A Day in the new life of Neil

We thought it would be a good idea, now that we have a routine, that we would picture a typical day. We are starting to take all the changes for granted and so we thought we would document as many of the changes to our lives as we can.

So here we go....

OK - I get up at 5am as I've started this new fitness regime and my circuit training class starts at 6.15am. I've actually lost some weight but not enough yet to show the world the belly!


This is me at 5.15 - don't ask....

I know its teribbly dangerous to by taking photos whilst driving - but hey - its still legal here to talk on the mobile while driving!
This is my drive to work at 5.45 - can you believe how many people are about at this time?

This is my gym. Its Ok but very expensive - they make outrageous claims like they 'invented body pump' which seems odd as its been around in the UK for decades! Its OK but nothing compared to a UK gym.


They stopped me taking photo's as I wanted to show you how many peple were here but for privacy reasons I had to stop. The Kiwi's are really into their fitness and if you don't get here early - you don't get a parking space!! In the morning there must be about 600 people here - it has a membership of 10,000!!



OK - so now I'm driving the short journey across town - and its 23 degrees already - its going to be hot hot hot!!

This is where I park my car - I've got a Honda Accord which is superb. I've always thought they were Jap Scrap but this car is so nice to drive. Most cars here are automatic and it just makes the whole driving experience a lot easier. The Kiwi's are so freindly but put one behind the wheel of a car and it all goes to pot!! This job I drive is a 2.4 litre which for here is really small. They don't have all the green taxes as they do in the UK and so there are loads of 4.0 litre V8 etc. Also there are loads of 4x4s.





I go for a coffee in the lane near my building. Its a bit like the Central Perk in friends!! This guy is Craig who I work with - he's a really good mate and he looked after me when I Joined the company.
OK - coffee here is really really complicated. In the UK you get a filter, capaccino or an expresso. Here you get a flat white, a long black, a macaccino, a latte but the latte can be in a bowl or a mug - I'm having a bowl which is a real shot in the arm - it takes me till about 3pm to come off the rush!!

This is me at my desk in the office. Our office is situated 1 street back from the harbour. In the world, this must be one of the most spectacular views from any office block. Every day I look out at this amazing view! Here are some views that I see every day just by looking up from my PC.





This is yours truly just about to have lunch. Every day I get some sushi from the shopping mall near the office and sit down on the habour front and watch the world go by. Its so relaxing and a great way to spend your lunch hour.

One of the big changes that we now take for granted is that you must remember to take your sun glassses everywhere you go. The sun is so strong and I woudn't be able to sit out without them. Even on overcast days you need them becuause the sun penetrates the clouds and its still too birght!

Once I've finished, I go for a walk round the harbour - here are some of the rich boy's toys.

This baby - in the background belongs to the richest guy in NZ. Its just been launched with a price tag of $45M!!!

Can you beleive they've got stage coach buses here as well - these Scots have got a lot to answer for!! This is Queen street where my building is - its the main street in AKL.


This is my building - we're on the 14th floor - 2 from the top. We're in the smallest of the tower blocks - most go to about 35 floors.









Yep - they're rugby mad!!

For those in the UK who are confused.... this is a phone box with 'glass' walls. I know this may seem odd but there doesn't seem to be any louts around who would want to smash it up. Whats more (and this will be a shocker) is that those paper things on the shelf are phone books - they sit there from day to day and the only thing that happens is occassionally people might look up a number on them!!





On the way home I nipped into the suprmarket at Browns Bay. The supermarkets here are great - very much like in the UK but there seems to be loads more of 'really nice stuff''. Example is the fruit and veg - there's so much variety and its all amazingly
?fresh. There is also a machine that has live mussels in it - you scoop them out and steam them when you get home - they are gorge!! One big difference to the UK is that the check out people do the packing for you - all you have to do is stand and smile. Its a tad American because you are greeted with 'hey how's your day been today sir?' and as you leave you get 'have a nice day now!'. The good thing is that they mean it and they are all so very nice to you as they are putting your shopping through.

Another notable thing is that almost everything can be paid for by EPTPOS (SWITCH) and rarely do you need any cash.

Supermarkets here havne't yet taken over as they have done in the UK. You still get veg shops, dairies, butchers and bakers. Its really nice to go round the shops if you've got time as you can pick up some really really nice stuff. There are still numerous local weekend markets which we've still to concour.

Now that I'm home - quick glass of wine then down to the beach to cool off.

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The water is so warm now - its about 19/20 degrees and you don't get that shock any more when you dive in. Rarely do we see anyone down here when we go swimming after work - its so peaceful and so relaxing - we can't beleive we've got this on our doorstep.

This is the path down to the beach - its at the end of our street and if we walk slowly it takes about 2 mins.

Back home now for some burgers on the BBQ



This is our pad - we love it!

Dinner alfresco - we've been dining out since Jan. Its so relaxing having dinner and watching the sun go down.
And then off to bed. The mozzie net is essential otherwise we'd be eaten alive!!

Every day we're in disbelief at how much our lives have changed. We still think that one day the 'holiday' will be over and we'll need to go back - its all still very unreal.

Life is sweet.......................................