While waiting (and waiting and waiting) for my Visa application to be processed, the trips have been limited. The paperwork was in the post within 24 hours of being back from Moscow, and only just over a month before my visa expired and I was going to be facing deportation (OK, maybe that's a little extreme, but I wouldn't be going anywhere as they wouldn't let me back into the country).

With limited options, it was time to put the tent into use. Braving the english weather, I set off with a group of other kiwi's and ozzies, some friends and some friends to be, to New Forest, which is kinda between our house and the coast. This is where NZ puts the expectations up, because I had visions of a west coast type forest, not just a whole bunch of trees, but it was nice to escape for a while. Aaron was in full study mode, and had a course on Saturday, so I left him to it at home.

Arriving at the campsite, it was raining - and after trying to last it out in the car for an hour, we finally decided to brave it and put the tents up in the rain, and then half an hour later it stopped. The campsite was relatively close to the coast (5 mins drive, 1/2 hour walk) and with time to kill we went for a walk and ended up muddy up to the knees. By the time we got back, everyone else had arrived and we set up their tents and settled in chilling out for the evening.

The rest of the weekend was much the same - chilling, drinking, chucking a ball around, playing hacky, going for walks etc and then it was time to head home again on Sunday afternoon. Nice to get away and get some fresh air, but hoping for some more sunshine next time.

BTW, for those still waiting in anticipation - I got my Visa, so it's another 2 years before they can kick me out... actually, in all seriousness, in 2 years time, if I haven't had enough by then, I have to prove my 'financial stability' and they'll let me stay as long as I want.