First week in New Zealand

I can't believe I've been here a week already - as everyone warned me, time's flying! The weather here's really hot and sunny, we had a drop of rain on Sunday, but that was it. I went and explored the centre of Auckland on Saturday and decided I really liked it. It's very clean and the people are so friendly, I even managed to make friends with a lost monk! The shops aren't too bad and I managed to invest in a new bikini, beach dress and bag, so pretty successful! I would have bought far more if there was room in my suitcase, so perhaps the weight limit is a blessing in disguise....or not! From the 1st-6th of February was the International Busking Festival which was pretty impressive. As the name suggests there were buskers from all around the world performing against each other throughout the city streets. My favourites were a group called 'popeyed' who were two male acrobats and not only were they very funny, but ridiculously strong. I didn't vote, but I hope that they did well! The harbour in Auckland is called the viaduct, and it's beautiful. If you walk along to the end you can sit and look across the bay to Devonport, or the harbour bridge and there are various boat trips which I need to sign up to to take me to various islands. There are the usual large yachts and expensive restaurants all along there, aswel as some nice cafes.

I spent Saturday evening at a big barbeque at the house of some friends of the family. The owners were obviously doing very well for themselves and had a heated pool with jets to swim against, and the compulsory hot tub. They had some caterers in to do the barbeque and the food was pretty amazing. I tried some sweet potatoes called 'kumara' which were seriously yummy, and the fresh fish here is very tasty too. Following a yummy banana crepe and despite the rain on Sunday, we headed to St Heliers beach which is a little further along the coast than Mission Bay. Adam is training for the Iron Man in March so went off on a big swim whilst I pottered around with the children, jumping the non-existent waves, until Alex got chilly and ran to the car with Fiona and Lucy. I went for a bit of a swim but the rain eventually got the better of us and Adam was left to cycle home. I met Fiona's mum that afternoon and we went to have a look at Piha beach, which is black sand and very good for surfing. However, due to the rain and the fact that I was wedged inbetween the baby seats we stayed in the car to admire it!

I've invested in a pass to the local swimming pool, so I used that on Monday morning and had a good swim. I then caught a bus back into town and had a look at the National Art Gallery. Considering my lack of interest in art, I actually found it quite interesting! (I'm not entirely sure what gave me the urge to go there, but I guess I felt I ought to!) Tuesday was rather exciting for me because Tracey and the girls took me to the zoo! It was one of the nicest zoos I've been to and it was really fun to be there with two young girls. They were excited by everything, even though they go there every week! I went to watch England play the Black Caps (cricket) at Eden park that evening. I met up with Olivia (friend from school) and some of her friends and it was great fun. The atmosphere was good, though lots of people got arrested for throwing food and drink which was probably the English influence! We won, so I was happy.

Yesterday was Waitangi day which is a national holiday over here. However, I went to work at 'Groove in the Park', which is a big music festival. I was working on a stall selling 'Acai' (pronounced Ah-sigh-ee'), which is a berry from the Amazon, in the form of a smoothie. It's meant to be very good for you, but wasn't very popular at the festival - I think it was the wrong crowd. It was a boiling day, and although I was smothered in cream and in the shade for most of the day, I still managed to get burnt. So the colour of my face was the joke at the dinner table last night when Adams' family came for dinner!

Everyone's being so friendly here and I've been really lucky to make friends already, so I'm looking forward to the next few weeks.

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I hope everyone's well, Hats x

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