Just a quick update ...

[zummerzet_lou]

Just to let you all know that Jon and I are alive and well in Christchurch!

I started work on Monday for Tait, and have spent most of the week being introduced to people, or given rafts of documents to read.

James, our 4 year old, started at pre-school yesterday, and is enrolled to start primary school in Feb.

Jon is today off to sign a rental agreement for a more permanent rental for us:
If you fancy a nosey - here it is!
'Views To Die For' - LJ Hooker

Feet haven't really had a chance to touch the ground yet, but so far so good!

Lou

ps. to all those dithering about bringing your dog .. I just want to say, don't believe all the negativity about rentals, dog walking places etc. It's true, that there isn't the same choice, but we looked at loads of rentals that would take our dog .. and have also found loads of places to let her off the lead for runs ....

[ebianca]

Good to here from you.

Glad you sem to be settling in well. What do you think of Christchurch then?
How are the kids settling in? Great that you have enrolled for school already and in pre-school- will be a great place to make some friends.

House looks good.

Hope everyhting keeps going well for you guys.

Beth

[Dawn]

Place looks great Lou!! And glad to hear you made it down there OK.

ps. to all those dithering about bringing your dog .. I just want to say, don't believe all the negativity about rentals, dog walking places etc. It's true, that there isn't the same choice, but we looked at loads of rentals that would take our dog .. and have also found loads of places to let her off the lead for runs ....

It's not negativity Lou, you've met me I can hardly be called a negative person! Cch may have loads of lovely places for Willow to run but Hamilton really doesn't. There are designated dog exercise areas that you can let them run around on but that's hardly the same as packing a picnic and heading out to walk for the day through acres of woodland and across farmland with the dogs running ahead. Surprisingly, half an hour of throwing a ball in the same place doesn't make me want to break out the checked blanket, flask and sandwiches. Our experience of being here and wanting to walk with the dogs has been disappointing. It's not too much of a problem for us because we have loads of room outside for them to run and we can take them to Raglan for a run on the beach which they love. But it's not negativity, it's a fact.

[zummerzet_lou]

Thanks guys -

Dawn, I wasn't referring to your comments - more about comments I'd read on other forums which had me believing that we wouldn't be able to find a rental at all, and suggested that all of NZ was a designated no-dog zone. At one point, we were even questioning our decision to bring Willow with us.

It's true, we can't just head off and take her everywhere, but here in Chch, there are loads of beaches she can go on (although some are winter only), and there is a gorgeous dog-park at the Groynes ... which has permanent agility equipment if you happen to have an intelligent dog (Willow just looked rather blankly at it all ), not to mention, several fields worth of off-lead walks.

Also found similar on North shore in Auckland, most of the beaches you could take you dog onto - although that was Winter months only.

Lou

[Dawn]

Sorry Lou, I'm in one of those frames of mind at the moment, very selfish of me and I apologise You're right to point it out if the things you read made you consider leaving Willow behind. Imagine how you'd have felt if you had and then got here and found it quite different.

When we were travelling around we noticed that most beaches allow dogs. Some of them restrict times and areas during summer but they do in the UK as well so no difference there. Anyway, dogs shouldn't be out in the midday heat so anyone taking dogs to the beach at that time of the day wants a kick up the jacksy

[Welshgirl]

Hey Lou

Great to hear you're settling in ok

Hope James is loving his pre-school

Good luck for Monday - we'll be thinking of you (and we'll be thinking of Jon, left alone with little Lauren all day ).

[kokopeli]

For once, I'm pleased to hear all about dog walking facilities on account of the fact that we took delivery of this on Monday:

Lou, I have been ringing Jon, but don't think I'm getting through. Could you give him a nudge please?

[Welshgirl]

Ok, so now I'm jealous

He sure is cute

[nickydwuk]

You seem to have hit the ground running. Well done to you both. House looks good. Fingers cossed the job continues well and that James enjoys school.

[selchie]

Gee, too bad the new house isn't on neighboring Rotten Row Nice locale. Best of wishes for all the new events: job, James' school & Jon with only Lauren to take to the pub