jmh

I cycle to work in the leafy borough of Kingston. It can be a pleasant ride outside of commuting hours, but since I don't have that luxury I have to cycle in peak hour traffic and past two schools. This week I have had three near misses due to careless driving. When I cycle I am on high alert, aware that car doors can swing out at a moment's notice (especially around schools), people walk out right in front of you, and cars drivers are frequently rude and impatient. In addition you see all sorts of stupid and risky behaviour on the part of cyclists.

When I decided to take up cycling 5 years ago I did a great course put on by the local council on how to cycle safely in traffic and it was very valuable. I would advise anyone cycling in traffic to try and find a course like this so you are prepared for the stupid things that many people do on the roads. This is not to put blame on anyone, just to say do what you can to ensure your safety.

I'm not getting into country comparisons. Focus on what you can do to make your environment safer wherever that happens to be.

cookie2b

I'm not there yet......arriving in less than 4 weeks!

Im worried I'l miss the readiness of the shops here....as in If i need something, furniture, food, make-up, gifts, photo's printed etc etc that i won't know where to go? You know like big chain store's, brands etc ASDA,

I know I'l learn and get to know but even online shopping doesn't quite seem the same lol......trivial perhaps but its normality that i know il need when we arrive otherwise Il miss home and my family....this is inevitable but i would like to keep it at bay.

Oh and NZ is REALLY REALLY cool because it is not the UK!

Flower Pot

Another 'positive' thread ruined... *clicks unsubscribe*

Cookie, how exciting! Its a stressful, nervous and exciting time for you now, but it will all be worth it
There are lots of chain stores here to fulfil your shopping necessities... food stores like Countdown, Food Town or my fave Pak 'n' Save.
Asda type shops that sell everything... my fave is The Warehouse. And furniture shops, theres 100's! Briscoes is good for homeware stuff and we got reasonably priced furniture from Target

Good Luck!!

cappuccino

Staying on the cool topic and relating it to supermarkets here... it's great to be able to pull off the outter leaves of veges and chuck them in the bins provided in the vege aisle. You don't have to pay for what you would throw away at home.

Expat Kiwi

New Zealand is really, really cool because...it has the best rugby union team in the world.

BEVS

We'll see come 2010

New Zealand is really, really cool because I can grow tomatoes & melons outside in the veg patch .

Expat Kiwi

by 2011 things may've changed, I think the ABs may have peaked too early.

BEVS

Oopsies. I meant 2011.


New Zealand is really, really cool because you hardly ever see dog poops festering away just waiting for you to tred in them .

bourbon-biscuit

That's true!

cookie2b

Hi

Yes very exciting three weeks on tuesday!!! and Two days after i arrive Im getting married!!! In Queenstown

Im glad to hear that there are lots of stores for me to waste my time in...it's my hobby. I guess its just a case of getting to know all the new names.....where in NZ do you live Flowerpot?

x

Flower Pot

Ooh fabulous! Wow your not wasting any time eh!

Yes I also have a shopping addiction and despite what some expats say, I enjoy shopping here
We live in Stanmore Bay, Hibiscus Coast, Auckland. Where in Auckland are you heading?

BEVS

Tiz

londonescapee

Surely not history repeats itself For the first time ever I was cheering the Irish this am

NZ is also really really cool because it has amazing 1/2 marathons and running in general (just returned from KeriKeri 1/2 which was the best half I've done yet ). Oh and I have never ever tasted oranges more amazingly yummy than what we found up in the Northland this weekend.....

BEVS

HeHe.

Our bit of NZ is really, really cool coz we have our own orange, lemon and grapefruit bushes growing in the garden.

weejie

NZ is cool because:-

Can grow lots of fruit and veggies - potatoes,yams,peas,onions,carrots,silverbeet, tomatoes, courgettes,parsnips,leeks,beetroot,peppers,chilies ,basil,coriander,rhubarb, strawberries and raspberries in our garden/greenhouse.

kids can walk to school safely on their own,can take part in lots of sports after school,do more than just academic things which help build confidence

the people are so friendly and the sales service much better- we had bought bar stools almost a year ago and one broke. OH took it back,no receipt and they could not find it on computer. Had been a special offer and they don't keep them on file apparently. BUT they still replaced it as they had us on file as having bought other stuff from them!

I make most food from scratch,no pre-made packaged stuff for us any more. Even make my own bread,do home baking and make wine

We are only minutes away from loads of clean,unspoilt beaches ( no dog poo etc anywhere ) and you can safely leave your bags etc to go for a walk and they will be there when you come back.

Often leave the car unlocked in the driveway

Very sociable and friendly neighbours; we swap food stuffs ( home grown veg for blue cod from fishing trip ) and if make too much baking then just
hand them some in

No-one gives a toss what you wear......my kids have become Kiwi-fied and wear shorts and jandals if it rains,or no shoes at all. They say eh at the end of sentences,call rolls buns,crisps chips,and have become happier all round

I could go on but this would be VERY long.

Phyl x