Smiler
4th December 2005, 08:28 AM
Well we have been here 8 weeks, after a weeks notice for packing up, shipping out. We arrived 4/10 after nightmare stay with G’s wicked stepmother in Vegas. It was the first time I had met G’s dad though and it was nice to do that on the way to our new lives. We got on well.
Hit the ground running and feeling good after a brill trip with Air NZ and their new business beds, picked up hire car at Welly airport, threw our suitcases in the flat the bank had rented us for the 1st week and headed up on SHW1 to the Kapiti Coast which is were we wanted to live. Looked at a few rentals, but not keen on the commute for Gary. We came to NZ to get away from that and he has been used to travelling 10 ft along the landing whilst working from home.
Over the next 4 days we opened our personal & business bank accounts, looked at countless rentals, found somewhere gorgeous to live, saw a recommended accountant for the business and registered our company in NZ. We bought a sofa and bedroom suite (not warehouse) and stripped the Warehouse of the essentials we would need until our stuff arrived, we weren’t in holiday mode exactly but bumbled round the shops. On the 2nd week G started work. I work from home but didn’t even have a desk! We rented washing machine, a top loader. Urghhh
Third week homesickness/unsettledness kicked in like a pain I have never felt. I could weep at the TV news, driving the car, even in the shower. I missed my boy like crazy, even the Girls, Cars, Girls, mindless chat. My Brother in law died and my sis is a widow at 40. My heart ached to go back for her and the kids. I did peek at flights to the UK. We were living on stir fry’s because I couldn’t manage to buy the ingredients for a full meal, everything was served in sweet chilli sauce. Gary was already settled and doing well. Me, I thank God for my Kiwi call card, Telecom for their landline and broadband services.
We had some problems with the rental, problems the last tenant had left. We slapped in a breach of tenancy agreement after weeks of promises, promises and the repairs began immediately. I would recommend our agency, especially Penny and Alvin.
We had a brill 5 days in Melbourne together, came HOME to NZ. A few choice buys on TM and I have a desk, a coffee table and some books. Luxury, the spa pool at home is finally working, as Moorf says, we can marinate in our own juices. I’ve had a bit of a prob getting in the pool since then!
Problems with the shippers start. There are ongoing and I will post separately about those. All our stuff was delivered 28/11.
All in all, apart from the blip for me in weeks 3-6, we are doing great. I am doing much more business than I did in the UK and am running our company day to day. G is very, very happy at work. I have met some wonderful people who have given me much needed advice and support and I hope we’re on the way to forging, firm friendships. NZ people are friendly and welcoming, one lady walked out of her way to take me to the library when I asked for directions. Even the utility people seem bothered.
We are going away for Christmas, we don’t like it much and for me, I will miss family. So we are going up to NP and Taupo. Whilst there, we will meet Hannah and Mr H for coffee, (and anyone else who fancies it). We have booked a cottage on a cliff we have been to before and the owners have adopted us for Christmas day. We love it there; I just can’t get Gary to do the commute.
So far what we love about NZ/Wellington; the cafe culture, the people, the instantly changeable weather (good and bad), travelling round the bay road, the space, the food, the turn in the road that lays NZ out before you, Oh and the wine. The NZ ability to chuck a piece of sculpture up anywhere or throw a hook and line in the nearest puddle, the market for second hand stuff and recycling, the 180 degree view from our house, being 3 mins from the beach, NZ people and much more....
We are not keen on; NZ TV, Pak & Save (makes me itch), I hate the bank charges, the damp, cold and mould in the houses.
On my list of things to do, find yoga and Pilates classes and get out more for both of us, walking round the reserve is not enough, get cycle helmets, take our driving and bike tests. Get my parents and son over for a visit, hopefully next year.
We knew our 1st 6 months would be difficult because of the upheaval and work commitments but once this calms down, things will get easier. Long term, we have rented this place for a year and will then take stock. We are independent, secure with each other and having the relationship we would have had if we had met 20 years ago. My BIL dying has just reinforced all the reasons that we came here for, to live our lives and to make the most of it. Travel plans are included in this, we would like to see more of NI again, travel the SI and some of the Pacific islands.
Thank you to every one on this forum who has given freely of their advice and support, it means a lot to me.
We are here and life is good.:clap :clap
Deborah
Hit the ground running and feeling good after a brill trip with Air NZ and their new business beds, picked up hire car at Welly airport, threw our suitcases in the flat the bank had rented us for the 1st week and headed up on SHW1 to the Kapiti Coast which is were we wanted to live. Looked at a few rentals, but not keen on the commute for Gary. We came to NZ to get away from that and he has been used to travelling 10 ft along the landing whilst working from home.
Over the next 4 days we opened our personal & business bank accounts, looked at countless rentals, found somewhere gorgeous to live, saw a recommended accountant for the business and registered our company in NZ. We bought a sofa and bedroom suite (not warehouse) and stripped the Warehouse of the essentials we would need until our stuff arrived, we weren’t in holiday mode exactly but bumbled round the shops. On the 2nd week G started work. I work from home but didn’t even have a desk! We rented washing machine, a top loader. Urghhh
Third week homesickness/unsettledness kicked in like a pain I have never felt. I could weep at the TV news, driving the car, even in the shower. I missed my boy like crazy, even the Girls, Cars, Girls, mindless chat. My Brother in law died and my sis is a widow at 40. My heart ached to go back for her and the kids. I did peek at flights to the UK. We were living on stir fry’s because I couldn’t manage to buy the ingredients for a full meal, everything was served in sweet chilli sauce. Gary was already settled and doing well. Me, I thank God for my Kiwi call card, Telecom for their landline and broadband services.
We had some problems with the rental, problems the last tenant had left. We slapped in a breach of tenancy agreement after weeks of promises, promises and the repairs began immediately. I would recommend our agency, especially Penny and Alvin.
We had a brill 5 days in Melbourne together, came HOME to NZ. A few choice buys on TM and I have a desk, a coffee table and some books. Luxury, the spa pool at home is finally working, as Moorf says, we can marinate in our own juices. I’ve had a bit of a prob getting in the pool since then!
Problems with the shippers start. There are ongoing and I will post separately about those. All our stuff was delivered 28/11.
All in all, apart from the blip for me in weeks 3-6, we are doing great. I am doing much more business than I did in the UK and am running our company day to day. G is very, very happy at work. I have met some wonderful people who have given me much needed advice and support and I hope we’re on the way to forging, firm friendships. NZ people are friendly and welcoming, one lady walked out of her way to take me to the library when I asked for directions. Even the utility people seem bothered.
We are going away for Christmas, we don’t like it much and for me, I will miss family. So we are going up to NP and Taupo. Whilst there, we will meet Hannah and Mr H for coffee, (and anyone else who fancies it). We have booked a cottage on a cliff we have been to before and the owners have adopted us for Christmas day. We love it there; I just can’t get Gary to do the commute.
So far what we love about NZ/Wellington; the cafe culture, the people, the instantly changeable weather (good and bad), travelling round the bay road, the space, the food, the turn in the road that lays NZ out before you, Oh and the wine. The NZ ability to chuck a piece of sculpture up anywhere or throw a hook and line in the nearest puddle, the market for second hand stuff and recycling, the 180 degree view from our house, being 3 mins from the beach, NZ people and much more....
We are not keen on; NZ TV, Pak & Save (makes me itch), I hate the bank charges, the damp, cold and mould in the houses.
On my list of things to do, find yoga and Pilates classes and get out more for both of us, walking round the reserve is not enough, get cycle helmets, take our driving and bike tests. Get my parents and son over for a visit, hopefully next year.
We knew our 1st 6 months would be difficult because of the upheaval and work commitments but once this calms down, things will get easier. Long term, we have rented this place for a year and will then take stock. We are independent, secure with each other and having the relationship we would have had if we had met 20 years ago. My BIL dying has just reinforced all the reasons that we came here for, to live our lives and to make the most of it. Travel plans are included in this, we would like to see more of NI again, travel the SI and some of the Pacific islands.
Thank you to every one on this forum who has given freely of their advice and support, it means a lot to me.
We are here and life is good.:clap :clap
Deborah