The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry..

No matter how carefully a project is planned, even though we plan to the best of our ability, something may still go wrong with it.

Hey Look at me getting all fancy using a quote as a title for my blog but that’s exactly what has happened to me and my buddy Lloyd, the work we had arranged in Blenheim has been cancelled at the last minute so the plan from my previous post has all gone ‘tits up’. Soooo here is the revised plan, it’s not ideal and it does mean cutting our journey short, but with funds running low and not been able to find work that will see us through we have decided to WOOF our way north for a few months and then head over to Hong Kong for two nights giving Australia a miss on the way home then head back to blighty. It’s not ideal but rather than be stressing about money and travelling the length of the country to try and find work that might not even happen we have decided that this is the best option for us, at least we will hopefully be able to enjoy the remainder of our trip and not be stressed unless our windscreen gets chipped again.                                      

I really don’t mind spending my remaining time here woofing, so far its been the best part of my time here in New Zealand, We’ve been blessed with fantastic hosts who have really looked after us and shared their lives, advice and stories plus we have had the chance to do work that we normally wouldn’t have had the chance to do back home. I never in my life expected that I would ever be planting trees on the most beautiful landscape or pointing an outdoor wine cellar or working on a farm. So looking forward and trying to be positive I’ve learnt a lot about myself and what I am capable of. Over the past few years I’ve also tried my hardest to get out of Leeds and maybe pushed myself too hard and ended up burning myself out, now that I’ve been away and spent time in smaller cities and towns I’ve come to learn that Leeds isn’t so bad and I can now see it in a different light.

The only thing I’m not positive about is that my best buddy James won’t be there in Leeds when I return; he has decided to move to Brighton with his wife Jo. James has been a good friend to Lloyd and I for many years and has been a source of constant support when I’ve been through tough times and needed someone to talk to; he has also been a brother to me even more so than my own. I’ll miss been able to give my buddy a call and meet up for a swift pint or coffee and miss his wise Gandalf like advice!

Jamesy boy you will be greatly missed and Leeds will be an emptier place with out you! Good luck and stay in touch!