Well for those of you that don't know, myself hubby and three girls set of to New Zealand after selling our house in the UK. We had no idea where it was going to lead or where we would end up. We sold everything we owned, other than the personal possessions, gave up jobs and booked our flight to Auckland. So we came to NZ risking everything, with no jobs or permits. The reasons being the same as most other person on this forum.

We landed in Auckland on the 1st September and on the 2nd picked up the camper, our home for the next 4 weeks. We spent our first night on the outskirts of the city before travelling North. A word of advice, if anyone has opened a NZ bank account in the UK before you left, make an appointment to see the staff at Auckland. We trotted off downtown and they couldn't see us for 3 days. We didn't want to stay so we had to change our branch so we could activate the account elsewhere.

Once out of the cities the roads are so clear and very beautiful, I think that's all I have told my family and friends since we arrived. They are probably sick of the word. The bay of Islands were fantastic, and we loved Russell and Pahia. If you are up that way go on the dolphin tour, brilliant.
Ian managed to get another Fathers day as it's on the 4th September here in NZ.
We travel up to Kerikeri, another lovely town, and called in for a coffee with Glenda and her hubby, thanks guys. See you make lots of friends on this forum. We went as far as Whatuwhiwhi before going west. The beaches are fabulous with no rubbish, where in the UK do you find that? In fact, cleanliness and the friendly kiwis were the first things that made an immediate impact on us. That impression hasn't altered after 3 months. New Zealanders are still the happiest, friendliest people I have ever met. The customer service is fantastic, sadly something that's long gone from the UK. Anyway back to travels..

..We would have loved to go on 90 mile beach but unfortunatly the rental companies don't appreciate it. The bus tour is expensive, especially for 5 of us and we didn't think the girls would really appreciate the whole day on a bus.

The west of Northland is just as beautiful (there I go again) and we camped near the Kauri trees in the Waiopoua forest. It is a very werid sensation feeling like you are on holiday but knowing you are here to choose someplace to live and find work. We had in all honesty thought the South Island would be for us, but when there are so many great NZ locations it's hard to know where you would settle. We were so lucky to be able to travel first, but it does make things confusing. We went back down towards Auckland and across to the base of the Coromandel.

Anyway, think I have rambled on too long and bored everyone sensless, and this is the shortened version! :icon_rolleyes: I will tell you some more soon. :icon_wink:

Sara.