Ex Bristol

What a gorgeous owl he prob kept your place clear of mice. I must confess I can't hear the recordings although I have the sound up. There used to be a Tui where I lived before, (in Auckland) )they seem to start up really early I clocked him about 4.30.

BtotheR

Just tested the sound again on the files and both loud and clear when I click on them (????) - yes we had a few Moreporks at the end of the garden - tried to spot them a few times at night but they would go very quiet as soon as we went down there. Lovely photo!!!!

Justcol

Church bells in the distance

Scheck

I think I'm going to go against popular opinion here and say the NZ one feels much more homely and relaxing to me! I loved the sound of the different birds while I was there and have missed it so much. There was one bird that sounded like an old nokia ringtone that always cracked us up.

Perhaps it's because I've lived in the Lake District and the Yorkshire dales for 30 odd years and take it all for granted , but blimely church bells always annoyed me!

Ex Bristol

The Tui has been known to imitate all sorts of sounds. That's probably where your Nokia ring tone came from.

Scheck

Fyi - I would provide my own Lake District bird sounds for you all to enjoy but I live next to the A590 so you would get a mix of the lovely tweeting birds and copious amounts of traffic!

Scheck

Yes we were told it was a Tui, but we always wondered why when we searched for Tui sounds online to hear it again, they never sounded like the one we heard frequently. That explains it! It was a very old nokia sound too (we're talking 90s nokia) so it must have been whistling that one for a while.

Ex Bristol

He's probably an old Tui by now. Was he in Auckland? They pick up all sorts of sounds, reminds me of my Gallah who is next to me atmo.

Scheck

It was in Manakau (the one near Wellington, not Auckland).

Well it was 10 years ago, so he/she is probably dearly departed!

Reminds me of my 2 year old... Currently telling us the border collie on TV is a cow.

Gypsy888

Wow! Such an interesting read here!
Planning on moving back to UK (after 40 years away) but have been going back to visit every 2 years to visit my family (2 brothers, 1 sister...all older than me) I was 16 when I was moved away from my siblings to Adelaide in Australia (mother re-married) Have been homesick ever since, but life circumstances have stopped me returning sooner. Hated Australia with a passion. (peer group pressure, totally different culture) Lived there for 26 years, the 45C heat in summer nearly killed me, give me snow any day!!!! Moved to NZ 14 years ago. My Kiwi man is keen to give the UK a go even though he's never been.

NZ is beautiful, outdoorsy, quiet, casual, simple, great weather here in Kaiteriteri at the top of the South Island. Amazing birds, Tuis, Bellbirds, Grey Warblers, Song Thrushes, Moreporks, Little Owls, NZ Falcons, Quail, Wekas...the list goes on! Great Kayaking too.
However, I get bored here, and feel like I'm waiting for retirement, or worse! There's a feeling of lurking doom around ... was that an earthquake? If we go into 'town' after 5.30pm it's like a ghost town! Where IS everyone? ... watching TV

I want more life around me and things to do, places to visit and to take our Fox Terriers more places where they are actually welcome. Quite anti-dog in NZ, I think because of the Pig dog culture.
I actually wore my Ugg boots to the supermarket the other day! Maybe it's too late for me!! aaarg!

Was thinking North East Scotland where my father was from (Fyvie) ... Brothers are in Morecambe, sister in Manchester, best friend in Harrogate. Want to be close but not THAT close. Therefore contemplating the Lake District as well ... IF we can afford it. My brother worked in Kirby Lonsdale and I heard it was quite an affluent place to live. I hate big cities and crowds which does worry me a bit. I'm happy on a muddy farm with animals around me.
It's great to hear that you love it in the Lakes, it has inspired me to continue with the yards of paperwork involved to get us all over there.

Ex Bristol

Hi gypsy, I've been out of uk for 53 years, a lifetime 6 of those were in Aussie. But then my parole must have come up and my husband was transferred to NZ.with his job. Been here in AK ever since
we were in Perth hated it. Too hot nothing to do in the burbs
love AK busy lots to do. No rellies left in uk so I just go back on coach trips etc. Hope you can manage to get back

Moses2013

Sounds like it's the Isle of Man then

BEVS

I hear ya. NZ is fine enough in its own way but it is not enough for me. It is all rather samey and as a kiwi pal who left for Tassy put it , dull . *dons hard hat*

Gypsy888

I'm not sure if you're having me on there Moses2013???

Moses2013

Not at all. Based on your post that you want to be close to family (not too close) and hate big cities, but still want life and a dog friendly place:-).
https://www.dogfriendly.im/