I am chuffed that people in the UK are reading these little nuggets of Kiwi Kev adventures, so I will continue to do one each day if I can. So far things are happening pretty much daily here, however it is now Friday afternoon so I suspect that their will be less progress over the weekend. I have also put a reply comment to each of your comments, and they really do make me feel less isolated out here - so thanks again :)
Job news update:
Just applied for another post whose closing date was a few mins ago. Not sure if I stand a chance as they seem to want Kiwi's or people with residency (let alone a little of the job skills I will need to bluff my way through). Still there is no chance if I do not apply, so gave it a shot anyway.
I have also lined up 4 or 5 more suitable applications which I will be applying for over the weekend and early next week. My worry is that I should maybe include salary in the target of jobs I am going for, as spec wise they are all well suited to me, but thus far I have been ignoring or not knowing the salary...unlike in the UK, they all come with the added benefit of NZ residency you see, and I guess in many ways that is priceless! (for anyone who may check out the immigration rules, Daf I could be looking in your direction mate, then I know the jobs are all over the NZ$45 salary required for skilled employment offer)
House news (new feature):
Started looking for more houses to live in today as Caroline is now through the acceptance of her medical qualifications etc. The plan is that she will either rent or buy something here and for a couple of months, if needed, I will stay there too. Of course I am also looking for my own place to live but as I do not know what my salary will be, I am a bit more up in the air - plus Caroline is much, much more fussy and will be (at some point) bringing Harry so cannot stay in an apartment.
The tick list (so far) is :
a) Close to city centre (walking distance is preferred)
b) Views of the harbour
c) Open plan
d) Central heating
e) Outside decking/garden area (mainly for Harry the cat I guess)
f) Enough bedrooms for guests
g) Off street parking
h) many other things like wooden floors and not on busy roads etc.
I am sure this list is very similar to one you would draw up anywhere - but it seems that (d) is very uncommon here in Wellington, and this is not because of the climate as it will get in the low degree C's during winter - where conversely (c) is very common and you would be hard pushed to find something that was not open. (a) and (b) puts it in a certain price bracket, but prices here have stalled recently, so these are not too bad and compared to the UK are pretty good - i.e. £500k will get you a huge top end 6 bedroom 1920's mansion within walking distance of the city centre and views over it, the harbour and mountains beyond. Of course my price bracket of somewhat less than that will still get me a 2 or 3 bedroom house (without view) but within a stroll of the city restaurants etc.
Anyway, I looked at a house today - it ticked most of the above so I sent details and videos over to Caroline. This is a free service I am offering, and I am fitting it around my job hunting in case you are all worried. However, on Sunday I will walk up to 3 houses that are having open days for viewing - they all match the tick list pretty well, but the strangest coincidence is two of them are owned by a man who is leaving for Italy...not so strange you say?...well, this rang bells with me and a little digging has revealed that one of the interviews I have lined up is for the job he is leaving here! This raises all sorts of predicaments if he is at the properties, so for once I will be discrete and not mention anything about me or my situation...nope, not even an MoD story will pass my lips! Of course he may still recognise me if he is on the interview panel, mmm...an unusual situation to be in I guess - but then again, these are the adventures of Kiwi Kev!
OK, I also had an eye test today in preparation for replacing my lost sunglasses. Of course me being me I could not decide which style I should buy, therefore I took some photo's of myself wearing a narrowed down choice of four. If you would like to view these and let me know which suit me best, then you can see them here (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/kevin.double/KevsGlassesChoice?authkey=by0q5IS7VW4) but be warned before you click, these are close up shots of me (without makeup), so only click if you are fool hardy enough and have not just eaten! (PS, yes these are clear lenses, but I am opting for those photochromic things so indoors they will look like this - outdoors they will go dark). Will I get any sensible advice I wonder??? (methinks paper bag, don't go out, and you cannot polish a ...., will be offered).