Our drive back from the Northland was eventful – marked with flooding and road closures. Welcome to NZ winter! Dave made fast friends with some locals in Piahia at the local coffee shop and was warned to get out of the north end as soon as possible unless we are ok with another few nights there. But with cyclone-like weather (not kidding) it was a big no thanks. Within 15 minutes, all four of us were up, packed and loaded with breakfast to go.
The first thirty minutes of the drive were scary – water rising around us – but we were definitely ahead of the weather and the closures making it to Auckland in just over 3 hours. Phew!
Our rental is amazing – we completely lucked out. The family we rented from were just looking for another family to keep an eye on things and manage the monthly expenses so it easily fell within our budget but this will be tough to beat with something more permanent. I wonder what the squatting laws are like in AKL?
More house-hunting today and a really promising find in Parnell. It is a bit further from the girls school than we had originally planned but closer to the downtown (mummy likes the downtown) and it has such a community feel!! The house we are considering has an amazing locked-out apartment for guests, complete with a kitchen so anyone visiting can have their own space. Love it. And a gorgeous yard with a lemon tree – that sold the girls. Now to work on price. The kiwis are not shy about asking for more than things are worth.
Weather is still miserable. Need. To. Get. Over it.