New Zealand

Hi, my lovely readers. I'm sorry I have been so inconsistent with my blogs. As you can see, I've been super busy. I haven't even read a book in the last week. We have been action-packed.

So, today, I thought I'd tell you about our time in New Zealand. It really is so beautiful, by the way. I forgot how beautiful it was when I did the green Kiwi bus all those years ago. I have only done the North Island this time with Simon, but I remember the South Island being even more stunning. So, if you're ever thinking about coming to New Zealand to visit … do it!!!

We started off in Auckland, where we got in late, and everything was shut. I tried to sleep but had the worst cough that wasn't shifting. It's gone now, but it kept us up in Sydney and New Zealand. The time difference is worse, and I've struggled with sleep. On the first day, we met his older sister and her husband… that evening, we had a lovely dinner by the harbour. We tried to have an early night in preparation for the races. Simon kindly booked me a blow dry, but when the alarm went off at 8am, I think I'd instead have done it myself, haha. I'd had about 3 hours of sleep. We went to the races, which was so much fun, and I was winning many races. Simon's mate got kicked out early doors, and we all got pretty merry and went to a pub afterwards.

Simon got screamed at by a woman in the pub (not an ex); however, an ex of his at the races kept telling me Simon was the one who got away…. I told her she's 'had her chance; it's mine now', haha. (Small world, this New Zealand place). We were pretty hungover the next day, but I wasn't going anywhere without doing the Sky Tower jump. I used to do all this crazy shit when I was younger, but I'm a scaredy cat these days. Now I live on and off in discomfort (I know I should probably be in a better place in my mind, but I'm honest with it at least), so bugger it, I like to challenge myself, and if something is going to scare me for the right reasons I'm going to do it… anyway, I loved it! (I had to lie to Simon about what time it was; otherwise, he would have gotten stressed with the waiting time)… he still got stressed, but he thought it was their fault, not mine.

Then we went to Simon's best friend's place where he grew up. Someone got stabbed outside of the subway whilst we were having lunch (the norm), apparently. This was another wine-filled day, and the next day, to the farm. Simon's friend who has horses invited us to his guest house at the farm, and can I just say wow. What a fantastic experience! The weather wasn't great, but we didn't need it to be. I was shown how the working dogs do the mustering, fed and met the horses and sampled some of the farm for breakfast and dinner (I do feel bad about that, but it was good, I have to say). And probably the nicest wine in my life was bottled only a few years after I was born….

Then we were back on the road to where Simon used to live. He had some stuff to sort out, so I decided why not meet up with his first wife for coffee (she suggested wine - I liked her immediately). It has been years since Simon has been with her, and she's Hunter's mother, and he's great, so only credit from me. We had such a nice lunch, and I see similarities between us (Simon has a type). I'm honestly so glad I did, and I will always make an effort to see her if our paths cross… I know people probably think it's very random and weird, but I like that. We also got to meet Simon's oldest son and his wife… they were so lovely, and he looks so like Simon. On our last day there, we met his other sister and brother with his family for some brekkie. Simon's siblings all look like each other, and it's so lovely that they have caught up.

After this, Simon decided that instead of staying a second night there, he would take me for a little romantic night to Lake Taupo. This was probably my favourite destination. Our room had a lake view and a hot tub, and I had a gorgeous run there. My cough had just about gone then, so I only started running on this trip the day before; I'm not me when I can't run. Anyway, it was beautiful, and I didn't want to leave. The food was delicious, too.

Then we saw Simon's other brother and his friend in Hawkes Bay. It was beautiful driving through Napier, and I made friends with a few dogs. It was such a wholesome day. Finally, we drove to Wellington to see Hunter and go to the races. I didn't do so well at the races this time, but I got selected for the fashion races (and lost, haha). It was such a fun day, and I really do love hanging out with Hunter; he's the stepson I never knew I wanted. We also went to the same restaurant two nights in a row because the food was just the BEST… so adventurous, I know. But thank you, New Zealand… I had a lovely time, albeit with little sleep and way too much wine.

xBx

PS I'm currently sitting waiting for our plane far too early because Simon is early for EVERYTHING, but it's meant I've had time to write this, and well, off we go to Sydney for a few days.