Wow, it’s been a while! Can’t believe I last wrote a post in July! What can I say, the winter’s been a long one… But the days are getting longer, the sun is shining, and we are getting pumped for summer in New Zealand!

I thought I’d write a quick little update on what we’ve been up to lately. We haven’t been travelling much because Emile has been working a lot (he’s been working on projects that require him to travel and work nights), so the weekends have been spent relaxing mostly. Since I last posted though, we did go to Dunedin and Melbourne.

Emile had to work in Dunedin, so he flew and I took the opportunity drive and spend the weekend with him. Dunedin is about 5 hours away from Christchurch, which is the first time I’ve ever driven that kind of distance by myself. It was surprisingly fun! I just enjoyed my podcasts (I love Case File) and the new Ed Sheeran album. Before I knew it, I was there!

Dunedin was lovely, but it rained non-stop the whole time! So, I didn’t get to see much of the scenery. We just hung around town and also visited Larnach Castle (which felt like stepping into a scene of Downton Abbey). Shame it was so rainy, but welcome to New Zealand hey!? I’d really love to go back if we get time. On the Sunday we took a slow drive home and made a few stops along the way, including Oamaru and Moeraki.

A few weeks ago, we also flew to Melbourne to visit some friends of ours who had a baby recently. It was a whirlwind trip, where we left on Friday night and took red-eye flight back home on Sunday night (brutal). Such a special time with friends seeing them as parents and meeting their sweet little baby boy - making me so clucky. Also, our first time visiting the Yarra Valley - very impressed!

Last weekend, we took a drive up to the Port Hills here in Christchurch. It was our first time near the top and we were just in awe of how beautiful our backyard is. Cannot wait for summer to explore and get outside more.

I’ve started working full time, which is fun and challenging, since I’m still working remotely. I’ve honestly loved working from home and the flexibility. I don’t get that lonely, since I still have heaps to do with my team back in Aus. Obviously, it sucks to miss out on some of the fun social stuff and the ease of communication when you’re there in person, but I feel super lucky to be able to do my work from here. It is strange ending the day at 5, getting up from your desk and not ‘going home’…you kind of just finish work and then think, “now what?”.

Next on the list is a trip to Canberra in September for Emile’s brother’s wedding. We can’t wait to go back home and see everyone. I’m extending my trip a bit to visit my parents in Sydney and spend some time in the office in Canberra. So excited!

Anyways, I’ll write again soon. Emile is planning to go skiing next week, so that will surely be entertaining. I’ll take photos ;).