I wasn't sure if I'd write a "2 year's in" post, but if you're reading this, then the Marlborough sav got the better of me!
I feel a bit guilty for not having written a 6 month or a 1 year post..... but .... here we are at 2 years.
I suppose, this site was a victim of it's own success! I've been really busy with work and friends and all sorts of social activities that would not have occurred to the person I was in the UK.
The key pieces of advice that have shaped my life came from veterans on this website:
Accept every invitation for the first year
Feel free to decline invitations in the second year
Other comfort came from people going through the trauma at the same time. Advice about shipping, banking, shopping, texting, etc was taken on board and helped greatly to ease the stress involved with leaving the familiar.
In short... I love my life in New Zealand. I miss my family from time to time. I hope they will all visit. I realise that only some of them can. I will enjoy these visits all the more for that!