What I like about New Zealand

Week 8 in New Zealand, it's almost feeling like home. I had so many emails since my last blog people sympathising with me, encouraging me and others telling me to get a grip or "pull yourself together you dozy mare". I also had some tips like listen to Radio one on-line, I never thought of that but that's exactly what i'm doing right now. The disappointing thing is Chris Moyles isn't on, its Vernon Kaye. Then another one saying look on the bright side, "you might not be able to share a bottle of wine with Jodie but at least you get the bottle to yourself" Good point! Thanks to everyone who sent me emails.

To balance out last times home sick post I thought I'd think about the things I like about living here:

I like not having to wear a coat in winter

I like that there are so many flowers and trees even though its winter

I like having the sea right across the road from my house

I like Kiwis (the people) - everyone is so friendly

I like seeing Pukeko's - strange birds that look funny when they run

I like living close to one of my best friends

I like the fact that the telly is so rubbish we hardly have it on.

I like paying less for petrol

I like seeing palm trees along the side of the road as I drive to work

I like the thought that this is winter but its almost as warm as the UK in summer

I like Hells Pizza

And I think when summer comes there'll be even more 'likes'!

Real life begins

Harry started school last week at Bucklands Beach Intermediate, all the staff at the school are so friendly. On his second day at school he was introduced to the assistant principal, whose orginally from Wakefield and has been in New Zealand for two years. They had a chat about familiar things from England, like local rugby and football teams.

So that just left me at home, the thought of being a lady of leisure appeals but in reality I think I'd just get lonely. So I signed up with a recruitment agency, Momentum. I did that on a Thursday, got an interview with New Zealand post on Monday for a two month contract and started work last Friday.

So the holiday is over. Well almost... last weekend the weather was fantastic, we had lunch at Pine Harbour, a beautiful place and views on the drive over there are amazine. On Sunday we played cricket, it was so hot (and this is winter) we were just in short sleeves. So life's not bad!

Dolphin Safari

It hasn't been all work whilst we've been here we've had time to do some fun things too...

Last week Harry and I went on a Dolphin and Whale Safari setting off from Auckland Harbour. It was a beautiful sunny day but with a chilly sea breeze, we spent most of the four and half hour boat ride sat at the front of the boat...it took us about two hours to thaw out when we got back.

The safari was run by Explore NZ on the day we sailed there was a 95% chance of seeing dolphins and a 75% chance of seeing whales, with the promise that if you didn't see any you would get a voucher for another trip.

We were out about 40 minutes before we spotted the first pod of dolphins. They swam alongside the boat for ages, we had a great view from the front of the boat. We saw another two pods of dolphins and some penguins but although one of the crew thought they saw a whale in the distance the rest of us didn't. That was a bit disappointing I've seen dolphins in the wild before but never a whale. But the captain of the boat gave us all a voucher for another trip because we hadn't seen any whales - so we get to take another trip out sometime soon.

Last Saturday Harry and Darren went to watch the All Blacks play Australia in the first match of the tri-nations, it was a sell out so they were lucky to get tickets. And the All Blacks won - our new team except when they're playing England!

A room with a view

I've finally found the perfect home - well almost perfect. After looking around lots of properties I was about to compromise on the area I wanted to live in and start looking in other areas. I thought one final look on trademe, the website kiwis use to advertise everything, just to check if there are any new listings...and there it was my dream house!

I rang the real estate agents to arrange to view it as soon as I could and fell in love. It has views to die for (see the pics). It's right on the waterfront looking over the sea and with just a glimpse of sky tower. After a little dance of joy I signed for it immediately. It was a little over budget but I was sure Darren wouldn't mind.

And now here I am sat looking out over the water. Our furniture is on its way from the UK so at the moment the house is very sparsely furnished and we're making use of cardboard boxes for a tv stand and coffee table. Hopefully our things should arrive on the 15 August so not too long to wait.

Although the house is lovely its not really made for the cold weather, no double glazing, no insulation and no central heating. We've spent our nights snuggled up under throws and hot water bottles in the beds. Its not for long though the winter isn't very long in New Zealand and certainly nothing like as cold.

So now we have the house I can enrol Harry into school when they re-open next week after the holidays. Another hurdle complete.

Next step a job for me...