Not bad after all

D'ya know something, I'm starting to think that this can work out really well... Today has been a relaxed and happy day even though it was completely unproductive. It must have something to do with the fact that the sun is shining... I'm getting excited about Gotenburg, I'm getting excited about Sweden and living here, getting nice things for our home and hopefully finding a satisfying job.

has it?

has it sprung? I think so and It looked as though there was a lot of people in the main square in Lund that thought the same... Daffodils are popping up everywhere and it feels beutiful.

harland enjoying his first falafel as a Swedish resident

But time seems to be crawling, I can't wait for tuesday and the viewing of that flat we really want. 1 bedroom, sitting room, 58 sq m, light and spacious, in Vastra Frolunda, which is just where we want to be (near the rugby club and close enough to town but also near the sea). I want, want, want it but trying not to get my hopes up in case the landlady picks someone else...

falt hunting

sometimes there's only grandad

so far I've applied for a few flats but there is one in particular we have our eye on. it's a one bedroom corner flat, about 15 minute walk to the rugby club and 10 min tram ride to central gothenburg, just where we want to be. We're seeing it on tuesday and there is some competition for it so I suppose it's a bit hopeful to think that the land lady should chose us. hmmm...

time seems a bit floaty since we arrived here. I had a lovely weekend with my family and when Harland arrived on Monday I was thrilled to see him. Now that we've recovered from jetlag and that we do need to get cracking. One minute I feel like I've nothing to do and the next I'm overwhelmed by the thought of everything that needs to be organized...

a certain sister in my jacket + a certain nephew in my hat

a certain princess

We left New Zealand a week ago and it's never felt further away. It was sad leaving, especially not knowing when we will return. But the important thing is we will. And I think sooner than some might expect.


Funny isn't it? I always thought that as much as I might travel there will always just be the one place that feels like home. But that's not true is it?

nearly there....

All in all the trip has gone really well (so far, touch wood and all that). 10 hrs to Hong Kong, nice and easy, watched movies and relaxed. 10 hrs in Hong Kong with Ollie, a delicious dinner and a few pints in an irish pub and we were knackered when we got to the airport. 13 hrs to London, slept quite a bit, ate loads of food and watched telly (5 episodes of CSI included). My bag made it which was a huge relief as I was convinced it would get lost... I've made it to stanstead with time to spare but I'm on my own though which isn't at all as much fun... I'm having a hard time getting in to my head that I'll be seeing my family today...

you couldn't write this stuff...

I had little adventure yesterday when I went in to Hamilton to pick up the last presents and souvenirs. Driving down the main street I realized I had a flat tyre but couldn't pull over straight away because of the roadworks. I eventually found a loading bay and pulled in, got out and, yes, sure enough it was as flat as a pancake. I couldn't believe it. We've had this car for 5 months and never had a problem and this happens when I'm on my own, which is very unusual. And on top of that I was wearing my lovely white tunic, which I had to take off (I had a cami underneath though...)After an SOS to Harland to find out where everything was I got to work trying to get the jack out, with great difficulty. Then I got help from a lovely girl who was having coffee with two friends in a cafe where I pulled in. And here's the funny bit. The three girls had been sitting there chatting about what they can and can not do with cars. Two of them said they were useless when it came to cars and didn't even know how to change a tyre. The other girl then said: "You really ought to know how to change a tyre, I will have to teach you one day." And that's when I pulled in with my pancake wheel. So they got their lesson on my car and I got some much needed help + a good story to take home with me. As it were quite a few people stopped to see if we needed any help and I felt very well looked after :)

We had dinner with Rochelle and Paul and won't see them again this time. It was sad saying goodbye to the kids, especially Flynn "I love you with all my heart" bless his cotton socks. It's sad not knowing when we'll see them again. Rochelle is such a good sister to Harland and a good "sister" to me, always happy and warm and easy to talk to.

So, today we begin the final leg of our journey. Taking the car back to cousin hero in disguise Colin and then on to Auckland on the bus, spending the night in a hotel near the airport before we fly out tomorrow.

It's been such an amazing holiday

rugby frenzy

Last night was brilliant! A local derby between the Waikato Chiefs and Auckland Blues was always going to be a humdinger but never expected it to be quite such a try fest! I think Caveman, Bevan and Ashling were quite glad we dragged the along :)
There were about 15 000 people in waikato stadium which isn't much by brittish standards but not too bad for NZ. The atmosphere was pumping and the players were obviously charged up, the first try being scored only a couple of minutes in to the game with a quick reply from the blues. But then... the mighty Chiefs ran away with it and never looked like letting the opponents back in to the game

Match report on TVNZ

Oddly my favorite moment of the evening was before the game outside the stadium when we encountered "possum" (THE chiefs supporter and also the man responsible for revving up the chainsaw, as well as the supporters, from a crane). He was walking around belting out, at the top of his voice, a welcome to everyone, a challenge, a reminder that the waikato is the sacred land, and general patriotic encouragements. He was beaming with raw passion for his team and I thought that was really impressive.