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| Date:
Wednesday, March 16th, 2005 | Its
been all go since moving into our new house in the northern suburbs of Perth,
close to the beach and not far from Yanchep National Park. We have finally put
our own touches to the place in preparation for the arrival of my parents, Alan
and Maureen Parvin on Easter Saturday for 3 weeks.
Oliver turned 4 at
the end of January, we had an under the sea theme fancy dress party, he was an
octopus and a magician completed the day for him. He also started school (kindy
for 2 days) at the beginning of February and his confidence has grown, he absolutely
loves it there and the new friends he is making, they celebrate lots of International
days and on Thurs 17th March, they are all dressing up for St Patrick’s Day.
His school hours are 8.35am to 2.45pm and after we usually head to the beach,
need to make the most of it before winter comes as we are currently just into
Autumn, albeit that we are still having 30 degree days!
On Australia Day,
we headed to Kings Park, overlooking the City and Swan River, to watch water and
air display’s then the finale, Skyworks (a massive firework display to music),
the Australians are a very proud nation.
Another great day out for us
came last month when we went down to Fremantle to wave off the QE2 who was berthed
overnight, it was fabulous to see her again as coming from Southampton and having
the views of her from our house there.
We managed to get Quayside, listening
to the band and waving the QE2 and her passengers off, even treated to an air
display, amazing day.
Graham has been keeping busy after work, sand boarding,
body boarding, 4 wheel driving and fishing whilst I have been enjoying decorating
the house, its surprising how long it takes to find all the right places to buy
things from when you are still fairly new to a place, also ferrying Oliver to
all his activities and still being social secretary for the expats group.
Graham,
Teresa and Oliver Swift |
| Date:
Monday, January 10th, 2005 | Firstly,
we would just like to reflect on events in Asia, our thoughts are with all those
everywhere affected by the disaster and we are overwhelmed by the response here
in Australia and from my calls to Southampton, those of the British people too.
Two large Australia wide fund raising events went on over last few days,
a huge concert and phone in at weekend followed today by a charity cricket match
- Rest of the Word v Asia (money was raised per run, I believe they raised over
10 million dollars on the match alone) - plus all the collection boxes placed
in supermarkets, pubs and restaurants, adverts calling for help and the amazing
reports of military and aid personnel working day and night to try and get back
these peoples lives back to some sort of normality for them.
Our Christmas
Day consisted of Quinn's Beach in the morning with our Southampton visitors and
expat friends - all very hot, boogie boarding in the sea followed by champagne
and strawberries on the beach admiring the view, when the sky at a distance turned
very dark.
Back at the house, the BBQ, fired up with prawns and in full
flow, had to be moved rapidly under cover and the table setting inside as the
rain suddenly fell. Within minutes of doing that and the women watching the men
from indoors, an almighty clap of thunder and lightening exploded at same time.
Many houses in Perth were struck, leaving them powerless for the rest of the day.
We were unaffected and continued our celebrations indoors until later in the afternoon
when the sun shone again as if nothing had happened! We enjoyed the rest of our
time with our visitors, showing them around our new city and its surrounds, and
now are eagerly awaiting the keys to our new house this week.
Wishing
everyone and our friends and family, a safe and happy 2005.
Graham,
Teresa and Oliver Swift |
| Date:
Friday, December 3rd, 2004 | We
have been in Perth, Western Australia for five months now and are enjoying our
new laid back lifestyle. Oliver, who is nearly 4, is swimming on his own now at
lessons and enjoying soccer school. He starts 'kindy' in February which is part
of the school but only two days a week for first year.
We have met a
lot of expats from around the world here and have built up a good social life
very quickly. The Perth Ladies Club (set up by a few of us expats a few months
ago) have been doing salsa this week, we have tried pole dancing and will be doing
belly dancing next!! Graham is starting his PADI diving course this week so that
will keep him busy after work.
The weather is hotting up as summer officially
begins on 1st December and the Christmas spirit is in full flow, it's funny to
hear songs about snow and sleigh’s whilst basking in the sunshine. The local park
put on another concert last weekend, it was a tribute band and all free, so we
bopped away into the evening with our picnic and wine.
We have just had
an offer accepted on a house here and we're due to move in at the beginning of
January, it’s a very easy process buying a house here. Also we have our visitors
from Southampton, Graham’s Mum Moira and my friend Janie, arriving for the Christmas
holidays in two weeks, exciting times ahead…
Graham
and Teresa Swift |
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