Monkey Mia.
Our Easter break we took the opportunity for one last trip in West Australia. We drove 1000kms (9 hours) north of Perth to a small resort where you can hand feed the dolphins.

One of Mollie's teachers. Ms. Pitman.

Mollie's class at Karrinyup Primary School. With Easter it's now half term and so Mollie has left the school. Mum was quite sad to say goodbye, but I think that had something to do with the girlie chats outside, waiting for the end of class....

Mollie received a merit award from school. All the children in her class got to write a message on what they thought of her, and her certificate was put on the wall.
Thankfully all the comments were clean and polite...

Mollie also. Everytime I went to take a photo she swam out into the middle of the pool - hence the rubbish quality.

Being the last lesson of term, and their last lesson in WA, they had some fun with the pool toys.

Joel having his last swimming lesson with Kirsten at Challenge Stadium.

Not sure if Joel thought we were going potholing instead of swimming on Saturday?

For Mollie's last few weeks at her school, she had dancing lessons. Once they had perfected their moves, they invited the parents alone to humiliate themselves... sorry, I mean enjoy dancing with their daughter. Unfortunately, all images of me dancing were wiped from the camera..... bugger.

So after talking to my Snr Director, I have been convinced to stay with Oracle. I am going to continue my role being based in Sydney, so the move dates are remaining, but now with Oracle.
I now need to tell Capgemini that I am now not leaving.... Oracle may need to put me on a witness protection program, keeping us in a safe house for a few months!!!

So after getting the job with Capgemini, Oracle have now come to the table with a counter-offer.
Why do companies leave it to the last minute to make a decision!!!
Where do I go, Capgemini or stay with Oracle.

25th April 2007.
The date we fly over to Sydney. We have temporary accommodation organised, and currently organising the container.
You can see where we are staying on http://maps.google.com/ and search for
'milson street, cremorne point'

After a traumatic few weeks, talking non-stop to people wanting me to make by bl**dy mind up, we have finally made a decision. Sydney it is.
For weeks we have been deliberating about either moving to Sydney or back to Reading, with moving to Sydney only if the offer on the table was worth the hassle.
Well Capgemini (my new employer) have done just that, and today (07-Mar-07) I have signed a contract to start working for them as of 30-Apr-07.
So now starts the nice job of planning the 3000kms move interstate.

I know a lot of you were hoping for us to come back to the UK, but the offer from CG was too good to turn down and hopefully it means you all have somewhere else to visit! :)
Anyway, got to go and start drawing my Mindmap...

"The show of the decade" the West Australian dubbed the live Little Britain
show we went to on Saturday night.
Us and a few friends were going on Saturday night, but we got into a 'right kerfuffle' and lost our tickets. "You've lost your tickets...?'..... "Yeah but no but...."

Bugger.
We almost agreed terms for the job in Sydney, just not quite. In an attempt to cover all bases, I applied for a job in the U.K. and I have an interview early next week.

As our two year anniversary for being in Perth is around the corner, we are now looking to move on. Amongst other things, Perth property prices have risen 80% in two years and is now as expensive to live here as London.
Therefore, we are now looking at either moving across to Sydney or back to the UK. Anita and I are tearing our hair out, trying to decide which is the best option for all of us, and with me looking for work in both places.
Our decision wavers on a regular basis, so I have created this gauge for you all to see our current state of mind and a pending decision.
I am currently in negotiation with a large consultancy firm in Sydney, who are trying to get me to move over there and so our current status is leaning towards Sydney.
But watch this space....

Snow Patrol were fantastic.

Snow Patrol concert.
The venue was an outdoor amphitheatre, which was fantastic albeit a little dangerous after a few beers... This was early on before the support act Howling Bells played.

Back to school. Mollie is now in Year 1 and has started really well.
Her and Cameron were the first in their class to receive merit awards.

Australia Day.
Down on the river to cool off - it was a warm 42C.