When COVID-19 hit the world, New Zealand committed to an elimination strategy, which meant that on 8th June 2020, nearly three and-a-half months after the first case was reported on February 28th, the country went into alert Level 1. In layman's terms, this means we're pretty much 'back to normal', except for strict border control.... Continue Reading →
2 years in New Zealand
Well, hasn't that flown? I'd be lying if I said I still didn't feel a bit sad that the relationship I came here for didn't work out. Or rather, I guess the thought (or hope) of the relationship. I'd got to the point I was just about ready for, you know, one of those relationship-thingys,... Continue Reading →
A year in people #77 – Marsha
As I saw her come through the airport arrival gates, my eyes filled with tears and my throat burned; it took all I had to not burst into a massive pile of sobs and snot. A massive wave of relief and emotion rushed over me. The last time we'd seen each other was when I'd... Continue Reading →
New Zealand vs the UK
I love New Zealand. I also love the UK. Some people think you can't do this, that it has to be one or the other; that living in New Zealand means dissing the UK, and this really bugs me. You can't really compare the two. Bloody comparison is the thief of joy. Yes, there are... Continue Reading →
A year in people #74 – Emma
“Tara! I need your help.” My friend Emma shouted from downstairs. “I think you need to call an ambulance.” She was staying with me after an operation in which a metal coil was put down the main (femoral) artery in her leg. “I think something’s bleeding inside, it’s happened really quickly.” She lifted the covers... Continue Reading →
City living
I've just moved into Christchurch city centre. Like really, actually, smack bang in the middle. I'd never considered myself much of a city person, let alone to live in the middle of one. But Christchurch is a bit different (it's very leafy). When I first became single I moved from a small country village into... Continue Reading →
A year in people #55 – J
I'd just split up with my boyfriend (read: was dumped) here in New Zealand and had nowhere to live. I was fairly new, didn't know that many people, didn't really know what to do and was just generally feeling a bit sideswiped and shit. I had one new friend, B, who I'd messaged, telling her... Continue Reading →
Queenstown Marathon – Nov 2018
I'd signed up for Queenstown marathon a few months before it, when I realised I hadn't set myself a challenge for a while. After doing the Wadi Rum Ultra in 2017, and then moving to New Zealand and it all going a little bit differently to how I had thought it would meant that I'd... Continue Reading →
The HIIT Squad
When I first moved to Christchurch, I tried to find a BMF (British Military Fitness) replacement. Well maybe not a replacement, as BMF Cheltenham was pretty special, but something similar. Something outside, high intensity, fun and maybe involving mud, and somewhere I could make friends. I didn't want somewhere to just go, work out, not... Continue Reading →
