Loo finds new employment!

As most of you will know, Loo worked at Abracadabra Playgroup in the Vale.

We were wandering through downtown Tauranga on Saturday afternoon.
The girls were devastated as the main shops closed at 4 pm.

But then suddenly out of the distance came into view her new vocation....... Abra-kebab-ra!

She just needs to perfect the "do you want extra hot chilli sauce in this?" and her training will be complete- so much easier than all those courses putting the child at the centre of the process!

I knew Loo would end up playing to her forte: cooking.

This week

Kia ora,
it's been a busy week with my first week at work, so apologies for not updating the blog. Here are a few pics from last weekend.

Whilst we were having breakfast at the cafe, we saw five killer whales. Unfortunately the sun was too bright to see the screen on the camera, so this was the only picture! Yes I know you will be thinking "Loch Ness Monster", but these were real! It was great to see them playing in the surf.

We took a run out in the new Mazda "Dolmio". The best thing you can say about it is that it is practical!
Anyway, it made it to Rotorua. You can see the sulphur clouds rising. It really smelt very bad!

We saw this giant Kiwi fruit on the way back. They are into giant objects in NZ. Watch out for the giant dog.

You can tell from this photo, that Loo wants new boots! Public displays, no correction, any display of affection is usually a good indicator that new footwear is required!

I still have an eye for the birds!








And finally a message to all of you back in Blighty:

Our first experience of a volcanic by-product.

Mid-Winter Dip in the Hot Pools at Mount Maunganui

Yesterday we visited the Hot Pools at Mount Maunganui. The Mount is an extinct volcano and bubbling 200ft below the surface there is very hot water. The outside pools are supplied very hot, very salty water by a bore pipe. We caught the sun a little as it has been raining so much we didn't bother to lotion up!

Took a look at some cars in the afternoon. We have to take the hired Corolla back on Thursday and so today,Wednesday, is decision day. We have decided upon one small car and one larger station wagon/SUV. This will enable us to fetch people from the airport and do sporty things. Kiwi car salespeople are the same as UK ones, so as you can imagine, Loo was entertained all afternoon.

We also had the pleasure of PacNSave yesterday. It's exactly like Tesco without the range and with concrete floors. All the groceries are cut case and there are no frills. But it is cheap.

Must sign off now, IRD forms to complete (National Insurance) and coffee is calling!

Mount Maunganui

I woke up this morning and decided to watch the sunrise from the top of Mount Maunganui. Even at 6:00 a.m. there were a few keen Kiwis jogging!

As I ascended, the views were stunning. It's almost impossible to take a bad photo.

The Mount beach is immaculate and during the summer is one of the main surfing destination in NZ.

This is the view from the summit. This side looks completely undeveloped for miles.

It takes about an hour to complete the Mount (including photos and many friendly chats)


I went back up with Molly and Loo in the afternoon- pics to come!

Its wet, very wet!!

Well, we are here.

We had a long journey and it is taking a few days to adjust to the time difference, but we are getting there.

We left a very rainy South Wales to be greeted by beautiful sunshine in Auckland.

We picked up the hire car and set up the bank account without a hitch. We booked into our temporary accommodation that is clean, a two minute walk from the beach and reasonably priced.

Then it began to rain, and rain and rain. Kiwis have begun to build arks and animals are gathering two by two at Tauranga docks!

We are promised that this is abnormal and it will soon stop.

In the meantime we have sussed out the local shops and curry house. All is in order and the girls are happy so far (despite the rain)

Final night in the UK with our family.

Locking up for the last time.

Good Morning Britain,

I complained at the time that packing up the house was problematic and really quite an emotional wrench.

However this was nothing compared to leaving behind such fantastic friends and family. If only we could pack them all up and ship them out (although I wouldn't get Robinsons to do it, they would leave a couple behind and pack a few strangers based upon their house packing skills!)

I am confident that we have made the right choice and that our reasoning is correct.

Some people that we have met in passing over the last few weeks have said "I don't blame you, this country is going to the dogs"
I don't believe this to be true, although certainly the UK has it's challenges. We have lived everywhere from Sheffield to London and have enjoyed each place's unique character.

However, our time in Wales will be hard to beat. When we moved from South London to South Wales, we fell in love with the country and the people. People took time with us and were warm and friendly. The countryside is beautiful and there are some places like Merthyr Mawr sand dunes that are as stunning and unspoilt as anywhere we have been.

From my visit previous visit to NZ, I know that we will feel the same way about our new South Pacific home.

We had a fantastic last night with Gill, Mark, Van, Megan and Ffion. There are some photos below. Please note that we do not advocate your child dressing like this to go to the Spar!

Just over 12 hours to go until the plane takes off. Its peculiar that I haven't really been excited about going for a couple of weeks. I think it is the amount of graft that has gone into the preparations and the stress when our plans went awry.

It will be very hard to say goodbye today. We are so close to each other and I know we will all miss each other very much.

Still we will see everyone through the miracle of Skype. If you are not on already, get yourself a webcam and look for "kevinandloo"

Also we will be accepting bookings for the guest room from after Christmas! (Jack and Beth, have already booked Christmas) So save those airmiles and pennies and get yourself down under.

I can hear my hungover wife calling pitifully from the bedroom, I think I need to administer some tea!

I will get Molly to post an entry from the airport later.


Hwyl Fawr,
Kevin.

A lovely meal at the neighbours

Just arrived home from an extensive trip to our neighbours at No17. Annette can cook!  She has offered to teach Loo, but Loo feels that her skills are adequate already! This is despite the evidence of the fire engine and food poisoning outbreak!

Steve managed to set off the lantern, a vast improvement, but he has the advantage that there isn't a force nine gale this weekend!

Molls and Loo will post tomorrow,

Nos Da
Kevin.

The first post!

Hi y'all,

Molly and Loo have been on at me to set up a blog so that we can share the experiences of our new life in New Zealand with all of our family and friends.

We will all be contributing (if I am allowed anywhere near my Mac!), but this first post is mine, all mine! I have added in some photos I took in NZ when I went out for my job interview.

It is 08:22 Saturday morning and we are flying to NZ (pronounced Inzid) Tuesday evening. The house is empty and it's contents are hopefully making their way across the ocean as we speak. Loo's car is still for sale, I've just out it on EBay and Pistonheads at a reduced price.

We have had a truly traumatic couple of weeks and I am sure the next few days will be even more so. But as good old Friedrich Nietzsche said "That which does not kill us makes us stronger" (I admit, I had to google to find who said it)

The most popular question we have been asked is.......

WHY?

In Wales we had a beautiful house, the best neighbours, friends and family, jobs we enjoyed and we have chosen to leave it all behind- why?

Quite simply, we have been here for nearly 7 years (that's 3 times longer than anywhere else we have been), we wanted an adventure and to try a different way of living.

Oh, OK, I admit it, we are having a midlife crisis!

We had a fantastic leaving bash last weekend and I have posted a small selection of the photos at the top of the blog. The full set are on Facebook.

I think I can hear the girls stirring in their pits, so I'll end now.

Hopefully Loo and Molly will put their first posts later.

E noho ra,

Kevin.