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!