Hello everyone. Well thought it was time to post a pic of me, with another new colour and hairstyle, consisting of brown/red/blonde bits, something that I occasionally got away with in the RN.

Not to sure where to start on the update. I am currently a (bored), lady of leisure, baking home cooked carrot cake for Simon, doing the housework and being a stay at home wife.

But not for much longer hopefully. I have now finished up at the NZ College of Fitness training to be a health & personal training professional! Two job offers later (it's nice to be wanted!), I'm now waiting to start as a Personal Trainer at one of the main gyms in Christchurch, Les Mills (www.lesmills.co.nz) hopefully running a successful Personal Training business within their organisation, specialising in weight loss and helping people achieve their fitness goals. Yes, mad I know - me, but hey, I thought all that time discussing WW/Fat class in work must be used to great effect. Lyn W, Di C and Kim T - thank you for the contributions over these years!

So I need to make contact with solicitor/accountant and seriously think of a name for the business, so if anyone has any ideas then please pass them my way.

My old boss Paul Gunther (hi Paul!), came up with a brilliant one via email, to quote Paul:

"I have thought of a catchy name for you company: Tracey's Integrated Training Solutions - What do you think? It has a certain punch to it and the Logo would certainly catch the eye of the blokes (particularly if you had it embroidered on your T shirt)!!! "

Great idea, but not too sure if it's the right aim for the business! So, I am now waiting to start a few more training courses, hopefully pick up some part time work in the gym, to allow me to get a feel for the place before I start the business in May.

Simon is great, currently playing sport with work (Touch Rugby), before going away again next week with the NZDF, not playing Afghanistan leaders this time, but managing to get in his first bit of Adventure Training, not bad, he's only been with them for about 6 weeks. Not sailing this time, but walking (Tramping) up in Nelson (top of South Island).

The search for an area to live also continues, after much discussion, it looks like Simon and I have come up with a compromise, to live nearer the city, but still out in the countryside, on the edge of Christchurch. As much as Burnham camp is nice and out in the sticks, it's an hour round trip if you need to go into the city, need the car all the time, no pub within walking distance!

So guys that is more or less it for the time being. I have my Graduation ceremony with college at the weekend (black tie/dinner dresses etc), 7 more days left in the RN before I become officially jobless!

So, keep in touch, big hugs to all. x x x 

Central Heating at long last

Hello everyone.

Well this is our new central heating system, Kiwi style.

As much as I, Tracey have tried, I still cannot find the switch/dial that adjusts the heat in the house and gives us that warm, toasty feel and not the having to run from a cold to a warm room which I feel a Kiwi winter will bring.

So there you have it, answer to the heating problem, Beach wood! Long burning/hot wood. The only trouble is that I am crap at lighting the bloody thing and further lessons are required from dear Simon.

Beard!

By Si: Well it's three weeks in working for the NZ Army and I guess I am pretty slack with growing a beard, but I am off on Exercise playing an Afghanistan, it is a look that Tracey loves!

So far work is ok, I am doing a mixture of Systems engineering and Ops Cell work, as the only NCO left in the Ops Cell, with everyone else away on courses. Talk about in at the deep end.

But do not worry as I have brought over my Adventure training skills from the Brit Army, no I'm not going sailing (yet), but off tramping (walking) and kayaking around Nelson (top of South Island) for several days in April.

Another photo from the recent exercise (reason why I grew a beard!)

Update

Well guys it's been a few weeks since we have had chance to keep things on the Blog updated. Things have moved on slightly since last time we posted, I’ve been completing my college course and most weekends we have been trying to sort out the house that we now live in so we have not had much chance to get out and about as much.

Simon has now started work with the Kiwi Army about three weeks ago and is about to go on Exercise in the southern part of the south island for several days. I will let Si keep you updated on how he is finding it so far work wise.

As for me Tracey, I have finally finished my 8 week resettlement course at the NZ College of Fitness; with assignments pending may be qualified in a few weeks as a Personal Trainer. I found the course quite different from military ones where I have had to learn a lot about myself and how I used to be in the military compared to my new career as a civvy! But all in all, I found the course v. good and I have made some good, new friends and now am going to pursue PT as a business with two colleagues that I have met from the course.

We have now moved from the city of Christchurch out into the 'sticks', a place called Burnham which is where Si is posted to. It's about a 30 minute drive back into Christchurch; nearest town Rolleston is about 5 miles away, NAAFI is round the corner! It's very much countryside, lots of vineyards and fields nearby and very, very quiet.

The house that we got allocated was a bit of a shock to say the least, and due to public demand (i.e. the families) I've decided to post some pictures of the place. The photo's do it justice! We knew how bad the houses some of the older style would be, but it was pretty heart-wrenching to be allocated a dirty, scruffy house, with no carpets and ripped wallpaper! Did I mention no CENTRAL HEATING. It's bloody freezing when the sun is not shining, Si thinks I should put another jumper on, but it's quite hard when it's warmer outside in a morning than in the actual house. Kiwi comments include that we should be used to the cold as we are Brits, but houses back home have heating!

So we have tried our best and try and get it homely as possible with our stuff from the UK. But we know (thank god) that this place is just a stop gap until we get our own place hopefully in a few months time and before the first lot of relatives turn up next year.

So the house has been our biggest feeling of homesickness for us both. I miss the familiarity of things back in the UK, my friends and family and having girly chats! Luckily we now have Broadband, so I'm quite sad and still listen to Radio 1 & 2 as its far superior to the local commercial stations here. Si is happy as we now have Sky as well, so he is able to catch up on the Premiership Football!

We have also been to watch the local Rugby, Canterbury Knights play in the Super 14 League. I was not quite sure what was going on for the match and had to ask Si the rules. Found it very stop/starting, but it was very much a family affair. No chanting by the crowds and throwing the usual abuse that you in the UK. They even have cheerleaders and horses galloping around prior to the match starting. Cannot imagine that at a Man Utd match!

So guys, we miss everyone lots and send our love to all. Big hugs to Grandma P and hope that she gets out of hospital and better soon.

Standby for pics of Si and the beard!

WWII housing estate.

Imagine a WWII housing estate!

Welcome to Burnham Military Camp, the camp that time forget. The place was going to be closed several years ago and the NZ Military decided not to pump any more money into the housing here, funnily enough it's still running, aka WWII style!

Moa Street entrace where we live.















Our lovely new house. Note modern car.













Front room, note new posh floorboards! When Kiwi's move they take their carpet with them.










Another shot of front room.

house.

Our bedroom. Note lovely polished floorboards (not!). Next picture is of the lovely hallway carpet, which was the only carpet left in the house. Decided to keep it in, as it's one of the only warm things in the place. Finally, lovely designer kitchen (aka 1940's style fashion) - lots of space for me to be Nigella Lawson for home entertainment and cooking dinner parties!

I swear, I will never, ever slag off the flat in Gosport again!