TAURANGA, THE FIRST FEW WEEKS
This is where we are staying or as it was in 2017! It is a much nicer place now having been renovated in the last year. It now looks like this. It comes with two lovely dogs Zak the yellow one and Guiness the darker one are both poodle crosses. Guiness is a Spoodle (Spaniel and Poodle) and Zak is 1/4 Labrador 1/4 retriever and 1/2 poodle!
Guiness looking very sorry for himself as he has just been caught scavenging next doors rubbish bag so Karin has tied him up til it is collected.
We have been at the converted barn for eight days now. Getting to know the area by driving to different shopping areas. The centre of the city is about ten minutes away by car.
Had to go into Tauranga to collect a package from Barbs. Collection place had car parking for the convenience of the customer. Cmon Ashford post office….. get a grip!
We went into the city to see the latest Johnny English film last week. There were only 9 of us watching the film but we all laughed out loud at Rowen Atkin’s mishaps. We both really enjoyed it. Ben Miller was very good too.
We have started the process of tenancy applications at various estate agents. More next week. Then we might be in the looking mode.
Karin and Drew, our hosts, are very easy friendly people. Had a shock yesterday when a sparrow flew in the window but fortunately Karin rescued me and it flew out after a couple of minutes. Flo would have lost the plot if she had been here! This is what we see each morning from the Barn. It's a bottle brush tree.
These are the chucks!
Having started looking at rentals it reminds us of when we started to look in Ashford. We need Phil and Kirsty from Location really because we are very fussy and have been very spoilt. So anything looking tired, wrong area, too close to next door, facing wrong way etc and it gets the big elbow heavo!
I mean, this was OK. It had everything...... fridge freezer, microwave, separate toilet, power, extra room for guests, off road parking .........but it was in the wrong place!
Just had e mail to say our goods are arriving on 24th November so its all getting a bit tight and close! Spent today filling out forms for customs and then handed them over to our NZ delivery firm.
Most days spent internet hunting and estate agent phoning for appointments and viewings.
Great News!!!!! We have a bungalow. Four bedrooms, two bath rooms, lovely garden. Address is 15 Kereru Place, Pyes Pa, Tauranga, 3112, New Zealand. We get the keys on the 25th November . Hopefully move in that next week. Our Air Bnb rental finishes on 3rd December.
Just can't believe how this has all come together....... so lucky.
Sue and Rick called in today for a cuppa. It was good to catch up with them and their recent trip around Europe. Met Win for coffee as she had some mail for us and timed it with her hospital appointment.
We now have to buy our white goods and a huge television to fit the huge lounge. Noel Leeming has got a sale on this week with 25% off all white goods so that is our plan for this week. We went into the city today to join the AA motoring because you get free eye tests every two years plus lots of other benefits for $118.00 for the two of us. We already had cover for the car through the warranty.
We did brunch in town today 4th November and then watched Bohemian Rhapsody at the cinema. Really enjoyed it and re-lived watching Live Aid in 1985 with the TV outside with a blanket over it because it was so hot! The cast were excellent especially Freddie and Brian May!!!!!
Not such good news today, November 5th, as we had a phone call to say that our container has been delayed and won't be arriving until 14th December. That means we are glamping in our house for the first three weeks!!!! As we will have nothing apart from our one bag of clothes we have been out today, 7th, and bought a bed, duvet, linen, beach towel, Fridge Freezer, washing machine and TV!!!! It is all set to happen the week of the 26th with Sky coming at the end of that week to connect our TV to the broadband. Disappointing, as it was all going so well but we are chillaxed about it all. Why wouldn't we when we went here for lunch today.
Mount Maunganui
Let's hope those dates are correct because Jill has phoned to say that Sarah, Antony and their three children are coming with Jill after Christmas. They will rent a house on the coast for a week and Jill will stay with us for a month. Fingers x that the crate gets here on the 14th.
We are out today to Bethlehem to find two chairs to sit on. Dave and Vrons said they could lend us stuff like two plates, knives and forks, saucepan etc. so I think glamping will be ok.
I'll sign off now so blog 4 will be all about the move.
Love to all.
