I have reached the end of another day.  Finished clearing away dinner, tidying up the living room and sorting out the laundry while Gareth baths the children and I look down at myself to make the unfortunate discovery that once again, I look like a tramp. My hair is unsalvageable (must not have a fringe, must not have a fringe), I have Jackson snot and puree on my shoulders, moist biscuit on my sleeve, the trousers I am wearing are too baggy, the flairs of which are caked in “street” from being dragged around all day.  I look like I’ve been accosted by a restaurant bin bag.  Don’t get me started on the rest of me; tatty nails, smudged mascara, unshaven legs, and feet that should be soaked in E45 for at least a week.  I just rested my head on my hand and found some “mush” at the back – eurrck! When I think of how many people have seen me today I wished I’d worn a sign saying ‘this is not how I …

If you Google the most stressful things of life, moving house is always up in the Top 5 and often it’s in first place.  I’d like to confirm that it’s right where it should be, way above getting married, starting a new job and having babies. We sold our house in September 2011, three months after I’d had my second baby – also officially stressful, I checked.  We moved out the following month and lodged with friends for five months (I can’t find that on a list but it should be there).  We spent those five months applying to emmigrate to the other side of the world (again not on a list but it really should be).  Once we got the go ahead, we flew 36 hours across the world with our two year old and 10 month old. Now we are house sitting an almost stranger’s house.  On Saturday we move into a furnished property for four months.  That’s four moves in six months. Our furniture will arrive off the boat before our lease is …

Before we came out to New Zealand we were warned that everything would be more expensive, and oh they were right.  With the exchange rate as it is we’re still better off buying in the UK and getting things brought or sent over. So when we arrived, unpacked and realised in the middle of the last minute panic of squeezing my clothes into one suitcase I’d not packed anything to do sport in (I am a lesser version of myself without regular exercise) I was straight on email to my mum to get some things sent over. As mum was treating (love her) I didn’t think Sweaty Betty was polite so I went for JD Sports sale and had a good hunt.  Generally I buy medium for everything, but if I have to go by size then it’s going to be between 10 and 12.  Having not lost all of my Jackson weight I tend to play safe at 12 but the jacket I liked was a 10 so I ordered it and got mum …

One of our motivations for leaving Liverpool was to step out of the speed of city living.  It’s a long story but New Zealand is effectively our stepping stone to the Lake District. I’ll let you know how that works out. Someone pointed out that Christchurch is, in fact, a city so was there not a flaw in our plan? Now having lived here two weeks I am heartened by the distinct impression that New Zealanders move slower than us Brits and in a good way.  They don’t sprint because they are enjoying the moment. First indicator of how things are different, go into a coffee shop for a take-out latte, take a book, you’ll be there for 15 minutes.  People say hello as they pass you and often stop to genuinely ask you how you are.  This may not be the same thing but over here bills are measured in weeks not months, so rent is charged by the week, your phone bill and your car repayments also. They take life week by week …

We went to see two more houses to buy today.  One was way too small and had this Kiwi quirk (at least to me) where even though it was a two storey house it had the master bedroom on the ground floor.  Unless it’s a bungalow, I like all my bedrooms upstairs thank you.  Then the second one was lovely, peaceful, good size, tidy garden and totally out of our price range….sigh. We have another six to see over the weekend.  Although, after the many tears and protests from my children (and one or two from my husband) I am going alone to one and we’ve got our lovely friends looking after the children so we can do a whistle stop tour of five in a row.  Even though that will make the grand total nearly up to an exhausting 20 viewings in four days this is going to be worth it, I know there is a house nearby that when we walk into it it will have the “X Factor” that Kirsty Allsop insists …