[vixxann]

I know you Zorbsters had many busy "last" weekends arranged and much more besides I'm sure :yes

How's it going with all the plans... you getting ready to :exit

and are you decided yet on N or C?

[pinkpiggy]

I've seen an odd post or two from them but don't know what they've decided yet.

Vicki - How about you guys? Are all your plans going according to plan?

[vixxann]

Vicki - How about you guys? Are all your plans going according to plan?

well - I have many different plans in my head but until house sells we cannot make any definate decisions. :roll

Hopefully we'll sell sooner rather than later and be able to fit in a bit of a UK and Europe tour (in our newly bought old motorhome!) before we sell it and fly off to NZ life for good. ;)

How's it going with you guys?? Everything you hoped for so far?! Any luck on the job front?

[thezorbster]

Hi Vixxann,

We're still here - just a bit quieter on the forum lately.

Well decisions, decisions! I'm still very up and down about Christchurch but think that is where we will end up, based really on work for Paul. The businesses we were considering in Nelson haven't really come too much, it's like getting blood out of a stone trying to get info out of a particularly poor business agent who seems surprised we are interested in whether the businesses are profitable or not. If he was acting for me I'd sack him and appoint someone else as he is doing a very poor job of providing info.

Paul has had a few job leads from agencies in Christchurch so it's now highly probable that's where we'll end up. I'm now trying to concentrate on all the positive sides to the area, and there's no doubt there were many, without getting too down about the flatness and what I perceive to be a lack of greenery. We have been reconsidering many places over the last couple of weeks as I have been on a bit of a downer and even briefly considered Auckland which was quickly written off again but shows how desperate I've been feeling. Nelson remains my dream but we do need to pay the bills and lack of work for Paul isn't practical so, looking on the positive side - we'll retire there and paddle out our days, grey and crinkly in Abel Tasman!

So, really that's our update. We've just agreed a completion date on the house. Shippers will be in 30th July-1st August. We're having a few days at my Mum's then a few days at Paul's family and then fly out of Manchester on 10th August, with 3 nights R&R in Singapore.

Have been busy visiting places we may never see again and coping with subsequent emotions but practical things seem to be working out OK so far. Actually have a free weekend next weekend but that will be spent emptying and sorting out the rest of the loft I think.

So, will hopefully see you in a not too muddy field up North in a few weeks. Hope you get some house leads soon, we were just incredibly lucky and really feel for those who are still waiting. Everything will work out for you though - just be patient.

Take care

[speckythecky]

Hi Vixxann,

we'll retire there and paddle out our days, grey and crinkly in Abel Tasman!



That sounds like fun.

Sorry to hear of your problems re businesses and job, hope you get something sorted.
I liked Christchurch, didn't think it was that 'un green' but we went in spring so it may be different at the end of the summer.

See you in a few weeks

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Hi Vixxann,

The businesses we were considering in Nelson haven't really come too much, it's like getting blood out of a stone trying to get info out of a particularly poor business agent who seems surprised we are interested in whether the businesses are profitable or not. If he was acting for me I'd sack him and appoint someone else as he is doing a very poor job of providing info.



Yeah, we've tried a few (admittedly not too in depth) enquiries abou the odd business and the agents seem totally clueless. They seem to think all they have to do is give you the address of the place and the contact details of the vendor then it's up to you to sort it from their, whilst they sit back and rake in the commission. Nice work if you can get it !

The last week has seen a few more opportunities for me stick their head up. Even had an interview or two now :) But still no job :(

Things going much better for Paula, no job, but lots of opportunities and a couple that look really promising and actually quite good jobs so all power to the PinkPiggy - send your mental positivity in that direction please.

I'm in a mental quandry really. To get a job I would probably enjoy in IT is going to be difficult here, but not impossible, plus if I do get one it's very likely to suck me back into the working 24/7 life that I left Scotland to get away from. To secure a more 'junior' role will be difficult also as I need to persuade employers I'm actually serious, plus then it pays a lot less (obviously) and would I actually be happy doing it, dunno :confused:

I'd really like to do something completely different, especially if I'd be earning a lot less in a lower skilled IT role anyway. Whilst we're currently debt free then it has to be the ideal opportunity to try something. If it doesn't work out then as long as I recognise that early eanough then I would still be able to go back into IT, if necessary. Marcia's posts on a similar note strike a strong 'I know exactly where you're coming from' chord with me. They seem to have their priorities well sorted and found a work/life balance that fits that.

With my brain failing miserably to give me any definitive decisons I'm currently investigating all viable opportunities and hopefully one will come along that feels right whether it be in IT or not.

Ho hum, onwards and upwards. I love it in Hamilton so it's not getting me down too much, yet!

Sorry, didn't mean to waffle on about my plight, good luck with yours.

Sam

[thezorbster]

Sam, I know exactly how you feel about doing something different, we still have that feeling and it's an ideal time to start something new but as we've both discovered, the business agents seem pants! Ours seemed to think that spending $500k on a business that gave a profit of approx $30k is reasonable and was very sarcastic when I started asking questions. We're not giving up on the business idea but will have to wait until we're there now and possibly investigate things around Christchurch. Like the look of this business - very quirky - but we haven't got $1.4 mil sadly. http://www.realestate.co.nz/388853.

Good luck to you guys - mental positivity definitely winging it's way though the ether to you both and hope you're happy in whatever heads your way - whether business or IT.:)

[speckythecky]

Like the look of this business - very quirky - but we haven't got $1.4 mil sadly. http://www.realestate.co.nz/388853.



Looks like a great place, add a bit of zorbing and away you go, price tag a bit steep though as you say. Maybe we should have a forum whip round and buy it between us all.:D