gainful employment

They have everything they need...

So as you can see, I got something back in the post for the Met Police this week, and it's nice to know that I don't have any criminal convictions. Just as well that they couldn't prove that I was responsible for the disappearance of Lord Lucan and Shergar.

Ignore the fact that the scan to the left says "Fraud". The 100% genuine copy is already with the Australian High Commission. Honestly.

Speaking of the High Commission, 'Sandra' isn't particularly great with the communication. I thought for all the evidence and form-filling, not to mention the £700 application charge, I'd get an acknowledgement when they receieved the stuff I'm been sending through, or at least a response to my emails enquiring as to how everything is progressing. But there has been no mention of interviews or anything like that, so I guess my case is pretty straightforward.

Medical

Yesterday morning I had my medical. It took no time at all, and I'm come away with the conclusion that being a private doctor who specialises in that is a license to print money. £170 for pretty much half an hour, of which barely 10 minutes was with the doctor, and half of which which filling in forms.

First was the blood & water tests with the nurse, an Aussie by the name of Simone who was from Melbourne but also possessed an accent like no other I'd ever heard in Australia. It was really drawly, and seemed to be some weird Aussie-Southern-State American hick combo. Apparently I was dehyrated, so I had to go away, drink copious amount of water and then come back an hour or two later and try again. I passed second time. To think after all the paperwork, deliberation and money spent, my urine could have proved my undoing...

However, I did some away a few centimetres taller than I thought I was (182cm) and a kilo or two lighter (80kg). All this time those IKEA scales in my bathroom have been telling me little white lies...

So pending the test results coming back ok, the only thing outstanding is the Police record check. Most exciting.

Norwich

Each trip to Norwich gets tougher and tougher now. There’s an air of inevitability about everything…which for me is very exciting on the one hand, but it’s tough when I go to visit my Nan (who is 83), and know that there is the possibility that she might not be around the first time I come home once I move out to Australia. And of course I don’t even know exactly when that would be. As each visit passes and each time I get back on the train to London, I wonder when the next time I make that trip, see those places and the people in them will be.

Also, it’ll sound really corny but I seem to notice couples more when I’m out and about, and noticeably more so in the past month or two. I’m excited about having that again…just wandering around the shops, going on day trips, long weekends, or even just lounging around at home if we fancy a lazy day. I’m craving new experiences and new opportunities with new people in a new place, but also new adventures with one particular person who is responsible for pretty much all of my happiest memories so far.

My birth certificate went off to the Australian High Commission this week, the police check should come through in the next couple of weeks, and I’m having my medical next Saturday (in Harley Street don’t you know… check me out). From there, I’d be pretty surprised if the visa isn’t sorted by the end of April. And then there’s May to start making real plans, or to continue laying the foundations for them depending on when my actual departure date will be.

I’m imagining leaving the country at the very end of June, maybe the very beginning of July. I guess it depends mostly on my notice period at work and whether I’m allowed to cut it down using my outstanding holiday entitlement. It’s actually going to be quite tough leaving there as I’m a loyal person, but this is about much more than work…

Response from the Australian High Commission

"I aim to finalise the processing of your visa application as quickly as possible"

Well, that's good news isn't it!?

This morning I got an email from someone called Sanda (who I inevitably replied to and re-christened Sandra) saying that my application has been received and that all they needed from me was my full birth certificate, police criminal record check, and medical results.

Today I booked the latter, which should consist of a full medical, radiological examination and HIV test. It also costs £120! This emigration is an expensive business...