Wifey has the joy of going to the supermarket. I like to go to the shops and just at the moment I would like a little ride out anywhere. But it makes sense to us for just one person to leave the house and as she is out and about anyway with work it might as well be her. The report back is its very quiet, no queues. Shelves by and large well stocked. Flour still seems in short supply, when did we become a nation of bakers? Aside that everything she wanted we got, I even got a treat. Every now and again I like a little pastry. The swirly jobs with the raisins in, Danish I think they are called. Anyway one of those is always gratefully received. The supermarket has obviously cottoned on to the idea that people may want little indulgences like this and bundled them together in a big bag with other niceties in. I am sure they will argue it’s about people contact or something like that, I don’t care. I have a Pain au chocolat now too. It’s going to be a great day.

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions

Work is really picking up pace. The thought that we may come out of lockdown soon has appeared to have given people renewed confidence. That and I am sure people are thinking they won’t be having a foreign holiday anytime soon, best we explore our own back garden. What a beautiful back garden it is too. I have only been here about two and a half years and in that time have pretty much only gone North of Auckland. I see a great opportunity to get out and about and discover what else New Zealand has to offer. Feel free to message me any recommendations.
The South Island is right up there for discovering when it warms up a bit. We did go to Christchurch once by mistake and were confronted with true Kiwi compassion. We were coming back from a long weekend in Australia visiting friends and to say it was a bit blowy when we tried to come into land in Auckland was an understatement. The pilot, obviously some sort of daredevil did give it a couple of goes; but we were coming in sideways. A landing in those conditions would have been a miracle and I didn’t need to test out the emergency exits. So we are diverted to Christchurch. The airline promising to find us all accommodation.
Once we get airside it is quite apparent we are not the only flight diverted that evening and the strain on the faces of the ground crew said it all. At the first mention of blankets I knew a plush fully paid hotel would be out of the question and that’s when we got lucky. Remember I am the nice guy who likes to talk to everyone. I had been chatting with a nice couple, little bit older than us and struggling a bit to keep up with what was going on. What they weren’t struggling to keep up with though was technology, that and the fact that there was no way they were bedding down on the airport floor for the night. Straight on the web, booked a unit with two double rooms and we are cordially invited to come with them for the evening. I am still grateful to this day. Our first time pitching down in a city we didn’t know and the good faith and nature of a Kiwi couple we had never met before came to our aid. If ever I was in any doubt that a move to the other side of the world was a mistake, the compassion and hospitality of this wonderful couple sealed the deal. So remember, be nice and talk to everyone, you never know who you are talking to.

It’s really wet and windy up here today, very much more autumnal than it has been and Lola doesn’t like it. She is a bit of a softy really, as much as she wants to go out when stood at the door with the options of a walk the anchors are firmly deployed and off back to her bed she goes. As for any loud noises, it straight into her cupboard to hide. Normally I can coax her out, but not today. Today for Lola will be a day spent mostly on her own, until about six o’clock when we sit down for dinner, then I all of a sudden its play time!