Celebration and trepidation

**martybabe** · 11th August 2009, 12:09

Well it's my second NZ anniversary and I'm pretty chuffed about it.In some ways it seems like I arrived a fortnight ago but sometimes it feels like I've been here forever.

The thing is this, I've lived in a great many places and travelled to many more but somehow every time I go tiki by bike or car, I'm simply stunned at the raw natural beauty of this place we call home. Simply put, I fuggin love New Zealand, I do, it's captured my heart like nowhere else, moreover I love it's people for loving the place too. If ever there was a heaven on earth, you my friends are living in it, if you knew the craphole I grew up in you'd perhaps better understand the eulogies and why I bless the stars for bringing me here where I belong, back home to New Zealand.

This anniversary is a little subdued however, after my imminent trip to England, to meet my new Granddaughter and farewell my Father in Law, I have got to enter the arena once more and duke it out with an immigration department that seems hell bent on making it as difficult as possible for me to stay here. I've got a feeling they're gonna get their way this time around, this time I don't smell victory, it's a huge undertaking just to justify my existence on these shores and so many decent folk have been sent packing but they will be in for a fight.

Despite the pessimism, I thought I'd post a few pictures on here to remind me of the beautiful land I'm fighting for right to live in, I hope you enjoy them.

Wish me well in the battle ahead if you're so kindly inclined but I tell you this, even if they beat the living crap out of me and my Whanau, I will never regret spending 1 second of my time in this wonderful wonderful Land.

I shall be getting out and about a lot this summer, just in case it's my last so expect to meet me,( if not understand me) at a location near you, see you out there kids.

**wysper** · 11th August 2009, 12:13

Originally Posted by martybabe

Wish me well in the battle ahead if you're so kindly inclined but I tell you this, even if they beat the living crap out of me and my Whanau, I will never regret spending 1 second of my time in this wonderful wonderful Land.

Good Luck Martybabe! It is a bloody nice place to live.

At the very least you will get to meet your new granddaughter.

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th August 2009, 12:23

Such effusive praise of 'our place'....
How could the Immigration Nazis deny you right of return, after that? You should be snapped up and put into tourism promotion.
Hope it goes well for you...cos we're not done with you yet.

**martybabe** · 11th August 2009, 12:37

Originally Posted by wysper

Good Luck Martybabe!

At the very least you will get to meet your new granddaughter.

You Betcha, she's got a whole lot of loving coming her way, poor kid

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Such effusive praise of 'our place'....
How could the Immigration Nazis deny you right of return, after that? You should be snapped up and put into tourism promotion.
Hope it goes well for you...cos we're not done with you yet.

Thanks J, I ain't done with me yet either, soo many things to see, so many people to meet, soo little time.

**ynot slow** · 11th August 2009, 12:37

Stupid immigration eh,you can speak Engrish ok,drive ok,wife works in health area(correct me if wrong),are good character.Hang on we need idiots who can't speak english,can't drive on correct side,have mega $$$,but send profits off shore,doesn't add up.BEST OF LUCK(shouting at immigration tossers).

**gijoe1313** · 11th August 2009, 12:45

A breath of fresh air I think! Thanks for reminding us not to take our green and beautiful lands for granted (I know I don't when I am out riding and trying to avoid being part of it!)

Blardy typical, the system always wants to expel those who want/deserve it to stay while the rest of the dropkicks end up sliding on through. Truly the system is an arse!

Hope it all works out and that there is some small sort of justice for the little people left in the karmic bank somewhere!

**Pussy** · 11th August 2009, 12:48

Hey Mart... get your lovely bride to wear a burka, you wrap a tea towel round your head, start driving like shit and don't bother speaking English... and you'll be sweet!

**martybabe** · 11th August 2009, 12:52

Originally Posted by ynot slow

Stupid immigration eh,you can speak Engrish ok,drive ok,wife works in health area(correct me if wrong),are good character.Hang on we need idiots who can't speak english,can't drive on correct side,have mega $$$,but send profits off shore,doesn't add up.BEST OF LUCK(shouting at immigration tossers).

Cheers my lovely. Ynot for PM I say. Yeah, the Bride's doing really well as Nursey boss, the teenagers doing well at school and I'm....well.. I speak English ok, better than a lot of folk round here anyway, I have no idea what they're saying you know, I just smile and nod a lot

**Fatt Max** · 11th August 2009, 13:00

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Such effusive praise of 'our place'....
How could the Immigration Nazis deny you right of return, after that? You should be snapped up and put into tourism promotion.
Hope it goes well for you...cos we're not done with you yet.

Agree with this 110%

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th August 2009, 13:03

Originally Posted by martybabe

Cheers my lovely. Ynot for PM I say. Yeah, the Bride's doing really well as Nursey boss, the teenagers doing well at school and I'm....well.. I speak English ok, better than a lot of folk round here anyway, I have no idea what they're saying you know, I just smile and nod a lot

So...what you are reeeeally saying is that your darling wif supervises a nurse to keep your chin clear of dribble?

**martybabe** · 11th August 2009, 13:24

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

A breath of fresh air I think! Thanks for reminding us not to take our green and beautiful lands for granted (I know I don't when I am out riding and trying to avoid being part of it!)

Blardy typical, the system always wants to expel those who want/deserve it to stay while the rest of the dropkicks end up sliding on through. Truly the system is an arse!

Hope it all works out and that there is some small sort of justice for the little people left in the karmic bank somewhere!

Cheers GI, I don't remember reading an account of one of your mega pootles crossing the Naki border. Sort it mate, I'd like to meet a legend before I go and I sure as heck won't be riding around Aucklandshire anytime soon, 'tis well scary.

Originally Posted by Pussy

Hey Mart... get your lovely bride to wear a burka, you wrap a tea towel round your head, start driving like shit and don't bother speaking English... and you'll be sweet!

I think it's hard for anyone these days John, I think they're expecting a flood of Kiwis coming home soon and who can blame them, make way there's no room at the inn!

Originally Posted by Fatt Max

Agree with this 110%

Cheers FM, I guess you're no stranger to the immigration trials eh.

Originally Posted by MSTRS

So...what you are reeeeally saying is that your darling wif supervises a nurse to keep your chin clear of dribble?

That's about the size of it mate, It's either that or a nice little retirement home for me. Will I put your name on an application form at sunnyside home for the bewildered too, we can chat about all the lovely rides we used to take till matron puts us to bed at 6pm

**Pussy** · 11th August 2009, 13:27

Wishing you guys EVERY success in your quest to become part of the furniture here, Mart!

I'll even let you buy me a Mac's Gold when you get your residency!!

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th August 2009, 13:29

Originally Posted by martybabe

That's about the size of it mate, It's either that or a nice little retirement home for me. Will I put your name on an application form at sunnyside home for the bewildered too, we can chat about all the lovely rides we used to take till matron puts us to bed at 6pm

Sounds like a plan. You just keep your paws off Matron....she's mine and I saw her first.

**martybabe** · 11th August 2009, 13:30

Originally Posted by Pussy

Wishing you guys EVERY success in your quest to become p[art of the furniture here, Mart!

I'll even let you buy me a Mac's Gold when you get your residency!!

Party time for sure mate....either way, hurrah or farewell.