On Saturday, while I was garbed in bright Yellow Marigolds(old ones) trying to remove the hair-fast Richard from Monty's bottom........I got to thinking........ there has to be more to life than this.......surely.
Just a year ago I was in the midst of planning a trip to Oz as a carer for Muti.......being wheel chair bound she is not fit to travel alone.
I was sitting here waiting for my Australian visa....... not a big thing I hear you say..........ah well, that is where you are so wrong.
Anyone else travelling to the Antipodes for a holiday can just get on the internet and order an Electronic Visa.......also known as an ETA.......that is shorthand for Electronic Travel Authority.
What makes me so different....? well, I am inadvertently banned from entering Australia until July 6th 2006......except in extenuating circumstances....and at the jurisdiction of Australia house. So if they don't like the cut of my gib they can refuse me a visa.......and charge me for doing it.
What heinous crime did I commit........in 2003 I overstayed my visa by more than 28 days........this makes me an illegal alien.
I hasten to add that the crime wasn't my fault......as I have told the Australian High commission more times than I care to recall......and this information has been corroborated by the travel companywho organised my travel visa in 2003.......they admit it was their fault.
This means that each time I want to visit Oz now I have to submit an 11 page document to Australia House....... this has to be supported by a letter from whoever I am visiting in Oz...... pay £60 (which is not refundable if the visa application fails)......a total imbuggerance.
Last year, I was refused a visa.......Muti was very disappointed thinking that the trip would not go ahead.
I had to ring the High Commission and explain that I was travelling as the companion to an elderly parent(forgive me Muti.....it is in years only)who was wheelchair bound......I got my sister to corroborate this information and they finally reconsidered and I got my visa........but we were sweating there for a few weeks.
And it did mean that we couldn't attend the graduation of my brother-in-law....... which was the purpose of the trip.
It turned out for the best anyway as we were able to travel when the fares were a bit cheaper....which meant more money to spend in Oz.
Mum had a brilliant time, I did too, but it was more like a working holiday for me.......but I got great pleasure out of seeing Muti enjoying herself.
Wish I was planning something similar this year!
Just a year ago I was in the midst of planning a trip to Oz as a carer for Muti.......being wheel chair bound she is not fit to travel alone.
I was sitting here waiting for my Australian visa....... not a big thing I hear you say..........ah well, that is where you are so wrong.
Anyone else travelling to the Antipodes for a holiday can just get on the internet and order an Electronic Visa.......also known as an ETA.......that is shorthand for Electronic Travel Authority.
What makes me so different....? well, I am inadvertently banned from entering Australia until July 6th 2006......except in extenuating circumstances....and at the jurisdiction of Australia house. So if they don't like the cut of my gib they can refuse me a visa.......and charge me for doing it.
What heinous crime did I commit........in 2003 I overstayed my visa by more than 28 days........this makes me an illegal alien.
I hasten to add that the crime wasn't my fault......as I have told the Australian High commission more times than I care to recall......and this information has been corroborated by the travel companywho organised my travel visa in 2003.......they admit it was their fault.
This means that each time I want to visit Oz now I have to submit an 11 page document to Australia House....... this has to be supported by a letter from whoever I am visiting in Oz...... pay £60 (which is not refundable if the visa application fails)......a total imbuggerance.
Last year, I was refused a visa.......Muti was very disappointed thinking that the trip would not go ahead.
I had to ring the High Commission and explain that I was travelling as the companion to an elderly parent(forgive me Muti.....it is in years only)who was wheelchair bound......I got my sister to corroborate this information and they finally reconsidered and I got my visa........but we were sweating there for a few weeks.
And it did mean that we couldn't attend the graduation of my brother-in-law....... which was the purpose of the trip.
It turned out for the best anyway as we were able to travel when the fares were a bit cheaper....which meant more money to spend in Oz.
Mum had a brilliant time, I did too, but it was more like a working holiday for me.......but I got great pleasure out of seeing Muti enjoying herself.
Wish I was planning something similar this year!
