Denver

As you know Denver is now part of our family, from the moment we saw him at the SPCA we knew he was the one for us.

The journey over the last 4 months has been amazing, we have laughed (he is a clumsy puppy), cried (he likes to eat our garden plants!) and been totally amazed as to how much he has grown! See photo below as demonstrated by Bethany!

Now we knew when we got him that he was somewhat a mix of Bullmastiff, Labrador and Staffy and we knew that he would be a big dog, but at 6 months old he is already longer than Bethany and weighs in at a whopping 23kg (3 stone 4 pounds!).

It has been a lot of hard work that I will admit, but in an enjoyable way. I have had some amazing help from Karen at Paws In The City and right now we are attending training sessions with Karen's business partner Julia Maiden.

The classes are held in Aro Valley in Wellington, and they are fantastic. I am very proud to admit Denver is one of the best dogs there. Julia is an amazing woman, hugely inspirational and a wonderful teacher, Denver adores her very much.

Training has been a massive success. Denver can sit, lay down, roll over, fetch, drop and stay - a lot of people have said that's a lot of stuff for a 6 month old puppy to know, but he is a very clever puppy so training has been easy. See the photo below proving he can sit and stay in public!

So today Denver and I participated in a mini Dog Squad. We met Julia and her daughter in Spotlight in Wellington, where they and a few other wonderful people were doing hourly rotation of dogs representing the SPCA, trying to raise money for the much needed cause.

I'm not afraid to admit I was slightly concerned that he just wouldn't be able to contain himself, he loves people and gets very excited, and with this being his first ever 'populated' outing it could have been a problem. However quite the opposite!! I am so unbelievably proud of my boy. Denver raised $102!!

We had a spot near the door, he sat, shook hands and even rolled over once whilst all the time being the perfect gentleman. Many people asked if he was up for adoption, many said he was a gorgeous looking dog, and the most pleasing was that children and babies in pushchairs were treated to 'Denver kisses', I can't thank those people enough for having an open mind proving that 'breed' isn't always the reason for everything.

It was a truly amazing day and I hope that we all raised a lot of money for this much needed cause. People seem to have the wrong impression about the SPCA, all animals that enter the SPCA are there for a reason, but that reason doesn't have to be a bad one.

Denver was the last in his litter and was surrendered. Yes there are badly treated animals there but the wonderful people at the SPCA will tell you of any history, and even then, that does not mean the end to a perfectly good animal, many many animals just need that someone to love them.

I do feel sad when people say they want to get their puppy from the pet store - why does that make it any better? With the pet stores you are certainly guaranteed to to be told whatever you want to hear and with the ever growing rumours of the 'puppy mills' - how is that fair?

Please watch these videos of a television show aired in the UK called Pedigree Dogs Exposed which highlights and proves that Pedigree breeding is now getting out of control. Please also be aware that these videos are sadly shocking.

Anyway, Denver is amazing, I am so proud of him - he fell asleep in the car on the way home as he was so tired, and was treated to a small piece of cake when he came home which of course he enjoyed!

Next month is the big Dog Squad day as we are hitting Queensgate Shopping Centre - which is going to be massive. I have every confidence in Denver and every confidence in raising money for the SPCA.

OK, so lets all be honest here - there is nothing worse than people out collecting money right? I have myself dodged the man with the clip board on many occasions. The difference is that the SPCA has ordinary heartfelt caring special people (like myself) who only want the best for animals. They work damn hard and deserve to feel contentment in finding homes for those they care for day in and day out.

So next time you see that bucket please donate, you can be safe in the knowledge that Denver and his SPCA buddies are very very grateful.

Growing

We always worried that Bethany would find it hard to adjust. Moving across the world is a big thing for such a small girl, and although she probably still doesn't quite grasp the concept of what she has done, she fully understands that we live here in NZ now and everyone else in the UK.

We moved into our new home in January this year and again we were worried how she would settle. But the house move proved easy and the first few days at her new Kindy were amazing, happily waving goodbye to me after only two days. Since then she has not looked back.

I often ask her on a morning when we are snuggled together in bed at morning cuddle time if she would like to stay home today, suggesting all sorts of things that may entice her to stay with me, but no, every time Kindy wins over. I am even shamefully going to admit I suggested to her that she loved Kindy more than mammy (how awful and terribly guilty after that did I feel?!).

As I have mentioned before, its just Bethany and I. When daddy is at work it's always just us two, two girls kicking about in our new life together. When Bethany goes off to Kindy I miss her so very much, and secretly although looking forward to her starting school I can see the never ending spiral of us now spending less and less time together - and I am dreading that.

I think Bethany's Kindy is exceptional, wonderful teachers, beautiful rooms, amazing educational toys etc. Yet sometimes Bethany does complain of being a little bored - this I think is the trek to becoming a big school girl, scarily due to happen soon!

All of Bethany's buddies are moving off to school now (they move to school when they turn 5 and not in groups of terms like in the UK) and with the introduction of younger ones to her morning sessions she is starting to feel left behind I think. Conversation becomes harder with the younger ones, and Bethany is certainly a talker.

Bethany has made some amazing little friends. Every one seeming to be so different. Today Bethany had Tanaka come over and play all afternoon, later on they were joined by Daisy and the three played fantastically together.

A wonderful time of bouncing was had, here is a little video with a a voice over from Stef. Oh and check out Bethany's funny dress up choice!



I don't know why but life seems to have sped up since we moved here, in the blink of an eye a week is over but I put that down to having such a diverse and interesting life now. Every day is something different, even those days I am home doing the once over awful task of laundry I now find it pleasurable. How sad is that!??

Bethany and I are due to start on different paths, we are soon going to be separating as a unit and moving off individually. Bethany seems to be coping with that better than I am so far, but one thing that is true is that the road ahead for us both couldn't be more individually perfect.

In The Middle

We always get the usual questions, now that we are 'time served' expats, those who seek to do as we did always have many questions. Funny enough the most common question is 'what are the bad things about New Zealand?'. A difficult question really.

We set off to start our new life without ever speaking to anyone here in Wellington, we figured nothing could be as bad as where we were and if the tourist adverts were anything to go by, we would be in heaven. We believe life is all about what you make of it yourself.

However for whatever reason we couldn't seem to make life work for us in the UK. We felt brick walls were being built up around us and options were growing more and more limited everyday. I often think - if our philosophy is 'life is what you make it' then how come we couldn't do that in the UK?

I find it hard to talk about this without giving the wrong impression to all our wonderful family and friends in the UK who love their lives their. For those guys we are truly happy, a little bewildered as to how and why based on how we felt there, but nonetheless happy. Then there are others who absolutely hate it. We talk to those who have nothing to say, have been nowhere, can't afford a holiday, hate work and are still sitting on that same bar stool every Friday night drinking away the crappy week they have had - and hating it.

I am feeling very unsettled lately, not because we are unhappy but sadness for others. We know of 3 families that have in the last week suddenly changed so dramatically with how they feel about NZ. All yearning so desperately for the UK, making plans to return.

On the other hand we have 8 families, some friends, and others through Dawes Migration Services who can't wait to get here. It's hard to explain but I am feeling the pressure of being in the middle. On one side I have the sympathising and offering advice to those those wanting to go back to the UK, then on the other side being excited, overjoyed and full of enthusiastic advice for the people who are leaving the UK. It's all very confusing and can stir up so many odd feelings, especially when I am feeling a little stuck in the middle.

I know I am rambling on a bit in this post but this week has been filled with a lot of thinking. I find myself on a bit of a emotional roller coaster sometimes and it's my own fault for becoming so wound up with other people's choices. Yet all I want to do is show our family and friends how happy we are and how others can have what we have. In some ways I hope I don't lose the love I have for New Zealand as these people have, it's funny but it actually upsets me to hear the bad things they now say, and it scares me to think that we could also feel like that one day.

Whatever happens for these families I hope they are one day happy and find that place of contentment. Right now I need to focus my attention on those wanting to live a better life here - and on us, the people in the middle of this crossroads, the people flying the expat flag for how much we love NZ.

It's Not Hard To Smile

Many different things make me smile.
How often you do reflect on something that stole a smile?

I find so much contentment from the smallest things now, and they become a huge part of my life. Having the blog as our online diary of all the things we want to share with you makes me strive to write, yet sometimes that isn't hard at all.

I know for a fact that if we were still living in the UK we would not have had a blog site, I also know that the things that make me smile here I probably would have never noticed there.

Maybe it's the lifestyle change, maybe it's because there is more to notice or maybe I have just found my inner place to be. Maybe I am now genuinely happy.

Every week is so full of small yet amazing moments. In one small week I can make a list of all the amazing smile stealing moments - so for this week my 'smiley moments' are:

Being with amazing inspirational friends. Being able to enjoy life here together, spending time getting to know each other all in the company of the blooming Daffodils calling out to us that Spring is on it's way...

Having Denver. He has now become even more of part of the family now that he spends time with us on the sofa - earning him the spoilt doggy award of the week for sure...

Seeing a rare Kereru. And not at some wildlife sanctuary but in our garden enjoying life and seeming very happy...

Being welcomed. By our wonderful friends and neighbours, watching out for us, helping us and for being there. Also for sharing a gorgeous meal out with them only just last night...

Laughing, cringing and crying. Getting back in touch with so many wonderful school friends through Facebook who I haven't spoken with in many years. Some people have changed so much and others still look the same. This week has had many 'noooo waaayyy' moments!...

Bethany being creative at meal times. Always the creative soul, never a dull moment, from organising the toilet rolls to look like a person to playing with her food...

Having a laugh. Even if its pouring down whilst out walking Denver we always find a moment to have the obligatory photos...

Other things things this week that have also made me smile but I don't have photos of are:

The probably politically incorrect but hilariously funny Bethany singing 'I kissed a girl and I liked it' whilst strutting around the supermarket.

Drinking beers and playing Buzz with my best friend Jo, an afternoon well spent!

And finally making some hopefully amazing plans with all of our Kiwi friends for what will be the best New Year ever.

Everyone has amazing moments every day which can really make you smile, but how often do you realise it?

Our life so far seems to sometimes play out like a scene from a movie making everything so wonderfully surreal, always making us question - 'is this for real?'.

For us now though this is the norm - and everyday I will make my smile last that little bit longer, well, because it's easy!!

Loaded

Life as we all know is about challenges. It's about setting goals and exceeding your own expectations. Well, it is for me anyway. That's why I do stuff that I've never done before, or really thought about doing before. Sometimes I end up doing something simply because I can.

Life's too short to sit an wonder 'what if?' and if I was that sort of person, I'd never have ended up bringing my family to New Zealand! Once I decide I'm going to do something - it usually takes something like the end of the world to stop me.

Take learning to ride a motorbike for instance. I wanted to do this as a kid and due to my mam tempting me with free car useage instead, it never transpired. It was however at the back of my mind for a few years and eventually I just booked it in and went for it.

Take moving to the other side of the world as another example. I (well, we obviously) wanted to do it, so we did.

There's loads of things I've always wanted to do, wanted to have and wanted to experience, well now I am, and all without it being labelled as a mid-life crisis (if you can get them when you approach 32?)

One of those things I'd never really thought about doing, or had once but never really considered the options was owning a firearm. After spending last years bonfire night at a friends farm taking part in some shooting, I have been considering the options more closely. So recently I made out an application, sat the firearms test, provided a few character references and passed.

As of yesterday, I'm now the proud owner of a New Zealand firearms licence. And why? Well just because I can!

The Late Weekend

My friend Sarah pointed out to me recently that Wellington has been stuck in the '7 week cycle', and that every Saturday for the last 7 weeks it has rained. Because of that we now seem to have this follow on effect where every Sunday and Monday is perfectly sunny. I personally think we should move the weekend - any one with me on that?! So lets get together and ditch a day...any preferences which one?!

This weekend Michael was to work all weekend but he managed to squeeze in all that needed to be done on the Saturday so he could have Sunday with us. Of course after a full on week Sunday is normally the day of relaxation - but we can't waste the sunshine!

We wanted to do some shopping in Porirua which is on the other side of Wellington on the coast, so on the way we stopped off for a walk on Plimmerton beach, this is our first trip here (as with it being on the Highway we normally just drive straight past) and it was truly gorgeous.

Only a few weeks back we read in the news that the houses here blasted by the ocean in the recent storms - not surprised when they are built on the ocean...beautiful views though!!

We had a gorgeous walk and finally Denver gained his water wings! After a discreet push at a rock pool there was no stopping him. Jumping at the waves and putting his face under - he loved it!

Yippee, we actually have a normal dog. Since we have had him he has been one of these 'fair weather' dogs, the type that scuttles backwards at the door to get back in if it's raining outside.

We collected the most gorgeous shells, and just admired what is truly one of many of the gorgeous unspoilt beaches - and as normal along with only one guy in a kayak we had it to ourselves!

After that we proceeded to Porirua where we took the drastic step of buying a tent! Keep reading though for another post on that soon!

Monday Michael was back at work and again the sun shone like never before. Beautiful blue skies with only the odd wisp of white cloud to be seen. Bethany and I took Denver to Petone beach where we collected more shells (our house has more shells now than furniture) and Denver played happily in the water.

Afterwards we couldn't resist some time for Bethany as she played in the play area right on the ocean. Whilst she played I gazed out upon the magical blue water, a fond and comfortable smile crept across my face as the memories of summer started to come back.

Despite the rain, when the sun does come out it comes out to stay, it comes out to prove a point and it comes out to lift everyones mood, and it does it well every time.

With every day getting lighter on a morning and staying lighter on a night it's only right that in a little under 5 weeks we put the clocks forward again, giving NZ a whole wonderful 7 months of Daylight Saving...talk about heaven.

New Hair!

Who Upset Mother Nature?

Wellington's Mother Nature must have been really pissed off the last few days. After the last harmonious post of playing in the park we have been hit with some of the most crazy storms.

It's been 3 days now of being woken around 6am with the extremely loud thunder, and with living in a wooden house now, believe me when I say it can literally rattle your bones. Friday morning was just the best, Michael had gone outside to put the rubbish out when all of a sudden a huge flash of lightening and a boom of thunder brought hailstones the size of marbles crashing down.

Of course I took some video, it shows the start of the storm (listen to the noise that comes from having a tin roof!), the hail that rained down upon us and finishes with the storm passing in the form of a little bird singing it's heart out to let us know it's safe to come out now!



Over the last few days it's been pretty much that - icy storms. It is like living a totally different winter this year. Last year on the coast we experienced wind like never before, here we have hardly had anything compared to what we are used to. By the coast we never had hail that could take your eye out, or that could hang around all day, and we never had so much thunder.

I laughed today at a lady at the supermarket who stood at the counter with a trolley full of milk and bread, and was proclaiming the end of the world (or words to that effect). I thought to myself I bet she was English, yet how wrong was I when her accent revealed she was a Kiwi.

Seems the Kiwi's can be just as crazy as us Brits, however my advice would be for them to experience a UK winter (or summer in some places) to know what cold really is!

Quick, The Sun Is Shining...

With the distinct lack of sunshine lately and the abundance of rain Winter is well and truly making a mark. But the sun does shine, and today Aotearoa (which is commonly translated into English as The Land of the Long White Cloud) is living up to its name.

We have had some days where the sun has shone so hard we have ventured out in just t-shirts, even seeing people walking bare foot (which is a thing kiwi's do!).

We have managed to fit in a trip or two to the local park, which of course is a well needed break. Bethany gets some time away from home at Kindy, yet the feeling of cabin fever is enough to drive me insane and so it was time to get out.

We stopped off at Subway, grabbed lunch and set off to Trentham Memorial Park where we spent a lovely afternoon lazing in the sunshine, watching a game of muddy football and Bethany shrieking with excitement as she dashes from one side of the play area to the other - unsure of what to do first!

I am very much a person who enjoys seasonal changes, I still however find it difficult to get used to them. Right now in the UK it's summer (well for everyone but my parents!) and even after nearly two years of experiencing the differences it can be difficult getting organised for a day out - especially when all you want to really do is get the Christmas tree up!

Boozy Birthday (But Not For Me!)

I can't believe that its been a year since it was Susan's birthday last that we celebrated in style. It really does seem like it was only yesterday we drunkly staggered around Boogie Wonderland for all to see!

But yes, it's actually been over a year and how time flies when you are having fun. With now living 25 minutes out of the city a night out can be more hassle than its worth, but you mention food, alcohol and the chance that Susan might do some pole dancing and I am there!

Sadly this time I had to drive. Taxi's are pricey at $130, trains are all well and good but I am not comfortable with walking anywhere alone - especially in my heels, so with all that in mind the car was the only way to go.

I picked up Susan, Jo and Joan and we headed into town, being sat in our first (empty!) pub dead on 5.30pm. After a wine of two later (for the girls and not me) it was time to stagger to our restaurant for the evening.

We went to Nicolini's which is an Italian. Upon arrival we were shocked to see a queue by the door which resulted in us shouting to the service staff we had a booking (in an attempt to jump the queue). After a wave we were lead past the kitchens, through a door and out into what seemed like a back alley...maybe we shouldn't have been so pushy!

At the end of the alley our worry subsided as we saw we were being led to another eating area and not to our deaths!

We all enjoyed a gorgeous meal, Jo swore a lot, Susan laughed and Joan told stories which can't be repeated on the blog, I of course made sure the wine flowed so the stories would not stop. After being so very English and having a cup of tea to finish my meal (I know, very sad) we all had one huge group hug and I wished them well for the night. I have since seen photo's that prove they had a good time!

It's a pain to have to drive, I must admit all of these things never factored into my new lifestyle up here in the Hutt, and I wish I had thought of it!

I can categorically say that wine is a very important part of my life, what would the world be without it?

“I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad.

Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone.

When I have company I consider it obligatory.

I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am.

Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.”

- Lilly Bollinger

Oh well, it's my birthday in a few months time - no bloody driving that night that's for sure!!

Going Coastal

"As I child we would often holiday by the ocean. Even as a child I would feel the pure rush of being submerged in a world of total intrigue." - Henry Wadsworth

As you know we moved house in January and we went from a home perched on the edge of a hill facing the most gorgeous ocean view. We spent every day and night looking out to the ocean, watching the change in the tide, watching sunsets, dolphins, whales and even being able to predict the change in the weather!

In the UK we had a house that was backed on to many other houses in a cul de sac. A wonderful home as it was our first together but you would look out the window at brick walls and cars parked in the street. For us though we knew no different, and although we loved every minute we had together there we always wondered if it was possible to have that something more.

The new house where we live now is amazing. Stunning gardens, huge decked areas and after some time our house has now become a home. We are now however in suburbia and although there is nothing wrong with that (we knowingly chose to live here!) we do miss the vast freedom that came from being by the ocean. It has been a complete lifestyle change!

A least once a week I drive by the ocean, just taking in those sights, smells and sounds. There really is nothing like it and those people who have the most amazing homes near the ocean are so very lucky.

Last week I took two trips to the ocean, I only need to be driving in that direction and make an excuse to head there. Bethany and I walked Denver in Houghton Bay a few times this week, this beach is known for its most spectacular waves so we were not disappointed.

Jo, Sammy and Davey joined us one day and we sat building sandcastles in the sunshine, chatting and looking over to the snow capped Kaikoura - oh now I miss that view!

I found those days truly amazing. I consider the ocean my thinking place and have managed to work through so much in my head by only those few visits. We were even treated to having lunch with my gorgeous husband at Cafe Polo in Miramar, which is a lovely little cafe, gorgeous food and on a sunny day like it was it couldn't have been more perfect.

Maybe one day we may live by the ocean again but with the way house prices are going then maybe not. But one thing is for certain is that I will always visit, I will always be mesmerised by the ocean, always in awe of all that is it.

I think that I will put in my requests now to be a Dolphin in my next life...