After four years in Australia, two and a half years in the UK and two years in the Basque Country, it is time to return to New Zealand. It is very hard to leave, so I've made a list:

- People will (usually) understand what I'm saying
- I can have a veggie garden and it is unlikely that someone will steal my rosemary
- There is a lot less bureaucracy and the tax system doesn't scare the bejeesus out of me
- I don't enjoy listening to my neighbours pee, tunelessly whistle, or play really bad Europop
- There is easy access to wilderness and you won't find any paper factories there
- You can wild camp and have campfires (within reason. Probably not in downtown Christchurch, though these days, who knows?)
- You can have a charcoal barbeque without people threatening to call the police (this happened to me last night. Oops.)
- Decent coffee is everywhere except for in the wilderness and then, who cares?
- You can cook with ingredients that are more exotic than garlic, parsley and paprika
- South Islanders' idea of a traffic jam is hilarious. Try being held up for hours (THIS was why we chose not to live in the south east of England)
- This means you can travel whenever you like. Even on public holidays. In the summer. Without having to get up before dawn
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