return to the helm

Woah Nelly what a few weeks these have been. We've climbed mountain-side rock staircases for hours, been eaten alive by sand flies, burned our feet at the aptly named Hot Water Beach, and met some truly great people along the way.

Complete strangers have put us up and put up with us for days on end! I've been well humoured with the amount of wine networking happening in this country, and I am slowly learning how to pitch it to Karen. Organic or Biodynamic producer? She's in! Good to know...

Immersion in a new culture is a shocking experience, and despite the many similarities and common language shared between Canada and New Zealand, I find this country maddening. There really is no good reason why things should cost so much. There may be perfectly valid reasons, but they're certainly not good in my books. Luckily, as with so many places in the world, if you search for it, you can find it. Second-hand bike shops. Bulk food stores. Smaller grocers. Those who don't boast of having "NZ's lowest prices" are the ones who typically do.

However, of all the things I miss about back home, it's what I intend to do tomorrow that I've missed most urgently.

I'm going to ride my bike.