Well we are finally off in 5 days............though we will be at least 8 weeks off actually arriving as we return to the UK from NZ to visit family over Christmas.

So packing summer stuff for the Florida stop over and winter gear for the UK and frankly got our heads in the sand about what a Nova Scotian January might require of our wardrobe!!!! Dont want to look like a berk getting off the plane in some open toed sandals do I!

Looking to rent somewhere close-ish to Halifax and some good schools - ideas most welcome!

Cant wait to see the Great White North!!!!!!!

Have a great trip en route to Nova Scotia, Poppy.

CONGRATULATIONS...on your way at last. Keep in touch. I will PM you my number and you can call me when you are in the UK. Lynn

Hi Poppy

Definitely no open-toed sandals for NS in the winter It will be cold but the clothes you pack for winter in the UK plus a few extras should be sufficient for landing here - at least until you can buy more winter clothing here in NS.

You must be leaving NZ with some amount of luggage Normally I would wear our heavier clothing when flying to a colder destination but you may look a little strange leaving a NZ summer wearing winter boots and ski jacket

Don't forget all the bargains to be had at the outlet malls in Florida - we were there in Oct and got Timberland jeans for $27, Tommy H jeans for $36, Nike Air Trainers for $46.......................

Wishing you a fab Christmas with your family in the UK

Can feel another "meet" coming on!!!

Enjoy Xmas with your family and all that Florida sunshine.

Wishing you all the best with the move.

try this link - might give you some ideas (btw, the powers that be are predicting an unusually cold winter this year )
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cans0057/

Good luck hope it goes well for you! Enjoy your trip in between x

Thank you for those wonderful replies!!! Yes-can-do........I agree I will look like quite the lost tourist wont I!!! I am so looking out for bargains in Florida, totally can get on board with that kind of thing! Well it is a relief to know that I dont need to get on the plane in the UK wearing snow shoes, a freshly culled seal, all exposed skin smeared with lard............though all sounds good to me.

Looking forward to some snow.......just exactly how long does the charm of snow wear off?

We cant wait and the coolest part of going now is that we have this site and you guys to ask for advice, even meet up with - we didnt have anything like that coming to NZ. So really going to make the most of that

Well back to the ecclectic packing and weighing of overstuffed suitcases!

I cant believe you are leaving already...have a great holiday in Florida before the dreaded winter

Snow finally fell down on my town last night. Had a lovely sunny morning but now we have a blizzard

Never fear................... it doesn't scare me. Have seen one winter here already

Looks like we're getting 15-25cm by the end of tomorrow
I hope it's the same sticky snow we got this time last year, makes a very picturesque view up here.

Well I love the idea of a good blizzard - in part because where we lived in the UK they were a total rarity!!! So novelty value will no doubt get us through this winter, though it will be slightly shorter for us as we wont be there until mid January!!

The packing is ridiculous - hoped to micro pack and take less than the allowed cases.........................dear lord, how we nearly cried when we saw that even the *essentials* filled up every available case! Its the kids, they are the bringers of so much stuff.

And I have obsessively put anything and everything into a ziplock bag, thats my total contribution to our organised packing. The rest is totally down to OH who I think teeters on the brink of OCD where packing/folding is concerned - I just love being the silent audience as he packs. Shame the OCD only extends itself as far as packing................

hi poppy2 ....good news that you are finally off.......i'm back in christchurch for 3 1/2 weeks with my employer 'throwing' incentives at me to come back....and must admit am considering it.....my wife and family are in kanata,outside ottawa and have experienced blizzards etc recently,not funny....also severe weather warnings issued today....snow is a novelty that quickly wears off especially with kids and cold wet clothes etc..........good luck with your move to NS.........