[jo b]

All,

I was just thinking as there seems to be quite a number of us from the North West going to NZ does anybody fancy a night out :P .
It would be great that we could all share our dreams and ideas in the flesh and who knows make some lifelong friends along the way :D .
I am sure having friends at the other side of the world will help everyone moving and settling in .

If anyone is up for it we could do say either.

Warrington
Wigan
Ashton-in-Makerfield
Liverpool
Chester - BTW there is a NZ exhibition there soon if anyone wants to know more, then we could meet up after.

Or if the locations aren't suitable suggestions are very welcome as I know some would need to travel a fair bit i.e Diny.

Answers on a postcard please.

Cheers jo

ps I'll probably not get to reply today as just bathing the kids before 'Get a new life starts'

[nickbraddock]

Hi,
I am from Cumbria, just had EOI accepted. You mention that there is a NZ thingie in Chester sometime, do you have any details, the only one I have seen so far is London and that is a long way for me to trail our 6 year old!
Any help appreciated
Cheers
Nick

[Jon]

I'm up for that, I would invite you all to the mecca that is Widnes, but I think after a night here you would want to stay and not go to NZ after all!!!

If anyone sorts something out please let me know.

Cheers
Jon

[Caven]

Great idea!

Probably too far for us though as we're in Cumbria too. Nick, what part of Cumbria are you in? I can see the Solway from where I am, not wanting to be too open publicly :laugh

[Dave & Sandra]

Now you suggest it after I have just left Warrington and am now in Feilding, NZ :laugh

Sandra

[Caven]

Hello D&S,

Just got our ITA through this morning :nice1 Yipeee!

Would you mind us asking for info on the area in the near future? We're not sure which side of Palmy to settle in as I'll be working in Linton, but at the moment Fielding is looking best for our needs (have always liked a good half hour drive to get work out the system before home!)

Thanks guys.

[Dave & Sandra]

Hi Caven

Congrats on the ITA - I wish it was Wednesday so that I would know if we are selected. :?

Feilding is a nice place with most of the things you would need, 3 supermarkets, plenty of liquor stores, a McDonalds and KFC (if you're into those things - I know kids are) and lots of small local shops, although you would need to go into Palmerston North for things like department stores and the cinema, although there is a small theatre. There's a good Irish pub called Murray's which has become Dave's local. There's a library and a swimming pool. Just a few minutes drive from Manawatu Gorge where you can do lots of exciting, energetic things. There's a real feeling of space - the roads are wide, not much traffic and lots of parks.

There are lots of different types of properties and they are proud of maintaining the original features of older properties like ours which was built in 1910 and the thing that I find strange is that you can have a tiny inexpensive property next door to a big, big property. Something that you don't really get in the UK. The advantage is that property is so much cheaper here than in Palmy and it's only 15-20 mins away from the bright lights. :laugh

I'm still getting a feel for the place and have just become mobile this evening. Bought a RAV 4 for $8,500, 10 years old but in very good condition. It was parked in front of the golf course with a 'For Sale' sign on and we just happened to be in the right place at the right time. All positive signs up to now - just wish the weather would improve. Overcast and very windy today, which is no fun in a non-centrally heated house, but we're working on that.

PS I lived in Carlisle and Brampton for 6 years - can't be too far from you.

Sandra

[Diny]

Hi Sandra

Once again I'm left feeling almost homesick for the Manawatu when I read your posts, everywhere you talk about is so familiar to me. We have relatives in Maclua Street (I'm sure I've spelt that wrong) - I wonder if you are anywhere near them? We'll be up for a night or two in Murrays' when we get there.

Jo b

A get together sounds fine to us. Hubby will be home between 7th October and 2nd November - we can't make the weekend of 16th but any other time will be ok for us. Obviously Chester is our closest, but with plenty of notice we could make other venues. We have 2 boys age 7 and 8 so would have to be a pain and ask for a child friendly venue. Let us know what you come up with.

Diny

[jo b]

All,

http://www.consylpublishing.co.uk/infodays

This link has details of the Chester day. Sadly it's on a Friday :(

Does anyone fancy meeting on a Sat or Sunday afternoon then we can be a bit more kid friendly. I have 2 aged 9 and 5.

Linda and Rimbo are you up for it :nice1 .

Maybe we could pick a hotel/pub off the M6 for lunch around knutsfor/middlewich. If anyone knows of any off the top of their head let me know.


Sandra & Dave really sorry I only really joined the forum afetr you'd left I used to surf on another one :eek but that was more Aus really.


Caven/Nick I worked all over Cumbria last year as the sales manager for the New phone book.

Thanks Jo

[jo b]

All,

http://www.consylpublishing.co.uk/infodays

This link has details of the Chester day. Sadly it's on a Friday :(

Does anyone fancy meeting on a Sat or Sunday afternoon then we can be a bit more kid friendly. I have 2 aged 9 and 5.

Linda and Rimbo are you up for it :nice1 .

Maybe we could pick a hotel/pub off the M6 for lunch around knutsfor/middlewich. If anyone knows of any off the top of their head let me know.


Sandra & Dave really sorry I only really joined the forum afetr you'd left I used to surf on another one :eek but that was more Aus really.


Caven/Nick I worked all over Cumbria last year as the sales manager for the New phone book.

Thanks Jo

[Diny]

A Sat/Sun daytime meet would be great for us, and Knutsford Middlewich area is ok - just off the M6.

Count us in.

Diny

[Caven]

Hiya Sandra, ya'aarite marrah??!

Thanks very much for your post, we're very grateful :nice1

Fielding sounds as good as it looks, wide roads and plenty of parks - at the moment we're in a cramped street with one park, vandalised. :laugh

If we could ask you more and more as this thing starts rolling, we would be very grateful indeed. Still got our fingers crossed for you guys :hopeso My wife says that come Wednesday, we'll look into doing a tele-sales with Murray's bar and stick a few celebratory bevvies behind the bar you ;)

Best, best wishes, Caven

[blue]

Hi would love to meet up and venue ok would have to be a sat or sun. Diny we could go up together if you like. Have you sold yet? I am changing estate agent again. He is still advertising it with the old board up and not putting no upward chain and not returning my phonecalls so took it off with them today. Had one viewing since it went up with them, going to reduce the price considerably to get rid of it.

[Rimbo]

appen!
Let us know when /where and we'll try to get there. Again, sat/sun is best for us.
I can't think of anywhere to meet in that area but would be happy to do a reccy if you wanted.
:nice1

John

[Diny]

Blue

Had an offer on Friday but she hasn't sold her house yet so not holding any hope on it. All it takes is that one person to walk throught
the door ..... I just with the blighters would hurry up. Only been on the market 2 weeks - I know I'm getting impatient.

Who you selling with now? It's a shame you have to reduce the price to sell but sometimes you just have to do these things.

Yeah - we'll travel to the 'meet' together. Any day is fine for us except 16th oct.

Speak soon.

Diny

[jo b]

Well how about this fr a venue for our North west meet :cheers

5 mins from J19 M6

http://www.cottonshotel.co.uk/map.html

We can do the 9th or 10th October.

How does that suit? :hopeso

Cheers

Jo & Family

[Diny]

Fine for us :nice1

Diny

[Rimbo]

:cheers
Any of those two will be OK for us.

Please, no chocolate!
:P
John

[Diny]

Yeah !!!!!

I'll bring Cadbury's - you bring Lindt and let battle commence.

Diny

[Kim39]

Am up for it too. Cottons Hotel!! bit swanky ain't it? Give me a time and date and i'll be there. :nice1

Kim

[jo b]

Right Cottons it is maybe a bit swankey but hey we are leaving swank behind so may as well make the most of it eh :laugh

Sunday 10th Oct about pm 1.30pm.

Does this suit everyone.


The cadbury's HGV will get there around 2pm teehee ;)

Cheers Jo

ps if it is a bit expensive we can always track down a local pub nearby :cheers

Jo

[Diny]

It's in my diary - we'll be there God willing.

Diny

[Rimbo]

We'll be there so you can meet mr and mrs angry!
:nice1

[jo b]

We'll be there so you can meet mr and mrs angry!
:nice1

Can't wait :mrgreen:

Jo

[Diny]

Rimbo

:nice1

[Kim39]

Fine by me :nice1 will be there. Jo b, just a question. Seeing you are the main organiser, how will we know its you? Just a thought, put a board in front of yourself saying NZ meet here. Only a thought.

[anita]

We are located in Sale Manchester and would be up for meeting up Knutsford is quite close to us.We could probably only manange a saturday as i work most sundays

[blue]

Just marked it on the calender. How do we recognise each other? how about a pink carnation or we all carry a newspaper or perhaps bad idea people might think we all nuts!

[Diny]

I've got a big pink floppy sunhat .... shall I wear that so you can recognise me?

Diny

[jo b]

All,

Anita has replied and said that she can only make Saturday. Can we all make that if not we will stick with Sunday and then have another meet later on.

I will have a rose in my lapel and my husband will have a Times under his arm.

Only kidding once date confirmed I will phone Cottons and ask them to reserve tables with NZ meet written on them, so we can all identify each other. I will bring some sticky labels so we can do a Dame Edna and have name badges on (only kidding again).

Cheers

Jo

[Diny]

Jo

Saturday is fine for us (will check with PB but can't see any problems). May actually work out abit better - won't have to be thinking about getting the kids home for early baths etc ready for school next day.

Either day is ok with us.

Diny

[jo b]

Jo

Saturday is fine for us (will check with PB but can't see any problems). May actually work out abit better - won't have to be thinking about getting the kids home for early baths etc ready for school next day.

Either day is ok with us.

Diny

Oh yeah! never thought of that Sat will probably be better for us too.

This is really dangerous I am working from home today and find I am on this forum.

Must crack on. speak to you later

Jo

[jo b]

I've bumped this up so the other NWers can see our proposed day change.

Cheers

Jo

[Kim39]

Tell me is it Saturday or Sunday??????????????????? will you make up your mind, :laugh either day should be fine for us. Just please make a day and stick with it. :nice1

[jo b]

Rimbo,

Can you and Mrs Angry makes Saturday? :hopeso

Blue is that ok for you too? :hopeso

If it is it's a final date 'cos Kim's just told me off for changing the dates :mrgreen:

See you all next week whichever day it turns out to be.

Jo :cheers :cheers

[Rimbo]

Saturday will be fine.
One of us can make it saturday but maybe not both as little Angry has one of his first activities at Cubs which he shouldn't miss.

:nice1

John

[Diny]

Are we talking an all day thing or just the afternoon? Not that it matters, I'm just asking.

Mr Rimbo Angry .... shame little angry has a cubs 'do' - it would have been nice to experience the whole Angry clan together. :laugh

How many other kids will be there? I'll bring my three - Fergus who is 8, Henry who is 7 and Pakeha Boy who is 44.

Diny

[anita]

We will be bringing our boys charlie 3 and jake 6.That is if everyone is ok with a the saturday :hopeso :hopeso :hopeso

[jo b]

Saturday it is then 1.30pm

See you all there!!

Jo

[Diny]

Give us alist of who's going then - I can't keep track of this.

At least we'll know how many people to look out for.

I'm quite looking forward to this.

Diny

[jo b]

So far we have :nice1
Diny
Rimbo
Jo B
Blue
Anita
Kim

Awaiting confirmation who could come :hopeso
Jon
Linda

Looks like we should have a good turn out - Can't wait :cheers

[Diny]

Is the venue a smart place?

Can we come in jeans? I promise they'll be clean. I won't scoop my peas, rest my elbows on the table or make ribald jokes.

Well actually I will.

Diny

[jo b]

[quote="Diny"]Is the venue a smart place?

Can we come in jeans?

Diny Black Tie only :laugh Jean should be fine

I won't scoop my peas, rest my elbows on the table or make ribald jokes.

Well actually I will.

Oh good will make me feel at home then :laugh

Jo

[Rimbo]

We wern't goin to bring little Rimbo anyway. But i suppose if the Cubs do is not on (we have to wait if there is a good response fromt he other Cubs first) we will bring him. He's 8, drinks like a fish and swears like a trooper, takes after Susans side. i found here a few years ago picking coal up from t' slag heaps raand back tha knows.

John :cheers

[Jon]

I'm hopefully going to make it, the only thing to stop me is my geography, but if I leave on the Friday evening I'm sure I'll make it on time!

I'll get a routemap and look forward to seeing everyone.

Cheers
Jon

[jo b]

My word Jon where are you travelling from :eek

I'll be bringing my 2 9 (girl) and 5 (boy).

Be great if the kids met up.

Jo

[Diny]

Crikey Jo

You've been a busy lady ..... 29 girls and 5 boys. :nice1

OK - so slap me for being a pain !

Diny

[jesselyn]

omg! :eek diny, i fell off my chair! :laugh

jes :angel

[jo b]

[quote="Diny"]Crikey Jo

You've been a busy lady ..... 29 girls and 5 boys. :nice


Ah just edited now I have read it properly.

Yep NO TV IN OUR HOUSE :mrgreen:

[Jon]

I'm only coming from Widnes, but I'm hopeless at driving - but I've had a little look and it looks quite straight forward (famous last words). I'm on my own as I'm not married, but with all these children coming I should be about their mental age.

Cheers
Jon

[AliJax]

Hi all,

I go away for four days and I feel like I've missed everything!!!!
Me and ali are up for a meet :cheers
Have girlie age 4 so child friendly a big plus.
saturday is okay but where

linda

[lindajax]

Hi All
thought i'd log on as me,
let me know when and where meet is!!! :nice1

[Diny]

Linda & Ali

I wonder how many other husband & wife teams there are on this forum.

I know what you mean Linda - PB has lost me to the forum too. He uses his work pc, Lord knows how we'll manage when he comes home next week and will want to use this one.

Look back on this post and the venue and time will be detailed.

See you next week.

Diny

[Kim39]

Quick question. Will we be eating on this meet, or just a chat and a drink :cheers . I ask solely due to the possible prices of meals(we are talking Cottons Hotel) :eek , if it is pricey i have a few venues as alternatives and they are local. Don't want to change the place to meet, but if need be we can all move on should it be expensive :exit .
Hope i am not coming across as a cheapskate :mrgreen: , but thinking on the whole.

[Diny]

We'll go with the flow.

I know what you mean about things being expensive. I wonder whether anybody else has fallen into the annoying habit of multiplying costs by 2.7 every time they buy something?

You know the stuff ..... take kids for a walk, stop by at village shop for the obligatory sweeties, hand over the money and think 'phew .... that's ????dollars I've just spent".

Anyway - I digress ..... we'll turn up at the allotted time and then just tag along with what others want to do. Shame the weather has turned or we could have had a picnic somewhere - good old England !!

Diny

[jo b]

All,

I am easy too. I think I mention earlier that if it was expensive we'll find a local pub. Kim if you have any suggestions :nice1

Linda & Ali

Cottons Hotel Link to this is on page 1 with directions.

See you all on Saturday next week.

Jo

[Kim39]

Wow and i say WOW :eek :eek :eek :eek . Just been into the menu for cottons :wah . Sorry but ever thought of remortgaging :laugh :laugh Know of a good chippy in Frodsham (cod & chips) :laugh :laugh
Will let you judge for yourselves. I do know of a couple of local pubs that just maybe able to cater for us :cheers
Will make that decision when the time is right, not here and now.

Kim

[lindajax]

Hi All,
Anyone heard of the Stretton Fox pub it's Warrington way just off the M56 junction 10 I think and food is good and reasonable. :P
Kids welcome if supervised, it is on the net to get directions etc

Just a suggestion band it round and see wot yer thinks :nice1
love linda xx

[lindajax]

hey Diny,

Went away for 4 days it was agony not being able to view the forum :wah
I think I'm addicted :eek :eek :eek
Is there anyone to offer me professional help!!!!!
LOL
linda
xx

[Kim39]

Yes Linda i know the Stretton Fox. Do you know of the Hollow Tree,which is just off the A49 at J10 M56? its only a 15min run from Cottons. Just a thought but this has all the facilities for the kiddies(funky forest) :raebanana and before i get inundated with requests ADULTS ARE NOT :wah allowed in the forest.
Also know of a similar place just off J18 M6 As i said will go with the flow. :nice1

Kim

[lindajax]

Hi Kim,
that sounds more like it with the place to ditch the kids :laugh

Don't know where it is but I'm sure we can 'use the force' to get there.

If you decide between all concerned where to go we are up for anywhere but the kid forest thingie sounds fab - at least we'll be able to chat freely for a short time whilst kids 'run wild' in the forest!!!!

love
linda
xx

[Diny]

Sounds good .... if the kids have something to amuse them then we'll have more time to chat.

But will still go with the flow.

Diny