Auckland - The end of the road

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Kate: Home Sweet Home!!!! Well kind of... We made it and to be honest it still hasn't really all sunk in that we are in Auckland and this is it for the next 2 years! Yikes. It is so great here though and both Steve and i are already feeling pretty settled in our new flat- now all we need is some friends!! I was so shocked how quickly and easily we managed to find our flt. We were so lucky that we took the first one we saw. It is on a great location, right in the CBD and next to the famous Sky Tower. The flat came fully furnished as the landlord was going overseas so left most of his stuff, so Steve has a big TV, X-box and a lazy boy- happy days! We have everything right at our door step which is so handy. Our apartment block even has its own gym, so no excuses now Kate!! The best thing about the flat for Steve is that his work is less that a 5 minute walk which after spending a year driving an hour to Bath and back everyday, seems a luxury!

Auckland itself is a a typical big city but for us everything is so new and exciting that we love it. I even get excited about going food shopping (a little sad i know). Also being located where we are we just have to walk down the road and we are right by where all the ferry's leave to go and visit Davenport just across the water and some of the islands too which are meant to be awesome for shopping and restaurants-sweet!!

We have been really lucky because Steve's friend Toby got in contact with some of his friends who live in Auckland and they have been so kind to us showing us around Auckland and taking us to their local to watch the rugby, and the Kiwis take their rugby pretty seriously so the atmosphere is buzzing in the pubs. We also have the Viaduct just down the road from us which has loads of bars and restaurants lining the port with most of the bars open to the early hours of the morning which is pretty good. Can't wait for the summer so we can go down and drink wine by the water front, hopefully by then with some mates!! However i say i can't wait for the Summer but the winter here is so mild i keep forgetting that it is in fact winter. Typical temperature is around 12 degrees and although it rains A LOT it is not cold at all. Apparently the Summers can get up to around 28 degrees- can't wait. Especially since there are so many beautiful beaches so close to were we are staying- weekends sun bathing will definitely be on the agenda.

So now all i need is a job and then it back to normal life...sort of. I have loved living the unemployed life and traveling around but now it is back to reality- boohoo!! We are missing everyone in England but so excited to see who will come and visit us one day!

Steve - So the end of the road and i think the end of the blog. The trip has been absolutely amazing and I can't believe the things we have seen and things we have done. I have loved every minute of it! I have also loved doing the blog and it brilliant to look back on because we can't believe how much we have actually fitted into 3 months! Initially I was against the blog because I thought it would be too much work but I have to admit I have enjoyed doing it. It has been great to share the trip with everyone and thanks to everyone for their comments its been a great way to stay in touch. I am now back at work and looking forward to the weekends like everyone else - can't wait to get out of Auckland and go exploring! If anyone fancies a visit though get yourselves out here, there is always a place to stay, there is tons to see and do and I can also get good freebies and deals from work for various stuff. So get on out here!!!

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Photos

Auckland
Taken from Devonport - which is a lot nicer than the one in Plymouth.

The first of many pies
Been dreaming of this moment since i left Oz - it wasn't a disapointment

World Champions!!!
What decade are they living in! I have just gone through a time warp to '87

The Skytower
Our block of flats is the smaller one on the left in the foreground. Top Location!

Some mussels
In fact the biggest I have ever seen!

The view from our flat window
You can see the reflection of the skytower in the building opposite. Its pretty wierd when you catch a glace of someone bugy jumping from it

Our flat
Fully furnished - highlights include TV, x-box, dishwasher and Lazy boy

The view from Mount Victoria
At Devonport

View from Mount Victoria
Mount Eden on the left, the skytower on the right

Queen Street
The main shopping street in central Auckland, where my shop is

A Yacht
At the Viaduct

The Viaduct
Great for bars - some stay open until 8am!

Comments

[JRG]

Looks great, can't belive you have a lazy boy. The location looks tops too. Good shot of work - very impressed that it is on Queen Street. Brillo on the camper van for free too! It all sounds bloody brilliant. NZ v Auz is gonna be a stonker, keep your phone on, I'll try and give you a call. Hope Kate's job hunting is going well. JRG

[Ami]

It is all looking and sounding brilliant! You have done a good job of selling not only traveling but also NZ. Glad you found your calling Steve. Seeing as you are there for 2 years we will hopefully get a chance to come and visit. Happy Birthday Kate for tomorrow. Will speak to you soon I'm sure xx

[Lizi]

Well bloody done!
Hi Guys - great last entry. Well bloody done on such a great blog, a great trip and a great new life! I'm in awe of your bravery! Thanks for keeping us entertained for the last 3 months with the blog and make sure you find some other way of keeping us up to date with all your exciting stuff. We'll hopefully see you soon when we get our round the world trip organised! xxxx

[bunnie]

Auckland
Thanks you two for letting us share in your travels, you've done an amazing job with all the stories and pictures. Can't believe I wont see you for two years. I'll be in England next May hopefully. Take care and stay in touch. Love Bunnie

[tom]

Hiya
Yo Sound sliek an great trip, don;t tell Lauri or she'll have me away with josh and Jude ina heartbeat! Looking forward to seeing you over here soon. Although we will be over at some point....