Hi Robinpud
The planning has gone askew because I'm having a nightmare with my employers, who have refused my career break at the 18th hour and are forcing me to resign. As I applied over 2 months ago, they've really dragged their heels. also, their reasons for saying no don't really stand up to scrutiny.
I have raised a formal grievance about it and the union are being very supportive. I'm hopeful it will be sorted out but was absolutely devasted last week. If I have to resign I will lose not only my job (which is the best job I've ever had) but also all the benefits that go with long continuous service and a public sector pension scheme which has protected my terms and conditions.
On a positive note, I have made some more contacts in Sydney through friends of friends and through the doctor who is coming back the the UK so my husband can have his job. I now have access to a network of people with kids in the area I will be living, as well as details about playgroups (they run every morning), so it looks less lonely, and you can join me as often as you like!
The couple vacating the job are also selling us quite a lot of their furniture and possibly their car.
I see from your other post that you are taking each day as it comes.....it's a huge logistical nightmare when you are leaving your house for a year and no doubt just as bad when you are house swapping!
Remind me which suburb you will be living in? We are definitely going to be in the eastern suburbs.