Settling In

Well, it's been a month since our arrival and we're starting to feel really settled, if not a bit exhausted! In the last 6 months we've got married, packed up all our belongings in storage (thanks parents), toured the world, found a temporary flat, found a new flat (with a pool!), found jobs for us both, bought a van and purchased two lovely road bikes. Tired but so so happy it's all working out.

To celebrate Sarah getting a job offer, we had arguably a bit too much of the local sauce in the flat. Silly dancing ensued:

Tailor-made Vietnamese dresses.
Good for swirls.

 And I got bored of dancing with Sarah, so danced with my bike: Willie.

I needed a taller dancing partner.
And one that ate less cheese.

Before we calmed down a bit...

Still happily married!

Before our jobs start, we're making the most of our free time. With plenty of running, tourist sites and trips out in Carrie the Van. Auckland is littered with steep, grassy volcanoes and we're trying to get round them all. Here's the view from Mt Victoria, in the posh area of Devonport.

Not bad for a winter's day!

 Devonport is also home to NZ's Naval Museum. Educational, but the wardrobe was obviously the best bit.

Rear Admiral Sarah

 The only thing that fitted me was the lowest ranking outfit. Charmed.

In the Navy...

 Before taking some Fush 'un Chups back to the van - a great taste of home...

But no vinegar on offer, what's with that?!

 Naturally, like every Brit and most of the World, we've been glued to the Olympics. The Kiwi banter about the Aussie medal performance has been hilarious. The +11 hour time difference has been taking it's toll though. Evidence of me scoffing mince pies whilst trying to watch the mountain biking below:

As it's cold, I'm expecting Christmas soon.
Buying mince pies has confused me further!

 And the last picture is the latest addition to Auckland's chapter of Hell's Angels, Sarah Cope. Watch out Bradley Wiggins, the mini-dynamo is on your tail...

Proud of her new wheels!

And the final piece of news, we've bought some tickets to see the All Blacks v Wallabies later this month, in the Antipodoean version of our 6 Nations. Can't wait!