Four weeks tomorrow we are emigrating to the other side of the world.
We will be leaving behind everything we have ever known to go and live in a country we've never even visited. Dave has never flown before and the furthest I've been is Austria. And the flights are a combination of about 28 hours. What the hell are we doing????????
And there's the small matter of the house still being on the market. We can't rent it out as by the time we've paid all the fees we would be making a loss - so we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed that we get a sale soon.
Our farewell tour started at Nantwich - the last major muster of the year, where I said goodbye to friends that I have known for over 13 years.
Two weeks ago, Blews had a big party at Chirk, the last proper muster of the season, and we had a really good night. But it was really sad leaving a muster and having no idea when we will see everyone again - and with a pretty much empty car having sold most of our kit and camping stuff.
I've sold a lot of our books and some videos/dvds through amazon, so that will help with the relocation fund.
Lou's friend Marianne is buying a load of our furniture so that's one less thing to worry about. The only item of furniture that is coming with us is Nana's table - which will cost more than all the boxes to ship even tho it's only about the size of two of them and quite light, but I want it for sentimental reasons, so I'm prepared to pay the extra.
So mostly we're shipping personal stuff - letters, photos, mementoes, nick nacks, cds and dvds.
I can't believe that in four weeks time my whole world is going to be turned upside down - and I don't even know where to buy milk and bread from. It sounds stupid, but you take for granted that you know that it's cheaper to food shop at Asda that Marks & Spencer, and get clothes from Top Shop rather than Saville Row - I have no freaking idea about stuff like that - it's going to be a big learning curve.
Of all the places I have lived in my life, there is none I will be happier to see the back of than Kirkby in Ashfield!!!!!
Friday, 28 December 2007
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Non-alcoholic aftershocks
Well it's now just over 48 hours since the main quake and so far we have had three aftershocks. Two yesterday morning (although I didn't feel them as I stayed up until about half three a.m. Friday morning so I think I was out of it when they happened), and one this morning which I definitely did feel.
The only thing I can liken the aftermath of an earthquake to is travelling on a ferry on a rough crossing, and when you get of the boat you still fill like you're going up and down - only in this case you feel like you're going side to side at the same time.
For all the jokes and jests that have been made, I'm scared. I hope that the worst of it is over, but everytime there's a loud noise I'm petrified it's a new quake coming. I know there's nothing I can do about it, but that's what makes it more scary - it's completely out of my hands and all I can do is pray it's not my time. I know that probably sounds morbid, but we're thousands of miles away from all the people we care about, miles away from everything that is familiar, in an area we are still getting to know, and damnit, it's bloody scary. I'm just thankful that for the main one we were with people that had experienced a quake before otherwise I think I would have lost it.
I'm trying to be philosophical and tell myself that flooding and storms and such like happen in the UK, and thousands of people have been affected through things like that - and considering the magnitude of the quake - we were lucky - the whole town was lucky that it received comparatively little damage in comparison to the strength. But unfortunately, that doesn't make it any less scary when it happens.
I also read in the local paper today - which amazingly is still printing - even though it's in the Central Business District that shed loads of lion's mane jelly fish have washed up on the shore in the last few days as well, so I think my Christmas day paddle/swim is definitely postponed!
But it has been wonderful to read about how local people have pitched in. Diners in restaurants that were hit badly had loads of people that had evacuated turn up the next morning to help tidy up, the library had 80,000 odd books hoofed off the shelves as well as structural damage - and again, loads of people turned up to help with the clean up - that's only a few examples that made it into the paper.
A lot of the shops managed to open today - the damage is more obvious in some than others, but sadly some of the oldest buildings in Gisborne (positively young compared to UK buildings, but even so) have been badly damaged and may have to be pulled down completely.
We were so lucky the quake wasn't further inshore, or strong enough to cause a tsunami - but the experience was bad enough. It's a hard time of the year for some anyway, but I can't even begin to imagine what it is like for those who are displaced from their homes. I'm not trying to be sanctimonious - but we all think it will never happen to us. But sometimes it does, so if you get a minute over the next few days, send a thought/prayer to who or whatever you feel looks after us all (or if you don't believe in anything send them your best wishes) for those people.
If I don't post before then I'll wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas, and we don't say it often enough, so we both love you and thank you for being our friends and family.
Soppy bit over, I'm going to try and persuade myself that armageddon is not coming and that it okay to go to sleep.
Night all.
The only thing I can liken the aftermath of an earthquake to is travelling on a ferry on a rough crossing, and when you get of the boat you still fill like you're going up and down - only in this case you feel like you're going side to side at the same time.
For all the jokes and jests that have been made, I'm scared. I hope that the worst of it is over, but everytime there's a loud noise I'm petrified it's a new quake coming. I know there's nothing I can do about it, but that's what makes it more scary - it's completely out of my hands and all I can do is pray it's not my time. I know that probably sounds morbid, but we're thousands of miles away from all the people we care about, miles away from everything that is familiar, in an area we are still getting to know, and damnit, it's bloody scary. I'm just thankful that for the main one we were with people that had experienced a quake before otherwise I think I would have lost it.
I'm trying to be philosophical and tell myself that flooding and storms and such like happen in the UK, and thousands of people have been affected through things like that - and considering the magnitude of the quake - we were lucky - the whole town was lucky that it received comparatively little damage in comparison to the strength. But unfortunately, that doesn't make it any less scary when it happens.
I also read in the local paper today - which amazingly is still printing - even though it's in the Central Business District that shed loads of lion's mane jelly fish have washed up on the shore in the last few days as well, so I think my Christmas day paddle/swim is definitely postponed!
But it has been wonderful to read about how local people have pitched in. Diners in restaurants that were hit badly had loads of people that had evacuated turn up the next morning to help tidy up, the library had 80,000 odd books hoofed off the shelves as well as structural damage - and again, loads of people turned up to help with the clean up - that's only a few examples that made it into the paper.
A lot of the shops managed to open today - the damage is more obvious in some than others, but sadly some of the oldest buildings in Gisborne (positively young compared to UK buildings, but even so) have been badly damaged and may have to be pulled down completely.
We were so lucky the quake wasn't further inshore, or strong enough to cause a tsunami - but the experience was bad enough. It's a hard time of the year for some anyway, but I can't even begin to imagine what it is like for those who are displaced from their homes. I'm not trying to be sanctimonious - but we all think it will never happen to us. But sometimes it does, so if you get a minute over the next few days, send a thought/prayer to who or whatever you feel looks after us all (or if you don't believe in anything send them your best wishes) for those people.
If I don't post before then I'll wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas, and we don't say it often enough, so we both love you and thank you for being our friends and family.
Soppy bit over, I'm going to try and persuade myself that armageddon is not coming and that it okay to go to sleep.
Night all.
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Shaking all over
Just a quick post to let you know that we had an earthquake in Gisborne this evening - 20th December 2007 - about an hour and a half ago to be precise (about 8.55pm). It was 6.8 on the Richter scale so I don't know if it will make the news, but we're ok, and as far as we can see in the dark the house is ok as well. Power has been back on about half an hour, but we're ok apart from a stinking headache (shock I think). I'm now paranoid about going to bed, but apparently that's the biggest earthquake they have had in several decades - so hopefully it won't be happening again any time soon.
Anyway, we're ok, but if you can't get hold of us over the next few days, it may be cos there are repairs going on out here, so don't panic.
Anyway, we're ok, but if you can't get hold of us over the next few days, it may be cos there are repairs going on out here, so don't panic.
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
It's raining, it's pouring!
Well to cheer you folks in Blighty up, it has been absolutely peeing it down for the last twenty four hours and isn't forecast to stop for any length of time for a few days - so you may have a cold Christmas and we may be having a wet Christmas (safety tips on barbequing inside anyone? JOKE!)
We went to a carol concert on Sunday night which was just surreal - summer's evening sat on a rug in shorts and t-shirt singing carols - bizzare!
I keep playing carols at home to try and remind myself that it is less that a week 'til Christmas, but it's not sinking in yet.
The good news is that having had a couple of companies being interested, but not being quick off the mark with interviews, I was offered the job that I was interviewed for last week, to start in the New Year, which is good as there are still bills to pay in the UK as the house sale hasn't gone through yet - keep getting told that there are no problems, it's just the mortgage company for the purchasers has a backlog and only works two days a week, but it's still slightly disconcerting that things haven't completed yet. This will be the first time in my working life that I won't spend anything on commuting - it's ten mins walk down the road.
It's going to be strange not seeing everyone at Christmas this year, although we'll try and catch up with as many people as possible via email/messenger/skype/carrier pigeon as possible.
We went to Napier at the weekend and went to Marineland - which sounds impressive, but it's not, but I did get to hold a penguin and have my photo taken so that was quite groovy.
There is the option to swim with their one dolphin, but you're basically only allowed in their tank, you're not allowed to touch it, so I figured that I would rather wait and swim with them in the wild. That may be a late Christmas present with my first pay check.
We've been invited to a big Maori family gathering between Christmas and New Year, so I'm looking forward to that and intimidated by it in equal measures - there will be about 50 of one of Dave's colleagues family there - no pressure!
Hope that you're all keeping well and that the cold isn't causing too many problems.
Get emailing, people!!!!!!
We went to a carol concert on Sunday night which was just surreal - summer's evening sat on a rug in shorts and t-shirt singing carols - bizzare!
I keep playing carols at home to try and remind myself that it is less that a week 'til Christmas, but it's not sinking in yet.
The good news is that having had a couple of companies being interested, but not being quick off the mark with interviews, I was offered the job that I was interviewed for last week, to start in the New Year, which is good as there are still bills to pay in the UK as the house sale hasn't gone through yet - keep getting told that there are no problems, it's just the mortgage company for the purchasers has a backlog and only works two days a week, but it's still slightly disconcerting that things haven't completed yet. This will be the first time in my working life that I won't spend anything on commuting - it's ten mins walk down the road.
It's going to be strange not seeing everyone at Christmas this year, although we'll try and catch up with as many people as possible via email/messenger/skype/carrier pigeon as possible.
We went to Napier at the weekend and went to Marineland - which sounds impressive, but it's not, but I did get to hold a penguin and have my photo taken so that was quite groovy.
There is the option to swim with their one dolphin, but you're basically only allowed in their tank, you're not allowed to touch it, so I figured that I would rather wait and swim with them in the wild. That may be a late Christmas present with my first pay check.
We've been invited to a big Maori family gathering between Christmas and New Year, so I'm looking forward to that and intimidated by it in equal measures - there will be about 50 of one of Dave's colleagues family there - no pressure!
Hope that you're all keeping well and that the cold isn't causing too many problems.
Get emailing, people!!!!!!
Sunday, 16 December 2007
Kiwi Lyrics
Heard these this evening and they made me smile so I thought I would share them:
Quick Translation - Ute: Utility vehicle (truck), Singlet - sleeveless t shirt, Thongs - (also known as Jandles) - flip flops
Kiwi Jingle Bells
Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust, Turkey in the boot,
Kids are by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It's Summer time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in New Zealand on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Engine's getting hot; We better stop for ice
Put it in the chiller to keep the beer just nice.
All the family's here, sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Kiwi way, by the barbecue.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in New Zealand on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce, are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes 'round to go, we take the family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing up.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in New Zealand on a scorching summers day,
Hey!Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Quick Translation - Ute: Utility vehicle (truck), Singlet - sleeveless t shirt, Thongs - (also known as Jandles) - flip flops
Kiwi Jingle Bells
Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust, Turkey in the boot,
Kids are by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It's Summer time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in New Zealand on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Engine's getting hot; We better stop for ice
Put it in the chiller to keep the beer just nice.
All the family's here, sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Kiwi way, by the barbecue.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in New Zealand on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce, are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes 'round to go, we take the family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing up.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in New Zealand on a scorching summers day,
Hey!Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Saturday, 1 December 2007
It's all back to front, can we have Christmas in June please?
Here's some pics of dave learning to control the kite on Wednesday (when, incidentally it was absolutely blowing a gale and peeing it down - just to make you feel better)
We'll it's the first of December here and I feel about as festive as a calippo ice cream (and you can't get them out here - sob!). It just doesn't feel right it being hot in December! I think we might have to have a second Christmas in June so that we can eat all the Christmassy things - and see some frost at the very least! - Well, the queen has two birthdays!
Sadly, I don't think our stuff is going to be here for Christmas which is sad because all our pictures, photos etc are in there, together with our Christmas decorations.
Apparently they have competitions out here to see who can decorate their house the most and the money goes to charity, so that's quite good.
They seem to be quite into supporting charities out here, which is cool - Breast cancer month is really well publicised out here, with loads of special things on sale - and they have "Movember" which is when, for the whole of November men grow moustaches and then have them shaved off at the end of the month to raise money for male cancers. Everyone I've seen seems to favour the "Gringo" moustache which has been quite funny to see!
Dave has been learning to kite surf - I was going to have a go too, but seeing how much he got hoofed around, just learning on land, I think I'll give it a miss other wise me and the hospital might be getting re-aquainted! Have put a few pics on - although it's quite difficult to get a close up and get both Dave and the kite in at the same time.
Think I will have to stick to normal surfing, certainly until my back's a bit stronger, but to be fair I'm a happy bunny just arsing around on boogie board - caught one wave just right on Sunday and went all the way into the shallows. Also, caught a wave wrong, got tipped forwards and got smacked on the head with my board, so that was quite funny (well it wasn't at the time as I was snorting sea water, but it must have looked quite amusing.) Yes, I know, it's so unlike me to have silly accidents :)
There are so many things that I want to have a go at, but will have to wait a bit as they all cost money and we've still got things to buy for the house - but that's okay, we've got plenty of time.
Went we went to Midway beach last weekend I saw some people horse trekking on the beach, which is something I've always wanted to do, so will have to give that a go.
Today there is a small gypsy fair in town, so will have to go & have a look up there as the first one we went to had such beautifu stuff there. There is also a Christmas parade, so I think we're going to meet up with Jo from Dave's work as she is going with her kids (also makes us look less stupid if it's a purely kids thing!)
The one thing about Gisborne is that is doesn't really have a centre, because there it's a block system, there's the main road, Gladstone Road, which runs through the middle, but there's no centre as such. There's the clock, which is kind of in the middle of the town, but traffic goes through there, so I don't know if they have a big Christmas tree up anyway - saw one on a roof of a shop, but that's it.
Apparently the population of Gisborne doubles over Christmas and New year -everyone comes for the beaches and because it's the first "city" to see the new year. There is a massive event called Rhythm & Vines at new year, where you pay for a ticket and you get transported around all the vineyards in the area, and there's a big music festival at one of the vineyards in the evening - sounds good to me, think we are going to go.
It's strange seeing the different shop opening hours - most shops are only open til about 2pm on Saturday, but then big places like the warehouse are open 8am-8pm seven days a week - so no sunday trading hours.
Any after a day of on and off heavy showers yesterday (yes, I know, you're all feeling so sorry for us!), I'm going to make the most of the sunshine today, so I will write more later.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Waiting for my real life to begin........
Yes, I've been watching Scrubs! That's what it feels like at the moment - I'm kind of in limbo land - I'm not on holiday but I'm not working, I'm not going anywhere that's not on foot or by bike, and it's all a bit surreal at the moment.
Last night was the Fulton Hogan Christmas bash - was a bit stilted, but got talking to a couple of people so it wasn't too bad. Got talking to one of the engineer's wives - they moved here from the UK three years ago, so we were talking about the cultural changes and missing home etc. It was nice to talk to someone else that has been through the same process, but I'm slightly concerned to hear that some of their stuff was broken when it arrived :( I bubble wrapped everything within an inch of it's life, so I'm hoping it's ok, but customs have a waiver that says that they don't have to repack things exactly the same if they inspect your stuff - so please everyone keep your fingers crossed for our breakables!
I'm looking for admin work (yawn) now that my disc in my neck appears to be back where it should be - but I spose it will bring some money in which will go towards paying bills in the UK. Registered with a couple of agencies on Friday, and there are four (gasp!) admin vacancies in the paper this week, so those will be looked into. Job hunting is the point where you definitely don't want to be convert dollars back into pounds - it's likely that I'll get a comparative salary to when I had a couple of years experience (sob!). Just have to keep telling myself that the cost of living is cheaper etc etc but it's a bit depressing!!!!!
The one thing that my Dad will be pleased to hear is that I'm getting plenty of sea air, and walking every day, and have the bedtimes to show for it! Because it gets light so early, it starts to warm up so you can't stay in bed much beyond half seven, which is useful at times as it means that we can skype and messenger the UK without it being a ridiculous time, but it means that by about half nine p.m I'm absolutely yawning my head off!
Speaking of which, I hear painkillers and bed calling me.
night y'all
Waiting for my real life to begin - Colin Hay
Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll stand on the bow
And feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down, down, down on me
And you said,"Be still, my love, open up your heart
Let the light shine in
"Don't you understand? I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
When I awoke today suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path
And up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my own footsteps once again
And you say,"Just be here now, forget about the past
Your mask is wearing thin
"Let me throw one more dice, I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine
There's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon
It's just that times are lean
And you say,"Be still, my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
"Don't you understand? I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Hey..............
On a clear day, I can see, see for a long way
On a clear day, I can see, see a very long way
Last night was the Fulton Hogan Christmas bash - was a bit stilted, but got talking to a couple of people so it wasn't too bad. Got talking to one of the engineer's wives - they moved here from the UK three years ago, so we were talking about the cultural changes and missing home etc. It was nice to talk to someone else that has been through the same process, but I'm slightly concerned to hear that some of their stuff was broken when it arrived :( I bubble wrapped everything within an inch of it's life, so I'm hoping it's ok, but customs have a waiver that says that they don't have to repack things exactly the same if they inspect your stuff - so please everyone keep your fingers crossed for our breakables!
I'm looking for admin work (yawn) now that my disc in my neck appears to be back where it should be - but I spose it will bring some money in which will go towards paying bills in the UK. Registered with a couple of agencies on Friday, and there are four (gasp!) admin vacancies in the paper this week, so those will be looked into. Job hunting is the point where you definitely don't want to be convert dollars back into pounds - it's likely that I'll get a comparative salary to when I had a couple of years experience (sob!). Just have to keep telling myself that the cost of living is cheaper etc etc but it's a bit depressing!!!!!
The one thing that my Dad will be pleased to hear is that I'm getting plenty of sea air, and walking every day, and have the bedtimes to show for it! Because it gets light so early, it starts to warm up so you can't stay in bed much beyond half seven, which is useful at times as it means that we can skype and messenger the UK without it being a ridiculous time, but it means that by about half nine p.m I'm absolutely yawning my head off!
Speaking of which, I hear painkillers and bed calling me.
night y'all
Waiting for my real life to begin - Colin Hay
Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll stand on the bow
And feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down, down, down on me
And you said,"Be still, my love, open up your heart
Let the light shine in
"Don't you understand? I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
When I awoke today suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path
And up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my own footsteps once again
And you say,"Just be here now, forget about the past
Your mask is wearing thin
"Let me throw one more dice, I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine
There's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon
It's just that times are lean
And you say,"Be still, my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
"Don't you understand? I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Hey..............
On a clear day, I can see, see for a long way
On a clear day, I can see, see a very long way
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Thursday, 15 November 2007
A few pictures
Kelvin Park by the Taruheru River, Gisborne
Views from Highway 2, Wharerata forest, heading towards Morere
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Hooray for Physiotherapists
Well, Friday we found out that the landlord of the house we were going to rent wants $1000 dollars off us for lost rental - he sent a letter to Dave's boss. (hmm, lethal electrics - does that constitute being fit to rent? - I think not!) - Dave is going to meet up with him on Monday. Maybe we were just too polite when we told him we didn't want the house - maybe if we had said it's a sh*t tip and unsafe, he might not have been so shocked?
Anyway, move into the new house on Friday, which will be nice as the motel room is starting to get a little boring now - especially over the last few days.
We went to Jo & Tony's on Saturday - Jo works at Fulton Hogan as well, and they invited us over for a meal. We had a lovely meal and a few drinks, but the evening was somewhat spoilt by a sparkler going off in Tony's hand and giving him second degree burns, which was not good. We stayed with Jo until Tony got back from hospital (Tony's mum took him to the hospital as we were all over the driving limit for alcohol) - so it was a bit of a late night.
Sunday we went to a gypsy fair, where we bought a beautiful mirror for the house, and some wind chimes - could have spent a fortune there, there was so much beautifully hand made stuff there. Fil, you would have been in your element - there was more hippy sh*t (as Dave calls it) than you could shake a stick at!
However, I went to get up out of a chair and turn my head, and my neck locked. Long story short, I could only have my head resting on my right shoulder (which is bloody uncomfortable in itself) without going into agonising spasms and I ended up going to a&e & waiting three hours for painkillers - I think they only gave me some in the end as I was screaming so much! I have popped a disc out in my neck, which, folks I do not reccommend cos it bloody hurts!!!!!!!
So I have spent the vast majority of the last three days flat on my back watching dvds and being doped up on pain killers. fun!
We won't have broadband for a little while at home as there is a problem with the network in the area (can't remember if I wrote that on a previous post or not) but we should be able to get dial up, so we'll be able to check emails and stuff, it will just probably be painfully slow.
I got a referral to physiotherapist from the hospital and have seen her Monday, Yesterday, today and I will see her again tomorrow, and more next week. Comparatively, to the UK, it's cheap, but if the ACC (health subsidy type thing) don't accept my claim then it's $60 a session, so it'll soon mount up. So I need you all to send healing thoughts to my neck and shoulders, cos I need to get better soon or we'll be broke! Physio has helped, and my new best friend is my "hottie" - one of those wheat bags that you heat up in the microwave, as well as Mr Co-codamal and Mrs Ibuprofen.
I managed to get myself dressed today and it only took me ten minutes - woo hoo! Major achievement. But fyi - daytime tv sucks as much over here as it does in the UK, hence the purchase of a dvd player.
Thankfully our parcefuls from the UK arrived so Mr nasty landlord didn't get his hands on them, which is good, and means I have some music. hooray.
Ho hum, better go for now, I'm not supposed to sit for any length of time.
Back to desperate housewives and scrubs box sets!
Z
Anyway, move into the new house on Friday, which will be nice as the motel room is starting to get a little boring now - especially over the last few days.
We went to Jo & Tony's on Saturday - Jo works at Fulton Hogan as well, and they invited us over for a meal. We had a lovely meal and a few drinks, but the evening was somewhat spoilt by a sparkler going off in Tony's hand and giving him second degree burns, which was not good. We stayed with Jo until Tony got back from hospital (Tony's mum took him to the hospital as we were all over the driving limit for alcohol) - so it was a bit of a late night.
Sunday we went to a gypsy fair, where we bought a beautiful mirror for the house, and some wind chimes - could have spent a fortune there, there was so much beautifully hand made stuff there. Fil, you would have been in your element - there was more hippy sh*t (as Dave calls it) than you could shake a stick at!
However, I went to get up out of a chair and turn my head, and my neck locked. Long story short, I could only have my head resting on my right shoulder (which is bloody uncomfortable in itself) without going into agonising spasms and I ended up going to a&e & waiting three hours for painkillers - I think they only gave me some in the end as I was screaming so much! I have popped a disc out in my neck, which, folks I do not reccommend cos it bloody hurts!!!!!!!
So I have spent the vast majority of the last three days flat on my back watching dvds and being doped up on pain killers. fun!
We won't have broadband for a little while at home as there is a problem with the network in the area (can't remember if I wrote that on a previous post or not) but we should be able to get dial up, so we'll be able to check emails and stuff, it will just probably be painfully slow.
I got a referral to physiotherapist from the hospital and have seen her Monday, Yesterday, today and I will see her again tomorrow, and more next week. Comparatively, to the UK, it's cheap, but if the ACC (health subsidy type thing) don't accept my claim then it's $60 a session, so it'll soon mount up. So I need you all to send healing thoughts to my neck and shoulders, cos I need to get better soon or we'll be broke! Physio has helped, and my new best friend is my "hottie" - one of those wheat bags that you heat up in the microwave, as well as Mr Co-codamal and Mrs Ibuprofen.
I managed to get myself dressed today and it only took me ten minutes - woo hoo! Major achievement. But fyi - daytime tv sucks as much over here as it does in the UK, hence the purchase of a dvd player.
Thankfully our parcefuls from the UK arrived so Mr nasty landlord didn't get his hands on them, which is good, and means I have some music. hooray.
Ho hum, better go for now, I'm not supposed to sit for any length of time.
Back to desperate housewives and scrubs box sets!
Z
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
You can take the girl out of Britain........
But unfortunately the black dog came too. Which is a b*gger. Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect to land here and everything be magically fixed, but every logical thought says - you're in a beautiful country - what have you got to be sad about? But unfortunately, as we know, that's not the way it works. I'm hoping that surfing will help me lose some of the weight I put on with my tablets, and that might help how I feel, but sometimes it just seems like an uphill struggle.
Anyway, you're all sat there saying "shut up whinging you silly cow, we're in the UK & it's raining", so I shall keep that side of things to myself.
Things I don't get about NZ:
Anyway, you're all sat there saying "shut up whinging you silly cow, we're in the UK & it's raining", so I shall keep that side of things to myself.
Things I don't get about NZ:
- Biscuits - I have yet to see any that look/taste worth eating;
- Lack of central heating & insulation - on the news this morning was an item about insulation becoming mandatory in new houses - in 2007! - Yet they had broadband, credit/debit card systems and various other technological advances waaaaaay before we did. Bizzare.
- Beautiful beaches, sunny days - no people! Have seen about 10 people max each day on the beach since last weds - weird. I suppose that living here, it's not a novelty having nice whether, so they don't have to make the most of every ray of sunshine.
- Brand name stuff i.e heinz, but they also have stuff like Watties - which has all the same layout, log, colours etc, just the name is different.
- Confusing array of things British - but some essential things missing. British & American(current) music & tv progs are up to date, and there are English magazines/papers such as Womens weekly (!!!!), Now, The daily express etc - but no Heat magazine. That's just rude. If they're going to stock some British stuff the least they could do is stock my one allowance of trash reading. But apparently you can get it over here. They just don't stock in Gisborne. But I can order it in. which is sad, but I might just have to do it!
- Bed linen is ridiculously expensive. Everywhere. V strange.
- The lack of an argos-type store. Means having to go to about a gazillion different shops to compare prices.
I went in the sea today - unpacked my wetsuit, and went and bought a boogie board and had an hour or so of arsing around in the sea which was jolly good fun. I think if I'd been really brave I could have managed without my wetsuit. But I'm not, so I didn't.
Got to go to the other house (the one we were going to rent) to check if there's any mail - hoping that some of my CD's have arrived, and not got nicked by the owner! NZ post re-direction should have kicked in by now but you never know.
Oh, and if you come out here, you need some serious sun screen. And hats. Which is a bummer cause I hate hats - but they're a necessary evil.
Anyway, time's up, so I'll catch u later.
Zoe
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Ow!
Owww, I hurt. Woke up yesterday morning and couldn't move my neck, which was slightly disconcerting. Most of you will know that especially since the second car accident, my back is not exactly the most well behaved part of my body, but I must admit that not being able to turn my head was a bit bl*ody scary!
So, a trip to the chiropractor ensued - luckily they could fit me in yesterday, so I am now well and truely battered this morning (it's tuesday morning here). Can turn my head a little bit now, so that's a bonus, and I have to go back for more abuse on Friday. Joy. Mind u, if it sorts my back out, then it'll be worth it. I wasn't planning on having to use NZ medical services quite so soon after arrival, but ho hum.
Sunday we went to the Mahia penninsula - about two hours drive from here. If you look at it on the map, it looks really close, but Jeez, you don't want to be going fast on those roads - they're lethal!
It's proper lord of the rings country - you look down and all you can see is trees and rivers, and - well I'll post piccys on here when we've got the broadband at home.
The penninsula iteself is beautiful, but God, it's isolated. I think we saw two dairies (corner shop type thing) in the whole journey - now that's living in the sticks! Very pretty tho.
Dave started work yesterday, which didn't go brilliantly by the sounds of things, I think they seriously need to invest in some more up to date surveying equipment.
I'm supposed to be "doing coffee" with one of the ladies from Fulton Hogan (dave's work) to speak to her about work and ask general questions - and just to get to know another person I guess.
I now have a NZ mobile, which is useful - number is 0064 (0)272 778481 - I got to choose the last bit of my phone number (after 0272) - wouldn't get that in the UK.
But they don't have central heating. Which, when the temperatures drops rapidly in the evenings as is it's wont in the spring, it gets bl*ody cold at night!
I spoken to a couple of people on messenger, which is nice, will be better when we've got the webcam and I can talk whenever I want, with no time limits.
Any hoo, I'm off to exersize my back with a walk on the beach - gotta make the most of it before I start work.
Catch u later folks.
Z
So, a trip to the chiropractor ensued - luckily they could fit me in yesterday, so I am now well and truely battered this morning (it's tuesday morning here). Can turn my head a little bit now, so that's a bonus, and I have to go back for more abuse on Friday. Joy. Mind u, if it sorts my back out, then it'll be worth it. I wasn't planning on having to use NZ medical services quite so soon after arrival, but ho hum.
Sunday we went to the Mahia penninsula - about two hours drive from here. If you look at it on the map, it looks really close, but Jeez, you don't want to be going fast on those roads - they're lethal!
It's proper lord of the rings country - you look down and all you can see is trees and rivers, and - well I'll post piccys on here when we've got the broadband at home.
The penninsula iteself is beautiful, but God, it's isolated. I think we saw two dairies (corner shop type thing) in the whole journey - now that's living in the sticks! Very pretty tho.
Dave started work yesterday, which didn't go brilliantly by the sounds of things, I think they seriously need to invest in some more up to date surveying equipment.
I'm supposed to be "doing coffee" with one of the ladies from Fulton Hogan (dave's work) to speak to her about work and ask general questions - and just to get to know another person I guess.
I now have a NZ mobile, which is useful - number is 0064 (0)272 778481 - I got to choose the last bit of my phone number (after 0272) - wouldn't get that in the UK.
But they don't have central heating. Which, when the temperatures drops rapidly in the evenings as is it's wont in the spring, it gets bl*ody cold at night!
I spoken to a couple of people on messenger, which is nice, will be better when we've got the webcam and I can talk whenever I want, with no time limits.
Any hoo, I'm off to exersize my back with a walk on the beach - gotta make the most of it before I start work.
Catch u later folks.
Z
Saturday, 27 October 2007
Bubble bursts
Well, today I received some very bad news about someone that has been a friend for a long time, those of you in Slannings will know who I'm talking about. What the hell has happened the last two and a half years or so? It's like everyone I give a damn about is destined to get poorly, have really bad stuff happen to them, or pass away. This sucks. I'm on the other side of the world and I can't do anything about it.
It's saturday lunchtime here, and I can't wait til 10th November as we'll have somewhere to live so I'll be able to go on the net whenever I want, and talk via webcams and stuff, rather than just web messenger, and being reliant on when web cafes are open.
We went for a walk on wainui beach yesterday - massive long beach about two and a bit miles long - perfect white sand, and about five people on the entire beach (and it was after school so the kids were out). It's the equivalent of our March here, and we paddled in the sea. And it was about the same temperature as the sea is in the middle of summer in the UK. Bonzer!
Well, the people here are really friendly (apart from the staff in Burger King, but apparently they're rude to everyone, so we didn't feel especially picked on!), everyone has asked us loads of questions, and told us loads of useful info, answering really stupid queries etc.
Last night we went out with two girls from the telecom shop that have been really helpful - so that was cool - one of them hasn't lived in Gisborne long, so they don't know many people either, so it was kind of nice to talk to someone else that's been thu it all - even tho she's a kiwi - it's still daunting finding out about a new place.
Dave is starting work on Monday, which is crap as he was supposed to have more time to settle in than that, but they have said that if we need time off when the house is ready that they will be flexible, so that's something. Just means that little old me will be rattling round a motel room on my own for the next ten days or so, so I think a lot of walks on the beach will be in order.
Miss my friends and family, miss being able to phone someone and say - u wanna come round for a meal, or go out, or jump in the car and whizz down the motorway and be in Bristol or Devon, or wherever in a couple of hours.
I probably sound like a completely ungrateful moo, but this is hard, really hard, and I miss everyone like mad and we haven't even been gone a week. How sad am I?!
Oh, and by the way, it rained over night and it's overcast today. Just to make you feel a bit better!
Adieu til next time, mes amis.
Z
It's saturday lunchtime here, and I can't wait til 10th November as we'll have somewhere to live so I'll be able to go on the net whenever I want, and talk via webcams and stuff, rather than just web messenger, and being reliant on when web cafes are open.
We went for a walk on wainui beach yesterday - massive long beach about two and a bit miles long - perfect white sand, and about five people on the entire beach (and it was after school so the kids were out). It's the equivalent of our March here, and we paddled in the sea. And it was about the same temperature as the sea is in the middle of summer in the UK. Bonzer!
Well, the people here are really friendly (apart from the staff in Burger King, but apparently they're rude to everyone, so we didn't feel especially picked on!), everyone has asked us loads of questions, and told us loads of useful info, answering really stupid queries etc.
Last night we went out with two girls from the telecom shop that have been really helpful - so that was cool - one of them hasn't lived in Gisborne long, so they don't know many people either, so it was kind of nice to talk to someone else that's been thu it all - even tho she's a kiwi - it's still daunting finding out about a new place.
Dave is starting work on Monday, which is crap as he was supposed to have more time to settle in than that, but they have said that if we need time off when the house is ready that they will be flexible, so that's something. Just means that little old me will be rattling round a motel room on my own for the next ten days or so, so I think a lot of walks on the beach will be in order.
Miss my friends and family, miss being able to phone someone and say - u wanna come round for a meal, or go out, or jump in the car and whizz down the motorway and be in Bristol or Devon, or wherever in a couple of hours.
I probably sound like a completely ungrateful moo, but this is hard, really hard, and I miss everyone like mad and we haven't even been gone a week. How sad am I?!
Oh, and by the way, it rained over night and it's overcast today. Just to make you feel a bit better!
Adieu til next time, mes amis.
Z
Friday, 26 October 2007
Dear God, stop the world I want to get off!
Ye Gods, when people said to expect jet lag, I didn't realise that the world and I would be spinning on different axis' for the foreseeable future. God, I feel rough!
Well folks, we're here. LA was horrendous, you're treated like a criminal and we were only in the bloody transit area for an hour and a half whilst the plane refuelled - I had my finger prints digitally scanned, and my photo taken!!!!!! Not impressed. I didn't even have time to do my make up. Cheek of it, taking your photo after twelve hours on a plane. B*stards. No, in all seriousness, it was horrible, I will not be flying via LA again, even if I have to book three years in advance to get it for the same price by going thru KL, HK or Singapore.
The house that we had agreed to rent is crap, big, but needs so much work - and having just finished doing up one house, I'm not going to do up another one to make a landlord money!
Dave's area manager looked at the house before we agreed to rent it, and said it was fine. Needless to say I'm not best pleased. And have had b*gger all sleep for the last week - which means I am not a person to argue with (as you will be most surprised to learn!)
However, we have found somewhere nicer to live, which is one bed smaller (three bed instead of four - but as our stuff isn't going to be here for another couple of months, we're still going to be rattling around in it! It's brand new, never been lived in, and less money a week than the other place, and the landlord's nice.
Only bummer is that I sent a load of post to the Kaiti address, so I'm just hoping that we can get that relocated otherwise I won't have any tunes! Which would be sad. :(
New address as of 10th November will be 163a Roebuck Road, Gisborne, New Zealand.
Any hoo, enough waffle for now, but at least this gives you somewhere to gawp at when you wonder what I'm up to.
Ciao for now.
Zoe
Well folks, we're here. LA was horrendous, you're treated like a criminal and we were only in the bloody transit area for an hour and a half whilst the plane refuelled - I had my finger prints digitally scanned, and my photo taken!!!!!! Not impressed. I didn't even have time to do my make up. Cheek of it, taking your photo after twelve hours on a plane. B*stards. No, in all seriousness, it was horrible, I will not be flying via LA again, even if I have to book three years in advance to get it for the same price by going thru KL, HK or Singapore.
The house that we had agreed to rent is crap, big, but needs so much work - and having just finished doing up one house, I'm not going to do up another one to make a landlord money!
Dave's area manager looked at the house before we agreed to rent it, and said it was fine. Needless to say I'm not best pleased. And have had b*gger all sleep for the last week - which means I am not a person to argue with (as you will be most surprised to learn!)
However, we have found somewhere nicer to live, which is one bed smaller (three bed instead of four - but as our stuff isn't going to be here for another couple of months, we're still going to be rattling around in it! It's brand new, never been lived in, and less money a week than the other place, and the landlord's nice.
Only bummer is that I sent a load of post to the Kaiti address, so I'm just hoping that we can get that relocated otherwise I won't have any tunes! Which would be sad. :(
New address as of 10th November will be 163a Roebuck Road, Gisborne, New Zealand.
Any hoo, enough waffle for now, but at least this gives you somewhere to gawp at when you wonder what I'm up to.
Ciao for now.
Zoe
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