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!!

Have you been to Hamilton Gardens with them yet AB? Really great place, in a rather odd town. great place for children to run around mid way through very long car journeys!

Hang in there lolly. Only 7 days and you'll be here. I loathed goodbyes. Would rather have slunk off on our own than have people take us to the airport. I think of it as the same as taking a plaster off- slow is more painful, short and sharp is easier.

I've heard fab things about Hamilton Zoo btw AB. How is your granny?

Dh is from Hamilton, the zoo, lake and gardens are all good and trust me whatever you think of Hamilton now it's a happening place compared to when I first visited 15 years ago! Or The Tron as dh refers to it

We haven't gone to the gardens yet.It is really lovely there though and will def go.We have a family pass to the zoo,it's also great.
However,Hamilton itself?hmmmmmmm,not wonderful is it?
Rather depressing actually. Bit gutted that there is no nice shopping centres near us. I think it would have to be a trip to Aukland...and that is a bit of a trek.
Mum and dsd were a bit suprised I think.There was a nicer street behind the main one,but on the whole it's dire. Needs lots of investment.
I hope,sibble that over the next 15 years it improves lots!!

Have you been to the Base yet AB? Quite a good shopping mall by NZ standards. Most NZ shopping malls are pretty alike. Shopping in Auckland CBD is pretty rubbish, but lots of nice shops in Newmarket - they even have a Early Learning Centre there to my amazement. Devonport has nice little shops too and an English Grocers shop for my favourite fig rolls

Yep,been to the base.It's ok.Quite small though. I suppose I don't mean I'd like a mall,as such,but a nice city to walk around and shop,have lunch/coffee/look at the architecture etc. There are a lot of run down buildings/empty shops in Hamilton. And seemed to be a lot of people who looked...(I have to be careful with my wording)...like they were poverty stricken? It was just a pretty depressing visit.
I did find an indoor shopping precinct which was obviously new and that was pretty nice,it's just you know it's grim outside!
Wellington looks amazing,pity it's so far away.I'll definitley visit one day,though. I met a boy from Welly who had come to Hamlton Uni,and he thought the weather here was much better!He was loving it!
Not sure where Newmarket is...is it a suberb of Aukland?
Been meaning to ask,is shit not a swear word here? I hear it on the radio and our neighbours say it in front of the kids.

If I go to Devonport I'll get you some fig rolls (bleurgh!)

Fig rolls in Devonport -DH will be pleased.

So I'm currently on a train flying round the north east. Just said bye to SIL and niece . On my way to see bro again who is on call in the hospital.

Had night in last night with best friends last night and said those goodbye. Barely in the in laws but FIL now being positive (hurrah). Only took other SIL 5 minutes though to have a side swipe and I had to get out. Have to spend this pm with her so who knows how we'll go. She's obviously very cross with us.

And wait for it....... Just got email from DM. She flys back into Auckland on 27th. They made a mistake apparently-the caravan in Devon is crap. God knows what visa they're on - think it may be a holiday whilst he looks for another job but she will be about to help in the first few weeks which will be useful.

Ooo celeb spot. I'm on a train with nick clegg and Danny Alexander!!

oh.my.actual.god. lolly ! what is your mum like?! Anyway,at least she'll be there to help you with the kids,which will be a major bonus.
The goodbyes are very tough,I hate thinking about them. Alot of genuine feelings there and not all of them positive. Some people can be so bitter. SIL,sounds like she may fall into that category?
Did you say hello to Nick Clegg?!

Lolly- the poor cat! Did you know our cat's flight cost more than mine and DH's combined? Can you adopt it? Can I adopt it? (Can't really as my old lady does not mix well.) Do you know if your mum or her DP is driving the ping ponging?

AB- I like Sylvia Park for shopping. It has a new bit with a mothercare, freedom and nood. Also Newmarket (a bit of Auckland about 15 mins by bus from the CBD) if I am kid free.

The cats not flying out yet apparently. Waiting for a blood test and then coming out later but can you bring a cat for a holiday? She's actually emailed again to say she now arrives on the 20th.

So were back home now and kids in bed. Totally drained from all the goodbyes and crying at the station. FIL is giving up sky package to save for trip out but MIL is not prepared to give up the £800 annual Botox injections apparently and still said again tonight they'd never see us again as they couldn't afford to come. Botox/grandkids?? Tough choice really isn't it.

Yeah for FIL. That's a great attitude. The evil bit of me would start talking about when he comes to visit as soon as you get here but not mention MIL. Do you think she might be scared of the journey? Or enjoying some added drama?

The weather here is a bit shite but fairly warm. Bring an umbrella!

what is your mum like Lolly? The poor old cat .... And your MIL, £800 a year for botox???? Flights out to NZ are not hugely expensive, if she's got spare money sloshing around for botox she can afford a flight to NZ - if she really wants to that is. I expect your SIL is just jealous.

What I have found about moving to the other side of the planet is that you do find out who your real friends are. some people who you thought would keep in touch, have never been in touch since we moved - that includes certain members of DH's family!

Littlest - I think you may be right about the journey and a general sacredness. NY is happening this year and it's taken FIL 3 years to get her to agree to it. I know she's scared as the first thing she says when you mention it is 'i'm not going on the underground. NY will be the furthest she's been and I also don't think she wants to leave SIL for more than a week. She's very much a homebird,

However DB who has always been desperate to work a couple of years in NZ or OZ is starting to grow a pair. He has to take a year elsewhere with his work (fellowship) and although I thought it was out of question due to SIL, he was saying yesterday he's quite adamant he wants to come so he's sewing the seed with her. He saw a great job in Auckland last year apparently and she flatly said no but as he's now going to be breadwinner due to DN just arriving, he may have a bit more say.

Shit weather is all I know. I only possess variants of black wool to be honest in my wardrobe and I'm a bit scared on the clothes front. The sun came out today in the north east and it was a great novelty. The kids went in the garden which just doesn't happen here.

Ps - mum and the backwards/forwards. I think to date he's been leading it but now we have the visas I think it could be her this time. He's got a big wanderlust issue - since she met him they've moved alot round UK. She's well meaning but getting more and more eccentric as she gets older. I had a very liberal upbringing should we say after my dad left when I was little - I'll never walking up the drive age 17 on a Sunday morning in my knee high boots and mum asked 'oh have you been out dear?'. I'd actually left on Friday night for a night out and she'd not even noticed I'd been missing all weekend

My parents are pretty well travelled these days but I'm always surprised how dependant they are when they visit. Both they and my IL's won't order a coffee if we are there to do it for them. It's okay with mine cos they go off around NZ while they are here. But IL's don't leave the house without us the whole visit and I find that very difficult- not to mention expensive! I think older people just find it much harder being out of their comfort zones. Maybe just don't give her the choice. Work with FIL and tell her she IS coming.

Don't worry about clothes. But if you have time stock up on your M and S socks and pants!

Can I gate crash the chat please? Just wanted to say hello. Moved to Auckland from UK in July 2011. Hadn't realised there were more MNers here! Some of your comments about relatives' reactions ring so true!

Where abouts are you Homebird?

Welcome Homebird8. Let us know where you settled.

Things are never simple. Ds3 sick and ended up in hospital latest night cos struggling with breathing. Didn't get home till 3am. Knackered and the stress of the packing is full on. Packers are in tomorrow. Dh has gone to bed and it's only 5pm.

Ps - littlest - how is DD doing btw?

lollystix hang in there. Not long until you are on the plane and the adventure starts. I know I breathed a sigh once I was on board (I also cried all the way to Singapore with ds1) but that's another story.

Homebird8 welcome.

Sorry to hear about the extra stress lolly. Hope DS is okay.

DD is doing really well. Physically she is fine but has been quite clingy- which is not really like her. And I should be toilet training her again but haven't quite gotten round to it. We see the surgeon next week. If he says she needs another op I will be sobbing in his office!

I remember looking forward to the flight as I'd be able to get some rest!

Bye bye container - house stress over

At the Doctors now to beg for more steroids for DS3 to get us through the flight and then quick tea with my dad and step mum before spending my last night in the glamourous premier inn.

Leaving Scotland at 6.30am tomorrow and be with you ladies just before midnight on Saturday.

Wish me luck for the flight - it's going to be eventful/noisy/chaotic I'm sure.

lolly - good luck and if all else fails remember it's only 24 hours of your long life and you are never likely to see anybody else on the flight again my mantra.....