Australia 2

Hi Everyone,

Greetings from a warm and sunny Sydney. RESULT!!!! I have got the new visa. It took a time for all the paperwork to arrive here. Thanks Sarah for your help! No thanks to DHL who took 3 days to find me. I was hanging around the house for most of that time so that there was someone to sign for the package. Immigration did it on the spot, ~I couldn't believe it having braced myself for at least 10 working days wait. It is such a relief and now I can enjoy the rest of my stay.

In celebration I took a cruise of the Harbour and met a couple from Manchester on their honeymoon. They took the photo of me and I took one of them - to be their thank you letters! Aahhh!

I expect there will be another episode in the very near so i will finsih by sending all my love and thanks for all the messages.

Carol xxx

Australia 1

Hi Everyone to this my first Aussie blog.

I have left the shaking in Christchurch, and the cold behind and am sunning myself in Sydney. I was so stressed at having to leave, headaches galore, but having visited Immigration here I am feeling much better. With luck, when I get all the pieces of paper together it will not take too long to get the visa Lots of hoops for Sarah and Annie to jump through but my fingers are still crossed - it does make typing hard!!

I am doing a fair bit of walking trying to find my bearings in the city. I have seen the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, visited the Chinese Garden of Friendship - so peaceful - and walked around Paddy's Markets - definitely not peaceful. Took a ride on the Monorail because I could but mostly walk or take the free shuttle so far. I have plans for whale watching, going to the Zoo and taking a day trip into the Blue Mountains, so plenty to keep you all updated on. So, that's it for the first instalment.

All my love Carol xxx

Post earthquake!

Oban, the town in Stewart Island. View of the bay.

Well Folks, greetings from a post-earthquake Christchurch - still suffering aftershocks (more than 1000 so far) some of which are a definite jolt to the system! The roads are getting back to normal - the repairers are doing a great job.

I was intending to tell you about my trip to Stewart Island (great) and about the gallant ferry battling the giant waves and heading into the teeth of a gale - all true - and how we missed all the snow down south that caused the stadium roof in Invercargill to collapse but you will have to imagine it and content yourself with one photo.

More to the forefront in my mind is my upcoming trip to Australia. I have been given my marching orders from Immigration and have to leave the country by the 11th October when my 3 year visitor's visa expires. I asked the minister 3 months ago to allow me to stay until the application for residency is considered (2 years! and my papers were lodged in Feb this year). He said "no!" No reason - that's it. My MP had supported my case but to no avail. The letter arrived last week and you can imagine the dismay and panic.

To cut a long and 'heart-wrenching' story short, I am going to Sydney to apply for another visa - it can only be applied for offshore. Hopefully it will be granted and I can come back in time for the family holiday in late November. I can't contemplate what happens if it isn't given to me. Back to the UK I suspect. The reason for Australia is

it is closer than the UK (less travelling)

they will be able to do it faster (fewer applicants)

it is spring

cheaper to get to.

So think of me as I explore Sydney, guide book in hand. I intend to have a good look round. I have booked to be away for a month but could be back sooner. Keep writing as I will have the computer with me and will miss NZ.

Yours, with love and all the fingers and toes crossed, Carol xx