[lockstock]

We've decided to take a huge gamble and book the container for the end of October - even without PR. The shipping company says we can have a month's free storage which takes us to the end of November which is nearly 4months since we submitted our ITA. If we take the optimistic view that we will actually be accepted it may all coincide. If not, we're in the mucky stuff.
We have to move out of our (now sold) house at the end of October anyway so I'd rather live out of a suitcase than pack up a whole house, move to rented and then have to move it all again. Far too much cleaning and tidying up for my liking.

We haven't got much stuff (20'container) and it's not worth a great deal to add tax on in NZ if we do the bond thing - don't quite understand it but as long as they don't send it all back I'm ok - even if we just spend 6 months there watching cricket on a visitors visa.

Now, shall I hand my resignation in for the end of term now or wait until half-term (aka the last minute)?

[LesleyS]

Lockstock.....

Way to go, nerves of steel and all that. :clap

If it was me, I would pencil in enough time to do all the things you need/want to do before leaving - don't rush it if you can afford not to - resign at your leisure. :exit

[katiejay]

You're in the same barrel as us, Lockstock (sorry - terrible pun!). Good luck with it all. Who are your removals people? I was hoping we'd be able to store our stuff for a month to give us time to get work visas when we get to NZ, and so avoid the GST on our stuff when it arrives. Will they store in the UK? I've asked PSS about this, as we're thinking of accepting their quote, but haven't heard from them yet...:exit

[lockstock]

Can't remember who. OH is in charge of all that. I'm doing the worrying, fretting stuff.

[holland]

Hi Lockstock,

Good on yer!!! What is in your contract re-notice??? I would do whatever suits you and your family, I know it sounds ruthless, and I consider myself to be loyal to employers, but rationally speaking you may never see a lot of them again, and you have to do what suits you and your family. I wont hand my notice in until the last possible date ( but within what is staed in contract), because sooo much could change in between times...

Good Luck and let us know what you decide...

j xx

[lockstock]

I'd love to throw that kind of caution to the wind but I work with children with autistic difficulties and they really need to be prepared for such a drastic change. Many of them spend most of their waking day with me. I'd take them all with me if I could.

[holland]

oooooooo Lockstock, I see what you mean now, gosh you are going to find it extremey difficult aren't you...do work know anything about NZ??

J xx

[lockstock]

I've told the Head we're looking into it but it's a small town and everyone knows everyone so once the house was sold that was it really. However, the offcial line is still that we're looking into it - which is true. It's the 'we're going regardless' bit which we're trying to avoid. It's quite amusing looking at the look on people's faces who don't know you well enough to ask you but who are dying to get the full story.

[holland]

ha ha ....I know what you mean...Im finding the work thing quite difficult as our house is now sold, and people are saying 'where are you moving too'...there are 2 friends at work that know, but noone else, and I feel like Im being a little deceitful...but there is uncertainty at the minute, so that makes me feel not as bad...but I do feel uncomfortable at work and dont really know what to do for the best!!

There was me giving you advice about handing in notice...and Im just as bad!

j x

[LesleyS]

Lockstock

The type of job you do explains your dilemma (special person) :yes
Good luck with whatever you decide, your friends are right behind you.

[Andy&Carol]

Good luck Lockstock, whatever you decide.

C x

[willowshouse]

We arrived here on visitor's visas and our container arrived 2 weeks later. The shipping company (PSS's NZ agent) said we might have to pay a bond but they submitted a photocopy of our letter from Immigration confirming our ITA and Ref number and Customs said - no bond needed. Keep your paperwork handy when you arrive and make sure the agent gives it to Customs.

Just to clarify, this is not a Tax or GST (which I'm fairly certain is only for new goods) .. it is Duty. Incidentally, even if you do have to pay duty you can claim it back when you get PR.

Good luck with the move,

Dawn

[speckythecky]

Lockstock, great move, proud of you both.

On the notice thing I would leave it until the last minute if you worked in mainstream education but with autistic children I agree with you, they need as much support as possible to come to terms with the change. It would also help them if your replacement could start asap working with you to minimize the impact, but unfortunately british schools tend not to have the resources to allow this.

Good luck with it all.

[peebles16]

Well done Lockstock hoping we'll be that brave if our ITA isn't approved as OH is supposed to start work in November and we haven't even had EOI approved yet - don't you just love the waiting game!
K

[M&J]

Good luck with what ever you decide, it's a difficult one. I always go with my heart, if you want something enough you can work the details out along the way.

We shipped our stuff without PR, came out on work visa, manged to get aproved in principle 2 days before it arrived, did the trick.

[lockstock]

Thanks for all your input. I don't know what i would have done without all the support from this forum. We have now booked the tickets for January regardless of paperwork. Job applications are in the pipeline, house is sold, container booked and temporary accommodation arranged for the last few weeks. I think I've even managed to arrange a rental over there form january at least.

:eek: And I am REALLY not enoying this anymore! It's so scary. Trouble is, everytime I think of changing my mind and backing out, there is no way back. Never mind the rollercoaster - the last time I felt like this I was in labour!!!

What have we done?????

[katiejay]

Never mind the rollercoaster - the last time I felt like this I was in labour!!!

What have we done?????

Hey, Lockstock - look what the result of all that labour was!! The harder you work (and worry) for a thing, the better the buzz when you get it. Be relieved, the labour is just a short time in your life, and then the magic begins! :yes

[holland]

Hey Lockstock...

Keep your chin up, it will all click into place...we all have these doubts, worries, stresses , its horrible isn't it, ive tried to put our flights back this morning, just by 2 weeks to give us a little more breathing space, as I think we will be lucky to complete before we go, and my hubby is having visions of all our furniture on its way to nz, whilst we're sat in house in Uk as buyers have pulled out!!!!!!!!!!!!!aghhhh

Stay Strong, it will be worth it in the end...and remember, you can always come back ( hopefully not!!).....going and 'giving it a shot' is the hardest part!!

J xxx

[Silverwing86]

Hi Lockstock,

I can well imagine your overwhelming feelings of doubt and stress at this moment as all this is by no means an easy thing. I guess in a way you could say that you've pulled away all those things that you, either conciously or unconciously, consider to be the pillars of your existence and it's more than natural to feel (at the very least !) nervous by that.

As Katiejay suggested, the greater the risk, the greater the potential satisfaction at the outcome.

For whatever it's worth, what we did was expect to feel unsettled, at least until we'd actually found our feet in NZ (i.e.; place to stay for medium/long term, having a 'home' base to work from), so that we were not surprised or dismayed by it. Don't know why, but just letting go and taking things as they came knowing it would all feel scary and unsettling somehow seemed to help.

You already seem to be so very much on top of things, have confidence in yourself, you can do this !

Try and keep :cool:, go with the flow, try to take things one day/decision at a time as much as you can and always keep in mind that it certainly won't be like this forever ! It will end eventually and on the other side there'll be a whole exciting new life and future for yourselves to create and explore !

Very best of luck and don't forget (and I know it seems impossible at the moment, but it is important !) to enjoy the ride !!

Silver

[holland]

Silver,

What a fab post

J xxx

[lockstock]

You know that feeling you get when you're feeling really not too briliiant and then someone comes up and gives you a great big hug to make you feel better...well, it's worked. But you know what else happens don't you...?:wah
Thanks everyone. Needed a good bubble.

[LesleyS]

You know what...? Tomorrow the sun will be shining and you'll feel heaps better :D , treat yourself to something nice, it usually works for me, even if it's only a bar of Galaxy or a bunch of flowers...I'd buy them for you if you were my friend! :yes

[lockstock]

OMG. I have just handed in my resignation. I feel like my head is about to explode! Need more chocolate:exit

[Andy&Carol]

WOW!!! Lockstock, way to go!

I'm proud of you - and impressed! Everything will be fine, this is the culmination (sp?) of all you've worked for for however long, you're bound to be feeling feelings you've never experienced before. Incidentally, talking about labour - is your daughter going with you?

Put you're feet up, eat chocolate, drink wine & watch Billy!

C x

[holland]

:raebanana Congrats Lockstock!!!

Huge step...hope your enjoying your chocolate!!!

J xx

[peebles16]

I resigned a couple of weeks ago (ridiculous 3 month notice period) and felt excited, worried and a bit tearful all at the same time. Now I just want to leave!!! I've got to organise getting to NZ cannae be doing with this working lark!
Well Done Lockstock - things only get better from here on in
Kx

[Silverwing86]

OMG. I have just handed in my resignation. I feel like my head is about to explode! Need more chocolate
Well done lockstock :clap:raebanana:clap, another major step towards your new life that you can cross off your list !!

Silver


(PS:Silver,

What a fab post

J xxx

(Blush) thanx for that Jade, highly appreciated !)

[bartons]

Well done Lockstock, brave move. I'm sure it'll work out in the end; minor obstacles and doubts now and again seem to be part of the process.
Good luck!
Mareike

[lockstock]

Carol yes, hopefully she'll be coming with us. She's on the MSM at the moment and just told me she qualifies in November not March. I've told her to drag it out in case it mucks up the 'dependent child' bit of the visa. Or she could get a job in NZ and we fly over on her points!!!

Thanks for all the good wishes guys - Peebles16 are you a teacher too? Stupid system isn't it. I love my job and I will miss it dreadfully. I run the show here and I can't bear the thought of anyone else looking after my kids. Too territorial that's my problem.

[LesleyS]

Hey Lockstock...take a deep breath! :yes "Today is the first day of the rest of your life"

YOUR NEW LIFE xxx :clap :clap :clap

[peebles16]

Hey LesleyS
Not not teacher but do work for education department - advisor post cos we overhauled our special needs legislation up here. Work with a lot of folks in same position as you and it must be so hard cos it's so much more than a job. Well done though and it's best all round at everyone gets a chance to adapt - you included!
Kx