There are certain times in life when everything seems to be coasting along nicely in a certain direction and life is predictably sweet. The heavens are aligned and everything seems to be falling into place. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, the universe throws you a curve ball and you're left scrambling as you try to make sense of your current reality.

Gobsmacked, punch drunk, dazed and confused are but some of the words that spring to mind.

Well that's been life, as we've known it for the last four months or so. You see we were set on a certain path and that journey looked something like a permanent relocation to San Francisco. Needless to say, Stephen was excited about expanding his career into North America and I was looking forward to farmers markets, the Napa Valley and getting to know and hanging out with Denise, Lenny, Sean and Alison.

 I won't bore you with the tedious, bureaucratic details, because there are many and it's complex. But suffice to say that when one door closes another one usually opens and behind that door is immense creativity, infinite possibility and incredible satisfaction if you so choose.

This year is going to be huge for the Johnson, so before we launch into it we decided to pack ourselves off to New Zealand for a couple of weeks to bask in the sun and play in the surf, whilst diligently upholding the art of Aperitivo. Hence, I have absolutely no intention of blogging, writing or being online whilst on Waiheke Island, but rather I plan on working on my tan and getting through a book or two.

However, I have packed my camera, so when I do resurface I promise to share some of what I have seen and eaten with you!