I’ve had a love affair with New Zealand for many years now, ever since I became friends with my very first Kiwi.
Sam and I bonded over a clothing rack, on my first day at a new job in Scotland.
She thought I was from England, I thought she was from Melbourne…
In any case, we hit it off.
Sam used to cover for me when I fell asleep in the change rooms at work.
I used to cover for her when…
Well actually, she only ever had to cover for me… No wonder I got fired…
Anyhoo, knowing Sam and her tight knit Kiwi group gave me a family, when I couldn’t have been further away from my own.
And then, soon enough, we met Sarah (Love you too sista xxx).
Our ridiculous adventures as a trio were legendary, totally dramatic and I cherish the memories… Even the ones that induce shuddering cringes.
And our travelling fellowship only drew to a close, when flat broke on the Greek Island Ios, working for crazed lunatics and living off popcorn (yes, we were so broke we couldn’t even afford a Gyro… so very sad…), I made the gut wrenching decision to return to Adelaide because, despite my fervent begging, Mum wouldn’t bail me out… She would only spot me a plane ticket back to Australia.
I cried the whole way home.
This weekend gone, I was invited to Auckland for a last minute trip.
I was excited about visiting New Zealand again, especially since I was this time travelling with my favourite, awesome partner in crime, my husband Cory.
We literally stayed for 24 hours.
Time enough to fly in, attend an event, meet more awesome Kiwis, sleep in, devour an extraordinary meal at Depot Eatery and then fly out.
All I know is this, it definitely won’t be my last Trans-Tasman tango…
Today’s Friday feast, is my tribute to The land of the Long White Cloud and my never forgotten friend, Sam.
The lamb goes without saying… Right?
And, Sammy my dear, we’ll always have Greece!
Until Monday xxx
Recipe: Greek Lamb Neck Stew with Skordalia
No comments yet, be the first to leave one!