[Babette & Andy]

Hi all NW / Midlands forum members

Well it has become apparent that quite a number of us can't make it on Sat 2nd of July, so here's the proposed new date:-

Saturday 9th July
Salt Cellar pub (near J18 of M6)
1pm - ish

So who's up for it ?????

Babette

[jo b]

Babette,

We'll be there!!

Jo, Ian and the kids

[Kim39]

You know we'll be there. :nice1


Kim

[Diny]

Mark will be in Egypt but Fergie, Henny and I will be there :nice1

Diny

[jo b]

Can we have a game of rounders please :mrgreen:

But this time Kim is on my team and he can be captain.

jo

[Marie P]

The Parkers will be there .... :cheers

[Diny]

As a proven 'double rounder whacker' who wants to be on my team?

Diny

[Babette & Andy]

We should be able to find a similar even surface to Sunday's :laugh :laugh So, Jo & Kim - what are the rules again??? :mrgreen: We need to make sure Dave's there to set the distance between the bases, sorry I meant chairs ;)

No seriously guys, I'm up for a repeat game but reckon this could be tricky on the carpark. . .

Babette

[jo b]

Right then how about we find a park and we all take a picnic. No waiting for food! And much cheaper.

Jo

[KD17]

We'll be there in mind but not body... usually its the other way round :roll: :roll:

Have fun and hopefully see you there later in the year.


Keith & Debby

[Babette & Andy]

Good idea :nice1 Possibly a bit dependant on the weather, but we could always decide to change arrangements the day before if the forecast was really bad.

One location that springs to my mind and I think would be great is Tatton Park. Some of you may know it. It's in Knutsford not far from M6 J19 (clearly signposted but I could give directions if needed).

For those of you who don't know it:-
really big National Trust parkland (2000 acres estate),
you pay £4 for entry on a per car basis,
great outdoor adventure playground with big fields next to it that are regularly used for cricket / rounders / picnics etc

Here's a link to their site:- http://www.tattonpark.org.uk I've had a quick look and there aren't any 'events' listed for the 9th.

What do you guys think? Any other locations?

Babette

[Kim39]

I'm only playing so long as there no cheating going on JO. :laugh Maybe not a bad shout actually(Tatton Park), :nice1 so long as the weather stays good.

I suppose the best thing to do is get a 2-5 day forecast in the lead up.

So how about a poll. Babette/Jo, will leave this to you as i ain't got round to figuring this poll thing out yet.

Kim

[jo b]

Babette,

I thought of Tatton Park too. :clap If the weather stays good it would be a great day.

At the end of the day we have to get to grips with the kiwi way of doing things i.e. picnics etc. :nice1

Jo

[Babette & Andy]

At the end of the day we have to get to grips with the kiwi way of doing things i.e. picnics etc. Absolutely :nice1

Just for you Kim - I've added a poll ;) Agree we'll need to keep an eye on the weather report and make a definate decission say on the Thursday prior as to where we're meeting. Can bring a gazebo to put up, for some shade or shelter from the rain.

I think it's a great idea Jo :clap Looking forward to it already.

So what do all the other NW forumers think of our Kiwi approach??

Babette

[Marie P]

Tatton Park .....sounds like a great idea .....

:clap :clap

Marie x

[Jon]

That weekend's out for me I'm in Amsterdam, but as I've not made the last couple because of work I wouldn't take too much notice of me.

Have a good one.

Cheers
Jon

[jo b]

Also,
we could bring a plate i.e. don't do the full lunch for one family bring one plate of a certain stuff to feed us all and we can all have a selection.

Dont' forget beers in the cooler box!!

Jo

[Diny]

That sounds like a blooming brilliant idea.

Ladies a plate please :laugh

Tatton Park is a definate for us Norries, and if the weather turns to custard on the day - just make a few hurried phone calls and meet at the Salt Cellar .... simple.

However ..... can we make sure we have a MASSIVE field. There are those amongst us who manage to whack impressive double rounders and we don't want any whinging from the losing side about it being 'out of bounds'.

Fingers crossed for the weather - I'm looking forward to it already.

Diny

[clarabell]

Hi,
I think we may be able to make this one. Would it be ok to gate crash? :mrgreen:

It would be me, Jamie and the kids, Alex and Amelia. :smile

Tatton Park sounds like a great idea btw...but only if we can come ;)

[Diny]

OF COURSE YOU CAN COME !!!!!!!!

These meetings are open to everybody - the more the merrier. It will be great to see you.

By the way .... put your word in early - do you want to be on the same team as the exceptionally brilliant double rounder batter?

Diny

[Kim39]

However ..... can we make sure we have a MASSIVE field. There are those amongst us who manage to whack impressive double rounders and we don't want any whinging from the losing side about it being 'out of bounds'.



By the way .... put your word in early - do you want to be on the same team as the exceptionally brilliant double rounder batter?


Oh dear the cats got the creamhttp://www.websmileys.com/sm/animal/002.gif

Kim

[wendy p]

Hi Everybody :hi , I just thought I would introduce myself and family. Me (Wendy), Daz my husband and Luke our little boy 21 months old.

We have started the paperwork process of emigrating to New Zealand, Ideally to Nelson. We hope to move out there early next year.

Looking forward to meeting up....on the 9th of July.

Great forum with lots of very useful info :clap

[jo b]

Welcome Wendy and family,

enjoy the forum loads of good info. The meets in the North West are great because already we have a network of friends in NZ.


See you on the 9th,
You won't need to search for us just listen and you'll hear us.

Jo

[wendy p]

Thanks for making us feel so welcome.

We would really like to make some new friends before moving out there.
It is a really big step and it is nice to know other people are in the same position.

Cheers Jo

[Rammer]

Oreet everyone!

Yip Tatton Park fine by us, I kind of remember a charity casino night there while working at Radbroke Hall in Knutsford.... :?

Anyway - we are in.... c u there.

Ian & Maxine & Thomas & Katy (with hair nicely done!)......

[jo b]

Just to save any competitive rows on the day

http://www.nra-rounders.co.uk/rules.html

Jo

[Marie P]

Hello Wendy ,

welcome to forum .

Marie x

[wendy p]

Hi Marie

I see you live in Warrington, what area do you live in as we live in Great Sankey?

Thanks for your welcome

[Kim39]

http://www.nra-rounders.co.uk/rules.html.............. :? think we'll play cricket instead,as you can bowl beamers in this game :laugh

Kim

[Diny]

Oh dear the cats got the cream




M M M E E E O O O W W W !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wendy & Co .... welcome to the forum, it'll be great to meet you on the 9th.

Diny

[Jon]

http://www.nra-rounders.co.uk/rules.html.............. :? think we'll play cricket instead,as you can bowl beamers in this game :laugh

Kim

Sorry Kim

Its a No Ball in cricket if a ball goes above waist height without bouncing, therefore beamers are a no no.....
Then again its sometimes worth giving a couple of runs away if you can put the fear of god into the batsmen (batsperson...not to seem sexist).

Cheers
Jon

[clarabell]

OF COURSE YOU CAN COME !!!!!!!!

These meetings are open to everybody - the more the merrier. It will be great to see you.

Cheers, looking forward to meeting you all :nice1



By the way .... put your word in early - do you want to be on the same team as the exceptionally brilliant double rounder batter?

Diny

But of course!! :cheers

[clarabell]

Thanks for making us feel so welcome.

We would really like to make some new friends before moving out there.
It is a really big step and it is nice to know other people are in the same position.

Cheers Jo

Its good to know some other newbies will be there too :clap
We'll be the ones wandering round searching for the group looking awkward :oops: :mrgreen:

[clarabell]

Thats a thought actually, will there be a designated meeting place or will we have to randomly approach strangers and ask them if theyre moving to NZ till we find you?? :exit

[jo b]

Clarabell,

You'll hear us honest!!

But If not let us know what you'll be wearing and we'll watch out for you.

Jo

[Marie P]

HI Wendy ,

we are from Winwick ,


Marie x

[Diny]

I've got an NZ flag - how about we 'fly it' so that any newbies can recognise us at a glance.

Diny

[clarabell]

I've got an NZ flag - how about we 'fly it' so that any newbies can recognise us at a glance.

Diny

Thats a really good idea! :yes

[Suzy Rimbo]

Hey

Count me in on the next meet!

Jo after my spectacular performance on Sunday would you like to beg me to be on your team !

Don't be shy now come on you know you need me, it's just to good an offer to pass up on. :laugh :laugh

Suxy

X

[jo b]

Er!!! No...

:laugh :laugh :laugh

[Miggy]

We should be OK for the 9th and Tatton sounds gr8.

[clarabell]

Im under strict orders from my daughter Amelia to discover if there are going to be any 7 or 8 year old girls there, she'd like to make a new friend :smile

I know theres a few younger kids going as Ive seen all the cute avatars so my youngest will have a ball, but I wasnt sure about any Amelias age. Were all really looking forward to it :cheers

[Diny]

My two are 8 and 9 but alas ..... they're boys.

Amelia will have a great time - all the kids usualy 'hang out' together and have a great time. She'll make loads of new friends whether they be of the pink or blue variety :nice1

Diny

[Marie P]

Hi Clarabel ,

my daughter Louise is 6 ,she will play with Amelia ,but Diny is right the kids have all just gelled and all play together ,mix of all ages .

looking forward to meeting you .

Marie x

[clarabell]

my daughter Louise is 6 ,she will play with Amelia ,but Diny is right the kids have all just gelled and all play together ,mix of all ages .

looking forward to meeting you .

Marie x

Oh great, she'll love that! She gets on with everyone really, of all ages both boy and girl, but she specifically asked me to find out if there was someone her age :roll: :smile
Were all really looking forward to meeting you too :cheers

[Babette & Andy]

Sorry it's been a few days - school trips to the Zoo, house viewers etc :uhoh

Welcome Clarabell & family :nice1 Look forward to meeting you. Our children are Lianne aged 6, and Amy 2.5 Like said before, all the kids tend to mingle together really nicely, with Kim's Nicola & Hayley and also Jo B's Bethany keeping an eye out on the younger ones. Pretty sure that Stevie D's Louisa is 7 too - so think you'll be dragging Amelia out of the park at the end of the meet :laugh :laugh

Welcome also to Wendy P & family :nice1 How wonderful that your first postings have been in connection with this thread!! My family emigrated to Nelson in Sep'03 so we'll definately see eachother on the other side too :nice1

Diny - how about attaching your NZ flag to our gazebo as a recognition point?? Does everyone know where Tatton Park, and more so the playarea is? (Send me a PM with your phone number and I'll be more than happy to give directions)

Suggest we meet on one of the fields at the end of / adjacent to the children's play area, at the end of the stoned carpark. And if the weather is like the last couple of days, we won't complain :nice1

Babette

[marcia]

Spoken to kev about the meeting this evening and we are hoping to make it - he looked on the map to see where it was and of course compared the distance to the nearest stock car track - "probably about another half and hour or so from Belle Vue!!"

Ayrton (9) wants to know if anyone will play football with him? He does know how to play rounders though but asked if that was just for the 'grown ups' (big kids!! :cool )

So expect to see another 5 'newbies', will contact someone nearer the time for exact directions and what to bring food wise - (we don't all want to turn up with mushy egg butties!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Dazza]

Ayrton I will play football with you mate, anyway we would want to show up the veteran rounders players now would we :mrgreen:

Ooooo mushy egg butties the best, need to make sure that the bread is real soggy to :nice1

Cant wait just hope this weather holds out.

[wendy p]

[quote="Babette & Andy"]

Welcome also to Wendy P & family :nice1 How wonderful that your first postings have been in connection with this thread!! My family emigrated to Nelson in Sep'03 so we'll definately see each other on the other side too :nice1

Babette[/quote

Hi and thanx for making us fell so welcome..Just a quick question, how did your family find it in Nelson, finding jobs? Was it difficult or is there plenty of work? We really want to live in Nelson and it is job dependant?

Thanx

Wendy

[Babette & Andy]

Wendy, I'll send you a PM (= Private Message just incase you didn't know), as this is going a bit off-thread.

Marcia & family - Looking forward to seeing all of you on the 9th :clap

Babette

[StevieD]

Hi Everybody, fresh back from a gloriously sunny week in the lakes, slightly frazzled from the UV, and raring to go on the forum again! Kieran was practising his whittling wood for when we visit Dannivirke Jo B!
We'll send you the photo..... And the rain only started once we packed the tent in the car today!! Definite result there.

Nice to see the rounders issue is continuing, and I agree with Kim, there were definite issues with the cheating, especially the long grass tripping his team up! (Only just got the mud off the face :laugh ) And as for the double rounder hmmmm..... definite homer there Diny, you knew about that corn field didn't you. Oh, and Kieran asked if he left his little football in your mum and dads garden???


Welcome to the new members! All been said before, everybody welcome. Don't worry about the kids Clarabell, Kieran (9) and Louisa (7) are looking forward to meeting your kids, so there shoud be no worries there. All the kids get on really well (but we must hide the beer from the boys this time round! :eek ) As for the recognition bit, yes we all been through that one, but sure you'll manage just fine! Just look out for Kim39's huge shock of black hair, looks a bit like Harry Enfield's Scouser characters ;)
He certainly shocks people who meet him, so be ready :laugh

Stevie D

[Diny]

He certainly shocks people who meet him, so be ready



True !!!!!!! Just ask my dad about the first time he set eyes on our Kim :laugh :laugh

Diny

[StevieD]

Yeah, quote - "OH MY GOD! ! ! !" :laugh :laugh :laugh

[Babette & Andy]

Really looking forward to the 9th, let's all keep our fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us :cool

Going from the responses on this thread, and various messages on other threads also stating 'see you on the 9th', it looks like it's going to be a huge turnout :nice1

Would like to make a suggestion with regards to the food we're all bringing. Rather than trying to coordinate who's bringing what in order to avoid over-duplication of egg butties :laugh I think it might be an idea to do the following (I came across this at a BBQ last year in Nelson :cheers )

Bring a number of different dishes / food items that you know you & your family would like (but not totally enough to feed you all), and of each of the items make a bit too much so that others can share. This way we should end up with loads of different things to choose from. Ok there may be some duplication, but I'm sure everybody will use slightly different ingredients / tastes etc. Does this make any sense? What do you guys think? In Nelson we ended up with an absolute feast :nice1 :nice1

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now, it was just a thought. I'm going to be off-line for a while (family emergency in Holland :( ) so will catch up with replies in a week or so.

Babette

[Annierobrigado]

hey, good cheers to your July 9 meet! we'll also have our 6th philippine meet on july 9. we're up to almost 60 members in our "pinoy 2 Nz" group, and many of them have received their visas already. Jesselyn and Beah might leave in Sept!

:cheers
annie

[Lisa T]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and was directed here by the helpful people "on the other side".

Can anyone come to the meeting? - we don't know the area but can follow directions.


We're hoping to be in Auckland during September where hubbie has a job to start....bit nervous even though we've been. EOI submitted and selected on June 8th but we've heard nothing since........

[Annierobrigado]

hi!

you were selected june 8? congrats! but welcome to the waiting room... depends on how fast nzis works, it'll probably take an average of 3 months before you receive your ITA (invitation to apply for migration) because of the backlog of applications that flood nzis everyday. for us we've been selected nov 10 and we don't have the ita yet; according to nzis those who were selected nov 10 will be allocated to visa officers in august (it used to be last may, but i guess they had to move the dates up). so just be patient and wait... in the meantime you can get all your documents ready.

hope you can attend the nw meet. it'll be great for you to meet the others with the same dream as you, and they can give you all the tips you need for your eventual move. plus you'll have friends who you can see in nz when you get there.

good luck!
annie

[Diny]

Hi Lisa

Welcome to the forum. Of course anybody can come along to the meetings - the more the merrier.

You will be made very welcome, there's a few 'newbies' coming this time around so there's no need to feel awkward about turning up.

Weather permitting we're meeting at Tatton Park this time for a picnic and a champions of champions game of rounders (watch out for Kim's team ..... they're c**p !!!!!).

Watch this space for the final details and arrangements nearer the time and feel free to PM me if you need to ask anything.

See you soon.

Diny

[jo b]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and was directed here by the helpful people "on the other side".

Can anyone come to the meeting? - we don't know the area but can follow directions.


We're hoping to be in Auckland during September where hubbie has a job to start....bit nervous even though we've been. EOI submitted and selected on June 8th but we've heard nothing since........

Lisa welcome to the forum. Yes all are welcome to the meets. This sounds like it will be a great turn out.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Jo

[clarabell]

Bring a number of different dishes / food items that you know you & your family would like (but not totally enough to feed you all), and of each of the items make a bit too much so that others can share. This way we should end up with loads of different things to choose from. Ok there may be some duplication, but I'm sure everybody will use slightly different ingredients / tastes etc. Does this make any sense? What do you guys think? In Nelson we ended up with an absolute feast :nice1 :nice1


So we all bring a few dishes and share then? Like the kiwi bring a plate thing? :mrgreen:
Cool! Good job this was posted or we would have just brought stuff for ourselves!! Would have looked very selfish sat up a corner eating our own food!! ;) ;)
I take the risk of sounding like a drunk, but does anyone take wine? http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/ernaehrung/food-smiley-022.gif

[Diny]

Don't forget the picnic blankets !!!!!!!

Also - I guess if it's tanking down on the 9th we'll be reverting to the usual venue of the Salt Cellar?

Diny

[StevieD]

Question, who will be supplying the rounders equipment? Not got any kit here myself......

[Lisa T]

Thanks for the really friendly replies. We'll all be there assuming nothing goes wrong...... ("we" being me, hubby and boy 9 and girl 7).

I'll keep looking for the extra info and keep reading the posts for really useful comments and things that make me laugh!!

Lisa........

[StevieD]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v665/Blunoze/Magoohaka.jpg

Kim39 prepares for his next game of rounders!! :eek

(Sorry Kim :nice1 )

StevieD :roll:

[Kenny]

[
At the end of the day we have to get to grips with the kiwi way of doing things i.e. picnics etc. :nice1

Jo[/quote]



If you want to do it the KIWI way then make sure you take the BBQ.

I would bring mine but I can't afford the extra weight restriction.
:exit

PS. Does anyone know how much it cost's to get the BBQ from Wellington to the UK?

Have a good time.

[jo b]

Well guys

I can provide rounders bat and a heavier ball than last time but not a corker!! We don't want any accidents do we? :mrgreen:

Just to help everyone get organised bringing food etc.

This is a list of who is coming
Babette & Crew (4)
Diny & Crew (4)
Jo B & Crew (4)
Kim & Crew (4)
Stevie D & Crew (4)
Marie P & Crew (4)
Clarabell & Crew (4)
Wendy & Crew (3)
Rammer & Crew (4)
Suzy & little John (2)
Miggy & crew (3)
Marcia & crew (5)
Lisa T & crew (2)

Thant makes 25 adults & 23 kids 48 in total Wow this is our biggest turnout yet.

I cannot wait, picnic hamper at the ready etc. I am going to bring sticky name badges so it will make it easier for everyone.

I recommend getting there aorund 12 ish to set up so to speak.

Jo

[StevieD]

Don't forget Scoop, Muck and Dizzy, Roly too :laugh :laugh :laugh

Great list, this is going to be one large meet!! Kieran wants to bring his little cricket set, just in case the other kids want to have a go at that, (with a tennis ball) and I'm sure there will be a football there too.

Let's just hope the sun shines down and the rain stays away.

[Diny]

Steve - I promise we'll bring Keirens football - the one he left in my dads garden after the BBQ the other week.

Slight change to the numbers ..... Only 3 of us in our crew 'cos Mark will still be on the rig.

Looking forward to it heaps - be there or be square.

Diny

[Kim39]

Jeeze Steve, your giving me some stick aren't ya!!!!! Getting me back for that "We want you,we want you" chant the other week. :laugh

Bring it on i'm loving it. :nice1

Kim

[robothamma]

Sorry to mess your numbers up :oops: but is it ok to add another 2 adults and 4 kids (2 boys, and 2 girls)? Great thinking on the name tags :clap I have all on to get the right name to the right child with my 4 alone! :laugh :laugh :laugh

Michelle

[Annierobrigado]

hi diny, jo b, everybody

good luck and great cheers on your july 9 meet! last june 11 we had a meet in our house which is outside of manila, so whle the adults discussed all about nz immigration the kids had a whopping time in the pool. we also had a bring-a-plate thing, but jesselyn organized everybody with bring disposable plates, spoons and cups, and also had name tags that were laminated(she's a great organizer, she is) for about 48 adults.
had a marvelous time, burped a lot from eating too much, and all in all got to know a lot of people with the same dream. so hopefully we allget to see each other in nz!

have a fab time!
annie

[jo b]

Thanks for the best wishes Annie,

Everyone don't forget to being deck chairs.

Robothamma, look forward to seeing you there too.

Jo

[K&CS]

Is it ok to add another 4 to this? We're not actually from the NW (though not a million miles away either), but we're staying with friends in Stockport on Sat 8th and thought it would be crazy not to drop in and say hello. At 33 weeks pregnant, I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me from rounders (although you could use me as the ball) - OH will just have to make up for me!!!

Is it ok if we don't bring home made food? - because we're not staying at home the night before, I thought we'd just pop in at a supermarket on the way to get some nice grub!

Anyway, it'll me be me (Kate), OH (Craig) and the kids (girls aged 5 and 7. Someone wanted to know if there would be any 7 year old girls - well there will although she's taller than your average 9 year old!).

I'll be the heavily pregnant woman looking lost! Looking forward to it already!

Kate

[Diny]

It'll be great to see you. This is turning into quite a beano !!!!!!

Listen - don't worry too much about the food side of things. If you have a chance then great but if not I'm sure there'll be heaps to go round.

A couple of weeks ago our family went out with Kim39s family ...... Elaine and I took a picnic to feed the five thousand .... and there was only 8 of us.

Still trying to decide what to take ...... I reckon we're going to end up with an interesting spread.

Diny

[kiwidollie]

;) I don't want to jinx things but shhhhh (I think we'll be coming too).

We missed the last meet up and I had really looked forward to it - spent the day on the sofa feeling really carp instead.

So that's 4 more bodies, complete with deck chairs and picnic.

Will quietly look forward to it and if we get anyone asking to view the house on that day they can flipping well come another time!!!

:yes