Den
20th April 2008, 11:29 AM
Hi everyone its Den! from Somerset UK. :raebanana Now in NZ. Long story - I have had to re-join as I lost my password and because I joined when I was at work in the uk and used my work's email address I could not access my password. Any way for those members that want an update you can read my posts under "Den" they were all done in the uk.
So here I am (Den1) in New Zealand and heres what happened since my last post.
We vacated our rental property the week before we flew out. We had a party the thursday night which was just great and then we had an emotional goodbye when we left on Easter Sunday at Taunton bus station.
I must have cried all the way to Heathrow god knows what the other folk on the bus thought. Our flight on Virgin was great even Richard Branson was on board. We had 2 good days in Hong Kong sightseeing etc and then we left on the Wed at 4pm from the hotel to go to the airport and checked in with Air NZ ready for our flight to NZ at 7pm.
We boarded the plane and then were told there was a problem with engine 4 to cut a long story short there was going to be a big delay, so we were offered the Cathy Pacific flight that eve - but random seats in ecconomy and no luggage as no time to off load. So there was no way we were going any where without luggage, needless to say we were put up in a hotel over night and we had a eve meal and lovely breakfast the next morning (all on Air NZ).we met a lot of nice people too, its great how we all just gelled. We were back at the airport at 8am and eventually took off at 11 am. Now 50 people had taken the flight with CP so we were then up graded to business from premium - wow was it good! leather seats that reclined with large foot stools. the whole thing converted to a sky cot for sleeping! Alas I was still unable to sleep. So in 3 days I reckon I had about 4-6 hrs kip.
We arrived in Auckland at 2.30am on priority landing, dropping from 40,000 ft in no time due to a medical emergency on board. So it's been quite an experiance. We managed to get a shower at the airport which helped to freshen us up as being a day late we lost our night in the hotel in Auckland which we can claim back from Air NZ. Having also lost our transfer, Air NZ paid for a taxi to the station at 6am and we caught the 7.30 overlander train which was an experiance in itself.
So a lot has happened in three weeks! we have moved in to a rental property which is just out side a village, it has a pony paddock and out standing views from every window. We hope to build a new house on my husbands family farm eventually but I must say are very comfy for now.
We bought a car, computer and after another 4 hr round trip to Taupo for bits and pieces are somewhere near sorted till our container arrives. LOL we heard from the "Moving Company" but I am not getting too excited yet as reading on this forum has high lighted before the ups and downs of this company. Needless to say i will keep you updated - however the container was due to dock at Wellington yesterday. I will check on the track and trace later (thanks to this forum) but I guess by the time it's offloaded and maff do their inspections, not forgetting customs and then the MC getting a date sorted it will be mid may before we see our stuff. TBC
We bought the white goods we needed (including a dishwasher) and I now have a top loader auto washing machine which is beaut! We have bought a TV and are waiting for "Sky" to come which might take a few weeks because we live in a rural area - the joys of NZ.
Our Pomme dog has moved up with us (including her kennel) she is really settled and just loves all the open space.
We have a landline telephone and I have taken the best option with telecom for phoning the UK, broad band up and running as of yesterday and have to say was lucky to get it. So far so good!
So I finish rambling and just say it's good to be here and back on this lovely forum. I have missed you all.
Den x :o
So here I am (Den1) in New Zealand and heres what happened since my last post.
We vacated our rental property the week before we flew out. We had a party the thursday night which was just great and then we had an emotional goodbye when we left on Easter Sunday at Taunton bus station.
I must have cried all the way to Heathrow god knows what the other folk on the bus thought. Our flight on Virgin was great even Richard Branson was on board. We had 2 good days in Hong Kong sightseeing etc and then we left on the Wed at 4pm from the hotel to go to the airport and checked in with Air NZ ready for our flight to NZ at 7pm.
We boarded the plane and then were told there was a problem with engine 4 to cut a long story short there was going to be a big delay, so we were offered the Cathy Pacific flight that eve - but random seats in ecconomy and no luggage as no time to off load. So there was no way we were going any where without luggage, needless to say we were put up in a hotel over night and we had a eve meal and lovely breakfast the next morning (all on Air NZ).we met a lot of nice people too, its great how we all just gelled. We were back at the airport at 8am and eventually took off at 11 am. Now 50 people had taken the flight with CP so we were then up graded to business from premium - wow was it good! leather seats that reclined with large foot stools. the whole thing converted to a sky cot for sleeping! Alas I was still unable to sleep. So in 3 days I reckon I had about 4-6 hrs kip.
We arrived in Auckland at 2.30am on priority landing, dropping from 40,000 ft in no time due to a medical emergency on board. So it's been quite an experiance. We managed to get a shower at the airport which helped to freshen us up as being a day late we lost our night in the hotel in Auckland which we can claim back from Air NZ. Having also lost our transfer, Air NZ paid for a taxi to the station at 6am and we caught the 7.30 overlander train which was an experiance in itself.
So a lot has happened in three weeks! we have moved in to a rental property which is just out side a village, it has a pony paddock and out standing views from every window. We hope to build a new house on my husbands family farm eventually but I must say are very comfy for now.
We bought a car, computer and after another 4 hr round trip to Taupo for bits and pieces are somewhere near sorted till our container arrives. LOL we heard from the "Moving Company" but I am not getting too excited yet as reading on this forum has high lighted before the ups and downs of this company. Needless to say i will keep you updated - however the container was due to dock at Wellington yesterday. I will check on the track and trace later (thanks to this forum) but I guess by the time it's offloaded and maff do their inspections, not forgetting customs and then the MC getting a date sorted it will be mid may before we see our stuff. TBC
We bought the white goods we needed (including a dishwasher) and I now have a top loader auto washing machine which is beaut! We have bought a TV and are waiting for "Sky" to come which might take a few weeks because we live in a rural area - the joys of NZ.
Our Pomme dog has moved up with us (including her kennel) she is really settled and just loves all the open space.
We have a landline telephone and I have taken the best option with telecom for phoning the UK, broad band up and running as of yesterday and have to say was lucky to get it. So far so good!
So I finish rambling and just say it's good to be here and back on this lovely forum. I have missed you all.
Den x :o