M&J Down Under: April 2010

Kia Ora

Kia Ora

Interesting facts.

NZ. or Aotearoa In Maori, means 'The Land of the long white cloud'. It is quite a young country, geologically active, with tectonic faults and volcanoes, glaciers and rivers constantly building and eroding land. It consists of many islands, the main ones being the North and South island. It used to be part of one land mass, Gondwana, and split off 80 million years ago, taking with it its unique plants and bird life. The first Eastern Polynesian settlers arrived 750 years ago, and the first Europeans to settle arrived in 1769 after discovery by James Cook.

As it is a long thin country, there are several climates and micro climates within, from sub tropical in the North and temperate (similar to UK) in the South. The total population is around 4.2 million ( UK has nearly 63 million) of which 1 million are based in Auckland. Auckalnd also known as the 'The city of sails' (due to a high proportion of boat ownership) is the biggest city, though not the capital, which is Wellinton. Auckland’s weather is warm/hot long summers with mild and wet winters. (average annual sunshine hours= 2050. Manchester=1200 hrs) and (annual average rain=1240mm. Manchester=810mm!) most rain falling as heavy tropical showers in the winter months of June-July

Thursday 22 April 2010

Wooo Hooo

Great news :) Matty noticed the date for the medical received on the Immigration status changed to the 20th, that usually means something is a foot. Relentless clicking on F7 ensued and about 90 mins later that status changed to APPROVED. Woo Hoo and Blue Bananas all around :)

Just need to get our Blue Stickers next!! Will send passports off on the 27th and should get them back in a week (hope so as need them for Jax's IELTS exam on the 8th!!)

Monday 12 April 2010

Expensive oversight!

made good matty's "oversights". we have now been requested to send proof of Jacqui's name change, and fill in 2 extra forms that were originally provided, but not mentioned in the list of things to send. se we ent to town, to purchase

an instant copy of a marriage certificate £20
next day 9 a.m delivery of said documnets £11.35
car parking £5.60
Greggs delux lunch X2 £3.85
photocopy 10p

grand total of £40.90... an expensive "extra"

getting real now

booked the removalists today, on the basis that door to door, our "stuff" should reach us in our new pad in Auckland in 6-8 weeks, rather than the 8-10 weeks quoted by other companies! so we shall see if they pull that off!