Kia Ora and welcome to another blog into the insights of relocating to the other side of the world.As you are about to find out this week has been a real up and down ride.

Monday 9th February 2009

I had been worrying about Monday arriving as I knew it meant a visit to the clinic for another blood test and as I am not the biggest fan of giving blood I got myself worked up all the way there only to find that as usual it wasn't such a big deal and was over in a minute or so.

I was back at the clinic to have one of my tests redone as it had fallen outside the parameters set by INZ which after chatting to a few people seems to happen quite often.And the doctor had said back in November everything was fine so it seemed that they just wanted to double check things.

We would have to wait until Thursday for the results.

Back at the house we had a message to say that a case worker had been appointed to deal with our case but as yet we had gotten no further with the process,.No sooner had the phone gone down we received a call from INZ and he explained everything to us and we felt much better that things were in hand,having heard it from the horses mouth,so to speak.but he did issue her with an interim permit which meant that she could start work tomorrow.

Tuesday 10th February 2009

I had the worst nights sleep,since the last time that I wrote "I had the worst nights sleep" and Mel was up charging around getting ready for her second 1st day at work.It was a grey day but still very humid and I waved Mel off into te drizzly day.I busied myself in Devonport picking up food for dinner before Mel got home.The weather was still blowing and we went to Milford Beach which has become our nightly walk,whatever the weather.

Wednesday 11th February

I had good intentions of going for a cycle this morning but our landlords painter had blocked in the bike with paint cans,rollers and dustsheets so that was put on hold so I shuffled my day around and headed for the library and some monkfish for dinner.I also had a punt on the lottery as you never know.

The bike ride cam elater on that morning and really refreshed me.But by mid afternoon I was feeling tired so after a short nap I woke up feeling pretty good and sat down with the computer,I felt creative and started writing,before long I had a first chapter draft for my book,which was going to be about our travelling experiences but as my diaries are back in the UK I couldn't go any further but liked what I had done so far and it is something I can continue with later.

Thursday 12th February 2009

It was back to the clinic for my results today so Mel was starting late.We got there early and had a short wait for the doctor to arrive.She told me that the level was unchanged but could be brought under control with diet and exercise.I then spent the next 5 minutes explaining my diet so the conclusion was that I need to loose a stone and maybe have a retest in 3 months time.But she conceded that it was nothing to worry about so we left and went to McDonalds!!!! (only joking)

Friday 13th February 2009

It was the third overcast day we had been dealt after all the lovely sunshine but the humidity was still quite high even though the sun was not out.As we move out tomorrow for 17 days I spent the whole morning cleaning the house from top to bottom ready for the next people to inhabit it.

Now today has been Friday 13th,which can be associated with bad news and Fridays traditionally haven't been good days for us on the news front,but today was a different story and we had some excellent news. I took a call from our immigration people and Mel has been issued with her temporary work visa which gives her permission to work until 2011 ,this means that we just have the residency to sort out now. But it means that things are moving in the right direction now and we are both very happy.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Lots of Love

M & M
xx