Wet Ears

Just my luck, was heading to NZ off the back of a work trip to Singapore at the end of the month, now work is looking at cancelling all trips to that part of the world due to our friend corona! Issue was that work was footing the bill for business class and I just had to pay the difference to get to NZ which was roughly same price as what I am now going to have to pay for an economy ticket in my personal capacity!! Was really looking forward to that long haul in comfort - fark!

Perfect, thanks Wayne

Back to the discussion of going to interviews when there on a visitors visa - a mate warned me last night of carrying anything on me that may suggest I am looking for a job as customs could hoof you. I checked my visa conditions and it simply states I cannot work. I am there on a recce mission and holiday primarily and would simply want a meet and greet with some of the recruitment agencies and maybe a bank or two HR dept just so they know I am serious and can put a face to a name. I most certainly do not want to start working whilst there. It seems to be accepted that you can interview whilst on a visitor visa but is it worth the risk of carrying a cv, job spec etc with you in case you get that overly zealous immigration officer - would it be safer to print once that side through customs or is it a non event?

Thanks guys, great tips, much appreciated. I am going to be in NZ for 2 weeks checking things out so guessing I will be making a few calls and then obviously your usual data stuff ie maps, Google etc - any recommendation as to how much data I would need to purchase or is it easy enough to top up data and calls

Just checking on how easy it would be to get a SIM that side to make some local calls and to have data when not in free wifi area?

Greetings all in Kiwi Land! Apologies for spelling etc, sent on phone. Before I continue just want to give a massive shout out to Patches and Wayne for their invaluable insight to date and a big thank you for fielding all my mundane queries – it really is appreciated. Thought I needed to cast the knowledge net wider on this one as would appreciate input on schools and/or suitable suburbs. Just to provide some context - I will be visiting NZ in early March to do a bit of a recce mission to get a better understanding of all the good, bad and ugly of NZ and would really appreciate some input as to how best to structure/plan this trip. Essentially I am over to get a better understanding of whether NZ is somewhere I would want to move my family to and if so then where to live and what schools to look at. I am in the banking sector so 90% probability of being based in Auckland (assuming I can find gainful employment your end), that said is it worth trying to get down to Wellington to have a squiz? i) How long do you think I would need to be in NZ to scope everything out – I was thinking 7 – 10 days? ii) Does it make sense doing Airbnb in the various suburbs I would be considering to get a feel for the places or would it be better to be based centrally and go and check out the various burbs? iii) Would it make sense to hire a car or should I rely on Uber/public transport? iv) I have been told identify a school and then look for a house in that “zoning” district - does this make sense? v) What schools would you recommend – I have two boys aged 7 & 9 - currently at St Peters in Joeys? I have been told not to bother looking at Pvt Schools as they are simply a waste of money – how do the State Schools in NZ compare to Pvt Schools in SA i.e are the like the Pretoria Boys, KES of the world? vi) What suburbs should I be considering – I believe the commute into Auckland can be painful but I am happy to jump on public transport and catch up on mails, read a book etc Thank you advance for any feedback provided. Later

Awesome, let's hope the extra support helps!

What's the vibe like there after the rugga? Think they may take it even more seriously than we do as they are used to a team that consistently performs well.

M

And would your view have been different if it was a fat snot nosed brat on a pedal powered bike? Maybe the oke just has a *** sense of humour - who the fak cares!

Aiming for the Descent - missed the early bird entries so will try and snap on up when entries open on 1 March.

Power bank charging stations do become a dog show so rather take one or two of your own (power banks not charging stations). Sleeping tablets for first night as a lot of people snoring for the first team and the tents are in very close proximity. Second night in the orchard is not as bad (in my view). Cash for the bar - if you take enough cash you might not need those sleeping tablets!

That's what I have done - chose to do Berg&Bush this year as opposed to Sani - not enough leave I tell you!!! But Sani is an awesome race with great vibe, particularly the Adventure and the Notties beer and gin truck

FOMO!

On the question of safety - I ride it alone from Riverside shops to Emmarentia and have never had an issue - touch wood

First time I have seen those cycle lanes - awesome!

Nico is a tjop!

https://www.takealot.com/camelbak-classic-2-5-litre/PLID44772022 Only 4 left

I spot a warranty card!

Agreed, was also my reasoning for doing the 72km, that and the fact that Punisher shirts are cool!

Thanks for that, was not aware of the ladder element!

Did SAS send you a Whatsapp or sms?

On that note - anyone know anything about the seeding as that may influence the flats vs cleats toss up

Was wondering about cleats - I was hoping however that due to it being 72kms that the avergae rider is somewhat technically proficient and if you have a goodish seeding that most riders in front of you shouldn't be unclipping. Or are there certain parts that require you to unclip regardless? Really don't feel like cycling 72kms with plastic *** flats and not going to go out and buy decent flats for 1 race

Thanks for useful info guys - looking forward to it - just hoping there is not too much unclipping and dismounting. Seeding and the fact that it is 72kms should be a good regulator for people not having to unclip to go through water!