So. Where were we? That's right arriving in Adelaide to start new life.

Not quite so simple though. After docking in Melbourne and spending the day with my uncle's Brother -in-law and and his family it was an overnight 12 hour train journey on the "Overland". Then the worry would we recognise the family! Photographs after all are not always good enough. Not to worry, off the train and there they were, all tanned and speaking funny (well Aussie!)

Before we had left Scotland, my dad and I had discussed (argued!!) at length about what Australia would be like. I thought, more American, and Dad thought it would be more like the Britain we were use to. Who was right? I was about to find out. North Terrace (2nd most main st. in Adelaide) was all verandahs ah la Tombstone, at least thats how it struck us. Driving through the suburbs to Adam and Janets home was an eye opener. Not a tenement, highrise or "Row" of attached houses. All single level on blocks large enough (or so it seemed to us) to build a tenement on. Adam and Janet lived (and still do) within 100 metres from one of those Aussie beaches you see in Ads. Miles and miles of soft sand and blue skies. We stayed there for first week, then moved into 3 bedroom house that Janet had organised for us. We actually were sharing it with the drum playing 17 year old son of the owner, although he actually spent little time there. We heard him more than saw him!!. 3 weeks before we left home Janet had suggested that it would be a very good idea if I had a drivers license. I didn't! That was unfortunate as there was no bus sevice in any way similar to Edinburgh's. Fortunately, the shops weren't too far and I'd gotten a job only a 40 minute walk away!

There was no difficulty in getting a job. I'd phoned Hillcrest Hospital the day after we'd arrived and organised an 'Interview' for the Thursday of that week. Suffice to say that the Director asked me to start the next day! However, I plumped for the Monday ,which gave us a week to settle. Wages were great (or so it seemed) $55 (£20) a week compared to the £14 at the Royal Edinburgh, and it seemed (and still does) that we were paying $5 for something we'ed pay £5 for in UK.

So we had a house, I had a job. What next? Well driving lessons for a start, although I had met a Scotsman called Jim who worked at the hospital and drove past the end of our street, he gave me a lift to work. I also found a fotball team to sign for, Port Adelaide, whose coach went to school with my brother-in -law. in Colchester!! A small world indeed!

Then two things happened. The minor one, I damaged my knee at football training, but was reasonably well looked after by the club, and didn't need time off work. The major one and by far the best,"I'm pregnant" my wife said! accident, of course, but so welcome when Tracey arrived in December. By this time we had moved to a flat at Largs North and I had driving license..

So to our first Christmas and New Year. Christmas was lovely with the extended family at Adam and Janets. Very, Very, hot not a skerrick of snow to be seen!!! Hogmanay was a different story. We went to a friend of Adams', got there at 8ish to a large gathering both in house and in the backyard. I very carefully nursed an almost single drink 'til the "Bells" as I didn't want to miss much of our first New Year's do. What a dissapointment. There was my wife and I ready to kick up our heels after midnight---by 12.30am 90% of the people had gone!! "Happy New Year'; and goodnight!!! Still we did enjoy ourselves in spite of that.

So 9 months into our new life we had a baby, were negotiating to buy our own home and had a car. Our new life was progressing well, I was even beginning to appreciate Australian rules of football, played on an oval would you believe. It is now of course the second best game in the world!!! I am still a Jambo after all. .........to be continued.

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)