Hi Carolynne
What a great post!
We came to Tauranga nearly 8 months ago and can't believe where the time has gone either.
Myself, hubby and our 2 young girls are all loving it here. We have bought a nice 4 bedroom home in Papamoa and have been so lucky to make some great friends here and to have such lovely neighbours. I still can't believe that we are only a 5 minute walk from such a wonderful beach.
Its been a bit of a rollercoaster emotionally and financially at times, but I'm really glad that we are all feeling so settled now.
I am sure that you must be missing Maggie so much since she went back to the UK. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to meet her in person but she sent me some wonderfully informative and light hearted emails, via another website, for which I was so grateful for. I'm just really sad that I never got to meet her - she sounds like a wonderful lady.
Anyway, I've started rambling as usual but I just wanted to say that I am glad things are going so well for you and your family. I've sent you a PM with my contact details and hopefully we can get together for a coffee and some cake one day.
All the best
Laura