Newbie Saying Hello

Mark · Senior Member

Newbie Saying Hello

Mark · Senior Member

G'Day

The names are Mark & Linda and thought we'd say hello to all you fellow GN's......................... "Hello"

We're pretty new to life on the road, we sold the house (although we do have a small block for later on in life) and put our worldly goods into storage, so I guess we are semi retired as we do a bit of work along the way to keep us in beer, fuel and food tokens

We emigrated to Australia from the UK 8 years ago and took Citizenship in 2010 after successfully meeting our business visa requirements, a tough few years but we're happy we got through it. Though we will never be true blue, we are Citizens and live life the Australian way and left all the "winging" behind!!

Having done what we had to, I then spent three years working in the mining industry for Alcoa and also for Rio Tinto before deciding that we ought to go and see this "HUGE" fantastic country that we chose to spend the rest of our lives in, whilst the Minister for Finance did voluntary work in animal rescue.

Having been on the road for a couple of years now, we have utilised the forum on numerous occasions and felt that we should join just in case we can share anything with anybody as we travel.

Linda is the Cougar and I'm her "Toyboy" 59 & 51 respectively

As you can see, I'm not afraid to put things into words and hopefully will be able to contribute something to the forum along the way.

We are currently in Broome and will be here until the end of the silly season and maybe the wet, not sure yet.

Okay, introductions done (thank god for that I hear you cry ) catch you in some posts along the way.

GaryKelly · Guru

G'day Mark and Linda. Nice first post and no spelling mistakes that I could see. I think you'll fit in quite well on the forums and I look forward to hearing about your adventures. Congrats on the citizenships. I got mine with a smack on the bum.

D and D · Guru

Welcome from another ex-pat pom (although I've been here a little longer) - its a great country - looking forward to hearing of you adventures

Mr D

Mark · Senior Member

Thanks for the welcome Gary,

Mark · Senior Member

Thanks Mr D, what part of the old country did you arrive from? How long have you been in OZ?

neilnruth · Guru

Welcome to the forum (and Australia) from an Aussie who came back to Australia as a 10pound Pom - work that one out if you can. We love the forum and we're glad you want to join us. Enjoy Broome.

Mark · Senior Member

Thanks NeilnRuth, a few vino's have already been consumed, so your "mind bender" will have to wait a while. We originally only came to Broome as we went on a cruise around the Kimberley on a boat called True North, however we have settled in for a while. Catch ya again.

D and D · Guru

Mark & Linda - originally a scouser, arrived 1967, haven't been back since (I was 14) and I can't see me making it back either. Got my citizenship when they stopped requiring an oath of allegiance to the Queen whenever that was. Australia's my home and other stuff is just a memory

Mr D

Mark · Senior Member

Here-here Mr D, that's our philosophy too, Oz is home. I know Liverpool well, although we are from the South, just north of the big City!!

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome from me too Mark and Linda, enjoy here and out in the playground.

When navigating around the forum don't be too dazzled by all the wombat holes or if you come across a gypsy.

Mark · Senior Member

Thanks for the welcome Doug,

I'll look out for the wombats, try not to step into anything I shouldn't, and of course keep an eye out for the drop bears !!

kiwi rainbow · Senior Member

Hi Mark and Linda, we will be passing through Broome in a few months time. Presently travelling to Katherine then onto the Kimberly.

Kiwi-as · Guru

I must confess Mark I posted on Lorraines acc with that posting. I might get a growling in the morning.
I would love to do a Kimberly boat trip also, what was the cost of your trip.

Mark · Senior Member

Hi Kiwi-as

Hope your sitting down

We paid 15K for a 7 day "snapshot" cruise, basically went to the best waterfalls, fishing, walking, etc..etc.. but the sting was the helicoptor.

To get the most out of the trip a helicoptor was used to get aerial views of the waterfalls and gorges, additional cost............ 5K

The minister of finance was extremely happy with the trip as she is a mad keen photographer, me personally, well i reckon for 20K we could have rented a helicpotor for the day and seen it all anyway. Okay there were a couple of magical moments aside from the flights, but, in hind sight, it's a lot of diesel and campgrounds for a year!!

True North was the cruise boat, no doubt about it's place in the Kimberley cruise world, first class, top shelf stuff, and the trip is one of those bucket list things, but I'm still smarting over it!!

Kiwi-as · Guru

Thanks Mark, must get some sleep now, have 650km trip tomorrow. Will talk sometime soon.
PS read our profile to see all about us .

Mark · Senior Member

No Worries Kiwi-as, I was reading your post about the repairs and can see that you have a journey ahead of you.

If you want anymore info, let me know.

Travel safely.

Grams · Guru

Hello Mark and Linda,

I am also an UK ex-pat. We originally came here in 1964, went back in 1976 and came back again in 1978. Been back since. I too am now an Ozzie citizen. Les is 68, I am 51, he's a cradle snatcher or so everyone tells him lol

We have yet to sell up, but we have our new van and our tug is a Toyota Prado. We hope to be on our way at the start of 2015, if not before. We have our fingers crossed.

Lynn

Mark · Senior Member

Hi There Lynn

I think there are a lot of us now, ex-pats, that is. Maybe that might be an interesting question on the forum? Would give us an idea of how many "migrants" actually embrace the nomadic life........ MMMmmm, yep, a question to ask i think.

LOL....... blankstare haven't heard the "cradle snatcher" line for a while. My view is about happiness, as long as you are, that's all that matters.

Well keep everything crossed and I'm sure it'll happen.

Take care and see you around the forum no doubt.

villatranquilla · Guru

welcome Mark and Linda - we are not too far away at Pardoo Station till the end of July probably

Mark · Senior Member

Hi Villatranquilla

Are you working on the station, we got offered a job there a while ago, we met the owners whilst we were looking after another business on the GNH.

Thanks for the welcome.

RosieW · Guru

Welcome biggrin

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Welcome to the site - you both look so happy in your citizenship photo!!!

Mark · Senior Member

jules47 wrote:
Welcome to the site - you both look so happy in your citizenship photo!!!

Hi Jule's

Thanks for the welcome. We were absolutely stoked to be honest. A very special day for us after a lot of hard effort, we were particularly pleased that we were able to have the ceremony on Australia day too, so it was even better, to celebrate I had a tattoo done, it's the boxing kangaroo knocking out the British bull dog, doesn't go down well with the POM's but such is life!!

Mark · Senior Member

RosieW wrote:
Welcome

Thanks Rosie.

See you around the forum.

Mark