[Dinnaefash]

Well, it's been a hectic week or so. We had our leaving party last weekend - 2pm til 2.30 am, 200 people, bbq, band, fab weather, etc etc. Next day we were a bit tired and emotional - saying goodbye to all those friends, plus we'd left out a visitors book which had loads of nice comments in it.

This week Whites came - like a whirlwind! They spent 3 days packing and wrapping, and 1 day loading the container. It was a 40 footer - and they had trouble fitting everything in!!! Gulp. One dresser and another couple of things are going separately in I guess a groupage container; they said we won't have to pay extra, as they obviously got their calculations wrong, whew. It was really nerve wracking, rushing around cleaning everything and trying to stay one step ahead of them. In a weird way it feels good to be in an empty house - I hated the clutter of all those boxes and not being able to lay my hands on things!

So, now we're with the folks until we leave, which is nice.

AND... I hadn't heard anything from NZIS - I was stressing a bit about going when I hadn't admitted we were going, if you know what I mean, so I decided to come clean and emailed my CO. (I was having nightmares about being turned away at Auckland airport etc!) My CO was cool, and said I'd already been approved in principal!! Yay! So I just have to send off the migrant levy and get my passport stamped - I'm thinking I'll go down to London and just get it done then no more worrying.

My horse left on Thursday for her quarantine, and got there safely; and my cat has gone to his new home (sniff). This week we need to do bank accounts and all that kind of stuff - and try to get a rental sorted for our arrival. I'm looking forward to relaxing a bit now most of the big stuff is done! New Zealand, here we come!

[Smiler]

Wow what a lot to cram into a week :eek:

Well done it's sounds like you're way ahead in the preparation stakes. I saw a while ago that you were thinking of a rental in a place I forget. Did you decide against it?

May I ask how much Whites are charging for a 40fter please?

When do you actually leave too?

So many questions, hope you don't mind.

Good luck on your final leg :raebanana

Deborah

[kiwidebs]

Wow, sounds like a full on week. Hope the rest of it goes smoothly for you. Glad your horse got there safely. We recently rehomed our cats so I understand the mixed emotions that go along with it - you know it's for the best for all concerned but it's still heart wrenching! :wah

Look forward to hearing how the travelling and all goes. Who are you flying with? When do you actually leave?

Debs

[Avalon]

I cried all the day after our leaving party (a lot smaller than yours) as i realsied just who we were leaving behind. I guess many of us go through the same thing?

I also found once the container was gone that a weight had been lifted. Packing up your whole life and shipping it off is a big step - but it makes it real.

Enjoy the rest of your time at home - yuo are free of all you "stuff" and are embarking on an adventure! Have a ball!

[Diny]

Having gone through the same routine last month the memories are still very fresh - I know how you must be feeling. One moment elated - the next so low and filled with feelings of 'what have we done'.

It's quite an adventure !!! Enjoy your last few days/weeks? in the UK - believe me - the headless chicken routine resumes just a few hours after you arrive.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Diny

p.s Where in NZ are you heading?

[Dinnaefash]

Hi, all - thanks for the good wishes!

We leave on 8 Sept, with Cathay Pacific. 2 days / 1 night in Hong Kong (any hotel recommendations gratefully received!), and arrive in Auckland 11 Sept. We'll spend a couple of days in Auckland with family, and find ourselves a car etc, then go to Taranaki for a week or so with other family. We're ultimately aiming for the Waikato. Don't have a rental yet, but there seem to be plenty around so I'm not too concerned. We don't desparately need one until towards the end of Sept when our 2 dogs arrive.

Whites charged £5300 for the 40 footer. Good value, we thought - we had some really heavy stuff too, workshop stuff and garden ornaments. They worked hard for their money!

Right now it's back to lunches out, evenings out, relaxing....