Two weeks after my 22nd Birthday, I left the UK, for New Zealand.  Always  knew I would travel to NZ, as I had very much wanted to meet my mother’s twin sister, Aunty Barbara. Barbara and Tom migrated to NZ, from England in the early 1960s.

My year in Auckland (NZ), felt like a rollercoaster ride. There were a lot of very happy times, and also a few really horrible times.

People thought, I was very brave travelling so far away, on my own !! It wasn’t until years later, that I realised – YES !! I definitely had been bloody brave – Or absolutely crazy !!

However, I lived overseas for a year, explored NZ, made a few very good friends, ‘flatted’ and worked. It definitely broadened my horizons…and it’s true, travel is an amazing education. Over the years, I have returned to NZ, over, and over again !! My year in NZ, I would never have wanted it, any other way – Lots of fun and adventure!!