The Timeless Joy of New Zealand

 The Years We Almost Didn't Count
There are periods in life that seem to pass almost unnoticed.

Those were our New Zealand years.

I rarely thought about my age or how many birthdays had passed. Life had settled into such a comfortable rhythm that time itself seemed less important. Perhaps that was because we were genuinely happy. We had built a home, raised our family, and found a sense of belonging in a country that had once been completely unfamiliar.

Looking back now, I realise our happiness came from the ordinary things. Family, good health, meaningful work, weekends together, and the freedom to enjoy New Zealand's beautiful countryside.

Life simply felt... content.

I remain deeply grateful. I mention age because of an incident at the gym. The owner, Harry's Surprise
One afternoon at the gym, Harry, the owner and a former naval instructor, was carrying out his regular fitness assessments.

Halfway through he looked up from my record card and casually asked,

"How old are you now?"

I stopped to think.

"Thirty-eight... maybe thirty-nine."

Harry looked at me over the top of his glasses before bursting into laughter.

"You're nearly forty-one! Don't you know when you were born?"

We both laughed.

Yet afterwards his words stayed with me.

Somehow, the years had slipped quietly past without me noticing.

Perhaps that's what happiness does.

Life had been so full that time itself had slipped quietly into the background. It was a gentle reminder of how deeply settled we had become. By then, after selling the business, we were able to pay off the mortgage and clear our remaining debts. I was in my early forties. Paul and Kathryn were thinking about university, Julia was exploring career options, Phillip had one year left at college, and Carolyn was attending Carmel College.

 Life felt orderly and secure. 

Sheila had little interest in traveling overseas; we had already enjoyed many holidays throughout New Zealand, building memories as a family. 

By this point, we had been in the country for twelve years. I had promised my family in England that I would return within ten years., and now it felt like the right time. Because of my former employment with Air New Zealand, I was still entitled to reduced fares, so I booked the trip. 

Sheila chose to stay home, and Paul — newly licensed — took responsibility for keeping the household running. 

He did so with maturity that made me proud, ensuring everything carried on smoothly in my absence. 

As I prepared to leave, I felt a mix of gratitude and quiet anticipation. 

Those twelve years had been filled with effort, happiness, and the steady satisfaction of daily life. 

As I packed my suitcase, I realised I was no longer returning to England as the young man who had left with a wife, four young children, and little more than hope.

I was returning as a husband, a father of five, and a man whose life had been transformed by New Zealand.

I looked forward to seeing family and old friends once again.

But I also realised something that surprised me.

England was no longer the place I called home.

New Zealand was.