I’m not quite sure what I was really expecting with my arrival in New Zealand. I was a little too idealistic in my attitude of leaving many old thoughts and concerns behind as I left Australian soil for the green grass on the other side of the fence, known formally as New Zealand. Without realising it, I think I was hoping for an easy transition where everything would go perfectly and my life would be full of adventure and fun. Now that I have landed here, physically and psychologically, I have realised that no matter where you are, life consists of the same elements for everyone. The daily struggle of relationships- both old and new, of work – the eternal time consumer for life itself, and finally of leisure – the things that make it all worthwhile. I am learning now though, that while these elements and their issues will always remain, it is how I respond to them that will be important from now on. Relationships. Leaving everyone we know in one country and moving to another means that everyone we meet will be a new face, and maybe even a new relationship to develop. This takes time and effort and there will be no other way around, just time passing by and letting bonds by showing respect and interest in those around me. Then there is Phil, my comrade in arms on this adventure. Facing all of these challenges and changes alone could be daunting, but even more so with someone else. Once again, extra effort will be needed to increase my levels of consideration and patience with the one person I know can make this adventure even better than it already is. Work has so far been great, and I am looking forward to learning and growing through my new role and responsibilities here. Previous inconveniences have occurred when I inadvertently become involved in the politics of the work environment and this will be avoided by not being judgemental and remaining conservative in expressing my opinions. Leisure. This is what will secure it all together and there will be no stopping me. While the first two elements of relationships and work will be fraught with limitations, boundaries and the associated challenges, leisure will be the wild horse running free to balance the whole equation out. Bush walks, cycling, gym workouts, flying, driving, swimming, skiing and then some more bush walks from the tip of the North Island to the tip of the South Island, not forgetting the offshore islands as far away as Fiji, Samoa and maybe even Tahiti! Yep, no matter what, leisure is going to be the element which drives this vessel.

So, enough of the deep thoughts and contemplative comments and what is really going on? While I am being a little more realistic about the unfolding of his adventure it is still a great one to be on. We are living in a little unit on a farm about 15 minutes from the centre of Hamilton which is surrounded by green fields and cows, with fantastic views of the surrounding ranges. The zoo is about 10 minutes drive from our house and a lovely drive at that, through the countryside on roads lined with hedges and flowers and more green fields. Have I mentioned how green it is over here? I am working with the Chimps to begin with, primarily because two chimps from Adelaide Zoo that I worked with arrived here at Hamilton Zoo the same week. It was all a coincidence really, but it is working out well for them to have a familiar face in this new environment, and vice versa! The round also has Red Panda and Agouti (big rodent like critters from South America), so a nice variety. The zoo itself is quite big because the animal exhibits are enormous compared to most other zoos. Everyone is friendly and helpful and seem genuinely very welcoming. As you may have guessed from the opening paragraph, while I have no hesitation in meeting new people and making friends, it is almost surreal to be having to do this with so many people at once with no respite in familiarity. Hamilton is a small city (170000 people) in the centre of a productive rural floodplain. The fast flowing Waikato River flows through the centre and the area is fringed by low ranges with the west coast being about half an hour from town. The high volcanic peaks of Ruahepu and Taranaki are only a few hours drive away, Auckland is about an hour north of here and there is an airport that has flights to anywhere else we may with to spontaneously visit. With this picture in your head, I will sign off to contemplate once more life’s elements and the joys that they bring.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. (Theodore Roosevelt)

The eagle has landed.

Or is it the fat lady sings? Either way we have arrived in beautiful New Zealand with its green, lush grass, thick forests, mad drivers and unfriendly real estate agents. The enormity of what we are doing hit home on Saturday as we left the farm heading to Adelaide Airport. We looked behind us at the empty shell of our property, no signs of the so familiar activities of peacocks, turkeys, goats etc, not even the dogs were there to watch us drive away, wondering what time we will be back this time. It was very sad. The positive side of me kept repeating that we weren't losing the farm, not even leaving it forever, just going off on this unchartered adventure we had been planning for so many months. I still felt incredibly sad.

But here we are, in a land full of opportunities of work, travel and adventure and I am not about to let any negative feelings last long enough to inflict casualty upon this experience. Our temporary accommodation is nice, out of town on a property with lovely 'landlords', our hire car is a tiny red toy box on wheels, but it serves its purpose and our spirits are high. Our quest for more permanent accommodation and an a more manly car will begin once I get off this website and start searching. We stopped in to Hamilton Zoo yesterday to let them know their new staff had arrived safe, and were impressed by the minute glimpse we got of staff and grounds alike. We will return there tomorrow for a longer period of exploration and probably again on Thursday (night) with the arrival of two Chimpanzees from Adelaide Zoo.

Until I get more convenient access to the internet, my updates may be staggered and strange, full of spelling mistakes and lacking photos. It will happen.........

Torn between two lovers

Not quite, but a good opening line. In a way though, it does describe the outlook I have at the moment. I had my last day at work a few days ago which came as a bit of positive relief and signified the close of a chapter. A sad ending, none the less. In a few days we will be in New Zealand beginning the next stimulating chapter of this adventure. So here I sit, in limbo between these two chapters, the two lovers between which I am torn. The old one full of memories and madness, comfortable and secure and the new one full of potential and adventure, unchartered and distant. With this state of limbo set to continue for a few more days yet, I find myself waiting once again, with a sense of imminent sadness when we say our last goodbyes to the farm, our families and our friends. So here is that last posting from me on Australian soil as I prepare to flick the page of this endless novel and embark on the next chapter.

Don't wait for extraordinary circumstance to do good; try to use ordinary situations. (Charles Richter)

It’s all coming together nicely. Not perfect, but certainly comfortable. A few days ago we got an email from one of the keepers at Hamilton Zoo. She was offering some furnished accommodation on her sisters’ farm, which we accepted instantaneously. Not only does this mean we won’t have to stay at a caravan park upon arrival, but we will living out of the city area. Even better, it means there will be no need to rush around intensely, looking for rental accommodation and buying furniture all within the first few weeks. We will be able to settle in to our new environment gracefully.

One more wave of the magic wand has seen one of the keepers Phil works with at Monarto Zoo become our new tenant. He will move in to our house a few days after we depart which is just ideal. We are still going through a real estate manager who will deal with any issues and problems on our behalf, but it is fantastic to have someone we know living here. He will also be looking after our two dogs until we decide if we are brining them to NZ once we get settled.

Not a particularly reflective or philosophical week for me. This was due to working 7 days straight and having a torture of a week with an orang-utan who broke his arm amongst one of the more manageable problems I had to face. But the end is near. I have another day off now, then back at work with my last day being Sunday. My mind isn’t quite anywhere at the moment, but maybe that’s a good thing……it needs a rest……..

Time heals what reason cannot. (Seneca)