Belated Anniversary...

Today (20th March) is a year plus one day since we landed in Darwin after spending what seemed like several days cooped up in a flying tin can!
After a short walk from the plane, two hours waiting in line in the customs hall and a mere five minutes to get through customs (they laughed at a total declaration - medicines tick we had calpol etc; food tick - we had some sweets; potential import of soil and pathogens tick - lived on a farm and with boots and tripod we wanted to be cautious; the only response we got from the friendly staff was thanks for the declaration but we would have to do better if we wanted a free trip back home!) and then we walked out into the furnace that was the Top End during the wet season. It was about 0530am and the temp was over 33 degrees!
We adapted very well although the first couple of days were hard and the children were very tired

It has been amazing to watch the children change and develop over the course of the last year
Hamish before we left

 Hamish now

Cameron before we left

Cameron now

Xanthe before we left

  Xanthe now

Somethings never change though

Despite another minor change in location in November we are starting to feel settled.
There are of course many things that we miss from the UK, first and foremost our families, but also some more banal things - jellybelly jelly beans, real ale, bourbon biscuits and gravy to name just a few, we would have added Marmite and English mustard to the list but we have found a shop that sells them. There are also parts that we definitely don't miss - primarily the weather, it was so nice this Christmas not to have to try and sort out frozen pipes or water pumps!
The memories from our first year are so numerous that I can't even begin to list them but I have chosen a few of my favourite pictures in no particular order...

There have also been the odd bit of wildlife along the way...

So what will our second year hold I wonder?
We have no great plans for the year other than for me to get a job and all of us to continue our integration into life Down Under!
We love you all and miss you heaps!