Seven Years in
May 13th 2011, 3:58 am
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: homeless
Posts: 1,756
Re: Seven Years in
Hi Everyone
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
Just realised that we have been here over seven years now! New Zealand is well and truly home.
We arrived in 2004 in visitors visa's, complete with backpacks and about $500 to our name. Got a job, got a work permit, lived in hostels, dingy flats, freezing cold villa's and a damp two bedoom basement flat with a glorious view of the harbour in Devonport.
Got married on a beach in Fiji in Nov 2004
I hated my job, but had to stick it out for a couple of years.
2006 applied for and was awarded residency, quit my job the day after we got the blue stickers.
Time to get out of Auckland, moved to Marlborough, where I got a job in the wine industry.
Bought a 3 bed house in Dec 2006.
Pregnant! Beautiful daughter Sabrina born in Jan 2008
Pregnant again! Beautiful daughter Miranda born in Sept 2009
Went to Europe 2010, wife officially cured of homesickness and could not wait to get back to NZ
Also started my own business in 2010, providing products to the wine industry, barrels, yeast etc - great to be my own boss
2011 - Business is doing good, get to spend lots of time with family, wife has bought a horse, we are off travelling for a couple of months through Asia.
Also, started my own wine label, Eureka. Just finished the grape harvest and am officially knackered.
Even though we might not be rich. Sometimes when you are sat out on the deck with the fire going, looking at the stars and talking to Melissa my wife and best mate, sharing a nice bottle of wine, knowing that the girls are tucked up safe and warm......I feel like I am the richest man in the world.
Catchafire (aka Beachcombers)
like your story.
so Cool.
Cheers.
May 13th 2011, 8:19 pm
#17
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 21
Re: Seven Years in
Great post - inspires me to get hubby and little one over to NZ As quick as humanly possible - hurry up immigration 
Oct 28th 2011, 5:04 am
#18
*********
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Re: Seven Years in
Hopefully not breaking any rules! But we have our first wine release coming real soon!
Check out our youtube video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm28ad-0xI0
Check out our youtube video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm28ad-0xI0
Last edited by Catchafire; Oct 28th 2011 at 5:14 am.
Oct 30th 2011, 9:06 pm
#19
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,612
Re: Seven Years in
It's all part of your wonderful updates as far as I am concerned Catchafire.
All the best and good luck to you and your family.
All the best and good luck to you and your family.
Oct 30th 2011, 10:37 pm
#20
you dewty owld maan!
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: is practically perfect in every way
Posts: 5,565
Re: Seven Years in
Great to hear that life's all you want it Beachcombers/Catchafire
Enjoy the trip and all the best for making the projects work.
Enjoy the trip and all the best for making the projects work.
Nov 1st 2011, 12:43 am
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Nelson
Posts: 275
Re: Seven Years in
Awesome update....great area of NZ to be.....good luck with the launch of your unique wines, will look out for your label
Nov 3rd 2011, 6:25 am
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 91
Re: Seven Years in
Fantastic and inspiring 
Dec 8th 2011, 8:10 am
#24
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Dec 8th 2011, 8:14 am
#25
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,612
Re: Seven Years in
Beth has got a great place and she makes some lovely wines.
Greenhough in Brightwater makes some of the best wine in NZ! You should check them out, I think the cellar door is open at weekends during the winter.
We are making a noble Pinot Gris and a unique style of Sauvignon Blanc this year.
Greenhough in Brightwater makes some of the best wine in NZ! You should check them out, I think the cellar door is open at weekends during the winter.
We are making a noble Pinot Gris and a unique style of Sauvignon Blanc this year.
I think the vid is the Sav Blanc.
Feb 28th 2012, 7:26 pm
#26
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Re: Seven Years in
Our wine has had it's first review!
http://www.wineoftheweek.com/archive...s+Ramblings%29
Have to say I am pretty stoked today!
http://www.wineoftheweek.com/archive...s+Ramblings%29
Have to say I am pretty stoked today!
Feb 28th 2012, 11:39 pm
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,967
Re: Seven Years in
Nice one! Are there any stockists in Wellington?
Feb 29th 2012, 12:05 am
#28
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458
Re: Seven Years in
Nope sorry. Will have a big trip later this year to get some stockist signed up.
You can always drop me a PM if you want some. It's $4 to send up to 2xbottles of wine or $9/case.
You can always drop me a PM if you want some. It's $4 to send up to 2xbottles of wine or $9/case.
Feb 29th 2012, 5:11 pm
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Nelson
Posts: 275
Re: Seven Years in
Congratulations guys
Mar 23rd 2012, 1:05 am
#30
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Up in dem hills.........
Posts: 1,458