First Weekend !

We got up and decided we needed to get some things for when we move into the house. Things like something to sleep on etc.



So we headed up to Doncaster and looked around for some shops. Tasha had given us an idea as to where the shops we needed were. We had also seen an advert on the TV for a shop which seemed to do furniture and electricals.



We found a little shopping centre in the next suburb call Box Hill. The car park was under renovation and it was a little unclear as to where we should be going, but we managed to park on the top floor. We nearly took out a few other cars on the way as we always seemed to be going the wrong way. Well Kerry was driving and I was hiding under the seat.



We found a few interesting little shops. Our main priority was bedding really. So we found a small bed shop. We had a chat with the girls in the shop and pointed out we only wanted an air mattress or similar for each ot the girls and one for us. They did foam mattresses which seemed ideal. So we got 2 singles which were 5 inches thick for the girls and a queen size for us. We also got some quilts as well. They promised to deliver them all on Tuesday for us but it would be around 6ish if that was ok. Absolutely ideal we thought.



We then bought a cheap dinner set, cheap cutlery set, a kettle, some pillows, a steamer for the Veggies and some basics for cleaning etc from other shops also. We went down our list and we left the shopping centre just having to get a fridge and a washing machine.



We drove back to Doncaster to have a look a cars as we desperately needed to get one sorted as the hire car was a big drain on the finances. We had to extend it for another week. We liked our hire car as it was big and we could just throw everything in the back no problem. After having the Volvo back in the uk we knew we needed this size car. So we went to the Ford dealership to get an idea of the costs etc. We were a bit worried as we knew we didn't have enough money to buy something outright and we would probably need to borrow some and use nearly a lot of the money for setting up the house. I was not sure when I was going to paid either and how much I would actually take home.



We looked at a 2004 Territory which was similar to the one we driving in spec. It was scratched quite a bit and to be honest we were not impressed that they hadn't tried to even touch up the scratches. Then the shock of the price $33,000 (around 13,500 pounds). I said to Kerry I thought they were not much more new. Lauren then needed the toilet so we went into the showroom for the toilets and I noticed a brand new one for only $5,000 more. (around 2,000 pounds). I spoke to Kerry when she came back and we thought for just a few grand more we would be better off if we could, getting the new one.



We had a chat with the salesman and they said they didn't believe the finance would be a problem. We also got included leather seats, side runners (it's an SUV like a BMW X5) and alloy wheels. Then I said you have the sale if you can get it for next Saturday. No problem they said.



We only had to pay a small deposit. Around 300 pounds and we had the car without breaking into any money. We had loads of paperwork to fill in for the finance as we had no credit history over here. Ford would check our credit back in the UK and they seemed confident that all would be ok. They also checked our visa's, our address (well future address anyway) and my job references. But all would be ok.



The law is much better here on finance, the finance companies can only charge interest on what you owe. It is illigal to charge you anything more than interest. If you pay back extra on any loan you cannot be penalised and you interest you pay goes down. Much more consumer orientated.

We then took the girls to a park we had seen and spent the rest of the day there.

On Sunday, we went to the furniture and electrical shop we had seen advertised. We bought a fridge and a cheap washing machine and it was agreed they would deliver on the Tuesday as well. Things were really coming together now. It will be so good to get out of the hotel so we can actually start living.

We then decided the girls needed to have some fun and they wanted to go back to the park to play. It was a really nice day again so we sat back and let them play. Both girls are visibly gaining in confidence, there is so much more space for them to play. Although the play area is small the is an Aussie rules footie pitch behind and this makes it feel much bigger. The other children and their parents are all keen to talk to you and help you.

Once the girls have had a play we drive round to have a little look at the schools we found on the internet. One looks very promising and Kerry says she will go to that tomorrow.