[Rammer]

:P

Last evening in UK (well for 2 weeks anyway! unless I get a dream job - sorry again Max!) Can only take 20Kg's and I have weighed my case on the bathroom scales and it is 19Kg's !, ( hope it dont get wet!!)

I am due in Welly on Saturday afternoon at arround 14:30, Dont know how Knak!"£$ I will be after 33Hrs in the Air! :uhoh

So if anyone is in Welly and is compairably thirsty with a few hours to kill, I would be delighted to supply cupious amounts in return for opinions. ! !

(Sshhh... Dont tel Madge I meen Beer!)

Ian Madge :nice1

[femke]

Have a good trip hope the weather picks up, lots of rain here at the moment, :yes

Moira

[Diny]

Have a great time, hope the flight goes well for you. We'll look after Madge and co on Saturday for you :nice1

Keep us posted.

Diny

[Marie P]

Best wishes for your trip ,looking forward to meeting Madge on saturday.

Marie x

[Rammer]

Thanks for all your wishes people. can u think of anything I could have missed in my bag? - Nice sugestions pls.... lol


:P


Rammer & max :nice1

[femke]

Make sure you have a rain jacket and a fleece certainly cools down at night :hi
Moira

[Babette & Andy]

Ian best of luck on your recce trip :nice1 We'll be thinking of you. Seems like forever ago that Andy did the same last October.

Looking forward to seeing Max & kids on Saturday - we'll look after them whilst you're on the right side of the world ;)

Let us know how you get on.
Babette & Andy

[jo b]

Hey Rammer,

there's an excellent Irish bar in Welly :cheers :cheers :cheers

Dave K should know all the good spots.

Jo

[Rammer]

Guess where I am!

Sidney airport waiting for my next tranch of this endless voyage, plane number 4!! it is 07:30 here, I have just had some brecki to try to adjust, but there is an overwhelming urge to go and get a pint!

I fly out of here 08:45 geting in welly for 14:45. I cannot wait for a decent bed & a good nights kip..

Cy all - More updates to follow!

Rammer
PS look after Madge on the meet.

[Rammer]

Got Here! in Hotel, but now I am absolutly Knacked.

bed time... bye :eek

[Rammer]

Hi everyone.

I went out this morning for my 1st walk arround Wellington, so map-in-hand I went off to find all the agencys and some companies I will be having interviews with in the comming week or so. I had 5 on my list for a start thinking it would take till lunch time.

Well it is lunch time, I have found all the places in the 1st hour an half of me being out! been around I started at the south of 'The Terrace', right to the top and past the Gov Buildings, Down through Whitmore St where I could not resist going and having a look at the waterfront on customhouse quay, It is just breathtaking the views here. Went In the the Civic Center, and a walk along the bridge. Made my way down Victoria St, and to hotel on Willis St.

Backing hotel for a bit.

Right I am off for some lunch.... bye

Ian

[jo b]

Ian

thanks for the update,

Madge was fine (Ihope so). I didn't get chance to speak to her much but Lynn Miggy's wife did and they are from Standish.
You kids are just lovely and you daughters hair, she could be a child model.

While your there check out the libraries, the one I went to in New Plymouth just blew me away.

Keep us posted Ian. See you soon

Jo

[Rammer]

Jo, Thanks

Was actualy planning on having a look tomorrow at the library. :nice1

Wellington, from what I have seen so far is great. abit expensive to eat out, but what u expect in a capital? Went to 'The Quarter' on Dixon St this eve, New Orleans style Steak - 2 beers $32 :eek but it was excellent. In fact all the food I have ate here so far has been fab :nice1

It Was an eyeopener, when arriving in Welly Airport, Customs spamped my passport 'Holder May Remain Indefinately' :nice1 Just try and get me out a here !

[Milliemoo]

Love the updates Ian, keep them coming :clap

Have to say, coming from Edinburgh, a Steak and 2 x beers in a restaurant for $32 seems quite reasonable, cheap even! :mrgreen:

I like it when people give lots of little updates, it's like wee snippets of life in NZ......More please :P

Milliemoo :nice1

[Rammer]

Hi, Milliemoo, your right, around £13 for an Excellent steak & beer is very resonable, I have no compaints ! :nice1

Well, its bed time here, interviews in morning, I will updating here.

http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/images/DSCF0005Web.JPG

View from My Hotel room window, Sorry, not had chance to take more yet, more to follow.

Ian

[Hannah-NL]

Nice view and I love your updates, keep them coming please! :nice1

[Rimbo]

Hi Ian,
Hope the Interviews go well today and for the rest of the trip.
I woke up early this morning and thought i would have a browse now that i've got T'Internet at home.
Pity about the weather, Hopefully it is nicer there than here, although I managed to get a day of golf on saturday still playing in my shorts and t-shirt! The days either side have been very wet though.
Are you jet lagged? or did you manage to keep awake until a reasonable time sat eve?
19Kg's in a suitcase for only two weeks! I managed 14Kg's and i've been here for over 3 months...... mind you, i've not changed my undies that much! :laugh
Have a good one!
:nice1

John :cool

[Babette & Andy]

Great updates Ian - keep 'm going :nice1 Hope your first set of interviews go well 'today'.

Was wonderful meeting Max & kids on Saturday. Think a good time was had by all. IF you decide to come back, look forward to seeing you at the meet on 2nd July.

Babette

[Rammer]

Hi all,

Just about ready and awake now. I have my 1st intervew at 10:30 its 9:45 now, so setting off in about 30mins. :eek

Bit nervous, like a 1st ever interview, but I think once I get the 1st one done the ball will be rolling, heres me hoping! :clap

Good to here from you john. Yes I am over much of the jetlag! at last. It is bad, but I planned the trip so I could have most of the weekend to get over it, which has sorta worked.

More Pics to come after I go out wit camera after't t'interviews.
Out tut th'Irish Bar Later on Cuba Street :cheers I will let you all know how it go's or doesnt go...

Ian

[Rammer]

Hi again,

Things are moving pretty fast around here :P Today I have had a total of 4 Agency interviews, which has resulted in a REAL job interview 12:00 pm tomorrow, and a REAL job interview at 3:00 PM! A REAL job interview next Friday..... and I have still another agency to see tomorrow at 4pm. - All whilst the UK was speeping!!!!!!!

My Hotel room has suddenly turned into an office, notes, Papers, CV's, estate agents papers, empty beer cans....

I am gona have to give the Irish bar a miss tonight. :no :no

Going to nip down the road and get a kebab down on cuba street, it always smells great when I pass and I have only had time to pass by today. :wah

Some Quick Snaps...

http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/DSCF0007.JPG
Some Useful info in the yellow pages! EarthQuakes....

http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0008.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0009.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0010.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0011.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0012.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0013.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0014.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0015.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0016.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0017.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0018.JPG

More to Follow.....

Ian

[jo b]

Rammer best of luck for your interviews.

I am certain you will be getting an offer by the end of the week :nice1

Jo

[Rammer]

Jo, I was about to turn out for a pint, feeling abit tired, looked at the clock and saw 20:17, ah, sod it, I thought, 'gone ten nealy time for bed anyway' hell, can I not tell the time! its only 8:17pm and I am still faling asleep early! at least I did'nt drop off in the afternoon today :no

Still, Theres always tomorrow!

Ian

[jo b]

Rammer

that is definately jet lag, just sleep as much as you can you'll feel better for it.

We were in bed by 10 most night, never heard of back home. mind you I am always on this forum.

Nighty night.

Jo

[Hannah-NL]

Fingers crossed on the interviews. (insert appropriate icon)
So thats how Windy Wellington looks like in autumn huh?
Thanks for sharing those pic! :nice1

[Rammer]

Its been dead windy today. Rain all morning. Dried up mostly by afternoon, seen in the pics. It's not that cold tho, well, I dont feel cold after clambering up some of the hills in welly. Its nice here!

[kiwidollie]

:nice1 Just want to wish you luck for your interviews.

Fingers crossed and hope everything goes well for you.

Sock it to em!!! :nice1 :laugh

[Rammer]

Thanks! :nice1

Just Ironing a shirt before I wonder off down the road AGAIN! Does'nt ironing calm your nerves abit. I bet the interviewer will spot a nervous candidate by the well ironed shirt :laugh

Its a Lovely sunny day here in welly today. not a single cloud. 1st time I have seen the sun since landing here :no

Ian

[Hannah-NL]

Good luck Rammer, keeping my fingers crossed for you :clap Oops someone stole that icon!

[Rammer]

:clap YES :clap 2nd interview tomorrow with the job I wanted!

2nd Interview! what are they gona do to me this time, the 1st interview involved some tough techi questions and a practical test! maybe they want me to do a days work FOC as a trial, who knows!

Wish they where this quick in the UK! This is only my 2nd day of tramping around welly. It feels like I have been here 2 weeks already and I still have'nt checked if the water really does go down the plug hole the other way!

Some more pics

http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0019.JPG
WOW, Lovely clear day this morning....(do I need to say where this is!)

http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0020.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0021.JPG
http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0022.JPG
Some Pressies for the kiddies

http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/NZ/Images/DSCF0024.JPG
Katy will love this!!

Bye for now.
Ian

[bbq]

Ian

If you already had a tough techie interview, I am sure the 2nd will be them just seeing if they think you will fit it.

I am sure you'll walk it.

all the best

good luck

alex :clap

ps great pics!

[Rammer]

yeah... I dont care what it is, bring it on :clap

[Rammer]

Back from 2nd interview, I think it went ok, not as technical as 1st interview.

While I have no more interviews this afternoon, I am gona go out and have a look a little beyond the city! Thinking of oriental bay and the area easy walking. I am taking mi camera so I will post them here later...

More Pics, I have just made a simple page to display them all save posting on the forum - just look Here (http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/nz/index.htm)

I will keep adding more pics/pages to this - Enjoy

Ian

[Rammer]

Yes, Another update! Just has a call back from t'agency. 2nd intervew was very positive, and they are going to re-group on Friday to see where I would be best placed within the team. Sounds like a job offer is pending here.... :clap :clap :clap :clap

(See Maxine, I told ya, It CAN be done.... ;) )

Better wait til Friday before we crack open a bottle tho ;-)

Ian

[Rimbo]

I know it's too early for congratulations and all that. But what i will say is well done for getting this far. Even if a job does not materialize you'll be bouncing positive vibes about for the other interviews, so your on a win win really. :nice1
In my experiance, employers that i met would taylor a job for me, or as you say group together to find a place to fit in, my current employers said they don't want to put square pegs in round holes. My understanding of it later was that when they see a person they like, with similar skills to what they want, they'll do their best to hire him/her anyway.... so....well done mocker!
can't wait till Friday!
John :cool

[Rammer]

Hi John,

Yeah, I was told something like that at an Agency the other day. They said, sometimes when they put your details about to their clients, even if there was not a job advertised, they hire you, just because your are here and your skills fit, call you in for an interview to see if you can be placed well somewhere in the company, particulaly the banks, she said.

We will see on Friday!

Early night for me tonight! I have never done so much darting around a strange city! I have lost count the number of meetings I have had and this is only day 3 of the 1st working week I have been here.

Ian

[Babette & Andy]

Way to go Ian :clap :clap you're not going to do a 'Rimbo' are you (ie not coming back) :laugh Fingers crossed for Friday, all sounds very postive :nice1

Babette

[Rammer]

Babette,

No I am comming back, I have a return ticket! I asked about start times any they do understand the situation, 6-8 weeks is defo OK. gives me time to hand in my notice & serve 4 weeks pack & fly back over here.

Getting abit scarry now tho :uhoh Its all happed so quick after me landing here. I have not had a chance to go very far cos of the need to get back for meetings etc, I have been up on the cable car today to the botanic gardens the views from here knocked me off my feet! I have never seen anything like this before and did'nt real know what to expect when I got there, but it was fab :nice1 there are load of pics of it * Here * (http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/nz) on page 2

Absolutley, Positively, Wellington!

Ian

[jo b]

Fingers crossed Ian.

Well done sound like you find somethingquick. I knew you would.

Welly is a bit different to Whelley Eh!!

Jo

[Rammer]

Welly is a bit different to Whelley Eh!!

'Not Half' !!!! hic

[Rammer]

Went on ferry today from Lambton Harbour Wellington across to Day's Bay near Eastbourne, It is realy nice there :nice1 only takes 20mins Pics - * Here * (http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/nz) on page 3

Ian

[Hannah-NL]

Great pics again Rammer, winter does not look bad at all in New Zealand! :nice1

[Rimbo]

Nice Pics Ian....who's the bird? :mrgreen:

You could do a Rimbo and not go back. It may be hard to say goodbye to the family again, or, you may have not said goodbye and need to go back (if that makes sense). I wanted to go back and my return ticket is still active, it just seemed a bit daft to go back for two weeks, get all emotional again when i had already sort of said "see ya" to most folks anyway.

Any road up, any news???

John :cool

[Rammer]

Nice Pics Ian....who's the bird? :mrgreen:

That was realy quite odd I thought, soon as I sat down at to top of the Cable Car run, there where birds all round me! :mrgreen:

As for going back, I need to really. I have 2 kiddies counting the days untill I am back. Like you say, I have'nt really said goodbye to people yet, and I have'nt finished work yet!!!! I goda give em 4 weeks to be in good books.

As for the Job, I have the final of the final interview on Monday at 12 noon (I have had 3 so far) is this normal of are they uming and ahring? I could find the place now with my eyes shut, and I could name at least 8 of their staff!

Ian

[jess]

Thanks for posting the great pics! When we were there in April we had the birds show up too, and later my husband said, We should have taken a picture of those birds all around us. I'll have to show him when he gets home.

Jessica

[Rimbo]

I only met my employers twice, the second time was to recieve a job offer and for me to decide whether it was right or not. But we was in constant communication for my 5 week trip, they wanted to know every move I made and whether i was recieveing a job offer or not. I think it was the job offer and the promise of another one to come that made up thier mind, they either went for it or possibly loose out (Sorry, I'm not bragging or antything).

Take it as normal, don't pin your hopes on it and carry on concentrating on your interviews.

Thy'll be reet fo' sure! Appen!

John :cool

[Rammer]

Pics Updated - Here (http://www.3dflyers.co.uk/nz/page4.htm)

[Rimbo]

Have you been to Wigan St yet?

[Rammer]

I have as it happens, just out of curiosity!

[Hannah-NL]

Another page filled with great pics Rammer, thanks again!
I thought the last photo's looked a bit crowded ;) But what a view eh?!

[Diny]

Brilliant pics.

And the shot of the warehouse ........ made my day.

My 7 year old son Henry and I burst into song with ........


The Warehouse
The Warehouse
Where everyone gets a bargain.

Keep the pics coming - good to see them.

Diny

[Rammer]

Yeah, a mix of general day to day pics and seneric views. I took some 5mb pix from the viewpoint, I can zoom in (on pc) to each house, incredible.

well I did promise Maxine pics of schools and stuff, more to come during the next few days left.

Ian

[Rammer]

Yip, Back again after 1.5 hour final of the final interview. looking promising :nice1 I am not pinning my hopes on it, If I get it, I get it, this is not to say I did'nt go in the interview in full force, They could'nt shut me up, which is not like me....

Still keep getting the 'Ian, what are you doing...' type feelings :? and 'is this gona be enough to support us all on' :? and 'hope Maxine likes it here!' :?

Looking for a rental now in Johnsonville, Ngaio, Khanddallah (Thanks to Sarah & Zac you really sold the area to me!!) they are great areas to live, nice schools, shopping centers, commute train to CBD (takes 15mins) 5 min away. Wonderfull views of wellington. Loads for the kids to do - there are some really good parks and walks very close by. It looks and feels right which I thinks is important.

Anyroad, Im off, Chiniese for lunch me thinks.....

Ian

[Rammer]

Well, last evening here in downtown Wellington. I think I have acomplished most of what I came here intending to do Like:

Get a good job ; open a bank account ; get a tax number (IRD) ; Look for the nice places to live ; look at rental propertys - as well as sale propertys in our (my!) choosen areas to live.

It is so nice here. The food is good where ever you go (I am either not fussy or just been dam lucky in my choice of venues!), beer is ok, wines are exceptional, Im sure they only export, lets say, the not so good stuff ;), People here a just so friendly and helpfull. Just opening a bank at ASB was a total experience, no messing about, no complicated forms, good unbiased advice - just pure public relations at its best. Easy! I have also never seen a tax office with such easy going & friendly people in there when I bobed down to get a IRD!

Just wish I could have enjoyed it with my wife & kids around me, Sure, the kids will *LOVE* it here and I hope it gives them the lifestyle they are so wishing for when we all eventualy get here!

So, for all you folks still wondering, I guess you goda be here for the best chances of getting a job. It really means so much to them you being here. 50X better chance. Think of you recki trip as an investment! :nice1

Ian

[bbq]

nice post Ian

Thanks for that, keeps motivation up!

cheers

alex :clap :nice1

[Rimbo]

Ditto! :nice1
Well done.

John :cool

[Rammer]

Thanks ! :nice1 bed time!!!! before 33hrs back to UK - Yuck.....

Happy Birthday john!!!

[Rammer]

Hey, Back in Sidney airport! cannot believe it took so long comming out here!

oops, goda go, gate it calling!

Rammer

[Rimbo]

You'll be back in Blighty now, nursing a hangover eh? ;)
Rather like me, Had me birthday bash last night with loads from work....

played golf early this morning too..... 11am!

C'mon, what's the family said?

John :cool

[Hannah-NL]

Rammer are you back home yet?

[Rammer]

Hi Hannah,

Yes, I am back at home (well back to work in UK actually, gona sort out my notice amongst a million other things!)

Ian

[Hannah-NL]

There you are! Thought you could not leave, after all those pics you so unselfishly posted for all of us, I didnt see you again. Good luck to you and yours, you'll be back over there before you know it! :yes :nice1