Like many, I've downloaded the templates off Martin Lewis' site moneysavingexpert.com to try and reclaim unlawful punitive bank charges over the last 6 years. I worked it out, and after having a bad year 4 years ago when I kept hovering around my overdraft limit, I racked up approx £1100 worth of … read more

I had a night out last night with my mates for the first time since, well actually I think it's the first time this year (how sad is that!). Rach also went out with her mates (the 'school mums') and we met up at the end of the night and came home together. It's funny that in 7 years we've never … read more

A surveyor came today to look at the house on behalf of the buyers. It seems to have worked out ok but we were worried for a while. You see for some time now a crack has been developing in the plaster running floor to ceiling in our bathroom, just at the point where we have a full house extension. … read more

Every Friday I try and make the 16:18 from Manchester Piccadilly to go home for the weekend, and every week I fail and have to wait another hour for the 17:18. I've come close on a couple of occasions - actually getting as far as watching the train move away just as I get to the platform. But … read more

It seems funny that it's a year since my last post where I rejoiced the fact that we had finally received our visa, and yet it's only now that we're in a position where we're confident it's actually going to happen. The reason it's been a year is simply because that's how long it has taken us to … read more

I'm now on holiday in Oz - more about this later. This post is just to say that we finally got the Visa!!!!! We checked our e-mail while we was in Singapore and we've got an e-mail to say the visa has been granted. What a relief! After 18 months of hassle we can finally put the house up for sale and … read more

Finally, we're all packed and ready to go. Just waiting for our lift to the airport hotel. We're staying in a hotel near Manchester Airport tonight. We're going to check-in early and make use of the leisure facilities to have a fun and relaxing afternoon. We'll then go out for a meal tonight before … read more

eggbaconchipsandbeans Oh my god, a blog about Cafe's, whatever next! read more

One day of work left before my hols! It's been crazy this week trying to get tasks ticked off before I go. Problem with my job is I can't really just pass work on while I'm away, it will all be waiting for me when I return. I got a phone call right out of the blue yesterday from a recruitment agency … read more

You wouldn't believe how much organising this Oz trip has taken (a bit different to a weekend in Skegness!). I dread to think what it will be like when/if we actually emigrate. I think I've made a bit of a screw-up. I've booked day flights which I thought would be best but now it's dawned on me that … read more

This is the first post of what will hopefully be many describing an amazing journey we are about to take (subject to the visa being granted of course). The 'we' is me Daryl, my partner Rachelle (pronounced Rachel (blame her mum) ) and our 4 year old daughter Lauren. I can't really remember when it … read more