Well it has been a long time. We have been leading a normal working life so not much to report. But we have recently been on holiday - our first trip overseas since coming to New Zealand. We headed off to Samoa last week and I have posted some photos.

Samoa is a 4 hr flight from Auckland. It is the furthest west of the pacific islands and probably the least developed.

For the first four nights,we stayed in a beach resort in Suvaii ( one of four islands making up Samoa) in a "fale" which is a door-less wall- less bungalow on stilts. The beach was great and although it was a bit like camping -it was great waking up to the sound and sight of the sea every morning

The fale




Our beach



Some shots around the island







Our second hotel, on Upolu ( second largest island of four) for the last three nights and this time a bit of luxury.

Hi. Sorry haven't posted anything recently, been busy moving and starting a new job. We have now moved into the centre of Auckland to have a nicer flat and to be closer to my new job which is on the North Shore of Auckland (over the harbour bridge). The flat is very modern and very dry as opposed to our last flat which was quite damp in the winter.. We have two bedrooms / bathrooms and an upstairs now - so it s bit like a townhouse.

New job is going well - I am working for Massey University as a student liaison advisor, based in student recruitment...its interesting and its nice working in a university again. I am getting the bus at the moment so its like being back in london with a commute again but with a much nicer view and calmer journey - no fighting to get on the tube!

We haven't really been doing the tourist thing recently as have been concentrating on finding a flat and settling into work - but i have been away twice with work - up to northland to visit some schools we work with and to Palmerston North (south of the North island) which is where the university HQ is.
We did spend a night away with some of steve's work friends in Tairua (Coromandel) over easter which was really nice to get out of city:


Weather picked in March and we had a really nice easter - except for the day we ventured out to Coromandel :)

Must go now as I have a killer hangover and need nurofen!

Take care. L x

Greetings from rainy New Zealand! I'm not sure but I think the summer may have ended prematurely. Not too bad, as it has been nice here since October but its always sad to see the sun go...

Lots of trips out and about with Steve's parents over the last four weeks and they are safely back in England now.

I have secured a new job which is great because its exactly what I want to do and it means I can get back into work, I'm bored after five weeks self induced unemployment and with no one to entertain anymore.

Some pictures of our trip to Queenstown, heart of the tourism industry on the South Island - an amazing place, quite like any other in New Zealand. Very picturesque. A big ski resort in the winter- it was well equipped for tourists and had lots of bars and restaurants. It is the extreme sport capital of New Zealand but we opted for a wine tour, a farm tour, a boat tour and some driving trips...save the bungy jumping for next time !

Back in Auckland now and since I am off work there is no excuse for not updating the blog. It is absolutely gorgeous weather here and it is hard to motivate yourself to do anything..but I will try.

Where did i leave off: oh yes, New year.

We spent New Year with Simon and Lorna in Wellington - we spent a week down there, visiting the area and listening to Simon try and convince us that we really need to move down to the capital!

Wellington is in fact a really pretty city, all built on hills from what I can tell
and around a harbour - on a sunny day it is amazing, however Auckland definitely gets the better weather so it is often very windy (hence the nickname - the windy city)
Some piccies from Wellington and New Year:

Me and Steve at karori Sanctuary (Native nature reserve)


Steve and Simon playing beach cricket NY Day


The boys barbecuing


Lorna and I relaxing in karori sanctuary


Meal at Monsoon Poon on NYE


Later on NYE in much drunker state!(hence the hats)


A good time was had by all and it really nice to have Simon and Lorna in New Zealand even if they are a one hr flight away!

I'll be back with our trip to Queenstown with Steve's parents. They are still here leaving on the 16th...

Take care
L xx

Happy New Year. So nice to hear from some of you over the xmas period..best to wishes to those that I haven't caught up with and I hope to soon.

We spent xmas in a bach in the Coromandel and New year in Wellington as planned. we have had glorious weather since October really and xmas was no exception it was even sunny in Wellington (known as the windy city!)

Some piccies for you of our fun away..

Ooh - just one of my xmas work lunch - we went to a lovely tapas restaurant.


Pictures of the bach we stayed in - it was absolutely stunning - views to die for!
The front:


The living room:




The view from living room window!!!!


Views from the deck:



I have lots more to write, but have been distracted by getting ready for Steve's parents (Maggie and Jim) and planning our next trip away to the South Island - Queenstown. We fly Sunday. Not before we go and watch The Police in concert in Auckland sat eve. So, I will update blog on our return to Auckland, I will after all, be out of work officially so should have plenty of time on my hands if not being a tour guide for Maggie and Jim.
Again - happy new year to everyone / anyone that still checks in on us!

Hello. Wow 10 days till Christmas - what a shocker..it just doesn't seem christmasy here at all...its lovely weather and we are not bombarded by carols and toy adverts!

Big update required I realize, as I have been very remiss in publishing a blog since November. In my defence, I left my camera in Wellington so didn't have any pictures to post. Camera is back and here I am.

Mum left on the 15th November and we had a great time...we did so much..
trip to wellington was really good - caught up with Katie and Si and Lorna.

Lorna and mum outside Te Papa - great museum in the heart of Wellington..



Me and mum on Mount Victoria - stunning views of Wellington..


What else did we do? Ahh - vineyard tour in Waiheke, large island off of Auckland..great wine and the views form the vineyards were amazing - a really pretty tour - I still know very little about wine but I keep on drinking it!

Some piccies from Waiheke:







For our last weekend Steve, mum and I went up to Tutukaka - about two hrs north of Auckland on the East coast to stay in a "Bach" - another word for a holiday home - supposed to have derived fro bachelor escape pads form the city but now a generic term for holiday / second home:
It was a glorious weekend weather wise and we took a little trip in the row boat, sunbathed and had a lovely BBQ on the patio looking out onto the virtually private beach - Heaven!









As you can see we had a great holiday with mum and were sad to see her go. Back to reality in work and it was so nice being on holiday that I have decided to give my notice in! I want to try something new and look after Steve's parents when they come over in mid Jan (well Steve bought it!). So I finish up work on the 18th Jan and will hopefully find some work for mid Feb when Maggie and Jim leave...

Steve is on Hols now and I finish on Friday 21 for xmas and new year - returning on 7th Jan. We have a bach in Coromandel and a trip to Wellington planned - so watch this space for some news...

Merry Christmas to you all,
lots of love
Leila & steve

I am finally on leave until the 15th November...my mum is here visiting from New Jersey where she now lives...

Have been showing her the sights of Auckland and on Monday we fly to Wellington, the capital, for a two day visit. Meeting up with Katie and Si and Lorna..

Yesterday went to Tiritiri Matangi - am island 1hr north of Auckland which has been turned into a endangered bird reserve...we had a beautiful day for it and i have the red nose to prove it!







Not much else to say except - fingers crossed the weather continues to head towards summertime and I send my love to everyone.
Leila x