"It's not a holiday, honestly!"

This week has mostly been about putting the final plans in place for moving into a new house next Friday.  As explained in my last missal, we had two in mind but eventually decided to take the plunge and signed on the dotted line to rent a property in Island Bay.  The house is up on a hill and has a balcony with a view over Owhiro Bay.  It is well above the tsunami danger zone which is essentially a blue line painted across the road.  As the better half starts work on Monday we have been putting in the time this week searching for furniture to fill it with.

It's not all been trudging the streets and trawling the internet though.  We took a day off to explore the East Harbour Bay area.   The hills just behind the beach are criss-crossed with tracks through some thick bush with the occasional clearing and view across the harbour.  We spent a few hours slogging up onto the ridge, then trying navigate it south without getting lost in the forest, before returning to the beach for ice cream and the ferry ride back across to the city.

       

To contrast we have had an evening on the town with one the better half's workmates and then last Friday got tickets to the T20 Cricket - Blackcaps v England.  It was fantastic to get on board with the sports-mad Kiwi spirit and we cheered England to a huge win at "The Cake Tin" (Westpac Stadium).

This weekend has been more relaxed as the better half prepares to start work and I have started job hunting.  As I type, I am listening to more of the England cricket tour (the first ODI).   It's great to have a excuse to support either side - I am not hugely patriotic so really I just like to see a good game.  It does remind me that I am not in England though, and of all the people we have left behind.  Someone had better be the first to come and visit to stop us missing you.  After all, as of Friday we will have a spare room.  See you soon!