Thursday, March 1, 2007

Our Journey

Hi there!

Although we have now been in New Zealand for 2 months thought it was about time we posted our experiences so far

well our journey began over 12 months ago with a desire to escape the 'rat race' although in our mid (to late!) 40's we had always dreamed of moving to a more rural place with better climate, less pollution and perhaps better opportunities for our kids.

In November 2005 we tentatively put in an expression of interest with 125 points. 2 weeks later WOW we had been selected and invited to apply for residency. Thus began our HUGE journey and test of our resolve to go through with this venture!

The medicals were a huge battle with both Mark and myself having issues we never even knew about, perhaps as well although nothing major it was a good job that they found these problems. nursing registration was also awkward trying to obtain all the information on conversion from EN to RN, diploma, degree and PGCE may of which were conducted years ago was a battle!!

So after much financial cost and several consultations we finally got medical clearance and the PR stamp firmly in our passports in November 2006 coincidentally the same week as we finally sold our house having been on the market for 6 months!!! (strange how these things happen!!)

the saddest things of all were saying "goodbye" to my Mum (I am an only child) and to my best friend and her two lovely little girls who I miss so much;
here they are waving goodbye to me!!!


It was also so sad saying goodbye to people like my pals the Taylors and all at work in Walsall but I know many people will visit us out her

So on 1st January 2007 our adventure began!!!

With a tearful teenager in tow (daughter aged 15) and a slightly less tearful son (12) we did a 4 day holiday in LA on the way (1st mistake)

Our daughter broke down in LA and simply could not stop crying, this made me feel really guilty and the whole experience was a bit of a waste of money in truth.

So our 1st sight of New Zealand (we had only visited the North island and we now live in the South!!)WOW!!!!


We were very lucky to have a good friend here who let us use her car for the first few days and we had a hospital house provided with the job (officially for 6 weeks but ended up being there 7 weeks!!) On day 4 we viewed a house and as much as we intended to rent for a while our judgments changed when we got here as we really liked the place and felt that buying our own home would help the kids to settle as our daughter was still understandably upset at leaving all her friends.

Mistake number 2 was arriving here within the school holidays, with both children off school for the 1st month social interaction for them was really difficult and we also failed to think out the fact that whilst they were happy at home whilst we were working in the UK over here they could not be left as the elements of social stability and friends was not surrounding them. So off to work I went on day 7 and left Mark at home. In New Zealand they term non working fathers 'house bitches!!' a concept that Mark is still having issues with, we thought that we could both work within the first month but 2 months down the line and now in our own home we are just beginning to feel that we can leave the kids.

So what are our observations so far?

Well here is the good
Wide open spaces
Less crime
Oh so beautiful, breathtaking scenery I drive to work (10 min) on roads free of traffic with the Wither Hills as a backdrop and have to pinch myself that I LIVE HERE!!!
Lovely fresh veggies (that I actually grow in my garden), everything tastes so good.
The people who always smile and talk to you!
Lack of litter
Low un-employment
Beach nearby
the ability to buy and use a boat
Cheaper houses (we have a 3/4 acre section and a fab house here)
Cheaper fuel and cars
Cheaper insurance
The ability to visit Wellington, Christchurch and the sounds
Having our own pool (fab!!)

The bad!!
High teenage pregnancy rate
Party pills!!
Having to build up networks with friends and work
Blooming sand flies

So am I pleased we are here

YES, YES, YES

It was so worth the struggle and I am 100% sure we have done the best for our kids
Both are settling well at school, Stuart has a keen interest in joining the police and I would have been fearful for him in the UK.
Sam wants to go to Uni in Wellington or Christchurch and she has joined a dance class and now made friends.
as time goes by I will post our weekend activities, at the moment we are still unpacking those 400 boxes!!! The only thing that broke was a 99p Ikea wine glass!!!

Will keep you all posted
Love
Dawn
PS brand new to this blogging so I have added some photos at the end;

Blenheim town centre!!

A day out on friends boats!!! On the sounds

The view as I open my patio door!!!!

My best buddy in UK snow!!!


Our 1st weekend away having been here 6 weeks was in this lovely house!!



our 2 cocker spaniels enjoying life here (thanks to Golden Arrow)


Messing around in the water!!


The view from my kitchen window!!


Sunday lunch and unpacking (beans on toast!!)


Our lovely new home!!


Marks dream.... 3 HUGE garages out the back!!



you can just see Stuart learning to drive on the ride on mower!!!!

Lots more to follow folks!!!!!
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