Den
14th October 2008, 03:41 PM
Hi everyone I can’t believe that we have been here for almost six and a half months. Any way here is what we’ve been up to in brief since my last post which was a couple months in I think!
We have had to move out of the rental, as the landlords got a buyer out of the blue - not something we had expected to do and it has been very hectic to say the least.
Back in August we had a w/e away in Rotorua and Taupo and we enjoyed it immensely and was a welcome break.
We have a puppy which is 6 mths old now to keep me company and I chat to my family and friends with the help of a web cam and Skype.
I think the winter climate has been more agreeable than the uk and if this is the average winter then I can put up with it, although after two winters back to back I am craving the warmer weather, however I have to confess the other week I was in short sleeves and had to apply a high factor sun screen.
A friend of ours in Hamilton has been living here for 12 years now and her opinion of the climate in NZ V Auk is that the uk has 5 good months and 7 bad months, but in NZ you get 7 good and 5 not so good months…..mm time will tell!
As I think I may have mentioned before the one thing I have learned in NZ is that it’s not the quantity in life but the “quality” of life.
We had to go logging for firewood the other weekend which took all afternoon.
In the uk we just pushed the central heating button. But I know which I have come to enjoy more!
Personally, I take each week at a time and cherish the good bits, one of my biggest down bits (apart from the obvious of missing loved ones) is that I am unfortunately one of the many, including “New Zealanders” that seem to be effected by the thyroxin drug over here, but that’s another story and I will not bore you with the gorey details. But for now my family seem to doing just fine and with visits planned in the future there will be more moments to be treasured and saved.
After two winters I am certainly looking forward summer and will embrace the sunshine even if I have to wear a factor 30+.
OH was working for a fencing contractor and is enjoying the outdoors and of course being back in New Zealand.. and until last month I was at home all week, trying to become a Delia goddess I think, baking and cooking like there’s no tomorrow. But enjoying the much slower pace of life.
I would like to find a job as I think that it would be a good way if integrating but there are not many part time jobs becoming available especially in the area where I live and there would be the need for a second vehicle and so would not really be cost effective. With the house project and my parents due to visit in January I think I will be kept fairly busy so unless the right job comes along.
We have decided that we are going to refurbish and extend an existing farmhouse on the family farm. The cost of a new build was far more than we first anticipated. We are still waiting for transfer of the title to our name, its just like England it all takes time. There is a lot to do but we are taking everything in our stride for the moment. Or that was the plan, we have had to move, the rental suddenly had a buyer and everything changed, OH gave up his job as the farmhouse was our best option, and we needed the hours as we had to do a few major things to be able to move in …a new bathroom was a must, plus a bit of decorating, etc etc. Its been a really hard slog but its worth it - I already feel much happier closer to the village, we have the "ute" and I have a car all to myself, and although we have a lot still to do it "feels" like a home.
I am loving oh at home and for the moment no rushing back to work, so don't want to finish the house too quick!!!!
I don’t visit this forum as much as I used too, but pop on every now and again, as the help I received before leaving the uk was invaluable.
I read posts of interest and smile at many of the regular senior members replies as they are often very humorous…you know who you are.
Occasionally I feel compelled to write a post in reply or just a welcome to someone new, but I will continue to look in and see how you are all doing.
There were a few of us that seemed to arrive between March/April time and it is lovely to read how you are all getting on and adapting.
So just because you don’t see many posts from me it doesn’t mean I’m not looking in.
Thanks everyone!:clap
We have had to move out of the rental, as the landlords got a buyer out of the blue - not something we had expected to do and it has been very hectic to say the least.
Back in August we had a w/e away in Rotorua and Taupo and we enjoyed it immensely and was a welcome break.
We have a puppy which is 6 mths old now to keep me company and I chat to my family and friends with the help of a web cam and Skype.
I think the winter climate has been more agreeable than the uk and if this is the average winter then I can put up with it, although after two winters back to back I am craving the warmer weather, however I have to confess the other week I was in short sleeves and had to apply a high factor sun screen.
A friend of ours in Hamilton has been living here for 12 years now and her opinion of the climate in NZ V Auk is that the uk has 5 good months and 7 bad months, but in NZ you get 7 good and 5 not so good months…..mm time will tell!
As I think I may have mentioned before the one thing I have learned in NZ is that it’s not the quantity in life but the “quality” of life.
We had to go logging for firewood the other weekend which took all afternoon.
In the uk we just pushed the central heating button. But I know which I have come to enjoy more!
Personally, I take each week at a time and cherish the good bits, one of my biggest down bits (apart from the obvious of missing loved ones) is that I am unfortunately one of the many, including “New Zealanders” that seem to be effected by the thyroxin drug over here, but that’s another story and I will not bore you with the gorey details. But for now my family seem to doing just fine and with visits planned in the future there will be more moments to be treasured and saved.
After two winters I am certainly looking forward summer and will embrace the sunshine even if I have to wear a factor 30+.
OH was working for a fencing contractor and is enjoying the outdoors and of course being back in New Zealand.. and until last month I was at home all week, trying to become a Delia goddess I think, baking and cooking like there’s no tomorrow. But enjoying the much slower pace of life.
I would like to find a job as I think that it would be a good way if integrating but there are not many part time jobs becoming available especially in the area where I live and there would be the need for a second vehicle and so would not really be cost effective. With the house project and my parents due to visit in January I think I will be kept fairly busy so unless the right job comes along.
We have decided that we are going to refurbish and extend an existing farmhouse on the family farm. The cost of a new build was far more than we first anticipated. We are still waiting for transfer of the title to our name, its just like England it all takes time. There is a lot to do but we are taking everything in our stride for the moment. Or that was the plan, we have had to move, the rental suddenly had a buyer and everything changed, OH gave up his job as the farmhouse was our best option, and we needed the hours as we had to do a few major things to be able to move in …a new bathroom was a must, plus a bit of decorating, etc etc. Its been a really hard slog but its worth it - I already feel much happier closer to the village, we have the "ute" and I have a car all to myself, and although we have a lot still to do it "feels" like a home.
I am loving oh at home and for the moment no rushing back to work, so don't want to finish the house too quick!!!!
I don’t visit this forum as much as I used too, but pop on every now and again, as the help I received before leaving the uk was invaluable.
I read posts of interest and smile at many of the regular senior members replies as they are often very humorous…you know who you are.
Occasionally I feel compelled to write a post in reply or just a welcome to someone new, but I will continue to look in and see how you are all doing.
There were a few of us that seemed to arrive between March/April time and it is lovely to read how you are all getting on and adapting.
So just because you don’t see many posts from me it doesn’t mean I’m not looking in.
Thanks everyone!:clap