Flight to Auckland and first day at college

Mt. Taranaki

I flew from Auckland to Wellington yesterday. The weather was great and as we flew down the country we passed next to Mount Taranaki. I managed to get a few pictures. The landscape is very different here compared to Auckland. It is very hilly and it is a lot colder!

The Top of south Island

We had our first day at college today and it was a nice early start at 0545hrs! We have all been measured up for our kit, which should arrive within two weeks. The kit includes a nice bush hat and traffic jacket which has a nice furry collar!

I am starting my firearms course tomorrow for two weeks before doing my driving course. It should be fun. The setting for the college is stunning. I will try and get some pictures over the next few days. The accomodation is a bit old fashioned, but does the job.

Coming in to land at Wellington

Laying Foundations!

Our new house!

It has been an incredibly busy week. I have been out on patrol with my new section for a couple of days and also spent loads of time trying to find us somewhere to live before i fly to Wellington on 26th August. The weather has been great all week and it feels like English summer time. It's great!

We went over to Wahike island on Wednesday. It is a beautiful island just off the coast. Loads of rich people live there. It takes 45 minutes by ferry, but we went over on the police launch and did it in under 15 minutes with the mad driver!

Miami Vice!

Our transport

The City of Sails (Auckland)

A beach at Wahike Island

We had a bit of a drive around the West coast the other day. We went to a place called Piha. This is one of the best areas for surfing. It was very pretty and the beaches on the west coast have black sand, due to being volcanic.

Piha Beach

Today i managed to sign up to a house in Pukekohe. It is about 40km south of Auckland city and is in a rural location. The house is still being built and has just about had the roof put on! It will not be ready until 15th October, which fits in perfectly for the date i finish at the college in Wellington. I will be picking up the keys on 20th October. It is a brand new 4 bedroom detatched house with double garage and en-siute master bedroom. I have looked around another house which is identical and they are stunning. All i need now is for our container of furniture to turn up on time!

I am flying to Wellington tommorow to complete and eight week course in Firearms, driving and law. Should be fun! Speak to you all soon. Keep in touch.

The Mountain Rescue Team Leaving Do

The superb cake made by Nicky

The day before I left for Heathrow, a party was thrown at Howard and Claires house. It was a great party. The party was a fancy dress with a kiwi theme. I went along in my All Blacks shirt, but Howard and the others had other ideas. I was dressed as the black sheep, with all the others dressed as white sheep! It was brilliant. Howard had also stuck photos from various climbing/walking holidays from the past fifteen years all over the walls. It made me realise all the cool stuff i had done with so many good friends. It made me feel quite upset to be leaving such good mates behind, but hopefully many will make the trip over to NZ for a holiday. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Baaaaahhhhhhhhhh!

Some of the herd!

What a week!!

The sky tower in Auckland

Hello all, I have had one of the most surreal weeks of my life. This time last week i was leaving Heathrow airport and heading into the unknown. I left the airport with tears in my eyes having said goodbye to everyone. It was probably the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. I cannot describe the feeling in my stomach! It was a mixture of excitement, fear, apprehension and built up pressure i just cannot describe.

The flight was pretty cool. I had a good seat and managed to watch loads of DVD's. I landed at Auckland airport at 5am in the morning. I knew nobody and had one nights accomodation at a hotel, before i was on my own! Luckily i met up with a lad who is working at the station I will be initially based at. He drove me to my hotel and invited me to stay with him in Pukekohe for three nights.

I spent the first day in Auckland City opening our bank account and trying to get some decent maps etc. I also managed to sort out a mobile phone. I headed back to my hotel for a couple of hours rest before tea, but woke up 15 hours later!!

I then telephoned some relatives of Jane and Sids on North shore. They were great and offered to meet me for lunch. They then put me up for a night, which was brilliant. The north shore is very nice, but very expensive. There are stupendous views of Auckland city and the sky tower as you cross the harbour bridge. I then headed to Pukekohe, down south. This is where we are hoping to rent a house. It is a very nice little town and the surrounding countryside reminds me of cornwall. I have spent three days driving around the area looking at houses etc.

Yesterday i moved into the hotel i will be based in for the next 2 weeks. It is in Otahuhu, where i will be initially based. It is not the greatest of areas, but i will only have to stay here until i have passed my competencies. This should take about 4 months. I have spoken to the search and rescue team today and i have got a meeting with them tomorrow about transferring to their unit, which would be brilliant. Fingers crossed!

I am pretty happy with how things are going at the moment. It is the middle of winter here, but i can walk around in shorts and T-shirt! I have also been to a barbeque! Sorry for the delay in publishing any update, but i have been rather busy!! Take care everyone and i will update soon.


On the North Shore

Not bad for the middle of winter!

Jane's Birthday

On Thursday it was our landlady Jane's birthday. We went upstairs for a meal and lots of wine and beer! Happy birthday Jane!

Bye Willow

Bye Fern (Batfink)

Farewell Argyle

On Wednesday I went to Truro to watch my last Argyle game with Sid. It was lovely weather and not a bad game for a friendly. I will now be resigned to listening to Sparksy online at three in the morning! I hope my crew mates on nights will be understanding! I am sure i will be able to convert them into members of the green army!


Romain about to save a penalty

The Kings Arms

Tuesday evening was our last chance to see some of our old friends from when we used to work at Royal Mail. A nice evening was spent down at the Kings Arms in Oreston with Den and Pauline, Dan and Claire and Andy, Sian and Bump!