At times I’ve felt like a lollypop lady with a cardboard stop sign trying to stop Juggernaut lorries on the M25. Yes, it’s been a bit manic with people coming from all directions making demands and having expectations. It is probably fair to assume that the new girl honeymoon period is over! Still I survived [...]

The change in clocks has ruined my routine with UK catch ups. First stop in the morning, after I’ve put the kettle on, is to check whose been writing to us, what news is on the Beeb and catch up with the latest Archers episode. I am resigned to the trickle of email from friends [...]

The latest kiwi film to premier is Out of the Blue which tells the story of loner David Gray’s massacre of 13 people at the tiny coastal township of Aramoana, near Dunedin, on November 13, 1990. This tragedy shocked New Zealand in a profound way. It cut to the core of the idyllic self-image of [...]

Apologies for regular readers who I have let down this week by being so slow in updating my blog. The reason for this tardiness is that its been full on at work and I’m nearing the end of my coaching course so blogging has unfortuantly slipped down the priority list. Being the new person is [...]

After a disappointing visit to Kaitoke to see no progress on the land, we cheered ourselves up with a local bush walk, the kiwi equivalent of a walk in the woods. Otari-Wilton’s Bush is the only botanic garden in New Zealand solely dedicated to native plants, as well as being the country’s foremost native plant [...]

Official spring date has passed, daylight saving has started, the spring equinox has brought the winds to Wellington. Peeping through the garden though is a very early spring flower. Snow drops – quite appropriate given NZ was the coldest place apart from Antarctica this week!

Well there goes another week. This week seemed to pass even faster than last; I’m wondering whether it’s the gale force winds. I’ve been getting close up to the machinery of NZ Government this week weaving my way between ministerial office politics and heightened anxieties from within the organisation. Talk about making a drama out [...]

It’s been a while since I’ve had a moan about the weather but this time the kiwis are at it too. A massive southerly has blown in and causing gale force winds and snow in the high country. Flights and ferries are being cancelled at Wellington airport which is never a good sign. Rain has [...]

As if the internet and satelite TV doesn’t offer enough entertainment variety, listening to podcasts is the latest craze to befall our house. Boosted by the fact MT got his own iPod for his birthday we’ve not got it set up on the laptop as well and it’s almost like listening to the Beeb live. [...]