Jess is finally going! That New Zealand holiday is at its dawn, and all she can think of is landscapes, walks and adventures. But what she does not expect to find, is what is waiting around the corner - someone.
Someone who will turn her holiday up...
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Jess's having taken Obi Wan on the same route multiple times clearly did not matter and so, just as Aunt Charlotte had predicted, Jess found herself taking Obi for his walks every day.
He thoroughly enjoyed the walks Jess took him on. In his opinion, the pace with which they proceeded (most of the time) was perfect, and Jess was always very nice to him - constantly attentive and talking to him in that friendly voice, that somehow never failed to make him feel glad. And, of course, Jess was so very patient with him. Uncle Sam never stopped as long as Jess did to let him smell things. But then again, that could be because she wanted to stop to talk to her friend.
He seemed to enjoy going out for walks in the evenings too. Not that Obi minded - he had decided, on their very first meeting, that he liked that human.
He was very different from most of those in the house; he did not tend to use the nice voice or give him lots of pats, but he gave off a very friendly, calm feeling that Obi liked. Plus, he had taken them away from those nasty barbarians on the first day. Ugh! Obi did not like to think of them. Their presence had made his fur stand on end and his paws want very much to move in the opposite direction.
Luckily for Obi, it had been five days since they had bid adieu to Catherine's gang, and Jess could now look fondly back on her first week and a day in New Zealand.
A week of a six week holiday gone past is the perfect duration. By this time you will have slept off jet lag, formed the basis of as much routine as you could wish for, and have settled into your new home away from home; all without dreading the day when you will have to get back on the plane that will end your holiday.
Jess, to be certain, was in a state of bliss. She had had surprisingly fine early spring weather, daily walks, a dog to spoil and cuddle with, and the best company she could ever possibly ask for. Her family were really, in her opinion, the best.
Staying put, after a week of it, had become the only thing that could possibly irk her, so the addition of a small hike up a nearby hill on the day before, had put a stamp of pleasure on the week.
That walk had broken the monotony gloriously for Jess - offering an outing and another small, tantalising, sneak peek at what was to be seen.
The cool breeze that had escorted them up the hill, blowing behind and between them like an usher all the way to their perch on the hilltop, made the trip even more enjoyable. Jess had not realised that, unlike in Malaysia, she would not be dripping with sweat by the time she had reached the top.
And the view, once they had reached the top (in Jess's mind) was oh- just stunning. The hill fell from beneath their feet in waves of grass and wildflowers. Nearer the bottom, they could see the treetops of a small forest, fanning out along the base of the hill. It had formed the first, shaded part of their walk, and was sending the fresh scent of pine wafting up to them.
Past the foot of the hill were the rooftops of the town, a sprawling cluster of whites, browns and specks of colour, passing into rolling fields of green, indiscernible wooly specks grazing in them. Beyond that, was blinding, rippling blue.
