On the 29th May this year, hubby and I celebrated 16 years of marriage, a good fourteen-plus years of which have been spent living as expats in New Zealand; on the opposite side of the world from our birth place of England and our dearly loved (missed and thought about often) families and friends. It […]
expat living
The Photo Gallery: World Photography Day
How do you choose one photograph to summarise a year? World Photo Day is celebrated every year on the 19th August, (but to understand more head over to the website and escape into a thousand images from around the globe). Between August 19-26 the website opens for submissions and, for me personally, it’s a wonderful moment in the year to […]
Reflecting and processing all the memories of our trip away
Whilst I was away a friend wisely said, ‘Take your time in processing all your feelings.’ There was so much to take in, during our whirlwind time away. Old friends, familiar places of my childhood, family reunions, different places, people, cultures, architecture, scenery, seasons and nature… my senses were overwhelmed and bombarded from every angle. […]
Being strong is hard
I’ve been in tears. I’ve just upset my two oldest daughters. With my husband, Dan, away I should be offering extra comfort – not choosing this time to pick battles and talk ‘big picture’ concerns. I suppose with him away I see the ‘holes’ more clearly – it’s easier for two people to smooth them […]
Things I’m Loving… News with a silver lining
There’s a hint of spring in the air this week in Wellington and it’s something to love. This time last year it snowed in Wellington, a once in fifty year event. At Wellington Zoo, vets took care of an Emperor Penguin discovered on Peka Peka beach, a very long way from home. It seems the […]
Don’t Dream It’s Over
I love all the Crowded House songs. Whenever they come on the radio they always lift me up. ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over‘ is one of my favourite and I have enjoyed reading people’s interpretation of the lyrics at the website ‘Song Meanings‘. For me this song evokes a feeling of optimism and strength, even when […]
Children bring out our best & show us our worst
In the before children days a long, stressful stretch in the office was quickly remedied with a few drinks, a long lie in or a weekend away in the bush. Now life is a little different… Endless sleep deprivation. No chance of a lie in (in fact after eight years I’m not sure I know […]
Officially Spring!
It’s officially Spring – or so I read in the newspaper today. The weather was beautiful this weekend and we treasured every moment. It’s been a rough winter with news reports saying it’s been the wettest on record. After a magnificent six month’s of summer, this winter has been hard on everyone. I reckon treatment […]