PSS

Approaching 60, with eldest daughter and family already established in New Zealand, thoughts turned to the possibility of retirement and emigration. Having occupied the same house for nearly 40 years, my wife and I were ready for a momentous change in lifestyle.

Sponsorship was not a problem, nor health nor character, but ‘Centre of Gravity of Family’ became an issue due to middle daughter in UK and youngest daughter residing in Japan with only a Working Visa. A timely change in INZ rules in April 2006 allowed our New Zealand residence application to succeed. With the objectives of seeing our grandchildren grow up, releasing some capital in our home and escaping overcrowded Birmingham, we hoped to rediscover our youth in a small town on the coast in a young and beautiful country. The house took 12 months to sell and we lost count of the number of times we had to tell PSS, our removal company, that the date had slipped again!

Of course, they had seen it all before, and at last the day came in May 2007 when all our worldly goods disappeared over the horizon in a 40ft container. Eight months later we are well established in Gisborne, with a new circle of friends and a new pattern of life, counting our blessings every day.