Where's Best to Live in NZ and what do we need to know: PART TWO!!!

[AngryBeaver]

Wow,have just gone to post and it wouldn't except it! So have had to start a new thread. Hope everyone finds it ok.I feel a bit like we've all been out for the night and somehow got seperated and no one has their mobile!!
Anyway,this was the question I've had to cut and paste from the old thread:...

Sorry,have had a quick look but can't see...has anyone used emirates?
I think the sky couch thing looks good,but we'd have to buy a couple and that would be pricey.
Dh reckons Emirates are fine,but I don't think he's anticipating how different it's going to be travelling that disatnce with 3 exhausted infants.
He has limited travel experience as it is and the longest he has been on a plane with them is 3 hours. He keeps saying it will be fine,they'll sleep for loads of it...somehow I'm thinking this will not happen!!

Ra?? - oops - mistype. DS3 hitting me just now.

Is the storm across both islands?

No storm up in Northland yet, it's just very quiet - bit too quiet maybe. According to the met office Northland should not be as bad as middles and lower North Island. Will be OK though, 2 days after we arrived last year cyclone Wilma hit Northland - we had no TV or internet connection and I was out on my first run in NZ dodging falling trees and branches.

sorry things are tense with your mum AB. At least she is not sleeping at your house and you can escape each other when you need to. My parents are arriving for their second visit in 4 weeks time and they insist on staying with us - DS sleeps on a camp bed in our room so Mum and Dad can have a room each so there is no escape!

Yep,it's hard going.Such a conflict of emotion,sooo glad to see her but so reticent,because I know there is so much that is going to be brought up.
Not sure about the storm,I just know there is a weather warning for most of the North.May never materialise,but fuck,it's miserable at the moment!
Would love some sun,everything seems better when the sun shines,doesn't it?!

shells you know the score!$8.99 on special in Coundown?? so bought A.LOT.I am going to have a very big headache tomorrow!

lolly,hope you survive the MIL,at least the FIL seems like he is being more positive,maybe he'll talk her round.

it's tough, isn't it AB, all the conflicting emotions. I have my parents here too at the moment. it's great, I love seeing them but they insist on constantly talking about the UK and calling and skyping back there every available evening, which is making me really homesick! plus my mum keeps talking about the possibility of me and DS going back to the UK which I can't do without a court order anyway (ex wouldn't consent) - it's very sweet but not helpful in terms of mentally staying settled in NZ.

anyway, excuse the rant. hope your mum feels better soon and starts to enjoy nz and hope your head isn't too sore tomorrow!

And to everyone, fingers crossed for the next twelve hours or so.

Hallo,scroobious ...headache not too bad today,but I stopped shy of 4 glasses,so was quite sensible.
That sounds a difficult situation re your ex,it needs a thread of it's own by the sounds of it! At least you have your family there,but yes,you do need help to settle mentally,if here is where you are staying.I take it you do want to stay and it's not just because ex would be an arse if you moved.
I am never homesick,tbh...just peoplesick..we are going to skype my gran in the carehome soon,that will be really hard.I am putting it off actually.Will have to muster the courage to do it.
It's reeeally windy in Cambridge so can only imagine what Welly is like today!Wouldn't fancy getting in your cable car!
Enjoy your parents

Sorry for the hijack AB, think i was just a bit tired last night. All good here today.

Are you guys OK in Cambridge? It's been pretty windy and rainy here all day, but the news from Taranaki suggests we've got off fairly lightly with just a few branches down in the garden.

Don't be daft!Glad you have got off ok there.We are ok too.Hope everyone else is.
Well,more drama...I have just got a fraught phonecall from my brother,my Gran has had a fall and has broken her hip. He wanted to speak to my Mum to get her conscent to operate. I told him he had MY conscent to operate,because what is the alternative??!Leave her with a broken hip?!
Mum is ill in bed and it is late,so I told him I would tell her in the morning.
What does he do?He rings Mum and tells her!
What can she possibly do at this time of night from the other side of the world?? So now she is in for another sleepless night.
And we are facing the possiblilty that, a few days after she gets here (and due to illness,we have hardly seen her)she will have to go home.
Gutted

Oh AB - what a total nightmare. Does your gran stay on her own or in a home?

She is in a care home,but will have to stay the week in hospital.Haven't spoken to her yet,but am fuming at my brother. He text me last night saying "I can't believe you think it's ok to ruin mums last holiday by telling her that you were emigrating,but I can't tell her that her Mother is in hospital?!"
I am so cross.Didn't sleep a wink last night.
Still,at least the sun is out!

What so you ruin her last holiday so he gets to ruin this one? . Does he think it's a competition or something?

Glad she's is a home though so if your mum does stay she has some care after hospital. What a stress for you.

Ugh,well we have been arguing all day.Apparantly, I have "fucked off for a better life so I have zero say in what happens at home". I tried to be civil but I'm afraid it descended into a sibling slanging match reminiscent of the teenage years.
Then Mum and I had it all out and it all came back up how I have hurt them all very deeply and I must realise this,they are working on it but it is very hard for them etc
What a day.Still I think we have cleared the air a bit.
The thing with Gran is,it's a care home,not a nursing home.So if she needs nursing care after she leaved hospital,she won't be allowed back to her own home as they do not nurse. Mum may end up having to go back to the UK to sort this out

Oh, AB, what a nightmare. I'm so sorry to hear about your gran, and all the drama too. That must be so worrying for you, and stressful. Just what you all didn't need. Hope your gran is doing OK.

Cheers,scroobious, yes,mucho mucho drama! The funny thing is,I slept so well last night,the best I have done since we got to NZ.I think it's because Mum and I cleared the end and came to a resolution of sorts.Also,maybe just because I know my mum is nearby.
Gran sounds like she is doing ok,although obviously it has knocked her sideways. She told her visitors that she hadn't had anything to eat,so visitors went to the nurse and said "AB's Gran is hungry,can we sort her out with some toast? She says she hasn't been fed today and it's after 2pm!" Nurse,was very apologetic and came back shortly with some toast,which Gran tucked in to.
Nurse then says "By the way I have just spoken to the other nurse,she has had soup,casserole and pudding today!" to which Gran replied in her lovely Scottish voicce "Och aye,that's right!" Always was a trouble maker,that one!

Sorry to hear about your gran AB. Must be really stressful for all. What does your mum think of NZ?

They both really love it.I think my step dad more so than mum.He loves all the flora and fauna,and the space.They think it's expensive though. Mum is off on a school trip to Mount Maunganui today.DD is beyond excited! Thank god it's going to be a nice day

That's good news anyway. Do you find it expensive here compared to the UK at the moment? I was shocked to see how much petrol costs there now. Although I never drove there so it's a bit academic. I do miss being able to bus everywhere I wanted to go.

£70 in diesel to fill up our car now. (wistful look) I remember when it was about £35 and a mars bar cost 18p.

I have spent 4 hours today in-between holding Velcro baby cleaning the oven in prep for the move. If I never see another Brillo.....

Been watching the exchange rate too ... Moving in the right direction thankfully - still not at all great.

Question - ds1&3 have eczema- persil non bio is good and seems not to aggravate it. What should I look for in NZ?

AB - glad your mum is going off to explore! also good you have cleared the air a bit. My mum will not discuss how she feels about us being here which is rather odd.

lolly - there are a fair amount of eco washing powders out here. I use Eco Store which does not irritate my skin. They do a whole host of other products like washing up liquid and shower gels too.

You can get persil non-bio here. I use it as I get eczema as well. Unfortunately the eco ones I've tried bring me out in eczema as well.

On another note - we are moving. It's been rather stressful and time consuming of late house hunting and selling but hopefully it all came together today. All being well we move on 20th April although in my brain fuddled state I have arranged to be in Wellington with work on 17th and 18th and have a full on day on the 19th. Can't get out of Wellington as flights are booked but desperately trying to get somebody to cover for me on the 19th! Panic panic.

Here is the house we have sold....www.bayleys.co.nz/331618

Sibble - NICE HOUSE - you have a pool (and sheep?).

AB - how is gran (and your mum?)

My mum - the saga - she's back in the UK living in a caravan in Devon(?!) waiting till the tenants move out of their original house which could be 3 months.

Northcote/Birkenhead - any thoughts? Very commutable (seemingly), affordable housing and my friend says Northcote College good.

Beautiful house Sibble. Are you shifting locations?

Sibble, stealth boast!! Beautiful veiws,ohh would love to look out at that as I sip my Lindauer and the sun sets! One day...!Hope you get some cover,I'm sure it will all work out in the end.
lolly Mum is much better,though still can't do too much. The sun really got to her dp today,I think.So he was very tired and they buggered off early (have been looking forward to a hand with tea,bath,bed...that hasn't happened yet)
Mum really enjoyed The Mount. She and step dad are goin to explore it one day without use! DH is also going to arrange a bonding day for him and dsd and book them a fishing boat in Tauranga. Dsd would love to try sea fishing apparantly (doesn't fish at all in the uk,so who knows!)
But...my Mum told me to brace myself re Gran,apparantly she is not improving as they had hoped and has to stay in hospital.There is a real chance they will have to go back

lolly,wt actual f ?! What is going on with your mum?! Do you ever ask her why all the to-ing and fro-ing and if you do,does she give you a straight answer?!! That is pretty shocking.How many times has she come and gone now?

lolly- where is your mum's cat? how many days till you fly?

Big game fishing in Tauranga - one if the main reasons DH wants to come. His friend in Tauranga has just bought a boat and he's very excited.

Fly Friday 16th. The neighbour has just been round with her daughter's address in Auckland and she flys the week after so I'll meet her on the other side for a cuppa which will be bizarre.

My mum is a story - a story I never quite get to the bottom of. The cat is back in Devon in the caravan. They've been 3 times in 2 years -4 weeks, 6 months and 8 weeks. My mum seems upbeat though despite loving NZ - the visa has expired so I think she's a bit relieved that they can't keep this back forwards business going on. You couldn't write it to be honest.

DH just called his mum this am - big tears saying she thought she'd see her DGCs grow up, etc. We have our last weekend there again this weekend and we're both dreading it to be honest. If I could get on the plane tonight I would.

Wow,it's expensive though,the game fishing! Took mum and dp into Hamilton (or Hamil-hole as the air stewardess called)...they were completely u nderwhelmed..and I can't say I blame them.It really is depressing