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peebles16
11th February 2008, 01:13 PM
Hi All

Thought it was about time I posted but kept getting distracted catching up on all the action I've missed :D

Well we've officially arrived in the South Island and settled (ish) in Rangiora which is a fab town in nice rental for now. Eldest son now in school and enjoying it so far just need to sort out some kind of kindy for the wee one and we'll be ready to roll. Wee one is a bit sick of spending all day with Mummy so am about to run the gauntlet of toddler and playgroups this week so we'll see how that pans out.

Hubby's job seems like a good one and his work colleagues seem very nice and couldn't have been more helpful in helping us to get organised. All the furniture we have at present has been borrowed from various colleagues but can't wait till our container arrives as am already sick of sitting on green garden chairs!!

We've been to a couple of BBQs thanks to work colleagues and of course this very forum (thanks Maria) and of course showed up at the CHC meet and it was grand to put faces to names etc. Hopefully we'll be along to a few more and maybe have more time to chat instead of keeping an eye on the kids in the splash pool for most of the day! Splash pools are fantastic though and Hagley Park kids playground and splash pool was a favourite haunt when we first arrived in CHC.

So yep we are getting settled and haven't had too much trauma on the phone lines from home just yet. I do have to say I feel a bit out of sorts just cos I'm used to working and chatting to grown-ups but that'll come with time. The wee one really needs to spend some time playing with other kids too so wee bit worried about him but OMG listen to me we've only been here for just over 3 weeks:p Also I wasn't a domestic goddess before I left the UK and find myself planning my days around household chores - what's that all about?!?

One other thing that I would say is that I don't drive which is very, very stupid of me and makes things a lot more difficult in NZ as everyone drives. Also just discovered that I'll probably be on a learner permit for 6 months too which I hadn't bargained for. However, they may give me time off for good behaviour given that I had a provisional back in the UK. So for anyone thinking of coming out and not driving - do your test before you leave the UK, I certainly wish I had

Anyway off to read more posts - anyone with any hints or tips about life in Rangiora they'd be gratefully received here

Cheers
Karen

mossum
11th February 2008, 01:46 PM
hello !!

PM'me your details & I'll visit or you can visit us - we live in King st .

vic

Moorf
11th February 2008, 03:07 PM
How about another Rangiora lunch - enjoyed the last one :nice1

LesleyS
11th February 2008, 03:14 PM
Hello karen and co, glad you're ok and doing so well.
Sounding pretty chilled thus far......x

mossum
11th February 2008, 03:24 PM
but need more planning (to allow for afternoon boozing )

perhaps a pot luck luncheon at the chateau moss ???

vic

Moorf
11th February 2008, 04:11 PM
Book it Danno!!

(altho you might need to invite some others as I think Karen wanted some adult company! :laugh )

benandclare
11th February 2008, 04:14 PM
We're up for pot luck and afternoon boozing :D :D :cheers

peebles16
11th February 2008, 04:16 PM
Just let me get rid if the kids and afternoon boozing I will go - as for adult company I'll take anything going :D
I'll PM you details just now Vic and coffee sounds good too- ah you forumites what would we do without you :nice1

Karen

holland
11th February 2008, 06:36 PM
Karen...gosh that seems to have gone quick!!!!

Glad you are settling

J xx

shakyle2906
11th February 2008, 06:48 PM
Hi Karen

Hadnt realised you had made the move already - must be slipping!

Glad to hear you are settling down.

I know what its like as regards you and little one sick of each others company! Kyle was 4.5 when we moved and had been in full time school when we left Uk last April. He didnt start kindy until May so we had a month together which was great from my point of view, as had always worked full time since he was 3mths. Again, i dont drive and found that hard going so it was the Park, Mcdonalds play area, Burgerking play area and the shops we had to look forward to!

When i started full time at the Hospital end of May, he went ful time to a Learning Centre which made him much happier.

He started fulltime last July and hasnt looked back since!

Good luck for the next few weeks, it will all come together!

Sharon
xx

peebles16
11th February 2008, 07:20 PM
Thanks folks
Yep Sharon can relate to that experience, Dan said this morning "oh not the park again!" - cheeky monkey!! Think we've got kindy space sorted but not available until April. I'm just checking out childcare availablity so i can start looking for work soonish. Anybody got any experience of childminders or equivilant in NZ to share?
Cheers
Karenx

shakyle2906
11th February 2008, 07:26 PM
Thanks folks
Yep Sharon can relate to that experience, Dan said this morning "oh not the park again!" - cheeky monkey!! Think we've got kindy space sorted but not available until April. I'm just checking out childcare availablity so i can start looking for work soonish. Anybody got any experience of childminders or equivilant in NZ to share?
Cheers
Karenx


My little one went to a Learning Centre when i was full time, ABC Learning Centre but they were quite pricey if only one wage coming it - $145 a week. I would drop him off at 8am and pick up 4.30pm, meals and trips were included.

There are other companies available but had no experience, Porse and Barnardos and Kiwi Kids, prob find some info on line. Or, try and PM Jade Holland, she works for Anglican Care and may be able to point you in the right direction.

HTH

Good luck !

Sharon
xx

holland
11th February 2008, 08:12 PM
I've PM'd you xxx

stephenandjulie
11th February 2008, 08:19 PM
Hi Karen

Good to hear all is ok over in Rangiora. Hope to meet you again sometime.

Julie (you met me in McDonalds with Maria

peebles16
11th February 2008, 09:58 PM
Jade you're a star am compiling list of questions now - you can only get so much info from websites need some insider knowledge :D

Hey Julie, how are you doing? You, Stephen and the kids on the list for first Lees clan BBQ in Rangiora so hopefully you can come out and see how we are getting on yourselves! That said it took Dunc whole day to build Josh's bunk beds and both of us all day yesterday to put up the tramp - given that BBQ is in pieces in the garage maybe we should look at April for a date :)

Cheers

karenx

Mickstim
11th February 2008, 10:16 PM
Great to hear everything going so well Karen!

B x

Belmont Babes
11th February 2008, 10:29 PM
Karen thanks for the update. You sound so happy. Just what I needed to hear as I have a touch of the "cobby wobbles" :nice1

Andy-Dee
12th February 2008, 03:51 AM
Great to hear from you Karen, can't wait to join you over there.
Take Care
Dee

vixxann
12th February 2008, 05:35 AM
Nice update post Karen - great to hear what you've been up to
Good luck on sale of house also :D

wilson182
12th February 2008, 07:27 AM
AAAAAAgh I've only just caught this thread. Karen, I'm in Rangi too (although I work full time) and would love to catch up for coffee. If you want to, PM me your details and perhaps we could arrange something.

nickydwuk
12th February 2008, 11:33 AM
We hope to settle in Rangiora in September - maybe some of you could show me the sites?

wilson182
13th February 2008, 05:45 PM
We hope to settle in Rangiora in September - maybe some of you could show me the sites?

Shouldn't be a problem:cheers

Ok chaps, just an idea - how about coffee and cake at my house on Saturday afternoon or something.

mossum
13th February 2008, 11:23 PM
I'm away !!

LOl go for it I 'll catch you all up another time - but non of my baking for you lot then !!!

vic

Expat Jules
14th February 2008, 10:47 AM
Hi there,
I'm Expat Jules, I've been reading this forum for ages now, but have never posted, well I can't remember doing so. Anyway, this post really caught my eye cause my parents live in just out of Rangiora, on a lifestyle block. Have you been to the Native Thai restaurant down the high street? Its the best Thai I think I've ever had and thats including here in the UK, its even better than in Thailand!
I now live in the UK (been here 10 years), East London but we might go back one day.
Hope you like it in Rangiora, aren't the shops great with their old-fashioned fascias still and all that?

peebles16
14th February 2008, 10:58 AM
Can't do coffee on Saturday either we're off to BBQ - ggrrr!! Any other time though :)
Good tip about the Thai place might have to try a take-away this weekend

Karenx

Expat Jules
14th February 2008, 11:03 AM
Yeah, I just realised how it might sound - I don't have a relative in the business or anything! not trying to sell the place ...
Its just good, I've had phad thais there and also phad sauce tua (amazing, peanut sauce overload) ... the bom!
What I love about home is that its really horsey - have you noticed, there's horses everywhere! - definately the first thing I'd be doing if I came back home to live was get a horse ... ride it down the woodend beach, doesn't get much better than that.
My parents were saying there was a major power outage the other day, hope you weren't affected

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