It's a hot day up north. I keep on being amazed at the difference in weather just between 2 islands. Or even between Wellington and Auckland. I did some Merino socks/faulty exchange shopping this morning and a big black (slightly smoking) plane went overhead at the North Harbour stadium. Pretty cool.

Other events since returning to Neil and Julie's, and Nina and Evan's place/s:
- Getting much closer to the end of my current Christopher Brookmyre book, this character has one big ego and the other guy was teaching his class about Shakespeare using the class's graffiti, pretty inspiring.
- Went for a huge stand up paddle across and up the estuary.
- Played with my second cousin twice removed or hours and felt fairly paternal, Sam was a great laugh and so brave, apart from spiders, his wee little face screws up at the mention of them!
- Beat Sam at mini golf, can't let him think Kiwis are bette than Brits from such an early age can we?
- Gave my brute shovelling and heavy lifting skills to the beach house's new 1 hole golf course.
- Measured some pots.
- Uploaded a ton of photos, but only half way.

I'll briefly mention my new camera in case I haven't already, it is green... By came with a new case, battery, SD card and charger-of which I now have one for almost every country; just the euro one left to collect.

I noticed some new blond highlights in my hair this morning, I obviously don't want to end up blond but I do like the variety if shades. One thing on my mind at the moment is that I do not know where I will be going when I land in SF. But I am really excited to see the Americans.

Fact (sort of): The shopping in the US is a lot cheaper than NZ and I don't have to Lerner a new conversion rate from £!

Following that I have started a shopping list of replacements for my broken sandals, ripped (beyond repair) shorts and old boxers. Lovely.

Food: The best meal out so far. Cheesy pizza bread for starters, beetroot and goats cheese salad for mains (+ some of Julie's huge gurnard) and a 7 part desert shared between us. The puffin consisted of but was not limited to white chocolate truffle on ginger buiscuity base, raspberry sorbet, panda cotta (spelling mistake left for sheer amusement) and sticky toffee sponge. I miss it already!

After recent chats, Skypes and phone calls I am missing all friends and family more like in a video game where someone levels up. Apologies if I don't wish time away, the excitement of my return and all you eagernesses to see this handsome face again will multiply each week! I will now conclude my walk up long bay.