Back to square one?
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Tue 12 Feb 2013 21:37
The Immigration department have renewed my visitor's visa despite some grave misgivings about my financial position. I share their concerns but am more optimistic about pulling myself out of the pit. I have been given permission to remain in Australia until August. I can apply for a further extension but I will be 'put under a microscope'. Fair enough, Australia has it's fair share of asylum seekers and visa-dodgers. It remains possible for Trouters to remain in Australia for up to three years before either leaving Aussie waters or paying import duty. Again, fair enough and the Immigration department were also well-aware of the problems that the Cyclone season brings. My visa extension allows me time to get to Darwin then leave this coming July for SE Asia.
My options remain what realistically they always were:
1) Sell Trouters if I can. A slight problem I'm supposed to import her first but it was indicated that that was the ideal and whilst not encouraging anything else realism rules. Australian officials seem to have no difficulty with realism.
2) Press on with the voyage in a leaky boat.
3) Lay the boat up and seek work outside Australia.
Given that she got me to Australia pressing on is an option although not an ideal one. It was made very clear that I cannot work in Australia under my present visa, I can't go fruit picking etc etc because the visa for that is age related although if I was offered a job it would be possible to apply for a work permit however it was unlikely that it would be granted.
So, does anybody know of work going in the UK or Europe, the only two places where I don't need a work permit or at least one is fairly easy to get?
Flying is unfortunately out due to a combination of age and not being current. Anything else legal considered. Anybody looking for a smuggler need not ask and medical science doesn't want the old bod (nor does anybody else seemingly) so that's out as well. The writing is showing signs of providing a useful if sporadic boost to the pension but realistically it will be two years(if ever, being really honest) before it becomes more than that.
Over to you. Any and all suggestions welcome.
My suggestion is my books are a good read
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