[holland]

Hi all,

Thought it might be nice to start a positive thread about what we all do on a daily basis to get us to NZ/help with the move/sort things out/break news to family...just general stuff...

Well, this morning I have filled in a form to get my husbands paper driving license replaced with a card ...( note to self...need to change my name on my card!)

Spoken to Car Insurance company and cancelled, and asked them to send through a letter detailing all of my no claims bonus'.

Got info of Mortgage company/Banks to telephone on Monday to get statements sent out.

Started to fill in an A5 Book that I have bought with useful contact details, like family and friends, but also shippers..hotels, etc etc etc

J xx

[Mickstim]

Guess what Jade - I cleaned the house. But you know that!

Bx

[holland]

:yes It will be worth it in the end!!

J x

[katiejay]

I'm packing the house today, for the second time this year! Hate this bit. We sold our house in January and moved into my sister's house in the next village. We've been living with my grown-up nephew in the house and with a week-long visit every fortnight from either my sister or my brother-in-law (they live in France but work in the UK). So we're really fed up with living in such a crowded place - feels like we're sharing with students! We've decided to rent a holiday home for the last 2 months we're in the UK so we can have our own space (a friend has one free, now that the tourists have gone home for the season). So we're moving again tomorrow. The plus point is that it'll make it a little bit easier to say goodbye to the family - since we're now all getting on each others' nerves!!! :roll

[LesleyS]

My car is in the 'Auto Trader' today.....can't hear the phone ringing yet!!! :no

It's been polished and waxed, and is now waiting to go to a new home (sob! it's my pride and joy) But need the dosh to take with us in three weeks time! :yes

My baby has been to the vets for the first of her tests - big bald patch on her neck where they shaved her to take blood! :roll

Oh and 3 piece suite is going in the paper next week too!
If it sells quickly we will be sitting on green plastic garden furniture in the lounge (chic) till 'D' day. :exit

[Belmont Babes]

I am with you Barb - just finished cleaning windows. Would rather be packing things into boxes

[katiejay]

Bess is moving in with her grandparents tomorrow, so I'm giving her lots of Bonio's today to spoil her and make me feel a tiny bit less guilty! At least she'll be nearby so I can visit her every day until we leave UK. She keeps looking at me with those eyes, though - I'm sure she knows.....:uhoh

[holland]

Well, I've been in loft, and had a look exactly what is is there, Im feeling a car boot coming on!!

Also, been through the mounds and mounds of paperwork we have and binned quite a lot...also binned some candles

I have got soooo many candles, I reckon we could not put any lights on for 9 weeks before we go and just light all my candles and I'd still have some left!!

Oh yes, filled in my driving license form, I just need to find the supporting documents that need to go in it.

Lesley...I sold my car a couple of weeks ago, but we still have another car, but we're going to have to keep it until the last minute as I drive around lots in my current job. Lesley....do you feel organised, I feel I'm going to forget to do really obvious things???

I dont really know what clothes to take either...obviously summer:D , but what about blow up beds and stuff in case we end up in an unfurnished rented place...am I stressing over silly thing????

J xx

[holland]

oooooooooo KatieJay,

We go very soon and still haven't decided what to do with our cat!! She is old and has had cancer already, and I just dont want to stress her out with the journey, and we could be moving around a bit when we get there as we both have no jobs...we may leave her here and send for her at a later date????

The problem is where to leave her here!! My nanna says she will have her if we are desperate...as she has her own cat...my mum has said the same as she has a cat, and the rest of the family all have dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J x

[katiejay]

J, we've decided not to take our matresses. We'll buy new ones when we arrive, so we've got something to sleep on until our container arrives with the beds!

[holland]

mmmmmmmmm that sounds sensible!!

good luck with move x

[katiejay]

You're in exactly the same position as us! My cat Basil is 14 - a beautiful ginger boy. My mum-in-law would take him for us, but they have a jack russell, so I'm not keen on the idea - Basil needs peace and quiet at his age. A dear friend of mine took my younger cat, Foxy, and she's settled in really well with her. Basil is so attached to me, I'm keeping him with me until the last minute, and he's staying at my sister's for the time being. My friend can't take Basil as well, so I'm really worried about him. He's to old to cope with the journey to NZ - he won't even leave the garden if he can help it!! I'm going to ask at the vets to see if they know of a nice quiet home he might like to move into. It's getting harder, the closer we get to November....:no

[holland]

When are you going in November???

J x

[LesleyS]

Jade it's going to be hard without a car but not unmanageable. Alan has been getting a lift to work, and has only one week left to do.
I'm not working at the mo, but you know what it's like when you have no car - right arm's been chopped off....

If we get the timing right we'll hire a car for the last couple of days/week - we need to get the dog toGolden Arrow in Shropshire the day before we fly.

You sound brilliantly organised by the way don't worry it'll all come together.

I do confess to having bitten down all my nails this week, and that's something I haven't done since I was 12!

[holland]

Thanks LesleyS

Just ordered all families Christmas present, bought them all a photo frame with room for 3 pics, ill put pics of Gray and I in the outside boxes and a special message to each of them in the centre!!!! Bargain!!

J xx

[Mickstim]

Jade - you are amazingly organised! How do you get time to do all this and be on the forum as well??

Bx

[holland]

mmmmmmmmm...I don't feel organised...I just looked at Graham and said , 'shall we buy a new ironing board in case they are expensive over there'...he thinks Im barking!!! I just keep coming out with really random statements..i've been pricing up electric blankets online this afternoon, and trying to find a post about whether or not to buy new home phones and take over...I dont suppose you know B, will they work??

May have to post thread..

J x

[holland]

PS- I pop onto forum throughout the day in between all my jobs!!!!

J x

[Mickstim]

I did read a thread somewhere about home phones and I believe they don't work there! Most things you can get there for very similar prices as here (from my research when we have been on holiday). Stuff like ordinary housewares (ironing boards etc.) I would actually expect to be cheaper.

We had decided to buy a Tempur mattress and were going to wait until we got there but then I priced them and they are much more expensive in NZ so we bought one here last week and will ship it (super king so will take up half our container!). Have you looked on Trademe? Gives you quite a good idea of prices.

And I dip in and out of the forum between jobs too, just to see what's going on!

Bx

[holland]

Thanks for tip re Trademe, good idea!!

We are buying new washing machine, fridge/freezer and microwave to take, will buy them soon, so we can use them before we go so they are no longer new!:D

I remember reading a thread on home phones, and I cant find it...I must be really naff at searching!!!

J xx

[lockstock]

We've just thrown caution to the wind and booked ourselves tickets in January (about 10 minutes ago!). If we get PR by then, great. We'll cancel the return leg. If not, we'll become full blooded tourists, join up with the rest of the Barmy Army and wave banners on the telly for the folks at home. And come home in April.

The gossips are working overtime - someone stopped us in town this morning and asked us which part of Canada we were going to!

[wiki]

mmmmmmmmm...I don't feel organised...I just looked at Graham and said , 'shall we buy a new ironing board in case they are expensive over there'...he thinks Im barking!!! I just keep coming out with really random statements..i've been pricing up electric blankets online this afternoon, and trying to find a post about whether or not to buy new home phones and take over...I dont suppose you know B, will they work??

May have to post thread..

J x

One thing to consider with electricals is that you'll need to change the plugs on them to fit NZ sockets, or run them through a British junction box with a NZ plug on the end. Not a problem for most electrical items, but since electric blankets can be a bit dodgy on the wiring front anyway, I'd be inclined myself to buy those in NZ.

[holland]

Thanks Wiki, Good advice!!

Congrats Lockstock!!!:raebanana :raebanana Have a banana!!!!

Exiting isn't it!!!

J xxx

[Jeni Elise]

Packing the necessities into six bags (four check-in, two carry-on). SO stressful - I don't know what to expect! Getting the motor-bike tuned up. Spending the last few hours with family. :eek:

[holland]

Are you taking four suitcases?? When do you go???

J xx

[Jeni Elise]

^ We leave for Los Angeles on Monday, and then fly to Auckland on Wednesday. It's really here!!

[katiejay]

Hi J, late reply to previous thread - ducked out to watch the Wales rugby game, and then nipped out to buy some more suitcases for our move tomorrow! Our flights are booked for 16th November, arriving Christchurch 18th Nov :raebanana

[holland]

yeah:raebanana :raebanana

How have your last few weeks been doing all of the planning? How are you feeling??

J x

[holland]

KatieJay..........

I dont believe it, we go on the 16th November aswell!!!!!!!!! Where are you flying from??

J x

[katiejay]

Hi J - just PM'd you. So we're all strarting out on this adventure at the same time - lets make a pact to keep each other posted on progress. Us loonatics must stick together!! :laugh

[holland]

:laugh your on!!

J x

[Jeni Elise]

I feel like I'm on a carnival ride - nervous and excited (with butterflies). Packing has been rough, since we are limited on what we can bring. Sorting through the clothes alone has been a nightmare. Other than smoothing out some paperwork here and there, we're just about ready.

I hope we can all keep in touch. I'm going to need some new friends out there! :)

[katiejay]

You're nearly there Jeni! Soon you'll have achieved your dream - and all this hassle will be a distant memory....just hold that thought!! Safe journey, and we'll look forward to hearing your news. :yes

[holland]

Jeni..

Good Luck, not long now...where are you planning on living??

Today, I have tried to rearrange flights for 2 weeks later, as hubby is panicking that the house sale is going to colapse...anyway, after a twenty minute phone call, there is only 1 seat left on all of the flights we wanted, so tough!!! We're going on the 16th!!!

Feel like i've neglected my NZ duties today!! Haven't really done much!

J xx

[Jeni Elise]

^

Good luck to you too J! I bet you weren't sad to find out that you don't have to wait longer. :p How close are you to being ready? Do you have any kids or pets to take with you?

We don't yet know where we're going to live - don't want to settle until we get an idea of what's there. We fly into Auckland, and then go from there - we are insane!

[dragonfly]

well, Rob did 4 hours overtime today ,which paid for submitting our EOI (!)
Sue

[LesleyS]

Had a 'farewell' Lunch with a couple of the rellies - went quite well, very composed no tears, just some strong hugs and good wishes...... :nice1

[holland]

oooooooo LesleyS your post made me cry!!!!!!!!- How am I going to do it????

Jeni...we don't have any children, but we do have a furry daughter, namely our cat, who is quite old, and has been poorly, so Im torn what to do, we may leave her here, get settled and send for her...when we have a base...not long now Jeni!!!!!!!! Have a fab journey...

I suppose we are as ready as we ever will be, havent handed notice in yet, still got some time, had quotes, started getting rid of things we don't need, all relatives know...just bits and bobs now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ha ha ha MASSIVE bits and bobs...Im paranoid Im going to forget something...but I just figure as long as I have my hubby and the tickets we'll be fine!!!

Sue, where abouts in ST Helens are you from?? We are massive Saints fans, hubby is originally from St Helens, when are you planning on taking the leap??

J xx

[LesleyS]

Jade you're wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too emotional..... Gonna have to get you some 'Super Size Me' boxes of kleenex for November!!! :laugh :laugh

Only joking.....let it all out girl, better out than in :yes

E HUGS xx

[holland]

ha ha ha:laugh I know

Oh my goodness...I dont know what Im going to do...

Yes I do...............:wah

Im sure NZ will be worth it!!

J x

[LesleyS]

You know it will....... :yes :yes :yes

PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) ;)

[holland]

LTP...Loosing the Plot!;)

J x

[LesleyS]

I can tell.....(Loosing?):laugh

[Mickstim]

Breathe, Jade, breathe. Lie down, light some lovely smelly candles and repeat 'I am a hollow reed' 100 times (or until you believe it) and let all the stress go.

Then panic tomorrow!

Bxx

[holland]

OK...I just remembered this thread is supposed to be positive!!

[holland]

OK, carpets in office have been taken up in office, to have some rewiring done to put some smoke alarms in, to get a completion sertificate, to take to the solicitors to sell the house to get to NZ!!!!!

Also bought 6 plugged extension leads today...bargain, on offer £1.99!!!!!!!!

J x

[BkyMonster]

Tiled the area behind the stove in the kitchen. Looks quite nice, hope it induces someone to buy!
Packing things as they become available. Trying to see if vigorous cleaning of the carpets will do or if replacement needs to go into the budget.
Working on pet shipment documentation a bit at a time. Working on getting quotes and requirements for the quarantines so I can start working on the import paperwork (shipping animals is quite stressful :uhoh )

Did I forget to mention fussing? Doing that too. :laugh

Have a few questions off at NZIS. If we can get answers on those then maybe we can get the EOI selected....then only 3-4 months to wait for something else to happen. :exit

Telling more people. The OH's grandparents seem to have accepted it.

Yard sale next weekend.

Little things every day.

[holland]

oooooo Becky sounds like you've been really busy

I need to sort out a car boot sale for all the stuff we cant take.

J x

[LesleyS]

Ok....closed an old savings account, and transferred the funds to regular bank - ready to deposit some cash in ASB holding account in London. :yes

E mailed new school for uniform list.

Made several more lists of things still to do....... :clap

[holland]

Lesley...not long now...how are you feeling??

Has all your stuff been shipped yet?

J x

[LesleyS]

3 weeks yesterday Jade!! :roll

Can't real explain how I'm feeling....It seems a little surreal actually. A mixture of extreme emotions, excitement - fear - elation - sadness - positivity - nervousness I could go on....

I don't know if it's just me, but I feel really assertive, and focused during the day, but then at night a dark cloud seems to descend, and all the worries in the world seem to appear from out of nowhere! (crazy I know) :yes

Our possessions are 'out of here' on the 5th of Oct - then I can give the apartment a good clean before handing the keys back to the landlord.

[wiki]

3 weeks for us today! - yesterday all of our boxes got shifted out so it seems a lot more "real" now.

[Belmont Babes]

Well the house hasn't sold but I have just acticated my XE trade account. Feeling quite pleased with myself

[Belmont Babes]

Well the house hasn't sold but I have just managed to set up my XE trade account. Feeling quite clever :yes

[lockstock]

OK then. Not to be outdone - I'm going to look into setting up an XE.Com account too.

Just been called into Head teacher's office to explain letter of resignation and make sure it wasn't done in a fit of pique. I assured her it wasn't. I just want to go to New Zealand.:clap

[LesleyS]

That's good though Lockstock....show's you're going to be sorely missed!!

It's early days yet, and I doubt the resignation has had time to fully sink in for you, but hey It's another step closer to fulfilling your goals. :clap

[holland]

Lesley, I know exactly how you feel...I seem to be busy 'getting on' and making the most of these last couple of months during the day, but then my mind starts ticking over at night...and I worry about all sorts of things...and missing my family which is the huge one.

We have taken house documents to solicitors today, so just a waiting game now.

Nat- I am so jealous, I must must must do the XE form...I will do it tomorrow after work!! need to get docs sorted today.

J x

[Belmont Babes]

If I was down the road would do it for you. X

[holland]

Thanks Nat...well this afternoon I have been looking up camper vans for hire, and struggling to find one that we can pick up in Auckland and drop off in Hawkes Bay!! Just trying to budget a bit and ive been reading lots of old posts about how much airnz charge for extra baggage, and if we go to the 30kg max, we'll be 20kg over $$$$$$$, so trying to work out cost of flight to hawkes bay+excess baggage+speed+potentially more nights in a hotel in Hawkes Bay until we find rental....against, cost of campervan+diesel/petrol ( havent got a clue)+ Stress on marriage with driving directions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Am I looking into things too much?????? Probably, what is everyone else doing transport wise??

J xx

[wiki]

Thanks Nat...well this afternoon I have been looking up camper vans for hire, and struggling to find one that we can pick up in Auckland and drop off in Hawkes Bay!! Just trying to budget a bit and ive been reading lots of old posts about how much airnz charge for extra baggage, and if we go to the 30kg max, we'll be 20kg over $$$$$$$, so trying to work out cost of flight to hawkes bay+excess baggage+speed+potentially more nights in a hotel in Hawkes Bay until we find rental....against, cost of campervan+diesel/petrol ( havent got a clue)+ Stress on marriage with driving directions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Am I looking into things too much?????? Probably, what is everyone else doing transport wise??

J xx

Air NZ only charge $5 per extra kilo domestic - http://www.airnz.co.nz/travelinfo/baggageinformation/excess_baggage/nz/default.htm

I don't consider myself extravagent, but $100 for an extra 20kg sounds reasonable to me. (then again, if we're over then that's the price from Auck to In'gill which is much further than to HB )

[holland]

aghhhh...thanks wiki, no, that does sound reasonable, think Ive been reading a few horror stories about AirNZ counting hand luggage into the 20kg?? Have you heard of this??

J x

[wiki]

aghhhh...thanks wiki, no, that does sound reasonable, think Ive been reading a few horror stories about AirNZ counting hand luggage into the 20kg?? Have you heard of this??

J x


They shouldn't do as you're allowed 7kg each which is about what international flights allow - i think the only way you'd go over would be to buy a lot of duty free or books on the airside... and even then, you're not likely to have that many kilos over the 7kg.

But in saying that, when I fly into NZ I tend to throw my main hand luggage into check in on internal flights and just keep a plastic bag with a drink and magazine for the flight south... I'm usually sick of carrying my larger carry-on bag after 24 hrs! I've never been charged extra for asking them to check my main carry-on

Domestic New Zealand flights
Customers may take one piece of cabin baggage with a maximum weight of 7kg (15lbs) and maximum total dimensions (length + width + height) of 115cm (45") on jet services¹ or 105cm (41") on Air New Zealand Link services².

[holland]

Thanks Wiki, much appreciated

J xx

[holland]

ok, printed off nzqa form and read through 'instructions' from DVLA for name change on license...and then spent the WHOLE day looking for my marriage certificate, which is needed for both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Found it after about 5 hours searching...literally, was stored away in a file in a cupboard safely!:D

J x

[LesleyS]

Bought a 'Universal Adaptor' for small electrical appliances.
Don't go anywhere without our GHD's the girl and I..... :laugh

[holland]

A universal adapter? Argos????

J xx

[LesleyS]

Superdrug actually....Specifically says on the packaging 'suitable for NZ'....get down there girl xx

[holland]

Damn...just got back from town!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will have to go for a trip over the weekend!

Well, being the 'monica' that I am I left hubby with a 'to do' list today whilst I was at work....it basically involved going to my parents and getting things scanned and sending off to various places...he picked me up and said my step dad was in bed ( worked nights...and he's the only one that can use the scanner as were not IT bods)...so he spent a couple of hours chatting to my mum about NZ and having a brew!

Note to self.....if you want something doing........................

J x

[holland]

Hi,

I have actually found supporting docs for driving license...written cheque/letter and posted, also completed paperwork to get ISA's transferred and letter and posted!

Bought flights socks x 2 also!!!!!!! You won't miss us on the plane, with matching flight socks!:laugh

J x

[holland]

Only taken 2 weeks to sort out....but we've eventually sent XE info off...yippee!!

[wiki]

Had the final car boot sale today and outdid our expectations. Over £200 on stuff we'd be happy to take to the charity shop/tip.

House is mostly empty now... two weeks to go!

[holland]

ooooooo Wiki:raebanana £200.00 thats fab, I must arrange a car boot sale ive got loads of stuff in the loft!

How are you feeling? Two weeks will fly by!:yes

J xx

[LesleyS]

Two weeks for us too... :uhoh, 3 piece suite in paper for a ridiculously low price - practically giving it away. :yes

Don't have the stamina for a car boot for smaller items, so stuff is bagged up ready to take to 'Tia Greyhound' charity shop to boost their much needed funds for retired and neglected doggies xx

[holland]

LesleyS, How are you feeling?

J x

[LesleyS]

Jade....not too brilliant a bit panicky! :(

The dog has tested positive for something - now has to have an intensive course of antibiotics before she travels, so this adds to the amount of pressure already mounting xx