Daily Archives: October 4, 2007

An Inspection

Posted by Wendy on October 4, 2007 No comments

I’ve spoken before recently that we are considering a move to Vancouver, Canada…with the wee bit of trepidation that one feels when such a big decision is to be taken. But at the root of that decision lies one major thing…we are ‘for sale’!.

We took this step in February last year and to tell you the truth were starting to wonder if a buyer would ever come along. Now, to be honest, the house buying market in France has been at a low this past 18 months with no house-hunters staying here at all last year. We saw a few in 2005 and have seen two couples interested in buying in the last two months, but last year was a dead end as far a the real estate market was concerned.

So, this week we met our first interested party. I did all the things you do when a viewing is imminent. Cleaning all those nooks and crannies you usually do not bother about (and they inevitably don’t look at); removing cobwebs you have started to grow fond of and generally becoming quite paranoid about every mark on the floor and every chip of paint off the walls. However after a frenetic 48 hours I have the place looking as I would like to see it. Far better really than it was when we came to view it for the first time, it’s amazing what we ignored on that first, and second, viewing visit. Well, to tell you the truth, we decided we wanted the place on first sight so we were really going around with rose-tinted glasses.

Anyway, our prospective buyer arrived and whizzed through; then went back and looked around more closely. I’m happy to say he was making all the right noises along the way, so, fingers crossed!.

He’s coming back in a few weeks time!.

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.

The countdown begins

Posted by Wendy on October 4, 2007 No comments

Yep, my son William has made the decision to return ‘home’ to Australia and after much discussion and research we have finally booked his airfare and he is getting set to go. He dosen’t leave until November but he is certainly counting the days until he does.

Of course, being his Mum, I’m wishing he would stay just a bit longer but, it is his life and he has things he needs to do with it.  He has given life abroad a really good go but he’s had enough and wants to return. And good on him too. He really misses his mates back there, and even though he keeps in regular daily contact with them (thanks to MSN) it’s not the same as actually being there to go out on the town with.

But it wont be all parties when he lands in Sydney; he has a raft of things to do such as enrolling in educational courses to finish his schooling and getting a part-time job as Mum wont be there to line his pockets as in the past. I am anxious about him travelling so far on his own, but that’s natural of course and any mother would empathise with me on that.  It’s always hard when that first chick leaves the nest, but it’s an important step and a necessary one.

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.

Visit the big ‘3′ in Australia

Posted by Wendy on October 4, 2007 No comments

I am Australian so I’m going to sound a little biased here but any tourist who is heading ‘down under’ just cannot leave without seeing her three main cities: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Being a Sydney girl myself I cannot recommend that city high enough to any visitor and the hotels in Sydney now stand beside any hotel in other world cities for choice of class, luxury and style.

You would have to go a long way to beat a hotel room with a view looking straight out over Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. Sydney offers the visitor a huge choice of accommodation that make the best of these two stunning scenes. At night the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are illuminated and the effect is just magical. If you are into adventure definately book yourself a Bridge Climb; I ave never forgotten the time we climbed the Bridge and it is an experience you will never forget. The experienced guides provide you with all your rigging and don’t worry about the height as once you are up and on the walkway you will be so taken with the views that you won’t have time to be nervous. Plus they take a series of photo’s of you during the climb as souvenirs.  If you would like a dose of culture, be it opera, symphonic music, ballet or popular music, you must see it at the Sydney Opera House. As you walk along the waterfront to the Opera House there are restaurants catering to any taste in food you have; it’s not just fish and chips at the Quay anymore because Sydney is truly a multicultural city. One foodie place you must not miss is buying a pie n’ peas at the world famous Harry’s Cafe de Wheels at Woolloomooloo just around near Garden Island. Celebrities from around the globe have tasted pies from Harry’s and he has a well earned reputation, sit on the pier while you eat al fresco!. After you have strolled around the beautiful Botanic Gardens take a ferry trip, or JetCat trip, over to Manly (my old haunt) and see why our beaches are so famous.

Moving south to Melbourne you will find that Melbourne has become known for it’s classy approach to shopping, commerce and variety of dining choices. Hotels in Melbourne are located in every area where you will want to sample the stylish shopping, gastronomic restaurants and maybe even visit the MCG for a spot of Test Match or World Series cricket. Whilst Sydney is known and remembered for her stunning views and beauty, Melbourne is world famous for her classy arcades and boutique shops.  The Yarra River winds it’s way through this impressive city as do the popular trams that still get shoppers, tourists and commuters from place to another. You cannot miss a ride on a Melbourne tram!. Melbourne is also known for it’s lively nightlife and fashionable bars and cafes, just walking around there will be plenty for you to discover.

To the north is Brisbane, the capitol city of Queensland, and the centre of the playground that is called the Sunshine Coast. Brisbane has really opened up in the last few years and is easily accessible from other parts of Australia for relatively low cost airtravel. Located on the Brisbane river it has long been popular for business trips and conventions but it is the climate for which people visit there, and it is brilliant.  Brisbane is actually a port and has a reputation for it’s grand shopping malls, lively nightclub scene and cultural venues. Museums and art galleries abound here so for those of you with a taste for cultural enlightenment will be spoiled for choice. Hotels in Brisbane cater for every price range, every budget and every traveller. If you are visiting Brisbane you will also be able to travel an hour south and experience the jetset environment of the Gold Coast, an absolute must for anyone going to Queensland.

All of these cities will provide the tourist with a full itinerary of not only fun but the chance for relaxation as everything balances itself out so well. You can shop till you drop and then lie on a Manly Beach or sit by Circular Quay in Sydney and watch the world go by. Exhaust your credit card in Melbournes fashionable boutiques then unwind in a laid back cafe. Walk the pavements in Brisbane taking in the galleries and museums then relax by the pool at your hotel. 

The choice is yours; so go and enjoy!.

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.