We arrived in Melbourne 10 years ago, on Valentines Day feeling very, very jet lagged! It was about midnight when we landed - and still about 30C. Our first few days the temperature steadily rose from the high 30's to the low 40's and we were so unaccustomed to the heat - especially given it had been snowing in the UK in the weeks leading up to our departure!!
My partner Mr B had back-packed around Australia before going to uni and always knew he wanted to come back.... I didn't even think I'd get to visit Australia on holiday - let alone end up living here! Australia to me was a very exotic far-away land that I would never in my lifetime see, so to have been living here for 10 years is quite surreal.
I've attached some snapshots of a few of the amazing places we've seen, experiences we've had and things we've done whilst living in this beautiful country......
Hung out in beautiful Melbourne.....
Visited the stunning harbour of Sydney more times than I can remember.....
Did a cycling wine tour of Rutherglen - highly recommended!....
Visited WA to see her gorgeous beaches and visit more wineries in Margaret River.....
Swam at Palm Beach - famous for being the Home & Away beach (very exciting for an English person!!) That's me trying to edge my way into the surf - still haven't mastered how you Aussies just dive in! 
Visited Port Douglas in FNQ - there's the rainforest meeting the reef just like the advert promised!
Spent a fair few hours, yawn, driving to Merimbula stuck behind boats and caravans - but very worth the long trip......
Seen in a few New Years Eve's - not all of them in 1970's fancy dress though!......
Took out a boat in Noosa......
Explored Fraser Island which is amazing......
Had the odd Derby day.....
Hiked around the Blue Mountains......
Visited stunning Port Stephens......
Snorkelled with Dolphins at Rottnest Island.......
....And met some of the friendly local Quokka's!.....
Cheered on England (sorry!) at the Boxing Day Test, even in the rain!.......
Snorkelled at The Great Barrier Reef......
Chilled out in Byron Bay......
Re-stumped a house.....
....And renovated it.......
Took a sunrise balloon flight over Melbourne........
Entertained many friends and relatives.......
And had my fair share of Huntsmen visiting my bathroom!...... (Ironic that he was hiding behind the can of insect repellent!!)
Over the last 10 years my hair has changed lots.....but the friends we've made and our joy at living here has remained constant. Thank You Australia for many wonderful years and memories and for allowing us to experience life here :)
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Aww congrats Lucy! This is such a lovely post...I'm in the process of applying for my residency here and some days the paperwork is so heavy that I forget why I want to be here. Seeing your photos is a wonderful reminder of how downright brilliant Australia is :) x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you both, to be honest I hadn't even considered how long you have been out there for. What a wonderful decade & so many wonderful memories. Love Soph x
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