take their leisure time and leisure activities very seriously. As they should – sand and surf and outdoor living abound. However, that means car dealerships have limited operating hours, stores are not open evenings or Sundays…. Dorothy!!! Well, downtown (CBD – Central Business District) stores are open Friday night and suburban shops are open Thursday night. We have heard rumour that there are some stores open on Sundays. So far the majority of them have remained elusive to us. Although, Sundays we have found quite a few liquor stores are open. Dorothy….
Despite the whining, we have noticed that Dorothy has been much quieter lately, so this is a good thing.
Once we have a home and wheels y’all are invited down for a visit to check it out for yourself!
We do still believe we have won the lottery.
BTW - Dawson gets out of Quarantine Sunday March 2nd. I have finally abandoned thoughts of cutting a hole in the fence and making a run for it with him.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
DRIVING IN PERTH
I have always had problems with “left” and “right”. The way I could always remember which was which was by thinking about being in the car – “left” is the driver’s side and “right” is the passenger side.
It doesn’t work that way in Perth.
And to try to make it work that way doesn’t work either.
Adjusting to the steering wheel on the right side and driving in the left lane has not been as bad as I had anticipated. But don’t think that we haven’t had our share of challenges with it.
The first one is to open the car door and be shocked to see there is no steering wheel. (NOTE TO SELF: Do not panic. Thieves do not steal steering wheels and pedals. They are on the other side of the car.)
The next adjustment is that the turn signal is not on the left side of the steering wheel, but on the right side of the steering. We have found that when we try to signal (yes, one should use the signals when turning!) using the lever on the left side of the steering wheel, the windshield wipers mysteriously go on. (NOTE TO SELF: Do not panic and hit the lever again, it only makes them go faster. Use the lever on the right side of the steering wheel instead. Or, pretend you are in Houston and don’t bother signaling at all.)
I have discovered an additional new challenge to driving and it is called “parking”. Unless I want to circle the city endlessly I have to put the car somewhere. It’s not easy finding a spot, and even harder to put the car in the itsy bisty teeny weeny parking stalls. Often I am scared and have to close my eyes – usually only when John is driving.
Cars are generally smaller than our mammoth vehicles in North America. (They have to be to fit into the miniscule parking spots!) Lots of Hondas, Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Subarus, etc. There are also lots of very rugged outback vehicles with huge air intake pipe that goes up over the roof. They are called a snorkel and are for going through water in the outback. Or just to look cool.
We are renting a Toyota Camry – and it is now my opinion that they are HUGE cars. Especially when driving in the parking lots and parking garages. A Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit or Smart car is looking very appealing right now. Not too sure how happy Dawson would be strapped into the front left seat and not sure where John would fit – but at least I could park it.
Seriously, we’re looking at a Honda CRV. Prices are a LOT higher here than what we are used to, and very seriously, having sold our two cars will not even cover the cost of buying a Honda CRV! Don’t even go there! (Another blog topic to be covered later.)
Generally I would say the drivers are very courteous and patient. I have only been honked at once and no one has given me the finger. So this is a good thing. Basically I would say the people of Perth are relatively safe with me on the road (John is another story…..)
It doesn’t work that way in Perth.
And to try to make it work that way doesn’t work either.
Adjusting to the steering wheel on the right side and driving in the left lane has not been as bad as I had anticipated. But don’t think that we haven’t had our share of challenges with it.
The first one is to open the car door and be shocked to see there is no steering wheel. (NOTE TO SELF: Do not panic. Thieves do not steal steering wheels and pedals. They are on the other side of the car.)
The next adjustment is that the turn signal is not on the left side of the steering wheel, but on the right side of the steering. We have found that when we try to signal (yes, one should use the signals when turning!) using the lever on the left side of the steering wheel, the windshield wipers mysteriously go on. (NOTE TO SELF: Do not panic and hit the lever again, it only makes them go faster. Use the lever on the right side of the steering wheel instead. Or, pretend you are in Houston and don’t bother signaling at all.)
I have discovered an additional new challenge to driving and it is called “parking”. Unless I want to circle the city endlessly I have to put the car somewhere. It’s not easy finding a spot, and even harder to put the car in the itsy bisty teeny weeny parking stalls. Often I am scared and have to close my eyes – usually only when John is driving.
Cars are generally smaller than our mammoth vehicles in North America. (They have to be to fit into the miniscule parking spots!) Lots of Hondas, Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Subarus, etc. There are also lots of very rugged outback vehicles with huge air intake pipe that goes up over the roof. They are called a snorkel and are for going through water in the outback. Or just to look cool.
We are renting a Toyota Camry – and it is now my opinion that they are HUGE cars. Especially when driving in the parking lots and parking garages. A Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit or Smart car is looking very appealing right now. Not too sure how happy Dawson would be strapped into the front left seat and not sure where John would fit – but at least I could park it.
Seriously, we’re looking at a Honda CRV. Prices are a LOT higher here than what we are used to, and very seriously, having sold our two cars will not even cover the cost of buying a Honda CRV! Don’t even go there! (Another blog topic to be covered later.)
Generally I would say the drivers are very courteous and patient. I have only been honked at once and no one has given me the finger. So this is a good thing. Basically I would say the people of Perth are relatively safe with me on the road (John is another story…..)
Monday, February 11, 2008
UPDATE ON DAWSON
Dawson is doing FANTASTIC. He already has a fan club in Australia and is also getting special privileges in quarantine.
Dawson’s first quarantine chart entry was “friendly”. Now it says “very good dog.” (VISUAL IMAGE: big smug grin on my face that says “I am so proud of that little dog.”)
He won’t do his “business” in the kennel, so every morning he gets to go to one of the outside play areas for an extra hour. (VISUAL IMAGE: same as above only bigger and goofier..... )
Dawson is always thrilled to see me – running circles between my legs and squiggling all over the place. Same for me – well, that is – I’m thrilled to see him but I don’t squiggle and run between his legs.
Quarantine is almost an hour south of Perth in Byford. It is like a boarding kennel and really not as bad as it sounds. Visiting hours are between 11:30 – 12:30 because of the heat. They have 11 outside play areas. We spend the entire hour playing fetch, hide ‘n seek and training walk routines. (I think the other people think I’m nuts.) Last Thursday we saw a kangaroo on the other side of the fence!
It is quite interesting that they were very stringent on regulations for the dog to get into Australia and staying in for 30 days. However, it is very lax once in quarantine. There is a quasi check in process for visiting and all the kennel doors are open so anybody can go into any kennel. The outside play areas just have a barb wire fence between them. Which leads me to think: can I spring him out early? Will they notice? Will they know where to find us?
However, I am so lucky we are not coming from South Africa – they have to stay in quarantine for 7 months (yes, SEVEN MONTHS!) Surprisingly enough I have already met at least 3 from there.
I always leave my visit with a big grin on my face and feel so peaceful. Despite the long drive, it really is very pretty and forces me to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road. Speaking of which, that is going fairly well. However, I do hate to gloat about it because every time I do, well, we won’t go there…….
Bottom line, Dawson is happy, adapting well – and continues to expand his fan base.
http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda/2008FebDawsonInQuarantine
Dawson’s first quarantine chart entry was “friendly”. Now it says “very good dog.” (VISUAL IMAGE: big smug grin on my face that says “I am so proud of that little dog.”)
He won’t do his “business” in the kennel, so every morning he gets to go to one of the outside play areas for an extra hour. (VISUAL IMAGE: same as above only bigger and goofier..... )
Dawson is always thrilled to see me – running circles between my legs and squiggling all over the place. Same for me – well, that is – I’m thrilled to see him but I don’t squiggle and run between his legs.
Quarantine is almost an hour south of Perth in Byford. It is like a boarding kennel and really not as bad as it sounds. Visiting hours are between 11:30 – 12:30 because of the heat. They have 11 outside play areas. We spend the entire hour playing fetch, hide ‘n seek and training walk routines. (I think the other people think I’m nuts.) Last Thursday we saw a kangaroo on the other side of the fence!
It is quite interesting that they were very stringent on regulations for the dog to get into Australia and staying in for 30 days. However, it is very lax once in quarantine. There is a quasi check in process for visiting and all the kennel doors are open so anybody can go into any kennel. The outside play areas just have a barb wire fence between them. Which leads me to think: can I spring him out early? Will they notice? Will they know where to find us?
However, I am so lucky we are not coming from South Africa – they have to stay in quarantine for 7 months (yes, SEVEN MONTHS!) Surprisingly enough I have already met at least 3 from there.
I always leave my visit with a big grin on my face and feel so peaceful. Despite the long drive, it really is very pretty and forces me to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road. Speaking of which, that is going fairly well. However, I do hate to gloat about it because every time I do, well, we won’t go there…….
Bottom line, Dawson is happy, adapting well – and continues to expand his fan base.
http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda/2008FebDawsonInQuarantine
Monday, February 4, 2008
Leaving at the Houston Airport
In the airport at Houston right now – YIKES! Not sure if it has really sunk it or it is just another “adventure vacation”.
Friday afternoon we decided to spot paint the walls - leave the house in good shape for the new tenants. Saturday, since we had time, John made the executive decision to “paint – it’s relaxing.” Bad decision. Once you do one wall you have to do the next, and the next, and the NEXT…… we painted 75% of the house… NOTE TO SELF: Never do that again. SECOND NOTE TO SELF: John is an idiot. Let him do it by himself!
It's a bit weird - I know we're moving, and I'm excited to move, but I really don't think it is reality. .... we're just going on vacation. I don't think I realize I am leaving North America for a while. The seasons are opposite, they drive on the opposite side of the road... they have accents!
I do miss little Dawson and feel sorry for him. Poor little guy is already in Australia after gruelling flights and layovers. It is HOT in Perth now and there is no air conditioning, so I am sure my little dog is hot and confused. I get to see him in 3 days (minus time change) and I know we will be happy to see each other. But, I will have to leave him behind for another 25 days or so. Visiting hours are Mon - Fri 1:30 to 3:30. Although, becasue of the heat I've heard it is changed to 11:30 to 12:30. Poor little guy.
First on my agenda is to find a place to live and get a car. I'm a bit apprehensive about our housing. We have nothing. Perth is BOOMING and rental houses are few and far between, expensive and go really fast since there are a ton of ex-pats all looking. We will have to move fast since when the good ones go on the market there are line-ups and 4 - 5 people with offers in hand - for more than the asking price. And that is just the rentals.
Well, we are both looking forward to our new adventure. Too bad John has to go to work.....
http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda/2008FebMovingToPerth
Friday afternoon we decided to spot paint the walls - leave the house in good shape for the new tenants. Saturday, since we had time, John made the executive decision to “paint – it’s relaxing.” Bad decision. Once you do one wall you have to do the next, and the next, and the NEXT…… we painted 75% of the house… NOTE TO SELF: Never do that again. SECOND NOTE TO SELF: John is an idiot. Let him do it by himself!
It's a bit weird - I know we're moving, and I'm excited to move, but I really don't think it is reality. .... we're just going on vacation. I don't think I realize I am leaving North America for a while. The seasons are opposite, they drive on the opposite side of the road... they have accents!
I do miss little Dawson and feel sorry for him. Poor little guy is already in Australia after gruelling flights and layovers. It is HOT in Perth now and there is no air conditioning, so I am sure my little dog is hot and confused. I get to see him in 3 days (minus time change) and I know we will be happy to see each other. But, I will have to leave him behind for another 25 days or so. Visiting hours are Mon - Fri 1:30 to 3:30. Although, becasue of the heat I've heard it is changed to 11:30 to 12:30. Poor little guy.
First on my agenda is to find a place to live and get a car. I'm a bit apprehensive about our housing. We have nothing. Perth is BOOMING and rental houses are few and far between, expensive and go really fast since there are a ton of ex-pats all looking. We will have to move fast since when the good ones go on the market there are line-ups and 4 - 5 people with offers in hand - for more than the asking price. And that is just the rentals.
Well, we are both looking forward to our new adventure. Too bad John has to go to work.....
http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda/2008FebMovingToPerth
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