[Billy]

What a day, just when we thought summer had gone.

I am lucky enough to work outdoors, and what a great day, I'm just delighted to be here - arrived nearly 5 months ago, and the difference in climate, compared to what we were used to (Scottish west coast i.e.wet and cold), is strange trying to get used to.

I miss only a few things from the UK - football, quality TV, friends, the usual stuff etc, but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I am currently listening to one of my favourite BBC radio programmes on the web (only dial-up at the moment, but it still works OK).

For all you folks on the way, and having misgivings, all I can say is relax, you'll adapt quickly.

We are greatly missing our dog, with me for 13 years, whom we left behind with my mother in Scotland, but a cat turned up at our house one day 3 months ago, and he/she (how can you tell?) is now well settled with us.

My whisky glass is empty, better go and fill it up.

Cheers
Billy

[katandbob]

Spring in linconshire and its actually 17 c/sunny...but for how long how can we tell....5 weeks to go so I am going to enjoy each sunny day as it arrives as we will be going to a new winter :( but who cares..... :D )

off to go walking in the sun now....enjoy your whiskey :cheers

Kat

[Debbie]

We are greatly missing our dog, with me for 13 years, whom we left behind with my mother in Scotland, but a cat turned up at our house one day 3 months ago, and he/she (how can you tell?) is now well settled with us.

My whisky glass is empty, better go and fill it up.

Cheers
Billy


Billy,
I remember we got our cat the same way, and when it has 8 kittens in your cupboard you've answered your question.
Glad to hear that things are going well, I needed a boost, (just about to rage at the estate agents again). Look forward to joining you all in NZ soon.
Debbie

[StevieD]

It's quite easy - tomcats have 2 huge appendages dangling between the hind legs! :laugh

And it was bloomin freezin here this morning in Liverpool - fleece jacket zipped up all the way to the neck :no
The sun is just starting to peep through the cloud and it is finally starting to warm up.

[willsken]

For all you folks on the way, and having misgivings, all I can say is relax, you'll adapt quickly.

Cheers
Billy

Thanks Billy, it helps to hear from people who have settled well and are enjoying their life in NZ. :nice1

[zardell]

Your post sounded so full of contentment, Billy. A lovely read.

So pleased that all is working out well for you.

I know where you are coming from with the dog situation...we will have to leave our little girl behind too. She's 10 years old now and the strain of the actual move/flight etc would be far too stressful for her,but she'll be going to a good home and will soon settle....well, at least that is what I am telling myself !!

Pour one of those whiskeys for me.......... cheers.

Julie

xx

[Albertz]

As each day passes the enthusiasm is waning, reading these posts on the one hand I feel pleased for all who have made it, on the other hand the lack or response from NZIS makes me feel at times we aint gonna make it, we've even started on plan B and have found a property to buy near where we used to live, we cant even go ahead with that as were still waiting on NZIS (our CO is on annual eave and no one else is dealing with our application), we're all rather frustrated to say the least.

At the moment its a living hell as ive been out of work since Xmas and cant look about as I "might" be going but hopefully in a week or two things will change, right now we're wavering and not sure whats for the best :no

As Marcia says its a rollercoaster ride but we want it to stop.

Accept us or decline us, just let us know soon please :(

Sorry for the rant but im hacked off with the whole thing

[StevieD]

Hold in there Albertz - we still waiting for our visas, CO is off on holiday, and we been waiting for ages - however just had an email telling us that they will be with us this week!! YAY - so stick with it mate, I know it is frustrating, but the best things come to those who wait.... :nice1

Steve

[David with a dream]

Could'nt have put it better my self Steve, "the best things come to those who wait''. We got our blue stickers the day after we move into our new home in the UK. And yeah we may have to wait another two years or so before we can get back to NZ and it is painful waiting but that wait is gonna be worth waiting for, I'm gonna make sure of that............On a brighter note the world cup is only 46 days away!!
Hang on in mate and big blue skys will be waiting for you.........Cheers..David

[K&CS]

Mm, yes we have had some fabulous weather this week (couldn't believe we spent all the easter holidays at the beach!), but it's blimmin' peeing down with rain now and hasn't stopped since last night and it's on for at least another few days. At least the kids are back at school tomorrow.... Hopefully it will clear up by the weekend.

[Hannah]

My other half returned to England yesterday (I follow him in a month) and he said "I arrived, we drove out of heathrow and it was wet, a bit windy, cold and GREY. I wanted to turn back around and get back on that plane!"

Pee'ing down here in New Plymouth today, and grey, and a bit windy and cold. Maybe it will make him feel better when I tell him later. Still, i know NP well - within a couple of hours the sun will be out ... ready for my coastal walk down to the library!

[k-k]

Billy

Couldn't agree with you more about the weather. As a fellow Scot I can appreciate good weather. (though todays weather is reminiscent of caravan holidays on the West coast of Scotland). So glad we chose to live on the Kapiti coast and not in Welly. I'm working in 'Sunny Otaki' which has actually lived up to it's name these last few days.

Sympathise completely with regards to your dog. I left 2 cats to be pampered by my dad but I miss them loads. It's hard, but you have to do what's best for the animals. My 2 were just a bit to old to cope with the move over here. They are getting totally spoilt back home anyway.

How's life in Levin? We've ventured up a few times for a wander round, looks like an OK place.

Regards
Karen

[Billy]

Hello K-K

We love Levin. We came from a small village, so having everything within walking distance is great, with the beaches and mountains 10 minutes drive away. There are clubs for everything here, and a good small-town community spirit.

Its a little bit warmer and less windy than you guys on the Kapiti. We stayed at Foxton Beach for 5 weeks, and although we liked it, the few miles inland do make a difference.

Cheers
Billy

[Hannah]

Oooooh I remember Scottish holidays well from our trips to the Highlands.

Cold, stone cottage with bed covers so cold and damp that they felt like you had just dipped them in a cold bath and lay straight onto the bed. Wearing big thick socks in bed, along with 2 sets of pyjamas. Not drinking after 6pm to guarantee you don't have to get up in the night to do a wee, thus risking that warm space in the bed cooling down to sub zero.

And that was our last holiday.....in August 2005.

If that wasn't bad enough, we got eaten by midges. Every part of our body was covered by waterproof clothing apart from our eyes, so they tried to eat them instead. Couldn't just stand and chat by a river, you had to keep moving to fool the little carnivores. Warm sunny day, sweating inside waterproof gear designed to keep midges out, and then home to a cottage whose temperature plummeted to almost freezing at night. Fun, i think not!

That's my Scottish moan out of the way. Sorry if i've offended any Scots, but then don't take it personally, you can't be blamed personally for the weather and evil insects that nest in your hair by their thousands and suck blood. No wonder only 5 million people live there!!!!!

[katandbob]

Oooooh I remember Scottish holidays well from our trips to the Highlands.

Cold, stone cottage with bed covers so cold and damp that they felt like you had just dipped them in a cold bath and lay straight onto the bed. Wearing big thick socks in bed, along with 2 sets of pyjamas. Not drinking after 6pm to guarantee you don't have to get up in the night to do a wee, thus risking that warm space in the bed cooling down to sub zero.

And that was our last holiday.....in August 2005.

If that wasn't bad enough, we got eaten by midges. Every part of our body was covered by waterproof clothing apart from our eyes, so they tried to eat them instead. Couldn't just stand and chat by a river, you had to keep moving to fool the little carnivores. Warm sunny day, sweating inside waterproof gear designed to keep midges out, and then home to a cottage whose temperature plummeted to almost freezing at night. Fun, i think not!

That's my Scottish moan out of the way. Sorry if i've offended any Scots, but then don't take it personally, you can't be blamed personally for the weather and evil insects that nest in your hair by their thousands and suck blood. No wonder only 5 million people live there!!!!!

he he Hannah....you described it to a tee.... ;) those midges are horrid arent they....heres hoping that I won't be needing the 2 pairs of socks/PJ's and midge spray in NZ ;)

Kat

[Billy]

Whereabouts in Scotland was that? Midges can be a nightmare in certain areas and conditions. They are only found in a few areas of Scotland, predominantly the west coast area, due to the acidity/alkalinity of the soil I believe.

Cheers.