Hi Carole

Just a wee word of Comfort from a fellow Kiwi bird I am at the other end of the spectrum I live in CHCH ( Christchurch in case people wanted to know) and my parents have just moved to Wanaka not too far I admit only 4 or so hours but comming from a close family it has been a bit of a wrench

I am sure it will work out well for your son and family but can understand the feeling of loss keep smiling and Kia Kaha

I understand that 2 hours to those in larger countries can seem a small ammout but that here it can be massive especially if you consider that only 20% of our roads are sealed but remeber our no 8 fencing wire and Man alone spirit if Sir Ed can knock the bastard off you can make it to Auckland ! as we are fond of saying Sweet As, not a problem Mate !

Just to let you in on a wee secret from the " Kid " perspective the ties stay as strong as ever so don't worry about that but as a supposed adult ( am 30 in less than 2 months) you don't like to admit that you miss your Mum and Dad and shed a few homesick tears about it and miss all the stuff that only Mum can do for you ! the food, caring for you as only Mum can and knowing what you should do no matter how old you get ( although we may not admit it at the time) and did I mention the home cooked meals nothing quite like it really

Your new prospective " Out Law" as they are called in my family sounds lovely ! I am sure she is looking forward to having a Mum figure/friend again

Let us know how they are getting on

Sarah