Sydney Harbour and Royal Botanic Gardens

Sydney Harbour and Royal Botanic Gardens

Gunnamatta Park

Another beautiful place is the bay side of Cronulla. It has a great playground for the kids, nice grass picnic areas and picnic sheds and clear, calm water for the kids. I actually learnt to swim here. The swimming area is surrounded by nets although it doesn't stop the jellyfish :) We used to have lessons at 7am and I remember it being freezing! Once you could jump in and swim the length of the pontoon you got a certificate to say you could swim. Now, picture being a little kid jumping off a high pontoon into black water where you couldn't see the bottom. It was cold, and yes, you might hit the odd jellyfish. I remember crying and refusing to go into my lessons. As an adult i can see why!! I eventually did learn to swim and that day my instructor and I swam from the pontoon into the beach.

Cronulla Beach Pics

Cronulla Beach

Our first outing when we got home was to our local beach. We caught the train, walked along the esplanade, had lunch on the grass and then spent the rest of the day playing with the kids on the playground and the beach. You cannot beat the natural beauty of the Shire and it was a beautiful spring day to welcome us home.

The Trip!!

Yes, we have finally arrived in Australia! Jamie and I always knew we would return to Australia to live permanently one day. Although I loved my time in the states, as they say there is no place like home. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to live on the other side of the world for so long, and to have the chance to build a life and immerse myself in a different culture. I learned so many new things along the way and met so many wonderful people. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone but you always stay close to the people that matter in your life no matter how many miles are between you. Our last few months, weeks, and days in the States were filled with sorting, cleaning, packing and removing all evidence of the last 15 years. I never thought we had so much stuff until I had to find a home for it all. As we were thinking we were down to our last few days before our flight and had left only the bare essentials in the house, Hurricane Sandy threw us a curveball! We were notified of our flights being cancelled at about 11pm Saturday night, I was shellshocked! We had been carefully planning every detail of this move for over a year. I spent the next 2 and a half hours on the phone to United trying to get rebooked. I was back on the phone at 7 am for another 4 hours and finally got some flights 6 days later. We went from having a direct flight across the US to it now taking 3 flight just to get to LA. We didn't care as long as we could get on a plane. The Hurricane spared us but for a few hours without power, she must have known it wasn't a good time to test us :) We had an insanely busy day the day before we left. We did get to see some wonderful friends for the last time :( and our neighbours stopped by that night to say their goodbye's as well. We finally fell into bed around 1:30am and the alarm went off at 4am to Men at Work's "Land down under" very funny Jamie! We threw the last things Into bags and into the garbage and pried the kids from their beds for the long journey. We dumped a bunch of rubbish in the apartments dumpster but don't tell anyone! We made good time and got some wonderful help with the 9 huge bags and I think 5 carry on bags we had In tow. The ticket staff were wonderful, the put us back in economy plus and made sure we were together all the way. They charged for some bags but I know they also let some go. I went off to give the kids breakfast while Jamie took the rental car back. I'm so lucky I wasn't with him as he took a wrong turn and ended going back up 93 towards New Hampshire!!! He managed to get back on track but we were both happy I wasn't there, my blood pressure couldn't take a near mess up! First flight was fine. We were so grateful that Jack decided to like the plane, it was a huge relief! Dulles to Denver was fine as well, the kids slept a bit, on me :). The flight to LA was fine as well but the kids were getting a bit tired. We had already been traveling for around 14 hours! They perked up a bit in LA but were ready for sleep as soon as we took off for Sydney. They slept for about 6 or so hours, which was good but not enough. I'm always anxious flying Aidan but that time over the pacific where you are just hours from anything, I can tell you I did not take my eyes off him for a second! Thank God we all arrived safely, exhausted but happy it was nearly over! We came through immigration and I told them I still had some fruit in me that I had to throw in the garbage. I had other food to declare at customs but I knew it would be fine, fruit is a big no no as Australia is an island and has managed to keep many pests out with their strict policies. So of course, they decide to get us to participate in some dog training! They have beagles that are trained to sniff out produce if people try to sneak it in or even if they forget, there are huge fines! They marked that we declared but told us to keep it on us and let the dogs find it for practice?! Are you kidding me?!?! We are in the middle of the biggest move of our lives, exhausted, carrying 3 huge baggage carts with 2 little kids in tow and they pick us?? Just another test I'm sure! It went fine and the kids liked the dogs! We finally made it through to my mum, dad and brother waiting!! So glad to be home!!! We stopped at the grocery store on the way home to find some foods for Aidan to eat. I was so tired I couldn't see straight! I was trying to read labels and was just swearing at anyone who would listen! Everything was may contain for his allergies or had something he was allergic to! I was nearly crying, my poor baby had barely eaten a proper meal for 2 days, living on sandwiches, baked goods and snacks. I finally found a few things and stocked up on fruit and veg. It definitely has been hard but we have been to every supermarket around and he has found a few things he likes like new cereal. Most he just tolerates because he says it tastes different, he wouldn't even eat the bread at first but will tolerate it now mainly as toast. We will keep trying and he will surely adapt with time. Our first week has been filled with trying to reestablish our lives here and rearranging my parents house to fit us all in. Jamie and I now have drivers licenses but only I have driven. We have our banking set up and our phones connected. Jamie has been looking Into the courses he has to take and applying for jobs. He has 2 appointments with recruiters next week so keep your fingers crossed as getting a job is our number 1 priority. We don't have a car yet. We like walking and catching the train but everything would be quicker with a car. Jack has been to his new pre-school and I'm waiting for a time to take Aidan for his kindergarten interview. We took the train to the beach last Sunday. It was a beautiful spring day. We walked along the esplanade and the kids played at the playground. You cannot beat the natural beauty of where I live. It's just such a nice lifestyle, fresh air, sunshine, beautiful beaches, parks, playgrounds, rock pools and friendly people. People wont understand until they visit. it may sound like you can get those things anywhere but it is a special place, or at least we think it is. Jamie and I were totally reminded of why we undertook such a huge move, it was worth every minute and we are so excited to start the next chapter of our lives and see what life will bring us.