These long distance relationships aren't much fun, are they?

Tropez

More of a mopey whine than anything even remotely productive but my partner was offered a one year work placement towards the end of last year in New Zealand and she jetted off a few weeks ago and to be honest I'm finding it quite difficult. We made all the "talk to you every day" promises that people make but the time difference is hardly conducive to that. I almost text her a joke a few minutes ago and then remembered it is past 2am there.

I suppose really I shouldn't be struggling with this. After all, earlier in our relationship I worked in the US for a time and she was back in the UK but then the time difference between the US and UK isn't quite so savage and we really did get to talk to each other every day.

Oh well, I suppose I'll muddle through. I guess it's the simple things you miss, like being told off for leaving socks all over the place, or the way she'd kick me in the back if I was stealing the covers.

Only 11 and a half months to go!

LandyAndy

Are there no paid trips home in the deal?

Or better still, paid visits by OHs.

Tropez

LandyAndy wrote: »

Are there no paid trips home in the deal?

Or better still, paid visits by OHs.

No, her employers out there won't stretch to paying for her to come home during her contract... I may have to start plotting to fly out there though because it is actually quite lonely her without her.

LandyAndy

Tropez wrote: »

No, her employers out there won't stretch to paying for her to come home during her contract... I may have to start plotting to fly out there though because it is actually quite lonely her without her.

Get yourself a really good quality webcam;):D.....

...and an alarm clock:cool:.

Jo84_2

Aww I really feel for you, that must be so difficult. And a year is a long time!!

I had a long distance relationship with my bf (only 200 miles though) for 6 months before I moved to london to be with him. That was hard enough, I don't think I could live without regular cuddles from my OH.

I would definitely book a trip over there!

Do you talk on skype??

Good luck to you both!

JoJo

flutterbyuk25

The time difference really shouldn't be that much of an issue, it's between 11 and 13 hours depending on the time of year. Which means you can speak to her in the evening our time, and then next morning her time.

My best friend lives in NZ and we email everyday like this, she is able to email from work so that helps, but on weekends we Skype when we can. Same with calling.

I'd definitely try to go out and visit too!

Tropez

LandyAndy wrote: »

Get yourself a really good quality webcam;):D.....

...and an alarm clock:cool:.

Well, I do have the webcam...

Jo84 wrote: »

Aww I really feel for you, that must be so difficult. And a year is a long time!!

I had a long distance relationship with my bf (only 200 miles though) for 6 months before I moved to london to be with him. That was hard enough, I don't think I could live without regular cuddles from my OH.

I would definitely book a trip over there!

Do you talk on skype??

Good luck to you both!

JoJo

Yeah, I miss the cuddling.

I did make sure she got herself a Skype account before she left. We've managed a few conversations but inevitably one of us is knackered when we try to talk which is a minor problem of sorts. Still, could be worse, it could be 1970 when calls to New Zealand cost a grand a second (or so I've been led to believe my older relatives) and there were no webcams.

gingin_2

Are you tied to the UK, or can you take a sabbatical from work to go out there? We lived out there for 10 months and had an amazing time, I just love the country.

Tropez

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

The time difference really shouldn't be that much of an issue, it's between 11 and 13 hours depending on the time of year. Which means you can speak to her in the evening our time, and then next morning her time.

My best friend lives in NZ and we email everyday like this, she is able to email from work so that helps, but on weekends we Skype when we can. Same with calling.

I'd definitely try to go out and visit too!

The time difference is largely awkward because of our working hours. Our schedules tend to irritatingly overlap.

Tropez

gingin wrote: »

Are you tied to the UK, or can you take a sabbatical from work to go out there? We lived out there for 10 months and had an amazing time, I just love the country.

Unfortunately I am. Quite honestly, were it not for other ties, I'd have quit my job already. I have some relatives out there not too far (about forty miles, give or take) from where she's working so I'd get free board! But sadly it isn't that simple, I've got four dogs (well six, including my partner's two) and I have to be around to keep an eye on my mum who has a few health problems.

tea_lover

Aww.... it's horrible isn't it? A year seems like ages at the start of it.

Is there anything you've wanted to do that you haven't really had time for before? Maybe an evening course? Or a new hobby? You could have a goal for the end of the 12 months to have passed a course, or learnt the guitar, or taken up upholstery... or something like that lol.