Two and a half weeks in...

[Mamee & Co]

Because I missed the two week mark, as I was having fun at the weekend.

We are still in temporary furnished accomodation out in Ohoka. It is a really nice flat if you are waiting for a container and has given us the chance to live "normally" almost while waiting for our container. We have also spent much of the last ten days looking around Christchurch.

We had liked Sumner the first day we had seen it, and just nipped into one of the property managers there to see what was available, given that we have a dog and cat in tow!)

They offered to show us two properties, but we asked if we could wait and see them the next week as we were still looking so they made an appointment for us and we went on our way.

We went back on Monday this week, with small dog in tow, because there was no guarantee for pets in one of the rentals (it was actually advertised as no pets). The first one we saw from outside which was beautiful, but had a high rent and we were quite relieved when the lady came and told us it had already been taken as we were trying to work out ways of stretching our budget.

We went to see the second and fell in love with it. Brick built, up the hill, view over the shore, big enough for us and to store our stuff when it arrives for the meantime. The boys loved it too. Just the question of the pets..

We also visited the school and were lucky enough, even though it was holiday, to meet the deputy head who showed us around, and the boys loved it (well at least the playpark in it..C has decided NZ schools are better than Scottish ones on that alone, then he saw the little outdoor pool..)

We heard that the owner would let us have pets and so signed the application yesterday and got the OK today...so sign the contract tomorrow.

Have met up with Peebles16 and benandclare this week and it was great to chat to people about the country and their different experiences. They were so kind and hospitable to us too.

The boys reckon that the food tastes good, the beaches are great, the playparks for kids their age are fantastic...no obvious H&S worrying about being sued here.

Been chatting with recruiters and sent off a few apps. Reasonable feed back although the market, I am being told, is quiet here at the moment compared to normal in my field. We will see what comes of it and enjoy the rest and vacation feel in the meantime.

At the weekend we drove to Arthurs Pass and really enjoyed meeting the keas, listening to stones on the ice etc. What surprised us most was how many people were out, having picnics and fun...most unlike a winter in our previous neck of the woods. I think, though, that the sunshine we have seen most days has a moodlifting spirit. It is not too cold, apart from first thing in the morning and you can get outside and enjoy yourself.

So far we are still very much in a honeymoon period. I have had occasional moments of disorientation and still can't at times believe I am here for good, but not because of here, just because you go home when a holiday is over and that is still how it feels.

[sophiedb]

Sounds fantastic!!

[benandclare]

Good to meet you guys too

[Manks]

Glad you're having a good time exploring and congrats on the house must be a relief. Hope something successful occurs in the job hunt soon too.

[peebles16]

Great to catch up too and our boys are already talking about when they are next catching up with your pair - on a beach apparently

Good luck with the job hunt

Karenx

[Shones]

Good for you!!
We really liked Sumner when we visited so well done on getting the accommodation sorted out so fast (and sounds like you had to visit far fewer properties than many forumites to find the right place).
Things are slowly falling into place so glad you're managing to take things at a healthy pace and not worry - the job will come in its own good time - you've worked long and hard to get here so enjoy the "vacation".

[SueDonim]

Sounds like you are getting a lot done and staying unstressed. Fantastic. Hope the job comes through soon.

[mattandjax]

well done! its all coming together. it will feel more like home and less of a holiday when you get your container and all your worldly goods around you.
good luck on the job hunting
j

[GreenMeansGo]

Glad to hear you're all doing so well...

[Aquarian]

Good on Ya!