Lucky

[JasonR_374341560]

Hi to all.

I'm back from New Zealand and we now are in the processs of making it our permanent home. Our son has given us a house there and that has made the choices far far easier.

We've again found life slower and far more relaxed in NZ compared to GB and money goes a lot further for general living costs.

Now I just want to find out if I can get our caravan in to a forty foot shipping container. I think if we remove the wheels and hubs and some of the roof hardware that we should be able slip it in on wheeled dollys and fit plenty of our belongings in the van and the rest of the containers.

We now have views to the Ocean pool and tub and a 9 hole golf course in the gardens, my only real problem was leaving my wife and getting on the plane to England from Auckland.

 

[Chaps]

Lucky really is the word here, Jason! We have friends in Hawkes Bay NZ. They emigrated about 8 years ago and have never regretted it. They love the more relaxed way of life and the fact that service still matters there, not sales (they work in banks).

Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Claire & Rob

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Jason - we may have had our slight differences of opinion here from time to time but I am willing to forgive and forget and wipe the slate clean. Now me old mate any chance of a pair of early retired active couple joining you in New Zealand. I will carry your bags and doff my cap as and when needed.

If the answer is no - then I am envious of you - go for it and enjoy what life has to offer you - you lucky so and so. Have a great time over there and live life to the full.

 

[JasonR_374341560]

Ok. Well Colin, what a trip! Arrived after a couple of pleasant days in Thailand and wife end I were expecting son to meet us at Auckland. We got our son and his pregnant american wife!

That was me speechless for two days!

We then met friends and fitted in a few days house hunting before moving down to where son and daughter in-law have been staying near Coromandel. Son is a banker has an interest in adventure travel business with his wife and the house was stunning eco friendly modern tasteful with fantastic landscaped grounds that the golf mad previous owner had put nine golf holes in to.

Wife and I were impressed that sons "good" friends had loaned them such a great home. A couple of days site seeing before we looked at some houses that we liked but our lad kept asking how we liked the house we were in, well it's just up our street was all we could say. But out of our price range and and not for sale!

Then they'd arranged a weekend party for us and friends who came from Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown. With everyone around the pool our new daughter in-law presented us with a funny "home sweet home" sign and our son gave a large envelope with papers for the house and then our daughter who was supposed to be looking after our dogs at home pooped up behind us with the keys.

Then we realised why they were so vague about the "friends" who owned the house. Speechless for three days!

We've even bought a new car and sorted a bank account and have got credit cards on the way. Just have to decide what to do with the house here and decide what apart from the dogs comes with us.

I've now agreed to never moan about a "city bonus" again.

 

[JasonR_374341560]

Home and alone and I may have just sold our caravan.

Crying icon thingy needed!

 

[Chaps]

Oh my God Jason! You and your wife must have done a really great job bringing up your kids for your son to do something so wonderful for you both. Congratulations and all the best for your new life (you can always buy another caravan in NZ!)

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Jason - would your son like to adopt my wife and I as step parents? You have a very good family who obviously think the world of you and your good lady. All I can say is well done and hopefully all the joys of life will now be with you both in your new adventure. May you both live many years to enjoy the benefits that have been presented to you.

 

[JasonR_374341560]

I've said before that I never expected to have grand children, our son was the last person I ever expected to settle down or marry.

He's the most money driven person I know and had made a fortune before he left university, he's paid his own way from the age of 14 rejecting help or money from my wife and I. Must be one of the few kids to start Uni with house and new sports car he'd bought himself and then charged premium rates for rooms he rented out and food he cooked for his student mates.

I think he feels sorry for us as we've made so little compared to him!