Kia Ora

Well guys you know with these blogs you get the good with the bad and apart from Billy Connolly on Sunday and moving back into the cottage, March has not started well for us. I don't want to sugar coat these blogs so you get to know everything that goes on here and it's not all fun,trust me.

On our way back to the cottage on Monday we decided to register with the doctor as we would be around for a few months in Devonport it made sense,the process was straight forward and painless just a form to fill in and we were done. It felt good to be back in the cottage and t wasn't long before we were unpacked and sat enjoying a nice cup of tea.

With Mel having Monday off which felt like Sunday,Tuesday was back to normal and I waved Mel off at 7.30am,but Tuesday felt like a Monday(are you still with me!!!) because of the extra day off.As soon as the garage was open I was out on the pushbike for a ride,now this bike is far from modern and is complete with a gentleman's seat but it has 2 wheels and handlebars so it will do for me in my pursuit of getting fitter. I go early because the sun is up early here and that means sunscreen everywhere so it is best to beat the sun!!!

On my return a quick look in the mirror told me I needed a shave and a shower as I was looking far from my best (which isn't that good anyway!!!)

I showered and dressed in my usual attire,shorts and t-shirt.(no matter what the weather it's shorts and t-shirt!!) and set about my jobs for the day.First task was taking on Vodafone,which was no easy task let me tell you.

I got a nice guy on the phone and kindly asked him why they wanted money from us for services we hadn't used. His reply was "it is our fault but you must pay otherwise we will cut you off,but we can give you your money back later."

To cut a long story short I had to pay him $75 (30 quid) which we would hopefully get back at some stage later this month,although he couldn't guarantee when.The conversation with the phone giant had gone on for well over 45 minutes and I decided to cut my losses and put my faith in them to return our cash later,but couldn't resist,firing off a letter of complaint to them!!!!

It's not like you can move around providers because ther is only Vodafone and Telecom and most of NZ are on Vodafone...

Wednesday 4th March 2009

As Mel was geting ready,she was saying how restless she had been in her sleep last night and I said the same and started telling her about my dream where I was riding motorbikes with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman which was bizarre,but wasn't sure she could hear me over the hairdryer but she was nodding anyway!!!

I moved into the kitchen and got Mel's lunch ready and switched on the PC to retrieve our emails and there it was,an email form immigration (INZ) wanting even more tests,neither of us could believe it and to say we were disappointed was an under statement.Mel dealt with it in her usual calm way,digesting the information before speaking, whereas I went off on one,Mel had the perfect excuse and had to leave for work so was spared of my ranting until the evening,and I just had a conversation with myself for 10 minutes on what their reasoning was,it sure is tricky getting in here...

I took off for a blast on the pushbike,when I say blast maybe I should put gasp as I cycled around Devonport to have a think about the coming day and how to approach it.

When we signed up at the doctors on Monday I had no idea I would be back on Wednesday,but here is different,I called in the morning and had an appointment for the afternoon,although all this efficiency comes at a cost $65 to be precise or 25 quid to you folks. For your money you get around 20-30 minutes with the doctor,in a lovely office and chat about allsorts,from sport to the weather. He was very nice and set up my appointments with the hearing specialist for next week and my blood test for Friday.

INZ are certainly making us jump through a few hoops to get our residency and it is all extra tests we weren't expecting but what can you do,just try to keep smiling and things will come right,the down side of this is while my medical is being cleared I can't get a work visa,but the up side is when the medicals are cleared we should get a prompt decision on whether we can stay or not,yes thats right they could still say no...

As you can see it's not all plain sailing but Thursday was a new day and brought a new set of challenges,the first one was cycling into a headwind around Devonport and it didn't seem to matter which way I turned it was always there,they had said the winds might reach 70 mph so it was probably a stupid idea to go out,but along the parade waves were crashing over the sea wall and onto the path which I haven't seen before.I got back home and knew I would have to face the wind again on my walk into town.

Even though the wind was blowing I was in my shorts and t-shirt as it was warm and the usual 20 minute walk took a little longer as that headwind was back,but at least it wasn't raining.I visited the library and the bank,then the post office and deli for their delicious cumberland sausages.Next stop was the supermarket for a few provisions,as I emerged from the supermarket it started to bucket it down ,so I made a dash for the coffee shop and took refuge for 45 minutes while the rain slowed up.I kept a keen eye on the barista to make sure the coffee was done right!!!

What would you know on the way back I was looking forward to the headwind being on my back and blowing me home but it had changed direction and I had the wind at my face again most of the way back,but I did time it right because as soon as I stepped through the door the rain started to fall and it is still raining now,and the tree branches are slapping against the tin roof which sounds like somone is scampering over the house,every now and then the branches scrape on the glass,giving out a screeching sound like something from a horror movie,but the temperature is 18 degrees!!!

So as I said at the beginning the first few days of March have been a mixed bag for us,but we are hoping and praying that the next few weeks start to bring better news for us and soon all this will be one for the history books.

One thing we are looking forward to is entertaining our first overseas visitor this Saturday even though it will only be brief.Marcia (Mel's friend,Christina's Mum)is in town on Saturday as part of her World Tour and we can't wait to see her and hear all her stories and all the wonderful places she has been already.Just hope the weather picks up for her visit.

Will be in touch again soon.

Lots of Love

M & M
xx