[Babette & Andy]

A HUGE welcome to Gil, Steve, Lauren, Imogen, William and Franca, who after a fairly good flight via LA arrived in Auckland in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Yesterday morning I went to greet them at the Howick Motor Lodge (where tomorrow The Piesleys are joining them :nice1 ) and I would have taken the customary arrival photo, had Steve (how can I put it . . .) had more clothes on . . . ;) OK so he had finally managed to get to the shower after the woman folk in his household had finally vacated it. When I turned up he was desperately trying to find HIS suitcase amongst theirs with some clothes in to wear. . .

No seriously, they all looked great. William & Franca were busy writing their first letters to friends back in the UK; Lauren & Franca looked like they were ready to check out the local town life, with freshly straigtened hair and not at all looking like they'd just flown in from across the world.

And Steve & Gil - wonderful to finally meet you!! You made it, after many many months of final preparations and a mad last couple of weeks.

Welcome to you all. It will probably be a little while before they post themselves, unless they check out the library internet facilities soon.

Babette

[Debbie]

Glad to hear of your safe arrival. Hope the jet lag isn't to bad.
You know how to get in touch with me if you need to.
Enjoy you new life.
Debbie

[Nienke]

BIG welcome to you all! :cheers

[Smiler]

Woohoo Guys! You are finally here!

Welcome to New Zealand. :cheers:cheers

[Moorf]

:clap Yay, welcome to New Zealand folks.... :clap


Moorf
x

[StevieD]

Well done guys, congrats on making the trip!!! Guess there is going to be a search for the NZ branch of the Irons expat supporters now, if it a fruitless search you could always form it yourself Steve!! :laugh

Seriously, glad for you all. Will catch up in due course and see you down there soon.

Steve, Jan, Kieran and Louisa

[K&CS]

A big welcome from all of us. I couldn't live without my hair straighteners either - even packed them in my hospital bag when I was having Alex!

Look forward to hearing from you soon and hope the jetlag isn't tooo bad.

Kate & family
xx

[Bruckner]

Great news and congratulations to all!

Emily

[jubjub]

Helloooo, you made it... hope you get settled quickly, give me a bell if you get a min to spare for a coffee,

:raebanana :clap

[Hannah]

Welcome to New Zealand!!!!!

I love all these 'i've arrived' posts!

Make sure you find a good local tea shop - always a good use of your time in those early days!!!!

[MB]

Yay! Welcome, guys! :raebanana :cheers

[Diny]

Welcome to NZ !!!! Keep us posted.

Diny

[off2nz]

Gil and family, Welcome to Howick - I'm sure you will find Mandy and Dave very helpful just like we did.

Look forward to meeting up with you soon - perhaps get our girls together?

Have pm'd you too.

G

[Kim39]

Hey welcome to NZ folks, just watch out for the kiwi remarks that the taffs can't play rugby, cos thats all i get about the English and thay say the same about the Irish, Welsh, Scots and even the French. Anyway looking forward to your updates over due course.


Kim

[StevieD]

England won a game the other day Kim!!!!!! Not seen that in a long time. Expect the remarks about poms and cricket soon too....

[Avalon]

Welcome to New Zealand.

Enjoy your new life here - its a wonderful future you have ahead of you.

Hugs

Hxxx

[Babette & Andy]

Just spoke with Gil. She's looking forward to getting back on line, may try out the library tomorrow.

Fairly positive on the rental front, they're checking out a rental in Eastern Beach in the next few beach which sounds interesting.

Babette

[katandbob]

Welcome to NZ guys....hope the weather stays good for you

Kat Rob & boys

[Lupin]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

[Tia Maria]

Congratulations on making it!

Its about midnight now, which means with all the jet lag you're probably enjoying breakfast right about now!

See you soon

Cheers

Tia

[gil]

Hi everyone!! Thanks for your good wishes and welcome messages. Great journey, great welcome from Babette (we're at her house now) so thank you Babette!

We've taken a rental, unfortunately not available till Dec 21, in Eastern Beach. Will and Franca start school on Fri (Pigeon Mountain Primary) and then Monday Imogen is going to Macleans College. We have got mobiles and a hire car, um can't think of anything else! Been very busy and will post more later.

Lots of love,

Gil
xx

PS The Piesleys have arrived safely, 4 hour delay at Hong Kong and they are shattered!

[Aydon]

Wooohooo - Welcome "home", guys ;)

[StevieD]

Gili, you can change your location now on the forum!! :laugh

[kiwidebs]

Gil, Steve and Family and the Piesleys - welcome to NZ. Glad you all made the marathon journey in one piece. Looking forward to meeting you all at some stage. If you're ever heading towards West Auckland PM me - pop in for a cuppa.


Debs

[Marie P]

I popped in for a quick chat and glass of wine tonight ,they are all fine and enjoying Auckland so far [and all the good weather this week !]

It was great to meet you all finally :raebanana

Marie x

[Moorf]

It's amazing how many of us are now here in NZ, that were once all sitting in the UK/USA/Asia etc a few years back. The ENZ family has grown so much - not sure how I'd have got on without everyone!! We've all got such great support systems across the country! *warm fuzzy moment* *hic* :D

[jubjub]

Was just discussing new arrivals with Al, he remembers Steve's (Cardiff Irons) first post!)

We are becoming an expat community! :D

[willsken]

So glad to hear you're there safely! Can't wait to meet up again in December! :raebanana

[Tate6]

So glad to hear you have arrived safely, Gil and family! Looking forward to your posts on each new experience!

It is great to celebrate with each new arrival to NZ. I too have "been here" for awhile and the arrivals have certainly become more frequent. It gives the rest of us hope!!

Rest up, and get ready for your new life to begin!!

Terry