Huffing and Puffing in Auckland

It's been a whirl-wind of a week getting settled here in Auckland.  We have been busy since the day we landed.  We moved into our very quaint and cozy little house in a suburb called Parnell.  I immediately thought of San Francisco's landscape.  You cannot avoid the hills here!  Since we won't have a car until the end of September, we are huffing and puffing all the way to the bus stops.  So far, we have discovered the local library, swim lessons at a place called The Olympic Pools and Fitness Center and Sailing Lessons for Finn and Charlotte at Royal Akarana Yatch Club.  All the little shops we need for our day to day groceries are right up the hill from us.  Just this morning Piper and I hiked up to get some eggs and milk for breakfast.  Everywhere we go, people are very friendly and helpful.  They are delighted that we are spending a good amount of time in Auckland and go out of their way to make us feel at home. We are getting along fine!