So what's with the Godzone?

We thought this might need some explanation as a couple of people have been asking us why our blog has the name it does. New Zealand, as its natives know, is in fact God's Own Country (say it out loud!) and they've been describing it as such since 1890. Coming from Leeds, we should feel right at home because Yorkshire is also God's Own Country (or County if you don't hold with exaggeration). And really, what's the difference, apart from the fact that Yorkshire has more inhabitants...?


Well, apologies to Leeds - but I think NZ has the edge. We went down to the beach again yesterday afternoon. Lots of soft sand, beautiful shells scattered everywhere and great views whichever direction you look. The natives seemed to think we were brave being out on the beach but it was 18 degrees even if it was a bit windy and a lady had been spotted in her bikini in the morning! That's not bad if you consider that this is the equivalent of November in the UK. People keep apologising to us for the weather this week - apparently it was 26 degrees here last week - but we smile sweetly and say that it's fine by us. This afternoon we drove along Tamaki Drive heading back towards central Auckland - amazing views over the sea towards city skyscrapers, the docks, and Auckland's North Shore in brilliant low sunlight - just gorgeous. Tomorrow the househunting begins in earnest - we're booked in to view 2 places and we've got a shortlist of several more. So far we've achieved opening a bank account, getting a mobile phone - 021 02511445 - shopping at the supermarket, hiring a car, visiting a potential nursery for the children, and finding the library and the playground, which is not bad going for 2 1/2 days but having somewhere to live is kind of important so we need to focus on that.