Gumbygreeneye
2nd August 2006, 09:08 AM
Hello Guys,
Am one week or so into living in Napier. Initial impressions are lovely though the hayfever is already noticeable! I tell myself every day that I am here to LIVE not on an extended holiday in a vain effort to reduce the fall people predict you get 3 weeks in when you figure out that every place has its problems.
I have met the boss of the surgery that all being well I will start to take over in 6 months. He has now left NZ to go back to Oz but flew back especially to give me a 3 day tour of Napier, its people and to introduce us to his friends. I can't say that someone could have done more to specifically help integrate us. The surgery is dynamite with a very good team.
We have been living in a motel but just secured a lovely rental that we will use as a temporary base as we are looking to jump into the housing market while the middle to top end houses have levelled off a bit.
Having no regular internet access I am squeezing this in between patients so apoloigize for now browsing other threads to help others, but promise when I'm officially online.
The staff here have all volunteered furniture etc till our stuff arrives.
To help get us into the frame of mind that we actually do live here, my car from Genuine Vehicle Imports already has problems. Now here is the rub.. we all praise an easy sell but what happens when things go wrong? Well, the company has really tried though we are 500km away to get the problem sorted. It is in reality a minor problem that you can't predict will happen even with a AA check. They so far have handled it very fairly and we have been told that we won't pay a penny (cent?!!) for it to be fiexed. They even said that even if the problem wasn't covered by the warranty, they would pay. In the UK dealing with a garage my blood pressure would be a lot higher!
Basically the people so far seem open, friendly and helpful. Things are more relaxed and even the local press seems more chilled out. Our local Magpies rugby team got trounced 45-0 against one of the top teams in the first game of the season yet the press headline had nothing but praise for them.
Home sickness hasn't really been an issue for me as I have so much to take it at the moment with getting in synch with a whole new medical system, finding a rental and getting in touch with financial planners etc. My wife felt a little homsickness last night.
People keep telling me to slow down and "enjoy the bay", but it can be a little hard when you are in a motel (albeit a lovely one). We have treated ourselves to their jacuzzi in the night most nights. Well actually, the ones where we weren't invited out to dinner. I really need to watch my expanding waistline.
The Hawkes Bay white wines are very good and the reds are moderate. There is a growing cafe culture here that seems very relaxed and unto its own. I have to say that I have not had a bad meal here so far. Every meal has been good-excellent versus the "it's ok" I was so used to in my local town at home.
The bank has been very helpful and...
oooppsss!.. next patient has arrived.. will add a bit later..
Am one week or so into living in Napier. Initial impressions are lovely though the hayfever is already noticeable! I tell myself every day that I am here to LIVE not on an extended holiday in a vain effort to reduce the fall people predict you get 3 weeks in when you figure out that every place has its problems.
I have met the boss of the surgery that all being well I will start to take over in 6 months. He has now left NZ to go back to Oz but flew back especially to give me a 3 day tour of Napier, its people and to introduce us to his friends. I can't say that someone could have done more to specifically help integrate us. The surgery is dynamite with a very good team.
We have been living in a motel but just secured a lovely rental that we will use as a temporary base as we are looking to jump into the housing market while the middle to top end houses have levelled off a bit.
Having no regular internet access I am squeezing this in between patients so apoloigize for now browsing other threads to help others, but promise when I'm officially online.
The staff here have all volunteered furniture etc till our stuff arrives.
To help get us into the frame of mind that we actually do live here, my car from Genuine Vehicle Imports already has problems. Now here is the rub.. we all praise an easy sell but what happens when things go wrong? Well, the company has really tried though we are 500km away to get the problem sorted. It is in reality a minor problem that you can't predict will happen even with a AA check. They so far have handled it very fairly and we have been told that we won't pay a penny (cent?!!) for it to be fiexed. They even said that even if the problem wasn't covered by the warranty, they would pay. In the UK dealing with a garage my blood pressure would be a lot higher!
Basically the people so far seem open, friendly and helpful. Things are more relaxed and even the local press seems more chilled out. Our local Magpies rugby team got trounced 45-0 against one of the top teams in the first game of the season yet the press headline had nothing but praise for them.
Home sickness hasn't really been an issue for me as I have so much to take it at the moment with getting in synch with a whole new medical system, finding a rental and getting in touch with financial planners etc. My wife felt a little homsickness last night.
People keep telling me to slow down and "enjoy the bay", but it can be a little hard when you are in a motel (albeit a lovely one). We have treated ourselves to their jacuzzi in the night most nights. Well actually, the ones where we weren't invited out to dinner. I really need to watch my expanding waistline.
The Hawkes Bay white wines are very good and the reds are moderate. There is a growing cafe culture here that seems very relaxed and unto its own. I have to say that I have not had a bad meal here so far. Every meal has been good-excellent versus the "it's ok" I was so used to in my local town at home.
The bank has been very helpful and...
oooppsss!.. next patient has arrived.. will add a bit later..