We made it
Apr 1st 2009, 10:31 pm
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: back in UK
Posts: 1,265
We made it
Well after a shaky start, two flights and one long day we have landed in Nova Scotia. Grumpy BA check in staff was moaning because one case was 0.6 of a kilo over weight,then at Heathrow they put our luggage on the wrong belt. After asking at the counter we were told that it was due in 5 mins by a clerk who barely looked up from her magazine. 15 mins later they realised their mistake. Next we had a mad dash across the airport from terminal 5 to 3, getting held up by muppets who ignore all the signs and try to get through customs(several times) without removing anything.
AirCanada were excellent and got us boarded quickly only to be held up from being pushed off the gate, then waiting inline to taxi onto runway - captain told us that they had built in waiting time onto the flight time so we landed just gone 15.00 local time. Smooth flight, nice plane.
Customs and immigration went well despite the long queue, we were asked how much money we had, plus they liked that we had done the goods to follow/accompany on a spreadsheet and done them a copy as well. After stamping and signing we got the "welcome to Canada". Picked up the hire car - GMC Arcadia, they even knocked $300 off the price which will probably end up in the fuel tank. If you can imagine what would happen if knight rider got it together with a hummer and made a concept vehicle thats what it looks like.
We're staying at the Holiday inn on Kearny Lake drive, its ok with a timmies & a booze shop next door. We've opened bank accounts with TD Canada who have waived the charges until Aug - result, get SIN tomorrow and view a house we're looking to buy.
Right now i'm having a beer or two in the hope that i don't wake up at 04:30.
oh and O2 PAYG do work over here if the phone is unlocked, just make sure you set up topping the credit up before you leave the UK.
will keep you posted
Stuart
AirCanada were excellent and got us boarded quickly only to be held up from being pushed off the gate, then waiting inline to taxi onto runway - captain told us that they had built in waiting time onto the flight time so we landed just gone 15.00 local time. Smooth flight, nice plane.
Customs and immigration went well despite the long queue, we were asked how much money we had, plus they liked that we had done the goods to follow/accompany on a spreadsheet and done them a copy as well. After stamping and signing we got the "welcome to Canada". Picked up the hire car - GMC Arcadia, they even knocked $300 off the price which will probably end up in the fuel tank. If you can imagine what would happen if knight rider got it together with a hummer and made a concept vehicle thats what it looks like.
We're staying at the Holiday inn on Kearny Lake drive, its ok with a timmies & a booze shop next door. We've opened bank accounts with TD Canada who have waived the charges until Aug - result, get SIN tomorrow and view a house we're looking to buy.
Right now i'm having a beer or two in the hope that i don't wake up at 04:30.
oh and O2 PAYG do work over here if the phone is unlocked, just make sure you set up topping the credit up before you leave the UK.
will keep you posted
Stuart
Apr 1st 2009, 10:34 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: We made it
Welcome to the dark side! 
Enjoy
Enjoy
Apr 1st 2009, 10:36 pm
#3
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,609
Re: We made it
Well after a shaky start, two flights and one long day we have landed in Nova Scotia. Grumpy BA check in staff was moaning because one case was 0.6 of a kilo over weight,then at Heathrow they put our luggage on the wrong belt. After asking at the counter we were told that it was due in 5 mins by a clerk who barely looked up from her magazine. 15 mins later they realised their mistake. Next we had a mad dash across the airport from terminal 5 to 3, getting held up by muppets who ignore all the signs and try to get through customs(several times) without removing anything.
AirCanada were excellent and got us boarded quickly only to be held up from being pushed off the gate, then waiting inline to taxi onto runway - captain told us that they had built in waiting time onto the flight time so we landed just gone 15.00 local time. Smooth flight, nice plane.
Customs and immigration went well despite the long queue, we were asked how much money we had, plus they liked that we had done the goods to follow/accompany on a spreadsheet and done them a copy as well. After stamping and signing we got the "welcome to Canada". Picked up the hire car - GMC Arcadia, they even knocked $300 off the price which will probably end up in the fuel tank. If you can imagine what would happen if knight rider got it together with a hummer and made a concept vehicle thats what it looks like.
We're staying at the Holiday inn on Kearny Lake drive, its ok with a timmies & a booze shop next door. We've opened bank accounts with TD Canada who have waived the charges until Aug - result, get SIN tomorrow and view a house we're looking to buy.
Right now i'm having a beer or two in the hope that i don't wake up at 04:30.
oh and O2 PAYG do work over here if the phone is unlocked, just make sure you set up topping the credit up before you leave the UK.
will keep you posted
Stuart
AirCanada were excellent and got us boarded quickly only to be held up from being pushed off the gate, then waiting inline to taxi onto runway - captain told us that they had built in waiting time onto the flight time so we landed just gone 15.00 local time. Smooth flight, nice plane.
Customs and immigration went well despite the long queue, we were asked how much money we had, plus they liked that we had done the goods to follow/accompany on a spreadsheet and done them a copy as well. After stamping and signing we got the "welcome to Canada". Picked up the hire car - GMC Arcadia, they even knocked $300 off the price which will probably end up in the fuel tank. If you can imagine what would happen if knight rider got it together with a hummer and made a concept vehicle thats what it looks like.
We're staying at the Holiday inn on Kearny Lake drive, its ok with a timmies & a booze shop next door. We've opened bank accounts with TD Canada who have waived the charges until Aug - result, get SIN tomorrow and view a house we're looking to buy.
Right now i'm having a beer or two in the hope that i don't wake up at 04:30.
oh and O2 PAYG do work over here if the phone is unlocked, just make sure you set up topping the credit up before you leave the UK.
will keep you posted
Stuart
At least your next door to the beer store...result!
Am glad you all made it - WELCOME TO NOVA SCOTIA!
ps...you will wake up at 4.30...lol
A x
Apr 1st 2009, 11:13 pm
#4
Future Albertan
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Scotland
Posts: 546
Re: We made it
Well done and Congratulations!
Hope you enjoy your new life!
Hope you enjoy your new life!
Apr 2nd 2009, 7:21 am
#5
Citizenship Nov 10 2016!!
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Stewiacke Nova Scotia
Posts: 6,659
Re: We made it
Hi
Congrats on arriving in NS
Thanks for the info, sounds as though immigration was fairly straight forward, I assume from what you have said they didn't actually ask for proof of finds, just asked the question?
Good luck with the house hunting, look forward to catching up soon
Best wishes
Congrats on arriving in NS
Thanks for the info, sounds as though immigration was fairly straight forward, I assume from what you have said they didn't actually ask for proof of finds, just asked the question?
Good luck with the house hunting, look forward to catching up soon
Best wishes
Apr 2nd 2009, 7:29 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: SW London but Calgary bound!
Posts: 56
Re: We made it
Congratulations!!! Have a fantastic new life
Apr 2nd 2009, 7:50 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 178
Re: We made it
Gosh that all sounds a bit hectic! Although sadly it appears that the problems were all at the UK end - doesn't say much for us!
Congratulations on getting there, and good luck with the house hunting!
Congratulations on getting there, and good luck with the house hunting!
Apr 2nd 2009, 8:49 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 225
Re: We made it
Well done, I am soooooo envious (have a whole year to wait yet). Maybe you can answer a couple of questions (one of millions that are rattling around at the back of my mind....as I am sure you were once there too).
Have you booked the hotel for a discounted long stay whilst you find somewhere?
We decided not to sell our house but to rent it out in the UK and rent something in BC hoping the exchange rate will get better in the next year or two, do you think it is a good time to bring money over to Canada and to buy a house that may start to decrease in value ( that is open for discussion but I heard parts of Canada's house market was starting to fall).
Will you keep the hire car or buy one.....paying hotel bills and car hire can be financially sapping I would imagine.
I know, each to their own, but picking peoples brains helps others make their own decision too.
Best of luck on your great adventure..
Have you booked the hotel for a discounted long stay whilst you find somewhere?
We decided not to sell our house but to rent it out in the UK and rent something in BC hoping the exchange rate will get better in the next year or two, do you think it is a good time to bring money over to Canada and to buy a house that may start to decrease in value ( that is open for discussion but I heard parts of Canada's house market was starting to fall).
Will you keep the hire car or buy one.....paying hotel bills and car hire can be financially sapping I would imagine.
I know, each to their own, but picking peoples brains helps others make their own decision too.
Best of luck on your great adventure..
Apr 2nd 2009, 9:04 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: from lancashire. now in saskatchewan
Posts: 78
Re: We made it
well done stu and co. i will be chasing you soon as my twp is due on good friday then it bye bye sunny wigan for a bit. all the best from westewoo of ashton in makerfield
then it bye bye sunny wigan for a bit. all the best from westewoo of ashton in makerfield
Apr 2nd 2009, 10:16 am
#10
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: back in UK
Posts: 1,265
Re: We made it
Well done, I am soooooo envious (have a whole year to wait yet). Maybe you can answer a couple of questions (one of millions that are rattling around at the back of my mind....as I am sure you were once there too).
Have you booked the hotel for a discounted long stay whilst you find somewhere? no not really, just looked for the best deal
We decided not to sell our house but to rent it out in the UK and rent something in BC hoping the exchange rate will get better in the next year or two, do you think it is a good time to bring money over to Canada and to buy a house that may start to decrease in value ( that is open for discussion but I heard parts of Canada's house market was starting to fall).i'm checking the exchange rate daily to get the best deal, from what i've seen so far the houses in NS seem to be going up in price
Will you keep the hire car or buy one.....paying hotel bills and car hire can be financially sapping I would imagine.i have hired this SUV tank type thingy, but thanks to the good folk on here we will be buying one soon as the insurance have recognised our no claims
I know, each to their own, but picking peoples brains helps others make their own decision too.
Best of luck on your great adventure..
Have you booked the hotel for a discounted long stay whilst you find somewhere? no not really, just looked for the best deal
We decided not to sell our house but to rent it out in the UK and rent something in BC hoping the exchange rate will get better in the next year or two, do you think it is a good time to bring money over to Canada and to buy a house that may start to decrease in value ( that is open for discussion but I heard parts of Canada's house market was starting to fall).i'm checking the exchange rate daily to get the best deal, from what i've seen so far the houses in NS seem to be going up in price
Will you keep the hire car or buy one.....paying hotel bills and car hire can be financially sapping I would imagine.i have hired this SUV tank type thingy, but thanks to the good folk on here we will be buying one soon as the insurance have recognised our no claims
I know, each to their own, but picking peoples brains helps others make their own decision too.
Best of luck on your great adventure..
Stuart
Oh and i still woke at 04:00 this morning
Apr 2nd 2009, 3:52 pm
#13
In limbo!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 329
Re: We made it
Congratulations - now you need to change the location in your profile! 
Good luck and hope the rest of the transition goes smoothly.
Good luck and hope the rest of the transition goes smoothly.
Apr 2nd 2009, 4:54 pm
#14
Wellington NS
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 596
Re: We made it
Well after a shaky start, two flights and one long day we have landed in Nova Scotia. Grumpy BA check in staff was moaning because one case was 0.6 of a kilo over weight,then at Heathrow they put our luggage on the wrong belt. After asking at the counter we were told that it was due in 5 mins by a clerk who barely looked up from her magazine. 15 mins later they realised their mistake. Next we had a mad dash across the airport from terminal 5 to 3, getting held up by muppets who ignore all the signs and try to get through customs(several times) without removing anything.
AirCanada were excellent and got us boarded quickly only to be held up from being pushed off the gate, then waiting inline to taxi onto runway - captain told us that they had built in waiting time onto the flight time so we landed just gone 15.00 local time. Smooth flight, nice plane.
Customs and immigration went well despite the long queue, we were asked how much money we had, plus they liked that we had done the goods to follow/accompany on a spreadsheet and done them a copy as well. After stamping and signing we got the "welcome to Canada". Picked up the hire car - GMC Arcadia, they even knocked $300 off the price which will probably end up in the fuel tank. If you can imagine what would happen if knight rider got it together with a hummer and made a concept vehicle thats what it looks like.
We're staying at the Holiday inn on Kearny Lake drive, its ok with a timmies & a booze shop next door. We've opened bank accounts with TD Canada who have waived the charges until Aug - result, get SIN tomorrow and view a house we're looking to buy.
Right now i'm having a beer or two in the hope that i don't wake up at 04:30.
oh and O2 PAYG do work over here if the phone is unlocked, just make sure you set up topping the credit up before you leave the UK.
will keep you posted
Stuart
AirCanada were excellent and got us boarded quickly only to be held up from being pushed off the gate, then waiting inline to taxi onto runway - captain told us that they had built in waiting time onto the flight time so we landed just gone 15.00 local time. Smooth flight, nice plane.
Customs and immigration went well despite the long queue, we were asked how much money we had, plus they liked that we had done the goods to follow/accompany on a spreadsheet and done them a copy as well. After stamping and signing we got the "welcome to Canada". Picked up the hire car - GMC Arcadia, they even knocked $300 off the price which will probably end up in the fuel tank. If you can imagine what would happen if knight rider got it together with a hummer and made a concept vehicle thats what it looks like.
We're staying at the Holiday inn on Kearny Lake drive, its ok with a timmies & a booze shop next door. We've opened bank accounts with TD Canada who have waived the charges until Aug - result, get SIN tomorrow and view a house we're looking to buy.
Right now i'm having a beer or two in the hope that i don't wake up at 04:30.
oh and O2 PAYG do work over here if the phone is unlocked, just make sure you set up topping the credit up before you leave the UK.
will keep you posted
Stuart
Well done.You deserved the beer.Good luck with the house.
Apr 2nd 2009, 4:57 pm
#15
ModerĪ±tor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: We made it
Congrats, You just have to change your BE profile location and you will be all done