[StevieD]

Hi all, well we been here nearly a week. Finding our feet nicely now, and the break in Singapore really helped with the tiredness. That isn't to say we haven't been tired, but that is probably down to the fresh air. It is amazing how much cleaner the air is, and noticeably brighter too.

It is amazing the differences in areas. We haven't really travelled much, but what we have seen reminds us of Wales/Cumbria/Jurassic Park all rolled in to one big panoramic picture. Raglan was pretty, clean, and everything we expected. Going over to Tauranga area this week for a bit of the beach life.

One thing that fascinates me about the landscape is the way it looks as if it has been crushed up like a piece of paper by a huge pair of hands. Not long rolling hills but stunted versions. Just love it. As Jan is saying on the webcam now, it is so strange but so familiar.

Looking for work with a vengeance. Jan has found a job that she used to do in UK and is going for it, and I got a few irons in the fire that are looking good.

The towns remind me of small town America. The cafe culture is evident and the little shops dotted along the high street add a certain charm. Some places look a little scruffy, others not, it is a real mix. If you look for foodstuffs you can generally find it. With the family being veggies, we haven't really struggled in that the fish is plentiful, and even the processed stuff is available if you look.

Kids are well looked after here from what we have seen. The schools aren't fenced in, and the play equipment is fantastic. Kids can use the school playgrounds after hours if they want, but there are skate parks everywhere for the kids to run their excess energy off. Obviously we have only been here for a short time, but we are enjoying it a lot. We have met a real mix of people which is good, but suffice to say, there is a huge expat community here who are more than willing to mix, but the slightly reserved Kiwi's take a bit more because it seems they don't mix too much socially. They will chat to you for ages, and I was taken prisoner by one old lady in an outdoor shop the other day, we chewed the cud for a half hour, fantastic, gave me loads of info.

Right, I off to get a few grapefruit off the tree in the garden for my breakfast glass of juice. Will post more as my experiences grow.

TTFN

Steve and gang

[Tia Maria]

Stevie D wrote:

The towns remind me of small town America.

So true!!! In some ways the lanscape seemed very similar to the UK, but the sheer size of New Zealand gave it the feel of Middle America.

Stevie D wrote:

Right, I off to get a few grapefruit off the tree in the garden for my breakfast glass of juice.

Well I'm off to pick an avocado from the garden for lunch! :p

Cheers

Tia

[Belmont Babes]

Thanx Steve..really appreciate the update. Keep them coming :clap

[katandbob]

Looking for work with a vengeance. Jan has found a job that she used to do in UK and is going for it, and I got a few irons in the fire that are looking good.



Right, I off to get a few grapefruit off the tree in the garden for my breakfast glass of juice. Will post more as my experiences grow.

TTFN

Steve and gang

Hi steve, nice to see your having a good time, but the info was a bit vague to the area your in??? - or is that deliberate???;)


I am guessing Jan's found a lot of scrapbooking/craft shops??? am I right - tell her I wish I had time to do stuff like that - but i am too busy being a LSB owner....If we sold the place - moved into town I'd have loads of free time to do them things!

Oh and Glad theres an expat community - your right about the kiwis being more reserved - Yes they will talk your head off in a shop....but they are those that are friendly - we met a couple the other day who have invited us to tea.

BUT - I found some expats myself:clap they are in Edendale (Wiki - she had a lovely house)
she is welsh and her friend from Wyndham was from Dorset - they have been here 7 & 10 years respectively - they threw a BBQ for us, lovely covered sheltered deck - got home around 1.30am last night. We have been invited to an Expat Dinner - around 20 going to it we have to go in fancy dress though:uhoh
Theme is the country of your birth - ie irish scottish Welsh etc............I suppose I could go as a pilgrim - the pilgrim fathers left from Immingham!

.....Any Ideas Steve???? (rob says he could go as a skin head, jas said he'd go as a Chav!)

Well - your picking fruit------SWAP - Got to go POO PICK again....Oh the downside of owning Horses!...I'll have to invent a horse nappy!:laugh

Have fun at the beach - take some pics....

Kat

[Kim39]

Right, I off to get a few grapefruit off the tree in the garden for my breakfast glass of juice. Will post more as my experiences grow.



Steve and gang


Have we got any left mate:laugh Better warn the neighbours if they see a guy in their gardens nicking fruit its only a friendly scouser:laugh

Kim

[StevieD]

Nicking fruit! LOL

Hi guys, yes it is certainly a new experience, one which I am relishing. We are staying with Kim at the mo in the (not so) sunny Waikato. Just waiting for our money to get sorted and we will have a vehicle to do our touring. It is fascinating, and one which I will keep going on this thread.

Going for a cuppa now, but just been invited on a fishing trip by the neighbour. He also got a mate who owns a company that just may do for a job. Amazing this place, it really is.

Steve

[marcia]

Glad to hear you are settling in Stevie, by the sounds of it you have decided to settle in the Waikito area?? Well hope fully we will see you down here soon, perhaps we will have to have a mid winter meet somewhere so we can all get together again!

Take care, and big hugs to you all!

XX

[Cardy]

welcome to NZ steve and family has Kim signed you up for the football team yet? The fruit in the gardens good isnt it . we have a fejoa tree ,cherrys ,lemons and avocados that we know of so far. Look forward to seeing you out and about with kim and the family soon.
(i,ve got some boddingtons in the garage but it wasnt growing in the garden unfortunately. will keep a cold one for you and kim)

cardy

[Moorf]

Really enjoying reading your progress and experiences Stevie! :nice1

[StevieD]

Thanks guys, certainly looking forward to the touring bit. A job has come up that has my name written on it - exactly the same job as I did in the UK a few years ago. Trouble is it is Auckland - don't want/can't afford to live there anyway, so will have to see what happens. Can't say the Waikato would be a bad place to live either, it is certainly central for a lot of places.

Got my eye on a decent little motor, that will solve the camping / touring problem in one go.

Well, it is Mother's Day in the UK so going to phone my mum later, tell her all our experiences so far. Off to visit someone who we know in a minute, so bye for now.

[zardell]

Going for a cuppa now, but just been invited on a fishing trip by the neighbour. He also got a mate who owns a company that just may do for a job. Amazing this place, it really is.

Steve



You're right Bud, it certainly is an amazing place.

Glad you and yours are doing well.

Julie

xx

[Sam B]

Hi Stevie

I know just what you mean about small town America - people say Cambridge is v english, but it really makes me think of 1950s America with the planning and the way the roads are wide and what the shops are like. I haven't been over to TA yet, but it sounds v similar, there are lots of cafes here too.

Hope all goes well with the job hunting.

Sam

[StevieD]

Thanks Sam and Julie - just looking at the images of the lahar breaking on the news, fantastic!!

Playboy 1 out.... :laugh

[Andy-Dee]

:clap So pleased its going so well Steve and Jan - all the stress all the frustration, ....I guess all so worth it.

[Lupin]

Glad you finally made it Steve and family :)

My daughter says the hills look like scrunched up tissue paper!

[StevieD]

That is what we say!! It is amazing the scenery. Went to Auckland for an "interview" today, not sure what is happening but they are very helpful and laid back. Got a few things to provide them with and they going to let me know over the next few weeks.

Did the obligitory trip up the skytower - fantastic! It certainly makes your insides go a bit jittery. The weather was cloudy but very warm - it hit 25 degrees. Tomorrow is forecast for 26 and this is autumn!! Bring it on.
So, as per usual, I'll put a few piccies in.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF8599.jpg

Kieran showing a brave face

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF8607.jpg

Jan and a not too certain Louisa

[StevieD]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF8636.jpg

Kieran enjoying the harbour bridge

Last but not least, soft lad himself! That is not fear causing the sweat on my brow but the humid temperatures - honest! :laugh And the sunburn on my pate from the BOP visit the other day.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF8601.jpg

[jubjub]

How did you get back down??? The easy way or the daredevil method???

Glad you enjoyed it, I like it up there..

Fingers crossed for job news,

[StevieD]

Hiya Sal, no daredevil method for me!!! Shot down in the lift to race across Auckland looking for the offices where the interview took place. Not too far from the tower thankfully, but the Auck traffic! YUK.

Did record one guy doing the jump though. Funny the way they leave them dangling outside the observation deck then drop them like a stone. Not sure if it is for me..... gulp

[pinkpiggy]

You sound like you're having a ball Steve. Sam was okay with the observation deck itself, but was absolutely petrified of the glass bottomed lift with the glass panels in the door. He is really scared of heights. :exit

[LesleyS]

Stevie wow those pictures were amazing, couldnt help noticing your little boy's T shirt too...:)

Keep us posted on your trip it's a great boost to morale:yes :nice1

regards
LesleyS

[speckythecky]

More amazing photos, good to see the camera has been juiced again.

Keep us posted on the job situation, all I ever hear is how laid back the interviews / little chats are, I can't wait, I get so nervous at interview in this country.

[StevieD]

Interviews are cool John, really laid back.

[marcia]

More great photos again Stevie - tell Lou not to worry - Ayrton hated the glass floor too - he went beserk with me when I was jumping up and down on it!!!:nice1

[StevieD]

Yup, it is a bit scary, especially when you see the drop, but the glass is very strong, it would have to be to support all those people jumping up and down on it!

[sizzlingbadger]

Great to hear you're still enjoying things here in NZ.

Fingers crossed for the interview, sounds pretty positive there :nice1