[Jo and Andy]

Just a quick post to say we made it to Christchurch, had a great time in Sinapore.

Christchurch is very pretty, very very flat and the weather changeable. Beautiful today.

In 1 week, we have got a PC, haggled for a car (still haggling), met lots of new people through a forum member (thanks Ann), been to a party and got lost on the Canterbury planes, turned the wrong way.

Was quite cold when we arrived but beautiful day today, not had to put the heat pump on yet tonight.

It is strange getting used to no central heating though, got a hot water bottle to warm the bed before I get in, and getting up to a cold house is strange but even after 1 week it is getting easier.

Everyone is so friendly, the bank are even giving us a credit card with no job (not a hight limit) but should cut the costs of banking down.

Our landlords have been really friendly and full of advice. They seem to think us mad for wanting to look out of town, the idea of going to Kaiapoi etc is strange to them, oh it will take you ages to get to work in town and the traffic. Went out in rush hour the other day, only noticed it was rush hour when I looked at my watch, and looked round for a few other cars.

Hope to meet more of the Chch forum members if they are up for it, nice to put a face to the name. Will be picking your brains for areas to live.

Supermarkets seem fine, trying diff chocolate bars and all nice so far.

[Kim39]

Well your 1 week in and we are closing in on our fourth,well done:clap Can fully understand your feelings on no central heating. We have been flitting between our friends in Cambridge and Diny's down in Ashhurst and both house are freezing first thing. I know some folks will feel differently to us about the warmth of a house, but in my opinion its cold. Just hope we'll get use to it:yes

Ain't started work as of yet, but i will have to soon though as cash is beginning to dwindle. Got myself a Prado and very nice it is too. Just like yourself, the bank is doing all it can to help us through this process to the point where they we're doing the best to get an advance for us to purchase the car. Won't go on to much as i am due to do a 4 week update shortly. Anyway hope you get to the 4 week barrier with the same feelings as you have now, and i'll look forward to your updates.

Kim

[adamsat]

I just realised reading this that we hadn't had any sort of heating on (apart form hot water) for at least a month (maybe more)

Are we getting used to it?

[Diny]

Jo - great to hear from you. Sounds like everything is going well so far.

Had to smile at yours and Kim's comments regarding the cold houses. As you all know NZ housing is the bee in my bonnet .........Ha!! Just wait until winter !!!!!!!!!

Keep us posted on your progress.

Diny

[Smiler]

Jo

Good to hear things are going well for you and long may that continue. :clap :clap

You sound like you've packed a lot in to 7 days already. Look forward to hearing how you go on.

Deborah

[Babette & Andy]

Well done Jo - you've made it!! Did you end up at the Sentosa resort in S'pore? When we FINALLY get on our travels to NZ that's where we intend to stay for 5days or so, think a holiday after all the stresses in the UK is a great idea before embarking on the next phase of the migration rollercoaster in NZ itself.

Have sent you a quick PM. Look forward to reading about further experiences you're having.

Babette

[Jo and Andy]

Went to Sentosa, but quite honestly we spent all our time taking taxi's to town, we knew someone there. It ended up much more of a city break but the weather was cloudy, rainy, so not brilliant for the beach.

Had the weather been good we might have spent more time there. Go on the Luge (think that's how you spell it), and on the last day we found loads to do on the island, you can hire bikes, there is a trapeze thing you can do etc. A lot of it quite expensive though.

Good luck

[Jo and Andy]

Well we have now bought a car, Ford Explorer for just under $11,000 feels good to be in control and able to go out when you want.

Started looking at some houses and will be doing more of that today. Saw a beautiful house yesterday (needed a bit of redecoration) wonderful flow through the house and good size rooms, Only thing I felt was that I was looking out of my bedroom window into a fence, I suppose if you think of it at home you might have been doing that it's just you were up higher.

The Kiwi hospitality shows itself all the time. Rhiannon fell and badly grazed both her knees at Brighton Peir The Surf teacher said he would have sorted her out but had lesson just entering the water, but sent us to the nearest chemist, who immediately as we walked in came cleaned up her knees, got them checked by the pharmacist, selected some plasters. We paid for the plasters saying a big thank you and she gave Rhiannon a cuddly toy for beging such a brave girl.

Our Personal banker is also fantastic sorting things out for us, got us credit cards with no jobs, sorted all the insurance for the car. Even opened up when they were closed, got there a bit late to collect the credit cards. She saw Andy outside and opened up to give them to him.

can't see that in the UK.

[Dazza]

We are so glad you have settled in and we are getting your feedback from Christchurch. You may or may not remember but I, Wendy met you both at Expo show.

I have my interview on Monday with Emigration and then hopefully we will get our PR.

We are still set on going to Christchurch, hopefully in the new year.Still got to sell the house and then we will be off....

Please keep us all posted, as we would love to hear how things are going.

Take care and hope your little girl is ok now.

Wendy & Daz

[Jo and Andy]

Saw a house today that we fell in love with, wish the UK house would sell.

Only problem with it is that is is 80 years old and near a railway line. but Beautiful. 2 storey house in Kaiapoi, so small town, close to shops, school. Railway line, 2 log burners, 3 double bed rooms, 1 single(ish). all of us loved it. Will have to see. Saw some others too, some good some not so good value.

Weather great today, and from having to have the heat pump on and hot water bottle in bed, 2 days ago. i t is now 23.30 and I have a skirt and suntop on, and feel warm. What more can you want.

Wendy, hope all went well, keep us posted.

All great outhere, not regretting themove yet.

[lisa]

Hi Jo amd Andy

glad everyhting is going well - we met you very briefly the other Saturday at Wendy and Noel's place - we were just going as you arrived!!

Anyway if we can be of any help or you want to come and see us send me a pm and we'll arrange it.

Lisa