Since I shared this blog a few months ago it has been rather lovely and encouraging to see people are reading it. It is particularly fabulous to see people reading it from all over the place. 57 countries (I just counted), which makes me smile. I always say that living in Wellington sometimes feels like a strong gust of wind could blow you off the edge of the world, so it’s nice to know people are out there, connected a little bit, anchoring me down in some strange abstract way. This post is my way of saying  a big hello and welcome.

And the goodbye? It’s just temporary! I’m optimistically packing our summer gear and leaving the Welly winter for a month in sunny England. I hope I’ll be too busy catching up with family and friends, eating food I haven’t cooked and reading books that have been patiently waiting far too long to be opened to blog…. but things rarely go as I think they will and perhaps the lure of cooking and photographing a big fat chocolate cake will get the better of me.

Also, I’ve updated the ‘about’ page and I’ve finally joined twitter… you can follow me @themonkeytrail.