Rick, Nicky and Claire in NZ

My first actual update in weeks (Claire): Our conatiner arrived at Matata Street today and so we've spent the day directing the movers, putting up beds and shelving. Tomorrow we go back to meet the MAFF insepctor at 11am (sort of like Customs and Excise I think) and to continue unpacking and sorting. Stella has been a great help today and it was nice to see her too. We're aiming to go to a fireworks display/bonfire on Saturday night at a local school so that should, *fingers crossed*, be enjoyable. I'm also going to take this oppertinty to wish several people happy birthday. 30th October: David Sidda 31st October: Granddad (Allan Dowling) 1st November: Zoe Tait We're looking forward to seeing Sandra and Harry Murrary in a few weeks time. As always, we'll keep you posted.

Sorry about not updating the blog sooner, I don't know what has got into me. Main news at the moment is that we are now official tenants of 10 Matata Street, we have had contact with the shipping company but no confirmation that the container has arrived at the port yet, and Claire has passed her driving test. Yippe!!!!! Last week Claire went to a pub quiz with Anna (her cousin) and lots of other folks, enough for 25 teams. Great fun and good food was had by all, and Claire and her team came 15th. We also had a couple of hours at Waiwera Hot Pools because while we live in the Rodney District we can buy a Rodney card there which lasts a year and give us a major discount on the entry fee. We all paid a visit to Jean and John Ankers, relies (to use the local lingo) of Neil & Sue, our neighbours in Loughborough. They provided us with a very warm welcome and lunch, and regaled us with their tales of moving to NZ from the UK in the 1970's. Afterwards we went to the shopping area

Our major news this week is that we have found somewhere to live. On Monday we did a drive by of 10 prospective properties. On Tuesday we viewed three of them and put an application in for one of them. On Wednesday our application was accepted, and on Thursday we signed a one year lease and paid the bond, fees and first weeks rent. So, Blockhouse Bay is to be our home for at least a year. It is a 1960's brick built bungalow down a long driveway. It is quiet, secluded and in pretty good condition. Two of the bedrooms are a good size and the third is reasonable. There is a kitchen/diner, separate laundry, and a big lounge. There is also a large garage so we might even park the car in it. We have been back today (Sunday) to do some measuring and we have access from the 22nd, but won't actually move in until our container has arrived and we have things sufficiently organised that we can sleep there. I therefore expect we won't be moved in until the end of the month. The other e

This is where we are living at the moment - Nicky's mothers' old house: The main living area: Nicky & Rick's bedroom: Claire's bedroom: The view:

Two major things this week - we have moved into Clare Cottage and I have got some modelling work booked. The previous tenant of Clare Cottage (Nicky's mothers' place) left the place in quite a mess. On Tuesday the cleaners came in and made the place a whole lot better, and then on Wednesday the carpets were shampooed. Nicky and I moved in on Thursday and Claire on Friday. I had a very poor night's sleep on Thursday because even though Nicky had washed the blankets and counterpane, I spent the night sniffling and sneezing with an allergic reaction. So, on Friday I went a bought a duvet and turquoise blue duvet cover set. Much better sleep on Friday. We also bought an oil filled fin heater for Claire's room as it doesn't get much sun and the carpet was taking a long time to dry. However, we are now here, getting organised, and it is good to have our independence again. It has been very good of Clem and Pat to put us up, but it is nice to be doing our own thing again.

We have had an interesting mix of weather this week. Monday was wet and miserable. Tuesday had major thunder storms while we watched Grey's Anatomy on DVD. Things cleared on Wednesday and we had some sunshine, and since then it has been gorgeous - warm sunshine but cold in the shade and when there has been a breeze. On Wednesday Claire and I sat and passed our driving theory tests. I will now get my full licence in the post, but Claire has to sit a practical exam because of not holding her full UK licence for two years. She has booked a lesson with a local instructor for next Friday so that he can take her through a mock test. Nicky didn't get the job she applied for at UniTech, but one has come up at a Public Library in Blockhouse Bay so she has applied for that. I have had a couple of positive responses from art colleges which I have approached for modeling work, but nothing actually booked yet. I have also approached most the companies offering Mac support that I can find bu