[lisa]

Hi

As everyone else seems to be at it :laugh we thought we would try to organise a South East meet up. They seem like a really good idea so if anyone fancies giving it a try let us know. There seem to be quite a few of us from Essex/Kent so we should be able to find somewhere that suits everyone.

Any ideas we would love to hear from you. :clap

Lisa and Andy :P

[Kim39]

Just a few words. If you get it off the ground and it is successful as our NW meets you will find they become a part of your emigration process.

GOOD LUCK.............

Kim

[Diny]

Listen folks, I couldn't agree more with what Kim has just said.

The meetings really do become an important part of the immigration process. You have no idea how helpful spending a few hours with other people who are going through the same process as yourselves is.

One of our 'gang' was going through a bit of a 'shall we/shan't we' stage. After lunch yesterday he was right back on track and fuelled with enthusiasm.

Obviously we've all got one major thing in common, maybe that's why the NW crew now all seem like old mates.

Go for it guys - you'll have a ball.

Diny

[kiwidebs]

Hi Lisa

I notice there's been a couple of posts on the NW meet thread from people interested in meeting up in the London area. We're up for it - it will have to be child friendly as we have two under fives. Lets see who's interested then try and work out a sort of central meeting place. So who's up for it then???

BTW we're SE London (or the Northern most tip of Kent if we're being posh!!)

Debs :cheers

[April]

We would definitely be interested.

[Timbo]

:nice1 We are Surrey, so previous meets have been just out of comfortable reach. Bring it on.

[Timbo]

Being a bit selfish here as it is very local for us. This is only a suggestion, as I realise it is a fair way out for some. The pub is staffed by Kiwis.

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/show.shtml/5115/Chequers/Walton_On_The_Hill

That bit about kiwis may be wrong judging by a comment on the board. Could be Australians :oops:

[adamsat]

Timbo

Thanks for the suggestion I think it would be a bit too far for us. We were thinking somewhere close to the Kent section of the M25 might be more central for people.
Anyone know anywhere there? I will have a look in the meantime.
What date suits?
We have our flights booked for June 11th. :clap So we need to be fairly quick with our organisation, we have had to start a list of people to get round before we go but haven't made any firm arrangements so should be able to work around most weekends. :P

Lisa and Andy :P

[Timbo]

http://www.5minutesaway.co.uk/motorway/info.asp?id=6560-Junction5*M25


Any thoughts? We are quite flexible on dates.

[Ria]

We're north of Cambridge, so north of the Dartford Crossing would be better for us (we have a 17 month old to accommodate as well :uhoh ). What about somewhere in or around Lakeside? Or is this not good? Wouldn't be too far hopefully for the North Kent bods or Essex lads and lasses and it's probably only an hour down the A14/M11 for those in and around Cambridge. Only snag is I don't know anywhere there myself.

Just a suggestion though, for general consideration.

Ria

[lisa]

Hi

That would be Ok for us but also somewhere near lakeside as Ria suggested either one would be OK.

How does Sunday May 1st suit people.?

Lisa and Andy

[April]

It all sounds a bit far for us as we are in the NE Surrey area which I think is totally the other side of London. Unless anybody would like to meet in London as we could use train links? Early May is fine for us though.

[Bubbles]

Hi
There appears to be quite a bit of interest generated on the prospect of a meet in the South East :nice1 . Can I say that we also look forward to this possibility and that anywhere around the M25 or surrounding areas would be fine and dandy for us. Don't really care where, would just like it to happen :yes


John

[curtis]

Hi, we are new to Forum (so hello to everyone!).

We are also in Essex and would love to meet up. 1st May is free at the moment.

Karen & Martyn

[kiwidebs]

1st of May seems good to us too. We're happy to travel M25'ish too.

Debs

[lisa]

Hi all

have been looking into possible venues near Lakeside but have drawn a blank so far !! :no They have the usual TGi's / Pizza Hut ect but am guessing that a pub/harvester kind of setting would suit families and be a more relaxed place to meet.
Shall we go for that venue on May 1st and if its a success(which I'm sure it will be ;) ) choose a different one for next time to accomodate those that can't make it this time.
Lisa and Andy :P

[Bubbles]

Lisa,
You could try some of these...........

http://www.locallife.co.uk/thurrock/pubs3.asp

:nice1

[lisa]

Hi all

OK ignore my last post I can find something nr Lakeside !! :oops: There is a pub called the Chafford Hundred which surprisingly enough is in Chafford hundred and it has a kids play area and menu. Its in Fleming Road and describes itself as a family pub so this should cover all of us, and theres always the option of a little shopping afterwards to keep the older kids (namely my eldest daughter!) happy.
Let me know if you want the full address ect.
Hope this suits on that date.

Lisa and Andy :P

[Karen and Rich Matthews]

Hi Gang,

count us in to a meet up, it sounds like the NW meets have worked out well, we'll be happy to travel to the M25 or surrounding areas, no idea of any pubs there though :oops:

We'd be happy to meet in London too

Let us know :cheers

Karen and Rich

[curtis]

Thanks Lisa, we'll be there.

Here's a link to the map...hope it works...1st time i've tried this on the forum!!!


http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&cidr_client=none&la ng=&pc=RM166YJ&advanced=&client=public&addr2=&quic ksearch=RM16+6YJ&addr3=&addr1=

Look forward to meeting you all.

Karen, Martyn (Natalie 12 & Aaron 9)

[curtis]

Well that seemed to go ok!......just found this web page also.

http://www.sitelocator.whitbread.co.uk/brewsterthebear/results.jsp?establishmentID=957&qasSearchFileType= null

Karen

[Timbo]

May 1st sounds good, as does the suggested venue. I may have to come alone though as not sure about Sarah`s work rosta.
Hopefully she will not be working and I can have a little drinky.
Welcome aboard Curtis. Nice to see you jump in at the deep end. :nice1

[kiwidebs]

Hi All

We're def up for it too. Look forward to seeing you all.

Debs, Mark, Gemma (3) and Cameron (nearly 2)

[Bubbles]

You can count on the Bubbles clan to make an appearance too.

See you all there

:nice1

John

[Ria]

We'll be there too - Vicki, Paul & Henry (18 months).

Well done Lisa for all the hard work :clap

See you on the 1st :P

Ria

[denisesykes]

Hi everyone, we have been member of the forum since Jan but this is the first time we have posted a reply.We too will be coming along on 1st May for a drink or 2 :cheers .
'We' being Paul and Denise with Beth (11) , Megan (8) and Robert (5).
We have 'rellys' in Christchurch and visited them last Christmas.Whilst we were there Paul was offered a job with Pratt and Witney (jet engine manufacturers) at Christchurch airport. :clap
Since we got back therefore every waking moment has been spent trying to get a visa .We have been advised to get a general work visa then apply for PR on the back of that once we are there.
Apart from the abscence of some army paperwork (the army have lost Pauls file! :wah ) and the sale of our house (not happening! :no all has gone well .We have police checks :bobby and are awaiting results of our medicals :uhoh .
We will visit our case officer at New Zealand house in mid May with all the paperwork we can get hold off and hope for the best .
It will be great to meet other people in similar boats to ourselves , see you in a couple of weeks

[Mildred]

Don't think it would be realistic for the Daly family this time owing to our dog still being so young. If we left her on her own for more than a couple of hours, I'm sure we'd come back to utter chaos. Of course once she passes the puppy stage, things will be different.

Denise, where abouts in Herne Bay are you? We live in near Joss Bay in Broadstairs.

[denisesykes]

We live in Broomfield , Frances , shame that you will not be able to come on May .Where abouts are you on the immigration ladder?

[Mildred]

Denise,

Before finding this excellent site, we visited a London migration consultancy and were all geared up to go straight away!!! My husband even left teaching to return to his previous job as a heating engineer with British Gas as this was more likely to get him employment in NZ. Then about 6 months ago I completed our EOI online ready to send, but noticed a few people were on the verge of coming back to the UK due to finances. Because of this, we have decided to wait a bit longer before making the final decision.

Good luck with your application. Does your husband work at Manston?

[denisesykes]

No , although my hubby is a qualified diesel fitter , he is presently working as a safety consultant .Pratt and Witney were prepared to take him on based on his previous mechanics experience with buses and coaches , he has never even seen a jet engine! Go figure!

[Timbo]

OK. Venue sorted. Date sorted. Now what about a general meet up time.
1 o/c sound good???

[Bubbles]

It's good for us :nice1

John

[Pamela]

Hi All

Just noticed Meet up :clap We are up for that It would be lovely to meet you all. I have spoken to Diny many times about getting up there for a meet but things always get in the way. And this meet is nearer to home so please count me and Peter in.

Will wait for times ect see you all soon.

Pam

[kiwidebs]

1PM is good with us. Look forward to seeing you all then.

Debs and family

[Timbo]

Lisa. Is all ok for you so far??
Venue; Chafford Hundred, Thurrock
Date; Sun 1st May
Time; 1 o/c (aprox)

I make it about twenty adults possible so far, plus kids. :clap
Looking forward to it big time.

[lisa]

Timbo

Yep all OK with us it looks as if it is going to be quite a big event. :clap I will contact the place nearer the time to see if we can book a table or 2 in advance.
We will have to sort out how we will all recognise each other!! Perhaps we should all make little name badges ;) !!!

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Lisa and Andy :P

[Timbo]

Well, this is yours truly
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/pengy2/PICT0077.jpg
and I will try to find one of my better half, Sarah

[Timbo]

Damn, sorry. Forgot I shrunk it for an avatar. :oops:

[Karen and Rich Matthews]

Maybe we could all wear kiwi feather cloaks, on no, hang on they're protected, urm forget that...carnations anyone? :oops:

See you all at 1pm, looking forward to it :cheers

Rich and Karen

[veronica]

shame its not next weekend as Pete will be home then and could have met up with you all.