Snoozy NZ

Increasing numbers of people are returning to work but someone there are parts of NZ that are still on snooze mode.

For example, last week our train line to Wellington from Khandallah was still running on a special summer timetable leaving me bemused when the train didn't turn up when I thought. Newspapers are still as thin as ever (although the price hasn't changed) and there is no morning report (NZ's answer to the Today programme) and we're stuck with smooching summer tunes from the beach boys to listen to in the morning and ever increasingly exciting episodes (not) of Harry Wakatipu to listen to. [For those just not in the know, Harry Wakatipu is a greedy old packhorse that accompanies a 12-year old Urewera hunter with a moustache on his travels across the backcountry]

Rumour has it that NZ will remain in slumber land until at least Waitangi Day (6th February) and then everything will grind back into action and much will return to normal.

From a personal perspective it feels like things are already starting to ramp up - my once quiet moments in the office and escapes to catch a few rays of sun are drying up rapidly. Also, pressures to get things moving on the house are plenty and keeping on top of the paperwork, lawyers and builders is almost a full time job in itself.

Hard to believe where time goes and we're already through January - luckily for many New Zealanders they are still at the bach (beach house), camping or tramping without a care in the world. I've made this mistake this year but think I'll turn native next and take off January to follow the crowds to be part of snoozy NZ.