[Mickstim]

We are here!! Arrived yesterday morning at 5am and had to find our way from Auckland in the thickest fog ever, but by the time we reached Tauranga the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day.

We got our bank accounts sorted in the quickest ever time and have checked into a motel for a couple of weeks until we find a house to rent. We could have stayed at our son's but felt that having a very gorgeous 4 year old singing and playing at 5am may just be a bit much for us. We love that we can see them all whenever we like and this is not just a holiday this time! We still don't have internet access at the motel so I am on line at my son's right now. I can't wait to be able to catch up properly but that may take some time.

We spent the entire day today car shopping and settled on a Toyota Camry that we pick up on Monday, so the next job is to house hunt.

It feels wonderful to be here at last and we have sworn that after the last month's travel we are not going to step onboard an aeroplane for at least another year!

Vicki - if you read this, just to let you know I am holding everything for you!

Lesley - I'll PM you when we are a bit more settled and we can meet up for a glass or 2 at Mills Reef (or a pint or 2 at the Crown & Badger??))

Bxx

[RamblingPaddies]

welcome to paradise folks !

:cheers

[peebles16]

Yeeaahh!! You've made it Barb :clap:clap

Enjoy and keep us posted - we'll need to get BBQ organised for the summer :D

Karenx

[JandM]

So pleased you've reached your happy landing at last.:) All good wishes for the settling in.:nice1

[cathgates]

So pleased your dream is finally a reality :clap Tauranga is our dream as well, we hope to see you there some time in the future:yes

Cath X

[vixxann]

certainly am here Barb!!
great to have you back online (albeit not in your own abode yet!)
and especially great to have a mental picture of you there in NZ!!!
Bet it is SO great to catch up with your family again.

thanks for good thoughts - here's hoping!! :)

[JayBee]

Glad to hear you arrived safely and are busy settling in. Must be a great feeling !!:clap

[dusk]

good luck house hunting.
have a wonderful time settling in :D

[Alan]

Great news Barb, am coming for a look around Tauranga whilst having in interview on Tuesday.

[britzy]

Wonderful to know you've arrived safely.I have been following your journey and wish you all the best with everything.:cheers
Helen

[dilanium]

Glad you've arrived safely. Enjoy house hunting!

:)

[NZ Hopeful]

That is great news, you are finally there! Enjoy! :D

[Belmont Babes]

Hi Barb
Great to hear you are here at last. Can't wait for the next one to make it off the housing thread. Catch up soon X

[Graham Cross]

Hi Barb
Glad that you have arrived there safe and sound and we will be leaving here on the 30th May but will arrive there on the 13th June as we are calling in to see relatives in LA and Las Vegas. Our sons have got us a rented accommodtion when we get there as our cats will arrive on the 15th so I want to take them home with me and not put them in a cattery. Both my sons have got a dog and a cat so it wasn't practical to stay with them. Time is getting shorter and shorter and we are so busy sorting out finances, and getting rid of clutter etc. We have been invited out for meals by friends almost every night this week and have got more to have next week. It will be so sad leaving them all but they have promised to come and visit us when we settle and find a permanent house to live in. Hope to meet up with you when we get there and anyone else who is over there too. It will be good to have ex pat friends as well as making friends with the Kiwis. I am getting quite excited now. Hope that all goes well with you both and that you find somewhere very quickly.
Hugs Jan

[holland]

Barb...you here!!!! Congrats...you must be so so pleased!

Keep in touch

J xx

[Mels]

Great to hear you got there safely. Where did the time go since the Sussex meeting???

Mels

[mgf]

Glad you made it safely and welcome to one of the best places to live!:raebanana

[Bunstar]

Welcome to Tauranga!!!! Glad to see you made it safe and sound, enjoy your first few weeks :clap

[shakyle2906]

Glad you had a safe journey.
Must be lovely to see the family again!

Keep us posted how things progress.

Sharon
xx

[LesleyS]

Hi Barb

Welcome back to the BOP. Must catch up sometime when you are feeling more settled, drove through Bethlehem today, the trees are absolutely beautiful (Reds and Golds)

Keep in touch xx

[andy141]

Hi Barb and Mick,

Really glad you've finally landed in Godzone.:raebanana:raebanana No news from this end yet so still have everything crossed.:uhoh

Btw, we're both sooooooooo envious we don't ever want to speak to you again:p

V & A

[mgbridges]

Yeah, congrats on a safe landing and good luck with settling in.

Anneliese

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Good stuff, glad you made it safely.

[BaggiesFans]

We're right behind you - be there 30 days (not that I'm counting!)

[Kerry and David]

Pleased you arrived safe and sound and good luck with the house hunting,

K x

[Mickstim]

Thank you all so much for the good wishes! We have been manically busy and have found the most stunning house in Welcome Bay with views across the bay and the Mount. It is so gorgeous I'm not sure we will ever be motivated to buy! Our container has been delayed (anyone heard that before??) so we have decided to move in on 4th June and camp out. We needed a new lounge suite anyway and have bought a 2nd hand bed that the dealer has agreed to buy back when we are finished.

Money seems to be seeping away but I guess that is bound to happen at this point, but we are so excited! Can't wait to get our own internet connection again too!!!

Will be able to catch up must better in a couple of weeks so don't forget us inthe meantime!!

[JandM]

Lovely to hear that you're so happy! All the best.:nice1