0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hedydd Jamieson was desperate to make Australia her home...
0:00:05 > 0:00:07I'd live in a shed if it was here.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09..but husband Steven wasn't so keen.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12I don't want to make a wrong move and then think,
0:00:12 > 0:00:13"Oh, what have we done?"
0:00:13 > 0:00:16A trial week revealed what their life could be like...
0:00:16 > 0:00:20It's been a lot nicer having time
0:00:20 > 0:00:22to be with Mum and Dad.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25..but was it enough to make Hedydd's dream come true?
0:00:25 > 0:00:29I have got a battle on my hands. I've got a big battle.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31So, the big question is,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33where are the Jamiesons living now?
0:00:33 > 0:00:36UK or down under?
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Straddling the Pacific, Indian and Southern oceans,
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Australia's known the world over for its spectacular coastline.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Boasting more than 10,000 beaches,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13over 85% of the population live within 30 miles of the sea.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18So, it's no surprise the country remains the number one destination
0:01:18 > 0:01:21for British families seeking a new life in the sunshine.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Hedydd Jamieson had harboured dreams of living in Australia
0:01:28 > 0:01:30for well over a decade.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33She and her husband, Steven, were desperate
0:01:33 > 0:01:35to cast off the shackles of running a restaurant
0:01:35 > 0:01:39and to carve out more family time with their children.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41She believed that a life in Australia
0:01:41 > 0:01:45would restore equilibrium to their work-life balance.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49But she had just one week to convince Steven
0:01:49 > 0:01:54and eldest son Leon that a better life could await them down under.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00To reach Brisbane, the Wales-based family spend over 22 hours
0:02:00 > 0:02:03in the sky, flying from Birmingham to Australia,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05with stopovers in Dubai and Sydney.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07After that long flight,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10it was little wonder husband Steven had yet to come on board
0:02:10 > 0:02:11with Hedydd's plan.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13It's going to take quite a bit to persuade me
0:02:13 > 0:02:16to come out to Australia. I've got to be able to get a good job,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18that's my main worry.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20As they headed out into Brisbane,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Hedydd knew the next seven days would be her best chance
0:02:23 > 0:02:25at getting the life she wants.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Back in 2016, the Jamiesons lived in Cardigan in Wales.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34They were mum Hedydd, dad Steven,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38nine-year-old Leon, Eli, aged six, and three-year-old Seth.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Good evening, Jamieson Steak House.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Hedydd and Steven were joint owners of a busy restaurant,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48meaning they spent more time together than most couples.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51It's less of a marriage and it's more of a business partnership...
0:02:51 > 0:02:53All booked in for you.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54..and you are way too bossy as well.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Bye!
0:02:56 > 0:02:57I know.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00The couple first met when Hedydd began waitressing
0:03:00 > 0:03:04in a restaurant where Steven was a chef 16 years ago.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06But everything changed when, aged 21,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10she decided to swap her apron for an adventure in Australia.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Pretty much two weeks before going, that's it,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16declared his undying love for me,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19said he couldn't live without me, "Please don't go."
0:03:20 > 0:03:22The idea of going to Australia
0:03:22 > 0:03:24was kind of put on hold for a while then.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27They opened the Steak House seven years ago,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30but juggling 70-hour weeks with looking after the three children
0:03:30 > 0:03:33was proving a recipe for disaster.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36We'd miss sort of Christmas and birthdays,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and if there's any occasion on summer holidays,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42we work right through. It's quite hard going.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Hedydd was concerned about the effect their workload
0:03:44 > 0:03:47was having on her relationship with the boys.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Even if the kids have been really ill,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52I am not at home to look after them.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54It's happened before.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Eli's had asthma attacks, I've been in work.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Ambulances have had to be called and, you know, I'm not there.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Steven shared her anxiety, too.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09They've got a great baby-sitter who looks after them,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12but it's not the same as Mum and Dad
0:04:12 > 0:04:14looking after them every night.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- Am I a person?- Yes.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Oldest son Leon agreed.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I'd love to spend more time with my parents.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Desperate for change, Hedydd had whipped up a solution,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29moving the family to the country she'd dreamt of over a decade ago.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31It's got to be Australia, that's it.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34I've decided. It's just gone like that now.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36I can't see anything else.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39For me, it's changing the lifestyle
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and being a little bit more relaxed.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Hedydd had set her sights on the Gold Coast,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48but first she needed to get Steven on board.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Hedydd has planned it and she's literally written it
0:04:51 > 0:04:55on one little bit of paper. It's like, "Pack, plane, Australia,"
0:04:55 > 0:04:57whereas I'm thinking, how are we going to afford this?
0:04:57 > 0:05:01How are we going to find a house, how are we going to find a job?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03I've thought about all of the important stuff,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06but I'm trying to put a positive spin on everything.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10And Mum's enthusiasm had affected both of the younger boys.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12I am really excited to go to Australia.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15There's 'enguins there.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17'Enguins.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19There's penguins there.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23But despite craving more time with his parents,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Leon was firmly on his dad's side.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31I'd miss my grandparents. Like, 100%.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Knowing the boys were her parents' only grandchildren
0:05:37 > 0:05:40was the only thing making Hedydd question the move.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45I'm very torn. I can't decide whether I'm being really selfish
0:05:45 > 0:05:47by making this move to Australia
0:05:47 > 0:05:50or whether I am actually putting us as a family first.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- COW MOOS - Bye-bye, cows.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57However, she was determined to address their situation,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00and hoped the opportunity to show them what life in Australia was like
0:06:00 > 0:06:02would help her seal the deal.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Leon needs to see what he can get if we go there.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11And so does Steven.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13We've all got to be wanting to go,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16so, it's going to take a little bit more convincing.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25The Jamiesons stayed in Australia's Gold Coast
0:06:25 > 0:06:27in the state of Queensland.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Their base for the week was in Mermaid Beach,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32a coastal area just one hour south of Brisbane.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38But did this five-bedroom house live up to Hedydd's high expectations?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Ah!- This looks nice, doesn't it?
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- It's really cute. This is my style, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Off to a promising start
0:06:46 > 0:06:49and then the boys had spotted something they like.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50What's that?
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- What have you seen?- The beach.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- The beach?!- Yeah.- Oh, my God!
0:06:57 > 0:06:58This is the dream.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01Yeah.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Couldn't get closer if you tried.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Watching the children play
0:07:07 > 0:07:10gave Hedydd hope that Leon could be persuaded to move.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13When we'd talked about it before, he was like, "No, I don't want
0:07:13 > 0:07:15"to leave my friends and I don't want to leave my school."
0:07:15 > 0:07:18All the stuff I've been talking about,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20he needs to be able to see it for himself.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24But despite a positive start, Steven was still on the fence.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27She's got to be able to afford a lifestyle like this.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Steven, I'd live in a shed if it was here.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- On this side.- Go!- On this side.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35What if we don't agree at the end of the week?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40One of us has got to change our minds about what we're going to do.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41This is nice.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44This is nice, isn't it?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Back in the UK, the Jamiesons lived in a converted schoolhouse
0:07:53 > 0:07:55in the west Wales coastal town of Cardigan.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59What we're sitting in now is one of the old classrooms
0:07:59 > 0:08:03but then this bit on the side is the headmaster's house.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05So, there's only two bedrooms upstairs
0:08:05 > 0:08:08and then we've converted one room downstairs into our bedroom.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10They'd worked hard to make it a home
0:08:10 > 0:08:13but Hedydd knew exactly what she was looking for down under.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16I just would like a small, cutie beach house.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18I've got it all in my head.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21On the other hand, Steven was harder to please.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Four bedrooms, large living room, lots of outside space
0:08:25 > 0:08:28and, hopefully, a swimming pool.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35The family's property budget was £350,000.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38To see what their money could buy in Australia,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40we showed the Jamiesons three properties,
0:08:40 > 0:08:45two based on budget, and a third which could be their dream home.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Only after they've viewed each one did they find out its value.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51House-hunting began in Currumbin Waters,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54a southern suburb close to some of the best beaches on the Gold Coast.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57With schools and amenities nearby,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00this family-friendly area offered the Jamiesons
0:09:00 > 0:09:03the beach lifestyle Hedydd craved.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06But was this four-bedroom home to their liking?
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- It's quite cute.- Looks nice. - Check out all of that over there.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12All the trees. What do you reckon, Seth?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- Yeah.- It looks nice, does it?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16STEVEN CHUCKLES
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Let's go and check it out and see what it looks like.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22The location was a winner but what about the inside?
0:09:22 > 0:09:24I didn't really know what to expect, really.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25Yeah, I quite like it.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27And Steven?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29It's nice. It's done out nice and it looks nice.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31It's not that big, though, is it?
0:09:31 > 0:09:34But I don't like big houses, not too big.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Think of all the cleaning.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37No comment.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Perhaps the spacious kitchen helped.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41Not so small now.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44No. I didn't realise it was going to open out.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I think I could manage with this sized kitchen.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49It's not massive but it's enough.
0:09:49 > 0:09:50Where do you want to go, Seth?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55With her husband sorted, Hedydd turned her attention to Leon.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Definitely a boy's room.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Yours, is it?
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- Your room. That's good.- OK.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Are we starting to convince you, or what?
0:10:08 > 0:10:10It was an easier sell for little Seth.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11Oh, look.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13That's my toy.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15They're your toys? I don't think they're yours!
0:10:15 > 0:10:16This is my bedroom.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- This is your bedroom?- Yeah.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- The toys might have swung it for Seth.- Yeah.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22The main bedroom got a big thumbs up.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26This would be mum and dad's room.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27Walk-in wardrobe.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Do you reckon I'd get all my clothes in there, Steven?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32I don't know where you'd put yours.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34And it was a room with a view.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- What's that in the garden? - There's a view of the swimming pool,
0:10:37 > 0:10:38that's really nice.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Wow!
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Look!
0:10:43 > 0:10:44Outside, they got a better look.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46That is quite a nice pool. It's huge.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Steven was beginning to see real potential.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53It would be a nice area, cooking out here, having friends over, barbecue.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56You would be cooking me my dinner whilst I'm relaxing in the pool.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01It sounded perfect, and an outhouse gave Hedydd even more ideas.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Oh, my God! What's this?
0:11:02 > 0:11:07This could be like our little bar area by the pool.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10And added fuel to her fight for life down under.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Is it big enough for three boys now?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- It's quite big inside.- I know.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Hedydd might have had Steven on board for now,
0:11:17 > 0:11:21but the couple needed to find out if their £350,000 budget
0:11:21 > 0:11:24could buy a place like this.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Eli... Do you want to turn it over?
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Ooh, it's under my guess!
0:11:32 > 0:11:35That was £24,000 under budget.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Well, I was hoping... - The cheaper the better, isn't it?
0:11:38 > 0:11:39I was hoping it was going to be less.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41It might have been affordable,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44but Steven clearly wanted to see more for his money.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Hopefully property two could deliver what he was after.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Staying in Currumbin Waters,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52the family didn't have to go far to find out.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Did this four-bedroom home, with its own secluded grounds,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58get Steven excited about emigrating?
0:11:58 > 0:12:00This is different, isn't it?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02This is really different.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05It's like being in the jungle, isn't it?
0:12:05 > 0:12:06Hedydd sounded unsure,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09but it didn't stop them going in for a closer inspection.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Oh, my!
0:12:11 > 0:12:14It's amazing. It's more like it.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16The boys liked what they saw.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Can I go on that?- Oh! There's a slide there, yeah.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26While the younger boys played, Hedydd tested the water with Leon.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Check out this pool.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I don't know who'd have more fun on that, you or me.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34That looks cool.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Feels a bit more like a family home, doesn't it?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41From the outside, geared up for kids.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- They'd be happy. They'd be out here all the time, wouldn't they?- Yeah.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49Heading inside, Mum and Dad explored what else the house had to offer.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52It's got big windows, big doors going outside.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Nice and open.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56And the kitchen...
0:12:56 > 0:12:58I think it needs a bit of updating maybe.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00We'd change it around a little bit.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03A lick of paint and a clean up, because you know what I'm like.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Upstairs, Steven was unimpressed with the family bathroom.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11A bit of modernisation in there, I think.
0:13:11 > 0:13:12Mind you, we can't really comment.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Our bathroom at home needs a new bathroom, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Hedydd sidesteps Steven's negativity
0:13:18 > 0:13:21until she spotted an issue with the main bedroom.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Hm...- Master bedroom.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- Look at the dust!- I know.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Oh, my God!
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Maybe, maybe these people are too busy to be loving life
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- to be worrying about their house. - Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Things looked better from the balcony.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40It's definitely like a proper family home, isn't it?
0:13:40 > 0:13:43The outside area's great.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- The kids are really happy, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48The house had evoked mixed reactions
0:13:48 > 0:13:51but the couple were still keen to find out how much it cost.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- Shall I turn it over?- OK, then. - Who's going to be the winner?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Oh.- Oh!
0:13:59 > 0:14:02That was almost £20,000 over budget.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06That's a lot. That's not going to sway me to move to Australia.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Maybe the next house will be more our taste.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13With Hedydd staying upbeat,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17the family swapped coastal living for the rural suburb of Maudsland.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21With nearby schools, parks and access to major road links,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23it was a popular location
0:14:23 > 0:14:26for families seeking more bang for their buck.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Oh, this is the house, here!
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- This is all right, isn't it?- Yeah. It's a nice street.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34But did this three-bedroom property have enough scope
0:14:34 > 0:14:36to be the Jamiesons' dream home?
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Ah!
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Yeah. Nice, big entrance.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Open and airy. Feels really nice.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45Yeah.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47It was off to a good start.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Bedroom here. This is nice.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Oh, check that out.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- That's nice, isn't it? - What's behind this door?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00The best walk-in wardrobe we've seen.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04There's enough room in this walk-in wardrobe for you to play toys.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08I don't want to be stuck in this wardrobe.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Quite right, Seth.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- Do you want to go outside and have a look?- See what's out there.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Go on, then. You boys go outside.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- Mum and Dad are going to carry on looking at the house.- OK.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Do you like this living area?
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Yeah. It all kind of just flows into one and it's got nice...
0:15:23 > 0:15:27From here, all you can see is like a little water fountain
0:15:27 > 0:15:30running into the pool. It's quite relaxing.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34This house had the chilled-out vibe Hedydd was looking for.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- I love it.- Yeah.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- Check out this kitchen a bit more. - The kitchen's nice.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41And outside...
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Mmm.- That's really nice, isn't it? Look at all that!
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Nice?! Better than nice.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51This house had ticked a lot of boxes but could they afford it
0:15:51 > 0:15:54with their £350,000 budget?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Shall we have a look and see what it is?
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Seth, are you going to turn it over.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Brilliant!- Wow!
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- Beauty!- Wow, that's a shock.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- High five.- That is a shock. - Happy days.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15It was well within budget.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I was thinking it was going to be a lot more than that.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21It's because we're away from the coast, it's got to be, hasn't it?
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- How do you feel now? - Well, if we can get a house...
0:16:23 > 0:16:25You're the one who needs convincing, not me.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28If we can get a house like that for that kind of price,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30then that's going to make a difference.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33All in all, house-hunting had given the family
0:16:33 > 0:16:35plenty of food for thought.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Property one was below budget, but even with a pool,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Steven wasn't convinced it offered value for money.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44Coming in over budget,
0:16:44 > 0:16:49the grounds of property two wowed, but it bit the dust for Hedydd
0:16:49 > 0:16:51when the interior failed to impress.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Although more inland,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56the final house of the day was a hit with both Steven and Hedydd.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00And discovering it was affordable was a real bonus.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04So, how did the family vote when it came to choosing between property
0:17:04 > 0:17:06in Australia and the UK?
0:17:06 > 0:17:08We've had a fab day looking at houses today,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10all three different properties.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Based on that, we are going to vote for...
0:17:19 > 0:17:21ALL: Australia.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Yeah.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Australia.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Australia. Australia.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29You turned to Australia.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Well, the houses are a lot bigger out here and, well,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- there's swimming pools. - How come you chose Australia?
0:17:35 > 0:17:38I've been here a couple of days now.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Seen a few of the houses - all seem really nice.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43I could have lived in any of those houses.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45OK, maybe not the middle one.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53A clean sweep of votes for Australia meant Hedydd's dream
0:17:53 > 0:17:55of a new life on the other side of the world
0:17:55 > 0:17:59hadn't been washed out to sea, but that could have all changed
0:17:59 > 0:18:02if Steven couldn't be convinced he could find work down under.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Back in the UK, the couple ran a steakhouse in their hometown.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Our restaurant does take over our life.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10It's unavoidable.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Everything's got to fit around work, and that's how it goes.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Hedydd was the restaurant manager,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20while chef Steven headed up a busy kitchen, putting in long hours.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Anything from nine, ten o'clock in the morning,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and work till midnight most nights.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27In the busy times, that's seven days a week.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32Hedydd knew that securing the future she wanted was dependent on
0:18:32 > 0:18:36convincing her husband he'd be able to find work down under.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38We've got to find Steven the right job.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39If we can't find him the right job,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41I don't think he's going to be willing to go.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47While the boys were looked after by a childminder,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50the couple set about exploring work options on the Gold Coast.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Steven was fearful about the day ahead.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54I'm a bit worried about my age.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57They might be looking for younger candidates for jobs.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01We arranged for Steven to meet up with expat and manager,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Nick Owens, at a surf club in Burleigh Heads,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07around nine miles from the Gold Coast central business area.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- Hi, Steve.- Hiya. - Nice to meet you, mate. I'm Nick.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- Welcome to the Burleigh Surf Club. - Thank you.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Steven cut straight to the chase.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17What do you think, then? Obviously, my age now, because I'm 47 now.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Seriously, I'd probably favour that myself.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21Probably got a family, you know.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23You get a bit of a commitment for it.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Mate, I reckon, you're in the prime of your life, mate.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Reassured, Steven asked about shift patterns.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34It is a lot of nights and the weekends are mainly where,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36you know, the place is busy.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Doing evenings and weekends is what Steven hoped to avoid
0:19:39 > 0:19:41but he was still keen to find out
0:19:41 > 0:19:44how many hours he'd work in a typical week.
0:19:44 > 0:19:4840 hours - you get your four weeks annual leave and holiday pay
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and sick pay and all that, so it's not too bad.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56A busy night here, you're still done and dusted by, the chefs, 9.30pm.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01Even working evenings, Steven's hours would drop substantially.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Meanwhile, further on the coast,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Hedydd was meeting chef and business owner Luke Turner,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09at his deli and restaurant in Southport.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- Hi, Hedydd, how are you? - I'm Hedydd.- Pleased to meet you.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- Are you OK?- Yeah. Good to see you. Good.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Used to being her own boss,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Hedydd wanted to know what a role there would entail.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21We're looking for leaders, and we're looking for people
0:20:21 > 0:20:24that can organise a group and be organised themselves.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28It sounded good, but the deal breaker for Hedydd was her hours.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32It's normally 6-4, or you might do nine till close.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33What time do you close?
0:20:33 > 0:20:35We're open six till six.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38It was the kind of work-life balance Hedydd dreamed of.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42All she needed to know was how much she could earn.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46We'd look at an average salary for a restaurant manager around 65 to 70.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49OK. Yeah. Sounds pretty good.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53That was up to £37,000 annually and, even better news,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55there was plenty of work available.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59At the moment, it's very much a skills shortage area.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02The way that we overcome that is by looking for sponsorship.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03We have about...
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I think we have nine sponsored staff on the books
0:21:06 > 0:21:08between chefs and restaurant managers.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11People with your sort of experience don't come along every day.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Happy days.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Hedydd was delighted, but it wasn't cause for celebration just yet.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20I'm just nervous of how Steven gets on now, really.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22It doesn't matter how good a day I've had.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25If he isn't happy later on, that's it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Back at the surf club, Steven asked the all-important question.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33What kind of salary do you think I could get?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Around 65, 70 grand.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38That's the kind of figure I think I'd be expecting to pay.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41That's good. That sounds good. Yeah. That's sounds really good.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Steven would be guaranteed £37,000 per year and wouldn't face
0:21:45 > 0:21:48seasonal changes to his income as a restaurant owner.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50If you were thinking of making a move, being a chef,
0:21:50 > 0:21:55I think, you know, you're coming to the right place, you really are.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- You won't look back, mate. - Looks good, doesn't it?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02It had been a great day work-wise for the couple.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04And when they were reunited on the beach,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06they were delighted at each other's news.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08My old job was like part time.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11They were like 38, 40 hours.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Again, 65,000 to 70,000.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16- See, I told you.- Yeah.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20So, when it came to choosing between jobs at home or away,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22which way did the couple go?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26We've had our work day now, which we both enjoyed
0:22:26 > 0:22:28and we've both learned a lot of things.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30With that in mind, we're now going to vote.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Australia.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40Joke. Australia.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Oo-ooh!
0:22:56 > 0:22:59The family decided to make the most of a rare day out
0:22:59 > 0:23:03and spent some quality time at one of the Gold Coast's landmark spots,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Burleigh National Park, just four miles from their base
0:23:06 > 0:23:09in Mermaid Beach, where they explored the park
0:23:09 > 0:23:12and the beautiful Tallebudgera Creek.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13That looks cool, doesn't it?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Ah, nice.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17It had been a welcome opportunity
0:23:17 > 0:23:19to spend some time together as a family,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22but Steven also used the day to reflect on the potentially
0:23:22 > 0:23:26life-changing decision he would be faced with at the end of the week.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Hedydd seems to think, yes,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31we can move and it will just all fall into place.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I think what can go wrong.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36We are going slightly different directions with that.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Despite his earlier votes for Australia,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Hedydd knew he was wavering.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Every time I think I've got somewhere with him,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45he'll turn around and he's got something else to say
0:23:45 > 0:23:47and suddenly he doesn't seem so keen.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51I have got a battle on my hands.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52I've got a big battle.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Ready?
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Fortunately, for her, the chance to hang out as a family
0:23:57 > 0:24:00seems like it had won over Leon.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03It's been a lot nicer having time
0:24:03 > 0:24:06to be with Mum and Dad
0:24:06 > 0:24:08than them just working all the time.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I don't really get to see them much.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14It makes me feel a bit sad. But...
0:24:14 > 0:24:16So, had the day done enough to convince everyone
0:24:16 > 0:24:19of the benefits the lifestyle Australia could offer?
0:24:19 > 0:24:23We've had a lovely day today on the beach and in the National Park.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Based on that, we've decided to vote for...
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- ALL: Australia. - Australia.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Australia.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39The week so far had gone Hedydd's way, but the couple needed
0:24:39 > 0:24:41to consider the costs involved in making a move
0:24:41 > 0:24:43and whether it would be financially viable.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Let's do it then, shall we?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48I really hope this is going to work in my favour.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51To help, we had provided a breakdown of living expenses,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54starting with the weekly grocery shop.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Totting up the sums revealed
0:24:56 > 0:24:59their groceries would be just over £3 more down under.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01- It's literally the same. - Yeah.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Next, they looked at the bigger bills,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06starting with mortgage repayments
0:25:06 > 0:25:09and basing figures on the third property they viewed.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12A quick calculation of the figures revealed what they'd pay
0:25:12 > 0:25:14on monthly bills.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17It costs us to live in Australia
0:25:17 > 0:25:21£509.59 more a month.
0:25:21 > 0:25:22More a month.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25The biggest one there's the mortgage.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28You're getting something out of that, so that's fine.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Next, they looked at income and discovered they'd bring home
0:25:32 > 0:25:35almost £1,700 more each month.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37- Less hours and you're making more money.- Making more money.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41So, it's a win-win really.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- That's good.- If we know we're secure financially,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48that's something we never have to worry about any more.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Well, it's a big thing to actually come out to Australia,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52so I'm still worried about that a little bit.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55First priority, keep your wife happy,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57and everything else will fall into place.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Yeah, can we start something a bit easier, then?
0:26:00 > 0:26:02It had been a great result for Hedydd,
0:26:02 > 0:26:03but when it came to the vote,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07had it been enough to keep her and Steven on the same page?
0:26:07 > 0:26:10We've looked at all the costs and figures of moving out to Australia
0:26:10 > 0:26:14and, with that in mind, we've now decided to vote for...
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- Australia.- Australia.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Whoo! A clean run so far.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Yeah. It was a bit of a shock for me to see some of those figures.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- Were you that shocked, were you? - I was really shocked.
0:26:28 > 0:26:29- Oh.- Yeah.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Confident that they'd thrive financially in Australia,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Hedydd was now one step closer
0:26:37 > 0:26:40to the life she'd dreamt of for her family.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42But, for husband Steven to go the distance,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46the emotional cost of a move had to be considered.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49The whole family sat down to watch messages from loved ones.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- OK?- Boys, are you going to watch the friends and family videos now?
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- Shall we watch it?- Yeah.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- Hi.- Hi, Hedydd.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Hi, Steven. Hi, boys.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Hi, guys.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Hedydd and Steven and the boys.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05We're hoping you're enjoying... Sorry.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Oh, she's started already.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Hedydd's always up to something.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Always has to be, sort of, shall we say, centre of attention?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19The boys are just lovely.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24Leon in particular is very caring and looks after Eli and Seth.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29I think, because he thinks he's responsible when Mum's not there.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32So, he's very good.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35I don't think Mum and Dad would cope if they moved away.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Initially, I'd probably have to be here cos I think she'd be,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41particularly Mam, would be inconsolable.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Because we do see them every weekend,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47whilst you can Skype and FaceTime and all this,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50it's not the same as having a cuddle,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52and a kiss, and having them sit in your lap and read to them.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Um...
0:27:54 > 0:27:56And seeing them just grow up.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59I think it would be difficult if they went.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- I can't even think about saying goodbye to them.- No.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09Don't...
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Yeah. No, it would be too hard.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15They'll have an amazing life out there.
0:28:15 > 0:28:21Well, if I've learned one thing, it's you've got one life,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24so just grasp it whilst you can.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Just go for it. Go for it.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30We'll miss you loads, but it will be great.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32It's an amazing opportunity.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36We know you'll come up with the right decision and, um,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38we'll see you when you come back.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44You know, my mum and dad there, obviously don't want us to go.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46It wouldn't change my mind though.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50I can't really just stay home just for them.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54You know, I feel selfish in a way, but at the same time,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56I'm thinking about what's best for us.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02- Like you say, we just have to work out what's more important in the end, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14The trial week with her family in Australia had surpassed
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Hedydd's expectations.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Australia's been everything I dreamed of and hoped of
0:29:19 > 0:29:21and a little bit more.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25And she wasn't the only one who had enjoyed it.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30Even Leon, who's been dead set against it, has loved all of it.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Spending time with Mum and Dad was really nice.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36Having nice work there for once.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41The more every day goes on,
0:29:41 > 0:29:44there's more and more pluses for coming out here.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48Just seeing the kids happy and being able to do things outside.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52But, for all his positivity, Steven found it hard to come to a decision.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56I don't want to make a wrong move and then think,
0:29:56 > 0:29:58"Oh, what have we done?"
0:29:58 > 0:30:01And the distance from home was on everyone's mind.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05I suppose I have to decide what's more important to our children,
0:30:05 > 0:30:06whether it's...
0:30:07 > 0:30:11..me and Steven having a better work-life balance,
0:30:11 > 0:30:12or my family are nearby.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15It's the only thing holding me back.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18This is the biggest thing we've ever had to decide as a family.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22One question loomed large.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27Would the family decide their destiny lay at home or away?
0:30:27 > 0:30:30We had a lovely week in Australia and we are going to vote for...
0:30:37 > 0:30:40- Australia.- Australia.- UK.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43You're such a copycat, Eli.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45I thought you loved it.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47I chose UK because I'll miss friends and family.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- I changed my mind. - You changed your mind.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Yeah.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55You've chosen Australia now.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Yeah.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- Good boy.- Yeah. Australia then it is.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01Well, I had to choose it.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Now we've actually been here and seen what there is here...
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Good job.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11By the end of the week,
0:31:11 > 0:31:15nearly the entire family seemed to be won over
0:31:15 > 0:31:18by the possibility of a life down under.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20So, 12 months later,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23it's time to find out if the Jamiesons are living
0:31:23 > 0:31:27at home or abroad.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32It's April 2017, and the Jamiesons are living...
0:31:32 > 0:31:34in Wollongong, New South Wales.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Our trial week in the Gold Coast was amazing.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39I loved it.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43I was almost crying at the airport when we had to go home.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45So, when we went back to Wales,
0:31:45 > 0:31:47all I remember is driving back in the car.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52It was hammering it down with rain, it was grey, it was gloomy,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54it was freezing cold, and I thought, urgh!
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Although the family had been won over to the idea of life in Australia,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01the difficulties of running their own restaurant
0:32:01 > 0:32:04immediately took the Jamiesons' focus and attention.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08It was literally a case of reopening our restaurant straightaway.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10It was like that took over
0:32:10 > 0:32:14and we kind of got snowed under with work very quickly.
0:32:14 > 0:32:15And almost...
0:32:15 > 0:32:18it was temporarily forgotten about.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21What it is, is like if you go on any normal holiday,
0:32:21 > 0:32:25you go and have your two-week break and you think, wow, this is amazing,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28sunshine, and, um...
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I think we kind of did that.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Once we got back to the UK, we kind of thought, yeah,
0:32:32 > 0:32:34we had a nice holiday, we had a nice trip,
0:32:34 > 0:32:38and let's just get back on with our normal life now.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Probably two months later,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43after we'd been back working and everything,
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Steven sort of turns around and goes,
0:32:45 > 0:32:49"What's happening with this Australia thing then? I thought you were sorting it out."
0:32:49 > 0:32:52I was like, "Well, we hadn't even discussed it. We've been working.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54"I didn't think you wanted to go."
0:32:54 > 0:32:56And he was like, "Yeah, I want to go."
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I think, once we'd done our trial over here,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01it sort of made us think,
0:33:01 > 0:33:06when we got back to the UK that we really need to get the ball rolling
0:33:06 > 0:33:09and...and do it.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- So...- Yeah, but you forgot to tell me.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Hedydd didn't need to be told twice though and quickly threw herself
0:33:17 > 0:33:20headfirst into the visa application process.
0:33:20 > 0:33:25So I had a look into it and realised that probably the best way forward
0:33:25 > 0:33:27was to get a sponsorship visa.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30And then I made friends with a lady online
0:33:30 > 0:33:32who was already living out in Melbourne.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35And her and her husband were in hospitality and she said,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37"You need to use this recruitment agency.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40"This is what they specialise in."
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Gave me their number, rang them up, and literally,
0:33:43 > 0:33:46probably within a month of being in touch with this recruitment agency,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48we were getting interviews.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52Job-hunting itself nearly became a 24-hour-a-day occupation.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54We were trying to...
0:33:54 > 0:33:56We had interviews at one o'clock in the morning
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and we'd be in the restaurant and we were saying to customers,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01"Come on, guys, you've got to go.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03"We've got to go home. We've got interviews to do."
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Do you remember like trying to pack everyone out of the restaurant
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- so we could get home in time for interviews?- Yeah.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11We were just walking through the door as the Skype was ringing.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15There was months of, like, being up till 4am, wasn't there?
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Thankfully, we got offered jobs pretty quickly,
0:34:18 > 0:34:25which meant that our visa would be accepted a lot quicker.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29So, when it did start to happen, it started to happen quite quickly
0:34:29 > 0:34:33but at the same time, felt like it was dragging out at the same time
0:34:33 > 0:34:36because we were slow making our decision on jobs
0:34:36 > 0:34:40and then, obviously, yeah, a lot of people wanted to come then.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Saying goodbye to Wales meant not just saying goodbye
0:34:43 > 0:34:46to friends and family, it meant closing a business
0:34:46 > 0:34:48the two had spent years building up.
0:34:48 > 0:34:54Closing down our restaurant after, sort of, over 20 years
0:34:54 > 0:34:58of running that kind of business was...I found it quite hard.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00It was sad for me.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Erm...
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Hedydd, on the other hand, just sort of walked out, you know,
0:35:05 > 0:35:09smiling, and jumping for joy, saying, "That's the end of that."
0:35:09 > 0:35:13From the time we actually got back from Australia till the time
0:35:13 > 0:35:17we left and moved permanently, that time was seven months.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22Probably the first five months felt like ages.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Everything felt like it was taking for ever.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Honestly felt like we might not even get there at all.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30But, the last two months,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33we just felt like we were running out of time because we were actually
0:35:33 > 0:35:36getting ready to go then. Once the approval came through,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38it was like, we have got to get ready to go.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42With their business sold and an offer accepted on their house,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44the family set off on New Year's Eve
0:35:44 > 0:35:47for the epic journey to start their new life.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49But things got off to a rocky start.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Before we pull into the airport,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56I had a little notification on my phone to say that the plane
0:35:56 > 0:35:59was delayed by sort of four hours.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01I was so annoyed.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04I thought, "Oh, we could have slept for a bit longer."
0:36:04 > 0:36:08We get there to discover that actually what we've got ahead of us
0:36:08 > 0:36:12is an 11-hour delay and we'd be stuck in Gatwick for that long,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15and then we're told we're going to get a 17-hour delay
0:36:15 > 0:36:16once we get to Dubai.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19And I thought, "That's it. This is an omen."
0:36:19 > 0:36:23Something, somewhere telling us we're not supposed to leave.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25And I was like, "What are we going to do?"
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Arriving in Australia two days behind schedule,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31the exhausted family took their first steps in their new life
0:36:31 > 0:36:33on the other side of the world.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37The first two weeks in Australia were a bit of a whirlwind really.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41I was sort of jumping up and down once we got to Sydney Airport,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43going, "Yeah, we're here!" so excited.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47But then, actually, from there on, we had a lot of stuff to organise.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Sort of trying to kit out our house, trying to buy cars.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53There was a lot of stuff but I'd prepared myself for that.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56I knew there was going to be a lot of stuff to organise.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59But there was one crucial detail that had been overlooked.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Getting the kids into school, how was it, Steven?
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- It was quite tricky. - It was a nightmare.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09On our 457 visa, which is like the temporary work visa,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11when you come to New South Wales,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14you actually get charged for the schooling fees.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18So, originally, if we'd have gone to Queensland, it would have been free,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21but most states charge for schooling,
0:37:21 > 0:37:23and New South Wales is one of the most expensive.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27School fees were a massive bill that had not been factored in.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31I would have paid 10,000 for this year
0:37:31 > 0:37:33and 15,000 for next year.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36I quickly realised I couldn't send them to a government school.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38I was getting to the point where I thought,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40"I am not going to get these kids into a school."
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Then it was like, we need to try and get them into private school
0:37:43 > 0:37:45and actually that wasn't that easy either.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48And then, when you get into another one, we had several interviews.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50They'd have school reports.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53I had to translate all the school reports
0:37:53 > 0:37:56from Welsh to English for them, so that they could see, you know,
0:37:56 > 0:37:57what kind of kids they were.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00So, they're now in a Catholic private school.
0:38:01 > 0:38:02With the school now sorted,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Mum and Dad were concerned about eldest boy Leon,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08who had always harboured doubts about the move.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12I think the first few weeks we were trying to make sure that the boys
0:38:12 > 0:38:15would settle in as quickly as possible.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Obviously, Leon was the one we were worried about
0:38:19 > 0:38:23because he wasn't 100% sure about coming to Australia.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27But I think he kind of settled in really quick and,
0:38:27 > 0:38:31once he saw where we were going to be living, and the area,
0:38:31 > 0:38:33and once he sort of, erm,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36went around and went to the beaches
0:38:36 > 0:38:38and did some swimming and everything,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41I think he kind of switched straightaway.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43He has probably been the one out of all the boys
0:38:43 > 0:38:45that has settled in the quickest.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Before I started my new school here in Australia,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51I was quite scared and worried.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55But then, once we started going in the car, then I was OK.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Then, when we arrived, I was scared again
0:38:57 > 0:38:59because there were so many kids.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Then I started to talk to them and then I was fine.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Having only been in the country a few short months,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07the Jamiesons are still renting.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09We got real lucky with the house.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Our relocation agent did a really good job.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13It is in a lovely area, it's safe.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14It's a big house.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17It's got a better layout than the house we had before.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20It's not my dream house.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22We can't have it all straightaway, can we?
0:39:22 > 0:39:26My dream house would have a bigger garden and maybe a pool,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29maybe air conditioning for, like, the summer.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33The main thing I like about this house is my lovely, big, large,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36walk-in wardrobe and my fabulous en suite
0:39:36 > 0:39:39that I felt like I've been deserving of for quite a while,
0:39:39 > 0:39:43having to share a bathroom with three boys, or four boys.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45With the house and boys settled,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49it turns out Steven is finding it a bit tricky adjusting to life
0:39:49 > 0:39:51where he is no longer his own boss.
0:39:51 > 0:39:56Steven, I think, is taking longer to settle into his job.
0:39:56 > 0:40:01It's just taking him time because he really is used to being the boss
0:40:01 > 0:40:04and has been his own boss for so many years.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06It's just taking him a little bit longer.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09I was still a bit anxious about it because, obviously,
0:40:09 > 0:40:14I haven't worked for anybody else for donkeys' years, so it's like,
0:40:14 > 0:40:18you know, knowing that I was going to have to turn up and, you know,
0:40:18 > 0:40:22work for somebody else was a bit nerve-racking.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23We actually get days off from work.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25We get, sort of...
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Last week we had three days off in a row.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30It's like you can plan things, you can do things.
0:40:30 > 0:40:36And there's no stresses or worry about running your own business
0:40:36 > 0:40:38that you've got to worry about anything.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42It's sort of, finish work, jump in the car, go home, and switch off,
0:40:42 > 0:40:45and have your days off and enjoy yourself.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49So, when we were back in Wales, we were sort of working
0:40:49 > 0:40:5170, 80 hours a week, just constant.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54There was never any end to it. It was just constant.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Now we've got normal jobs.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I work 38 hours a week.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04It's almost like a part-time job for me now.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08So, one year on, are the couple happy with their decision?
0:41:08 > 0:41:11I don't THINK I've made the right decision to move,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14I KNOW I've made the right decision to move.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15The difference is huge.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17The difference...
0:41:17 > 0:41:22..in the feeling within the family, is so completely different.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25I mean, Steven and I aren't stressing any more about work
0:41:25 > 0:41:29or discussing work every single moment that we have that's spare.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Everything feels completely different.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34It's like we can switch off, we can go out for the day.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37We haven't got to worry about anything.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Everything just feels so much better.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Hedydd has settled in straightaway.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45I think day one, she was like, "I'm here, I'm home, that's it."
0:41:45 > 0:41:47The boys, you know,
0:41:47 > 0:41:51they settled in really quick but I'm trying to sort of
0:41:51 > 0:41:53unwind still really.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56It's just taken me such a long time, to sort of,
0:41:56 > 0:42:00from going from such a stressful life to being able to sit down
0:42:00 > 0:42:03and relax and switch off has just taken me a bit longer
0:42:03 > 0:42:05but I'm getting there, I'm getting there.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11I still actually can't believe that we're here.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14I still actually can't believe that we left that little,
0:42:14 > 0:42:19tiny town in west Wales and had the courage to actually make the move
0:42:19 > 0:42:21and just do it.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25I'm, like, proud of ourselves for actually having the courage
0:42:25 > 0:42:27to just go for it and follow our dream.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Actually I'm quite proud of Steven, actually, for going along with it
0:42:31 > 0:42:33and not being too scared to back down
0:42:33 > 0:42:37because, I mean, where we are now, it is absolutely gorgeous.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41I think we have made the right move to do this.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46There was a lot of hard work in getting us all to agree
0:42:46 > 0:42:50on coming to Australia and it's taken a lot of money
0:42:50 > 0:42:53to get over here, but I think it's settling down
0:42:53 > 0:42:56and everything is all working out OK now.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58We're both enjoying it.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00The kids are loving it.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03So I think we have made the right choice.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Hedydd Jamieson had always felt
0:43:06 > 0:43:09like her family's destiny lay in Australia.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Having been there a few short months,
0:43:12 > 0:43:15their biggest challenge appears to be
0:43:15 > 0:43:19adjusting to the more balanced work-life priorities down under.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Having too much free time on their hands,
0:43:22 > 0:43:25surrounded by beautiful beaches and gorgeous rainforests
0:43:25 > 0:43:29sounds like a problem most of us can only dream of.