This morning, we’re up with coffee before getting ready, checking out and getting to a nearby bus stop for before 9 am

We catch the 83 north and arrive into Petone, Lower Hutt, right in front of The District building; the entrance is round the side and we’re welcomed by a representative of our estate agents

They show us our studio apartment, give us the keys and leave us to our own devices – we officially live in NZ!

With the whole day ahead of us, we get straight out fuel up on caffeine, from a local coffee shop

Beannie Café offers a focaccia ham, cheese & pesto sandwich, a breakfast muffin and a couple of coffees

Now we get to scouring the op shops (charity shops) for anything that might make our new place feel cozy

Our first trip out brings us back with a big blanket, a bedside table, a coffee machine and a free Asian cooking book ????

We come by some local landmarks, including the Petone Artisan Water Fountain (Te Puna Wai Ora) and the Historic Police Station & Jail

After several times out to the many op shops around, we head to the local retailers for the remaining items we need to settle

Surprisingly, it actually takes us until about 7 pm before we even get to think about a food shop!

We do a fairly sized food shop and, with it being so late, decide to opt for a takeaway dinner from Pizza Hut – it’s really hard to argue with the $22 deal for two

Shattered, we get some rest