After our amazing time spending 10 weeks in Rotorua last year (see blog and photos here) we decided as a family we would make the move permanent. So we recently sold our house and made the move north.
Its been a busy few months since Christmas preparing our house for sale and getting ready for the move. I can't say I rode my bike much there for a few months! Port Chalmers has been our home for over ten years and we will really miss the community.
We got to Rotorua in time for the kids to start school at Lynmore Primary school and they have settled in quickly and having a great time. We were very fortunate to be able to rent the same house we had last year (thanks Portia!) until we find somewhere permanent to live.
As for Black Seal - most of our operations already take place in Wellington under the keen eye of Mat. So essentially this changes very little for the company. Although we do intend to gradually build more demo bikes to be available in Rotorua over time. We will have an office with a nice cafe just outside in the Rotorua CBD... might have to even start up the Yeti lunch ride tradition one day soon :)
Making a big decision like this is hard... Its always sad to leave somewhere you have called home for many years. Leaving behind friends and family. Sacrificing the familiar for the unknown. But its also so exciting to explore somewhere new, get to know new people and take the opportunity to grow and improve as people.
But since arriving we have immediately starting riding lots as a family, and I'v been our on some great missions with friends too. We are swimming regularly in the lakes and been fly fishing in the rivers. We have been upto Auckland to see Roshni's family a few times already. And it just feels good here. So feeling very fortunate for sure!
Above : A recent E-bike mission on the new 160e over Western Okataina trail
Below : While Jasper has joined the Tuned coaching group, Roshni and I ride with Laksmi, which we always follow up with a Shinny dip at Secret Spot. Too good!
