[missvee]

Hi peeps, I am sorry I haven't been on for awhile but life has been hectic. Mum came over at Christmas for about 3 weeks and a colleague I worked with in UK paid a flying visit last week.

To bring you upto date I am living and working in Whakatane. I am a midwife at the hospital but have now branched out on my own. Basically am working independently as a midwife. A lot of people will be unaware of the system here but you can have your own midwife all the way through pregnancy, birth and after the birth. Very unique system here in NZ. Something else to get used to.

I have moved, yet again. I was in Ohope which is beautiful and near the beach. Because I have a 14 year old there was no social life so moved into town. Near work and school and shops etc.

Have been to a few places since being here. Auckland, briefly. Wellington, windy, Rotorua, smelly, Tauranga, busy but nice Taupo which was very cold. Matamata which was nice and I went to Christchurch, twice which I do like but it's colder than were I live, Bay of Plenty. It is always sunny here except for the last few weeeks because it has been raining.

My daughter is settling in very well and has lots of friends and a very good social life. She has tried surfing and body boarding for the first time this summer. Not something you see much of in sunny old Bolton where I originated from.

All in all I am happy here, have been here since last April so nearly a year. Have no plans to go back to the UK. I would say this is my home now.

Sorry I stayed away for so long and will try not to again.

Vee