New Home
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 excitement this week was that our IRD cards arrived yesterday. These are the equivalent of the NI number - we can now pay tax - what fun! This is useful for me already as I did my first paid work this week modelling at the Freelance Animation School, but wasn't able to complete my employment paperwork because I didn't have my IRD number. There were only 7 in the class, two of whom were the tutors, but it was good and they said I was interesting to draw.
On Wednesday evening Kim (one of Claires' cousins) took her to the ballet to see Cinderella. This was apparently very good. We took Kim to a Japanese restaurant beforehand which we enjoyed, and Nicky and I spent a couple of hours in Borders looking at books and drinking smoothies as we had not been able to find a convenient film that we would like to see.
While we were in town doing the rental paperwork, we took a walk down Queens Street (Auckland's equivalent to Oxford Street but not as squalid) and went to the transport hub which has been built since we were here last. The centre piece is the underground railway station for the overland trains - but it is also the main bus terminus. Bus and train stops are near us in Blockhouse Bay, so we wanted to see how easy this would be for us to use.
On Saturday I went in search of a naturist beach. I got lost twice on the way there (once in the car, once on foot) but finally found it and had an enjoyable quiet couple of hours. There was only one other couple there and the weather was getting less sunny every few minutes, but it was a nice beach with both sand and rocks. I may go back again, depending on what the one which is nearer Blockhouse Bay is like.
Today we have been to the Auckland Museum and enjoyed different aspects of the exhibitions. I particularly liked the simulated volcanic eruption in Auckland harbour but if it actually happens while we are here I will be asking NZ immigration for my money back - please. Afterwards, we went to Parnell (just round the corner) and found the Chocolate Boutique had consumed a range of gorgeous chocolate drinks in there café. We will be going back there again.
Rick
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 excitement this week was that our IRD cards arrived yesterday. These are the equivalent of the NI number - we can now pay tax - what fun! This is useful for me already as I did my first paid work this week modelling at the Freelance Animation School, but wasn't able to complete my employment paperwork because I didn't have my IRD number. There were only 7 in the class, two of whom were the tutors, but it was good and they said I was interesting to draw.
On Wednesday evening Kim (one of Claires' cousins) took her to the ballet to see Cinderella. This was apparently very good. We took Kim to a Japanese restaurant beforehand which we enjoyed, and Nicky and I spent a couple of hours in Borders looking at books and drinking smoothies as we had not been able to find a convenient film that we would like to see.
While we were in town doing the rental paperwork, we took a walk down Queens Street (Auckland's equivalent to Oxford Street but not as squalid) and went to the transport hub which has been built since we were here last. The centre piece is the underground railway station for the overland trains - but it is also the main bus terminus. Bus and train stops are near us in Blockhouse Bay, so we wanted to see how easy this would be for us to use.
On Saturday I went in search of a naturist beach. I got lost twice on the way there (once in the car, once on foot) but finally found it and had an enjoyable quiet couple of hours. There was only one other couple there and the weather was getting less sunny every few minutes, but it was a nice beach with both sand and rocks. I may go back again, depending on what the one which is nearer Blockhouse Bay is like.
Today we have been to the Auckland Museum and enjoyed different aspects of the exhibitions. I particularly liked the simulated volcanic eruption in Auckland harbour but if it actually happens while we are here I will be asking NZ immigration for my money back - please. Afterwards, we went to Parnell (just round the corner) and found the Chocolate Boutique had consumed a range of gorgeous chocolate drinks in there café. We will be going back there again.
Rick
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