[catjlin]

Well, haven't been active on the forum for ages, but I'm back and we're here, yay! :clap Dogs still in quarantine from the USA (2 weeks to go), but we've rented a place in Sumner near the beach and are really enjoying it so far. Still waiting on Visas (and our house in the USA to sell), but thought it was a case of 'now or never' so here we are!

Cat

[Annierobrigado]

catjlin

good on you, you're there! would you like to send us some photos of your place? it sounds great, from your mail.

good luck! and take care

annie

[catjlin]

Thanks, I'll post some photos tomorrow. So far we love it! Just hope all the gardening I'm doing is correct. For all I know I'm pulling out the plants we want to have and leaving the weeds. LOL
Cat

[K&CS]

Hi Cat

Sounds great - always good to hear things are going well for anyone who has just arrived. We're hoping to rent in Sumner when we arrive either later this year or early next year, so would love to see any photos and hear any thoughts you have about the area!

Good luck

Kate

[Kim39]

Hi Cat

Sounds great - always good to hear things are going well for anyone who has just arrived.





Just thought i would echo these thoughts. Hope you settle well and a big welcome back to your world :clap

Kim

[tigerlily]

Great news to hear that you have arrived! Please keep us posted. Would love to hear more of your impressions of the place, esp what do you notice as an American? Attitudes toward Americans, things that are diff besides lack of spicy food?

[catjlin]

OK, I think I did this correctly

http://share.shutterfly.com/

That link should go to a Shutterfly album shots of our house in Sumner. Or you can paste it in your address line Very basic at the moment, just the essentials, but it'll get there.

Cat

[GeorgeM]

I like the shot of the bike in front of the fire in the sitting room.

After the first ever episode of Coronation St in 1960 one TV critic panned the programme for being out of date - he particularly stated that in that day and age no one still fixed their bike in front of the fire in the parlour. He was promptly deafened by the response from huge numbers of people who did!

Good to see that the practice is still going strong 45 years later...

[catjlin]

Why would anyone do it elsewhere? It's the cosiest room in the house except the kitchen (and the hubby won't let me bring my toys in there!).

Cat

[tigerlily]

Thank you for sharing, it looks like a really cute place, and GREEN for midwinter!

[catjlin]

Tigerlily,
Yes, very green, especially coming from winters in the Rockies. Mowed the lawn today, haven't missed that at all. Impressions on coming here from the States? Super friendlypeople, never seem surprised if I say I'm from CA (where I grew up) but always interested if I say I'm from CO. The houses are much less insulated (except the newer ones) but other than having to put on another layer, it hasn't been a problem. Definitely love their rugby (especially since the Lions are here) and having a jug after work. Honestly, it doesn't seem all that different . . . yet. We'll see, it's only been 3 weeks.
Cat

[tigerlily]

What do you think of the food in the supermarkets? When I travelled there, we only ate at restaurants so I have no idea what to expect there.
My dream is if Whole Foods would open a store somewhere in NZ!