My week in Margaret River

My week away in Margaret River was a mini adventure, just with lots of work! Driving down there was long and challenging; almost four hours south of Perth by car with part of the route covering roads set in bush land, lucky I had Micky on board to coach and direct me on the way down! As well as being very rusty and not the most confident person behind the wheel, I was most worried about encounters with kangaroos on the journey down as I had been warned by colleagues that it isn’t uncommon for kangaroos to hop out onto the roads in front of passing cars and the Margaret River region is full of them. We made it down in one piece though and I can now say that that was the longest journey I have ever driven (270 kilometres) and fastest too, hitting 110k per hour a lot the way.

Over the course of the week, I met with lots of SCOOP Traveller  clients - mostly wineries this week. Some of the estates I visited were beautiful set in the most stunning natural scenery, many with acres upon acres of neatly lined vineyards and gardens. I also visited a chocolate factory/shop and a giant hedge maze. My accommodation was arranged at some serviced apartments in central Margaret River called Darby Park which were nice and spacious and just a two minute walk from the main high street on Bussell Highway so Micky and I would take a tour around the charming little shops on the main street after work. The weather was still cheerful  as we approach winter (mid twenties) with a little rain at times.

Amongst the clients I met with were a couple of fellow Brits who had emigrated to Perth/WA years ago and it was really interesting to hear their stories of when they emigrated and what it was like and their Australian journeys since. The English lady from Woody Nook Wines had even invited Micky and I to go cycling with them in Perth! I managed to get at least one out of two clients renewed into the next edition of the magazine which was a good result as the market is tough right now and the industry is in its quieter season.

A funny tale of drama to tell you from my meeting with Marri Wood Park: I met with Lisa, the owner of this organic winery who was a friendly, chatty lady. We had our meeting outside on her lawn and we were discussing the magazine when a gaggle of geese wander on over approaching our table and walking under it close to my feet wedged in my open-toed shoes – ewww! It just so happened that they also farm their own organic produce too! So up I jumped from my seat! People who know me, know that me and animals, (ALL animals) don’t mix! Then two of her dogs come barking over too and then she picks two of the geese up from the ground and sits them on her lap like they’re two adorable little twin babies – OMG! I’m trying to keep a professional demeanour and remain seated continuing to talk business whilst these farm animals surround me. I know Aussies are renowned for their laid-back nature, but this is taking their behaviour to another level! Anyway, an hour later I’m still there sipping on a peppermint tea and talking about living in various places around the world so I suppose I accomplished something else this week too! I don’t think I’ve quite had a business meeting like this before. All in all, an interesting week in a lovely part of Western Australia...

Woody Nook

Voyager Estate

The Geese

Queen of Spades

D & M reunited

Apart from almost missing my flight, my journey to Australia was surprisingly smooth and restful (even if I did lose my iPod somewhere between London and Singapore!)

It was 1am when I landed in Perth. I wasn’t really tired, the excitement to see Mr W after three months apart kept me awake and energised, so much so that when I passed through customs and collected my luggage, I hurried my heavy trolley along at a joggers’ pace through the arrivals exit searching amongst the crowds of people for his familiar face.

There he was sitting ten or so metres ahead, “Sweetheart!” I yelled and waved as I pushed my trolley and hurried towards him with all of my belongings.  I was surprised he could see my head poking out behind my stacked suitcases and bags on my trolley. I was so caught in the moment rushing along to embrace him that my trolley was still in motion in a different direction when we reached each other and hugged. “Welcome to Australia sweet”, he greeted me.

Surprise!

After a busy week finalising work duties, getting through my ‘Emigration to-do list’ and seeing various friends and family members, I was looking forward to some chill-out quality time with my sister before I leave.  She’d told me that she wanted to take me out for a meal to a recently opened French restaurant in her neck of the woods, coincidentally called Sister (I should have cottoned on then) and stay over at her place for the night.

Little did I know that on arrival at her place, my close friends and sisters’ friends were huddled together in her living room like excited little koala bears waiting to explode on me with a firework of surprises!!! Aussie flags, Aussie signs, balloons, a blow-up kangaroo and Aussie snacks decorated her living room!

 Wow, what a surprise!  An Aussie inspired leaving party just for me – I felt so touched.

Thank you to all of the girls and especially my sister, who made the night a fun and memorable one. I will miss you all…. x

Countdown...

Two weeks and two days….

This is how long I have left until I bid farewell to my life and loved ones in London and join my boyfriend in Australia for a new chapter living Down Under!

Around three hundred and sixty five days is how long we’ve been considering/planning/organizing the big move. To those who don’t know me, some background info: I am a twenty-something British born Turkish-Cypriot girl-about-(London)-town kinda girl working in advertising for an international magazine publishing house and have been dating my Aussie boyfriend for five years shy of three months…

It was way back in November 2010 when feelings arose on my boyfriend's part about the prospect of moving back (and in my case, emigrating), to Australia. I cannot deny that I was particularly reluctant, apprehensive and fearful of the idea and it took many months of contemplation and conversations between us and with friends and family to come around to the idea and his way of thinking. After nine years in London, my boyfriend believed it was the right time for us to make the move and improve our lifestyle to a better one of less stress, slower pace and warmer climate and with the current economic climate here, the opportunity to further our careers in better paid jobs as well as to be closer to his native Australian family.

I am very excited about the big move but the nerves have also kicked in… A new life in a different country, in fact, on another continent, with a different culture and lifestyle and being 9,000 miles away from loved ones is a daunting prospect. For the first time in my adult life, I have no plans for the year ahead or even for the next month… Those who know me well know this is unheard of! From March 2012, my diary is empty. No knowledge of a work schedule, social arrangements or travel plans. It does however, feel quite liberating.

So with my partner visa finally in place, my boyfriend already there since December, our belongings on a ship somewhere between here and Oz, and having resigned from my media job, I am slowly but surely preparing myself for one of the biggest rides and adventures of my life…

I know that my life is about to change quite radically yet, I’m not sure how exactly. This blog is to share my new journey with friends and family and anyone who may be embarking on a similar journey to mine, or anyone who just wants to come along for the big, rollercoaster ride.