And then there was Maraehako. …Strange I had almost forgotten about it, a marvel of a place we just happened to stop at to stay for a couple of nights. I am wondering if New Zealand is full of these places you just happen to stumble across by chance. This was one of my favourite, … Continue reading Maraehako
Hi everyone, it’s strange how things seem to fall apart at the moment. US elections, NZ earthquakes, only a fool would see a connection! I’m sitting here fixing my vagrant installation via a CLI, and at the same time checking earthquake updates on RNZ and GeoNet. Feeling a bit weird. A bit torn, like the … Continue reading Te Awanga
As we’re nearing our end of the trip I have trouble comprehending how it has almost been two years that we’ve called Liberty the Great our home. We have been ‘on the road’ for two friggin’ years – but what does that actually mean? Our lives just continue, and we lead a pretty ordinary existence; … Continue reading The road home
The distance to family is one big drawback of living down here, so I was very grateful to be able to partly reconcile this fact when my mum, sister and niece came for a visit eight months ago. Talking, writing, skyping is never enough to truly explain your life down here. We went for a … Continue reading Family family family and Tora Tora Tora
A few people have asked me what it is like to be in the bus in winter. To be honest, it can be a struggle and feel like waiting out the dark and cold days. But it also has it’s perks, like chopping firewood, and being warm and cozy inside when it’s howling outside. That … Continue reading What we did last winter
We’re on the road for one and a half years now. Living in New Zealand full time again, I notice how easy it is to get used to its amazing countryside. When ‘the nature’, as the Germans say, ceases to blow you away on a daily basis, it’s crucial to treasure the small things. It’s meaningful … Continue reading The beauty of small things
A couple of months ago we’ve arrived in Wellington, and this is what it felt like: We have been looking forward to this moment for a long time. Finally in Wellington, WITH our new home. Two nights at Russell Terrace behind the zoo and now we’ve moved to the South Coast. And what shall I say? … Continue reading Wellington
Oh yes we are! Check out the Jan/Feb issue in stores now to see this beautiful photo essay featuring us and Liberty, shot and written by the super talented Guy Frederick. Thanks heaps you fullas xx.
Growing up, it seemed like all of Christchurch migrated north to Nelson and Golden Bay for summer. Having now spent 3 weeks in the area, it’s easy to see why. It has rained for half a day since we’ve been here, the roadside stalls are packed with summer fruits and berries, and the real fruit … Continue reading Summer migration
Life is ticking on pretty nicely at the moment. Work has picked up a bit more (downside = less blogging), and we have a steady wee routine going, something I’ve been aching for for ages. I’m really enjoying doing a bit more hand-drawn work – a couple of logos and some illustrations for a magazine … Continue reading Hokitika beach life
We’ve had the most blissful few days. Four days ago (really only four?), we drove north out of Wanaka, heading towards the Haast Pass to cross over to the West Coast. At the top of Lake Wanaka, we pulled into a Department of Conservation campsite to spend the night. Having stayed in well-groomed Holiday Parks … Continue reading Four nights in the wild
This week I’m grateful for: I’m also grateful for the jobs we’ve got chugging along at the moment. I hadn’t tried it before, but working from home is pretty great. It is entirely possible to combine family and work, and actually get things done! My last thank you this week is to Shannon, whose words … Continue reading Weekly Gratitude #6
While I was pondering what to write today, a post came up in my Facebook feed (seldom a helpful tool in getting things done) entitled “Why Fewer Toys Will Benefit Your Child”. I clicked on the link, skimmed through it in under 5 seconds, and clicked away again. I already know why. I didn’t need … Continue reading Playing with less
The last month has been unbelievably wonderful at times. It has honestly also been awful at times. When the boys have been screaming all day, and we’re worrying about getting enough design jobs in to keep us going, and it’s cold and wet, we ask ourselves, “Why are we doing this?”. Looking back over the … Continue reading Weekly Gratitude #4
Yesterday we celebrated midwinter Christmas. A collection of all kinds of comfort food and punch filled our table, accompanied by Bing Crosby Christmas songs. Hannah brought up the idea of everyone sharing why they’re grateful for the other people in our family, and also for themselves. Elliott declined to comment. The hardest part of course is to … Continue reading Being grateful in the age of housebussing
There were all sorts of things I was looking forward to about living and travelling in a bus. Meeting new people in unexpected situations – inviting strangers in for a coffee, going to Playcentre in a town I don’t know, or being offered food just because we are there to receive it. I dreamed of … Continue reading Something I didn’t expect
I’m writing this on an icy, blustery day in Invercargill – the southernmost city in New Zealand. The bus is being buffeted and I hear an occasional hiss as a stray raindrop makes its way down the chimney. The fire has been blazing all morning, so the bus is toasty, but I have to keep … Continue reading Winter in the deep south
So here we are, truly on the road, with our bus, ready as ever, all packed up and roaring! We had a great couple of days catching up with family in Christchurch, and our first day on the road was appropriately filled with action and drama: The metal flap door (heavy) almost dropped onto Hannah’s … Continue reading There’s light in the darkness
