Just to add, doggie is sick yet again. Not sure if I am the worst dog owner in the world or if she has the worst immunity rate that a dog could have. She's such a sweetheart of a dog, I hate it when she isn't well. Still have to figure out pet insurance here. Sometimes I want to howl just trying to get everything sorted - patience was never my strong point.

She's such a bouncy little creature, I just don't understand why she is ill. Here's a pic to prove it. I  my doggie I hope she gets better soon.

 

Good lord alive, well it is true how time flies away from one! Yes I have been having fun, certainly on the personal side with visits both from me mam and me dad. I swear parents must think in sync as they both literally booked flights to come see both my bro and I around the same time but not knowing that was what the other had done! Funny that :)

It was so nice to see mum and take her round a bit. The weather performed as well, certainly whilst she was in lovely Auckland and we also made it up to Kerikeri too. So beautiful up in the Northland! I did my 1/2 marathon there and was so delighted to make it round without collapsing in a sozzled heap. 2hrs 32 is rather slow but hey all my sponsors can be proud! Dad also came which was so nice and he too seemd pleasantly surprised by Auckland. People always are - it's such a cute place, particularly when the sun shines.

I just do not understand why it gets such a bad rep and why people are so resentful. 1) it generates the most revenue in NZ 2) it has the most jobs 3) it is right by the sea 4) it is accessible to pretty much anywhere on NI and 5) there is tons of stuff to do - I could be out every night if I wanted to and if I had the money! On and 6) I love how diverse it is here, that gets a big ole thumbs up.

We are very happy here, although it was so sad to say goodbye to mum. Fingers crossed her and my stepdad will make it across again in the not too distant future. I'd love to make it to the family hols next year but who knows where things will be at in terms of studying and work etc?

I've been whacked by hayfever too over the last couple of days which has made things hard. I am so struggling at work as well - I wouldn't mind being in a  more junior role if I agreed with what was going on! So am keeping my options open for the time being, let's just leave it at that haha.

D sniffed out another steam train at the weekend. I love seeing how happy he is when he is on them. Things are a bit worrying with our financial situation - well at least in the sense that we have these 2 houses we want to sell and can't - oh lucky us to even have property I know but it's just yet another frustration! Stupid recession!

Err what else? I'm looking forward to meeting up with a fellow expat on Sunday to go to a car boot sale. We don't need anything now I don't think as the house got pretty well kitted out with our Trademe bargains just before mum arrived. But you never know! Still got NO clothes as they are sitting in a container somewhere waiting to be unloaded. So frustrating - and MAF want to search these boxes too. Most expensive dog toys I ever bought

You know I am in a hayfever fog now so can't really type much. Feeling a bit loopy tbh. But on the upside hayfever drugs seem cheaper here woo hoo . Doggie says woof. I am off to bed - at 7pm! Bring on Saturday am and a lie in!

xxx

Oh blog I have neglected you yet again. And to be honest I am only typing now as I am waiting for the Trademe table I have been stalking all weekend to come up to its final time which is just before midnight on a Sunday - thank goodness I am working from home in the morning!

Well, I just don't know where to begin and where I left off. So much (and to be honest so little) has happened in the last few weeks. Work, well, goes on. It is a job. It pays the bills. In terms of earth shattering career, it ain't that at all. I am lucky to work. I have a v nice boss who is very flexible. My colleagues are great. The project is interesting (although the targets are unachievable but hey ho!). Aside from my impotent rage that I am forced to take such a massive amount of annual leave at Christmas as mandatory (and it is far more than anyone else I know in NZ!) things are ok. It is more the fact that it really has dawned on me that this isn't at all what I want to be doing in life. If I am still in the charity sector in 10 years time I will see myself as a career failure haha that's a bit dramatic but the thought gives me the heebeejeebies. I'm very dissolusioned with the whole thing. Absolutely nothing to do with NZ I should add now, it just has helped clarify for me what I want to be doing. And in a good way if we hadn't moved here I would have felt obligated to keep going in the sector in the UK and never would have given myself the opportunity to get out. New Zealand has really helped me see things in a very different perspective. I feel like I can DO things again and I'm not stuck in paralysis. I admit I have struggled taking a step down in terms of seniority and still continue to do so, but the fact that I've taken some positive steps forward to change this personally feels much better now. I can just suck it up and keep my head down, get the work done and get on with things.

I am 32. I would like to start a family soon. What options therefore are open to someone with those choices (and yes lucky me that I can make such choices but dammit I work hard for a living and my hubby and I have worked like dogs to be where we are today, so I can make choices so take your tall poppy syndrome and stick it :p) ANYWAY

So I am going back to uni. I am so excited! I am going to do a course I nearly did 5 years ago but chickened out of. I am going to do a Graduate Diploma in Earth Science, converting my degree to a geology degree. I'm going to study part time, distance learning at Massey which won't be easy but will be so worthwhile. Since moving here I've rekindled my love of being outside and the landscape is so fascinating I just want to study it further. The compulsion I felt all those years ago as a student wanting to specialise in geology has caught up with me again and it feels like such the right thing to do. I like the thought of going into the renewable energy/geothermal sector or possibly into enginnering. Who knows what the future holds? But if I don't do it soon it will be too late. I don't want to hear any guff about being young etc etc. Study takes time and effort and employers are ageist and sexist - I don't care what legislation you put there that tries to change that. It's sadly basic human nature and I'm in a race against the clock to get the studying done that I need to. So off we go!

how is NZ you all ask?! Well it is pretty darned cool. I am just slowly settling in and started to umpire netbal again a couple of weeks ago which was scary! but the extra money is really handy and it is nice having something else to do after work. I've  joined an indoor netball team (which is not the same as outdoor so that will be interesting!) - with one of the guys from work - his hubby is a top netball umpire as well as player so he's going to help get me meeting the right people here. I badly need to make my own friends and have my own interests. Oh Gen, I hear my mum saying, it all takes time you must be less impatient!! And I am trying mum I promise, but you do have to put yourself out there to meet new people - they won't come to you!

We went to the Coromandel last weekend to meet D's aunt and uncle who have a house in Matarangi by the beach. It was just AMAZING - and can you believe such a short distance from Auckland? Everyone literally has their own boat. You just drive it up to the water's edge and off you go for the day. Fabulous! I just love the lifestyle here. I ran for an hour today, longest yet. Still unsure of the Kerikeri race and how I'll do but I can but give it a go! I was pleased to do the hour today as it was fine and I could probably have gone on longer. The weather is warming up and it is getting so much more sunnier. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Auckland when the sun shines :)

Mum arrives next week for a visit too! Now that the house is slowly getting sorted out we feel much better....ooh and our stuff ARRIVED! I have a washing machine!!!! It has been going nonstop to wash everything from the boat, but oh! how nice to snuggle into our duvet and sheets and pillows! Just our clothes need to arrive now that should be next week hopefully. Although I am tubby at the moment and need to shed some pounds before they get here eek! Also much more relaxed now we have bought mum a bed. there is a trademe bargain sitting in the spare room now, a nice new queen bed, simple and no frills but seems very comfy. It's a relief that - I had visions of D and I being on the airbed and I can't cope with that right now!!!

So I am going to leave it there y'all but here is a pic from last weekend for you - the doggie soaking up the rays on the beach. Here's to many more days like those ones - thanks so much to Les and Janice for putting us up they were fab :)

Such tough decisions for a Sunday! The housework is done, I am just finishing off some emails to family and friends (so nice having internet!) and it is a BEAUTIFUL day. I think we will try and get our sofa into our living room today through the window (hahaha the joys of a narrow hallway!), and then have a drive along the North Shore which we haven't explored yet.

The dog had a haircut yesterday and looks so cute! I also registered her with the vet on Friday and she had all her jabs and also she has an ear infection which would explain why she's been a bit under the weather. But all sorted now and she goes back to the vets on Friday for a check.

We have been sooooooooooo busy at work! It is a bit of a shock! Work is good, a couple of things I have to get used to and even in my team there are politics which is kind of irritating as I was hoping that this role meant I didn't have to get caught up in that kind of bs but people are people wherever you go in the world. New ideas are either met with deep suspicion and resentment or outright joy. I'm pleased to say that the latter is the norm (and there are some amazing people at my work including my boss thank goodness), but I don't have the time in my life to be bothering about massaging egos - the job needs to be done! So let's see how the next few weeks pan out. I am going to tread quietly - but with a determined edge :)

Cycling to work is cool and saves so much time and bother. I also get starving hungry so the visions of losing weight haven't really materalised yet as I am eating so much!

ooooooh and our ship arrives tomorrow! I want my washing machine back! Have had 2 very bad examples of customer service so far here - NZ Van lines just had a pitched battle with me in their office for absolutely no apparent reason so I just walked off, and then with ASB who after our lastest issue trying to transfer money have just cost us $300 unecessarily so I think they will be getting the sack. Ooooh I sound like Alan Sugar haha!

Our little BMW has had a service and I'm pleased to say that nothing majorly seems wrong with it. Just one thing that we will get fixed up.

Right then off to enjoy the sunny day. TTFN

So here we have it, internet at home at LONG LAST!!! I am sorry blog that I have neglected you for soooooo long. Lord alive, how did we cope without it! I am here wallowing in all my fave sites and D is doing exactly the same thing haha.

Well two momentous things have happened in the last couple of weeks. The first is that I started work (!) and am now into week 2. What a shift in psychology that has been!!! People are so much more laid back and the office is empty by 4.30 every afternoon! Not that people don't work hard but everyone starts at about 7am and leaves at 3!! Ah if only I could a) get out of bed that early and b) rid myself of the UK work ethich of working obscenely long hours! I am sure that it will filter on down at some point but it is early days yet! The hardest thing about work is trying to understand the cultural differences and attitudes towards the charitable sector. I am so irritated with myself for having to refer back to the UK all the time but as that is where all my work experience is there ain't too much I can do about it! I'm trying to keep it to asking if the same is here as it is in the UK but sometimes I slip up. But everyone is seriously nice and there are some really exciting things happening.

And the second thing is that the doggie arrived  she has now been here for just over a week and it is like we are complete now she's arrived. We had a THREE HOUR wait at customs to pick her up and by the time we got to her they'd just left her in her crate for the whole time, we thought they would have at least put her in a run or something. She was so excited to see us but then so distressed going home which was horrible, she just couldn't stop yodling in the car. Once we got her indoors she was much better. She travelled over with another dog that had nearly bitten his way through his crate there was a MASSIVE hole! So between the two of them she can't have gotten much sleep!!! She then slept for most of the day and then had jetlag and was up at 3 in the morning whining for food  we were rather tired come Monday! But she is now curled up on my knee fast asleep and it was such a joy to take her out to Mission Bay for the first time for walkies. This Saturday I am hoping to take her to hang out with the other pooches at Starbucks which seems to be where all the local dogs hang out. She's already met a couple. For a country that forces its animals to live outside, they do adore their dogs here!!! Oh well!

Er what else has happened? Oooh yesterday we got a tumble dryer, we do now have a sofa but can't get the bigger one into the lounge because our hallway is too narrow  and D promises me that he will take a window out but I haven't seen much action on that front yet. We also have no tv and actually I never thought I would say this but it would be nice to have a telly because it just helps form the home in a strange way? So good to have internet back because I thought I would go stir crazy with just 4 walls to stare at the last few weeks!!!

Aside from a health scare back in the UK which was pretty horrid, things are going so well here. Aside from my first day, I have cycled to work every day even in hail and driving wind (I nearly got blown off my bike), we've tried our hardest to cook at home most nights and have initiated Sunday fush n chups coz our chippy does the most amazing takeaway. I simply can't get over  how beautiful my cycle to work is every day and harking back to the painful (and expensive) commute in the UK.

Last weekend we thought we would go exploring and chucked the dog into the car (oh yes! we got a car! I am the proud owner of a BMW!!! can you adam and eve it hahahahaha!) and on Saturday we went all the way round the bays to Cockle Bay which was just lovely but rather bizarre as everyone had put out their unwanted stuff and people were just helping themselves. It was so strange because it was such a posh area as well! Then on Sunday we went to the West Coast and explored round there and it was AMAZING I think I may have found my dream location to live. 20 mins from the centre of everything but literally out in what felt like a jungle and houses had proper sections rather than along the East Coast where it was rather built up. Oh it was wonderful! I loved looking out over the Manukau Shelf thingy thinking wow next stop Oz!

So far then, blog, so good. Aside from fromage frais, scampi, central heating and Waitrose low fat cheese there isn't anything that I miss at all (and the central heating is not quite so bad as I have a wonderful fan heater and our house does heat up quite nicely). Family and friends is a given but the lovely thing here is that we are catching up with so many friends that we haven't seen for ages and ages too. Last week a friend of mine just left Auckland to move to the Mount, and next week I hope we will mooch down to Hamilton to see another buddy of mine. And in between the other G in D's life just had baby number 2 and it has been so nice to see them as well! So there are positives in everything.

Right then best go do some other internet stuff that I haven't had a chance to do yet! I promise I will put some pics up soon! xxx

My goodness blog I am sorry I have neglected you for so long! Well all I can say is that it is a good thing I took some time out from work to get the basics on the house sorted because there is sooooo much to do! My other excuse is that I have not yet any broadband at home although the good folks at our provider assure me it will be the latest Tuesday. So it has been a bit of a hardship we have been coming to a very nice bar in Mission Bay every night to use their free wifi whilst sampling my way through all the local wines hahaha! Still I would rather be at home with this all sorted but until then.......

We had a good drive back from Wellington to Auckland earlier this week - my only gripe would be with the lack of cat's eyes at turn offs on the highway because in the dark and bad weather you just can't see what is going on. But it was fine and we obviously made it back in one piece  It was a real pity that we didn't do all of the drive during the day as the bits we did in the light were spectacular!

So without any further ado D started work on Tuesday, straight in at 8.30 am which I personally thought was rather harsh but off he toddled whilst I navigated my way through central Auckland to find my way to our new house. It is such a cute old house in Mission Bay and I just love it! Horrendous carpet and all! The only problem is that it is COLD - as our friend warned us. So whilst D was at work I began to go out shopping and buy all the things that we needed and I knew wouldn't be on the boat over - stupid things like scissors and wine glasses (priorities!). My brother and sister in law very kindly gave us some mugs and plates and cooking items and also this most lovely warm down throw - which I can tell you comes in so handy as what I consider a winter duvet and what Warehouse considers winter weight are legions apart! But pillows for $12 until mine arrive - yay! Kettles, toaster, plate dryer - all that kind of small stuff that you realise you need! I also got a moon chair for D to sit in and a beanbag for me - but I must say that the beanbag is a sore disappointment it is so not what I was expecting :( oh well lesson learned it will do for our kids one day I suppose! 

We were on an airbed the first couple of nights and god it was AWFUL - I came down with a huge cold (which I am still shaking off) and poor D had to go to work even though we were up in the middle of the night on the floor because the bed had deflated. It was kind of fun when we first went to sleep, having set the fire going and rushed out to Warehouse to buy heaters to get at least one room warm but  not fun at 3am trying to pump the stupid thing up in a freezing cold room! Enough was enough so I took myself off to a bed shop that I found on Trademe and bought our first ever brand new bed. It is a cheapie job and we can't turn the mattress but who cares - just getting into bed that night was quite possibly one of the greatest things ever (they were able to deliver that afternoon which swung the deal!). It is very comfy indeed!

D is finding work very interesting but a bit challenging as it is a different way of working to what happens in the UK. But it is great experience for him and will look fab on his CV, particularly if he can get the 3D work on. I think he just needed a few good night's sleep and it is hard with so much going on at home trying to get settled and so on. At the moment the bed is our only piece of furniture but today we got a lovely sofa set off  Trademe for $400 - the owners are so nice!!! I can't wait to pick it up and get it into my living room!

All I wanted to do this week was curl up on a sofa in front of our fire and read a book underneath the lovely comforter that my sis in law got us - but I've had to be out and about sorting things out for the house. Everyone in Starbucks and the Reef Bar knows us now as I do Starbucks in the am to go online and have a bite to eat (no fridge yet) and then in the evening we hit the bar to do more online stuff.

I had a bit of a weep the other day  not because I hate it, but just got a bit overwhelmed and just wanted to get rid of my cold in the usual way, curled up on a sofa somewhere! There is so much for us both to take in. I really really miss the dog as well and we CANNOT wait for her to arrive oooooooh this time next week she will be here!!!

Do I regret it though? In light of an earthquake down south as well? Not at all!! I miss family and friends - not sure that has quite sunk in yet tbh because we have had no time to think (which might be best really haha!) I really feel so settled and comfortable here. I posted my initial thoughts on the forum updates section so I won't go into it here too much but very favourable indeed overall.

Auckland is big which may have helped with the settling in process, and Mission Bay is just lovely. I sometimes catch myself driving down the hill thinking wow do I really live here! I find it very Americanised i.e. lots of malls and outlet centres everywhere which suits me fine - I love America! Although I take most people's points that Auckland life is not indicative of the rest of NZ but we'll see about that when we come to evaluate things in a couple of years. It is pretty darned good for us right now and is really a very attractive city on the whole. The coast is stunning.

It just makes me cross about how negative people are about this place, on the forum and some comments. OK if you aren't into big cities whatever but really don't come here expecting it to be the UK and for things to work in the same way because it doesn't. It's not bad - just different!!! And why should a whole country change just to fit moany expats in? If you don't like it then leave - if it is that bad then there will be a way to get out somehow. I'm happy to say that I don't think it will be us for quite some time at least.

D has such a nice commute to work - 15 min bus ride then a 10 min walk  a bit different to the 4 hour round trip in the UK what! We drove my route today (I have a bike omg!!!) and it seems ok - but time will tell! I have been dying to get to Bikram yoga but due to cold haven't managed it yet. I called into the studio today and also looked at my new office. The next big things we need to do are:

1) get car 2) mug up for a meeting I have on Monday with new boss 3) shop and fill my fridge that arrives tomorrow (yippeeeee!! thanks Di and Jamie for our wedding present!) 4) collect new sofa 5) find a chest of drawers. Got  a $1.50 coffee table arriving tomorrow and we need to renew our bemoth of a hire car because D spurned my choice of car at Turners today (VW Golf it was sooo cute) only to wish that he had bid on it - I was a bit  but never mind there will be a car out there for us!

Must go, have to search for a car byeeeee

Well we are here! Kind of...currently in Wellington for a couple of nights with my bro, sis in law and gorgeous niece getting in a bit of family time (well on my family side).

Final UK days

Well, where to start?! I will begin with our final days in the UK - after a hectic last  day at work I had such a lovely sendoff from the folks in my office I was honestly wondering what I was doing heading to the great unknown. Anglo Pacific came and picked up the blasted wedding dress (minus box) and another box full of clothes. It was also my birthday, not that you would have noticed because my husband completely forgot  hahaha I will dine out on that for the next few years  and it was more about spending time with friends. After my work do I headed over to the Porterhouse where D was with some of our longest-standing London friends for some final drinks. What's lovely about that group is that everyone is so international you know you'll see people again and you won't lose touch. But it was sad and I was overtired and weepy doh!

Then Friday am we were repacking and D headed off to the shippers AGAIN to fill up one more box of clothes (where did they all come from )  whilst I was frantically sorting out travel insurance, taxis, payment for the dog to go into Golden Arrow's kennels, getting dog wormed (had a panicked conversation with GA about the fact that should have happened the week before - £70 quid for a blinkin' letter from the vet!) etc. Then finally all seemed to be done and I headed over to see our friend who we'd stayed with for a lovely lunch and then it was back to get our bags and head to Heathrow! And guess what.....final hours of being in the UK and no trains in and out of Paddington station due to massive signal failure!!!!! Now why am I just not surprised at all  So our lovely taxi driver just took us straight to Heathrow. Well wasn't I relieved that D was so insistent on shipping more stuff as our travel agents had misinformed us of what the excess costs were (I had a row with them in the middle of T3) and it cost literally an arm and a leg to get our snowboards over (worth it but I was still furious - just not what you need when you are moving!).

And the airline staff get all sniffy with you and it wasn't at all that we were being rude (I was actually not saying anything as D tends to take over when that kind of thing happens as I know I run the risk of top-blowing) - we were just trying to understand what was going on - do you think they look at your passport and twig that you're going through massive emotional upeheaval and stress and sadness at leaving your country and family and friends and at least try and be NICE? Oh no that would be too hard

ANYWAY

 Without boards we were JUST in our luggage limit of 60 kilos and I think the check in lady took pity on us and gave us a bit more. So off we toddled and god it was so awful and busy and just a nightmare and I was feeling just all sorts of emotional turmoil but you know once we got on the plane (which was 40 mins sitting on the tarmac due to congestion) I was actually fine and felt more upbeat again. D just wanted to sleep  bless him he'd done so much with the move.

Singapore

Flight to Singapore was pretty average it was so busy - but the food was excellent! Then landing in  Singapore, well what a wonder that was. I felt like I was home again (well I was really! for those who don't know I lived there for many years as a whippersnapper and this was my first time back) - and it was so nice and peaceful and clean and tidy and organised and all things that you wish an airport to be. And then our family friends were there to meet us and that was just so lovely. They whisked us off to their amazing apartment right in the centre of Singapore where we met their amazing daughter and treasure of an amah and proceeded to look after us and spoil us rotten for the next four days. And the added bonus were their two West Highland Terriers who were just a delight (we'd managed to sneak out of the flat before the dogs had returned from the dog walker so I didn't have to weep buckets saying goodbye to doggie).

For the first two my dad was there which was sooooo nice and we spent dinner with him and family friends noshing at the Tanglin Club (whose hallowed halls my brother and I used to charge around with no respect  or realise what a posh club it was!) and then the next day we went to Changi Sailing Club for lunch and a looksee at what used to be. My word Singapore has changed in the sense of massive, massive building work. But the basics are still the same I am pleased to say! In the evening we went for some proper chicken and rice (I had char siu fan of course) on Thompson Road, and then wandered down to Orchard Road for a bit of a mooch.

Then the following day we were spoilt again by two more old family friends with firstly a feast at the Hyatt and then in the afternoon, another of of mum's friends took us out to dim sum in Chinatown and then we went onto the Raffles for a Singapore Sling (don't do it it has changed for the worse and cost us $60 for two!). And then on the last day it was M's birthday and we all went for chilli and pepper crab at Jumbo at Clark's Quay. During the day we took her out for lunch at the Indian - pics will appear on FB as I can't remember what it is called! D did so well the whole trip, he ate pretty much everything put in front of him so long as it wasn't too spicy.

We had such an amazing time I do wish that we'd had a bit longer. I'd even consider living in Singapore for a few years (if the money was right because the cost of things took my breath away!). It was great to have that time just to be looked after - huge thanks to all of you who were so amazing you know who you are!

New Zealand (so far!)

What was interesting about Singapore was that as soon as I got into the pool at the condo on day 1 I did not miss the UK at all and knew that leaving was the right thing (well for us right now anyway). So, I was full of beans on the flight to Auckland which was quite possibly one of the nicest I've ever had. The plane was 1/2 empty, the food and service was excellent and I forgot how HUGE and how RED Australia is! But what fascinating scenery - even for a red desert there's a whole lot going on.

So we duly arrived nice and refreshed in Auckland and immediately spied in the duty free a camera that in both the UK and Singapore (duty free)  was three times the price of what the NZ duty free was offering. Having read all the weeping and wailing on the forum about the cost of things I was pleasantly surprised (converting $$s to ££s as that is all we have at the moment!). So we snapped that up and had nothing but smiles and helpfulness from the airport staff and biosecurity peeps even after discovering that the mooncakes we had had yolks in so we couldn't take them through (although we declared them!). Then my in-laws met us, having come up from the South Island earlier that day, and we sorted out hire car and headed off to a motel that they very kindly arranged for us to stay in. Hire car company were all smiles, drive to motel was fine, motel was clean and comfortable. I felt a bit overwhelmed at this stage as I got a bit overloaded and I should have just gone straight to bed (NZ telly at that time of night ain't too special )

But after a good night's kip and we woke up at 12pm  I felt much better it was off to meet our estate agents to sign the contract on our house. They were great and then we were also going to open our bank account but I stupidly forgot my handbag at the agency ! and ended up missing the appointment. So it was our first introduction to Auckland traffic which to be honest was nothing compared to what I've sat through in London and, again having read about how dreadful the drivers are here, I didn't really notice anything that henious - on the whole much better than London (and we were driving around ALL DAY and all over the city). Then we went off to a lovely Irish pub for dinner which was very good food and really very reasonable prices too (still converting the ££s to $$s of course!). Then after dinner I got to sleep at 5am doh and we shot over to Mission Bay to look at our lovely located house and open a bank account before heading to Wellington via somewhere beginning with O near the volcano which I can't spell - give me time I promise I will get there!

So our house is in Mission Bay and it is, well, pretty basic and VERY shabby inside. BUT the location is quite amazing, 5 mins from beach, it is dog friendly, a great size and I would far, far rather have a bit of a run down house in a safe, nice, well situated neighbourhood than an amazing pad in an area where I'd be terrified of setting foot outside the front door. And, for Mission Bay, it's pretty cheap too and dog friendly and has a garden! And we don't have to schlep all around Auckland trying to find somehwere to live in our first few weeks! The rest is all cosmetic - nothing that pictures, furniture and rugs won't sort out! Just need to be sure that the rather ancient shower works ok and then we'll be good.....and the view at the top of Mission Bay at the mall.....well it is just breathtaking!

So with that sorted, bank account opened and my IRD number applied for, we said goodbye to the in laws - looking forward to seeing them all again in a few weeks - figured out which rellies on the North Island D needs to catch up with, and headed out of town to the volcano thing before going onto Wellington. WHAT a stunning country NZ is! We had such a nice drive and you know everywhere I have been so far the staff have been amazingly courteous and even in McDonalds so polite and helpful. A couple of idiot drivers on the highways (but tell me a country that doesn't have that!) - and again for all the things I've read about the quality, well why would you need six lane M1 type motorways when there simply isn't the need for it? It would be far nicer to get the train to Taupo of course but that ain't gonna happen with a population this size - it is what it is so we will work around it.

The desert road was fun - D drove that bit particularly as it was in a blizzard! (but can someone please tell me why it is called desert as it reminded me of Dartmoor) and we stopped in the town that leads to Turoa ski field - Ohakune I think it is - and well again, blown away at how helpful the staff were in the place we pitched up at, the quality of the food and how cheap the (very decent) accommodation was. So after a few zzzzzs we decided to brave the ski fields and head up the mountain for a 1/2 day given that this would probably be our last chance at some boarding before next season. Aside from a bit of a mission to get up to the mountain (phantom traffic jam so strange) it was really very excellent and the view from the top was spectacular! Although the mountain was busy - but good runs and it was two tuckerd out peeps who climbed into the little hire car to head southwards this evening to come to Welly.

Can I just say at this point that State Highway 4 to Wanganui must be one of my favourite drives ever? It is through Hobbitland and my god it is such amazing geology round there and totally deserted! So beautiful! We had a great drive down! Then hit Porirua this eve and again, so lovely to see family particularly my oh so clever niece who gave me the biggest hug!!

The end of this particular chapter

So this was a rather long post - to keep all you folks with a blow by blow account haha don't expect these too often! But my initial reactions after 4 days? Well, incredibly positive. I felt totally at home and comfortable in Auckland and am so enjoying the country as a whole. A ski field 5 hours drive away???? AMAZING  The things I've read about just haven't yet materalised - prices really aren't that much different at all (athough $8.99 for a tiny punnet of raspberries in New World did shock me a bit and Argos I will definitely miss for cheap stuff). People have been so friendly and chatty - met some lovely peeps on the chairlifts today - and aside from D getting shouted at by a stupid driver earlier today for no reason, all things looking good!

Ask me that in a month when I've started work/when we've been here a year and I'll let you know what's changed!

Only bad thing - earthquake in Christchurch  hope everyone is doing ok.

More to come laterz but for now my jetlag is calling.......TTFN 

Where has the time gone, where I ask you???? Can you Adam and Eve the fact that tomorrow is my last day at work and (woe is me) I am  yet another year older? And Friday at long last we fly?

Sorry to all family and friends who have been awaiting the next blog entry and that it's been a bit delayed. You would  not believe that we have just had literally no time to ourselves or to do anything much than get through the days.

On Monday we moved out of our flat in Brighton and lord alive that was a big job!!! A HUGE thanks goes out to the Thai students who came and emptied the contents of our kitchen cupboards and took pretty much everything that wasn't tied down! And to Ayesha for taking furniture and reusing it. And to Katie and Mark who were legends in helping us move out (Mark even did some hoovering) and for putting us up for 2 nights in Brighton. And to Claire and Ella for giving us their gorgeous flat in Sloane Square to make use of for our last few nights here. The doggie just loves hanging out with Ella and I'm so relieved that for a bit she's going to have a leetle holiday in London before heading off to the kennels for a bit before she flies.

Last weekend we went to P to see the folks. It was wonderful but also an undercurrent of sadness coz you just don't know when you'll be treading familiar ground again. But mum, we are so excited that you're coming out in October and we are really looking forward to planning a little visit to Malacca next year - ooooh what a hardship that will be! So although it was sad to wave goodbye at the station it isn't good bye merely a bientot.....

We are STILL packing! My effing wedding dress box was bigger than I am! We are massively over our weight allowance for the flight - so rang Anglo Pacific in a mad panic to get some boxes to have shipped (where on earth did we accumulate so much stuff????) so they are collecting from my office on Thursday. Then on Friday, when we should be having a nice relaxed time guess where I will be before heading out to the airport? Yep you guessed it - heading out to the shipping office to pack yet more stuff to send over! What, I ask, am I supposed to wear to work when I get to NZ??! So lessons learned a) get wedding dress dry cleaned before you ship stuff and b) never underestimate how heavy clothes actually are!

Last day at work tomorrow. Sad. I will miss you my team!!! But you are all legends!

Champers at Heathrow, anyone? Can't wait to get to Singapore and sleep! Will try and send a last day in the UK message if I'm not otherwise occupied by the blinkin' packing issue!

I am seriously frazzled so just going to head to the very comfortable bed now for some kip. NN

So here we are, with less than two weeks to go, and I am tucked in on my aunt's sofa in Beccles listening to my 2 cousins arguing over what goes on telly next - not sure I'm ready for that in my life yet  hahaha!

It goes to show that, in times of great stress ie moving countries and packing up a house, you just don't operate in the same way and you just aren't as switched on as you could be. We arrived in Beccles at around 10.30 last night via train (delayed but ah well), and just as we were getting off horror of horrors Jasmine fell down the gap between the train and the platform  it was AWFUL poor little lambkin missed her footing and I had her on the lead too short so she couldn't jump off. Not normally a mistake I would make. Thank GOD for sturdy Swiss collars as I was able to pull her up very quickly and a person getting on the train grabbed her and plonked her back on the platform sharpish (she was kind of half on half off the platform). The whole incident probably only took about 5 seconds and no damage was done (she immediately beetled over to a half-eaten sandwich dropped on the ground and ate it) but it feels like it was forever. I then immediately bawled my eyes out  whilst D, also obviously stressed by move/work etc, started berating me on the platform and then we had a row and I stropped off to my aunt's house leaving them behind! It was so frightening though!

Now I can't stop replaying it in my head - what if the collar broke/slipped off her head/hurt her neck/train had moved/no one was there??? But the rational side of me says nooo what is is what is and all is fine, just live and learn. Must say though, the rational part of me is a bit submerged at the moment  roll on 3 weeks off!!!!!!!! My brain is so befuddled at the moment and I feel like I am turning into the size of a whale as I can't get as much exercise in as I'd normally do. So off for a soothing run later.

Words of wisdom - 1) don't do things like driving when you're stressed out beyond belief and 2) please do mind the gap! Never a truer phrase was spoken....

 

Ahaha! But are they REALLY goodbyes?? I mean, I fully expect to see everyone again at some point (and yes Mum, please come in November it would be lovely to see you ).

What's got me onto this train of thought? Well, last weekend was HECTIC in terms of 'see you laters'. On Saturday night we went out in London to see all D's old workfriends on the good 'ole Tattershall Castle (and man I felt old because I hadn't been there for about 3 years - and actually I believe it was when we were waving my brother and sis in law off to Wellington!). I got off by mistake at Temple and as I wandered down almost fanicfully could see ghosts of younger me-s running/stumbling/gawping at the Thames (perhaps a bit like the ghosts of Christmas past?!). D and I had our second date at the Needle with a picnic from Benugos and a bottle of wine he declared was 'fruity' and therefore worthy of drinking.

ANYWAY

So we hung out with the lovey TBA crew (except most of them don't work there any more) and the lovely Chris and Sharon. It was quite reassuring to hear how most of them (married or going out with Aussies) are planning on moving back to Oz in the next couple of years or so to start families. It was so nice to see Chris-o as well - he was very much part of the whole beginning of my London adventure when I was a whippersnapper of 23 and fab to hear how well he and his wife are getting on. The great thing about moving is that we've seen so much more of people recently than we have probably in the last 4-5 years ain't that always the way! It's been fab and we're trying to make the most of it!

Then it was on a plane to Edinburgh after 3 hours sleep to go and see my aunt, which was lovely. D went off to the Bluebell Railway and played hookey for the day! I forget what a lovely city Edinburgh really is, and was gripped with indecision (bought on by extreme tiredness admittedly) about what we were doing - bit late now to be thinking along those lines  But either way, it was a great weekend. Only problem being we could barely get out of bed this morning to go to work, we were just so tired!

Then this weekend it is off to see my auntie and uncle and cousins in Suffolk. We're really hoping the weather will hold and it will be nice and warm ie perfect bbq weather. I'm seeing one of my donors on the Monday with one of my colleagues which will be interesting - and even better, I've finished a massive piece of work today and am finally beginning to make headway in terms of leaving things shipshape at my current job. Tis a relief!

It's mainly a relief to know that we'll be seeing some of our friends rather sooner than we anticipated - some are going to be in Sydney in December and I've just found out that a very old friend and his wife are going to move back to Sydney too - it is literally a hop skip and a 3 hour flight over to see them rather than the 12 hours to America so that's wonderful news. My world just got smaller - in a good way

So, just to finish my ruminations (and ramblings I am soooo tired and ready for kip!) aside from the obvious it really isn't 'goodbye' when you say goodbye to people because you are going to see them again - some sooner, some maybe a bit later. Lucky us for having such great family and friends who are happy to jump on a plane and have their own adventure!

And on that note it is off to bed - I dashed home today to help two new yoga teachers take a load of our old furniture so they can set up life as Bikram yogis - thank you guys :) There is light at the end of the moving tunnel......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wow, they are like worker bees just wrapping and packing stuff up. It's amazing! They're right in front of me beavering away......I can't believe it is finally happening   The washing machine is all wrapped up and ready to go, so it is to the laundrette for us for the next couple of months whilst waiting for it to arrive. Seeing as I won't have a 2 hour commute any more I can catch up on all my reading whilst the washing is on hahaha!

What's been even more amazing is going through stuff and having a really good clearout. It's very theraputic, feels like we are starting afresh.

I swear though, D has missed his calling in life, he should start his own haulage company as he is so obsessed with packing stuff up. I mean this is what we paid the packers to do and he was there bundling it all up until I told him to go and fix the leak in the sink from where he'd unplugged the washing machine! In all fairness he is very good at packing so if he can't find work in Auckland we could get him a van to do man and van stuff

It's just such a relief to see it all in boxes and finally happening, it was getting a bit frustrating having such an untidy living room. No more TV for a while too :( will have to watch stuff online instead!

Oh well back to work, it's hard to concentrate today with all this going on!

I have no pictures to upload of beautiful babies sorry! And I am totally procrastinating and have done no packing - but successfully used up the contents of some of my kitchen cupboards, does that count?! With the packers coming on Friday aaaaah! Still have insurance forms to complete. They need to be in tomorrow. Haven't started them yet and it is 10.30 at night. Doh!

For once in my life it is actually a relief to go into work every day and escape the mayhem  my boss would be delighted to hear me say that! Getting an awful lot done actually which is good. Unbelievably though they still haven't advertised for my replacement which my poor team is worrying about. It wouldn't be so bad if they have advertised and not found someone, or maybe they have and my boss just hasn't said haha! Well I do hope they get something sorted one way or the other.

Anyway just digressing I am going back to packing now! Will post something more erm meaninful at some point soon!

Tired......need sleep......epic 2 day drive round country to see Ella and the Browns in Manchester leaving at 6.30 am after I had had five ENORMOUS vodkas the night before through no fault of my own they only did doubles not singles and I didn't realise!! Then onto Nottingham to experience Nottingham Rock City.....not in bed till 4am then had to drive back to B.........love all you guys will put pics up soon and do a proper blog hated saying goodbye to you all  - but it's not good bye merely 'see you at some point in the not too distant future'  How nice that we are making plans to see Rupe and Su in Sydney in December and we were totally inspired by the allotment omg I just ate a Macdonalds things must be bad zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

ps Ella is so beautiful my 2 best friends have the 2 most wonderfully laid back and gorgeous babies I've ever met congratulations to you two yummy mummies how talented you both are to produce such marvellous offspring xxxxxxxxxxx

Fridays really are the best days of the week ever. You have all the expectation of the weekend to come and none of the sadness when you wake up on a Sunday with that sinking feeling of having to go into work the next day and all the housework that has yet to be done!

However Fridays for us at the moment have a slightly different effect i.e. what have we got coming up in the weekend to do? This weekend we have hired a car to drive up to Manchester to see Amanda and Ian and new baby  Ella. Then we are off to Nottingham on Saturday night to see Rupert and Su and then it's back down to Brighton on Sunday for more packing and chucking out.

A week today the packers will be coming. We've decided to go the easy route and have them packing the stuff for us which for a few extra quid is real peace of mind. D has also turned into Ebayer/Gumtree extraordinnaire and has been selling all our stuff off bit by bit - I think secretly he is quite enjoying it. So far the dog cage, big mirror, large telly and stand and dvd player and all bookshelves have gone and we've even made a few quid! Enough to keep me in shoes for the next month  he wasn't very amused by that comment though - I was joking!

I'm still astonished at the stuff that people will buy! I think it is complete junk but it seems someone somewhere will want it! But whatever we can't sell will go to the good people at Shabitat for supporting former homeless people set up in their own homes. Blimey I really need to book that collection date in

The dog's flight has all been booked and paid for (ow when I did the transfer but worth every penny to have her with us ) and tonight I am meeting up with some friends to a) have a belated wedding celebration with cocktails at the Goring and b) to plan in what needs to happen with all her testing. Golden Arrow have been amazingly good and they say all we have to do is take her to the vets and have the blood testing and have the no 2 samples collected by our good selves. Poor friend who is looking after doggie has to do the second no 2 sample but she swears she doesn't mind. That is indeed friendship! 

So, dog has been registered with our friend's vets in London who are doing all the samples and the only last area of concern is figuring out what to do with her booster. She's due for it but because of Leptospirosis blood tests she can't actually have it but she needs a booster for everything else! oh dear so complicated I just hope she doesn't get sick from something as it seems we can't have the booster done until we get to NZ and she will be 2 months overdue then. We shall make a plan however!

In the meantime, I'm struggling to find time to get to yoga as things are soooooo busy at work.It's been a tough week managing performance issues and fighting battles with various departments  (well in the nicest possible way but they are still battles no matter which way you put it!). I am determined to leave things in tip top order for my team, also being shrouded in guilt that I've only done a year there  but this is too good an opportunity to pass up! And much though I might like to think otherwise I am hardly irreplacable haha!

Also my new boss in NZ has sent me through some paperwork to read through which is really exciting. I'm impressed at the amount of effort the charity has gone to in putting the campaign into place and it's an area of work that I am so keen to get involved in as well professionally. I really feel as if the last year I've done diddly squat fundraising and all my efforts have been focussed on very tricky HR issues! On the one  hand it's great to be head of a team and learning about that, but I really miss the fundraising and working with donors. So fingers crossed the NZ opportunity will give me that. I'm sure it will be same cr@p different office but workwise I will be learning something new  at least

And finally I have taken up running again! as it has been so hard to get to yoga - and I forgot how much I loved doing it! (I say 'run' in the loosest sense, I always get overtaken.) I'm patiently waiting for entries to open for the KeriKeri Half Marathon which is Saturday 20 November and have already booked D and I into the local youth hostel for 2 nights nice cheap $20 a night each for a double room sharing bathroom facilities. But who cares so long as you have somewhere to rest your head in your own room!

I can't wait to just escape and explore the region a bit, just the 2 of us getting away for a bit. There's a street party in the evening which looks lovely, just need to find a dog sitter now!

 http://www.kerikerihalfmarathon.co.nz/ - says entry open late July but it is late July and they aren't open yet  BUT that does not stop me doing the training does it! Slowly but gently, I've been doing 3x a week at 25 mins - testament to the power of Bikram Yoga that I can just up and run for that amount of time with no aches and pains after an 8 month break! Going to start building up more from next week and it's so nice popping out in my lunch hour for a run along the Thames. Trying to make the most of that! I don't want to turn into some flat blob again either so it's important to keep up the exercise.

Anyway best go and get ready for work - I had to write a job description today and get that sent off so have been on the go since six - and didn't get home until 10pm last night so a bit of 'me' time on the blog was called for!

Byeeeee

This time next month I will be on my last day at work. It will be my birthday and we will be flying out to Singapore the very next day! I can't Adam and Eve it!

It's been a bittersweet couple of days. We are now beginning the round of goodbyes which is very hard. Yesterday, we spent the afternoon in the New Forest at a lovely pub with one of my bridesmaids and her family. She has a 4 week old daughter who is just adorable! It was so sad to leave and I cried and felt so sad on the train home. The next time I see baby Anya she'll be walking and talking and will be a clever little possum just like her sister Maya :)

I would  have been crying even harder on the train home if I could because it then took 5 hours to get back! I mean really, what are we paying such high train fares in this country for if they can't sort out the signalling? So today I feel absolutely dreadful and I've got a ton of work I want to get finished. Have decided to hide at home and get through some stuff.

We had some good news on Darryl's job front - well no job offer, but his old boss emailed him with some good contacts, and also confirmed that things were better off in NZ for him rather than being here. And that the most opportunities will be in Auckland. We always thought that, but it's good to have it clarified by someone else who's in the know!

So in the meantime we are still surrounded by packing boxes. I finally took my wedding dress to be cleaned, but it will take 3 weeks before it comes back! That wouldn't be so much of a problem if only  we weren't planning on sending the washing machine back but it means I could be down the laundrette for 3 months in Auckland. Hmmmm may have to take in on the plane with us, as yet undecided what to do :(

Anyway best get on with some work, it won't do itself!

This blog is turning a bit into my therapy tool  A bit of a strange day today. D rather stressed about the move as I think am I and we needed a bit of time out to stop biting each other's heads off. He's convinced we are going to go bankrupt I'm convinced we will be fine just so long as we can sell the NZ house and the London flat. I can't wait for this time next year when we'll be shot of all our debt and worry and stress and strife, no matter where in the world we are. Sometimes  you feel like you are about to go 'pop' with all that is going on. Would like off this hampster wheel please....

I think back to the 3 hour journey I had home last night because of train problems, the 2 hour jouney I had into work today because of train problems, and the 4 coach train which is normally a 10 coach train home tonight where I was wedged in the exit under someone's armpit and the fact I got stuck on the Victoria line today in the sweltering heat and stink of it all paying ££££s for the experience.......you know after that surely there is only 1 way to go and that's up!

I also had a sad moment on the train today where I really appreciated how lucky I am at all to be able to do any of this. Someone very kindly left a Guardian out and my eyes fell on the article of that poor woman in Iran who was nearly stoned now will just be hung for supposedly having an affair. Horrendous. So for all you lot who go on about NZ being a third world country, I dare you to go somewhere like Iran and suck that up for a while. Then come back and tell me how horrendous NZ is  or the UK for that matter! Sure it isn't for everyone and I'm not saying that we should all sit around wallowing in guilt that we have it so much better than some, but please can we get a different perspective and count our blessings instead of being sooo negative all the time? And from one who struggles with anxiety attacks and the like, I know that being just a weeny bit positive can be done! 

ANYHOOOO soap box moment over.......

Firstly, wonderful news, have just heard that an old schoolfriend is pregnant. Congratulations Rachel! I am surrounded (well in the virtual world) by lovely ladies all starting their adventures with their new families

Met up with a lovely friend of mine today (also pregnant, just found out she is having a boy yay) who did think we should keep the London flat as it is a great asset. But more because she thought we've got a get-out if we need it. I personally don't view it that way because that wretched place has just been one long heartache and migrane since we got it 5 years ago  has it truly been that long! Ouch wish I hadn't thought of it like that now!

Reading through some of the posts that people have made on here, I just can't help but feel we are slaves to property ownership. There's no point in hanging on to somewhere which just causes you stress really! But obviously if it doesn't cause stress then keep it - but being a landlord is a pain in the proverbial. I totally get the point of being mortgage free and all that but people do seem to obsess about this overly much. One day we will be in a house again - I do miss living in my own home - but on our terms and one which we can afford. Oh I can dream......

Anyway, back to the move! House of Fraser had the most fabulous sale as I think I've said before and yesterday my box of goodies arrived. We are the proud owners of a goose down and feather superking duvet, 4 goose feather pillows and two sets of beautiful 100% cotton sheets and covers. And it was such a bargain! We've made the decision to take as little as possible apart from my new purchases - so new they ain't coming out of the wrapper. I will have to say goodbye to my nice telly but am already stalking Trademe to see what the prices are like.

This is our last proper weekend in Brighton as well  I do love it here. 5 weekends left in the UK is all we have OMG!!!!

And even then it's not really being at home!

Weekend 1 - I am working on Saturday and then Sunday we are off to see Sabira and her beautiful new baby girl and also their oldest, Maya, in Bournemouth. 

Weekend 2 - Saturday we are part of a big party of very good and old friends of ours saying goodbye in London town. THEN on Sunday I am on an 8am plane up to Edinburgh for 4 hours to see my aunt and uncle and back down again and home in bed I hope by 8! I'm not very close to her but she's very unwell and it is worth the £150 to go and see a very poorly lady and try and cheer her up.

Weekend 3 - we are off to Manchester the following weekend to see Amanda and her new baby daughter Ella.

Weekend 4 - over to Beccles in Suffolk to see my aunt and uncle and cousins and also to work boooo :p

Weekend 5 - finally on our last weekend we head down to Plymouth to see my parents to say goodbye  but the nice thing is that we are all going to meet in Malacca in June next year for my aunt's 60th so it is good to have that in the diary already yay

Then we fly outta here! Ice kachang here I come mmmmmmmmm

Ok off to beddybies. We have had our friend's dog stay with us for the las week which has been just wonderful. WTB another doggie please husband of mine

Very quick one as I need to get off to work, but we have a house in Auckland woo hoo! Mission Bay here we come! I can't wait! Apart from a horrendous carpet which I can cope with, the size and location are absolutely perfect. A 3 bedroom house with garden for the dog in one of the nicest areas of Auckland for what we pay for a shoebox here? OK I know you can't really compare like for like with currency but I am so chuffed! Amazing!

Ok so I don't think blogs should turn into some version of Twitter with me posting every 5 seconds and I honest am not procrastinating but a) I'm just having a break from my SWOT analysis and b) I just love Crowded House and wanted to share their latest vid. Got their album on now which just arrived today. Cool innit? And here's one famous international band who we love and you can guarantee will be touring NZ thank god

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsLISr-L-as

There must come that point once the flights are booked and the notice period at work is being, well, worked that people just get a bit blergh about it all. Just had my lovely team down to Brighton for the day but lordy it is hard planning for a period of time when you won't be there any more!

I really do now just want to be there starting afresh, getting settled in. Part of my mind is shying away from all the goodbyes which I really don't want to have to do, but overall I just can't be bothered with all this packing milarkey. Well let me narrow that down - the argument over what we should/shouldn't pack and what we need to take with us. Darryl has soooooo much stuff but you know he hasn't used some of it - ever. Oh I get  lol!

I've been worried by the amount of posts I've seen about the expense of stuff but you know what? this happened to mum when we moved back from Singapore and people telling her to take EVERYTHING like the UK hadn't discovered vases or something in the 90s. I am, however, probably going to send back our washing machine to NZ - it's taken me years to build up my wardrobe and it's not about to get destroyed by some rag-making toploader . I also indulged slightly in the House of Fraser sale and bought a new goose down quilt to take back, along with some bed linen at dirt cheap prices - but these will make for a far nicer evening tucked in during the wilds of an Auckland winter :)

Do we buy a sofa? Tumble dryer? Bed? More to the point, can we afford it?! Probably not, so I've been stalking Trademe looking for some likely suspects. Bring on the online shopping I say! Someone please take these choices away from me!

TTFN xxx

My best buddy Amanda has just had a beautifil 8lb baby girl! I am so pleased for her and Ian, congratulations guys! xxxx