#12 Arrangements, plans, expectations

If everything had gone as expected I wouldn't have had such an amazing, eye-opening time. I wouldn't have tried kite-surfing, I wouldn't have experienced the Highland games, or had all those interesting conversations with so many different people; people who've lived here for generations and never left, people who are visiting, and don't want to leave, people whose life is travelling.

I'm sitting in the garden of Endless Summer Lodge, catching the last rays of the still hot sun at 8 pm. Listening to the sound of a nearby wedding, and the sound of a mother and young daughter chatting about being sad to leave, but looking forward to returning another time, and glad that they know this place will still be here for them.

I've stayed at some beautiful places, had an interesting glimpse into the lives of some completely different people. Staying in AirBnB rooms can include the aspect of living alongside families and couples you'd not usually get close to in that kind of way. Insights into the dynamics of other people's relationships, and how we're all wired differently. and develop our on patterns of behaviour easily turns into self reflection.

Sitting in the hot pools at Nghwa Springs (a welcome therapeutic soak) after kite-surfing I chatted with two couples who had !moved back up North" to their roots and away from the busyness of Auckland and its traffic; returning to family land. It was interesting to hear again the importance of belonging to the land and living simply. They were shocked when I described the UK traffic (my experience of commuting round the M25) and weather (dark until 8am).

The hot pools are each slightly different; some dark with mud, other tinged with sulphur. The sulphur is why I'd made a quick trip to a local "op shop" (charity shop) on the way - a few dollars for some bathers (sorry; swimming togs), a towel and a summer dress meant I didn't need to attempt complicated washing to remove the smell afterwards.

On that day the temperatures ranged from 31 degrees down to 22. A few were closed because they had become too hot. They referred to the coolest one as "chilly", and approached it gingerly, not staying in long. It's all about what you're used to!

Over the last six weeks I've got used to the sunshine; anointing myself with SPF50 at multiple points in the day (provided alongside drinking water in some places). Even my eyes have got used to the palette; I now see so many shades of green, and notice the nuances in in the blues, yellows and reds.

I still love driving these (single lane) highways, with their one lane bridges and the road signs which don't warn ("slippery when wet"), but instruct ("slow when wet"). I still stop to take photos of cows, and contours, and post boxes and flowers.

I've got used to the heat (and humidity), and the sound of the ocean all day long, and the distinct, colourful birds with their quirky songs. I've got used to plans changing and taking it one day at a time; resigned to the perpetual mild disappointment of zero surf, embracing new connections and conversations. For a colourful place some things about the lifestyle here are very black and white and straightforward. Everything is very open and positive, even down to a different take on skateboarding in public places.

I'm really not sure how I'm going to adjust back when I return home. I'm certain I won't view things in the same way as I did before I left; I think this part of my journey has widened my perspective. By glimpsing another palette I will appreciate more deeply my Welsh palette of gentle colours, and life, and culture. "ravel broadens the mind" and it can also expand the heart and soul.