Spent today exploring Wellington City Centre, and looking at potential flat shares. One or two possibilities, I shan’t bore you with all the details, but the final flat viewing was at 19.30hrs Just off Courtney Place - “The Nightlife Central” for Wellington ;P In order to kill a bit of time till this, I decided to visit Te Papa, the main museum in Wellington, and whilst I saw lots of exhibitions and exhibits in there plus lots of snippets about New Zealand history and Maori tradition, it was far too much to take in on one visit, I will therefore pay another visit later on in the week maybe, anyways back to the final flat share visit, which turned out to be above a “Red Dog” bar > Suffice to say as soon as I entered, I felt like I was playing part in the sequel to “Trainspotting”!!! - A quick scan for an exit and I was gone, lucky escape My search for a home continues Monday morning, after I sort my bank account out, and hire a car to widen my search and choice.

Hope you’re ALL missing me like crazy back in the UK?? If not - I never liked you anyway!!

I got over my jet-lag after one night’s sleep! Since New Zealand is more or less 12 hours ahead, I simply told my body I was coming off a night-shift (I used to work shifts) and slept right through to today. So, I now feel fine Spent the day looking at some house share and rental adverts, and looks promising, also - went on a tour of some of the areas (including my new desk) around Wellington today courtesy of Andrew. I must admit this is all looking extremely “COOL” and definitely like I made the right choice.

I’ll be looking at setting up my bank account on Monday in Wellington and then hiring a car. Not to mention house hunting in anger! if I can sort the digs out before the end of the week, then I could just chill out and do touristy things for the rest of the week before I start my job, (though I’ll definitely find time for some museums anyway!)…

Have yet to learn the “Haka” - but another shocking revelation about New Zealand folks!! Fish and Chips is practically the National dish out here?! So much for my healthy living and diet….Everywhere you go you will see a fish and chip shop on the corner of some street; not many pubs in site, though there’s no fear of losing those chippies!! More news later

Well, I’m at the point of near collapse now as my jet-lag catches up with me, but not before I write my FIRST post from New Zealand!! I had a good enough journey all 34 hours of it, and I have yet to settle down to some proper sleep…..zzzzz…..oops sorry dozed off there!

Only comment I have is how DIRE!! Los Angeles was…we were herded around like cattle, photographed and finger printed for posperity and then shown the door! I realise security is still tight, but not the most egregious first impression. I’ve been chilling out most of the afternoon, dozing off and on, I was going to nip out and set up my bank account, but I feel like sleep is about to win the battle. So, that I guess will be a job for tomorrow. I have already scoped out a couple of promising rentals in my budget and area, and some are “even” fully furnished too!

As I continue to settle into my new antipodean life I will of course keep you all updated but for now, I have 2 days sleep to catch up on…

All this time I have lived here, and it’s only when I am leaving the place that I actually get to witness some spot on service from Crewe and Nantwich Council’s “Streetwise”…

Ok it “was” at a premium, but they arrived around 10.30hrs, and did (in my opinion) more than 2 hours work in less! I now have a nice clear empty garage, that just needs a sweep and a dose of detol!

Not only that but they will be back tomorrow, to collect my old freezer!!

I have sorted everything out now, cancelled all my old insurances, TV Licence, BT, I give my final reading for Gas, Electricity and Water tomorrow, and also inform Council Tax (to get my free 6 months, the only thing left is a mortgage to worry about. I hand a key over to the estate agent later today, and I finish packing. I have taken the precaution of getting myself travel insurance on my one way trip too!

This will most likley be my last blog entry before I land in Wellington New Zealand. This is really happening!!

Ok, so I didn’t get everything done to the house I would have liked, but then people will hopefully see the potential of this old property, and will see I am not trying to hide all of the warts! I’m sure if I am an honest seller, then a buyer or invester out there will be more appreciative.

How do I feel right now? Excited, Apprehensive, Calm, Exuberant, but most of all, I feel FREE!

ok this is quite simple….for most of you anyways, remember “He-Man” the cult cartoon of many a thirtysomething’s childhood?? Good! Well….hum the theme tune in your head and read the following as if it’s the voice-over!

“Pub-Man and the Masters Of The Local!”

“I am Mark, Prince of Armitage-Shanks and defender of the secrets of the Whitbread Brewery… This is Agnes, an ugly hag! Fabulous secret powers were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic PINT and said ‘By the power of acolohol… I am inebriated!!’ Agnes became mighty beautiful, and I became PISSED, the most Drunken Man in the Universe!!

Only three others share this secret. Our friends The Barman, Bloke-at-the-end-of-the-bar, and Taxi Driver. Together we defend Castle Lets-Not-Wake-Up-In-A-Police-Cell from the evil forces of that Copper-That’s-Giving-Me-A-Strange-Look….”

….ah the memories!

Not only is it you’re birthday today Helen!! You also kinda just got married?! Oh I know cos I did the photos…

Anyways; here’s my little “special” piccy for ya — – >

I know I am far from a professional photographer, but I hope that I manage to capture some great memories for you both, and well, if they all turn out rubbish you’ll have to come catch me!! In New Zealand

So….you’re wondering what the epitemy of missed opportunity and siezing the day looks like huh? Allow me to enlighten you!

Well, I would have liked to have the chance to drive down from Auckland to Wellington; but based on the realities of flying for 34 hours I have decided this is a trip I will do after I am settled. The visa is sorted, the flight is booked - AND I have sorted out a 46KG Allowance! How cool is that?! With some of the books I will be taking I think I will need it.

So, flight itinery is roughly the following:-

26th September 10.30hrs am from Manchester to London Heathrow - 11.15hrs. FIVE HOUR WAIT At least I can just chill
26th September 16:15hrs (ish) from Heathrow to Los Angeles, USA - 18:30hrs STILL on 26th September!! “technically” 3 hours after I leave London….

Finally 26th September 21:00hrs (ish) from Los Angeles to Auckland New Zealand 07:00hrs 28th September!!

Where did that day go…?

In other news I am continuing to empty my house since it was put on the market, and dad will help with the white, and magnolia on Sunday, to create a blank canvas for any potential buyer/investor (fingers crossed); I’m still waiting a quote off the council to empty my garage of junk -I may have to leave this aspect with dad to deal. Oh well.

OMG!!!? This really IS happening isn’t it!