Dave Roberts New Zealand Blog

Last Blog

2008-11-18T15:08:00.000-08:00

Hi all

I've really enjoyed writing this blog but this will be the last one.

Thanks for all the support and comments it's helped me to settle quickly.

It's been nearly 10 months and everyone had taken the move well and we are looking to move from Rotorua next year because of a job offer and a great opportunity to be close to the coast. Rotorua has been great to live in and the people are so friendly but we like moving and we won't be coming back to the UK in the near future except for a holiday.

If anyone is thinking of emigrating, the more information you find out, the easier it is to settle.

Dave

Remember the fair on Asda carpark

2008-10-17T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hi all

The fair came to Rotorua and I had memories of the good old days. The kids had fun on the rides and with views of the lake it felt like a holiday.

We went to the mount for Emma's birthday and played touch rugby on the beach and then the kids were body boarding and looking for sharks as that stretch of water is called shark alley.

I don't think the kids were looking like seals but it was funny watching.

I'm staying with Hayes International as I'm enjoying it better and we're hoping to move to the coast close to the Coromandel next year as I've had a job offer and if all goes well its the reason we moved to NZ, small community and pretty town.

Remember to click on photos to make them bigger.

Write soon

Dave

Start of the summer

2008-09-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well the soccer season has finally finish and it's been a great experience for all of us.

My team including Rhys came 1st in their grade and he got most improved player of the season.

Owen's team came first also in his grade and got player of the season and Emma got player of the season for her team.

I have finally settled in Rotorua as I've met some great people through the soccer and it's a great place to live.

We have just dropped Emma in Hamilton for her trip to Auckland to play in the North Harbour for Waikato/Bay of Plenty so good luck to her.

Sue took Emma and her friend to watch High School Musical and then she got her programme signed after, they had a great night.

We are becoming regulars in the gondola restaurant as we went for Owen's 13th birthday which was a great evening again

Write soon

Dave

Spring is here

2008-09-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Summer is on the way thank goodness, so we can get back in the lakes.

There are three weeks left to the soccer season and my team is undefeated. If we can get 20 goals in the last four games we will have scored over one hundred goals.

Emma has been chosen for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty U12 girls soccer squad to compete in the Weir Rose Bowl competition in Auckland. She has worked hard this season and is really excited.

Rhys came first in the school cross country and will compete in the inter school next week, fingers crossed.

Dave

Sport and more Sport

2008-08-17T00:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all

The kids have been really busy with sport, great opportunities.

Owen and Emma have been on a sports exchange to New Plymouth about five hours from where we live. Owen played hockey and Emma did soccer against Devon Intermediate School, they had a great week.

This weekend Emma played a tournament in Hamilton for Rotorua United against Auckland, playing three games which was hard going but great fun.

I'm still waiting on the new job but this is NZ and they don't do things fast.

Lastly Sasha (The Old English) has found a new place to sleep.

Bye for now

Dave

Rain, rain and more rain.

2008-08-01T02:27:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Thanks for the comment Mr James, Owen and Emma are enjoying Mokoia. Don't forget you might not have Owen for Soccer but Emma is willing to play.

We haven't been up to much because of the constant rain but it is mild and spring is on its way.

When I have more news I will write again.

Dave

Great comments

2008-07-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Good to hear Shaggy is at the helm trained him well. Nicey I don't need anymore for a team they could win with four but its good practicing. Swampy how could you suggest I would do that to Sue, the gondola was included in the meal so I didn't make her walk. Anthony I know its you, I'm working on the rugby so they are practicing the haka and once they are mean enough we will move onto step two of the plan. Keith the fitting is including turning and I'm not use to hard work gis a job.

Great to here the comments.

Went to Lake Taupo and in the distance of the photo you will see a snow capped mountain where they go skiing and that is the lake not the sea.

We then went to watch the bungy jumping and everyone chickened out maybe next time. It was very high though.

Write soon

Dave

Sue's Birthday

2008-06-22T01:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Had a fun night in the restaraunt at the top of Ngongotaha mountain for Sue's birthday(28 again)

with the kids.

Feeling much more relaxed now that I'm settling in to the lifestyle. Much slower pace.

Owen is enjoying playing hockey, it is him in the photo.

Bye for now

Dave

Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

2008-06-07T23:45:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Been really busy, especially with the soccer, my team won again there's no stopping them.

Had great news, Emma has been choosen to represent Rotorua United U12 girls soccer team.

Walked around Tikitapu (Blue lake) today which was 5.3 km. The weather is still sunny and warm, just gets a bit cool in the evening so we light a fire. Problem is the dogs lie infront and take all the heat.

The photos are different areas aound the lake.

Great to hear from you Dom.

Write soon

Dave

My team wins again.

2008-05-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

Hi guys

Third win in a row for my soccer team, great.

Saturday morning is definitely an event as you can see in the photo and it lasts all morning.

Dean is no.7 and Owen is in goal.

Went to Redwoods forest today and followed the 4.8km track felt like we were in celebrity get me out of here.

Thanks to swampy for leaving comment its great to hear from people.

Write soon

Dave

Day out at Mount Maunganui

2008-05-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Is anyone there, no-one is leaving a comment.

Can't believe its nearly at the end of autumn and we are still going to the beach.

The sun was shining, the kids were climbing and me and Sue were walking along the edge of the sea, bliss.

My team have won their two games great start.

write soon

Dave

Soccer has started

2008-05-12T00:46:00.000-07:00

Hi all

The soccer season has started, and boy was it a great start.

Owen had a Hockey tornament so he was dropped off first at 8am and then we went to the soccer park where all the teams play upto 13th grade.

It was like an event with sausage sizzles going on and food vans.

Rhys played at 9am(my team that I coach) and they won 3-0 and Emma played at 10am and her team won 7-1.

As Dean is 15th grade he was suppose to play an hour away but was called off because water logged.

We enjoy going to the foot spa's which are all over Rotorua (free) and they are heated naturally from the ground as Rotorua is built in the crater of a dormant volcano.

Bye for now

Dave

Kids in school

2008-04-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

The kids have settled into school now. We had a few problems at the start with the youngest but you would think he is maori now with the hair and strut.

Dean has stayed in year 9 through choice as he wanted to be the oldest in the year and he goes

to Rotorua Lakes high School.

Owen has gone onto year 8 and Emma into year 7, they both go to Mokoia Intermediate.

Rhys is in year 5 and goes to Owhata Primary which is also where Sue has got a job as Librarian.

Autumn is here now, leaves are changing but the sun is still shining.

Soccor season has started so I'll let you know how we all get on next time.

Dave

The house

2008-04-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Metty wanted photo's of the house so his wish is my command.

Just survived a tropical storm I have never seen so much water fall and now its sunny again, strange weather.

Its great where we are living, views of fields from the front and the lake 10 mins walk behind us so great for a quick dip in the evening if its warm.

Dave

Time flies when you're having fun

2008-04-13T01:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Forgot password again so Sue is now incharge of this blog like she is with my life ha ha.

Furniture has arrived safe thank goodness.

Started coaching a soccer team which will last for 6 months which should be great fun.

Still loving the lake cos its free.

Dogs still with us, they are enjoying the garden and walks to the lake.

Been horse treking into the mountains for Dean's 14th birthday I'm a natural like with everything I do.

Met up with Trev scar-Jones and his wife Ann and went for a meal in Skyline which is at the top of the mountain overlooking Rotorua Lake. Fantastic views whilst going up in the gondola.

Promise to write more

Dave

i hate computers

2008-03-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

sorry its been so long since last posting but i lost password, and we have been having a great

time in the lakes around rotorua,

still no furniture since late october, my backside is not what it was,garden furniture is ok for the

garden not the lounge,

the job is still good, hayes are not a bad employer so far, the moped is great i hit 2G on the way to work the other day ha-ha.

sue has started her new job this week in the primary school the computer is allways playing up,

The kids have been chopping wood ready for winter, Not a lot of people have gas heating overhere.

we went to lake tarawere easter friday lots of people with jet-ski,speed-boats.and canoes,

dinner on the beach fantastic,

pics of the kids chopping wood and at rotorua lakeside.

bye for now.

what a month

2008-03-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

hi veiwers,
landed in auckland 6-2-08 midnight got hire car and drove to airport garden inn,
next day met up with relocation agent who found us the rented house in rotorua witch allows dogs
mandy mitten, is her name but she is based in auckland so she did not charge us much because rotorua is 2-1/2 hours from auckland, so the next day we drove to our new life in rotorua,
oh my god the rental was a hole, what had i done my old home in wrexham was a palace and
I had sold that.
so onward and upward look to get a new one, the next day we checked out the schools and registered the kids into them,
next day job interview with HAYS international and i got it, brillant fitter turner again,
started the job the following monday morning,
that weekend we chose our new home, we went to see several houses but we all loved the same
one brillant,
2 weeeks later after the builders report and morgage application we moved in, oh my god
yes 2 weeks,
by the way in that 2 weeks we bought a car,
now we have picked up the dogs from auckland they were jetlagged for 1 day,
and now i have bought a moped for work, the black beast.
bye for now.

ON THE MOVE

2008-02-04T02:06:00.000-08:00

Kia ora all

Its the day before the flight and all is well, the dogs are in the kennles, the rented house is getting handed over and I'm in the Travel Inn by the Beaches, Gresford, Wrexham. Lucky for me I'm watching the Dragons training (Wrexham F.C) on Colliers park. COME ON THE REDS! Had a great weekend wine and dining with family and friends.

!!!! GUNA 2 MISS YA LOADZ !!!!

I've looked at the weather on the BBC it's 26'C and sunny in Auckland, I'm hoping it's like that in Rotorua.