silvrs

Even after two years of living here, I'm still shocked by the amount of swearing on the radio that is broadcast during the day. At 8am the other morning they broadcast an interview that included the F word, Barstewards and various other swear words. I think the only one I've not heard so far is the C word. And this wasn't a commercial channel, it was the ABC - imagine listening to ol' Terry on the drive to work and suddenly hearing the F word:eek:

Earlier in the year we were looking at getting a RS wagon but opted for the Forester XT instead. A quicker car and more thirsty compared to the Skoda but what a lovely exhaust note:D Will probably trade it in for a RS TDi wagon in the next two years. Also just purchased an i30 CRDi - have to say for a 1.6 engine it feels pretty quick - not as fast as the Fabia vRS we had in the UK but no slouch. Will probably trade this in for the new Fabia vRS when it finally arrives in Oz.

Sorry to get all serious but it's never worth the risk of skin cancer - best to slap on some sunscreen and cover up

One of the reasons we headed for sunnier climes. At least we're guaranteed at least six months of BBQ weather each year:D

Decided to get rid of my decidedly dodgy South African built Focus Zetec and go for a new i30 TDi SX. Test drove one on Thursday and was happy with how it drove but not happy with their trade in figure so went to another dealer yesterday and struck a deal. It's no Fabia vRS but I'm only going to use it to commute to and fro work so not too bothered. May look to get it tweaked next year or trade it for a Fabia vRS if they ever launch it in Oz.

Well done on getting the job. Had my 3 month probation assessment signed off by my boss today which all went well. Find out tomorrow if I get a payrise as well!!

I wonder how sales are going in Perth as they were flogging their vRS estate demo through the auctions a few months ago!! I was tempted but didn't really have the cash at the time, ended up getting a Forester XT instead:D

We've only had 20mm of rain since the start of the year, a bit of a bugger really as I have to keep topping up the pool every few weeks!!

Been living in Perth for the last 2 years, coming back to catch up with family & friends and show them our youngest son born last year. Why - well we fancy retiring to Oz and so we came over to get citizenship - since we left the credit crunch has arrived and so we plan on staying in Oz for the foreseeable future. Did we make a fortune? Well I was made redundant earlier this year but managed to extract some bonuses from the company before I left and found a job for the same money that started the week after I left the old job so yes I did make quite a bit of money. Also the f/ex rate is now less than A$2/£1 so currently earning over £57k/year:)

Thanks guys for all the replies. Looking forward to coming back to see how much things have changed after 2 years. Just hope it starts to warm up soon:eek:

Hi, we're arriving back in the UK on Friday after 2 years away. Driving from Heathrow to Cornwall and just wanted some general advice on any places I need to pay particular attention to not going over 70mph in the hire car. Don't want to accumulate points if I can help it. I've read a few threads about SPECS and fixed cameras monitoring average speed but not sure of the latest situation. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks

26C and sunny for tomorrow:)

Well been out on a few back roads today and well impressed with it. Did see an unmarked traffic car pull a woman over in a local suburb this morning who looked about eighty years old at least - not sure what she'd done. Thankfully petrol is pretty cheap over here at around 50p/litre. Had considered a Octy vRS but was worried about resale value as Aussies don't know the marque. Hopefully the XT will be every bit as good as a vRS, but with a different soundtrack.

Since selling both our vRS's in May 07 and moving to Oz we've been without a decent car between us. Last weekend we decided to change the wifes car, a 2001 1.8 Corolla, and go for something a little more sporty. Well SWMBO went and collected the replacement today and even let me have a go!!! It's quicker than either vRS we had and noisier too!! It's a late 07 Forester XT, in dark silver with heavily tinted windows, last of the old shape, which I prefer. I fear it's going to be thirstier than our old Mk1 Octy vRS and seriously thirstier than the Fab vRS but hopefully will have a decent resale value compared to Skoda in the local market. First impressions are that it's one quick car and we're both really happy to be behind the wheel of a decent car again after nearly two years. Will post some pics when I have time. In terms of insurance we were suprised to find that it'll only cost us about £90 extra a year!!

I'm being made redundant in a couple of months which has meant that I've been forced to look for a new job. Thankfully it looks like I've secured a new job, on very similar money, and the job itself looks much better than what I have been doing. The downside is starting all over again in a new company not knowing anyone. Hopefully the small redundancy package I will get will pay for some flights back to the UK for a holiday and catch up with family.

Not easy, took us about 2 years to get the visas but so glad we made the move!!

Adams are closing over 100 stores!!

I purchased a couple of 9 LED outdoor spotlights complete with a solar panel for less than £20 a few weeks ago. We've not had the best summer weather so far but I have to say I'm well impressed with their performance so far. Very bright and they stay on all night. Now if only there was a big hole in the ozone layer above the UK along with some decent sunshine..............................

All the best with your new venture - it's tough out there at the moment. Just been told I'm being made redundant at the end of Jan - 2nd time in just over 2 years!!

It's officially summer here in Perth but still only 30C - where's all the hot weather like last year? 44C on Boxing Day. What's the point in having a pool if we can't enjoy it!!!

Well it started at just under £11k and reached just over £12k but didn't sell. Most of the locals hadn't seen one before and heard a couple of guys say that "I think it's some sort of European car!!". I think it could be had for about 2/3 of it's new price which for a one year old car with 6k miles isn't bad. What do you guys think?

Many years ago when I owned a Fiesta diesel, I was driving up the A30 in Cornwall around 2am on a Sunday morning with my foot to the floor, averaging around 85-90 on a 60 limit road. There was one car behind me which kept a steady distance for around 10 miles. On the approach to a well lit roundabout I checked my mirror and to my horror realised it was a marked patrol car. I then drove the next mile bang on 60 until I entered a village and dropped to 30. I was cacking myself and waiting for the lights to come on and get pulled over but nothing happened. As I left the 30 limit and started to accelerate, the patrol car overtook me and I was so reliefed. I had to follow the patrol car all the way to the station as we lived just behind it and I was immensely relieved to get home without any drama.

$1.135 for UL at our local. About 50p And forecast to be a cool 26C tomorrow How I miss the UK;)

Well if you think that is expensive, try this:- 1995 Nissan Micra A Hatchback (eBay item 270296878638 end time Dec-03-08 12:36:31 EST) Approx £2,600 + stamp duty which will be approx £100 Makes the first one look a real bargain!!

Probably a sign of the times and Skoda not having a good reputation down under. Local dealer is selling a 07 demo vRS estate tomorrow at auction, extras include GPS, s/roof and front parking sensors. Just over 6k on clock and 12 months old. Will pop down and see if it sells and how much.