[lnz]

Firstly - apologies for mentioning Christmas whilst we are still in June.

Background
We are approved in principle and are really keen to get to NZ, but OH is committed to a UK IT contract until December 23rd. The original plan was to spend Christmas with my folks, get the packers in on Jan 6th and fly out Jan 9th (using Virgin airmiles) to Sydney. Holiday in Sydney for a week and then take an inexpensive flight to Christchurch.

We’ve just found out that Brother-in-Law is getting married in Sri Lanka in the first week of Jan. I’m thrilled! They are a lovely couple and we’d really like to go and support them.

Option 1 - Attend the wedding in Sri Lanka as part of our journey to New Zealand.

Option 2 - Return to the UK after the wedding and go via Sydney at the end of Jan.

There isn’t much difference cost wise. Flights London-to-Sri-Lanka and Sri-Lanka-to-Christchurch doesn’t cost much more than a return flight London to Sri Lanka.

My worries about attending the wedding en-route are mainly concerned with logistics over Christmas.
(1) Would the packers pack our stuff on Jan 29th / 30th or do they pack up their tools between xmas and New Year? If they had to pack before xmas, it would mean 'camping' in the rental house without furniture for longer and the furniture might arrive in NZ before we’d found somewhere to rent.
(2) Would it be possible to tie up loose ends between Christmas and New Year? Things like rental house walkthough / key hand-back, termination of phone contracts, gas, electric, etc
(3) Would it detract from the wedding celebrations for OH’s parents if we were ‘on-our-way’ whilst we were all on holiday together (they are a bit sad about us moving)?

I know it’s a good situation to be in either way. My heart says, going to the wedding on our way to New Zealand is the nicest start to our new venture.
It also means that we can get to NZ a couple of weeks earlier :) and it avoids additional flying into London and back out again.

I just don’t want to go with my heart on this and find it is impossible to organise all the last minute stuff because everybody is away for Christmas.

Anyone else crazy enough to move around Christmas time?

All suggestions and observations gratefully received.

[wwwdot]

I would assume the removals companies will work between xmas and new year, but I guess their fees may reflect this:confused:

We are getting the packers in in late Oct/early November to receive them in NZ in January when I start working so we are "camping at home" in the UK for about a month.

Are you ok living in NZ for 8-10 weeks without your belongings? Can you instead spend xmas with family and let them pack before xmas and send off the container to receive it asap after you have returned from Sri Lanka?

[dusk]

what dot said - combining the wedding into your travel to NZ plans sounds like a good option.

Some packers charge extra for working weekends, so I imagine they might possinly charge more over holidays - but a quick email or phone call should resolve the question. As stuff takes 8-12 weeks to arrive and you're only going to be spending a couple of weeks traveling I would have thought packing up a bit early was your best option, personally.

[lnz]

Thanks for the thoughts. I've sent a couple of emails and will wait to hear back.

I had been assuming 6-8 weeks, but having done some research after reading your replies, 8-12 might be a more accurate duration to be reunited with my belongings. That changes the balance a bit!

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Yes, I think you'd be very lucky to see your stuff again inside 8 weeks.

[Caroline and Dave]

Our containers left the UK on 1st May and arrived in Auckland on the 16th June, so thats just over 6 weeks, ironic when its got to go into storage for the next 6 months.

[sizzlingbadger]

Could you not get the packers in the week before Christmas, leave your rental then and tie up all lose ends. Stay with family until Boxing Day then fly out to Sri Lanka, tie it all into your brother's wedding and then fly on to here ?

Probably a million and one options that only you can decide :D

[Georgebulldog]

We had our stuff packed for us on 28th & 29th December, didn't cost anymore. Our stuff arrived 2nd week of February, it came down to Wellingrton from Auckland by train for some reason & we had to wait a while with customs & MAF
Hope this helps & good luck

[lnz]

Thank you all.

Crown and GB Liners both confirmed that December 29th and 30th are 'normal' working days as far as they are concerned. They did suggest booking in September / October to make sure that they manage their holiday requests around us!

[red]

We had removals booked for over xmas period and it was no problem. In actual fact the removal company told us it was their quiet time so easier for them!

Good luck with the move, I have heard Sri Lanka is beautiful.