[Moorf]

.. but FOUR YEAR POST!!

Errmm, not really sure what to say - the timescale really speaks for itself.

This time four years ago we turned up (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=301&highlight=%22early+days%22) at Chch airport with visitors visas (our EOI had just been "selected"), no jobs (no interviews!), no car and a holiday flat rental to stay in for one week.

We had sold up our home in the U.K., keeping on my long-term rental investment as a safety net (now long sold).

We rented, then we bought in Chch, soon realizing we wanted more land and a more rural location. So, here we are in the Selwyn area of Canterbury - we'll have been in this house 3 yrs in November.

We still love it here, the scenery still stuns me (and keeps me sane), we have a huge circle of amazing friends, OH is in the same job he started off in here and loves it and I've had the huge privilege of being able to pursue a personal challenge and am earning (a very small but needed!) income from it.

Yep, it's hard work to cut it financially at times, but that was the sacrifice we made to come here, and I'd rather be broke here than in the U.K. My attitude to life and "stuff" has changed immensely, to the point I doubt many of my friends I haven't seen in four years would believe I'm the same person :o

There's only one regret, if I'm honest. We still have one foot planted in rural NZ and one in the I.T. world. We haven't yet been able to make that final shift towards the self-sufficient(ish) lifestyle we eventually want. On the upside, it does mean we still have a challenge, which we thrive on.

And, of course, there's that something special that I'd never imagined as I left the UK in September 2004 - my parents are soon to move to New Zealand and will be living locally. I can't really put in to words how that feels, it was never planned.

Ooops, considering I was only going to write "we're loving it", I managed to ramble.

To sum it up... we're here to stay.

:cheers to all...

Moorf & Woz
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[NikT]

It'll be 5 before you know it!

All the best & :cheers to you too.

Nick & Caron.:cheers

[shakyle2906]

Lovely post Helen!

Cant believe we ae coming up to 18mths next month


Sharon
x

[missy+mrmagoo]

Glad your still loving it and here's :cheers to more rambles

[vixxann]

like you say.. the four years statement in itself really does sum it all up :nice1
so glad you've found your real home and how fabulous about your parents being there soon :)

and... I always think it's kind of nice to have something still to aim for ... what would you do if you'd done everything or got everything ??!!

[dilanium]

Fantastic post! :)

[wiki]

Congrats you two - I'm so glad the dream continues to sparkle. You deserve only the best xxx

[thezorbster]

Wow, you are a forum oldie aren't you! Congrats on your 1st 4 years and here's to many more.:cheers

[StevieD]

Well done Helen and Woz!! Good on yer!!

[Sam B]

Happy 4 year anniversary!

[Hejwitch_uk]

Fantastic........... keep it up! :cheers:clap:D:nice1

[Jo Jo]

Ooooh, congrats.

[benandclare]

Good ramblings :D:D

Good on ya Guys :clap:clap

[peebles16]

Ah that was smashing to read :yes It's brilliant to hear from the 'oldies' and I mean that in the nicest possible way Moorf - you don't look a day over 35 :D

Many, many more happy years in NZ to come I'm sure :)

Karenxxx

[nickydwuk]

Reassuring post to us 'newbies' who have yet to write a 1 WEEK post. Look forward to meeting you soon and picking your brains on how to survive the first 6 months!!!

[Timbo]

Great post Helen, thanks for sharing.
I bet you didnt think that you would still be posting on this forum after all this time (I for one am glad you do).
Heres looking forward to being able to follow suit and make my own 3 yr post in the not too distant future:cheers

[Moorf]

:laugh Timbo, and you four years, too!! (Congrats on the 3 in NZ - that's flown by, sorry, flow-un by...!)

Cheers all, I'm still here 'cos it's been a pleasure hanging with you all.... :D

[NZ Hopeful]

What a lovely post, glad to hear you are both still loving it after all that time :)

And how fabulous that your parents are joining you, did I read somewhere that your brother was following too?

[thewoodies]

Thats really good to hear! Im pulling my hair out in the last days left in the UK stress!!!! It sounds like its worth it:bluebanana:bluebanana

[Mrs Pony]

wow! 4 years! I hope we get to have that post too!

[Parsley]

That's a really lovely post with your parents coming over the icing on the cake (as it were). I really really hope I can write something similar in the future :)

[Andy-Dee]

You continue to be a inspiration for those of us hoping to travel the same path - thanks for all the help over the years.

[dusk]

thanks for posting - it's interesting to hear your experiences and the challenges you set yourselves. I wonder if we will be as adventurous eventually :D

[NZ Hopeful]

thanks for posting - it's interesting to hear your experiences and the challenges you set yourselves. I wonder if we will be as adventurous eventually :D

Does it get more adventurous than moving to the other side of the world?! :D

[Georgebulldog]

Great post & having your parents coming must make it a new adventure again

Well done :bluebanana:nice1:cheers

[Tia Maria]

Great post Moorf!

Now if this was a marriage this is what you could get on your 4th anniversary:

Traditional: Fruit / Flowers

Fresh flowers
Flower shaped jewelry
Rose gold jewelry
Exotic fruit basket
Fruit or flower sculpture
Silk or crystal flowers
Garden plantings
Potted indoor plants
Bake a lemon, lime, or apple pie together
Baking cookies with rose water
Flowering fruit tree
Floral perfume
Visit a botanical garden
Do-it-yourself floral arrangements

Modern: Linen / Silk / Nylon

Linen tablecloths and napkins
Decorative pillows
Quilts
Lingerie and silk pajamas
High thread count sheets
Backpack for hiking or carrying laptop
Sportsbag for the gym
Sports memorabilia for him
Silk purse
Clothing, scarves, ties

Alternate Modern: Appliances

Household appliances (either basic or unique)
Beauty aids
Electronics, sound systems
Furniture, lights
Exercise equipment

And some suggestions for the fruit/flowers theme:

Traditional gift: fruit or flowers Great gift ideas:

- Have flowers or a fruit basket delivered to his office

- Make a garland of flowers and wear just that for each other

- Share a bubble bath and light the room with floral-scented candles

- Sprinkle rose petals all over your bed

- Share a delicious fruity cocktail

From: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/relationships/marriage/marlife/articles/0,9546,154_533691-3,00.html#four

So what's it going to be, traditional, modern or alternate? :D

Cheers

Tia

[marcia]

Congratulations and also thanks for all the support you have provided all the forum members (us included!)

I know we've we've met you, but after your reading your post about being self sufficient, I now have a mental picture of you two in my head of the couple on the good life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heres to next year, and hopefully happy reunions with your family!

[Scotty69]

Great post Moorf, its these kind of post that bring tears to my eyes as we have only got 2 months to go to till we fly out. Well done :nice1

[pinkpiggy]

Great post Helen. You're living your dream, good on ya! :cheers

[irishliz]

I thought that was a really lovely post and am happy your whole family will be united soon.

Congrats!:clap

[tea drinker]

:cheers from me too

[JayBee]

Great to read your post - we're just entering "panicland" and the thought of just arriving with no job or definate accommodation is just starting to scare me - so its great to hear its all possible.
Very best wishes and hope your parents settle just as well as you seem to have:nice1

[victoria24]

moorf.. how would you compare the 4 years before you went to the last 4 years?

[Moorf]

moorf.. how would you compare the 4 years before you went to the last 4 years?

The years before we left were spent being increasingly disappointed and dismayed at the direction the U.K. was heading, fed up with Blair's warmongering and let's not get in to IR35 :D We wanted to downsize and get out of the rat race but not in the U.K. - so here we are.

[Familyofmonkeys]

Yay to 4 exciting years :raebanana
Here's to many more :cheers

[D&D]

congratulations

[dusk]

Does it get more adventurous than moving to the other side of the world?! :D
hehe :)

actually it can I think, although that's probably more than enough excitement for most of us mere mortals! :D