Seven Years in
May 5th 2011, 3:14 am
#1
*********
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Seven Years in
Hi Everyone
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
May 6th 2011, 10:05 am
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Pakaraka
Posts: 3,264
Re: Seven Years in
Hi Everyone
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
Fantastic update thank you x
May 8th 2011, 6:47 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: Seven Years in
Hi Everyone
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
May 8th 2011, 7:52 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Christchurch at last!
Posts: 1,149
Re: Seven Years in
Living the dream - how fantastic! 
Where do you sell your wine?
Where do you sell your wine?
May 8th 2011, 6:14 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: Taupo
Posts: 101
Re: Seven Years in
Hi Everyone
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
Happy Days..........all the bestPaul & Dani
May 8th 2011, 10:59 pm
#6
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: Seven Years in
It's a wonderful , uplifting update. It should be a contender for post of the year.
May 8th 2011, 11:14 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Rotorua
Posts: 1,627
Re: Seven Years in
Fabulous positive update. Long may it continue. 
May 9th 2011, 2:50 am
#8
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,208
Re: Seven Years in
Welcome back and thank you for such a wonderful update. Well done to you and yours.
May 9th 2011, 10:19 pm
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: From Essex to Christchurch.
Posts: 578
Re: Seven Years in
A truely inspiring post mate. Awsome.. May you success continue with all the luck in the world. I will surely be looking for your label on the shelves of NZ in the near future then.
Oh and you sig pic takes me back..
Gary
Oh and you sig pic takes me back..
Gary
May 10th 2011, 4:41 am
#10
*********
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Re: Seven Years in
Thanks everyone. Nice to see so many familiar faces! 
May 10th 2011, 4:44 am
#11
*********
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Re: Seven Years in
We are making very small quantities of high quality wine (we hope), which will be available either direct or at certain restaurants. Would love to make more, but can only make a small amounts due to having bugger all money!
We will be launching a FB page and website soon. Thanks for the intrest!
We will be launching a FB page and website soon. Thanks for the intrest!
May 10th 2011, 5:37 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Christchurch at last!
Posts: 1,149
Re: Seven Years in
We are making very small quantities of high quality wine (we hope), which will be available either direct or at certain restaurants. Would love to make more, but can only make a small amounts due to having bugger all money!
We will be launching a FB page and website soon. Thanks for the intrest!
We will be launching a FB page and website soon. Thanks for the intrest!
May 10th 2011, 5:45 am
#13
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: Seven Years in
We are making very small quantities of high quality wine (we hope), which will be available either direct or at certain restaurants. Would love to make more, but can only make a small amounts due to having bugger all money!
We will be launching a FB page and website soon. Thanks for the intrest!
We will be launching a FB page and website soon. Thanks for the intrest!
You'll be finding yourselves on the receiving end of the boutique wine tours soon. Go for gold. We visited this boutique vineyard which is just up the road from us. Himmelsfeld.
We've a bottle of her Noble Chardonnay.
May 10th 2011, 6:29 am
#14
*********
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Re: Seven Years in
Ooo. Cellar door You'll be finding yourselves on the receiving end of the boutique wine tours soon. Go for gold.
We visited this boutique vineyard which is just up the road from us. Himmelsfeld.
We've a bottle of her Noble Chardonnay.
You'll be finding yourselves on the receiving end of the boutique wine tours soon. Go for gold. We visited this boutique vineyard which is just up the road from us. Himmelsfeld.
We've a bottle of her Noble Chardonnay.
Greenhough in Brightwater makes some of the best wine in NZ! You should check them out, I think the cellar door is open at weekends during the winter.
We are making a noble Pinot Gris and a unique style of Sauvignon Blanc this year.
May 10th 2011, 10:33 pm
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Takapuna, New Zealand
Posts: 913
Re: Seven Years in
Great post! Good on you!