[Mildred]

Linda and Ali

It was this time last year you were off to NZ. Can we have a 1 year update pleeeeze!

[Babette & Andy]

I'll send Linda an e-mail, as I know she doesn't have much time these days to browse the forum regularly.

Andy stayed with them for a couple of nights back in November, and the 3 of them seemed very well settled into their new lives in the suburbs of Auckland.

Will ask her/them to post an update about their 1st year in NZ.

Babette

[lindajax]

Hi All,
Its great to know we haven't been completely forgotten!!
One year on and well... what can I say.
Initial first 2 months = holiday mode, enjoyed the sun and purchasing of cars etc etc
Then it got a little harder as reality set in and work called - I had only worked part time in the Uk and found myself promoted within 3 days of starting my job! full time work for me especially was a massive shock to the system and has taken a great deal of getting used to. Saying that I have a GREAT job and love it loads do its pretty much swings and roundabouts.

Lucy settled immediately which was a big relief and her Nursery helped with that an immense amount - good choice (recommeded by rental real estate agent I may add!!!)

As time went on and winter loomed the rental turned into rental HELL - wooden house - very picturesque but cold when winter came and VERY damp - Lucy had a permanent cold and cough and Alistair ended up with Pneumonia!!!! - me .. I just got on with it, but demanded a move.

Lots of house hunting ensued - and there are many many minging houses out there - it was an eye opener at times- but we managed to find this house and had bought it in an evening - buying a house was minimal stress compared to the Uk and we moved in July.

Have settled well into the area - neighbours are fabulous - helpful, kind and generally nice.
Lucy started school at Pigeon Mountain Primary - loves it.... it seems good - no issues as yet apart from Lucy losing something every day but thats kids for you.

made friends pretty easily and have a good core of girly pals now as well as couple pals - social life - we do stuff virtually very weekend.
Ali joined the local tennis club and does that . I go 5 kilometer walking 3 times a week with my pal ( when we can manage 3 times!)
Lucy has swimming lessons $9 a lesson and is doing great.

Xmas was rather wierd - hard to get into the swing of things when the sun is shining and it isn't so commercialised over here - houses don't get decorated as much , not loads of xmas cards being sent etc.
Xmas day - BBQ for dinner and played on the beach - Fab.
New Year - tiger time at the zoo 6010pm - great fun - 10 adults and 5 kids with picnics and torches - definately rates in the top 3 of the best new years eve ever!

HICCUPS - full time work leaves little time for me - solved by getting a cleaner $ 45 = 3 hours per week - a god send!
Ali's pneumonia - medical costs $ 300 but the care was prompt and effective
X2 car crashes for Ali (others fault) - inconvenient
Dad's illness - extremely stressful and a trip back to UK was necessary - NOT CHEAP ...... he is a little better at the moment but is ongoing stress and anxiety for us.

Overall a great year - we feel we've adapted pretty well - leanring all the time

Currently have Ali's parents to stay - head off to Rotorua tomorrow for 4 days camping.

Final words - Best decision we ever made - should've done it years ago!!!!!!

Good luck to all you guys out there on your journey - it will have ups and downs but in the end if you are positive you'll be fine!!!!
Love Linda xxxx

[pleccy2000]

Wow - GREAT update. Thank you.

[Marie P]

I was wondering how you were getting on,you had just moved out here as we found the forum .

Best wishes for 2006,

Marie x

[Smiler]

Linda

Good post, it's nice to read how you have got on since arriving, you had just got your house when I joined.

Life full of peaks and troughs but you are right, positive gets through.

Hope you have a good healthy 2006.


Deborah

[Kim39]

Good post lass, short but precise. As you know we were looking to be a neighbour of yours, but things just didn't pan out that way, so we have sort of settled down here in the Waikato. Give us a shout and we'll meet up shortly.Kim

[kiwidebs]

Thanks for that fabulous update Linda - nice to hear the ups and the downs. And thank you for your help re Middlemore a few months back. I got the job (0.6 FTE in NICU) - now if we could just get this house sale exchanged and completed (six months since we accepted her offer!!).

Debs

[Marie P]

oooooooooooooo Debs.....we live just minutes from middmemore ....you could pop round for coffee...... :cheers

Marie x

[kiwidebs]

I guessed you weren't far away when I saw which suburb you were living in. If we ever get this %&$*% house sold I'll def pop in for coffee after work!! How's the house working out?

Debs

[Marie P]

really well ...just waiting on the container ...I miss my washer ...... :roll

but I went to a laundrette today ,fed up of hand washing and taking bags of dirty washing whenever I went any where [Thanks Elaine ] ,I couldn't believe it 2 big bags washing ,the man did it for me ....$4 !!!!! ,not worth having a washer really .....picked it up 45 minutes later ...going back tomorrow with towels and bedding .....how exciting is my life !!!!! :laugh

Marie x

[Smiler]

Sorry Linda Just O/T for a mo


Marie I really missed mine too and when it came I was in such a rush to get rid of the rental one and use mine.

:o I forgot when I cleaned and dried it out prior to packing that I had put teabags in the dispenser and rubber seal to absorb the moisture. Yep you've guessed it :o I forgot about the one in the seal and the dispenser one had gone up the back.

G is now using the tie dyed rags as workshop cloths.


AND NO HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED. :D

It didn't smell at all and was not mouldy.


Deborah

[Mildred]

Linda

Thank you for taking so much time responding to my post. It really does sound like you work had and play hard.

A very inspiring post. Can't wait for the 2007 update!

[lindajax]

Hey all,
Just got back from Rotarua with Family - had a blast!

Smiler - more peaks than troughs!
Debs - page me for coffee when you get here - I'm not hard to find!
Frances - Thanks for thinking of us - we do work hard and do play hard - thats what lifes about , saying that I'm knackered at the moment after the trip and after the drive back we went straight to a pool party!!!!

Hey kim - call us mate!

Linda xx

[kiwidebs]

Debs - page me for coffee when you get here - I'm not hard to find!


Will do!! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/ernaehrung/food-smiley-020.gif

Debs

[Kim39]

Hey kim - call us mate!


Will do lass, as we deffo have to meet up for longer than last time eh?

Kim