[Ally Bally Bee]

Hi there,

My name's Alison and I've been in New Zealand since June 2003 (but with an 18 month break in Scotland in between then and now).

I've joined the forum to see how my immigration experience marks up to others. I've loved every minute of being over here and have no plans to ever go back to the UK (well, no longer than a two week holiday!).

I came out here as a backpacker, found a job and applied for residency. I got that 12 months to the day of my arrival. I went home for 18 months and moved back here in Sept 2006, got my old job back (in Thames) and have since married a Kiwi.

I took up triathlon and now compete in Ironman races (though it's more about completing than anything).

Now working in Tauranga and commute back to Thames for weekends. That is the only thing I don't like much about my life down here but it's not forever.

If anyone knows where I can get malt loaf (Soreen or near equivalent) I would be eternally grateful.

[JandM]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. :)

[Mrs Pony]

hello & Welcome!

[ant7jen]

hello and welcome!! What do you like best about NZ?

[victoria24]

greetings my hard rockin muscle pumping amigo!

[dusk]

hello :)

[peebles16]

I feel the urge to sing 'sitting on ma mamee's knee... " but that's just me :o Welcome along from us too :)

Karenx

[M-Squared]

Welcome to the forum! :nice1

[Moorf]

Welcome :yes

[Belmont Babes]

Hi and welcome. Not sure about Malt Loaf but had forgotten how much we miss it and used to eat it alot :yes

[JandM]

Thinking about the malt loaf - we were buying something very like that in the supermarket in Titirangi last August, but I can't remember what it was called. It was stored with the bread.

[Flutterby]

Welcome to the forum.
I'm watching closely with regard to the malt loaf as it is one of the few foods that my daughter will eat no matter what. Alternatively find a recipe and make it yourself.

[Ally Bally Bee]

Thanks for the welcomes.

Ant and Jen: There's no one thing that I like about NZ. There's a whole heap of little things that might seem insignificant but when you add them up make the move worthwhile.

Eg I love not having to wear a big winter coat in the winter, I love not having to 45 minutes only to get caught up in a traffic jam on the way to work, I love not sharing a bus with a bunch of drunken Scots (used to have a really early morning start in Edinburgh) but I do miss a decent public transport service. I like having a big back yard owned by the government but where I can go play (mountain biking, tramping etc). I love the kiwi accent and find the native birds and trees so much more exotic than those at home (but I do miss seeing robins).
I could go on but life out here is what you make it I suppose. We're all different.

[JoJo76]

I feel the urge to sing 'sitting on ma mamee's knee... " but that's just me :o Welcome along from us too :)

Karenx

me too lol.

Hi Ally. Have you/do you get much opportunity to visit other areas of New Zealand? Which areas do you recommend visiting for long weekends?

[DMcG]

Welcome from another expat from Edinburra :D

Dougie

[Bobbysox]

Hello and Welcome

Can't help with Soreen malt loaf, (miss it too !) but if you go to Pak'n'Save in Thames you might be lucky to find a product called Cinnamon & Fruit loaf, it's in a clear bag tied at one end and tastes yummy, I think its near the back of the store down the aisle where the baking ingredients are. It's not quite the same but good none the less.

Anyone know where I can find Maynard's wine gums?

All this talk has made me very hungry............:wah

[Kerry and David]

Welcome:)

[Ally Bally Bee]

JoJo - it depends where you're starting from for long weekends.

Mr Ally Bally Bee and I flew to Christchurch from Auckland for a three day two night trip last September which included a return trip on the TranzAlpine train (highly recommend it) and a return trip to Kaikoura on the TranzCoastal with the obligatory whalewatching trip (it's a must-do - I've done it three times now and will happily do it again).

We also took a three day weekend to go on the Overlander train (he loves his trains). We went from Hamilton to Wellington, one day sightseeing in Wellington then back on the train. The thing about the train is you can see so much more of the countryside. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg if you look for the specials and they have an open air carriage (make sure you have plenty of warm clothes and ear plugs).

For our honeymoon we went to Fiordland and kayaked on Doubtful Sound, walked the Milford Track and did a Milford Sound cruise (plus the luge at Queenstown gondola which was a highlight but not as good as the Rotorua track).

We go to Rotorua quite often for the mountain biking. And Taupo gets visited at least four times a year (mostly for my Ironman training/racing).

And when I've got no training on whatsoever we make the most of it. Last weekend when I was told to take a week off to let my body get over a virus we went to Karioitahi Beach near Waiuku. It would be pretty stunning I imagine in the right conditions but it was wet, windy and covered in litter. I understand it's much better in summer but we were unimpressed.

[Ally Bally Bee]

Bobbysox - I'll ask my mother-in-law about the cinnamon and fruit loaf - she works part time in the Thames pak n save. Small world - I've often cycled through Ytak (well, down canal rd east, across the bridge and up canal rd west, or from Miranda to Ngatea).
Can't help with the wine gums, maybe the Corogate Cafe can get some in? I got some Penguins and a Yorkie from there once.

[Bobbysox]

Ally
Thanks about the wine gums. Did not think of Corogate for them. We've only been in NZ since Feb this year and have been busy working since, so have not really explored the area yet. At present sitting in Ngatea getting blown about a bit!
Rob

[JoJo76]

Thanks Ally, can't wait to start planning exploring my new Country.:cheers