Caroline and Dave
8th October 2007, 11:33 AM
Well we have now been here 7 months and the time has really flown by and this has been without doubt the best move we have ever made
Most of you will know that Caroline has been here for most of the 7 months while I have just returned from 3 months in the UK.
How do the 2 compare? NZ wins hands down in our opinion.I am comparing this with the part of the UK that we live and I know that there are some very lovely places in the UK and also some very bad areas.
Anywhere IMHO within Greater London has changed considerably over the years and although we are only 20 minutes from Auckland CBD it is a vast improvement.
We have bought an apartment in a fantastic community where all the neighbours get together and organise things and generally have good community living.
They had arranged a welcome home barbecue for me yesterday and this was a great success allowing me to meet residents and friends Caroline has made since she has been here.This bring a plate system they have in NZ works a treat and together a beautiful feast was put on.Yours truly provided the entertainment on my keyboard which seemed to go down well.One difference I noted in NZ(Well in this case anyway) was that we invited 35 people and 35 people turned up. Not one person cancelled or did not turn up. Back in the UK at least 10% would not turn up to any event we would organise. It seems to be something everyone you invite turns up unless they are ill etc.
And everyone seems to help each other out.This is something we are not used to in the UK.
Caroline has joined a Yoga class and a Pilates Class and we also started a Dance class on Friday.
Also on Friday I was invited to a local Old Peoples home to play for them on my keyboard. This is something I want to do voluntary over here and Friday was a great success. This is the first time I have ever entertained at an Old People's home and they were so greatful for what I did for them. They were so greatful for me playing for them and although there were one or 2 duff notes they loved every minute of it and are keen for me to return.
For me to be able to provide them with this service and to see the joy on their faces really made my day and the more people I can help in this way the better.
Now on to the house building project.
As per my other thread, we are still waiting the planning permission(4 months now)The build was supposed to start on the 1st October but has now been put back. As regards Julie Zardell's question on Lupin's excellent thread, we did not have plans officialy done for the kit home,we just submitted the plan that we liked to our solicitor and she got in touch with the council who turned it down within 2 days so it did not waste any money really.
As regards our future,we are commited here for 5 years but are very confident we will stay here forever now.We have to return to the UK to finish off our business over there but will all be here for good on May 2nd next year.If anyones new to the Albany/North Shore area please feel free to contact us as if we can help in any way we will do (Applies to people already here as well)
We love it here
Bye for now
Dave and Caroline
Most of you will know that Caroline has been here for most of the 7 months while I have just returned from 3 months in the UK.
How do the 2 compare? NZ wins hands down in our opinion.I am comparing this with the part of the UK that we live and I know that there are some very lovely places in the UK and also some very bad areas.
Anywhere IMHO within Greater London has changed considerably over the years and although we are only 20 minutes from Auckland CBD it is a vast improvement.
We have bought an apartment in a fantastic community where all the neighbours get together and organise things and generally have good community living.
They had arranged a welcome home barbecue for me yesterday and this was a great success allowing me to meet residents and friends Caroline has made since she has been here.This bring a plate system they have in NZ works a treat and together a beautiful feast was put on.Yours truly provided the entertainment on my keyboard which seemed to go down well.One difference I noted in NZ(Well in this case anyway) was that we invited 35 people and 35 people turned up. Not one person cancelled or did not turn up. Back in the UK at least 10% would not turn up to any event we would organise. It seems to be something everyone you invite turns up unless they are ill etc.
And everyone seems to help each other out.This is something we are not used to in the UK.
Caroline has joined a Yoga class and a Pilates Class and we also started a Dance class on Friday.
Also on Friday I was invited to a local Old Peoples home to play for them on my keyboard. This is something I want to do voluntary over here and Friday was a great success. This is the first time I have ever entertained at an Old People's home and they were so greatful for what I did for them. They were so greatful for me playing for them and although there were one or 2 duff notes they loved every minute of it and are keen for me to return.
For me to be able to provide them with this service and to see the joy on their faces really made my day and the more people I can help in this way the better.
Now on to the house building project.
As per my other thread, we are still waiting the planning permission(4 months now)The build was supposed to start on the 1st October but has now been put back. As regards Julie Zardell's question on Lupin's excellent thread, we did not have plans officialy done for the kit home,we just submitted the plan that we liked to our solicitor and she got in touch with the council who turned it down within 2 days so it did not waste any money really.
As regards our future,we are commited here for 5 years but are very confident we will stay here forever now.We have to return to the UK to finish off our business over there but will all be here for good on May 2nd next year.If anyones new to the Albany/North Shore area please feel free to contact us as if we can help in any way we will do (Applies to people already here as well)
We love it here
Bye for now
Dave and Caroline