We are well on our way!
Aug 1st 2005, 5:59 pm
#1
Kiwi livin' and lovin' it
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Was England. Then Germany.Tried Spain. NZ now and NOT moving!
Posts: 73
We are well on our way!
Hello Everyone.
I thought I would take a few mins to update you all on our progress,
I won't bore you all with our backgrounds, if you check our posts you will get a feel for the Turner family and the regulars here know us.........
I finished work in Gibraltar on the 20th of July and Andrea and I started packing in earnest. Not pleasant in 32 deg heat with two kids to look after. Over the next 5 days we dismantled and flat-packed every piece of furniture except one chest of drawers that was actually properly made with dovetailed joints! All our belongings were packed, boxed and inventoried ready for the container. We used a room downstairs which used to be the garage as a holding room. we figured if we could fit all the stuff in that size of room it would all go in a 20ft container. I did have a couple of days help from Andreas father-in-law for which I am very grateful!
During these five days we also were sorting out the final house sale details and doing all the necessary with closing bank accounts etc.
The container arrived at 9am on the 26th and with the help of a neighbour and his son (a fireman and usefully strong) I started playing Tetris with all our worldly goods. As the temp was again 30+ and I was in a metal box (oven) soon I was soaked. Not a pleasant time but we loaded all the stuff with no real problems. A four bedroom house and personal effects for two adults and two kids does fit into a 20ft container.
The 27th we sold the house and handed over all the keys and paperwork. The money was transferred into our Spanish bank account and on the 28th we closed this account and flew back to England.
Saying goodbye to Andreas mum was really hard as she is not really having a great time in Spain either and feels a bit trapped. We are hoping that she will be able to make the move too in a couple of years.
The flight back to London was uneventful but Heathrow was a nightmare, we had to wait 2 hours for our bags and when they did come through our booster seats for the kids were missing. All the information desks were closed and we HAD to go as the hire car company was closing too. I called BA the next day and spent 1/2 an hour on hold before being cut off.
We went to Argos and bought two new ones.
Friday and Saturday we spent with some friends in Bournemouth, buying last min stuff and saying goodbye. Sunday we saw my parents and sister and did the goodbye bit with them too. It was not too bad in one respect as we have been in Spain for two years so are used to being away but very hard in another as my Dad has terminal cancer and it could be the last time I see him.
A very sobering moment and a scenario everyone considering moving to NZ should think about.
We are now at Andreas brothers house in Brighton for a couple of days before the next stage of our mad adventure.
On Wednesday we have to go to London to get a new passport for Charlotte as hers is about to expire and then get to the NZIS to get our blue stickers done. The passport office appointment is 8:15 to give us enough time to do the fast track one day passport deal and still get to NZIS for 2pm.
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
A very friendly and helpful lady we met on this forum has offered to meet us at the Airport and I would like to thank her here. She has been really encouraging and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
I thought I would take a few mins to update you all on our progress,
I won't bore you all with our backgrounds, if you check our posts you will get a feel for the Turner family and the regulars here know us.........
I finished work in Gibraltar on the 20th of July and Andrea and I started packing in earnest. Not pleasant in 32 deg heat with two kids to look after. Over the next 5 days we dismantled and flat-packed every piece of furniture except one chest of drawers that was actually properly made with dovetailed joints! All our belongings were packed, boxed and inventoried ready for the container. We used a room downstairs which used to be the garage as a holding room. we figured if we could fit all the stuff in that size of room it would all go in a 20ft container. I did have a couple of days help from Andreas father-in-law for which I am very grateful!
During these five days we also were sorting out the final house sale details and doing all the necessary with closing bank accounts etc.
The container arrived at 9am on the 26th and with the help of a neighbour and his son (a fireman and usefully strong) I started playing Tetris with all our worldly goods. As the temp was again 30+ and I was in a metal box (oven) soon I was soaked. Not a pleasant time but we loaded all the stuff with no real problems. A four bedroom house and personal effects for two adults and two kids does fit into a 20ft container.
The 27th we sold the house and handed over all the keys and paperwork. The money was transferred into our Spanish bank account and on the 28th we closed this account and flew back to England.
Saying goodbye to Andreas mum was really hard as she is not really having a great time in Spain either and feels a bit trapped. We are hoping that she will be able to make the move too in a couple of years.
The flight back to London was uneventful but Heathrow was a nightmare, we had to wait 2 hours for our bags and when they did come through our booster seats for the kids were missing. All the information desks were closed and we HAD to go as the hire car company was closing too. I called BA the next day and spent 1/2 an hour on hold before being cut off.
We went to Argos and bought two new ones.Friday and Saturday we spent with some friends in Bournemouth, buying last min stuff and saying goodbye. Sunday we saw my parents and sister and did the goodbye bit with them too. It was not too bad in one respect as we have been in Spain for two years so are used to being away but very hard in another as my Dad has terminal cancer and it could be the last time I see him.
A very sobering moment and a scenario everyone considering moving to NZ should think about.
We are now at Andreas brothers house in Brighton for a couple of days before the next stage of our mad adventure.
On Wednesday we have to go to London to get a new passport for Charlotte as hers is about to expire and then get to the NZIS to get our blue stickers done. The passport office appointment is 8:15 to give us enough time to do the fast track one day passport deal and still get to NZIS for 2pm.
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
A very friendly and helpful lady we met on this forum has offered to meet us at the Airport and I would like to thank her here. She has been really encouraging and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
Aug 1st 2005, 6:15 pm
#2
Galaxy 1: Cadbury's 0
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,606
Re: We are well on our way!
Originally Posted by the turner family
Hello Everyone.
I thought I would take a few mins to update you all on our progress,
I won't bore you all with our backgrounds, if you check our posts you will get a feel for the Turner family and the regulars here know us.........
I finished work in Gibraltar on the 20th of July and Andrea and I started packing in earnest. Not pleasant in 32 deg heat with two kids to look after. Over the next 5 days we dismantled and flat-packed every piece of furniture except one chest of drawers that was actually properly made with dovetailed joints! All our belongings were packed, boxed and inventoried ready for the container. We used a room downstairs which used to be the garage as a holding room. we figured if we could fit all the stuff in that size of room it would all go in a 20ft container. I did have a couple of days help from Andreas father-in-law for which I am very grateful!
During these five days we also were sorting out the final house sale details and doing all the necessary with closing bank accounts etc.
The container arrived at 9am on the 26th and with the help of a neighbour and his son (a fireman and usefully strong) I started playing Tetris with all our worldly goods. As the temp was again 30+ and I was in a metal box (oven) soon I was soaked. Not a pleasant time but we loaded all the stuff with no real problems. A four bedroom house and personal effects for two adults and two kids does fit into a 20ft container.
The 27th we sold the house and handed over all the keys and paperwork. The money was transferred into our Spanish bank account and on the 28th we closed this account and flew back to England.
Saying goodbye to Andreas mum was really hard as she is not really having a great time in Spain either and feels a bit trapped. We are hoping that she will be able to make the move too in a couple of years.
The flight back to London was uneventful but Heathrow was a nightmare, we had to wait 2 hours for our bags and when they did come through our booster seats for the kids were missing. All the information desks were closed and we HAD to go as the hire car company was closing too. I called BA the next day and spent 1/2 an hour on hold before being cut off. We went to Argos and bought two new ones.
Friday and Saturday we spent with some friends in Bournemouth, buying last min stuff and saying goodbye. Sunday we saw my parents and sister and did the goodbye bit with them too. It was not too bad in one respect as we have been in Spain for two years so are used to being away but very hard in another as my Dad has terminal cancer and it could be the last time I see him.
A very sobering moment and a scenario everyone considering moving to NZ should think about.
We are now at Andreas brothers house in Brighton for a couple of days before the next stage of our mad adventure.
On Wednesday we have to go to London to get a new passport for Charlotte as hers is about to expire and then get to the NZIS to get our blue stickers done. The passport office appointment is 8:15 to give us enough time to do the fast track one day passport deal and still get to NZIS for 2pm.
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
A very friendly and helpful lady we met on this forum has offered to meet us at the Airport and I would like to thank her here. She has been really encouraging and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
I thought I would take a few mins to update you all on our progress,
I won't bore you all with our backgrounds, if you check our posts you will get a feel for the Turner family and the regulars here know us.........
I finished work in Gibraltar on the 20th of July and Andrea and I started packing in earnest. Not pleasant in 32 deg heat with two kids to look after. Over the next 5 days we dismantled and flat-packed every piece of furniture except one chest of drawers that was actually properly made with dovetailed joints! All our belongings were packed, boxed and inventoried ready for the container. We used a room downstairs which used to be the garage as a holding room. we figured if we could fit all the stuff in that size of room it would all go in a 20ft container. I did have a couple of days help from Andreas father-in-law for which I am very grateful!
During these five days we also were sorting out the final house sale details and doing all the necessary with closing bank accounts etc.
The container arrived at 9am on the 26th and with the help of a neighbour and his son (a fireman and usefully strong) I started playing Tetris with all our worldly goods. As the temp was again 30+ and I was in a metal box (oven) soon I was soaked. Not a pleasant time but we loaded all the stuff with no real problems. A four bedroom house and personal effects for two adults and two kids does fit into a 20ft container.
The 27th we sold the house and handed over all the keys and paperwork. The money was transferred into our Spanish bank account and on the 28th we closed this account and flew back to England.
Saying goodbye to Andreas mum was really hard as she is not really having a great time in Spain either and feels a bit trapped. We are hoping that she will be able to make the move too in a couple of years.
The flight back to London was uneventful but Heathrow was a nightmare, we had to wait 2 hours for our bags and when they did come through our booster seats for the kids were missing. All the information desks were closed and we HAD to go as the hire car company was closing too. I called BA the next day and spent 1/2 an hour on hold before being cut off.
We went to Argos and bought two new ones.Friday and Saturday we spent with some friends in Bournemouth, buying last min stuff and saying goodbye. Sunday we saw my parents and sister and did the goodbye bit with them too. It was not too bad in one respect as we have been in Spain for two years so are used to being away but very hard in another as my Dad has terminal cancer and it could be the last time I see him.
A very sobering moment and a scenario everyone considering moving to NZ should think about.
We are now at Andreas brothers house in Brighton for a couple of days before the next stage of our mad adventure.
On Wednesday we have to go to London to get a new passport for Charlotte as hers is about to expire and then get to the NZIS to get our blue stickers done. The passport office appointment is 8:15 to give us enough time to do the fast track one day passport deal and still get to NZIS for 2pm.
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
A very friendly and helpful lady we met on this forum has offered to meet us at the Airport and I would like to thank her here. She has been really encouraging and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
Good to know that it fitted into the 20ft container also.Best of luck and I look forward to hearing more about your adventures.
Aug 1st 2005, 6:57 pm
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Location: our own home, chch
Posts: 812
Re: We are well on our way!
great to hear your update - can you believe that it's actually all falling into place - look forward to the next installment
Aug 1st 2005, 7:48 pm
#4
Don't let me get me....
Joined: May 2005
Location: Teetering on the edge...
Posts: 1,964
Re: We are well on our way!
Sounds like you've got everything sorted and under control!!! 
Hope it all continues going to plan until Thursday and that you have a safe and happy journey to NZ...good luck with everything...
Hope it all continues going to plan until Thursday and that you have a safe and happy journey to NZ...good luck with everything...
Aug 1st 2005, 8:55 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 230
Re: We are well on our way!
Well thanks Matt & Andrea,
Your message brought a few tears.
I'll be waiting for you with the Balloons LOL, so look out.
Until Saturday Arvo see you all then.
Have a great Flight.
Carol
Your message brought a few tears.
I'll be waiting for you with the Balloons LOL, so look out.
Until Saturday Arvo see you all then.
Have a great Flight.
Carol
Aug 1st 2005, 9:05 pm
#6
Life begins...
Joined: May 2005
Location: The Labour Exchange
Posts: 552
Re: We are well on our way!
I've followed your progress with interest. It must be nerve-wracking to be at this stage. you seem to be taking it all in your stride though, good on you and best of luck.
phyllis
phyllis
Aug 1st 2005, 11:54 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Beachlands, East Auckland
Posts: 2,957
Re: We are well on our way!
This brought back so many memories...and a couple of tears as I remember how difficult it was saying goodbye to my parents a few weeks ago.
I wish you the best of luck with your move...I cant remember whereabouts youre moving to as Ive not been online for ages now. If you find somewhere as nice as here to live youll be ok.
Good luck and all the best.
Sarah x
I wish you the best of luck with your move...I cant remember whereabouts youre moving to as Ive not been online for ages now. If you find somewhere as nice as here to live youll be ok.
Good luck and all the best.
Sarah x
Aug 2nd 2005, 12:56 am
#8
Mrs Shep USCIS Graduate
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: ExPat Kiwi in Indiana USA
Posts: 1,865
Re: We are well on our way!
Originally Posted by the turner family
Hello Everyone.
I thought I would take a few mins to update you all on our progress,
I won't bore you all with our backgrounds, if you check our posts you will get a feel for the Turner family and the regulars here know us.........
I finished work in Gibraltar on the 20th of July and Andrea and I started packing in earnest. Not pleasant in 32 deg heat with two kids to look after. Over the next 5 days we dismantled and flat-packed every piece of furniture except one chest of drawers that was actually properly made with dovetailed joints! All our belongings were packed, boxed and inventoried ready for the container. We used a room downstairs which used to be the garage as a holding room. we figured if we could fit all the stuff in that size of room it would all go in a 20ft container. I did have a couple of days help from Andreas father-in-law for which I am very grateful!
During these five days we also were sorting out the final house sale details and doing all the necessary with closing bank accounts etc.
The container arrived at 9am on the 26th and with the help of a neighbour and his son (a fireman and usefully strong) I started playing Tetris with all our worldly goods. As the temp was again 30+ and I was in a metal box (oven) soon I was soaked. Not a pleasant time but we loaded all the stuff with no real problems. A four bedroom house and personal effects for two adults and two kids does fit into a 20ft container.
The 27th we sold the house and handed over all the keys and paperwork. The money was transferred into our Spanish bank account and on the 28th we closed this account and flew back to England.
Saying goodbye to Andreas mum was really hard as she is not really having a great time in Spain either and feels a bit trapped. We are hoping that she will be able to make the move too in a couple of years.
The flight back to London was uneventful but Heathrow was a nightmare, we had to wait 2 hours for our bags and when they did come through our booster seats for the kids were missing. All the information desks were closed and we HAD to go as the hire car company was closing too. I called BA the next day and spent 1/2 an hour on hold before being cut off. We went to Argos and bought two new ones.
Friday and Saturday we spent with some friends in Bournemouth, buying last min stuff and saying goodbye. Sunday we saw my parents and sister and did the goodbye bit with them too. It was not too bad in one respect as we have been in Spain for two years so are used to being away but very hard in another as my Dad has terminal cancer and it could be the last time I see him.
A very sobering moment and a scenario everyone considering moving to NZ should think about.
We are now at Andreas brothers house in Brighton for a couple of days before the next stage of our mad adventure.
On Wednesday we have to go to London to get a new passport for Charlotte as hers is about to expire and then get to the NZIS to get our blue stickers done. The passport office appointment is 8:15 to give us enough time to do the fast track one day passport deal and still get to NZIS for 2pm.
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
A very friendly and helpful lady we met on this forum has offered to meet us at the Airport and I would like to thank her here. She has been really encouraging and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
I thought I would take a few mins to update you all on our progress,
I won't bore you all with our backgrounds, if you check our posts you will get a feel for the Turner family and the regulars here know us.........
I finished work in Gibraltar on the 20th of July and Andrea and I started packing in earnest. Not pleasant in 32 deg heat with two kids to look after. Over the next 5 days we dismantled and flat-packed every piece of furniture except one chest of drawers that was actually properly made with dovetailed joints! All our belongings were packed, boxed and inventoried ready for the container. We used a room downstairs which used to be the garage as a holding room. we figured if we could fit all the stuff in that size of room it would all go in a 20ft container. I did have a couple of days help from Andreas father-in-law for which I am very grateful!
During these five days we also were sorting out the final house sale details and doing all the necessary with closing bank accounts etc.
The container arrived at 9am on the 26th and with the help of a neighbour and his son (a fireman and usefully strong) I started playing Tetris with all our worldly goods. As the temp was again 30+ and I was in a metal box (oven) soon I was soaked. Not a pleasant time but we loaded all the stuff with no real problems. A four bedroom house and personal effects for two adults and two kids does fit into a 20ft container.
The 27th we sold the house and handed over all the keys and paperwork. The money was transferred into our Spanish bank account and on the 28th we closed this account and flew back to England.
Saying goodbye to Andreas mum was really hard as she is not really having a great time in Spain either and feels a bit trapped. We are hoping that she will be able to make the move too in a couple of years.
The flight back to London was uneventful but Heathrow was a nightmare, we had to wait 2 hours for our bags and when they did come through our booster seats for the kids were missing. All the information desks were closed and we HAD to go as the hire car company was closing too. I called BA the next day and spent 1/2 an hour on hold before being cut off.
We went to Argos and bought two new ones.Friday and Saturday we spent with some friends in Bournemouth, buying last min stuff and saying goodbye. Sunday we saw my parents and sister and did the goodbye bit with them too. It was not too bad in one respect as we have been in Spain for two years so are used to being away but very hard in another as my Dad has terminal cancer and it could be the last time I see him.
A very sobering moment and a scenario everyone considering moving to NZ should think about.
We are now at Andreas brothers house in Brighton for a couple of days before the next stage of our mad adventure.
On Wednesday we have to go to London to get a new passport for Charlotte as hers is about to expire and then get to the NZIS to get our blue stickers done. The passport office appointment is 8:15 to give us enough time to do the fast track one day passport deal and still get to NZIS for 2pm.
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
A very friendly and helpful lady we met on this forum has offered to meet us at the Airport and I would like to thank her here. She has been really encouraging and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
Looking forward to your next installment along the way
Aug 2nd 2005, 1:59 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: We are well on our way!
Originally Posted by the turner family
Hello Everyone.
...
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
...
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
...
Then on Thursday we fly from Heathrow to start our new life. We are going via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific as loads of people recommended. We have a day in Hong Kong and I will try to get to a Wi-Fi point and update our progress. Then it's into Auckland and meet my new boss... :scared:
...
Thanks Carol - see you soon
Thats all for now. Pretty manic and nowhere near over yet. I will do my best to keep you all updated with how we get on.
Bye for now.
Matt, Andrea, Charlotte and Christopher.
