South to north

Life has thrown us so many curveballs since my last post that I don't quite know where to begin telling you all this particular chapter of my story. I could describe how our plans to spend the year in Japan were lopped off at the head after, having been given the first interview, we were told it was impossible to post us in April. Or I could tell you about a shonky agent named Edwin who promised us a car from Auckland and then pulled a fast one on us, leaving us standing in the bleak rain of a South Mangere car yard. I could tell you about the mad scramble to drive up to Auckland and get three bikes boxed and on a plane in the space of a morning. I could and I will tell you about the people, already on this journey, the people, who have shown us dazzling and totally unexpected kindness, like the man from NZ Fastway who gave us a couch to sit on, offered us tea, and booked us on flights from Auckland to Dunedin. When we returned his car the next day, scrambling mad, he whizzed us to the airport and saved our arses and our sanity in the process.

So, these are all my stories to tell, and tell them I will! Right now, however, it's time to go and watch the sun rise fully and do yoga on the beach and smear Nutella on bread toasted in a tiny skillet. We are on the road, finally.