Pegs

Hi Jay, while not in the "eating and drinking" category, we found parkrun was great at allowing us to meet, chat and make friends with similar outlook and who lived nearby. It is active in that you run or walk 5 Km, starting at 8am on a Saturday morning, but its free and put on each week by people taking it in turns to volunteer. That paying it forward feel of doing something for others gives it a great community feel. There are 22 parkruns in WA now and more than 200 in Australia and more than 800 around the world (http://www.parkrun.com.au/events/ ). Your nearest is probably at Carine Glades (http://www.parkrun.com.au/carineglades/ ). We found parkrun great when we moved here 4 years ago (there was just one event when we arrived) and have made a lot of good friends through it - who we still have today. It you are active and like the outdoors its a great way to meet people. Pegs

Hi Geveva. We were at the auction, although it wasn't us you spoke to, we know who it was. The group meets every few weeks with the next one in a couple of weeks. If you make a post on the forum below, Mrs Pegs will be in touch to ensure you are included in the planning for the next one http://www.perthpoms.com/forum/socialising-get-togethers/8670-anyone-bull-creek-area-3.html

http://www.groupon.com.au/deals/perth-premium/Rockingham-Dolphins-WA-Pty-Ltd/716557911?nlp=&CID=AU_CRM_1_0_0_340&a=715828032 I have not used them but after seeing your post here, I went into my email and the first email I opened was from Groupon with this offer from the Rockingham outfit was top of the page. So given the serendipity going on I had to come back and let you know. It says for Ages "6+"....good luck Pegs

I also used the IOM to get the 40kg on an already validated PR visa. This allowance included the children as well as adults so as there are five of us, that will be a nice 200kg. The tickets were also cheaper than available publiclly also. You can do it through the IOM office in London though May at IOM UK 11 Belgrave Road London, SW1V 1RB Direct line: ++44 (0) 2078116098 zchen@iom.int http://www.iomuk.org/aboutus.htm She was very good but only works part time. You also have to pay for the booking via wire transfer rather than credit card also. Hope this helps Pegs

Thanks everyone for the responses. I am reassured that this is doable and I will get my daily cycle in. Thanks Yokofiona; will definitely have a Plan B....cycling through the British Winters wasn't possible every day, especially with the snow and ice we had the last two winters. Snow and ice will be a thing of the past soon though. The website you linked is good...I saw this http://btawa.org.au/2012/04/03/are-cycling-numbers-in-perth-declining/. Thanks

I have been commuting 30 miles a day (round trip) in London for the last 8 years. I would really miss the exercise and chance to seperate the stress of work from home by having an hours ride between the two. The total time taken is about the same door to door as walking to the station and getting on the Cattle truck known as South West Trains. Therefore, I would like to think I would be able to continue this when I arrive in Perth later this year....but is this realistic? We plan on living SOR in Rossmoyne, Willitton or Melville areas and I would probably be working in the CBD. The distance is okay and from what I can see from google maps is that there are a few nice cycle routes by The Esplanade and then head across the Canning Bridge etc and then the cycle route next to the Kwinana highway up to the CBD. Is anyone familiar with this area...would it work? Would it be too hot at certain times of the year? Do many employers have showers at work? Do many people do this or would I appear to be a crazy fool? Pegs