Finding our feet

It has now been 3 weeks since we arrived on the coast.  It doesn't actually feel that long in some ways and then when I think about friends it feels like it has been years!

 The weather has been treating us very well, yes believe it or not, and apart from the downpours mentioned in the last post we have been able to get out and about...... without getting wet.  All the same we have invested in some wet weather trousers for the kids and a dryer. Not having had a dryer before with the kids I feel like I'm in the lap of luxury I can tell you.  Having an en suite only adds to this even though it is short lived.  Eventually we will have to find a place of our own as the viewings for this place continue to occur.

Frosty first morning in the new house.

Liam is loving his job and it is great having him home earlier and happier. He has had a bit of travel so far but in saying that we have been able to hitch a ride over to Mum's the other week and still spend time with him. The kids are so happy to have Daddy back and love being with him and all his antics. Fathers bring a whole different energy.... not one I can always be calm with but a whole other energy never the less ; )

Liam giving the boy a bike ride down the hill at home.

I don't think I have been outside in the bush so much in quite a while. It is great!!! Walking seems so effortless when you are surrounded by bird song and bush. Even the kids seem to think so and are the ones requesting more. We are just up the road from Lake Kaniere (hence the address) which supplies the town's water and we have explored around there a couple of times now. It is very picturesque as are so many places here. There are quite a few walks that are within the kids range so looking forward to exploring more in due course.

The kids at the secret beach on Lake Kaniere



We have begun with our 'homeschooling' or should I rather say we have regained our rhythm and routine to the day.  It is so nice being on our own timetable and I love having the time to be with the kids.  I really feel that I'm bonding again with Jasmine in particular as the pressure of being somewhere has gone and we have more quality time together.  Daniel loves having his big sister around too ....... I was never as much fun as her to play with.  They get up to all sorts outside now - climbing under the deck, collecting wool from the paddock fences, making mud pies and collecting weta.  We have hooked up the the homeschooling group here and they seem lovely - only 2 families but definitely no weirdo's insight ; ) Daniel and Jasmine were in their element being the centre of attention amongst the other kids who were very keen to mother Daniel.

Making wall hangings with the fleece we made from wool the kids collected.

So for now it is all falling into place and feeling like the move here wasn't so drastic or wrong.  To be fair I'm enjoying it, missing friends, but enjoying Hokitika never the less.

Hope this finds you all warm, happy and healthy.
Arohanui Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz

The wild west

We are still in the land of the living, for all those who were wondering.  Currently the kids and I are at my Mum's (Liam had to come over for a course and we decided to join him to see Nan) and having the first spare moment to write.  We are still waiting for Telstra Clear to grace us with their presence and provide phone and Internet service......in the mean time it is quick trips down to the library.

I wrote this on 12 July, just after we arrived in Hokitika, thinking that I would post it soon after........hmmmm.  Anyway I'll post it now and then update again when we can.  Just after this we had a deluge so maybe my picturesque images were a little premature! 

The clouds hang low and long around the mountains, with varying shades of blue distinguishing each range, as we sit to eat afternoon tea.  Today feels like a real west coast day after being blessed yesterday with sun and blue sky.  It is how it should be.....the scenery dressed in clouds and mist, making the outlook mysterious and magical in one.  See I do love the cost and my wallow is subsiding ;)

Our farewell to Kapiti began at 4am Friday (6th July) as the excitement was too much for Jasmine.  Getting everything prepared, including the goldfish in her travel bag, and packed into the car while Daniel and our friends slept seemed a little surreal. We'd said our goodbyes and now it was just the journey to the South Island to focus on - no house, no packing, just us and a car-ful of belongings. Four am starts and ferry delays don't aid much in driving so it was a V filled trip with rescue remedy for the panic and sadness thrown in.  Pleased to say that neither have been used since! 

The kids on the ferry entering Picton

We arrived late at Mum's and our time in Christchurch was glorious as the ground rested and the sun shone.  Last time I was there (here) I remember being quite fearful to go to town (my Mum lives 40 mins south which is where we stay) however this time so many fond memories of places flooded in that not once did I think anything untoward would occur.  The kids loved catching up with friends and family, seeing places which occurred in Liam and my stories and exploring Nan's trees.

Being in the South Island and not being with Liam only made the longing stronger so on Tuesday (10th July) we packed up again and headed over the hill midst snowy paddocks and icy lakes to arrive late afternoon in Hokitika.

 Testing out the frozen Lake Lyndon

Our place (where we are renting) is a little way out of Hokitika town and though we still lack a connection to the world we aren't feeling too isolated as we have neighbours close and plenty of sheep, cows, chickens and horses (courtesy of the neighbours) to keep us company.

The kids in the back yard.

Hope this finds you all happy, healthy and warm.
Arohanui Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz

Rescue Remedy for Breakfast, Lunch and Tea anyone?

Well it has been a long time, almost 6 months to be exact, since I have been on here and in that time a lot has changed.  So in keeping with the changing world I'm finding myself in I thought I would also change the habit of not blogging and use this to track how our lives are transforming.

Liam has taken a job on the West Coast of the South Island, as Area Manager of the West Coast for KiwiRail, and we are on the move down to Hokitika for the next few years.  He's found us a place to rent for now (http://raywhite.co.nz/Residential_Property/West_Coast/Westland/Hokitika/Lake_Kaniere_Road/HOK20381)  and after that we will explore the options.  The plan is to rent this place out (Toroa Rd) so that we can return, although finding tenants is proving a lengthier task than planned.  Twice now we have had people say they will take it and then pull out.  My head is telling me, along with Liam, that it will all work out and the move down will be good for us ........ my heart however is telling a completely different story.

As I sit here writing, boxes are being packed and the kids are out for a walk with a friend. Thank goodness for good friends and support I say however it is also one of the things, along with no tentants yet, that is making this shift so hard and why I'm finding I'm on the verge of tears more often than not!  There are so many wonderful women here (and their fellas of course) that have shared, taught and cared with me.  It makes me feel torn and wondering if I'll ever have that again or be in such a great community again.  Maybe too it is a little of where we are shifting back too.... this isn't a move to somewhere new and exciting that I've never lived.  This move feels like a tug back to where I've come from and not necessarily where I want to return.

The real challenge for me will be to lift out of my wallow and find the new and exciting within the known. I will be embarking on homeschooling (or more likely un-schooling) down south so that in itself will be an exciting pathway.  The coast is beautiful, one of the reasons we got married there, and I do love it in many ways so I'll be looking to rekindle that old flame in the days to come.  Watch this space ya'll and I'll promise to try my hardest to keep you posted...and be positive about it too.  ;)

Arohanui  Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz