Carey
8th October 2008, 08:01 PM
Finally a chance to write this. It feels as though we've been here far longer than 7 weeks. We had the first 2 weeks looking around Cambridge, moving from a holiday rental to a furnished rental and exploring the local area. We found Cambridge very friendly, small enough to get to know pretty quickly and very 'nice'. By that I mean, it felt very normal, not that different but we have spent two 6 month blocks in NZ plus 6 weeks in 2006, so alot was already familiar in terms of shops, street lay out etc.
Belmont Babes was amazing and helped us in so many ways, showing us where to buy cars etc. Thanks Nat and Paul big time and your boys are fab!
We looked at 2 primnary schools, both of which we were very impressed by and chose Cambridge East purely becasue we wanted to be able to walk to school rather than commit to driving to Goodwood. Our 5 yr old took to school like a duck to water; 10 yr old had a few wobbles but after 4 weeks, is ok about it and most of her 'problems' are to do with her character not the school at all. Our 13 yr old started at the Middle School and was invited to join the Academy class for music and dance and drama and she's loved every minute. Other kids SO helpful and kind and in her words 'normal'. The kids are given alot of trust and responsibility which pays off wiht good behaviour as they're not trying to prove themsleves, look big or whatever in front of the other kids. Lots of sport helps too as does the amazing adventure playgrounds at the primary. Bare feet all round, kids playing before school with no teacher in sight, all singing the National Anthem at the start of Assembly, much more relaxed approach to learning but it feels just right.
We made an offer on a house after just 3 weeks! Seems crazy but we found the right location, ie. walk/cycle to school and town, fabulous view, quiet, and with a 2 bedroom self contained apartment and were lucky wiht the exchange rate. Bizarrely the vendors lived in our home town! Estate agents amazing, only doing their job I know but this one went far beyond her duty, arriving with champagne and chocolates once we went unconditional and arranging for many extras to be done before settling. So we managed to tie up our container arriving with moving into our new house (had to forfeit 2 weeks rent on an unfurnished we'd arranged but hey something had to go a bit wrong in the whole process where we've been pretty lucky). And now we have SamB and family renting our apartment which is just fabulous.
Only downside is my job but I'd prefer to pm that. If anyone's interested in Early Childhood work, ask me!
Had meant to do first impressions but we've forgotten them already! It all feels right, there's nothing we miss and so much is positive especially looking ahead to years to come for the kids.
Hope its been as good for others who set off the same time as us? Mels? Vixanne now? Rusty? Kerry and David?
Belmont Babes was amazing and helped us in so many ways, showing us where to buy cars etc. Thanks Nat and Paul big time and your boys are fab!
We looked at 2 primnary schools, both of which we were very impressed by and chose Cambridge East purely becasue we wanted to be able to walk to school rather than commit to driving to Goodwood. Our 5 yr old took to school like a duck to water; 10 yr old had a few wobbles but after 4 weeks, is ok about it and most of her 'problems' are to do with her character not the school at all. Our 13 yr old started at the Middle School and was invited to join the Academy class for music and dance and drama and she's loved every minute. Other kids SO helpful and kind and in her words 'normal'. The kids are given alot of trust and responsibility which pays off wiht good behaviour as they're not trying to prove themsleves, look big or whatever in front of the other kids. Lots of sport helps too as does the amazing adventure playgrounds at the primary. Bare feet all round, kids playing before school with no teacher in sight, all singing the National Anthem at the start of Assembly, much more relaxed approach to learning but it feels just right.
We made an offer on a house after just 3 weeks! Seems crazy but we found the right location, ie. walk/cycle to school and town, fabulous view, quiet, and with a 2 bedroom self contained apartment and were lucky wiht the exchange rate. Bizarrely the vendors lived in our home town! Estate agents amazing, only doing their job I know but this one went far beyond her duty, arriving with champagne and chocolates once we went unconditional and arranging for many extras to be done before settling. So we managed to tie up our container arriving with moving into our new house (had to forfeit 2 weeks rent on an unfurnished we'd arranged but hey something had to go a bit wrong in the whole process where we've been pretty lucky). And now we have SamB and family renting our apartment which is just fabulous.
Only downside is my job but I'd prefer to pm that. If anyone's interested in Early Childhood work, ask me!
Had meant to do first impressions but we've forgotten them already! It all feels right, there's nothing we miss and so much is positive especially looking ahead to years to come for the kids.
Hope its been as good for others who set off the same time as us? Mels? Vixanne now? Rusty? Kerry and David?