Choccie

Well son and I are safely back in the UK now. Already been a week.

I have 3 interviews lined up and am interested in a house.

Son is feeling a bit fed up and getting bored so hoping he meets some people soon - hopefully starting basketball next week. It's still a long while till he can start college so any tips on getting teens back in a social group much appreciated!

Hubby had a stressful last week in the house but hopefully now the sale has gone through he can relax a bit. I hate being here without him.

All in all it's going OK - have to use my sisters internet but do have a phone now so that makes things a little easier.

Done a bit if shopping already and seem to still be able to cope with having more people around.

Will post more as things fall into place

Spacecake799

Hi Choccie,

Congratulations on getting home. You've finally made it, and well done with the interviews.

For your son, I remember my son arrived home in the March and couldn't start college until the September which is very hard.

How about a short college course to get him started?
Or didn't he fancy motor mechanics? What about offering himself for free in return for some work experience?
Army cadets?
Out of ideas but I hope he finds something interesting soon.

Carole

Snap Shot

Choccie - well done, I envy you.

vetnurse1

Hooray! Been eagerly awaiting your first post choccie! You made it! Look forward to reading more from you.

Brigette

YAY! Congrats and good luck on the job interview. Hopefully your son will get plugged in socially soon

Choccie

Hi all

Well we have had an offer accepted on a house and I was offered a job yesterday working on the acute stroke ward.

Son started basketball last night and seemed to really enjoy getting back into it - so that's one night sorted just the rest of the week to go now. we are trying to get a 6th form to let him sit in lessons and then start in September just so as he can start meeting more people - no luck as yet but will keep on persevering.

So things are moving in the right direction - met up with a friend I hadn't seen since we were 18 the other night and it was great fun.

Not really found anything that has annoyed me yet and don't feel overwhelmed by crowds.

Still not enjoying being without hubby and eldest daughter but hubby will be here in about 4 weeks so hopefully his job hunt will be successful too.

Will keep posting updates.

vetnurse1

Great stuff choccie, the wheels are a-turning. Won't be long until you feel like you never left I'm sure.
How old is your son? As you know we are hoping to return this year too, but thought we would wait until my daughter has taken her NCEA level 1, but means she will end up starting college after September
Secondary school in UK advised she might not be accepted for 6th form there and she would hate to have to be held back a year.

Congrats on the job! Please keep updating, I for one really appreciate it!

luvwelly

Welcome home and congratulations on the job. I don't miss NZ at all.

BEVS

Congrats Choccie.
Sounds like your new UK life is coming together well.

Choccie

Hi Vetnurse

Son is 16 and has just passed his NCEA level 1. We have tried to get him into year 11 just to sit in on classes and get used to the system but no one is budging on that one and I guess it was always a very long shot anyway. So now we are trying the same tactic with Year 12 but still to no avail so it;s looking increasing like he will have to wait till September. There is an open evening at one of the local colleges in a few weeks so we will go along there and see what that is like. There are also a couple of local high schools with their own 6th forms.

Just hoping this house sale goes through quickly - the vendors have been outbid on one property so who knows!!

More updates as they happen

brits1

Hi well done on the move, I know how your missing your OH (I did the move without my OH and did not see him for 10weeks and I hated it) you will be together before you know it I kept myself busy trying to "sort" everything out so it would be a bit easier on my OH when he returned. As for our youngest he did have to wait until September (we arrived in May) we use to go out and about so he could get use to the "towns" shops transport etc and then he also go a little part time job and joined the gym, he is quite shy at first but he did make friends and all is good in his world good luck on the job front and just try and take things as they come. Spring will soon be here lighter mornings and evenings (which still amaze our two lol) take care.

Spacecake799

Hi ventures,

I was just thinking about your daughter and I would definitely think about getting home ready for September and her doing year eleven again and then a'levels.
I'm sure if you wait while she finishes level one it will be Christmas by the time you get back, schools just won't let her start then. It's a two year course.
It's always a hard decision but might be worth consideration.
I was in nz for six months while my daughter finished her exams and my husband took our son home in the July ready for the start of the year.

Good luck

Mummy in the foothills

Great update, congrats on the job offer.
I start Monday on surgical ward. I accepted the offer beginning of last November. The wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly and it was the CRB check coming back Christmas week seems to have set everything back to super slow.
I hope all your checks go faster that that and you can start asap.

Choccie

Hi Mummy

I have my suspicions I may be some way off starting too - need to supply so much evidence for CRB check - passport, birth certificate and letter from a solicitor are not enough they also want marriage certificate and a bank statement. Oh well at least I can check job hunting off my list now.

The owners of the house we want have now found somewhere with no onward chain so keeping fingers crossed that we can move quickly on that.

feelbritish

A friend said to me to get a CRB check before I even leave Canada but I am not sure it is possible. It apparently can take anything from 8 weeks to 3 months to get one done! Wonder if it is possible?