Although I feel like our time here has been very short, I sometimes marvel at the amount that has happened and the amount that has been accomplished. I got a job this week with the Thames Coromandel District Council, meaning that I work for “the man” in New Zealand. Although “the man” here is slightly more benign and less bureaucratic than “the man” that you may be familiar with. Dave and I both thought that it would be a great way to get to know the machinations of the council, especially because we will need council approval for the work that we want to do in the future – AND we get to carpool together.

It is officially Spring here and the sheep and cows definitely got the memo. The amount of offspring that they have produced has almost made me lose my voice because at every turn I involuntarily cry out, “oooooohhhhhhhh.”

We made contact with our neighbors to the north at Te Moata. We are truly impressed with what they have created on their land and were welcomed warmly by the beautiful women that run the facility. We are hopeful that we will be able to cultivate a relationship and glean some knowledge from them about living off the grid and in the bush. We are also hoping to contribute to their dances – as Lynsey and Josh will attest, I have some pretty sweet dance moves. The next step is to get Dave to join in.

Our friends, Aaron and Lynsey, will be here in two short weeks and we have begun planning their welcome itinerary. Unlike the grueling itinerary that I have subjected Dave and my dad to in the past, this itinerary will include a full moon with our own private sand tubs on Hot Water Beach, good food and general merriment. We are looking forward to sharing all of our adventures with them; there is too much beauty in this place for just two people.