38 Laps Around the Sun...and counting

Yesterday I celebrated my 38th birthday. Here in New Zealand we had a memorial day for Queen Elizabeth (so no school for me!) which meant I got to start my birthday with, what is a luxury for teenagers but bluemoon treat for adults - a lie in. This was followed by a traditional treasure hunt for my presents and then bacon and strong coffee for breakfast.

Plans for the day entailed a round of mini-golf at Carlucci land before heading to the beach for a picnic where we read our books in the sunshine (is there a greater way to issue in the start of warmer weather?!) Once our sandwiches were suitably digested it was time to go for our first snorkel of the season at Taputeranga Snorkel Trail. This is a favourite spot of ours, and despite the biting chill of the spring sea temperatures, we had another memorable snorkel; huge blue cod, colourful banded wrasses, Annie's first encounter with a Sea Cucumber, and a starfish. The day was rounded off with a beach BBQ and bonfire at Eastbourne beach. It has been a fine 38th birthday.

My 38th lap of the sun has been an epic one for me personally. I moved to New Zealand, married the love of my life, and released my first ever novel. I'm eternally grateful for everything that has come my way this year and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of it. I'm super excited for my 39th lap - I can't wait to get writing on A Lone Gunn (watch this space for regular updates), but I'm also looking forward to marketing A Rogue Gunn and getting it into the hands of as many people as possible. The 39th is gonna be an epic one...and I can't wait to get started.

~ Jamie