Relaxing with friends

My view whilst having a glass of vino and hanging out with great friends, missing Eva like crazy but enjoying the time away.

The two views

The top of one of the bergs in tomorrow ride, nice views but I have just slightly underestimated how hilly 200kms can be, never mind, will have to strap on my climbing legs!

Time out

Wow, my first time away from Eva and missing her like crazy, it is made easier that mum and dad are so good with her and 100% reliable!

It is a stunning day in Auckland and breakfast views are pretty good, on a great day it is a hard place to beat but I have to admit after the UK I don't miss the NZ drivers!

Time to set off for Coromandel and the joy of a 200km bike ride tomorrow, great weather forecast for the weekend and enjoying catching up with friends, sunshine and a little time out.

Ready to hit the town!

Pictures

Frank,
 
Cruising up a berg on the CX-1, which for me a very much non climber says it all, the bike is superb, SRAM Red I rate and the Fast Forward wheels after three weeks of hardy NZ roads are still as true as day one and stiff and fast, happy so as requested photos attached.  And for all you on the blog, get a Colnago and feel the difference!!

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My new fishy tails book

Thank you cousin Ellen and Grace for my new book, all the way from the UK and my favourite is the stripy fish's tail.

Happy

Now then, does it get any better

This is Whangaroa harbour, many memories, the stunning ketch in the photo has been outside a house on the hard ever since I have been coming here, it is a dream to buy her and sail around the world with Eva, maybe I should ask how much he wants. If you are keen on joining me for our adventure then feel free!

Where the bloody hell are you 20 minutes later!!

Where the bloody hell are you !!

Warm weather

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMzGTvyvNBE

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Summer, outfits to boot!

Taking the time

I often just sit and wonder what happened in this life or the last, something Karen or did, that has lead us down this particular path, as everyone knows there is no answer.

What I do know is that it is a stunning day, warm and sunny, I am fit and well and all that has happened will make me a better, stronger and more empathetic human being.

I have a beautiful daughter who makes me so proud everyday and often just seeing her has me close to tears, Eva helps give me direction through the periods of darkness that all too often creep up.

I will always wish that Karen was still here and miss her more than anything, the reality is very confrontational for my brain to handle slowly but surely I am adjusting and retrieving my mo jo and energy from its holiday, starting to feel a little more like me.

Hey enough of my waffle but at least you know where I am at.

A kiwi kid, well UK one trying to be anyway.

 

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Next

Mmmmmm

Nice, NZ cod, baby spinach and potato, on to real food albeit blended to puree afterwards.

Swaddled !!!!!!

And the spoils

Still have to ride home yet but it doesn't matter where you are in New Zealand you can always get good coffee, even in the real north, go Mangonui and a nice sunny day to boot.

2 hour block head wind, nice!

Hanging with Ted

Some things never change

Nice, the top!

Aoteroa, nice

My ride today, wow it doesn't get much better than this, the ocean is so good for the soul!

New Zealand

It does happen, breakfast out and decent coffee, I must be in New Zealand. It has been a long time coming, shame about the torrential rain outside but not too cold at least.

Perfect for the kiwi summer

The perfect gift for a baby pom to have for the fast approaching summer, a big thank you to the bulls.

My first counselling session!

Done and dusted

It was an emotional trip and a long one at that but we are both tucked up in bed in Kerikeri not too much the worse for wear, me shattered after not much sleep and Eva tired but an angel as always, she did me proud. Eva so far so good is straight back into her routine, just finished the dreamfeed and I expect to not see here again until the morning.

So now a chance to have a break, put my new stead together, grieve, reflect and start forging a path forward.

A massive and very special thank you has to go to Julie, Angela and Sam, Julie got me to the train, Angela got me to the airport and lounge passes, and Sam just fro being Sam and coming down with Archie to say good bye, it was a very tearful and hard moment, as I have said the end of one and beginning of another.

Hard, mmmmm to say the least

I knew this would be hard bit it is only four hours since we left home and I am rooted already, hey at least Eva has had her bottle, food, albeit half on her half on me, feeding a baby that can't sit by themselves on a train is a challenge in itself, hey only 36 hours to go, I will attempt to be sane at the other end.