Home sweet home... away from 'home'!

I am now back in Perth & enjoying the hospitality of the Dodd family - the two sons of which are good friends from uni. Tomorrow I move back into college & on Monday the new semester begins.

I have enjoyed some really great hospitality over the last few months - a very big blessing. Last night I stayed with Rory & Susan, & it was very cool to catch up with them again... especially to meet their new son, Theo, & hang out with Miles again. We had a cool time together. On Thursday night I was staying with the Shudall family in Auckland - they are very cool. It was so nice to stay with them for a few days before Anneli & Paul left, & then to hang out with them a bit myself before I left. Hello to Andy, Ines & the kids - thanks for your kindness! So refreshing at the end of a long summer/ start of a new year.

I spent most of the week in a surfing village called Piha on the west coast of the North Island (NZ). It has one of the worlds most consistent left hand breaks, so it was fertile ground for working on the surfing. I had a good time & enjoyed relaxing lots - long sleeps, reading, surfing & lots of thinking. It was quite hard being alone at the start of the week, but I got used to it & enjoyed the downtime. It was such a beautiful place, with exquisite sunsets, black sand, & warm water. Camping was fun too.

My flight back to Perth took around 13 hours, included spending time in 5 airports, & changing planes 3 times... a little tiring, but cheap & I arrived back safely yesterday afternoon. I was a little concerned I had neglected to enrol for my courses & let the uni know I was still around, but I think all is ok & this week I will begin studying modules in: alternative dispute resolution, employment law, indigenous peoples and the law, the liberal democratic state. Should be a good semester, & I've managed to secure both Fridays & Mondays off, so more 4 day weekends! I'm aware most of you probably find that thought repulsive, but I can assure you I will be endeavouring to use my time well/productively.

I expect life will be busy again very quickly as I catch up with friends & meet new people. It feels good to be back in Perth - & it does feel more like a home with 'old' friends & familiar places, after being constantly on the move for 3 months... that is a very good thing.