...and a jump

But hold me fast, hold me fast

'cause I'm a hopeless wanderer

And hold me fast, hold me fast

'cause I'm a hopeless wanderer.

The final few days are approaching, and I am preparing myself to depart and head off. I have had some time to reflect on the last couple of months, and on how far I have come in this time - but I won't bore with this stuff, only that I have really appreciated the time, space and company at Pennine to prepare for what is next.

I have packed the things that I am taking to New Zealand - and then unpacked and repacked them a few times. After all the time I spent trying to find flights that would give me the greatest baggage allowance, I have struggled to get my rucksack to weigh more than 16kg.
I am still packing up everything else that will be stored while I am away - including packing up all my clothes and leaving nothing to wear for the next few days...

The storm before the calm...

I have lent a few things out as it helps with the storage - the main thing being my mountain bike; as I would rather have it ridden than sat in the back of a dark cupboard.

I sent off the final ebay sale today, and am not sad to leave behind the hours of selling, searching for best postage deals, and mostly the packaging up of my bikes - pipe-lagging, bubble-wrap, and acres of parcel tape...

With all the preparations, I hope that I don't prove to be a genuine hopeless wanderer - folk have been asking me when my flight is, and aside from saying the day (Thursday 14th March) I don't actually know what time it is - I had assumed it was around lunchtime, but on checking my email now, it turns out to be at 6.15pm! Perhaps now might be a good time to check over all the other details...

I have booked into a hostel - BBH - for a couple of nights when I arrive in Auckland. The day after I arrive is St Patrick's, which gives me more than ample excuse to search out and raise a pint of Guinness or three, and (hopefully) be fresh as a 4-leaf clover for the orientation at 10am the following day. I chanced upon this as I booked my own travel rather than going with BUNAC, and orientation is all about work, setting up bank accounts and social security number etc. so it might just be a useful session...
I have booked a night bus to Wellington on Monday 18th, and will then take the ferry for what is described as one of the most picturesque boat rides in the world - across to Picton on the South Island.

I joined WWOOF in New Zealand a week ago, and within half an hour I received an email requesting me to go and work on a farm in Whakatane on the Bay of Plenty for their olive harvest for 4-5 weeks. As of now I haven't had confirmation that I have the job despite replying with a sound 'yes' to them, however they were keen to have me. If it all goes to plan, I will be there from the 10th/11th April onwards. The farm is 400m from the Pacific Ocean (for a swim every day after work), and has 800 olive trees - plenty of bashing...

My departure form Pennine is Wednesday 13th, and this approaches bringing mixed feelings. Going to New Zealand is exciting: slightly daunting but with so much opportunity and freedom. But leaving Pennine - actually, leaving the folk who have picked me up and revived me over the last couple of months, will certainly tug somewhat. However, I will remain in contact, and will return no doubt.

Onwards...