[Kim39]

Hi jo,

Glad to see things are falling right for you. As Diny said, good news that your Dad can get sorted if he so wishes. Keeping fingers crossed that Ian get sorted out to. When you meet with Rimbo pass on our best wishes.
Nice to hear that Beth is starting to warm to the idea. You will be missed on Sunday,but with that said it means Diny's little spy won't be keeping tabs on Mark :laugh

Caught up with Linda & Ali last night over MSN and a webcam chat it was great to see they have settled. Here's hoping more from the NW crew get to make that same move soon.

Take care

Kim

[shagen]

Hi Jo,

Keeping our fingers crossed :hopeso for Ian and your dad!

Enjoy the holidays...

Shagen & Vera

[jesselyn]

Keeping our fingers crossed :hopeso for Ian and your dad!

from me too... :hopeso :hopeso
hi to bethany! :yes

all the best,
jes

[lindajax]

Hey Jo,
glad your loving it especially Bethany - I know she was not into the idea for a while so I'm well pleased she loves it.
Blinkin eck ---- your dad 2 interviews How bizarre but great eh!!!
Hoping your up our way soon - went to see Rimbo Good friday and had a Fab time..... Are you gonna pop in and see him?

Anyhowz Great to see your post!
Linda x

[Babette & Andy]

Hi Jo & Ian, good to read your update. Sounds like you're having a ball :nice1 Best of luck with the interviews, hope the jobs are of interest. Thinking of you lots, as said before you'll all be missed on Saturday - am worried though that we're going to miss more forumites there - some people mention Saturday and some Sunday :laugh . . . 2nd April is a Saturday guys :cheers
Speak with you when you get back, we'll have to have another girlie meet soon to catch up with all your experiences. Hugs to Rimbo (and enjoy New Plymouth) and Linda when you get upto Auckland.

Hugs
Babette

[jo b]

Well,
I am sat in New Plymouth Library and have arranged to meet Rimbo tonight.

Ian had an interview in Dannevirke and the guy said that as soon as the post is signed off , which should be between 2-4 weeks he will send him an offer. Nothing in writing so we are still searching for the jobs. We also have a first option on the purchase of 19 acres in Dannevirke to build our own house on :eek :nice1 .

He has now set off for his interview in New Plymouth so I'll let you all know what comes of that.

Suzie, I really liked Napier and Hastings, very pretty towns. They are not far from Waipakarau but a bit to far to commute as we want cummuting time to be a minimum, not like at home.
We drove through Fielding (sorry Dave and Sandra we didn't have time as we needed to get to NP for interviews). But what a lovely lovely town had a really nice feel to it.

We have brought the British weather with us as it has piddling down all weekend and last night was the worst in NP, we got stuck in a traffic jam :eek the police let us know at a road block, so we could stop at a town and get coffees etc. which I thought was a very good idea. we got to NP at 8pm when we planned to get here at 4.30pm. Thank god we weren't putting up a tent as it was monsoon conditions.

Weather has brightened a bit but still showers of rain but as long as it's warm it's not too bad.

my liver is recovering from being with our mates in Dannevirke we drank them dry on the first day there :eek . I think they must have forgotton how much we drink

well that's the Bradley update

see you all soon

Jo

[Diny]

Good to catch up Jo.

Dannevirke you say? What happened to Tauranga? Just keeping your options open. Well done Ian on the job offer (pending), will keep fingers crossed for you.

Sounds like you're still having a good time - what d'ya reckon to the campervans? The camp sites are really good eh? We did alot of the Top Ten ones a couple of years ago.

Feilding .... that's where PB was born, as for Dannevirke .... watch out for the gnomes :eek

Keep us posted buddy, speak soon.

Diny

[Suzy Rimbo]

Hi Jo and Family,

Good to hear from you all, I'm glad your all havin a fab time.

It would be cool if Ian got a job in NP we would be able to have boozy sesions with not far to walk home.

The company (if I remember rightly) that Ian wanted an interview with is supported (from an IT point of view) by the company John is workin for.

How long are you stayin in NP? hope you all like it and enjoy your stay,
give Rimbo a big hug from me and have a good night out.

See you all soon.

Suzy
X

[Kim39]

Excellent news on the job front Jo,well done to Ian. As you say if it ain't in writing keep looking, who know's he may just get something a little better in the meantime.

Glad to hear you are enjoying every moment of this trip. To make you feel better its absolutely chucking it down here.

19 acres :eek what the hell are you going to build? i am curious

Keep em coming

Kim

[jo b]

Hi all,

I am in the Tauranga library at the moment.

Suzie the NP library is just bloody brilliant for kids. Even I loved it we spent hours in there all free, very educational.

As for jobs Ian has another interview on Wednesday in Whakatane,.
Diny as for Tauranga Ian never got an interview for here as his job is so specialised hthere are only a few of that kind of job with each of the electricity companies so beggars can't be choosers. Although Tauranga is getting more and more built up so in hindsight is not really what we are looking for as we want to invest in land and rental properties and the popular area's are more expensive to do this. So as NZ grows our land will hopefully increase in value. That's the plan anyway.

Campervans a great. We are staying at Ians brothers which is a log cabin at the top of a hill. It is a very steep climb and we thought he campervans might not make it. My mum and dad have gone off on their own to tour a bit.

We are heading off the Auckland next week so Linda and Ali expect a call from us soon :nice1 .

The weather is cracking the flags and thankfully the monsoons have gone.

We had a lovely meal out with John last Wednesday. Suzie, I think you need to get over here, you wanna see the amount of wine in his pad :mrgreen: .

I'll keep you all posted soon.

Take care

Joanne

[AliJax]

Great, We've been checking the answer phone for messeges! Thought you may have forgotten us :wah :wah :wah

[shagen]

Hi Jo,

Glad things are going well for you. I hope Ian finds something he likes.

Shagen & family

[jo b]

Hi guys,

Another Bradley update for you all.

We are in Ta Puna just outside Tauranga at B-i-Laws. We went fishing yesterday we took all the kids (4 of B-i-Laws) so that 6 kids and me and Ian. I was the only one who wasn't sea sick. Ian was useless and could hardly fish and 2 of the kids threw up.
They must definately be Bradleys.

Anyways, I am sooo glad we haven't got interviews in Tauranga as this is not what we wanted it is now so built up it is like a mini Auckland. It's not how we remembered it 3 years ago. Ptopertyt prices are extortionate so we will buy some land and build our own.
Ian had an interview in Whakatane (pronounces fakatarny), I loved it there it felt like home smallish town, warm most of the year and beautiful beaches, so fingers crossed he gets that job, it sounds promising also.
We will be heading up to Auckland next week so will see Linda and Ali.
My Mum and Dada have headed off up to the Bay of Islands and will meet us in Auckland.

Only 1 week left although it does feel like we have been here ages, I think thats because we have been travelling and seeing so much of the country.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with everyone elses plans but I will endeavour to catch up with everyone when I get back home.

Best wishes to all on the forum.

Jo and Family

[Carol]

Hi Jo.


Cant believe how quickly the time has gone..... :eek
Enjoy what you have left and have a great time with the guys in Auckland.

Lots of love
Carol Kenny Scott Craig and Chloe
xxx

[Diny]

Hey Jo

Sounds like you're having a great time. It's gone so fast, only one week left.

Had to smile about the fishing trip. Haven't PB and Ian made some big plans to go out fishing on a regular basis? Hmmmm - wonder how that will work.

Whakatane is a nice place - fingers crossed for the job there. It's good that you sussed out Tauranga again before moving there, funny how places can seem totally different a couple of years down the line.

Have a great time in Auckland and say a big hello to Linda & Ali for me. Don't worry about not keeping up to date with us all .... you're on holiday for heavens sake. We'll catch up when you get back.

Have sent you a PM by the way.

See you soon. Safe journey.

Diny

[jo b]

Hi forum buddies,

we landed this morning, and I have (well Ian has), sorted the washing, and had my afternoon nap.

I can't tell you all how positive I feel about moving to NZ.
3 years ago when we came back is was a definately not yet, now I just want to be there.

Ian is still awaiting job offers but we are very positive, it may mean initially living in Auckland but we will live north shore if that is the case.

The decision on where we will live depends on the jobs obviously.

I had a very positive meeting with NZ telecom on Fri and the HR lady said they are always looking for someone with my extensive telecoms management experience. :clap :nice1 I asked her whether being located remotely would be a problems and she said no.

My plan in the long term is not to work as we want to invest our money in property etc, but I will work untill our money is working for us. Of you know what I mean.

Singapore airlines are really very good and I will defenately be flying with them again.

My mum and Dad are completely behind us on the move which is very good.

I will let you all know about the job offers when they come rolling in :nice1 (fingers crossed)

Jo

[Diny]

Welcome home Jo. Will call you in a day or so. Got sooooooooo much to tell you.

Diny

[Timbo]

Good to have you back Jo. It sounds as if you will be living the dream sooner rather than later.
Not Katikati just yet then?

[jo b]

No mate

no jobs around there although Tauranga is massive iy is like a smaller version of Auckland, but someone with your skills would make a killing there.

Jo

[Marie P]

Hi Jo ,

glad you enjoyed your trip ,have to let us know about your thoughts on Tauranga,[no rush ...whenever you get time ]

take care

see you in may.

Marie x

[kiwidebs]

Welcome back Jo. Glad you and yours had a good trip and are feeling very positive. Aren't Singapore Airlines fab - it's almost worth having less luggage allowance for the far superior service!!

Debs

[shagen]

Hi Jo,

Glad you had a fruitful trip. Hope it won't be long now before you return to NZ! :nice1

[Moorf]

How did the UK look when you arrived? Did you "see" things you hadn't noticed before? How did you feel?

We are going back to the UK to visit later this year and I'm quite nervous as to how we shall feel :?

[AliJax]

Marie P, about Tauranga - it was great like Jo says becoming more like an Auckland suburb not so much like the CBD, or Newmarket at all (couldnt see any high rise buildings).

The Mount incidently is beautiful and the beach is everything you want in a beach (will add piccy here).

The ring road into Tauranga & the Mount is under some extensive roadway program, so I'm sure they are expecting an influx of migrants.

Didnt see many hoons about so thats a big change from AKL and the cafe culture is definatly in full swing at the mount....saw about 10 surfers in the sea at 10am how queer considering it was a Sunday Morning.

[Kim39]

Welcome back Jo/Ian. Bet you can't wait to get out now....................good luck waiting for that all important offer.

Kim

[Marie P]

Thanks for the info Alijax.

cheers

Marie :nice1

[jo b]

Well

just a little teaser for you guys.

Ian has had his first (initial) offer by email today. :clap

Although it is Auckland well Albany to be exact we will not rule it out as we could live further up North Shore i.e. Orewa or Walkworth.

Marie

Tauranga is lovely but it is getting very built up with houses being buit everywhere. As Ali says the Mount is beautiful but the property has hte prices to go with it.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Take care

Jo

[Moorf]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

What a great home-coming pressie!

[Kim39]

Well home a few hours and things are starting to look good eh? Think its a case of just getting something to get you in country to start you off. Then you can look elsewhere. You know my situation Jo, and thats the route i have to take. Anyway good luck with the others.

Kim

[Suzy Rimbo]

Hey! Jo,Ian & family

Nice to here your all home safe and sound, :smile

By the sound of it you had a fab time, thing's are lookin good on the job front to :clap :clap :clap

I will PM you about lunch on day when your free, you can fill me in with more details,

Take care all

Suzy
x

[jan]

North Shore i.e. Orewa or Walkworth.


Hey Jo thats where we are heading. We could be neighbours!! :laugh

Good to see you back.

Jan xx

[jo b]

Hey Jan

we 'av 'em all talking a bit lyke us eh!!

Orewa ...................the next mini Wigan :laugh

I'll keep you posted on that one

Jo

[Babette & Andy]

Hi Jo, good to read you've all had a great time. From what you've been writing, it was so worth it for Bethany too :nice1 Did you manage to meet up with Linda, Ali & Lucy? Lots to ask, and you'll probably have lots to tell too. Let's save some till we see eachother in May, hope you can make the 4th.

Hugs
Babette

[jo b]

Another update,

Well, Ian has two job offers one in Albany and one in Dannevirke.

I didn;t really fancy Auckland it wasn't on my list, well neither was Dannevirke. But Orewa is really nice and I think I could live there.

Thing is the job offer Ian has in Dannevirke is not much less money and will give him more experience i.e. he will be a bigger fish in a small pond as to Auckland which is reverse.

The properties are miles apart on the price scale so our $ would go further in Dannevirke and we would be able to have a pony for ym daughter which is what we have always promised her. In AKL I don;t think we would be able to afford that.

So it looks like Dannevirke for now but we are thinking about buying a section building plot in Orewa as a long term investment.

The house is up for sale. I have told my employer which was a relief and all we need to do is send the passports off the NZ house for the magic stamp before Sep.

Jo

[Diny]

Jo

I bet you feel alot better now the decision has been made. OK - so Dannevirke isn't the most fantastic place in NZ ..... but let's face it, it isn't at all bad either. Like you say, it just makes sense, your dollar will go further regarding property, Ian will have a better job and Bethany can have that pony.

And don't forget..... it's PR stamps that you have. Which means forever. It's not like you only have 2 years to be in NZ and all that time is going to be spent in a place that isn't top of your list.

I reckon good on you. Also ... from abit of a selfish point of view. When we come down to visit you, I can just 'nip over the ranges' and visit the outlaws for the afternoon and then be able to escape back to (relative) sanity at your place ..... bonus :nice1

Good on you .... and well done Ian for the job offers.

See you on Saturday.

Diny

[jonSE]

Orewa ...................the next mini Wigan

I drove through Orewa on Sunday and didn't see any roads that looked remotely like Wigan lane. As a regular inhabitant of the Hoars Bed on a Friday evening about cough cough 23 years ago I have fond memories.

Funny despite we are living on an Island the depending upon where SWMBO finds a job North or South - Orewa may come ino the picture

Jon
Why do I feel vaguely nostalgic about Wigan when I am now in NZ and I haven't been to Wigan for about 10 years.

[jo b]

Hey Jon

I didn't know you were from Wigan??

Pray tell all!!!!

Jo

[lindajax]

Jo &Co
Dannervick will be fine to start with - we didn't want to come to auckland and thought we'd hate it but its great so you'll probably love it.
Orewa is lovely and like you say you can alwalys have an investment property there can't you - every way a winner!!!

Linda x

[Babette & Andy]

Wow Jo & Ian - things are moving in the right direction :nice1 Look forward to hearing all about it on Saturday - bring along some photo's of your trip.

Babette