House hunting Kiwi style

So we’ve been here just under a month now and its still raining! The biggish news at this end is that we think we’ve found a house to buy. The system over here is much quicker and less stressful than in Blighty - you see a house you like, you put in a written offer – they counter sign it and its binding. The whole process took less than two days, we’ve got to do things like legal and a building survey but providing those don’t throw up anything catastrophic we’ll move in at the end of October.

If I’d been quicker I’d have snaffled the estate agents photos from his web site – but they have already been taken down so I’ve just scanned this snap of the from of the house. The girls have already sized up the ground for a paddock!

Sunday - chicken and rowing update

Sunday evening update…….

The big news in Hamilton was the annual ‘Great Waikato River Race’ – annual challenge between the University of the Waikato rowing club and a visiting crew from either Oxford or Cambridge - this year it was Oxford. The 4km course (a bit shorter than the London Boat Race but against a very strong stream) was through Hamilton on the Waikato River (hence the name). The commentator spoke of the crowds of 20,000 lining the banks but we were at the end and at a pinch could only see a couple of thousand people! Anyway it was covered live on NZ TV so counted as a major event. The home crew pulled ahead early on and kept the lead throughout to finish about three lengths ahead, we watched the race from one of the bridges but the girls went down to the finish line – only to almost miss the Waikato boat as it passed in front of them so close to the bank!

Rest of afternoon was spent wandering around the Mitre10 DIY superstore – a bit like on of those B&Q Wharehouses but about 4x the size. I eyed up some ride on mowers – but decided that I needed a lawn of sufficient size to make it worth while.

We did go back and look at a house that had taken our fancy last week. Many houses here arrange Open Homes where anyone can pitch up and look around for an hour on a Sunday. In this case we were the only viewers, so I think that bodes well if we want to make them an offer. We’ll update you as and when there is any news.

So the girls are now on holiday again after only two weeks at school! Providing the rain does not return again next week I’ll be back on the bike into town – 30 minutes each way. The house we looked at was another 7km out of town but much closer to the girls’ school. It will also be about 1km away from the by-pass I’m over here to build and sheltered by plenty of trees along a road that will eventually become a cul-de-sack when I finish the State Highway so long term I think it is a good move.

Two eggs tonight (one from Miranda and one from one of the others ) – and the clocks changed – so its now a 12 hour difference to the UK – soon to be 13 hours when the UK drops back in October. Must go out and put the chooks (chickens away).

Also small confession about the car – we ran out petrol in it last week – probably caused by the astonishing thirst of the engine which demands more fuel every few days. We may get it looked at or alternatively buy a small fuel bowser to tow behind us! Thankfully with the few litres of lawnmower fuel we had with us and the helpfulness of a couple next to Highway One we were soon on our way to track down another petrol station.

Richard

End of week three...

Rain, rain, rain and more rain. At this rate the pool’s gonna overflow. But, I guess if that’s our worst worry, things can’t be too bad!
Went to pick up the girls from school yesterday, and most of the kids seemed to be in bare feet – clearly given up all efforts to be dry. The forecast is for hail this afternoon. This is getting ridiculous! Richard has turned into a fair weather cyclist, so every morning this week I’ve driven him and his bike into work and every afternoon he’s phoned me for a lift back as it’s too wet to cycle. And this is the man who conquered the British Isles?

After only 3 weeks of looking we seem to be scarily close to making an offer on a house. 4 bed bungalow, field big enough for a pony AND a ride-on lawn mower, should keep both Lana and Richard happy. Closer to school, which is good for the girls, further from R’s work, which is good (or bad) for his beer gut. It may mean that we don’t have to spend any more weekends driving round the area looking at houses that looked fabulous in the pictures but don’t quite live up to their adverts!

But we’ve grown very attached to Miranda and her friends. And even Gimmick the cat has become friendly enough to join us on the sofa in the evenings. Oh well, better start our own menagerie….

Chickens are doing really well – we had 3 eggs yesterday – one each (I presume!) Maybe they like the rain. They have very strong views about bedtime though – if we go to shut them up when they think it’s too early, there is absolutely no way we can get them inside their house. On the other hand, if we’re a bit late, they sit inside, looking pointedly at the open door, waiting for the thick humans to realise it’s time to come and close it.

Had a lovely unexpected Skype chat with Miranda last night. No, not the chicken! It’s an odd feeling to see someone you know so well, sitting in a room you recognise so clearly, holding a well-remembered mug, and even knowing what’s in it without asking, yet being so far away. Aww.

Little things happen in the day, and we all say, “Ah, that’s one for the Blog.” But when it comes to it, I can’t remember much. I guess the routines of going to school, doing the shopping, housework (yes, really!!), don’t change wherever you are in the world.

So that’s all for now, until inspiration (hopefully) strikes later.

Now thats what I call a volcano!

Saw this out the plane window on the way down to Wellington this morning - it even had a lake in the top of the crater. I was waiting for the lake to slide open and a Bond villan to lauch a missile from it! Still not bumped into Frodo yet.......

Our third weekend...

Sunday morning has dawned sunny and clear – a nice change after a week of foggy, damp mornings. The girls have gone next door to feed the baby lambs and a calf or two and despite having the computer to myself for the first time for days, the fledgling internet connection has crashed and I can’t go on Facebook after all!

Having spent every weekend so far (both of them!) looking at houses and plots of land, yesterday we decided to see a bit of the country and headed west to Raglan beach – a huge expanse of black volcanic sand with the longest waves I’ve ever seen. We had no wetsuits and weren’t feeling brave enough to go in, but had a lovely walk along the beach and then, in true British style had our sandwiches and thermos of tea in the car! As the tide turned, the car park filled with camper vans and surf dudes and we felt we were staring, so we headed home again. The countryside is spectacular – impossibly steep hills and gullys, all grassed and looking lush and green in the spring sunshine.

We have about 6 houses to look at this afternoon, some look hopeful while others are probably too big /expensive/too far out of town, but all worth a look. The one with the waterfall in the back garden just has to be seen!

Spent ages after breakfast clearing all the leaves and blossom out of the pool, only for the wind to blow and a lovely carpet of pink blossom to cover the surface again. It’s going to be a frustrating spring.

Miranda and her friends (no names yet) keep escaping from the chicken run. I’ve tried blocking up the obvious places, but still keep on finding them on the driveway. I know they can fly, but I really don’t think that’s how they’re escaping - they don’t seem able to fly back anyway. Miranda is far too fat to get any height at all, but she does lay the biggest eggs.

I do hope these snapshots of our life keep you amused, please do add any comments you want, we always enjoy reading them.

Post and Chicken update......

Thank you to those who sent us cards I didn't understand the complicated post system out here, so the mailbox at the end of our drive was very full.  You see there's a little red flag on the side and I thought the postman put it up when he's delivered the mail, so all the while ours was down, I didn't bother to check inside the box.  Only when letters and free newspapers were spilling out did I realise.  And now I've worked out the I have to lift the flag when I want to have a letter collected!  This was further complicated because in the row of three identical letter boxes for houses A, B, and C our house is letter B so we assumed that it would be the middle box. But of course with every thing being upside down it was the end one.

 

Kirsty's part.

 

When Lana and I went to put away the chickens this evening it was getting dark so we were a little worried when we could only find two of them. At first we were only searching low but then we started to search high! And there she was stuck, unnecessarily, in the tree. Just above where we could reach.  We tried shaking the tree but all this achieved was her clucking at us. Just then mum and dad arrived (perfect timing.)  When they got out of the car they were beside themselves with laughter at the statement "the chickens stuck in the tree!" made by me. Dad also being as useless as us tried shaking the tree. But it was mum who solved the problem by poking her feathers which, even though Lana and I had already tried, it worked! Almost. For all it achieved was getting the chicken onto a lower level branch. But (thankfully) with a lot more poking and wiggling of branches finally got the chicken onto ground level.

(no animals were  hurt during this, then again the chicken might have a few bruises)

So it’s now Thursday and I’ve heading home to Hamilton after two days of meeting and greeting in Wellington with the Head Office staff. A really good bunch although I confess I’m struggling with all the abbreviations. I would have said TLA – meaning ‘Three Letter Abbreviations’ but a TLA has a meaning which I am yet to decipher.

Wellington seems a great city, with the harbour and mountains behind it. I managed to spend half an hour wandering around the massive and superb museum on the water front – the only colossal squid on display anywhere in the world is here! Didn’t go up the cable car but I’ll do that on another trip down here.

Interesting interview on TV this morning with the ‘pip fruit’ growers chairman bemoaning the wows of a strong NZ$ - apparently in means that no-one will buy NZ pip fruit – that’s apples to you and me. Just after that there was a piece about Greenpeace trying to stop a ship load of cattle feed being landed because is was from palm oil plantations, it ended with the interviewer (yes the interviewer not the interviewee) looking into the camera and saying that this ‘bunch of do-gooders should be tried as pirates and strung up’

Anyway – I’m back at the airport now having blagged my way into the business class lounge. Well actually I was given a Guest Pass by someone in the office and told to befriend someone heading towards the lounge and ask them if I could be their guest – seemed to work. So I’m sitting here sipping a bottle of Steinlager (not recommended) looking out at the aircraft and the surfers in the bay just beyond the runway!

- Made it home and snapped a few sunset shots of the snowcapped mountains on the flight home…… Richard

Start of the new week

First day cycling to work, the hours I spent last night sorting out the bike were a good investment.  I got to work in about 30 minutes including two stops to put the chain back on – (a worn bottom  bracket causing the cranks to woggle, just in case you are interested).   Not the world best bike but it will do the job for a few weeks.

It was foggy this morning so I donned the black fleece I was given on Saturday's match and pedalled off.  Not having lights is a bit of a downside but I'll pop into one of the numerous bike shops I've seen to sort that out.  In fact I can return the padlock I bought as my $98 Trade-Me (Ebay) bike came with one.

Work was another round of interviews for my team, I think on Tuesday I'll be able to start my job properly before heading down to Wellington (the Capital!) on Wednesday and Thursday for a meet and greet with the big cheeses in NZ Transport Agency.  Also found out today I need to return to Wellington next Monday for meeting with my the five other Principal Project Managers for the other New Zealand 'Road of National Significance' dotted around the country.  Well at least I start earning some frequent flyer points.

Girls returned from first day at school, it seemed to go well. I'll encourage them to add their own thoughts.

Chicken update – small handful of rice and chilli produced one brown egg tonight.  Not sure how hot and spicy it will be – will provide and update later.

That's about it for now.

Richard

second weekend - more house hunting.......

Chris writes….

Sunday night, tired after another weekend of driving round the area looking at houses and, more scarily, land. Richard has one of his "Mad Dog" plans afoot to buy a plot of land and build a dream house on it. Hmm, I'm not convinced it will be as simple as that! There do seem to be heaps of plots available, most with roads and services already in. Maybe I cold have an Aga after all!

Saturday morning started with our usual pancake fest. Lana made an obscene amount of very yummy pancakes with crispy bacon and aside from setting off the smoke alarm and waking Kirsty up, she did a good job. Not so with the chocolate brownies. There was nearly enough sugar in the packet, so she topped it up with some from the bowl – the salt bowl. Yum yum L And to think how much we were all looking forwards to them.

Spent the rest of the morning teaching the children how to tie their school ties. Shocking that they've reached their age and never had to tie one. They are both still unimpressed with the uniform, but just need to get used to it. To make life more complicated, there are 'formal' and 'informal' days at school. 'Formal' means with blazer and flesh coloured tights (called stockings over here), while 'informal' means no blazer and blue tights. Formal happens on high days and holidays and also as a punishment for not wearing the informal correctly. I've met a girl who had to wear formal for a week as punishment for not having her shirt tucked in! So, we need to keep our wits about us.

I've got fed up with driving Richard to work and picking him up every day, so today he bought a second hand bike from Trade Me (NZ version of eBay). He's been in the garage for a couple of hours muttering about bend axles but as the garage has come with a fully equipped mechanics shed (lathe included) I think he is in his element. It looks as though it might only just last him until his trusty bike arrives in the container in November, but beggars can't be choosers. It's only about 6 miles in to work and without his Wednesday nights, he'll be needing the exercise.

second weekend - more house hunting.......

Chris writes….

 

Sunday night, tired after another weekend of driving round the area looking at houses and, more scarily, land.  Richard has one of his "Mad Dog" plans afoot to buy a plot of land and build a dream house on it.  Hmm, I'm not convinced it will be as simple as that!  There do seem to be heaps of plots available, most with roads and services already in.  Maybe I cold have an Aga after all!

 

Saturday morning started with our usual pancake fest.  Lana made an obscene amount of very yummy pancakes with crispy bacon and aside from setting off the smoke alarm and waking Kirsty up, she did a good job.  Not so with the chocolate brownies.  There was nearly enough sugar in the packet, so she topped it up with some from the bowl – the salt bowl.  Yum yum L  And to think how much we were all looking forwards to them.

 

Spent the rest of the morning teaching the children how to tie their school ties.  Shocking that they've reached their age and never had to tie one.  They are both still unimpressed with the uniform, but just need to get used to it.  To make life more complicated, there are 'formal' and 'informal' days at school.  'Formal' means with blazer and flesh coloured tights (called stockings over here), while 'informal' means no blazer and blue tights.  Formal happens on high days and holidays and also as a punishment for not wearing the informal correctly.  I've met a girl who had to wear formal for a week as punishment for not having her shirt tucked in!  So, we need to keep our wits about us. 

 

I've got fed up with driving Richard to work and picking him up every day, so today he bought a second hand bike from Trade Me (NZ version of eBay).  He's been in the garage for a couple of hours muttering about bend axles but as the garage has come with a fully equipped mechanics shed (lathe included) I think he is in his element.  It looks as though it might only just last him until his trusty bike arrives in the container in November, but beggars can't be choosers.  It's only about 6 miles in to work and without his Wednesday nights, he'll be needing the exercise.

One week down.....

My turn to write something now... (Richard)

The NZ Telecoms broadband tube is still constipated so we are making do with Vodafone's mobile service. Each of the new SIMs we've got come with a 'free; quota of data every month so for the timebeing I'm swapping SIMs around to make sure we use our free allowance - this has meant that Chris and I are juggling phones and the girls haven't been able to use theirs very much - not that they have friends over here yet to call.

The big news in Hamilton was the Tri-Nations match (Rubgy if you hadn't guessed) between NZ and South Africa. In a city of 130,000 over 30,000 turned out (including me) to watch. I confess that I only went because I was invited by Dean a contact we met through mutual friends we knew back in Botswana. I was in a bi of a dilema as it has been raining on and off all day and I didn't have any waterproof and only one warm fleece, knowing that my extensive wardrobe of winter coats was on the high seas I was fairly reluctant to rush off and buy another especially as we are heading into summer here. It all worked out pretty well as when we stopped off for a beer at Dean's office they had thoughfully provided black fleeces. This will also be very handy for cycling to work next week.

Managed to chomp down the largest (and most tasty) burger I can recall as we joined the throng heading towards the Waikato stadium. There was a surprisingly large Springboks supporters contingent. There are apparently more South African's in NZ than Maori - most of whom (the SAs) were buying beer in the Pack and Save (NZ's Aldi but with Sainsbury's prices).

Anyway we arrived at the stadium to catch the end of the fireworks and pre-match entertainment - mainly youths running around with inflatable deer and a string of people holding up black and silver arrows looking rather like a Parker pen advert - but I assume it was the NZ Black Fern logo. Anyway the Springboks appear out the tunnel closely followed by a team of 15 referees all in black - this seemed to be very unfair as the other side only had three players in white and red. It got even more complicated when the referees in black all lined up and performed what can only be described as a Morris dance with extreme attitude. - plenty of slapping and stamping - I'm not sure if the Springboks would have been scared - even when the referees stuck their tongues out at them.

I guess the white and red clad small team had conceded defeat against the Springboks and invited the referees to play instead. As go can see I'm no Rugby expert.

The All Blacks managed to get the first three points with a penalty but soon were on the defensive with after two excellent SA penalties kicked from their own half. I can't describe the first half as thrilling, to much stop-start with one try by the Springboks half time score 19-22 to the Springboks if I recall . The second half started to get much better, a superb interception by a South African let him tear straight through unchallenged to slide the ball right between the posts – not good for the All Blacks. The home team did start to raise the game managing to catch the ball and even started winning some line-outs – which caused a cheer from the stands! Great try from the All Blacks started to close the 10+ point lead and the All Blacks second try crossed the ball from the left to right wings and secured their second try. After 80 minutes it was the Springboks who triumphed 32-29 and secured the tri-nations trophy – being so far ahead of both NZ and Aus.

Hope that sort of made sense, I don't think Sky would take me on for post-match analysis just yet!

I also got started at work last week, a few hectic days of interviewing for new staff, meeting people and trying to work out how to use my new phone (another one – just for work) and starting to get my head around the Waikato Expressway project. This is the new road that I'm over here to build - I'll probably write a bit about this in a couple of weeks – when I know a bit more about it!
Managed to secure my commuting transport with a $98 (£42) bid on TradeMe (the Kiwi ebay) for a 9 year old mountain bike with two sets of tyres and a two spare tubes. I must go and collect it today and make sure it is OK. I'd been lent a bright yellow and pink racing bike which I confess I was a bit nervous of using around town – not having ever ridden anything with tyres that thin before. Anyway I'll hopefully head off for a pedal today and find a route to work. It is about 6-7 miles and pretty flat with many roads having cycle routes either on or next to them.

Spent much of Saturday house hunting again, this time some out of town houses with the obligatory paddock for the horse we don't have. I confess one we saw was pretty good, ticked many of the boxes we are looking for – paddock – 4 bedrooms – pool – easyish cycle to Hamilton – nearish girl's school – not hideous! Probably do a bit more looking this week. Although we have a 6 month rent on this house if we find somewhere ideal before our container arrives we may well move, especially as the container won't fit down the track to this house. Also buying houses here is a much faster affair than in the UK which greatly helps.

So I think that that is about all for now, I'm sure someone will type the next blog – possibly one of the girls after their first day at school tomorrow!

Do stick down comments it is great knowing that someone is reading what we've written. All the best - Richard

Chris writes….

So, we're here - what an epic trip! Hong Kong at (our) midnight, on our feet for 13 hours, was really interesting, and I managed to stay interested for at least the first three quarters of the tour! When we got on the next flight, I think we all fell asleep before take off! it was a 10 hour flight here then, so we all got a reasonable amount of sleep AND managed to catch up on some movies from the last few months. The drive down here, nearly 2 hours, was tiring though. I drove first, swapped after an hour or so when I was too tired. Richard only lasted about 10 minutes and then we pulled over at the side of the road, set the alarm on my watch and all slept for half an hour, to gather strength to get here in one piece.

Our house is actually fine. It's fairly old and a bit tired looking, but that suits me fine! It's set up a very long driveway with 3 other houses along the way, all with a field or two with very cute lambs in at the moment - it being spring. In fact, I've just had to rescue one of the lambs from our garden - it had got through the fence and couldn't get back -aah! Our kitchen is the first room you get to, with a big breakfast bar then an open plan dining room the other side. Up 3 steps and round a corner is the lounge - with piano!! Then along the corridor, Kirsty's bedroom on one side, ours a bit further along on the other and Lana's at the end. Not dissimilar to The Pines! Half way along the corridor are the stairs to the upstairs study/bedroom, from where I'm typing this and looking at the sheep and our 3 chickens - the big black one the girls have christened (not literally - no dunking involved!) Miranda. Nothing personal - it does waddle when it runs though. The 2 small black and white ones have no name yet. We've had just 3 eggs so far - and managed to drop one of those! The cat, a fat old ginger called Gimmick is friendly, but lets you know with teeth and claws when it's had enough, as both Lana and Kirsten have discovered to their cost!

I haven't really met any neighbours yet, and am too shy to go calling, but I have walked hopefully up and down the drive a couple of times. so either they think I'm mad and are staying inside, or they haven't noticed. Generally people here are so incredibly friendly. Even the customs and immigration guys were making jokes and chatting about where we were going to live / work - not something you'd ever hear in England!

Tomorrow the girls go to meet the headmaster at school and have a 'uniform fitting' and if we take our name labels along, they'll be sewed in for us!!! Then on Thursday Lana, but not Kirsty, has to go and sit a maths and English test. She's a little concerned and has even asked us for some maths practice, saying she's forgotten everything since the end of term! We took a drive round the school grounds on Sunday - it's HUGE!!! Should get Kirsty fitter just walking between lessons! The girls say that they don't start school just yet (there are just 2 weeks left of this term), but judging by the increasing noise accompanying the endless games of Monopoly, they clearly need to go to school!

Richard went into work for the first time today and I was invited in for coffee too. Unfortunately we arrived just in the middle of what seems like the whole office tea break and therefore had to brave a whole room of people at once, but they seemed so friendly and genuinely interested in both of us. I came back with a list of phone numbers - friends of friends with kids at the same school/horses/choir members/ music teachers/spare bicycles to lend. It seems all of our needs will be well catered for. Richard is hoping to cycle in every day if he can borrow a bike, but until then I'm driving him in and out. It's about 6 miles from here - probably quicker by bike. His will arrive in November with all of our stuff.

We're on a Broadband waiting list, so unfortunately Lana can't spend hours on Facebook until we get something sorted, but it's on the list of jobs! Similarly, I'm writing emails then waiting and sending them all at once - just like the old days!

Sunday 6th

All arrived safe and tired, but glad the travelling was over. Hong Kong was hot, humid but fascinating - a real mixture of old and new. Our guide was really interesting (even the girls thought so!) and we saw more in 6 hours than we would otherwise have done in weeks! we promised ourselves showers at HK airport, but at £15 each, we just got back on the plane smelly! All of our luggage arrived safely and everything was let in past Immigration - although they did question the beans in the bum of the Harrod's (or is it Harrods' - or even Harrods??) teddy!!!

The house is fine. When the sun comes round in the mornings it's really warm! No Aga though, and the oven has some very strange heiroglyphs on the knob!! The pool looks nice and clear but also nice and cold!!! We'll give it a month or so before braving it I think. It's spring here - daffodils, cherry blossom and skippy lambs (lots of them!!)

R starts work on Tues, the girls have interviews at school on Weds, and start the following Monday. Not sure what I'll do with myself then, but I'll have to think of something!
Having trouble organising a proper broadband connection, but R's working on it, so emails a bit sparse till then, and limited Facebook.....