Go the Giants

I've been counting down the weeks until our furniture and other possessions arrive in New Zealand. They arrived on the date due about three weeks ago. It took a while for it to clear customs and then it had to be checked by MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry). They cleared last week but then I was told there wasn't a van available to deliver until this Thursday! I'm not sure my cardboard coffee table will last, its sagging in the middle now. I'm so excited about seeing my shoes and handbags again and it will be really nice to have some kitchen equipment and furniture too - can't wait!

So this weekend will be unpacking and maybe watching the Giants game, if I can stay up that late or get up that early! Everything sports wise seems to be going well since we left, England won the ashes; the Giants have got to the final of the Challenge Cup and Huddersfield Town have had a great start to the season, scoring nearly as many goals as i saw all last season! Maybe we were jinxes.

Extreme Edge

I have a bit of a fear of heights, so when Harry suggested going rock climbing for his birthday, I tried to talk him into doing something a bit less adventurous. Maybe a trip to the cinema or bowling, but no he was adamant that we go rock climbing and insistent we all had a go.

So Saturday morning we set off to Extreme Edge, which is a fantastic place with climbing facilities for all ages and all abilities. One of the instructors give us a quick lesson in using the equipment and watched us try a first climb, then we were just left to it. Harry was like a monkey man, scaling the walls, right up to the top, he managed the walls with overhangs as well, even though he had a harness my heart was in my mouth watching.

I reluctantly had a go, on my first attempt I climbed about six foot and then needed to be let down. It took me a further three attempts before I managed to reach the top, I was so proud of myself especially as I managed to climb higher than Darren. I know I shouldn't gloat but I just can't help it! I'm glad I did the rock climbing, its something we haven't tried before, but I don't think I'm in too big a rush to do it again. Although Harry can't wait to give it another try.

The evenings entertainment suited me more. We went down into the city to Minus 5 - a bar where the walls, chairs, bar and glasses are all made of ice. That was good fun but cold. Then onto a Brazilian Restaurant called Wild Fire. The food is all barbecued and the staff just keep coming round with different kinds of food. It is mostly meat and fish, but they brought the most delicous barbecued Pineapple. On each table is a little wooden tower half red and half green, whilst ever the green part is at the top the food just keeps on coming, I think we all probably ate too much. The evening was finished off with the restaurant staff singing Happy Birthday in Portuguese.

So all in all a really good birthday treat for Harry.

Birthday Celebrations

We've had birthday celebrations here this week, Harry became a teenager! Great birthday fun but its a bit sad not to be sharing it with family and even sadder no birthday pictures with Dennis (our cat).

We got Dennis before Harry was born and every year I've always taken photos of Harry opening his present, with Dennis always there amongst the wrapping paper. Or trying to open the presents for Harry. Sadly we had to have Dennis put to sleep last year he was old and his kidneys were failing. He had monthly injections and had to take tablets every day for most of the last year of his life - he lived much longer than expected. We knew at some point we'd have to make the dreadful decision to say good bye but it didn't make it any easier when the time came. It still makes me cry thinking about it now.

Dennis was one of the family and we all still miss him!

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'!

Home Sick

New Zealand is a fantastic place, its got great beaches, amazing countryside, its clean, there are loads of sparrows and the people are so friendly but...I'm homesick!

I miss sharing a bottle of wine with Jodie

I miss having tea with my mum and dad on a Thursday

I miss having coffee, lunch and dinner with friends

I miss having my horoscopes read by Hayley each day at work

I miss my lovely friends at work

I miss seeing familiar faces when I'm walking in the shopping centres or down the street

I miss listening to Chris Moyles on the radio on the way to work

I miss chatting to friends at Harry's cricket match each week and I miss Carol and Graham's bacon sandwiches

I miss Sainsbury's, I know very sad of me but its hard work shopping here the brands aren't familiar, there isn't quite as much choice and it seems really expensive but I think thats because it looks more in dollars (there's approx $2.60 to a £1)!

In saying all that I am glad I'm here I think we will have a fantastic life here...but right now I just miss home!

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!