Good lord alive, well it is true how time flies away from one! Yes I have been having fun, certainly on the personal side with visits both from me mam and me dad. I swear parents must think in sync as they both literally booked flights to come see both my bro and I around the same time but not knowing that was what the other had done! Funny that :)

It was so nice to see mum and take her round a bit. The weather performed as well, certainly whilst she was in lovely Auckland and we also made it up to Kerikeri too. So beautiful up in the Northland! I did my 1/2 marathon there and was so delighted to make it round without collapsing in a sozzled heap. 2hrs 32 is rather slow but hey all my sponsors can be proud! Dad also came which was so nice and he too seemd pleasantly surprised by Auckland. People always are - it's such a cute place, particularly when the sun shines.

I just do not understand why it gets such a bad rep and why people are so resentful. 1) it generates the most revenue in NZ 2) it has the most jobs 3) it is right by the sea 4) it is accessible to pretty much anywhere on NI and 5) there is tons of stuff to do - I could be out every night if I wanted to and if I had the money! On and 6) I love how diverse it is here, that gets a big ole thumbs up.

We are very happy here, although it was so sad to say goodbye to mum. Fingers crossed her and my stepdad will make it across again in the not too distant future. I'd love to make it to the family hols next year but who knows where things will be at in terms of studying and work etc?

I've been whacked by hayfever too over the last couple of days which has made things hard. I am so struggling at work as well - I wouldn't mind being in a  more junior role if I agreed with what was going on! So am keeping my options open for the time being, let's just leave it at that haha.

D sniffed out another steam train at the weekend. I love seeing how happy he is when he is on them. Things are a bit worrying with our financial situation - well at least in the sense that we have these 2 houses we want to sell and can't - oh lucky us to even have property I know but it's just yet another frustration! Stupid recession!

Err what else? I'm looking forward to meeting up with a fellow expat on Sunday to go to a car boot sale. We don't need anything now I don't think as the house got pretty well kitted out with our Trademe bargains just before mum arrived. But you never know! Still got NO clothes as they are sitting in a container somewhere waiting to be unloaded. So frustrating - and MAF want to search these boxes too. Most expensive dog toys I ever bought

You know I am in a hayfever fog now so can't really type much. Feeling a bit loopy tbh. But on the upside hayfever drugs seem cheaper here woo hoo . Doggie says woof. I am off to bed - at 7pm! Bring on Saturday am and a lie in!

xxx