Farewell. We’re leaving New Zealand (and going to…?)

Farewell. We’re leaving New Zealand (and going to…?)

You can now JOIN our Secret Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/itsadrama

It’s been quite a year for us. 

If you have followed the podcast for a while, you will know that we have suffered two big losses. Both Liz’s mum and dad passed within 6 months of each other.

And before you know it, it’s Christmas time. Which is always the hardest.

Determined to celebrate Christmas in a way that we have never done before, in a country the four of us love, we have decided to leave New Zealand to spend a month-long-once-in-a-lifetime family break in…?

Did you know we now have a SECRET podcast? Behind The Drama is a fabulous member-only podcast where Brian and I take you deeper into the more personal stories about life as a married, entrepreneurial couple.

A couple who juggle travel, family, business, mental health and marriage.

A couple who have two adult kids that still live at home.

But that’s okay.

Because they don’t mind being slaves.

Honest.

If you are of a certain age who dreams of throwing conventional life into the air and swapping it for optimism, yes-ness, adventure, and a ton of much-needed knicker-wetting humour, then this is the podcast for you – It is real, it is honest, it is tough, and it is JUST what you need.

Trust me, you LOVE this! Find out more by going to https://patreon.com/itsadrama

 

Thank you for listening; you are fabulous, and we love you.

Liz and Brian x

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Tears in the Toilet. Returning to New Zealand

Tears in the Toilet. Returning to New Zealand

Liz and Brian are back in New Zealand. They flew from Chiang Mai via Bangkok and China and, thirty hours later, were home in Taranaki, New Zealand. Tucked up in bed.

But flying home to NZ didn’t go smoothly. In fact, it was a sodding fiasco.

What started as a dream-come-true-flight ended with wet knickers and tears.

And not only that, the food on the plane was sh*t.

Sit back and listen to the story of the return flight 

Enjoy!

Liz and Brian x

 

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Staying. In New Zealand.

Staying. In New Zealand.

Stay.

I couldn’t let this discovery go without sharing.

Those in my newsletter will know I have been writing letters in a journal. Things that have inspired, helped, and soothed me during hard times.

One of those letters (that are being dripped out over the next few weeks)  talks about the saying “Kia Kaha”. In the letter, I liken the meaning of these words to an anchor.

 

This morning, as I was doing my regular walk alongside the beach, I met a Kiwi guy who Brian and I chat with whenever we go to the cafe.

Since Mum passed, we’ve not been to the cafe. I haven’t felt up to it. Talking to people. Making an effort. Honestly, I haven’t felt ready to talk to anyone but Brian. Not in real life.

‘We’ve missed you at the cafe,’ said Mark the Kiwi. ‘How have you been?’

I was about to give the automatic response of ‘Fine!’ But then thought better of it. 

‘Not great. I miss her like crazy.’

There was a moment of silence.

After Mark had shuffled his feet on the sand for a second, he said.

‘Can I suggest a song that helped me during difficult times? It’s by a New Zealand band. I think the lyrics will help you.’

I said goodbye and walked away. I opened Spotify and searched.

I hesitated to listen at first. I thought it might be one of those ‘wah-wah’ songs. The ones that have you sobbing and snorting for hours.

But it was far from it.

 

 

 

The Mutton Birds

 

 

This week’s podcast is for you. For you, I share this song. The song that Kiwi Mark shared with me. I share this song as a reminder.

Let us not forget who we are.

Let us not forget our strength.

And let us never forget that we always have our stay. Always. Sometimes, we just need reminding that it’s there.

I hope this song wraps you in as much love as it did me.

My heart beats with yours,

Liz x

With special love, respect and thanks to The Mutton Birds

 

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Emigrating to New Zealand. 3 Distressing (& Often Debilitating) Fears

Emigrating to New Zealand. 3 Distressing (& Often Debilitating) Fears

Emigrating to New Zealand is no small feat. You will face major challenges such as getting a job, selling your house, packing your things, arranging visas, and booking flights.

But it doesn’t end there.

Just when you think you have all your ducks lined up in a row, when you have shown the kids every glossy picture of New Zealand mountains and beaches and ice cream, it will hit you. Like a ton of bricks.

Uncertainty. Doubt. Fear.

These feelings of fear are completely normal (and very, very common). But that doesn’t make them any less frightening.

In this week’s episode, we wanted to talk about those three fears and try to shed light from the other side as we go through one of the very fears we worried about. 

 

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Proverb: “Man who work non stop has small sausage”

Proverb: “Man who work non stop has small sausage”

You leave your home to go “away” for a few weeks and believe that everything will be Puuurfecct.

You tell yourself you’ll relax. Take massages. Eat out (without complaining).

Wrong.

Join Liz and Bri this week as they open a can of sausages (small ones) and share the highs and lows of being away from home for 5 weeks.

They reveal the gourmet and gross food they’ve eaten in New Zealand, the things they’ve ditched and discovered since being away, and Brian blurts out his problem with little dogs…

Enjoy!

 


 

(Links and photos over on the website link!)

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What a Drip

What a Drip

This week’s episode is brought to you from the lovely and very gorgeous art deco city of Napier in New Zealand, where Liz and Bri are travelling for free (again) by housesitting. This time for five weeks in a rambling old villa perched high on a lofty hill.

Ah…Life is perfect.

Me and Bri, living like a Lord and Lady Muck in our ole kiwi manor house.

What’s not to love about that?

Well…get yourself comfy, and we’ll tell you…

 


 

 

(Links and photos over on the website link!)

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