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Diny
18th July 2005, 12:05 AM
Hi folks.

Well we made it. What an amazing couple of days, haven't known whether we're coming or going but it's all turned out OK in the end.

Saying goodbye to my mum and dad was 100 times worse than I expedcted it to be. The only way I can describe it is totally heart wrenching. Enough said about that at the moment, it's still far too raw to talk about.

Had a great night on Friday at the Marriott hotel by Manchester airport, Jo B and Kim 39, Elaine and the kids came up to join us. Have to admit that I had a few too many sherberts (but felt I'd earned them). Bad head on Saturday morning - mixed with a very nervey stomach ...... not a good combination. Kim, Elaine & the kids came to to see us off at the airport which was great - thanks folks.

As usual, Singapore Airlines were brilliant, first class sevice (economy class seats) all the way. Had just under 3 hours in Singapore.

Got on the 2nd leg of the flight and dosed myself up with some pretty heavy duty sleeping pills, had some food then nodded off. That leg of the journey takes 10 hours, I slept for at least 7 hours of it ........ BONUS.

Had no problems at all getting through immigration. Felt wierd joining the queue for NZ Passport holders and NZ residents. Got through in no time at all (very handsome immigration officer) who stamped all the passports right away and said 'welcome to New Zealand'.

Tonight we're staying in the BK Pioneer Motor Lodge which is about 5 mins from the aiport. Just gave them a call on an 0800 number and they picked us up no worries.

Would recommend this place with no worries at all, very clean and tidy ... and a cracking power shower which is like a gift from the Gods after all those hours on an airplane.

At the moment I'm buzzing but I know from experience that any moment now I'll start to wilt so it's time to hit the sack. Mark is thrilled to be back home and the boys are just being very laid back about it all. As for me ... well I'm just too exhausted (both physically and mentally) to even start to say how I feel. However ........ I suspect I feel bloody great at the moment.

We're picking up the hire car in the morning and making our way down to the Manawatu to visit the olds.

Will keep you posted, but I think for now I better get to bed - another big day tomorrow.

All is good with the world ....... just can't believe we're here.

Watch this space.

Diny

kiwidebs
18th July 2005, 12:19 AM
Wow, you're there!! Well done you lot - glad the flights and all went ok. Look forward to hearing more once the jet lag is done with.

Debs

Mildred
18th July 2005, 12:27 AM
God its like H.G. Wells Time Machine. I thought you'd still be in the air!!!

Glad you are home (well that's what it is now), safe and sound.

Enjoy your time as a family on another adventure in your lives!

Will pm you in a few days.

Moorf
18th July 2005, 12:57 AM
:cheers Welcome Home!

Milliemoo
18th July 2005, 01:03 AM
Yay :clap :clap :clap Glad to hear you got there safely

Milliemoo :nice1

Anita & Marco
18th July 2005, 01:09 AM
Hi Diny,

Great post to read!!!
All the best with picking up life in NZ

Regards,
Anita

Dave & Sandra
18th July 2005, 01:17 AM
Yay!!!! You're here at last. The invitation to Alley Katz still stands when you are are able to get your heads together and focus.

We would love to meet you and PB when you are up to it!!!!!! :nice1 :nice1

Kim39
18th July 2005, 01:28 AM
Ay up lass, oh yes, Mark,Fergie and Hen'

Does it still feel surreal? Glad to see you arrived safe and sound. :clap When we left you yesterday morning we suddenly went into a big downer, so we decided we are going to take what we can for this place and get the hell out :exit

Will contact you over the next few days and get that MSN sorted for next weekend.

Kim

Smiler
18th July 2005, 01:48 AM
Hi Diny

Glad to hear the journey was good and that you all arrived safely.
:yes

Enjoy every moment of your new life in NZ.

All the best

Deborah

Lisa T
18th July 2005, 02:55 AM
Thius is really bizarre .... thought you'd still be flying and now we read you're actually there......

Glad to hear it was a good journey and hope things jsut fall ito place for you all.

Looking forward to hearing all the news.......


Lisa T and Co.

jo b
18th July 2005, 03:14 AM
Diny & crew

what a mad two days. I've been thinking about you guys and how you have been getting on.

God how I wish the estate agent would ring now with viewers.

Take care keep in touch

Jo

K&CS
18th July 2005, 03:50 AM
Glad you all arrived safely, you lucky things! Hope you've had a good kip and look forward to hearing the rest of your news!

Kate

Carol
18th July 2005, 04:05 AM
Hellooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!
Welcome to NZ guys.....see you soon
xxx Carol Kenny Scott Craig and Chloe

Marie P
18th July 2005, 04:36 AM
Great to hear you have arrived ,you have been on my mind all weekend.

Joe says HI to Henry and Fergie .

Take care ,

Marie x

captainxmas
18th July 2005, 04:54 AM
I knew somebody kept a Concorde! :laugh

Sounds like a speedy and worry free trip, well done one and all...now I really must pack this computer. :exit

Timbo
18th July 2005, 07:51 AM
I think Moorf said it all. :nice1
Good to hear you arrived safe and weel Diny and family.

Jules
18th July 2005, 08:08 AM
Glad you had a good trip guys, probably meet up with you sometime :cheers

Jules

StevieD
18th July 2005, 08:17 AM
Well done guys! Look forward to our next "NW meet" when we get down there ourselves. ITA is away now, just time to sit and play the waiting game.

We are all thinking of you.

Steve, Jan and kids..XX

Bubbles
18th July 2005, 06:06 PM
KIA ORA to the Norries

:nice1

driver
18th July 2005, 06:50 PM
Just want to add all of our good wishes along with the others, hope you get settled soon so we can read some more.

:clap

acisman
18th July 2005, 07:26 PM
Hi Diny and crew

Glad to hear you have arrived and like others we thought you were still in the air.

Thought of you today when we woke up to more rain, although less than the Coromandel. Had visions of you arriving exhausted, spending a night in a motel and then setting off for Coromandel, only to find the road closed !!.

Flooding up there looks bad. Guess it is a case of bringing the bad weather with you !!!

Welcome to New Zealand


Pam & Dave

jonSE
18th July 2005, 10:04 PM
Glad to hear you arrived safely diny. Just drove past the BK motor lodge about 2 hours ago, having dropped sister and kids off at AKL airport on there way back to the UK after 3 years in Perth WA. Makes it interesting filling in the departure forms from NZ. Contact address in NZ - Waiheke IS, Home address ???? is it Perth WA, Waiheke, the hotel in LA or mum and dads in England.

How long you in AKL for?

Good luck, and Ihope your family are unaffected by the Coro floods, maybe you brought some better weather with you.

Jon, Waiheke

marcia
18th July 2005, 10:56 PM
Just to 'ditto' everyone elses good wishes.

I was thinking about you over the weekend, kept looking at my watch trying to work out where you would be etc.

Nice to read your update looking forward to the next!

Paul and Linda
18th July 2005, 11:18 PM
Hi Diny,
Hope your journey felt as quick as it did from here on the ground! :P

Looking forward to more posts as soon as you get used to being awake at night and upside down! :uhoh

Did the boys enjoy the flights?

A little windy in the manawatu at the moment, so hang on to your hat. :laugh

All the very best :nice1

Paul and Linda

kiwidollie
18th July 2005, 11:23 PM
Best Wishes to you all in your new home!

Lovely to hear from you that everything went well.

Am impressed with the speed with which you got on line on the other side of the world. You know what us lot are like - desperately waiting for updates from the lucky ones that make it over sooner rather than later. :laugh

Our Visas arrived on Saturday (YAY!!!!) and we had some viewers round on Sunday but it still seems like we've got a long wait until we can join you over there.

Keep us posted and enjoy your adventure.

The Dollies x

clarabell
19th July 2005, 03:33 AM
Glad youve arrived safely! :nice1
Make sure you post some pics when you get a minute.
Best of luck with your new life :clap :clap :clap

Hannah-NL
19th July 2005, 04:31 AM
Kia Ora Diny, I'm so happy my "birthday" gift to you worked out ;)
Wonderful to read and please keep us posted...

Suzy Rimbo
19th July 2005, 06:15 AM
Hey

Great to hear your all safe and well over the other side, I'm sure you'll have no problems settling in especially havin family there.

Hope to see you all soon, take care

Suzy

x

shagen
19th July 2005, 06:59 AM
Great to be home eh?

Good to hear all went well!

Shagen & Vera

Gran
19th July 2005, 07:05 PM
Yeehar Diny and family, well done. Hear from you soon I hope.

Babette & Andy
19th July 2005, 09:31 PM
Hi you 4 - good to read the journey went well (and that you even managed to get some sleep :nice1 ) Any stories to tell about PB's 'interaction' with other passengers this time ?? :laugh :laugh :laugh Sorry to hear the goodbyes were worse than expected :( :(
Enjoy starting your new lives and update us when you get a moment. Have sent you a PM.

Hugs
Babette

Tate6
20th July 2005, 05:16 AM
Wow! This is the first time I have been on for months and what do I read?? You are there!! Yay!! :clap
I guess I have to read back and catch up!!

Congrats to you and your family!! Cannot wait for the experience thru your eyes! And pics, of course!

Good on ya!!

Terry

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