New Zealand

I was hesitant to leave Aussie and knew i could have spent years exploring more but my visa was up and the flight from Melbourne to Auckand awaited.

I leanred at check in in Melbourne there was a new visa requirement for NZ, shock! i had to apply online at the last few minutes before the desk closed, it was a close call! Just three and a half hours later i was walking through the departure area and meeting Sheridan, the lady who i was volunteering for over the next five or so days (Lloyd was still back in Melbourne so i got some volunteer work while i waited for him)

Sheridan greeted me with the biggest smile and i knew straight away we would get on well.  Arriving at the house in the hills above Auckland i could not believe my luck! WOW the house was incredible, perched high on the hills you could literally see everything right down to the sea and beyond. I am a lucky girl thats for sure! As soon as we walked in i met Sophie, 19 from Austria, also volunteering and had arrive a few days before, and Brian, Shers hubby who was a delight. armed with dinner and wine we sat and got accqainted. 

The next few days work were so rewarding, weeding in the garden alongside alpacas in the sunshine, cooking in the incredible kitchen, scrubbing the deck and clearing the winter debris from the pool. Sunday was Brians birthday and lots of family were coming so i made a classic victoria sponge and assisted with the cooking and clearing.  I was staying in a cool little camper van on the driveway which was a definate upgrade from my beloved tent in Aussie.

Lloyd arrived late a few days later into Auckland airport and my hosts kindly let me use the car to fetch him.  On the return i got pulled by the cops (apparently i went through a red light!) It was 2am and i was so nervous, i gave my details and the policeman popped them into his device, within seconds he knew all my flight details and immigration status! After a word and a quick breathalyser he let me go - without so much as a stern word. Phew.

Soon Lloyd and i were on the way to Hamilton on a coach and i write this sitting in the back garden of some friends of his who have let us use their campervan for a month - except the water pump is broken so we now have a Mazda sports car for a week and then will retun for the camper when its fixed. This should be interesting!!