[StevieD]

Hi all, looks like we are finally on our way :raebanana

House is in the final stages of sale, and barring any disasters, we will be on our way within 2 months.

So now it is time for us to panic, sort, sell, arrange, pay, and all the other myriad things that have to be sorted for the move.

Just wondering if anyone in the good ol' windy north west of England and it's environs is up for a little meet before we go? Put a thread on the meets/get togethers board if anyone interested. Know there are a few more newbies around who may like to have a chat and carry on the meets in this area.

Looking forward to meeting up with old pals again, unfortunately we have the farewells too, which is not so pleasant, but no pain no gain as they say.

So, the cat is out the bag at last, been sitting on this for a few months, don't want to tempt fate but it is our time now.

Steve

[pieeater]

Wow,I thought you were never going to get here,fingers crossed for you mucker.

[sizzlingbadger]

:clap :cheers :raebanana

Fantastic news, you all must be so pleased as you've been waiting for a while.

Fingers crossed everything falls into place

Look forward to reading your first post in NZ :D

[Ana&Steve]

Yay! Congratulations! :clap Save room for us :D
Ana

[Smiler]

What brilliant news, Steve and family.

At last your turn has come. Wooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo! :raebanana

Good luck with the rest of the sale and your last couple of months. :cheers:cheers

Where are you heading, have you decided yet?

[Carol]

Wellington!
say Wellington!!!!


Yay!
:raebanana

Carol

[Caroline and Dave]

Thats really great news. No one deserves to finally get there more. Looks like you will get there just before us. We wish you and your family all the success,you deserve it.

Kindest regards

Dave and Caroline

[gil]

:raebanana:raebananaHurrah!!! Sooooooooo thrilled to hear the news! So come on, where are you going?
You guys really deserve this, you've waited and been patient and always supportive of everyone who's "jumped the queue". Can't wait to see you over here, good luck with the mad bit,

Lots of love,
The Sewells

[Avalon]

Wow - congratulations :clap

The next 2 months will fly by, and before you know it you will be starting your new life.

[jubjub]

They do say good things take time, so NZ should be real good for you guys.

Hope everything goes through quickly, and you can get your tickets booked!

[Kim39]

Bet this little annoucement makes you feel a little better knowing how you have all been the last few days, and its about time your little secret came out mate. Looks like Elaine will be out to buy more bedding:laugh Already looking forward to you walking through those arrival doors. See you soon mucker:nice1


Kim

[wiki]

What awesome news. You must be so relieved to get to this point - and yes, there is still a lot ahead of you, but it must seem so much more achievable.

Best wishes for the rest of your Kiwi adventure

[stu70]

All the best to you and your family. Good luck with the remaining tasks on hand before boarding that flight. Hope you keep us all posted. Cheers

[Marie P]

Waheyyyyyy :raebanana

Great news guys ..........its two years since we met in the Salt cellar ,both at the same stage.

I'm amazed how you have kept your sanity all this time ,We all cannot wait to meet you again .

The kids want to know if you are coming to Auckland.

Best wishes,

Dave ,Marie and Kids x

[Mexican in NZ]

Yaaaay! what a great news :raebanana !!!!
I hope everything goes well in the move and u can be able to go to the next get together in the region u r to meet some of us in the emigratenz forum....
Hope to read from u from NZ :nice1
Adriana and Anton

[mossum]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

certantly a banana worthy announcement !!!!!!

now just the really exciting bit to go ....

~*~*~*~*~ congratulations ~*~*~*~*~*~

vic x

[Jenny & Mark]

Agreed.
:raebanana

congrats.

Mark.

[StevieD]

Thanks guys, it is really a case of work, but as it is telecomms engineering, Auck and Welly are high on the list. We are being as open minded as possible though, whatever is best for us will do. We have waited this long, it seems quite unreal, but sure as eggs is eggs, we are going to give it a good go.

[zardell]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana


Well mate, this is my first post for AGES and who better to address it to than you and yours.


Enjoy your last few weeks in the UK 'cos they go really fast. You'll be over here before you know it.

Playboy 2 can't wait to see Playboy 1 and last time we spoke to Playboy 3 I could swear he was wearing his badge :D

Julie

xx

[The Hodges]

Well and congrats mate and here is a little something in celebration http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/dance011.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

If you haven't done already, and I'm sure you don't need an invite, ;) , time to break open a bottle of something bubbly...

We can't make it to the nw meet though, but we wish you good luck and that everything runs smoothly for your next stage.

[Cardiff Irons]

Top news mate. Absolutely delighted for you.

Was thinking for a while that you weren't really serious about NZ, but just enjoyed doing stuff on the forum. After all, you always seem to give glowing reports on life back in the UK! ;)

Be great to have you over here. Wishing you all the best in your preparations. And don't forget, no matter how many times people warn you, you will NEVER have enough time to get organised.

Right, a few of these to finish :raebanana:raebanana:raebanana

[Trigirl]

fabulous news stevie!!!

(good to hear from you too zardell - hope all is well)

[Andy-Dee]

Stevie, Jan & family

Here's some MUCH deserved :raebanana :raebanana

:raebanana :raebanana


...know we've overdone it a bit on the nana's - but who cares you're on your way!!!!!

yes to meet.

D & A

[Babette & Andy]

Overjoyed that you finally feel comfortable enough with house sale proceedings to tell the world. It so is your turn, you have been so patient and positive all this time, even when you've been dealt a few hardships along the way :( Stevie, Jan, Kieran & Louisa - there are many friends of yours of here, who can't wait to welcome you with open arms when you get of 'that' plane. Hope (for us :D ) it will be Auckland. Best of luck with the manic 2months ahead - it's your turn, enjoy every minute of it :yes

Hugs from us all
Babette, Andy, Lianne & Amy

PS - see you soon :raebanana

[Avalon]

Thanks guys, it is really a case of work, but as it is telecomms engineering, Auck and Welly are high on the list.
Telecom NZ are hiring like mad right now - due to an almost finished reorganisation. Im not sure if that would be any help to you - as to be honest I really only know whats going on in the IT dept.

BUT - I can always try and find out! So what do you exactly????

Not that it will make any sense to me - but it will to someone :laugh

[Moorf]

Congrats StevieD & Co - it's been a long time coming! :nice1

[spudulike]

What wonderful news - huge congratulations to you all :raebanana

I'm sure you will settle into life in NZ and love every minute of it!!

Good luck with all the mayhem, now the fun and games really begin :laugh

L :)

[marcia]

What can we say guys - we know the hard stuggle you've had, but you have always been here supporting everyone else despite your own problems.

You deserve the biggest bunch of these going!!!


:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

And where ever you end up - you have friends all over New Zealand to call on for a shoulder!!! :)

Good luck with these last few weeks.

[StevieD]

Thanks to all you guys (wiping away a little wet one) you say the nicest things. It really is a privilege to be a member of this forum and community.

Steve and Jan (still stinking of Jeyes fluid :laugh)

[Smiler]

Steve and Jan (still stinking of Jeyes fluid :laugh)

At least they'll know you're clean and pest free when you tip up at Customs and Immigration. :p

[andreamatt]

Lovely to hear your news - well done. If you decide to settle on Wellington (if that's where work takes you) then perhaps one day we'll meet up with you at one of the 'Welly Rocks' get-togethers.

Best wishes with all that follows,

Andrea and Matt (off to the post office tomorrow with our ITA - a step closer!)

[wilson182]

Just to echo what the other have said..... Many Congratulations..... And if you ever make it down this way, theres a cold one in the fridge for you....

Debs xx

[Nienke]

Another echo here.... Fantastic news, many congratulations! :cheers

[Singel]

....................... but as it is telecomms engineering, Auck and Welly are high on the list.
We have waited sooooooooooo long for this announcement, I think Auck or Welly, doesn't matter. Most important is that you are joining us soon.................WAHOOOOOOO :raebanana :raebanana

What a fantastic news :raebanana :raebanana

[thezorbster]

Congrats Stevie D and family - you're always so positive and encouraging to others, great to hear it's finally your turn!

[vixxann]

Steve, Jan and family

one of the aforementioned newbies here! but I already appreciate your help on the board and the messages you've sent us.

We are possibly up for a North west meet - will find that thread and post again.

All the very best from us - and although we are at the beginning of our process its lovely to see someone proceeding and about to start living the dream!

have one of these from us... :cheers

Vicki, Sam & family

[StevieD]

Oooer, it's getting ever more realistic, just booked the flights!!!!

Having a one night stop over in Singy, don't know which hotel yet but it is going to be a nice little break before we get down to the nitty gritty of NZ and all that it has in store for us.

Looking for a magic wand to sort out the house/bills/pets/cars and everything else that has to be done.... know where to get one? Tried e-bay and trade me with no luck at all :laugh

[spudulike]

No magic wand I'm afraid, but have a couple of dancing bananas :raebanana :raebanana

Enjoy your last 2 months in the UK and visit as many of your favourite places as possible as time will pass in a flash!

Good luck

L

[Babette & Andy]

Wonderful news!! Sooooo - where are you flying to . . . . Auckland or Wellington???

Babette

[StevieD]

Auckland Babs ;) Have you got that info re- Sentosa?? Drop me a pm.

Cheers

Steve and Jan :raebanana

[Babette & Andy]

Auckland - yipppeeee - we'll be there to meet you :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

Stevie - did you not get my PM yesterday? Why don't you PM me your phone number and I'll give you a call (tell me when suits you best) - will be lovely to hear your / Jans voices after all this time.

Hugs
Babette

[kiwidebs]

Hi Stevie, Jan and kids.

Just catching up after a few days off the forum and really excited to hear your news. I'm really pleased it is all coming together for you after so long. We'll have to organise an Auckland meet in your honour when you get here!! Good luck with the packing up and all.

Debs

[StevieD]

Thanks Debs - got so much to do but so much to look forward to. We have waited an awful long time to get to this stage. Still got to dot the 'i's and cross the 't's, but it is only 7 weeks away... getting goose bumps now.

Steve and Jan

[kiwidebs]

Thanks Debs - got so much to do but so much to look forward to. We have waited an awful long time to get to this stage. Still got to dot the 'i's and cross the 't's, but it is only 7 weeks away... getting goose bumps now.

Steve and Jan Only 7 weeks!! :eek: Wow, that will fly by. Remember to stop and take a breath every now and then!!

[willsken]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana I am so pleased everything is finally worked out for you. Will be great to meet you and Jan at last!! Have you decided which area you are heading to yet?

[Tia Maria]

Kiwidebs wrote:

Remember to stop and take a breath every now and then!!

I read that as ......'Remember to stop and take a beer every now and then!!!'

Wise words which ever way you read it!

Cheers

Tia

[StevieD]

Either way will do Tia and Debs!!

Nic, it is totally up in the air where we end up. Purely down to jobs I'm afraid. Let's just say that it will be somewhere in the north island.

Landing in Auckland - got a reception committee collecting us, and we will be spending time with Kim39 and his family. Got a bit of touring to do too!

Off to do more paperwork now, got to take the kids to school first.

Catch you later.

Steve

[willsken]

Well if you fancy a couple of nights in Hawke's Bay give us a shout.... I can try my new BBQ out on you!! :nice1

[StevieD]

That include the veggie option for the rest of the family? LOL. We are sure we will take a trip over that way, and it will be nice to have a longer chat with Ian and the boys and to finally meet up with you!

Up to my eyeballs in paperwork again this morning. The contract has just arrived from the solicitors, marine insurance forms to sort out now, finally decided which shippers we are using and all sorts of other financial rubbish to trawl through. Nice to know that each form filled is one step closer to the move though.

Steve, Jan and kids :nice1

[pinkpiggy]

Ah so much paperwork. We've just received a letter from the solicitors this morning about our house sale - they have sent two sheets of A4 information for us to read in a very tiny print. :no I think we'll need a magnifying glass to read it.

Which shippers did you decide on in the end.

Try not to work too hard :p and enjoy your weekend.

[katandbob]

That include the veggie option for the rest of the family? LOL. We are sure we will take a trip over that way, and it will be nice to have a longer chat with Ian and the boys and to finally meet up with you!

Up to my eyeballs in paperwork again this morning. The contract has just arrived from the solicitors, marine insurance forms to sort out now, finally decided which shippers we are using and all sorts of other financial rubbish to trawl through. Nice to know that each form filled is one step closer to the move though.

Steve, Jan and kids :

Just got back from a few days in Te Anau, glad to see your finally on the last leg, hope that you get down to the Sth Island on your touring, as you know that you will be most welcome at casa smiths! :clap :cheers :cheers :cheers so CONGRATS Steve, Jan and kids.

from Kat, Rob and Jason, and temporary NZ smiths Rach, Cole and Jordon too

[StevieD]

Thanks Kat and co. Will obviously head down your way if we do get to the south island!
Have got so much to do as you all know, but it is not a problem.

Have decided to go with Robinson's removals. They wanted it more than John Mason's. Simple as that. Plus they decided to undercut Mason's by another £135 which swung it for me!! lol

[marcia]

Stevie - make sure you get in writing from Robinsons that you will pay the MAF fees direct - not to Conroys!!!

Haven't had time to post yet but we got our container on Thursday and Conroys presented us with a bill for a MAF inspection of $600 bearing in mind the inspection hadn't even taken place at that point - so how could they know what time it was going to take - anyway we refused to pay it and signed the receipt for the arrival of the stuff with 'items unchecked transferred into storage' and also put on that MAF fees will be paid direct to MAF as per the agreement with Robinsons.

Incidently the MAF guy was great, a Frenchman, had a good laugh with him, no problems with any of our items, tried to confiscate my chocolate and alcohol, but I bribed him with a bit of real cadburys and he said it would be ok :nice1 He told us his fee would be around $85 and was astonished when we showed him what Conroys wanted to charge us - so we will be doing some sorting out with all that this week!! MAF are sending me a copy of their bill so I know exactly what they have charged!

Just make sure you do have it in writing from Robinsons and make them aware of what Conroys are up to - they will be getting an email from us in due course!

[jnathan]

I wonder what makes people from the UK to move to NZ who by no mean anyway near to UK's economy.

[hels1977]

I wonder what makes people from the UK to move to NZ who by no mean anyway near to UK's economy.
Eh?

Congratulations Stevie! :cheers Got my fingers crossed, looks like you'll even get a bit of celebratory snow before you leave!

[Ana&Steve]

I wonder what makes people from the UK to move to NZ who by no mean anyway near to UK's economy.
Sometimes people are willing to sacrifice their standard of living for the hope of a better quality of life. :)
Congrats StevieD, thanks for all the advice to this Noobie! :D
Ana

[StevieD]

Thank you guys, the feeling is mutual - it is a great community this forum, it works for me!

Marcia, good point that. I did discuss the MAF fees with them but I'll ask them to put it in writing on the form for me.

Cheers.

[Bruckner]

Good luck and I hope the house sells quickly. We're starting the actual moving process very soon. Enjoying the calm before the storm here.

Emily

[StevieD]

Ha Ha, calm, calm??? Thanks for the wishes from the Big Apple!

No, surprisingly Kiwi type atmosphere here, not getting phased at all. Sorry Emily, can't get this image of unionised removal type guys in some truck outside a big NYC apartment block. Loved my times visiting there on the ships, going up to Times Square and W48th to all the music shops..... and the Irish bars ;) Fond memories indeed.

Good luck with your move. Our house is in the final stages now, just the legal bits to complete and they well on the way.

See you down there - Steve

[SteveO]

Good Luck to you mate, I hope it all goes smoothly, have been watching your progress and willing you on.

Best regards
Steve

[Bruckner]

Loved my times visiting there on the ships, going up to Times Square and W48th to all the music shops..... and the Irish bars ;) Fond memories indeed.

Great music shops on W. 48th Street! Glad there are still some of the mom & pop stores still going, especially with the mallification of the city.


Ha Ha, calm, calm??? Thanks for the wishes from the Big Apple!

No, surprisingly Kiwi type atmosphere here, not getting phased at all. Sorry Emily, can't get this image of unionised removal type guys in some truck outside a big NYC apartment block.

Have I mentioned that we live on the top floor and our elevator measures approximately 2.5 feet in depth, 4 feet in length and the entrance is less than 2 feet wide? These guys have to carry an armoire, a sofa, a loveseat and anything else that won't fit down six flights of stairs. Wonder if that'll make my quotes go up? LOL!

Emily