When I first started writing this blog in 2010, I didn't think I'd still be writing it (albeit in a more sporadic nature) as we enter into 2015. I also didn't think I'd still be in Australia 5 years after moving out here and yet, here we are, quite settled in Warragul of all places, happily married with a gorgeous 1 year old girl. We are very lucky indeed. Sometimes I cannot believe how lucky we are to have extremely flexible jobs within walking distance of our home, extremely flexible and family friendly bosses, a great work/life balance and a great social network all on our doorstep. No need to travel more than 10 minutes to get to daycare, swimming pool, restaurants and cafes, netball court, golf club, gym….the list goes on and I must admit I have now come to hate busy traffic and having to stop at traffic lights as this is not a regular occurrence! We are spoiled. And what's more, we have sunshine (most of the time) to put the icing on the cake.
So do we stay in Australia I hear you ask? The pull of family and solid friendships back home in Scotland is huge. Personally, I'd love to come home. Only if I could have all of the above! And let's face it, I don't think that is going to happen. Work for physiotherapists and social workers appears to be few and far between, and only likely to get worse under the current government. We would be silly to up sticks and leave without a job offer at the very least. Economically, we are better off here, able to afford a 3 bedroom home with garden and still have money to go out for dinner. Socially, we have many friends who live within walking distance and who are also in a similar 'orphan' state as ourselves. This makes us feel less homesick and has led to us accepting our friends close by as a surrogate family (as we are to them). If Australia was only a 3 hour plane journey from the UK, I'd live here forever. As one of my patients pointed out the other day though, Australia wouldn't be Australia if it was that accessible to all. Good point.
So I guess we shall see what 2015 will bring. Looking forward to my parents coming out and getting to spend some time with Eva. We miss them so much and would love for them to live round the corner. Alas, it is not to be. So we shall enjoy the 3 weeks of intensive visiting (!) and maybe squeeze in night of babysitting here and there?! Let's hope the sun shines for them. We are in the process of booking flights home later next year and we will keep you posted regarding dates etc.
Here are a few snapshots of our last few months - playing on the beach, mums group 1st birthday celebrations, golf championship, learning to scooter, meeting Santa…..happy parenting occasions : ) and a few pics of 'me time' when I met up with Louisa on Sunshine Coast and completed the Great Amazing Race in Melbourne. Fun times.
Merry Christmas Everyone, and have a memorable 2015. We know we will! Morag, Bob and Eva xxxxx
