Honkdonk

I have a very difficult complicated situation that I need help with. I cant post details here as it is very sensitive Any legal eagles here that can offer some pro bono advice. Please DM me

I have a Giant XTC and I love it. Climbs like a mountain goat and is a good solid descender and a rock solid ride. Its getting on a bit, but when the time comes I'll stick to a carbon HT all the way!

True story, and I'm footing half the bill for it as well.

Thanks CFM. My ex will hit the roof if I do that, but I only think it is fair, and I need to, so that the therapist understands my side of the situation.

Advice needed please My ex and the kids are in NZ and my youngest is going to therapy for a matter that does concern me. The ex wont allow me to contribute or give input towards the background etc. Am I allowed to contact the therapist to give my view so that they are able to obtain a fully objective opinion and dish out therapy as required accordingly?

Yis. I had a lekker run this morning, but hell it was busy out there in my hood of Bryanston. Felt like I walked into a mash up of 947, Park run and Walk the Talk. Dogs, prams, bikes, runners, walkers and all with smiles. I did a good 1hr30 run and felt awesome doing it, although it did take me a few km's to get going. I'm a fair weather mid day type, so early starts in the cold don't really float my boat. But I'll take a few hours on the open road with absolute pleasure. Best news was getting back home and hearing that there were some frosties going from a colleague, so quick shower and a drive to get the contraband..

Damn that made me cry..

Was waiting for this to crop up in light of the current situation.. I've lost every single bit of work for the foreseeable future as a result of this Corona pandemic and its not like I had a stash of cash saved for a rainy day. At least I don't owe on a car, bond, overdraft, loan etc, but not having any form of income until who knows is a cause for concern. I'm a self employed subcontractor and its a very scary position to be in to put in mildly.. My kids live in New Zealand and I pay maintenance into her SA account, (but that's about to change) and the split cost amount in Kiwi$'s into her NZ bank account. She has offered for me to forfeit my maintenance payments for 3 months in lieu of the plane ticket she covers to get me over to NZ once a year to visit the kids as per our settlement agreement. Like the banks here - any payment holiday comes at a price. Once again there are no winners in a divorce, especially when the great virus of 2020 has struck

Surely we are able to go for a run? A lone 10/15k.. I'm gonna go mad otherwise.. Otherwise I'm gonna pretend I'm going to shop to buy bread and milk..

I avoided dating like the plague, but then I never really was like that. I would just let things fall into place should I meet someone. I had a short fling that ended over a year ago and I have been involved with an amazing woman since July or so last year. She is well younger than me, but is everything my ex was not! It took me near on 3 years before another woman's lips touched mine. Dont rush it. Wounds are deep and the mind takes time to process the thought of being with and sharing another's space.

I work in the event industry. So its concerts, festivals, corporate work, road shows, product launches etc as the a technical production manager. Procuring and facilitating suppliers, scheduling, budgets, communication and logistics. Small industry in SA with even smaller budgets. Small industry in NZ but with better budgets!

I just got from NZ yesterday. I spent 3 weeks there. Brutal flight - 5 flights and 36 hrs of travel.. That aside.. My views - I was in Portobello - on the Dunedin Peninsula. South Island, to visit my kids who moved there in Oct 2018. NZ really is a beautiful country in many ways. Every turn is a new sight. The diversity of the landscape is just mind blowing. It works, but then coming from SA its easy to see that, compared to how things are so different back here. Portobello is a small town, if you can even call it that.. 2 bars, 1 convenience shop - dairy as they call it, 1 cafe, fire station, masonic hall, bowling green, local school and that's pretty much it. Simple life, a good life. Everything you want and everything that is not the norm back here in SA. Good schools, good govt health care, great public spaces etc and no bull****. If only the govt recognized my skill set (of which there is plenty work available - mostly freelance as is it is here) - they don't. So a skilled migrant visa is out of the question, plus I'm 46, so that doesn't work in my favor. I would need to sell up, prove I have a gazillion in the bank to not be a burden on the state or get a job offer in where no locals could fill the position. Reading in the local papers the country has a economy that surpasses the supply, so the laws of supply and demand kick in. The economy grows - the demand kicks in, but they cant supply the required amount of skills that have opened up due to the growth. More plumbers needed, more electricians needed, more IT skilled folks, more engineers etc - its a symptom of economic success in a country of 4mill people or so. You can create courses and educate but when you need 10 plumbers but can only get 5 what then? - Migrant visas and entice a foreign populace to the country which perpetuates the problem. More housing, more pressure on the state. more potential social issues. I get it - but it is very welcoming culture overall. I ran just about every day along the bay and took in the sights, sounds and smells. Outdoor living is a big thing - whether its fishing, boating, cycling, walking etc. I really don't think you could want more out of a country. For those of you who have moved there well done!

Been in Dunedin for just on a week now visiting my kids. First impressions of NZ are that it feels like a nature sanctuary with an economy that lives for keep things pure. Strict biosecurity measures to protect the indigenous. Very refreshing. A country that works for itself in harmony with what gives it life. Down here in the South, the pace of life is very slow compared to the chaos that is Jhb, but the surroundings are just breathtaking, but then so is the rest of NZ from what I hear. Pity I wont get a chance to take in any other sights. Scenery/Architecture reminds me of Wilderness/KZN midlands area with a bit of George/Fishhoek thrown into the mix. Weather is a bit *** - 17c in mid summer?? But hey.. I'll take it. Its a little pricey overall compared to SA, but then where isn't? I priced some running shoes yesterday and they seem on a par with SA. Food and drink - R90 a pint and R250 for fish and chips at the local pub! But, I saved to spend, so who cares! The flight over was long - 30hrs and 3 stops (Dubai, Bali, Auckland), but I set my watch to NZ time as soon as I got on the plane in Dubai, 2 whiskeys, sleeping tab and a melatonin capsule and all was well come 5h30 when we landed in Auckland. Now comes the part of the 'could I move here?' debate.

Hello all Kiwi folk. I'm coming over a visit to my kids in early Jan for 3 weeks. I have my budget in place but want to ask those in the know about the best way to pay for things? Do our SA FNB VISA debit cards work anywhere? I know our banking system here is leagues ahead of most. Cash is obviously easier to manage as when the wallet is empty of the days spending then its home time until the next day. TIA

She has closed her FNB acc, so again, not my problem. The agreement makes no reference to the small print that would constitute bank charges. I have raised it with her and she is consulting with her lawyer.

Updates. Hows folk doing? So with me paying maintenance and costs as per agreement into her NZ bank account, I didnt give much thought to the bank fees that apply. To date I have absorbed them, but I feel that as she chose to move she should take that hit and not me. Comments?

Cheers Rad, but it appears Snap dont operate in Dunedin..

Can any of you recommend a good affordable car rental company - not the normal AVIS etc Something like a rent-a-wreck I need wheels for 2,5 weeks in Jan while in Dunedin

Ok So I am paying a visit to NZ in Jan for 3 weeks to come and see my kids in Dunedin.. I need a rental car and a place to stay for the duration. Been mulling over a camper van as that is two in one.. Any suggestions and comments welcome.. TIA

Tickets booked for Jan! 9 - 26th January.

Thanks PP My daughters are 12 and 5 and, from what I see, have settled down really well into Kiwi life and the schools they are in. What I don't see is the tears and hard times that come with a relocation away from close family and friends. But then my ex would never show that kind of weakness. The wedge you make mention of I know all too well, but I am wise to her words and attempts. We seem to be over the worst of the one sided mud slinging. I don't entertain it whatsoever and civility has prevailed. Looking forward to the trip over in Jan!

I'll be based in Dunedin. The kids will be on school holidays and I wont have seen them for over a year so will spend all the time I can with them. So it will be beach time and I guess some touristy type stuff. I've got costs in for internal flights - Wellington to Dunedin. Basic car rental and an Air Bnb/Hotel. Then the $200/day figure is over an above daily. I'll be taking the kids off my ex's hands as she wont have had a day off since moving over last October. Still not a cheap exercise. Looks like I'm in for about 50k, but it will be money well spent!

Quick one for all you repatriated Saffas in Kiwi land.. It looks like I will be coming to NZ in January to visit my kids. They are in Dunedin.. I am busy putting my budget together and trying to get an idea of a daily allowance. I know its a 'how long is the string' type question, but I need to start somewhere. I'll be there for 2 weeks in Jan so need to budget for Accom, Car rental and internal flights - thats easy, but the daily spend on food, fuel, general tourist stuff? $200/day? More? Ta

That will definitely be on the cards. I will be doing some research on the Event Technology industry in NZ in the coming months. My folks move back to the UK next month so it leaves all on my own-some here, and with the rate at which the Rand is falling through it's own asshole, there is never a better time to look beyond and into the future.

Well the good news is that the ex has fulfilled her obligation of getting me to NZ to visit the kids. It's part of our settlement agreement and she has freed up some dosh to pay the return flight. I need to cover internal flights, accom and car rental.. It will be in January when the kids are on holiday and summertime. So something to look forward to work towards.