Kayaking

We've decided to take advantage of living on the seafront and bought a sea kayak.

We bought it from Fergs Kayaks who let us test a couple of different ones out on the ocean before we bought. Got a great service there lots of advice with a friendly smile too! The owner has actually represented New Zealand five times in the olympics at Kayaking.

So far its only been around the coastline of Bucklands Beach, we're building up to a trip to Rangitoto Island. When I say we actually I haven't been on it at all yet - just Harry and Darren. I'm waiting for the weather to warm up before I give it a go!

The Start of the Cricket Season!

Yesterday saw the start of the junior cricket season in Auckland. So we headed off to the match at 12.30 armed with chairs, drinks and a picnic ready to watch Harry play his first cricket match in New Zealand. The weather was close to perfect, blue skies, the sun was shining and there was just a slight breeze.

Back in the UK Harry was playing 20 over games, this one was 45 overs, I think he was a bit worried about the length of the game and I was certainly worried my attention span for cricket wouldn't last for 90 overs!

Harry's team batted first and scored 199 runs, although at 11th man Harry didn't get to bat. Over here junior cricket seems to be a little more serious than I remember it being at home. Players are either designated as batters or bowlers. Harry's now a bowler hence being so far down the batting order. They also train twice a week and are advised to go for a run in between!

After a short break the second innings began with Harry's team fielding. The opposition was all out for 73 runs. So first game over with a win, Harry bowled pretty well, taking his first kiwi wicket and making his mum proud.

The game was played on the local colleges sports field and bacon sandwiches, cups of tea or a bar were sadly missing. However to make up for that was the location of the cricket field. I thought some of the cricket pitches at home were set in the most beautiful locations but this was something else (see the photos.)

I just about managed to stick it out for my first 45 over match!

For any regular blog readers sorry I've been a bit quiet recently, I can give no other excuse than I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself. I love this place but it's so hard being so far away from friends, family and familiar things. Back on track for now though!

Walking in the Hunua Ranges

Last weekend we decided to go out and enjoy some of the great countryside here. We headed off to the Hunua Ranges with a picnic and the intentions of a short walk and kicking a ball around. The countryside on the drive up there was so pretty. When we arrived we picked up a map showing the walking routes and decided to go for a short route for our first visit and picked the one and a half hour loop.

The start of the walk was through sub tropical forests and was really steep, after about a half hour walk up 'a mountain' my heart was racing faster than after a gym session. Although that's not saying too much I guess often my gym session would consist of quite a bit of time in the Sauna and spa pool! After another half hour steep walk we came across a sign post that didn't quite match where we thought we should be. After consulting our map again we realised the car park we'd set off from wasn't the one on the map and we were in an entirely different area of the forest! I must add here that I hadn't been in charge of the map reading, I left that to Darren - who should know better as a former scout!

The result of that meant we were on a three and a half hour walking loop! There was talk of turning back by the youngest member of the walking party but we decided to carry on. And I have to say it was well worth it the forest was beautiful, and about half way round it opened out to a picturesque dam - it reminded me a bit of Marsden (Huddersfield). We stopped there and ate our picnic, which included the most yummy bacon and egg pies.

At the end of the walk was a rock hop over a stream. It was a lovely place to go and reinforces some of the reasons why we came to New Zealand.

Every weekend feels like being on a holiday here, but just the same as being back at home Mondays come round so quickly!

photos taken on the walk - Rock hopping across the stream - Hunua Falls - A peek
of cossey Dam

More fun on Mount Ruapehu

Day 2 in the snow...

We woke up to another perfect day, brilliant blue sky no cloud and not a breath of wind. We decided to give snowboarding another go, to see if we could really master it. This time Kenny (our friend from Auckland) decided to give it a go as well, but without the lesson! I have to say he picked the going down the hill up really well, he was almost to the bottom of the slope before I'd even got going. The only thing was no-one had told him how to stop, so very painfully for him he had to fall to stop himself. He's been suffering ever since with sore ribs, its cruel to laugh at someone else's misfortune but it was one of the funniest sights ever - well so far that day!

After a couple of hours we decided our aching bodies could take no more of the snowboarding and headed much higher up the mountain on the ski lifts for some lunch and sight seeing. The views up there were amazing and the ski runs looked pretty scarey - not sure I'll ever be good enough to give them a go.

After lunch and a few photo opportunities we set off back down the ski lifts. I've never been too keen on travelling on the ski lifts, it makes me nervous having to jump off while the chairs are still moving. What happened next has made me even more scared of going on them. As we approached the bottom of the slope, a huge queue of people were waiting to go back up. I jumped off and tried to run to the side out of the way of the chair but got the toggle of my coat stuck in the chair. I shouted to the guy operating the chair that I was stuck but instead of stopping the chairs he asked if I could take my coat off, all this whilst I'm running alongside the chair in the snow. In a mad panic I managed to get my coat off doing a stunt man type roll in the snow at the same time. Much to the amusement of my family and friends and the huge queue of people waiting!

I did get a bit of an applause for my efforts and the guy helping people on to the chairs managed to get my coat for me. So apart from a bruised cheek all ended well!

After that we headed back up to Auckland. Its one week on now and I've only just stopped aching. Harry can't wait to try it again but the ski season is pretty much coming to an end so it will be next year before we go again. Unless we go to the indoor ski centre at Snow Planet - mmmm...i might just watch!

Fun in the snow!

My furniture and other posessions finally arrived I came home to a house full of boxes - 106 of them to be precise. We've just about finished unpacking them now and it feels much more like home having familiar things around us and pictures up on the wall.

One of the best things about having our things here is I can use the dishwasher now we have more than four plates, dishes, cups etc. I was really glad to get rid of the cardboard coffee table too! The spare bedroom is made up now ready for visitors from the UK. The first visit is from Jodie and Richard in thirteen weeks - I can't wait I'm hoping to talk them into staying!

Last weekend we decided to get away from the boxes for a while and head down to Mount Ruapehu. Its about a four hour drive down towards the middle of the North Island and is a ski resort in winter. We'd booked a fantastic house in Ohakune, when we arrived the log fire was burning it was really cosy.

Next day we got up to a perfect day brilliant blue sky with just a slight chill in the air. The views from the decking were fantastic. A beautiful running river and green trees to one side and the snow topped mountain to the other. We decided to head up to the mountain go and play in the snow for a while and see what the skiing and snowboarding was like.

It was pretty busy there but just so beautiful. You could see for miles and miles. Harry wanted to have a go at snowboarding so we hired a board and boots and booked him a lesson. Rather foolishly Darren and I decided to have a go too!

We (Darren and me) were by miles the oldest people having lessons. It was one of the hardest things I think I've ever done. My problem was I couldn't stay on my feet and when I fell I couldn't pull myself up from a sitting position without heading off down the hill! The only way I could get to my feet was from a kneeling position which meant I ended up facing up hill and started going down the hill backwards. After about my 20th fall I was ready to give up. But Chris, our instructor was so patient and between him and Darren they made me keep going.

I finally started to get the hang of it learnt to turn and managed to stop and steer myself down the hill. Harry picked it up pretty quickly and he was flying down the slopes and couldn't wait to have another go. The apres ski was my favourite bit of the day...to be continued.

Go the Giants

I've been counting down the weeks until our furniture and other possessions arrive in New Zealand. They arrived on the date due about three weeks ago. It took a while for it to clear customs and then it had to be checked by MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry). They cleared last week but then I was told there wasn't a van available to deliver until this Thursday! I'm not sure my cardboard coffee table will last, its sagging in the middle now. I'm so excited about seeing my shoes and handbags again and it will be really nice to have some kitchen equipment and furniture too - can't wait!

So this weekend will be unpacking and maybe watching the Giants game, if I can stay up that late or get up that early! Everything sports wise seems to be going well since we left, England won the ashes; the Giants have got to the final of the Challenge Cup and Huddersfield Town have had a great start to the season, scoring nearly as many goals as i saw all last season! Maybe we were jinxes.

Extreme Edge

I have a bit of a fear of heights, so when Harry suggested going rock climbing for his birthday, I tried to talk him into doing something a bit less adventurous. Maybe a trip to the cinema or bowling, but no he was adamant that we go rock climbing and insistent we all had a go.

So Saturday morning we set off to Extreme Edge, which is a fantastic place with climbing facilities for all ages and all abilities. One of the instructors give us a quick lesson in using the equipment and watched us try a first climb, then we were just left to it. Harry was like a monkey man, scaling the walls, right up to the top, he managed the walls with overhangs as well, even though he had a harness my heart was in my mouth watching.

I reluctantly had a go, on my first attempt I climbed about six foot and then needed to be let down. It took me a further three attempts before I managed to reach the top, I was so proud of myself especially as I managed to climb higher than Darren. I know I shouldn't gloat but I just can't help it! I'm glad I did the rock climbing, its something we haven't tried before, but I don't think I'm in too big a rush to do it again. Although Harry can't wait to give it another try.

The evenings entertainment suited me more. We went down into the city to Minus 5 - a bar where the walls, chairs, bar and glasses are all made of ice. That was good fun but cold. Then onto a Brazilian Restaurant called Wild Fire. The food is all barbecued and the staff just keep coming round with different kinds of food. It is mostly meat and fish, but they brought the most delicous barbecued Pineapple. On each table is a little wooden tower half red and half green, whilst ever the green part is at the top the food just keeps on coming, I think we all probably ate too much. The evening was finished off with the restaurant staff singing Happy Birthday in Portuguese.

So all in all a really good birthday treat for Harry.

Birthday Celebrations

We've had birthday celebrations here this week, Harry became a teenager! Great birthday fun but its a bit sad not to be sharing it with family and even sadder no birthday pictures with Dennis (our cat).

We got Dennis before Harry was born and every year I've always taken photos of Harry opening his present, with Dennis always there amongst the wrapping paper. Or trying to open the presents for Harry. Sadly we had to have Dennis put to sleep last year he was old and his kidneys were failing. He had monthly injections and had to take tablets every day for most of the last year of his life - he lived much longer than expected. We knew at some point we'd have to make the dreadful decision to say good bye but it didn't make it any easier when the time came. It still makes me cry thinking about it now.

Dennis was one of the family and we all still miss him!

What I like about New Zealand

Week 8 in New Zealand, it's almost feeling like home. I had so many emails since my last blog people sympathising with me, encouraging me and others telling me to get a grip or "pull yourself together you dozy mare". I also had some tips like listen to Radio one on-line, I never thought of that but that's exactly what i'm doing right now. The disappointing thing is Chris Moyles isn't on, its Vernon Kaye. Then another one saying look on the bright side, "you might not be able to share a bottle of wine with Jodie but at least you get the bottle to yourself" Good point! Thanks to everyone who sent me emails.

To balance out last times home sick post I thought I'd think about the things I like about living here:

I like not having to wear a coat in winter

I like that there are so many flowers and trees even though its winter

I like having the sea right across the road from my house

I like Kiwis (the people) - everyone is so friendly

I like seeing Pukeko's - strange birds that look funny when they run

I like living close to one of my best friends

I like the fact that the telly is so rubbish we hardly have it on.

I like paying less for petrol

I like seeing palm trees along the side of the road as I drive to work

I like the thought that this is winter but its almost as warm as the UK in summer

I like Hells Pizza

And I think when summer comes there'll be even more 'likes'!

Home Sick

New Zealand is a fantastic place, its got great beaches, amazing countryside, its clean, there are loads of sparrows and the people are so friendly but...I'm homesick!

I miss sharing a bottle of wine with Jodie

I miss having tea with my mum and dad on a Thursday

I miss having coffee, lunch and dinner with friends

I miss having my horoscopes read by Hayley each day at work

I miss my lovely friends at work

I miss seeing familiar faces when I'm walking in the shopping centres or down the street

I miss listening to Chris Moyles on the radio on the way to work

I miss chatting to friends at Harry's cricket match each week and I miss Carol and Graham's bacon sandwiches

I miss Sainsbury's, I know very sad of me but its hard work shopping here the brands aren't familiar, there isn't quite as much choice and it seems really expensive but I think thats because it looks more in dollars (there's approx $2.60 to a £1)!

In saying all that I am glad I'm here I think we will have a fantastic life here...but right now I just miss home!

Real life begins

Harry started school last week at Bucklands Beach Intermediate, all the staff at the school are so friendly. On his second day at school he was introduced to the assistant principal, whose orginally from Wakefield and has been in New Zealand for two years. They had a chat about familiar things from England, like local rugby and football teams.

So that just left me at home, the thought of being a lady of leisure appeals but in reality I think I'd just get lonely. So I signed up with a recruitment agency, Momentum. I did that on a Thursday, got an interview with New Zealand post on Monday for a two month contract and started work last Friday.

So the holiday is over. Well almost... last weekend the weather was fantastic, we had lunch at Pine Harbour, a beautiful place and views on the drive over there are amazine. On Sunday we played cricket, it was so hot (and this is winter) we were just in short sleeves. So life's not bad!

Dolphin Safari

It hasn't been all work whilst we've been here we've had time to do some fun things too...

Last week Harry and I went on a Dolphin and Whale Safari setting off from Auckland Harbour. It was a beautiful sunny day but with a chilly sea breeze, we spent most of the four and half hour boat ride sat at the front of the boat...it took us about two hours to thaw out when we got back.

The safari was run by Explore NZ on the day we sailed there was a 95% chance of seeing dolphins and a 75% chance of seeing whales, with the promise that if you didn't see any you would get a voucher for another trip.

We were out about 40 minutes before we spotted the first pod of dolphins. They swam alongside the boat for ages, we had a great view from the front of the boat. We saw another two pods of dolphins and some penguins but although one of the crew thought they saw a whale in the distance the rest of us didn't. That was a bit disappointing I've seen dolphins in the wild before but never a whale. But the captain of the boat gave us all a voucher for another trip because we hadn't seen any whales - so we get to take another trip out sometime soon.

Last Saturday Harry and Darren went to watch the All Blacks play Australia in the first match of the tri-nations, it was a sell out so they were lucky to get tickets. And the All Blacks won - our new team except when they're playing England!

A room with a view

I've finally found the perfect home - well almost perfect. After looking around lots of properties I was about to compromise on the area I wanted to live in and start looking in other areas. I thought one final look on trademe, the website kiwis use to advertise everything, just to check if there are any new listings...and there it was my dream house!

I rang the real estate agents to arrange to view it as soon as I could and fell in love. It has views to die for (see the pics). It's right on the waterfront looking over the sea and with just a glimpse of sky tower. After a little dance of joy I signed for it immediately. It was a little over budget but I was sure Darren wouldn't mind.

And now here I am sat looking out over the water. Our furniture is on its way from the UK so at the moment the house is very sparsely furnished and we're making use of cardboard boxes for a tv stand and coffee table. Hopefully our things should arrive on the 15 August so not too long to wait.

Although the house is lovely its not really made for the cold weather, no double glazing, no insulation and no central heating. We've spent our nights snuggled up under throws and hot water bottles in the beds. Its not for long though the winter isn't very long in New Zealand and certainly nothing like as cold.

So now we have the house I can enrol Harry into school when they re-open next week after the holidays. Another hurdle complete.

Next step a job for me...

I've got wheels!

We've been New Zealand residents for 12 days and things are going pretty well.

I've now got my own set of wheels (pictured at Eastern Beach) to get around with which has been really handy as I've spent the most of the week driving round looking at rental properties. I'm also getting used to the area a bit now but would have been lost without Emily - the sat nav. Driving is pretty much the same as in the UK except a really strange gave way rule, which has nearly caught me out I've been beeped at a couple of times. If you are turning left into a road and there is a car turning right, you have to give way to the car turning right - I keep forgetting!

Buying my car was very exciting we went to Turners car auction. It was a huge garage with hundreds of cars that you just looked around and could test drive if you wanted. I was looking for a practical economical family car - boring I know! After an hour every car looked the same, the ones I liked I was told were too old. The one I really liked a two seater red sports car, wasn't practical I was told.

So I had a short list of three a Honda, a Mazda and a Toyota to bid for, all automatics - most of the cars over here seem to be. I stood watching the bidding for other cars to pick up some tips, getting more and more nervous as it came nearer to the Honda. Harry and Helen went to the cafe to get coffees, I waved to them on their way back and nearly bought the wrong car.

Then it came to the Honda, someone else bid first at $7000.00, cool as a cucumber I gave a little nod to the auctioneer to make my bid. The bids went between me and the other buyer and I was getting close to the limit I'd set myself, the bid was with the other person at $9300.00 so I put in my last bid at $9500.00 and got the car! I was so nervous I couldn't sign the form my hands were shaking so much.

It was really good fun though and I got a bargain. Its not the sports car but it is a nice car for getting around. It took me a while to get used to driving an automatic, I would panic pulling up to the traffic lights thinking what do I need to do - nothing!

Next step now to get a house...

New Beginnings

We did it we finally made the move and here we are in New Zealand. We left a very sunny UK after lots of sad good byes and after a journey of 24 plus hours we arrived to a sunny winter's day in Auckland, about 14 degrees, not bad for winter.

I wan't quite sure what to expect at the immigration desk at Auckland airport, whether there would be lots of questions or additional paperwork but they just stamped our passports with a residents visa and let us in - no welcome party, no fanfares and fireworks, I was a bit disappointed. The welcome party was there for us though when we collected our luggage our friends Helen, Kenny and Laura were all there to meet us.

So since then its been a mixture of excitement, fear and sadness. And sleepy days and sleepless nights - jet lag has hit me hard. There's been lots to do though looking around schools for Harry, finding out where the local football and cricket clubs are, looking for a house and a car.

There's been time to think about what I miss about England or what's really different. But lots of things to make me realise why I've come - whales swimming by in the local bay, a walk on the beach today only five minute drive away and Hell's pizzas the best pizza in the world.

The final countdown!

It's my last day in the UK I leave at 9.00 pm tonight! My feet have never been colder I could quite easily change my mind. It's been a weekend of emotional good byes with the worst still to come.

On Thursday Anglo Pacific came to back up all my wordly goods, they should now be on the water on their way to New Zealand. The team who came to pack my house up were fantastic but were so quick, I daren't take my shoes off in case they packed them too.

Yesterday we cleared the rest of the house out with trips to the charity shop,friends and the rubbish tip. We had a bit of an upset when we cleared out the remains of the garage...our garden patio furniture is on its way to New Zealand but unfortunately the table legs were still in the garage. I'm hoping the people who come to visit will bring our table legs with them!

We had farewell drinks with friends and family on Friday, we had a really lovely evening old and new friends came along to wish us well. Good party atmosphere but with an emotional end.

Today Harry played is last game of cricket and did the team proud...retiring on 28 runs.

I'm spending the afternoon with close family drinking champagne and wondering if I cry at the airport will they be lenient on by luggage allowance...the baggage is way over weight.

So goodbye to all my very special friends,my wonderful family and England - next blog from down under!

A series of emotional events

Another busy week goes by and I've managed to tick off lots on my to do list but there's still more to do! It's been another up and down week, I can't believe how my feelings can change so much. One day I'm so so excited at the thought of starting a new life in a wonderful new country and thinking about all the opportunities its brings then the next day I'm in tears wondering what on earth I'm doing!

Last Saturday was Harry's Football Team presentation (Linthwaite JFC). Along with the usual presentation there was a little speech about us leaving and we were presented with some lovely gifts. Including some fantastic photos of Harry, Darren and the football team. There was no holding the tears back for me. We'll all really miss the football team and parents. We've become really good friends and had some really good times together including a football tour to Spain last year.

The next big emotional challenge for me is tomorrow...it's my leaving party at work. I've bought plenty of tissues ready for it.

If anyone was worried after reading the last blog post there's no need to... I've had texts from Jodie, she hasn't been eaten by a lion!!

The Car Boot Sale Experience

Its been a busy couple of weeks, I can't believe how much there is to do. I thought moving house was stressful but this is like moving house, starting a new job, preparing for a holiday, plus a whole lot more and I'm sure I'll forget something.

I decided to do a car boot sale last week to get rid of some of some of the clutter. What an experience that was. I filled the car on Saturday, really filled it there wasn't space for another thing. When I was putting things in I kept thinking no one will want this but I'll take it anyway...I was surprised what people bought!

So I set my alarm for 4.30 am on Sunday morning, a time I didn't think existed on Sunday! And set off to Halifax, arrived there about 5.15 and it was almost full at that time. I struggled to find a space for the car, thanks to Darren's parking skills we managed to squeeze in and trading began. There was about 10 people waiting as I emptied the car, grabbing things as soon as I put them down...a bit scarey I thought. Fortunately it was a lovely sunny day and business was brisk. So seven hours on after much haggling I packed the few things I still had left and set off back home £135 richer! If you are doing a car boot sale I can definitely recommend the one at Halifax loads of people go to it - but get there early. Find out more here... https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/business/markets/carboot-sales.html

So the garage is much emptier now and the sledge has gone! But there is still so much to do, I wish I could slow time down a little!

I woke up at about 4 this morning worrying! I'm not sure what was worrying me most all the things still to do or that Jodie has been eaten by a lion. Jodie and her husband Richard went to Kenya on Thursday on safari. Whenever she goes anywhere she always sends a text to tell me she's got there, and that she's enjoying a cocktail in the sun! Anyway I haven't heard anything from her yet I'm hoping that's because she can't get a phone signal and not that she's been eaten by a lion!

Kiwi gonna be

I've given my notice in at work today - how scarey. It took me a few attempts to do it and a few tears too. I've worked for my current employer for 22 years and 7 months - that's longer than I've been married!

So things are moving on I'm definitely going! It's been a week of highs and lows - excitement when New Zealand immigration said yes, but tears when I actually had to commit to a date to leave my family and friends. Tears and laughter when my friend, Helen, in New Zealand rang after she's found out we're definitely going to join her. But its done now notice at work given, flights booked. I leave the UK at 9.00 pm on 21 June 2009.

I think its going to be quite an emotional four weeks. Today I had my haircut for the last time by Julie my hairdresser of 15 plus years. Yesterday I went to my friend Anne-Marie's for tea for probably the last time. It is very sad but it also makes me appreciate things and people more. Sometimes we take for granted the things around us and these last few weeks are making me see things in a different light and value what and who is around me.

People say to me how lucky I am going to be going to live in such a great country with fantastic scenery. And I am lucky! But we have some fantastic scenery here too which I think because it's on our doorstep we don't always fully appreciate. I drive Harry to school sometimes (Colne Valley) and the scenery driving up there is fantastic...i don't think I've really appreciated it before!

Does this sound like I'm getting cold feet?! I'm not, I am really excited about going and we have very special friends in New Zealand but it is going to be a big wrench leaving the things that are familiar to me and the people that mean a lot to me.

Photo: Helen, me and Jodie(my daughter) - our last holiday in NZ

A Roller Coaster Day

It has been a day of ups and downs today. Last night we emailed the visa officer assigned to our case at New Zealand immigration with a gentle prompt to check out how our application was going. We got an out of office reply saying he was on holiday between 1 May and 1 June! Did this mean that our application has just sat waiting and not been dealt with? I think the stress of waiting has got to me... I had a little sulk, a cry and a bit of an outburst. I felt ready to say enough...I'm tired of living life in limbo!

But we've come too far now so we have forwarded our email to the contact person on the out of the office reply to see if we can find out what's happening. The wait goes on!

Then some good news, I found out that Gemma, someone I used to work with had given birth to a healthy baby boy. Very excited about that can't wait to go and visit them.

Not had a great day at work, there's some changes taking place which have made the place feel a bit gloomy, so back on a bit of a downer!

I was just ready to close down the computer at work and go home when my mobile rang and we've had a reply from New Zealand immigration - we're in! I didn't know if to laugh or cry so I did a bit of both.

So thats it a big life change ahead now I really have to face up to the fact that I'm moving to the other side of the world from my lovely daughter, Jodie, (although I'm hoping she won't be far behind us), my mum and dad who I think the world of and some very special friends. But it is a big adventure that I am really looking forward to.

Do we need the sledge?

The wait goes on for immigration to make a decision... although I noticed on the bank statement the cheque for our application has been cashed.

I've been feeling a bit worried because the longer it takes immigration to make the decision the less time we have to prepare for our move - if they say yes!. We have to be in New Zealand in the middle of June to take up the job offer. So it's going to end up being a mad rush!

I thought in preparation we could clear out the garage and get rid of as much clutter as we could. Some of the things in the garage were easy to get rid of - a broken camping table, a blind that doesn't fit any of the windows in the house and a bent parasol! I'm not quite sure why we have kept them so long. Anyway all cleared out now.

But then the decisions got harder...do we need the sledge? We've had the sledge for about 10 years and this winter was the first time its been used. If immigration say yes it might not get used again but I haven't thrown it away just in case!

Last Terriers Game

Andy Booth and Harry

My hubby, son and I are Huddersfield Town football fans. My son has been a season ticket holder since he was three. We decided as it could be our last game, we'd make the trip to London to see the Terriers (Huddersfield Town's nick name for those not in the know!) last game of the season at Leyton Orient.

Huddersfield had very kindly let my son, Harry be their mascot and lead the team out as it was possibly his last game - how exciting is that! I can't praise the footballers enough they were so friendly, signed his shirt and were just lovely. I'm not sure who was more star struck though me or him!

It was a good game the town fans were fantastic singing the whole way through the match. It ended in a 1 - 1 draw, which felt right nothing was riding on the game. It felt rather poignant possibly being our last game as it was also town legend - 'Sir' Andy Booth's last game. I felt a bit tearful really at the end and it started me thinking about the things I'll miss when/if we go to New Zealand!

The other highlight of our weekend in London was a trip to the new Wembley Stadium. What a fantastic Stadium it is and the tour guide, Chris, who took us round made it a great tour. Did you know... there are 2618 toilets in Wembley and the boxes cost £2.4million for 10 years! I can definitely recommend the tour to anyone visiting London.

Other than that London was busy, tiring, expensive but I still love it - but just for a weekend!

A Letter from NZ immigration

A letter from New Zealand immigration arrived today! Is this it - the decision I'm waiting for?! I'm almost too scared to open the letter, I'll just make a cup of tea first.

Opened the letter and... its just confirmation they have received our application. It will take them between 1 month and 3 months to make their decision. The waiting game goes on.

Another step closer to our dream

Its raining and I'm stuck in traffic, another miserable journey to work, I wonder how many more of these journeys I'll be making! After hours checking and double checking the New Zealand residency application form and gathering all the documents we need - its finally gone. Another step closer to our dream!

It seems to have taken forever to get this far. We decided we wanted to make New Zealand our new home in January 2008 so our first step was to put the house up for sale. Unfortunately the credit crunch kicked in and the housing market slumped - I did start to wonder if it was all to stop me achieving my dream!

Then just when we thought we would have to put our dream behind us we found a buyer for our house - dream back on!

Since then there's been form filling, a trip to New Zealand for one (not me!) on a job hunt, medicals, X-rays and police checks. But now we're almost there - I hope. I think I do anyway!