The best laid plans.....

No one said emmigrating is easy - or if they did, then they have never actually done it.
We are finding out how hard, frustrating, annoying and expensive the whole process is. The events of the last few weeks have taught us a valuable lesson which is to trust our own instincts and not rely on so called 'experts'. We have also realized just how determined we are to get to New Zealand and how much it means to us.
So what has been happening....

As you know, Chris went to OZ to work, and the plan was for him to go straight on to New Zealand if the house sale completed, or if it was delayed, to continue working in OZ.

It emerged that the house sale was going to drag on, so Chris and I decided it would be better for him to come home. He arrived back on Monday 21st Feb. Our house was scheduled to complete on 25th Feb, however there were complications further down the chain..

We were told that a completion date of 25th was unlikely, and it would take place 'sometime' during the following week. With that in mind we arranged for the packers and container to arrive on Tuesday 1st March, and for Chris to fly out the next day. We also managed to arrange car hire, accommodation, airport pick up, a NZ PO Box number for our post etc etc the list goes on.

At about 10.30 am on the morning of THE MOVE, we got a phone call.....
The buyers at the beginning of the chain had backed out at the last minute.

The utter devastation we felt is indescribable. It is one of those moments that will stay with me forever. A million thoughts rushed into my mind all at once, and for a few minutes I was literally rooted to the spot, it was as if time was suspended for a split second.

I must admit, I am not bragging, but Iam one of those people who can keep a very level and focused head during a crisis. And this would definatly fit into the category "crisis"

We spent the following hours and days caught up with 'damage limitation'. We focused on what we needed to do first. We had to decide what to do about our belongings, remember the packers were there and so was the container - decisions had to be made. We decided to send the container back empty, and cancel the pack. Next we unpacked the PC and started sending email to New Zealand. Alot of people needed to know what had happened.
We took the kids to Marys and settled them in bed. Then we came home and Chris had to ring his employer. We had no idea what the response would be, as Chris was due to start work with them on Monday and they had been waiting a hell of a long time already.
It was a huge releif when Chris got off the phone and told me that they understand our situation and are willing to wait - for now.......