We drove across the North Island of NZ to the region of Taranaki for a weeks holiday. We went to see if the houses prices were as painful on the other coast as here…. and i can confirm that yes they are.

We stayed with friends and also in a variety of AirBnbs, including one in the centre of New Plymouth; The wonderful colourful home of Rhys and Diane Masters. I felt instantly at home there and it made me sadder than ever to be living mostly in a beige coloured rental home in Papamoa.

Within 2 nights of staying there they had decided to commission me to decorate their vintage caravan .

They delivered the tiny caravan to our perfectly sized driveway the following week and then went off on their bikes for a 2 weeks cycle tour of the East Cape. leaving me just enough time to get my paint on.

I used Resene Lumbersider paint on all the surfaces of Pixie. Eventhough each panel seemed to be made from a different material! It was slow and tricky painting in and around all of the tiny edges. i listened to alot of podcasts.. took alot of coffee breaks and tried my hardest to ignore all of the activity in the neighbours house. One whole family moved out and one whole family moved in right alongside me whilst i was balancing on a childs chair to paint leaves all over this caravan.