[markkellaway]

Hi All,

We're getting closer to our planned move date now. We had our leaving party on Friday which has made everything much more real, so I thought I'd post on our progress to date:

1. The house; We are still waiting for exchange on the house. Because our house is being bought partly by a registered charity (the Baptist church) and partly be a private buyer they have to get a Charities Commission Consent. This process should complete this Friday so we can exchange. :nice1

2. The move; We have the tickets help on AirNZ for the 11th of August, the shippers are booked for the 25th & 26th July. Hopefully the house exchange will go through as planned and we won't have to change any dates. :?

3. Arriving in NZ; This is pretty much up together, we are being picked up a the airport by Nic (Kiwi) and have somewhere to stay while we settle. We're hoping to buy rather than rent as long as I can secure a job, which leads me on to the next point:

4. I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!
Some of you may remember that I had an interview in NZ last year that nearly landd me a job before recruitment was stopped for a restructure. Well, the same job came up a week or 2 ago, I had a telephone interview last night, more of a second interview really, and they have made me a verbal offer!!!! Good salary, 4 weeks leave and family medical cover, I realy am very chuffed. :laugh :clap :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

That's it for now!

Mark. :P

[A & M]

Great news Mark, hope to meet up once you are out here.

Mandy and family

[veronica]

ditto to andy and mandy comment.. look forward to it.

[Moorf]

Ditto the ditto :nice1

Moorf & Woz

[jo b]

Mark

that's brilliant news, especially the job. I love it when a plan comes together :nice1

Keep us posted.

Jo

[Jo and Andy]

Fantastic news. So you have flights accommodation and JOB, well what more could you look for.

Well done. :clap :clap

[kiwidebs]

Not long to go now. Wahoo!! How exciting for you all. Congrats on the job.

Debs

[Marie P]

Great news .... :clap

GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES ....

Marie x

[Smiler]

Brilliant news. Well done. :clap :clap :clap

Deborah

[Timbo]

Well done Mark, what a result. :nice1

[markkellaway]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the good wishes, can't wait to land to meet the Christchurch "gang". Never thought it was much of a worry but it is a hell of a relief to get that job offer. Can't wait to see it i writing now, only verbal so far. :roll:

Just need to get the **** Baptist church to exchange on the house now. A word of warning if you get a charity buying your house, don't think it's going to be quick!! :wah

Mark. :P

[Jodie]

Thats great news Mark & Anne - Daz and I are really pleased for you! Your flying out here on my birthday, so make sure you have a "Happy Birthday" drink for me on the plane, and we'll have a "Bon voyage" drink for you here in Welly on my birthday! :cheers It seems like so long ago we met up for that bottle of wine and pizzas - it's worth the wait tho, eh?

Congrats on the job offer. See - there was a reason why it didn't happen originally - so you could get your house sale all sorted and get out here within a few weeks. Everything happens for a reason. I believe that SO much.

Good luck with the final stages of the house sale - will keep our fingers crossed for you. Hope we can catch up for a drink if your passing through/visiting Welly sometime.

Jod & Daz
:cool

[GeorgeM]

You lucky people - you've timed it just so that you don't have to get the sarcastic comments every Monday morning about the performance of the Lions!

And here just in time for the Tri Nations and the NPC...

[Babette & Andy]

Excellent news on all fronts Mark :clap Glad to read all is falling into place for you. Best of luck this next month of final preparations.

Babette

[Simon & Emily]

Great news for you all Mark - it couldn't have all been better timed if you planned it. :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

I bet these last few days pass in a blur - you're so close to getting there now.

You're house sale may be slow, but it should all go through OK - that's the main thing.

All the best,

Emily

[Diny]

That's wonderful news ..... it's great when a plan comes together.

I soooooooooo know how you're feeling regarding the exchange/completion on the house sale. Hang in there ........ we'll all get there (in the end).

If you do have to postpone your flight for a short while don't get too down hearted about it. As you know it happened to us and it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It takes the heat off (she says with a jolly titter in her voice) ..... and you'll make it in the end.

Good luck for everything - will be wathinng you postings for a progress report.

Diny

[markkellaway]

Hmmm, postponing the flight. Recruitment consultant phoned last night, they want me to start (read need) on thw 18th August so that my boss can spend a couple of days with me before he heads off somewhere the following week. So we land on the 13th, and I go to work on the 18th!!!

Funny, I haven't been nervous about the whole NZ thing, but am nervous about the new job, wierd. :?

I must say you seem to be holding it all together pretty well Diny, the uncertainty, that's the killer.

Mark. :P

[Diny]

the uncertainty, that's the killer.


IT IS !!!!!!!!!!!!

That's been my main 'weak spot' all along ...... not knowing EXACTLY when things would happen (and being led a merry dance by prat of a buyer) has been murder.

Have to say thought, once we decided to just fly off into the sunset on Saturday regardless to what happens to the house the uncertainty pangs have disappeared (only to be taken over by pangs of every other emotion possible) :roll:

Go with the flow ..... and remember - it all happens for a reason. :yes

Diny

[markkellaway]

OK, now I've signed the employment contract and faxed it back, that's in the bag! :clap :clap :clap

I've told the buyers, via our agent, that if we don't get exchange by the end of the week, or at least a cast iron guarantee that they're only waiting for their charities commission consent, that we'll push back the completion date. Their reply was "we must work to that date or the vicar will be homeless" to which I replied "tough!".

How can people who represent a religious body be so inconsiderate to the feelings of others? I've told the estate agent that if the buyers don't get their finger out the for sale sign goes back up in case another buyer comes along. I know that's unlikely in the short term but it should put the wind up their sails!! Amazing how having a job to go to gives you options! :nice1

Never mind, it'll all come out in the wash!!!

Mark. :P

[Chris Blunt]

Hi Mark,

Congratulations on the job! :clap

I'm still waiting to hear back after the telephone interview that I had a couple of weeks ago, at least all my references have been sorted out now. Hopefully I should hear something from the agency soon, even if it is only to arrange an interview when we are there!

I hope your house sale is sorted out very soon and that your move goes well.

Cheers,

Chris.

[markkellaway]

Hi All,

THE HOUSE EXCHANGED TODAY!!!!! :clap :clap :clap :clap

Shippers are in next Monday (my birthday!!!!), job secured, flights paid for, have somewhere to stay. Someone pinch me and tell me this is really happening! :uhoh

Mark. :P

[Smiler]

Hi Mark

No pinching needed. IT REALLY IS HAPPENING :clap :clap :clap :clap

That's brilliant news. You'll sail through the next few days. Good luck with everything.

When do you go?

Deborah

[jo b]

Blumming 'eck Mark who have you sold your soul to!! ;)

Seriously though good on ya, well deserved it's about time someone on this forum had a bit of luck.

Can you pass it to me when you've finished with it :mrgreen:

Jo

[Marie P]

:clap :clap :clap

Great news !

Marie x

[kiwidebs]

Wow, way to go!! Bet the next three or four weeks just fly by.

Debs

[Jo and Andy]

Congratulations :clap :clap :clap

Keep us posted on everything.

Who are you using for shipping the goods etc.

You have done so well and deserve it.

You should be all set up and settled by the time we get there.

[markkellaway]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the good wishes, the day has finally come when the shippers have arrived!!!

We have GB Liners in today, 3 guys and so far they seem very good indeed, just holding our breath now hoping it'll go into the container tomorrow!! :uhoh :uhoh

Will post again with an update when the shippers have gone (over a dial up connection. :wah :wah :wah :wah :wah :wah :wah )

Mark. :P

[Jennie & Rob]

I hope you have Neil the foreman - he does a mean air guitar to Dire Straits Tunnel of Love!!!

Very good luck to you all and hope everything goes according to plan at both ends. Bon voyage - hope we meet up here!

[kiwidollie]

Hiya

Just wanted to wish you the best of luck!

:nice1

[markkellaway]

Hi everyone,

On my knees in my now empty office on the dreaded dial up connection. Everything is packed, other than the "essentials" (kettle, cups!!!) and the container is now being loaded. :uhoh

The GB guys have indicated it might not all fit, so some might have to go groupage. :? We won't worry though, depending on the cost. It is funny, by now you would think we would be either mega excited or just plain scared, but we are neither, it's just an acceptance that we are moving to NZ in a couple of weeks, did anyone else feel like this?

That's it for now, I'll post later to let you know if it all fits!!

Mark. :P

[Smiler]

Don't worry Mark, I'm sure this feeling is normal and the excitement will start soon.

It must be difficult/sad seeing everything dismantled, all packed up and going away. :(

I guess just using the dial up feels like a huge backwards step. :wah :wah

We're all here listening and rooting for you.

Deborah

[markkellaway]

Hi All,

Well all the furniture etc. has gone. After some major intakes of breath through pursed lips the shippers got everything in the container, literally right up to the back doors!! :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

Just a few bits to clean tomorrow then the house is officially no longer ours. I "think" I'm starting to get excited now, but am still not sure!! :roll: :roll: :roll:

I wil say though that GB Liners were fantastic over the last 2 days, on the performance so far we have no problem recommending them. :yes

Mark. :P

[veronica]

the fuller the container the less chance of movement and breakages so its good it was stuffed full. life changes totally from now on.

[markkellaway]

Posting my last post to the forum, from UK soil!!!! We got to check in at Heathrow to be told that we have been upgraded to business!!!!!!!! :clap :clap :clap

The upgrade is only as far as LAX but hey, who's complaining. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Only just over an hour to go and we are :exit

see you all on the other side!!!!

Mark. :P

[Smiler]

WOW :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Well done.

Have a good journey. :hi and :cheers here's to your new life on the other side.

All the best
Deborah

[K&CS]

Have a fab trip and lucky you being upgraded to business!! Look forward to your posts on the other side!

Kate

[jo b]

Mark

Upgraded too!!

you still haven't answered my question.....who have you sold you soul too? :mrgreen: :laugh

All the best on your journey

Jo

[Diny]

Upgraded ?????????

Heck .... that's my dream.

Good luck.

Diny

[debnjohn]

Posting my last post to the forum, from UK soil!!!! We got to check in at Heathrow to be told that we have been upgraded to business!!!!!!!! :clap :clap :clap

Jammy gits !!!! Well done ! See you all in 3 weeks.
John, Debbie Jack & Joe.

[WannaBkiwi]

Mark, hi

Good luck and best wishes, will see you CHCH in sept along with John & Deb, all a long way from the 1st meeting in wiltshire. Here's to the next one on the other side. Have a great trip.

What did you tell them to get the up grade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap :clap :nice1

regards

Paul, Liz and girls

[markkellaway]

Hi All,

Looking forward to all the "South Meet" people when they arrive here.

A word of warning, don't take too much notice of the first days feelings, they blew me away a bit. Yesterday morning we were in "wow" mode, the mountains, the tranquility etc. In the afternoon both Anne and I were like fish out of water, everything familiar to us was gone and we had no points of reference. I have to admit to thinking "what the hell have we done?" for a lot of the afternoon. I think it was the jet lag though, we were just seeing the bad side of everything, after a good nights sleep we feel completely different today, and are ready to face some exploring. I would advise anyone to make sure they don't make any decisions on day one, just have a good rest and sleep before exploring on day 2!

And so it begins.......

Mark. :P

[Chris Blunt]

Hi Mark,

Glad that you have made it. I think the 'what the hell have we done!' feeling is natural, we had it when we first arrived and after a good nights sleep it had gone and We haven't had it since!

Hope you settle in quickly, we plan to vist the SW meeting guys in Christchurch when we have had a chance to settle in abit more in Wellington.

When do you start your job?

Cheers,

Chris.

[Moorf]

Welcome to Christchurch Mark & Family

:-) (can't find how to put in emoticons!)

[veronica]

we really missed you last night, be another meeting in a few weeks. if you feel like popping round anyway give us a ring. think I sent you the no. if not pm us for it. take care

[debnjohn]

we really missed you last night, be another meeting in a few weeks.....
Oh good! I'll pack the Rummikub in the suitcase!
I appreciate you honesty Mark, the bit about 'oh what have we done', forewarned & all that I'll be expecting it now!
Cheers,
John & Debbie

[Diny]

Welcome to NZ!!!!

I know what you mean about the 'what have we done' feelings - I got them a couple of times too (probably will again). Emotions (both good and bad) come and go. It's very odd.

Hope you're feeling abit better now - good luck.

Diny

[Simon & Emily]

Glad you all got there in one piece - I had irrational visions of you being stuck at Heathrow!!

I look forward to hearing all your news,

Emily