Arrival!

Just posting the group email I sent out as a catch up of the first couple of weeks

Just a quick note on how things have been for us since reaching Adelaide.

The flight over went really well. Hannah was happy with the entertainment - mainly looking at books playing with toys. Hosea had a sleep and tried to have a play on the floor but we kept getting told to pick him up which meant Steph was busy most of the time. I managed to watch the good bits of the All Black vs Aust 1996 - famous game for being the last game at Athletic park, played in atrocious conditions, and the All Blacks hammered the Aussies.

Arrived in Adelaide to fine but cool conditions. John (from work) picked us up and pointed us in the general direction of the Apartment. We arrived there to find no one waiting for us. After a quick trip to the phone box (we had no phone) we found out what apartment (out of 6) to move into. The rest of the day was spent settling in and getting some food etc... The next morning everyone was wide awake at 4:30am - 7am NZ time of course. So we had pancakes and then hit the streets for a quick look around - end up on top of a hill looking at sunrise. Coolish day - 6 deg at dawn.

Monday was Queens Birthday - Australia version. We went out to Glenelg beach for lunch along with quite a few others - nice to get out and about.

On the Tuesday I headed into work for a bit as the apartment had no phone or internet to search for properties.

We've had a look through a few properties since then and found two that we really liked the look of, although since then one has disappeared off the market and we suspect we missed out of the other as we've heard nothing.

Bought a car last Friday. For those that care it's a Ford Falcon - 96 GLi EFII sedan in good condition. I was looking for a Holden but Fords are cheaper over here.

Kids (and Adults) are mostly used to the time difference although I'm still getting hungry earlier than normal.

I explained to someone the main difference between Auckland and Adelaide is the labelling. You get mostly the same products (milk bread etc...), except that have different brands. Also left turning traffic gets right of way. Note to NZ government - this works quite well. Lots of right turns banned in city centre and main roads during rush hour - helps free up traffic although you have to think through your route so you only have to go straight or left at major intersections.

Work is going well - working on a 17 storey commercial tower and a couple of smaller hospital jobs at the moment. the office is downtown which is novel coming from Newmarket.

Weather has been cool - lows between 4 and 10, but mostly fine or overcast. We laughed the other day when the forecast was for "A shower or two".

Footy (Aussie rules) is everywhere. Life FM is also a Christian radio station over here, although they also broadcast the local SANFL (South Australia Aussie rules).

We've found a very friendly church - so far two Sundays = two invites out to lunch. Hopefully we can find a place close enough.
more info shortly
Murray, Steph, Hannah & Hosea