Here we go again …

I find myself surrounded by packing boxes. Again. Yep, 2018 begins with another move – although this time it’s just up the road rather than to another country. I mean literally just up the road, from number 12 to number 27.

We were idly looking at houses to buy when we found out that the people who own our current place were returning from overseas. A few days of mad panic, and we found a new place to rent. It’s a good house in the same street. I think it might be a warmer, nicer, more practical. It might be a good move.

This weekend we took as much as we could up to the new house and packed the rest into boxes. We should be in by this coming weekend.

And it is a nice place. On Sunday evening, as we finished our last load, we took our drinks up to a bench at the top of the garden where there is a view over Island Bay and the ocean. I think we’ll be okay.

The view from the top — The view across Island Bay

We’ve also started the year with job events. I’m transitioning to a new role (from project management to production manager) and L is currently on a mini-secondment to another project that looks like being a lot of fun.

Other than that – we’re just enjoying the ridiculously gorgeous weather that Wellington seems to be enjoying this summer (so far).

We spent Christmas in Wellington (which it turns out is something not many people do). Then we spent a week up in Wanganui, Taupo (Toe-paw) and then stopped off in Palmerston North on the way back (because … it’s likely to be the only time we go there).

The trip between Wanganui and Taupo is simply stunning – it’s everything you imagine the North Island of New Zealand to be. Woods, gorges, bridges, volcanoes, lakes. Wanganui is a really pretty little town with plenty of accommodation and places to eat (and every fast food restaurant you could want). I think it’s probably a good place to base yourself for a few days as there’s plenty to do in the area.

Famously, Taupo is a lovely place to spend a few days – although New Year is peak season so the population doubles. We’ve stayed there before, but enjoyed it far more this time. There’s plenty to keep you occupied, some lovely hikes and some beautiful scenery. Taupo itself is on a huge freshwater lake – so expect geo-thermal beaches, boats, bars, all in the shadow of some stunning volcanoes (the lake itself is the caldera of a super volcano).

Then the trip from Taupo to Palmerston North is … golly … just beautiful. Valleys, rivers, forests and gentle rolling hills. Palmerston North is nothing remarkable, just a moderately large farming hub – it doesn’t really seem to deserve its bad reputation, but having said that … I can’t see myself rushing back there.