Biddy

Yep - despite the rumours I am very much alive and well and down under.

We arrived in NZ way back on the 23rd Sept - so that's about 6 weeks ago and have just got ourselves sorted with internet connx from home. Hoorah!

For those that remember we were going to buy a house in Waikanae - but that fell through - so we've bought 3 acres of land with views of the sea and Kapiti island at Peka Peka! (just nth of Waikanae) Marvellous! No UK £ left though so we may well camp there! We're renting for a year or so until we've built (probably can manage a chicken shed!)

We had a fab hol in Disneyworld on the way out - Hot to say the least.

I started work on 3rd of Oct and immediately went off on Sales Conference to Queenstown - Wow! Get yourself a bit of real estate there ASAP. Great place - love it. Saw lots of the Southern Alps from the plane.

The kids are settled in school and have almost forgotten the UK.

We've had 4 rainy days since we've been here and whilst it's not boiling (15 - 20 celcius) the sun is ferocious and with my pale delicate skin I'm going to need to take care.

We've found everything so easy to do - rent a house - buy some land - set up banking - internet - schools - shopping - etc etc - it really does feel like home and we've absolutely no complaints.

We did a lot of preparation to be fair (like everyone on the forum does) and it has paid off. Our container arrived last Fri so we've gone through all the usual emotions - unwrapping the kids toys etc. PSS we're superb and I can recommend highly. 1 or 2 minor breakages but nothing get excited about.

The only spanner in the works is that on Saturday I fly back to Paris for a months training with work! Pah! So most of the posting with be coming from Mrs B over the next few weeks.

Waikanae is a great place and I'm so glad we found it. It has everything a family could need. Play areas - beach - countryside - pool - cricket - rugby - 2 great schools - supermarkets - 5 miles from Paraparaumu with good shopping and cinema etc - hills - good housing - 45 mins - 1hr from Welly - better weather - more affordable. Fantastic.

So here I am back in the fold. Welcome to all the new faces and Hi again to the old ones - Planty, enjoyed our Skype chat a moment ago.

Any Q's then just ask.
Mike & Sarah - & 3 very happy kids (Oh yes and the dog who arrived 3 weeks ago smelling of wee!)

Boopy

Hi Mike & Sarah,

I've been on the forum for the past month, and hoping to move early next year. Great to hear your move and settling in has gone well. We've just had a bloke out from PSS to give us a quote for shipping. How long did your stuff take to arrive. When it does get to port, did you have to go to the port (are there any hidden charges). Or do they do everything until it arrives at your door. Did you open a new bank account in UK ready for NZ (how does that work).

Cheers Boopy

Pompey_Paul

Great to hear that you are OK Biddy......what yer selling?

Pinkie Pie

Nice to hear from you Mike and very happy for you that things are going so well. And remember slip, slop, slap...

Pinkie

p.s. say hi to Simon for me if you see him...

Celtic_Angel

glad to hear it.....sounds like you're having a fab time....

so glad everyone has settled in...soon we'll have to have another one of your parties in the lounge...a housewarming maybe?

Biddy

Hi Boopy - Glad to hear you're looking to move soon - make sure you listen to all the positives (as well as the negatives)

Container - was packed by PSS in a day -they pack everything inc wrapping glasses etc. Loaded up about 25th July from memory. It arrived in Wellington on 29th Sept (so 2 months on the high seas). It was then transferred into the hands of NZ Van Lines (who I guess must be the agents over here) - and checked by MAF - we weren't present for this and it went through OK - we had tents, some garden tools, bikes etc that we had cleaned before we left. It was then put into storage (at approx $25 a week - peanuts) until we were ready to recieve it. A quick phone call to advise them of the time and place and hey presto there it all is being unloaded by 3 locals. All in all very proffessional, inexpensive and low maintenance (we didn't have to do anything apart from wave it all Bye and welcome it back again)
No hidden charges - just the extra storage at this end - and the tips for the guys who delivered to buy a beer!

Bank account was easy too - sorted it out in UK with ASB London. Phone call - application forms sent - filled out & sent back - holding account opened in UK to deposite funds in. Once I arrived in NZ it was a quick trip to ASB to verifiy my identity - cards issued there and then. All in all I've found them to be 20x more efficient that UK banks - and the people (in general as well) are lovely - recommend.

Hope that helps
Mike

Biddy

Aye up Paul, 'Ow's fings daaarn saarf?

I'm working for Tyco Healthcare as a 'Product specialist' selling everything from very expensive Ventilators for OP theatre to cheap n cheerful urinary bags - deep joy! Seem good so far apart from the travelling to Paris bit! Boo!

Biddy

Thanks Caroline - have been slapping around already. I've given KJP a virtual kiss from you and he's passed on a vertual Goosing!

So consider your posterior slightly bruised and tingling.

Pinkie Pie

I knew he'd have to try and out do me!!! Couldn't just send a kiss in return could he...noooooo... but goosing gratefully received...

Pompey_Paul

Now you are just showing off..........

Can you get me a deal on the bags?

Sega Mad

Hiya Biddy!!

We wondered had happened to the Biddy clan. Good to hear from you, glad it's all working out.

Phyl

shepslady

Hi Mike

So glad to hear that you,Sarah & the kids are settling in so very well. Sounds like everything is going well. Had to laugh when I read they are sending you to Paris....bet you never thought youd be heading back up North just yet huh?
Great to hear that you have found things fairly easy to set up so far & double bonus that the kids have settled in at school ok.
No worries about slip slop slapping in Paris though so hope your winter woollies are handy
Give my regards to KJP when you see him again & tell him we really do miss him on here. Wont offer anything else to be passed on though still PMSL @ the responce Caroline got from him.
Safe travels while you are away & so glad to see you back posting on here again, you have been missed.

Cheers
Cindy

Biddy

I'm sure we can come to an arrangement on the bags - you'll be needing the 10 pints a night size I expect? Maybe a bucket would suffice? As for the catheterisation bit - are there any nurses around as I'm sure as hell not touching it!

Biddy

Thanks Cindy - hope you and Mr Shep are fit and well. I'll try and contribute a bit more regularly now that I have 1st hand expereince of the Land of the Long White Cloud.

It really is a fanatawstic place and the poeple are the nicest I've ever met. Glad I didn't listen too hard to all the negative comments that seem to be ever present!

Take care and say 'Have a nice day' to the States from me.

babybella

Hi Biddy,
glad it has all worked out really well for you and the family. I always liked up the coast did I tell you to take the kids for a picnic at Battle Hill Reserve, my favourite picnic spot. Lovely meadow with a stream for dam building, come through the gate and go left over the ford thing into the meadow, you can camp overnight too.
Enjoy the summer you lucky thing
KAZ