Jason Stringer

What a great time we’ve been having so far.  It has been non-stop since we landed here in Perth (dare I say it) I’m almost looking forward to starting full-time back at work so we can find some rhythm and normality again.  It’s all been go-go-go!

Clint landed from country WA at the same time Kerry and I landed.  It’s the first time we’ve all been together for a number of years so we’ve made the most of it!  Poker, beers, dinners on the foreshore, trips to the beach, shopping, games of pool, coffee breaks, ten pin bowling and just generally hangin’ out.  We’ve had something to do every day – it’s been great!  It’s a shame Westy left today.  Now that we all live a bit closer, I’m sure we’ll be catching up more and more.  I look forward to it!

We have found a really nice GP for Kerry and he has referred us to many more specialists.  It’s great having all of these medical professionals and facilities right at our fingertips.  Roxby is extremely lacking in the medical services – we were travelling 250kms to Pt Augusta just to have scans done.  Now it’s all a suburb over.  And there’s a beach in the other direction.  And shops.  With savings.  It’s all a bit humbling – sometimes we smirk at each other and pinch ourselves.  We actually live here – finally!

Speaking of the beach – that has been bloody fantastic!  The weather has had its rainy moments over the last week so we haven’t been as frequently as we would have liked – but when we have gone we sure have made the most of it.  Clint had longed for a swim in the ‘real’ ocean, too, so he made sure he had a blast while he was here.

The dogs are settling in well, too.  They love the water as much as we do although big Mufasa turns into a big girl’s blouse when he gets too deep.  We’ll soon fix that.  As for Narlah – the smaller dog – she would swim to South America to fetch a floating stick, if she had to.

I’m trying not to let the fact that I start work soon get me down.  The new job is going to be great and the opportunity and challenges are going to be so fulfilling – I know I’m going to love it!  Yet on the other hand, days are starting to have that ‘back to work, soon’ feeling as each one draws to a close.  I had that murky stomach feeling that something scary is on the horizon.

I will work in the tallest building in Perth central business district – and not on the ground floor.  That’s a big change for a country boy after 20 years in Roxby Downs.