Deep Joy

As of this week, we have been granted permanent residency in Australia. So we are two years away from citizenship, and thus being able to give the H a second passport and all the options that come with that. In my mind this has got to be one of the best things a parent can do in the modern world.

It also means that we can, if we want to, work in New Zealand. It means that we don't have to go back to the UK unless we want to. It means we can buy a house here in Western Australia. But more than the practical considerations, I feel relief that the psychological hurdle is over. The application had been in since last November, and visas in Oz are much harder to obtain than they used to be. Although we did not doubt that they would be approved eventually, the whole thing had been hanging over us for what seemed like an age. At times I have felt spiritually in limbo between the two countries. Now we can look to the future and get on with our lives. Thank you for having us, Australia.