Out fish and chips last night was really good and only cost £2.60 as we are now down to a half a scoop of chips and that is still plenty!
The torrential rain, which was forecast, started about two in the morning. It is easy to know when it starts as the rain makes such a noise on the tin roof it wakes you up. There is not much you can or want to do in such terrible weather so we stayed in. It is very hard to gt Totty out to do her "business" as she hates the rain so much.
It rained and it rained and it rained and the wind was terrible, we have never seen anything like it.
We watched three episodes of Roots which was very good.
The rain finally stopped about nine o'clock and as you can see from the photo we had a lovely sky.
Friday, 27 February 2009
Rush Hour in Tauranga
I intended to do my weekly shop today and thought I would go to the supermarket about 12.00. Jon was not coming home for lunch today so I was in no rush. However, he called to say he had a change of plan and would be home so my trip to the supermarket would have to be later.
I eventually set off about 3.00 which was a bad time as the schools were coming out and there were school buses and cars everywhere. The supermarket is up Cameron Road which is the main road through Tauranga out to the residential areas and it was really,really busy - I haven't seen so much traffic since we were in Wellington. It took me about half an hour to do a ten minute journey. To add insult to injury I had forgotten my list when I got there and didn't get half the things I needed so we will still need to go to the supermarket and butcher tomorrow and the forecast is for heavy rain all day! Still it's fish and chip night tonight so that is a treat to look forward to.
I eventually set off about 3.00 which was a bad time as the schools were coming out and there were school buses and cars everywhere. The supermarket is up Cameron Road which is the main road through Tauranga out to the residential areas and it was really,really busy - I haven't seen so much traffic since we were in Wellington. It took me about half an hour to do a ten minute journey. To add insult to injury I had forgotten my list when I got there and didn't get half the things I needed so we will still need to go to the supermarket and butcher tomorrow and the forecast is for heavy rain all day! Still it's fish and chip night tonight so that is a treat to look forward to.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
A trip to the supermarket
After taking Totty out this morning I popped over to see Bronwyn Ann to find out about her trip to Christchurch to see her son. Totty comes in with me and sits on my knee and is so well behaved. We had a good natter out on her patio, the weather is lovely at the moment. She told me about the Tranzalpine train journey they went on from Christchurch to Greymouth and it sounds wonderful, something else for our list. I now know the geography of the country much better and can visualise where the towns are when people talk about them and I am beginning to be able to pronounce them! She is off up to see her daughter in Auckland tomorrow for the weekend.
I was later than I intended going to the supermarket but as Jon was in Hamilton for the day he wasn't coming home for lunch so I was in no hurry which, as it happens, was just as well...........
Just inside the supermarket door, by the fruit and veg, an elderly lady was standing she said she was waiting for one of the staff to find out a price for her. We exchanged a few words and she obviously knew I was English and off she went!!!!!! I didn't get a word in for 20 minutes or more!!!!!!!! She told me me all about her husband's heart attack, her daughter's illness, how she put all the doctors right about the diagnosis, her trips to UK, her friends over there and so it went on and all the time I was creeping away from her. This was a lady who had initially told me she was in a hurry. I would not like to meet her when she has time to spare!! I managed to get away eventually and enjoyed my trip to the supermarket and found the same brand ice cream that we had enjoyed at the cinema last night (Slumdog Millionaire was very, very good and we really enjoyed it, lovely cinema, too).
I was putting my trolley back in the "trundle park" when who should I bump into in the car park but yes it was Leoni, yes she even told me her name. Her car was actually parked "NEXT" to mine and off she went again - even stood behind the car talking to me and so I couldn't even drive out. I would never have got into that situation if Jon had been with me!
Totty had her second obedience class this evening and it was much better, she still won't "down" on the spiky grass but nearly gets there. However, all training seems to go out of the window when the agility class starts and the dogs bark as they are doing their routine, she just wants to get over to them!
After the class I went over to meet Joan, the lady I had made initial contact with, just to say hello and thank here for putting me "up" the list. It will be quite something if Totty and I can progress to her class with "clickers".
I was later than I intended going to the supermarket but as Jon was in Hamilton for the day he wasn't coming home for lunch so I was in no hurry which, as it happens, was just as well...........
Just inside the supermarket door, by the fruit and veg, an elderly lady was standing she said she was waiting for one of the staff to find out a price for her. We exchanged a few words and she obviously knew I was English and off she went!!!!!! I didn't get a word in for 20 minutes or more!!!!!!!! She told me me all about her husband's heart attack, her daughter's illness, how she put all the doctors right about the diagnosis, her trips to UK, her friends over there and so it went on and all the time I was creeping away from her. This was a lady who had initially told me she was in a hurry. I would not like to meet her when she has time to spare!! I managed to get away eventually and enjoyed my trip to the supermarket and found the same brand ice cream that we had enjoyed at the cinema last night (Slumdog Millionaire was very, very good and we really enjoyed it, lovely cinema, too).
I was putting my trolley back in the "trundle park" when who should I bump into in the car park but yes it was Leoni, yes she even told me her name. Her car was actually parked "NEXT" to mine and off she went again - even stood behind the car talking to me and so I couldn't even drive out. I would never have got into that situation if Jon had been with me!
Totty had her second obedience class this evening and it was much better, she still won't "down" on the spiky grass but nearly gets there. However, all training seems to go out of the window when the agility class starts and the dogs bark as they are doing their routine, she just wants to get over to them!
After the class I went over to meet Joan, the lady I had made initial contact with, just to say hello and thank here for putting me "up" the list. It will be quite something if Totty and I can progress to her class with "clickers".
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
One of those days!
I decided not to go online first thing as I wanted to savour my new limited time so thought I would have breakfast first then take Totty out etc............. the best laid plans!!
I called the kennels to book Totty in for Easter and then heard a loud noise coming from the garage. I went down and found the washing machine making a terrible noise and jumping about and all the lights on it were flashing on and off. Suddenly it stopped and I couldn't get it to go again. I tried to call Jon to tell him but the phone was not working either so I had to call him from my mobile he suggested I call Seleena and ask her if she had a repair man and also ask her what her user name is and what tariff she is on with broadband (she hadn't answered his email) so that we can upgrade it. I called Seleena and she gave me the information I needed and suggested I ask one of the neighbours about a repair man.
To cut a long story short Jon popped home and couldn't get in the garage as the door wouldn't open and we then realised we had no electricity. We then had to look for the fuse box which we eventually found and saw that a fuse was tripped so the washing machine had obviously done something to it. We flicked it back and we had power, washing machine and phone back on. Jon logged on and upgraded our broadband which will take effect in two days time and the washing machine worked - gremlins!!! Just as well he only works ten minutes away.
I do miss listening to the BBC though. Still I can have it back in two days.
I decided to take Totty to the beach today for her walk. It was lovely. Miles of golden sand and only one dog and a handful of people. She really isn't sure about the waves especially when the surf is up and it is making a lot of noise though I am sure she will get used to it. It took me 15 minutes to get to the beach which isn't bad.
As we had lost the power the Sky box on the TV had gone wrong and when I wanted to watch Neighbours it had no sound and try as I might I couldn't fix it - shame I can't lip read!
We are going to the cinema tonight to see Slumdog Millionaire.
I called the kennels to book Totty in for Easter and then heard a loud noise coming from the garage. I went down and found the washing machine making a terrible noise and jumping about and all the lights on it were flashing on and off. Suddenly it stopped and I couldn't get it to go again. I tried to call Jon to tell him but the phone was not working either so I had to call him from my mobile he suggested I call Seleena and ask her if she had a repair man and also ask her what her user name is and what tariff she is on with broadband (she hadn't answered his email) so that we can upgrade it. I called Seleena and she gave me the information I needed and suggested I ask one of the neighbours about a repair man.
To cut a long story short Jon popped home and couldn't get in the garage as the door wouldn't open and we then realised we had no electricity. We then had to look for the fuse box which we eventually found and saw that a fuse was tripped so the washing machine had obviously done something to it. We flicked it back and we had power, washing machine and phone back on. Jon logged on and upgraded our broadband which will take effect in two days time and the washing machine worked - gremlins!!! Just as well he only works ten minutes away.
I do miss listening to the BBC though. Still I can have it back in two days.
I decided to take Totty to the beach today for her walk. It was lovely. Miles of golden sand and only one dog and a handful of people. She really isn't sure about the waves especially when the surf is up and it is making a lot of noise though I am sure she will get used to it. It took me 15 minutes to get to the beach which isn't bad.
As we had lost the power the Sky box on the TV had gone wrong and when I wanted to watch Neighbours it had no sound and try as I might I couldn't fix it - shame I can't lip read!
We are going to the cinema tonight to see Slumdog Millionaire.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
We now have a doctor
I took our forms back to Central Med to register with a doctor, they also needed copies of our passports. They have up to 16 doctors there and it all looks very modern and efficient. They register you with a doctor but you can see anyone of the doctors. It is $50 for the first visit and then $35 for every visit after that - let's hope we don't need them!
I then went into Tauranga and had a coffee and got my card stamped - only six more stamps and I get a free coffee! I picked up some information from the Tourist Office as we may go to Rotorua this weekend. I had a quick look around the the library and took out an old Maeve Binchy book that I haven't seen in UK.
On the way home we had a huge downpour and I had to stop driving as I couldn't see. It only lasted about five minutes and the sun shone for the rest of the day.
I went to the post office to post a parcel to UK and it cost a fortune so I don't think people will be getting too many presents in the UK over the next one/two years.
Training with Totty is going well and she seems to enjoy it or maybe it is all the extra treats she gets for it!
My neighbour, Kim, has her mother staying to look after the children for a few days. She is about my age and is really chatty - shame she lives in Auckland!
I will have to be careful how much I listen to the BBC as we have used 80% of our Internet capacity for this month and they will put us on dialled Internet if we go over and I don't want that - I would die without the Internet! We will have to see about upgrading it.
I then went into Tauranga and had a coffee and got my card stamped - only six more stamps and I get a free coffee! I picked up some information from the Tourist Office as we may go to Rotorua this weekend. I had a quick look around the the library and took out an old Maeve Binchy book that I haven't seen in UK.
On the way home we had a huge downpour and I had to stop driving as I couldn't see. It only lasted about five minutes and the sun shone for the rest of the day.
I went to the post office to post a parcel to UK and it cost a fortune so I don't think people will be getting too many presents in the UK over the next one/two years.
Training with Totty is going well and she seems to enjoy it or maybe it is all the extra treats she gets for it!
My neighbour, Kim, has her mother staying to look after the children for a few days. She is about my age and is really chatty - shame she lives in Auckland!
I will have to be careful how much I listen to the BBC as we have used 80% of our Internet capacity for this month and they will put us on dialled Internet if we go over and I don't want that - I would die without the Internet! We will have to see about upgrading it.
Monday, 23 February 2009
It's Monday again
I thought after our climb up the hills yesterday my legs would be aching but so far no problem.
I needed to get out in my car today. Not having driven for seven weeks it is quite hard to get behind the wheel again but I had to do it.
I needed a birthday card and some wrapping paper so set out to the local post office. It was quite easy really and I was there and back in no time.
I will need to go a bit further tomorrow as I really ought to register us with a doctor.
I was very good today and got all my washing AND ironing done in one day. It was so much easier to do the ironing while listening to the radio.
I needed to get out in my car today. Not having driven for seven weeks it is quite hard to get behind the wheel again but I had to do it.
I needed a birthday card and some wrapping paper so set out to the local post office. It was quite easy really and I was there and back in no time.
I will need to go a bit further tomorrow as I really ought to register us with a doctor.
I was very good today and got all my washing AND ironing done in one day. It was so much easier to do the ironing while listening to the radio.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Kiwi360
We went off to visit what used to be called Kiwiworld and is now called Kiwi360 in Te Puke, pronounced Te Pukay. We were taken in a tractor/trailer, which is supposed to look like individual kiwis!!!!!!, around the farm.
It was a good talk and I was amazed to find out that more than 20,000 extra people are employed during the ten weeks of picking and packing the fruit. Most of these people come from students, backpackers, retired people and housewives (Jon thinks I could work here in the next few weeks). After the leaves fall the new shoots are then "tied in" by professional people and in the spring (New Zealand spring)more than 20,000 beehives are brought in for the pollination - amazing!!
We then went on to visit a nearby town called Maketu which is famous for its "pies" but the pie shop was closed and we could only buy pies from the village shop but they were good. The beach was lovely, too and we had mega ice creams!
On the way back I saw a sign which said Papamoa Hills Heritage Reserve so we thought we would have a look. Turned out to be an amazing climb up hills through the most beautiful landscape with amazing ferns and huge trees. However, the climb was very, very, very steep and at one point I thought I would give up as I was so puffed but Jon told me I couldn't give up so on I went and made it to the top and well worth it, it was. The views were wonderful. You could see over to where we live and in the other direction to White Island which is an active volcano off the coast at Wakatane.
We spoke to some ladies who were there and they said they did the climb every week! OMG! They told us some people do it everyday OMG!, OMG! I never thought I would make it once. Going down was so much easier.
Totty only had a short walk this evening - our legs could take no more! We more than walked off our pies and ice cream.
It was a good talk and I was amazed to find out that more than 20,000 extra people are employed during the ten weeks of picking and packing the fruit. Most of these people come from students, backpackers, retired people and housewives (Jon thinks I could work here in the next few weeks). After the leaves fall the new shoots are then "tied in" by professional people and in the spring (New Zealand spring)more than 20,000 beehives are brought in for the pollination - amazing!!
We then went on to visit a nearby town called Maketu which is famous for its "pies" but the pie shop was closed and we could only buy pies from the village shop but they were good. The beach was lovely, too and we had mega ice creams!
On the way back I saw a sign which said Papamoa Hills Heritage Reserve so we thought we would have a look. Turned out to be an amazing climb up hills through the most beautiful landscape with amazing ferns and huge trees. However, the climb was very, very, very steep and at one point I thought I would give up as I was so puffed but Jon told me I couldn't give up so on I went and made it to the top and well worth it, it was. The views were wonderful. You could see over to where we live and in the other direction to White Island which is an active volcano off the coast at Wakatane.
We spoke to some ladies who were there and they said they did the climb every week! OMG! They told us some people do it everyday OMG!, OMG! I never thought I would make it once. Going down was so much easier.
Totty only had a short walk this evening - our legs could take no more! We more than walked off our pies and ice cream.
Let's go and get the car
We went to collect my car this morning. It was all really easy, give the cheque, sign the paperwork and bingo I had my car. It didn't have any petrol at all so the first thing was get to a petrol station and fill "Windy" up. My first experience of driving was fine and after filling up with petrol we made our way home with no problems and I enjoyed driving for the first time since 4th Jan.
Later, we went to Bay Fair and had coffee and then did our shopping and didn't get home until nearly 2.00.
In the afternoon we went into Tauranga to have a look around the shops as we have not done that. Most of the shops close at 4.00 on a Saturday!!!!!!!
We went up to one of the shopping retail parks and managed to buy a salad spinner as I was fed up with wet lettuce.
We had a lovely walk with Totty in the evening over at Welcome Bay which is probably our favorite doggy walking place.
Later, we went to Bay Fair and had coffee and then did our shopping and didn't get home until nearly 2.00.
In the afternoon we went into Tauranga to have a look around the shops as we have not done that. Most of the shops close at 4.00 on a Saturday!!!!!!!
We went up to one of the shopping retail parks and managed to buy a salad spinner as I was fed up with wet lettuce.
We had a lovely walk with Totty in the evening over at Welcome Bay which is probably our favorite doggy walking place.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
What a wet day
It seemed to rain all night and this morning is the greyest, wettest of mornings. The rain seems so much worse over here as we haven't had a lot of it since we arrived.
The only place Totty has to go out for a wee is at the side of the house through the garage and I stood there telling her to get on with it this morning and the rain was pouring in on me and I got completely soaked and she would not do as she was told. I'll have to take an umbrella with me and try again later.
The forecast is for rain all day so I am not looking forward to picking a new car up and driving it home in such awful weather.
The weather got worse and worse and I had to brave it as the cover on the bbq was about to take off and I had to clamp it down with patio chairs.
Jon came home at lunchtime and told me they had no power at the office but everyone keeps saying "But we need the rain" Yes but not like this!
I have decided to get my car tomorrow. There is no way I want to have my first NZ driving experience in weather like this.
Been doing some training with Totty!!!!!!!!!!! She will get "down" if she is on carpet but on the wood floor or on the concrete in the garage there is no way she will do it so I have no chance next week on coarse, spiky grass. We've a long way to go.
Well it finally stopped raining in time for Jon to go and get the fish and chips.
Totty didn't get a walk today as she wouldn't go out which meant neither did I
The only place Totty has to go out for a wee is at the side of the house through the garage and I stood there telling her to get on with it this morning and the rain was pouring in on me and I got completely soaked and she would not do as she was told. I'll have to take an umbrella with me and try again later.
The forecast is for rain all day so I am not looking forward to picking a new car up and driving it home in such awful weather.
The weather got worse and worse and I had to brave it as the cover on the bbq was about to take off and I had to clamp it down with patio chairs.
Jon came home at lunchtime and told me they had no power at the office but everyone keeps saying "But we need the rain" Yes but not like this!
I have decided to get my car tomorrow. There is no way I want to have my first NZ driving experience in weather like this.
Been doing some training with Totty!!!!!!!!!!! She will get "down" if she is on carpet but on the wood floor or on the concrete in the garage there is no way she will do it so I have no chance next week on coarse, spiky grass. We've a long way to go.
Well it finally stopped raining in time for Jon to go and get the fish and chips.
Totty didn't get a walk today as she wouldn't go out which meant neither did I
I have a car!
Jon called today to say he was at a garage and had seen a car and would come and pick me up to have a look at it.
We got to the garage, called Safeway, and saw the car it is a Toyota Corolla called Windy and is dark blue. I spotted a very nice sporty Honda which I liked more but when they tried to start it for the test drive it wouldn't start so I decided against that and took the more sensible Corolla out. It is manual which is what I prefer and has cloth seats, I don't like leather, too hot over here and it has AC. I took it out for a drive and it is fine so we put a bid in and were told we would hear at 4.00 if we have been successful which of course we were, funny way of doing things.
Jon got the insurance sorted out - very cheap £40 third party, fire and theft! I try hard not to compare with UK prices but it is hard not to. They have MOTs here every six months and they are called WOFs (Warranty of Fitness). When I saw "New WOF" on a car I thought it was something to do with the speakers or the exhaust! So we pick my car up tomorrow after we get the money out of the bank. It will make such a difference to me.
Totty had her first obedience class today. I really enjoyed it but I'm not sure she did. She has never been given so many orders and was looking quite confused by the end of the class. She got very excited at one point when she could hear the dogs in the agility class barking as they were doing their routine. I think she thought she could skip the basic class and go straight onto the fun bit! I will have to do a lot of training at home with lots of rewards I think. The other people in the class were very friendly but found it hard to understand why such an old dog, 8, is doing obedience classes. The average age of a dog at the class is one. I explained that the classes were more for me! Some of them are only there for basic training but a few want to go on to agility which looks like a lot of fun.
Many years ago, 28 in fact, when I took our first dog to classes I remember thinking a gin and tonic would be in order after the class, believe it or not I had exactly the same feeling tonight! I look forward to next week's class.
We got to the garage, called Safeway, and saw the car it is a Toyota Corolla called Windy and is dark blue. I spotted a very nice sporty Honda which I liked more but when they tried to start it for the test drive it wouldn't start so I decided against that and took the more sensible Corolla out. It is manual which is what I prefer and has cloth seats, I don't like leather, too hot over here and it has AC. I took it out for a drive and it is fine so we put a bid in and were told we would hear at 4.00 if we have been successful which of course we were, funny way of doing things.
Jon got the insurance sorted out - very cheap £40 third party, fire and theft! I try hard not to compare with UK prices but it is hard not to. They have MOTs here every six months and they are called WOFs (Warranty of Fitness). When I saw "New WOF" on a car I thought it was something to do with the speakers or the exhaust! So we pick my car up tomorrow after we get the money out of the bank. It will make such a difference to me.
Totty had her first obedience class today. I really enjoyed it but I'm not sure she did. She has never been given so many orders and was looking quite confused by the end of the class. She got very excited at one point when she could hear the dogs in the agility class barking as they were doing their routine. I think she thought she could skip the basic class and go straight onto the fun bit! I will have to do a lot of training at home with lots of rewards I think. The other people in the class were very friendly but found it hard to understand why such an old dog, 8, is doing obedience classes. The average age of a dog at the class is one. I explained that the classes were more for me! Some of them are only there for basic training but a few want to go on to agility which looks like a lot of fun.
Many years ago, 28 in fact, when I took our first dog to classes I remember thinking a gin and tonic would be in order after the class, believe it or not I had exactly the same feeling tonight! I look forward to next week's class.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Dyed my Hair
I forgot to mention my hair!
In our boxes came my hair dye and I was in need of doing my hair! It was going to be difficult as the shower head in the cubicle does not reach the floor so tends to swing around and I get very wet when washing the dog so how was I going to manage rinsing my hair? It was difficult but I did it and didn't end up with brown feet but the bathroom got a bit of a soaking! My hair now looks good again just as well I only have to do it every five or six weeks.
In our boxes came my hair dye and I was in need of doing my hair! It was going to be difficult as the shower head in the cubicle does not reach the floor so tends to swing around and I get very wet when washing the dog so how was I going to manage rinsing my hair? It was difficult but I did it and didn't end up with brown feet but the bathroom got a bit of a soaking! My hair now looks good again just as well I only have to do it every five or six weeks.
Another boring day
When I open my eyes in the morning I wonder how I am going to get through another day and then it seems like only five minutes and it's bedtime again! Amazing how we can waste so much time.
I discovered Daily Mail online today so had a read of the news which was enjoyable. I can get all the depressing stuff from Sky and BBC 24 hours on the TV. I read that Chris Evans (Radio 2 - whose show I loved) had a baby boy so decided to Google him to find out more. This led me to his blog which I signed up for and hey presto I also got onto BBC iPlayer and Radio 2. I have been trying to get the radio since we got here via the BBC home page but it was telling me we didn't have the correct software and now through sheer fluke I can get it! Only trouble is all the shows I used to listen to are on while I am in bed and unless I want to be up at the crack of dawn I can't listen to Chris Evans either. We did manage to get Terry Wogan before we went to bed though!
The novelty of having a friend in NZ seems to have worn off for most of my friends in the UK and the emails have dried up somewhat. Only to be expected really as life in the UK is so much busier than my present life. My friend in USA is really good and we chat everyday online. She is one of only two friends (the other one is in Spain) who understand how lonely life can be for a new ex pat.
Well enough of feeling sorry for myself it could be worse it could be snowing! I have to write all this so that when life gets better I will read this and appreciate it and not to make anyone back home feel guilty.
We are still trying to find a car for me and it is getting pretty desperate now - I need a car!!!!! and a job!!!! It is not as easy as the UK to buy a car. They sell a lot online but the vendors are slow to respond to enquiries and don't get back to you for days. Car showrooms for new and nearly new cars are plentiful but we just want a run around for me and don't want to spend thousands of $. I am sure something will turn up soon. Off to walk the dog now.
I discovered Daily Mail online today so had a read of the news which was enjoyable. I can get all the depressing stuff from Sky and BBC 24 hours on the TV. I read that Chris Evans (Radio 2 - whose show I loved) had a baby boy so decided to Google him to find out more. This led me to his blog which I signed up for and hey presto I also got onto BBC iPlayer and Radio 2. I have been trying to get the radio since we got here via the BBC home page but it was telling me we didn't have the correct software and now through sheer fluke I can get it! Only trouble is all the shows I used to listen to are on while I am in bed and unless I want to be up at the crack of dawn I can't listen to Chris Evans either. We did manage to get Terry Wogan before we went to bed though!
The novelty of having a friend in NZ seems to have worn off for most of my friends in the UK and the emails have dried up somewhat. Only to be expected really as life in the UK is so much busier than my present life. My friend in USA is really good and we chat everyday online. She is one of only two friends (the other one is in Spain) who understand how lonely life can be for a new ex pat.
Well enough of feeling sorry for myself it could be worse it could be snowing! I have to write all this so that when life gets better I will read this and appreciate it and not to make anyone back home feel guilty.
We are still trying to find a car for me and it is getting pretty desperate now - I need a car!!!!! and a job!!!! It is not as easy as the UK to buy a car. They sell a lot online but the vendors are slow to respond to enquiries and don't get back to you for days. Car showrooms for new and nearly new cars are plentiful but we just want a run around for me and don't want to spend thousands of $. I am sure something will turn up soon. Off to walk the dog now.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Where does the time go?
I don't know what happened to Monday and Tuesday they have just flown over. I did all my ironing in nearly one go listening to a talking book - just got shirts to do! Had a call to say our boxes would be delivered on Tuesday so that was something to look forward to.
The boxes arrived at 11.00 and I started to unpack them. Hair dye at last and Tea Tree, that will help the bites. I now have my teapot, garlic press and chopping board - funny the things you miss! It will be nice to have our own towels, too. We have so many clothes and coat hangers, we are never going to wear all these clothes! Jon has brought suits and ties - I haven't seen anyone wearing a tie so far.
Totty was very pleased to see her bed and toys again.
I had some sausages in the freezer that I thought I ought to use and so we had a bbq. The only way I can describe the sausages here is "solid". If I could get the recipe for Newmarket sausages I wonder if I could get a butcher to make them????
And so another two fun filled days have gone by. Two years will fly by at this rate! I like the weekends best. I'm not unhappy, just bored.
The boxes arrived at 11.00 and I started to unpack them. Hair dye at last and Tea Tree, that will help the bites. I now have my teapot, garlic press and chopping board - funny the things you miss! It will be nice to have our own towels, too. We have so many clothes and coat hangers, we are never going to wear all these clothes! Jon has brought suits and ties - I haven't seen anyone wearing a tie so far.
Totty was very pleased to see her bed and toys again.
I had some sausages in the freezer that I thought I ought to use and so we had a bbq. The only way I can describe the sausages here is "solid". If I could get the recipe for Newmarket sausages I wonder if I could get a butcher to make them????
And so another two fun filled days have gone by. Two years will fly by at this rate! I like the weekends best. I'm not unhappy, just bored.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Sunday
Got all my washing done today and had a tidy up as Seleena, the landlady, is coming to collect some things before she goes up to Auckland to start her university course.
We went over to look at some cars but didn't find anything. I had to get more contact lens solution as our boxes are still not here so we had to go to Bay Fair. The new Specsavers there still don't have their own brand in so I had to get some from the chemist which fortunately had a pretty good special offer on. I needed to get some treats for Totty for her classes that start this Thursday so we once again went to the supermarket.
We had lunch and Seleena turned up. She was very happy with how the house was looking and is pleased we are going to stay here for the year and probably two if Jon stays on. I couldn't face moving and starting all over again now that I know some of the neighbours I want to get to know them better.
For the rest of the day we just lolled around and enjoyed the sun.
We took Totty out to Welcome Bay in the evening and found another lovely walk and she was quite tired when she got back.
After our dinner of lamb shanks in tomato and basil we watched The Queen and then went to bed. Back to routine next week. I am now up to date with my blog again
We went over to look at some cars but didn't find anything. I had to get more contact lens solution as our boxes are still not here so we had to go to Bay Fair. The new Specsavers there still don't have their own brand in so I had to get some from the chemist which fortunately had a pretty good special offer on. I needed to get some treats for Totty for her classes that start this Thursday so we once again went to the supermarket.
We had lunch and Seleena turned up. She was very happy with how the house was looking and is pleased we are going to stay here for the year and probably two if Jon stays on. I couldn't face moving and starting all over again now that I know some of the neighbours I want to get to know them better.
For the rest of the day we just lolled around and enjoyed the sun.
We took Totty out to Welcome Bay in the evening and found another lovely walk and she was quite tired when she got back.
After our dinner of lamb shanks in tomato and basil we watched The Queen and then went to bed. Back to routine next week. I am now up to date with my blog again
Saturday - nearly there
We were on our way by 8.15 - pretty good for us. We stopped at Bulls a village about 40km up the road for breakfast which wasn't very good.
The sun was now really shining and the journey was so much better. The views were wonderful, the snow on Mt Ruapehu looked wonderful and the desert didn't look so dry and sandy. Sadly on Friday night arsonists had set light to the ski lodge on the other side of Ruapehu and burnt it down causing a lot of damage and now they think the resort will not be open for winter.
We stopped for coffee at Lake Taupo and that was wonderful the views are breathtaking and I was asking Jon to stop every few kilometers after that. We drove on to Rotorua and found a little shop by the lake and asked them if they could make us some sandwiches which they did and we ate them by the lake. I asked for a cup of tea and was told that came with a scone and jam and cream all for $2 (less than £1).
Not far to go now although the road is bendy it only takes about 50min and we were back.
We couldn't pick Totty up till 4.00 so it was a quick trip to get some food (Two T bone steaks for the barbie £4.00 - meat is very cheap here) and then we were off to the kennels.
They said Totty had been fine and enjoyed playing with the other dogs but then they are going to say that, aren't they? She was really pleased to see us and didn't have much of a bark so I imagine she must have baked a lot while she was there and she did smell bad of dog but she was fine and got really excited as we turned into the drive. I think she has settled very well over here. She wouldn't tell us how the intensive course in Kiwi went!
It was nice to be back and although I can't yet call it home it did feel good. Dinner was good and we watched Paul Merton in India. They have all the repeats here.
The sun was now really shining and the journey was so much better. The views were wonderful, the snow on Mt Ruapehu looked wonderful and the desert didn't look so dry and sandy. Sadly on Friday night arsonists had set light to the ski lodge on the other side of Ruapehu and burnt it down causing a lot of damage and now they think the resort will not be open for winter.
We stopped for coffee at Lake Taupo and that was wonderful the views are breathtaking and I was asking Jon to stop every few kilometers after that. We drove on to Rotorua and found a little shop by the lake and asked them if they could make us some sandwiches which they did and we ate them by the lake. I asked for a cup of tea and was told that came with a scone and jam and cream all for $2 (less than £1).
Not far to go now although the road is bendy it only takes about 50min and we were back.
We couldn't pick Totty up till 4.00 so it was a quick trip to get some food (Two T bone steaks for the barbie £4.00 - meat is very cheap here) and then we were off to the kennels.
They said Totty had been fine and enjoyed playing with the other dogs but then they are going to say that, aren't they? She was really pleased to see us and didn't have much of a bark so I imagine she must have baked a lot while she was there and she did smell bad of dog but she was fine and got really excited as we turned into the drive. I think she has settled very well over here. She wouldn't tell us how the intensive course in Kiwi went!
It was nice to be back and although I can't yet call it home it did feel good. Dinner was good and we watched Paul Merton in India. They have all the repeats here.
Friday on the way back
We set off after just a quick cup of tea and it was still raining. We must have stopped for breakfast but for the life of me I can't remember where. Yes I can! We stopped at a coffee bar and had a muffin with scrambled egg in Havelock which boasts to be the green lipped mussel capital of the world!! The journey to Picton was wet and not very nice. At least when we got to the ferry it had dried up and wasn't windy. We had some lunch and waited to board the ferry which wasn't very full.
We set off on time and the journey up the Sound was quite smooth but the views were no better than on the way down and there was a cold wind blowing so we sat inside by a window. As we came out of the Sound into the Straits it was very different and I thought Oh! no. How am I going to cope with this! The ship was rather up and down but on the whole it was OK - not that I will be doing it again. I wouldn't want to tempt fate. I have heard it gets really, really bad. It took us much longer to get back and I was very glad to see Wellington harbour.
We got off the ferry right into rush hour on a Friday and it was very busy all the way up the coast to Levin. The only good thing was the weather the sun was out and I was glad to be back on the North Island.
We drove to a tiny place called Foxton and found a room in the only motel there which was very basic but clean and the owner was very chatty and told us the restaurant across the road was good so after a quick wash and brush up we went over to the Laughing Fox. What a find! The waitress was from Jersey and had been there six months and loved it and was trying to sort out her papers to stay. The food was amazing and once again I had the fish of the day which was cooked with prawns and mango - lovely. Jon had venison which was also very good.
I asked the waitress where the customers come from and she told me they came from miles around as the place had such a good reputation and I could well believe it.
After a long day we were glad to go to bed but at least it wasn't raining!
We set off on time and the journey up the Sound was quite smooth but the views were no better than on the way down and there was a cold wind blowing so we sat inside by a window. As we came out of the Sound into the Straits it was very different and I thought Oh! no. How am I going to cope with this! The ship was rather up and down but on the whole it was OK - not that I will be doing it again. I wouldn't want to tempt fate. I have heard it gets really, really bad. It took us much longer to get back and I was very glad to see Wellington harbour.
We got off the ferry right into rush hour on a Friday and it was very busy all the way up the coast to Levin. The only good thing was the weather the sun was out and I was glad to be back on the North Island.
We drove to a tiny place called Foxton and found a room in the only motel there which was very basic but clean and the owner was very chatty and told us the restaurant across the road was good so after a quick wash and brush up we went over to the Laughing Fox. What a find! The waitress was from Jersey and had been there six months and loved it and was trying to sort out her papers to stay. The food was amazing and once again I had the fish of the day which was cooked with prawns and mango - lovely. Jon had venison which was also very good.
I asked the waitress where the customers come from and she told me they came from miles around as the place had such a good reputation and I could well believe it.
After a long day we were glad to go to bed but at least it wasn't raining!
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Thursday
Jon left at 7.30 and when I looked out the window it was pouring with rain and I had no appropriate clothes with me. We had ordered continental breakfast and so I had the muesli and a cup of tea, just as well this was a motel and the rooms are more spacious. I did intend to walk into town and take the two hour guided bus tour but the rain was coming down so hard it was out of the question.
I spent the whole day in the room. Jon phoned me a couple of times but I just sat and watched the awful TV and read. What a waste of a day. I had nothing other than some bread and honey from breakfast to toast for my lunch so I was feeling really sorry for myself and to add insult to injury Jon's flight was delayed due to bad weather and he didn't get back until 4.45. Still it could have been worse it might have been cancelled altogether!
They go in for Valentine's Day in a big way here and on Good Morning (they need a Fern and Phil over here) they showed you how to make cakes shaped like hearts, thread roses on a wire to make a garland and made some raspberry tarts with heart shapes on them. Wow!
So I didn't make it to the geographical Centre of NZ and Nelson was a disappointment but I would still like to come back to this area again as there are some lovely national parks and reserves and beaches that I would love to see but I think we would fly down to Nelson and hire a car as it would be quicker.
We managed to walk to town for dinner during a dry spell but had to get a taxi home as it had started to rain again. I can't believe the change in the weather it was 32.4 in Auckland today!
I spent the whole day in the room. Jon phoned me a couple of times but I just sat and watched the awful TV and read. What a waste of a day. I had nothing other than some bread and honey from breakfast to toast for my lunch so I was feeling really sorry for myself and to add insult to injury Jon's flight was delayed due to bad weather and he didn't get back until 4.45. Still it could have been worse it might have been cancelled altogether!
They go in for Valentine's Day in a big way here and on Good Morning (they need a Fern and Phil over here) they showed you how to make cakes shaped like hearts, thread roses on a wire to make a garland and made some raspberry tarts with heart shapes on them. Wow!
So I didn't make it to the geographical Centre of NZ and Nelson was a disappointment but I would still like to come back to this area again as there are some lovely national parks and reserves and beaches that I would love to see but I think we would fly down to Nelson and hire a car as it would be quicker.
We managed to walk to town for dinner during a dry spell but had to get a taxi home as it had started to rain again. I can't believe the change in the weather it was 32.4 in Auckland today!
Wednesday
We were up early and checked out and went down to a cafe for breakfast where I had homemade muesli and fruit and yogurt and Jon had a fry up. Some of the breakfasts as this cafe were huge like great big stacks of food but lots of these people are riding bikes around the hills so I suppose they need the energy.
We set off round some very bendy up and down roads to Nelson. We drove through the Marlborough wine region and saw miles of vines. The main thing you notice in the South Island is the lack of ferns and the very tall trees. The logging industry fascinates me and I would like to find out more of how it is managed. You see hills at every stage of the process. The last bit of the journey before you enter Nelson is very hairy and how these big lorries manage I do not know just as well there are not too many of them.
We arrived at the hotel and it was further out of the town than we would have liked but it was in a nice spot. Jon went off to the port and I walked into town which only took about 15 minutes. I went to see the cathedral which by UK standards is very modern, the foundation stone was laid in 1925 and the building completed in 1972. It was a very bare building but the windows were beautiful but all in all it looked like it was made of concrete blocks and the tower looks like a fire station hose tower. Nelson was a disappointment to me as I had in my mind it would be small and old and it was big and modern. I did visit the Queen Elizabeth gardens which were very pretty. I walked miles around that town and it was by now very hot and my head was starting to ache so I went back to the hotel. I started with a migraine again last one was in KL so I had a lie down and by the time Jon came back it was better but I did not feel like going out in the sun again. The geographical centre of NZ will have to wait.
By seven I was feeling much better but was worried as to how I was going to spend a whole day in Nelson when Jon went to Christchurch the next day.
We had a good dinner Jon had stone baked lamb kebabs. They bring you a very hot stone and you cook your own dinner and he enjoyed it very much. We walked home for an early night as Jon had to get to the airport for his flight.
We set off round some very bendy up and down roads to Nelson. We drove through the Marlborough wine region and saw miles of vines. The main thing you notice in the South Island is the lack of ferns and the very tall trees. The logging industry fascinates me and I would like to find out more of how it is managed. You see hills at every stage of the process. The last bit of the journey before you enter Nelson is very hairy and how these big lorries manage I do not know just as well there are not too many of them.
We arrived at the hotel and it was further out of the town than we would have liked but it was in a nice spot. Jon went off to the port and I walked into town which only took about 15 minutes. I went to see the cathedral which by UK standards is very modern, the foundation stone was laid in 1925 and the building completed in 1972. It was a very bare building but the windows were beautiful but all in all it looked like it was made of concrete blocks and the tower looks like a fire station hose tower. Nelson was a disappointment to me as I had in my mind it would be small and old and it was big and modern. I did visit the Queen Elizabeth gardens which were very pretty. I walked miles around that town and it was by now very hot and my head was starting to ache so I went back to the hotel. I started with a migraine again last one was in KL so I had a lie down and by the time Jon came back it was better but I did not feel like going out in the sun again. The geographical centre of NZ will have to wait.
By seven I was feeling much better but was worried as to how I was going to spend a whole day in Nelson when Jon went to Christchurch the next day.
We had a good dinner Jon had stone baked lamb kebabs. They bring you a very hot stone and you cook your own dinner and he enjoyed it very much. We walked home for an early night as Jon had to get to the airport for his flight.
Tuesday
We went down for breakfast and I had a lovely fruit salad and a muffin. Jon was then picked up by one of the port workers from Genera and taken to a meeting. It was very overcast with fine drizzle but I felt I ought to go out and see some of the capital. I had a walk around but as we were out of the centre it was not terribly interesting and in the rain not very pleasant either so I went back to wait for Jon.
We set off to the ferry and thought we knew which way to go as we had passed it on the motorway on the way in. As we were driving Jon's mobile rang - they all use them while driving here as it is not illegal. I answer Jon's and say he can't talk and take messages they must think we are mad. It was, Mark, the chap Jon had had the meeting with apologising for not leading us to the ferry and when I told him we were on the motorway he nearly had a fit and started to tell me which way we had to go and got very excited telling me not to take the turn up into the hills as it would take hours and we would miss the ferry. It's quite funny now but it wasn't at the time as Jon was also panicking as he thought we would miss the ferry. I took all the instructions and relayed them to Jon and somehow we managed to get off the motorway, turn round and get back onto the right road and down to the port. We had given ourselves plenty of time anyway so we did have time to spare.
As the day was so bad leaving the port was disappointing as it was so misty and you couldn't see anything but it was calm. It took the ferry a good 50 minutes to get out of the harbour as it does a big sweep around and I am sure on a nice day it is lovely. We crossed the Cook Straits ( 1 hour)and it was calm. I met a lady from Auckland who has rented her house out and is travelling around NZ with her husband in a camper van. She too has a blog which I will look up and we had a good old natter which really passed the time as I didn't want to go and sit inside so we sat near the engine and were warm all the way over. We entered the Queen Charlotte Sound and it was lovely so calm and peaceful and the weather was a bit clearer so we were able to take photos. It took about an hour and a half up the sound. Picton is a lovely little town nothing much other than ferries and a few ships but very pretty.
We checked into our hotel and then went out to get a cup of tea. I was given a jug of milk, a cup and saucer with a teabag in it and a lovely white teapot full of water! I don't know why they didn't put the bag in the pot! After tea we took a walk around the town and over the harbour bridge out along the sound and walked all the way to a place called Bob's Bay (don't know who Bob was but his bay was very pretty) and it passed an hour.
After a shower and change we went down to the bar of the hotel for a drink by the pool it was by then a lovely evening. We decided to try a restaurant over the road from our hotel which looked very nice for dinner. We sat on a table outside on a patio area all lit up with fairy lights. Because of sand flies and mosquitoes they brought out citronella candles and another type of burner and offered insect repellent - what service. We had an amazing meal. I had fish of the day but as the chef only had half a portion left they offered me salmon to go with it - the half portion would have been fine! I have enjoyed the fish so much since we got here and now eat it quite often. Once again I can't remember what it was called I think I am going to have to write them down so I will remember. Jon also had fish but his was called butterfish. Mine was like mackerel and Jon's was a white fish. They were served with a sun dried tomato pesto mash yummy! We had lovely fresh fruit berry Pavlova for pudding followed by flat white. Perfect end to a lovely day.
We set off to the ferry and thought we knew which way to go as we had passed it on the motorway on the way in. As we were driving Jon's mobile rang - they all use them while driving here as it is not illegal. I answer Jon's and say he can't talk and take messages they must think we are mad. It was, Mark, the chap Jon had had the meeting with apologising for not leading us to the ferry and when I told him we were on the motorway he nearly had a fit and started to tell me which way we had to go and got very excited telling me not to take the turn up into the hills as it would take hours and we would miss the ferry. It's quite funny now but it wasn't at the time as Jon was also panicking as he thought we would miss the ferry. I took all the instructions and relayed them to Jon and somehow we managed to get off the motorway, turn round and get back onto the right road and down to the port. We had given ourselves plenty of time anyway so we did have time to spare.
As the day was so bad leaving the port was disappointing as it was so misty and you couldn't see anything but it was calm. It took the ferry a good 50 minutes to get out of the harbour as it does a big sweep around and I am sure on a nice day it is lovely. We crossed the Cook Straits ( 1 hour)and it was calm. I met a lady from Auckland who has rented her house out and is travelling around NZ with her husband in a camper van. She too has a blog which I will look up and we had a good old natter which really passed the time as I didn't want to go and sit inside so we sat near the engine and were warm all the way over. We entered the Queen Charlotte Sound and it was lovely so calm and peaceful and the weather was a bit clearer so we were able to take photos. It took about an hour and a half up the sound. Picton is a lovely little town nothing much other than ferries and a few ships but very pretty.
We checked into our hotel and then went out to get a cup of tea. I was given a jug of milk, a cup and saucer with a teabag in it and a lovely white teapot full of water! I don't know why they didn't put the bag in the pot! After tea we took a walk around the town and over the harbour bridge out along the sound and walked all the way to a place called Bob's Bay (don't know who Bob was but his bay was very pretty) and it passed an hour.
After a shower and change we went down to the bar of the hotel for a drink by the pool it was by then a lovely evening. We decided to try a restaurant over the road from our hotel which looked very nice for dinner. We sat on a table outside on a patio area all lit up with fairy lights. Because of sand flies and mosquitoes they brought out citronella candles and another type of burner and offered insect repellent - what service. We had an amazing meal. I had fish of the day but as the chef only had half a portion left they offered me salmon to go with it - the half portion would have been fine! I have enjoyed the fish so much since we got here and now eat it quite often. Once again I can't remember what it was called I think I am going to have to write them down so I will remember. Jon also had fish but his was called butterfish. Mine was like mackerel and Jon's was a white fish. They were served with a sun dried tomato pesto mash yummy! We had lovely fresh fruit berry Pavlova for pudding followed by flat white. Perfect end to a lovely day.
Our trip to Nelson - Monday
Things didn't go according to plan as Jon had to go into the office to sort out some problems and didn't get back until gone 11.00.
We got to the kennels to find the gates locked and saw that they only take dogs in between 8.00 - 10.30 it was now nearly 12.00. A lady drew up and said she was the sister of the owner and had a key to the electronic gate and said she would ask her sister if she would allow us in!!!! Fortunately, the husband came down to the gate and explained that the dogs are all put out in the exercise pens after 10.30 and it upsets them if cars are coming in and out all the time but by this time I think he could see how upset I was becoming and said he would let me in but the car had to stay by the road! I walked up the drive with Totty into a really beautiful garden and house with lovely kennels to one side. He checked all her papers and took her in and she went off quite happily while I walked back down the drive to the car. We'll make sure we are on time next time!
Now all we had was a seven hour drive in front of us. Driving down through the country was lovely, the scenery changes by the minute. We stopped in Taupo for lunch and had a toasted panini with chicken and avocado before setting off again. Taupo is beautiful and the lake is huge being the biggest in NZ and was formed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions ever. You drive along the lake's edge for a long way and then you see the snow covered peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe - it was beautiful. You then drive through the Rangipo Desert with Mt Ruapehu on your right for many miles and there was a big sandstorm blowing as we went through. This is a big military exercise area and you are advised to stay on the road!
After all that excitement you drop down to flatter land with sheep and cattle herds but still very beautiful in the region of Palmerston North. We were making good time and the roads were really clear and not so windy as around Rotorua and Taupo.
We finally arrive in Wellington about 7.00 and found our hotel quickly and were ready for a warm shower and a cold beer. It was by this time raining and so we had dinner at the hotel which was very good. I chose the fish of the day and Jon had lamb. I can't remember what the fish was called it certainly wasn't cod or hake! but it was good.
After a flat, white decaf coffee (that's a cross between a cappuccino and a white coffee that I don't think we have in UK and it's not a latte but Jon and I are hooked on them) it was time for bed and hope for better weather tomorrow.
We got to the kennels to find the gates locked and saw that they only take dogs in between 8.00 - 10.30 it was now nearly 12.00. A lady drew up and said she was the sister of the owner and had a key to the electronic gate and said she would ask her sister if she would allow us in!!!! Fortunately, the husband came down to the gate and explained that the dogs are all put out in the exercise pens after 10.30 and it upsets them if cars are coming in and out all the time but by this time I think he could see how upset I was becoming and said he would let me in but the car had to stay by the road! I walked up the drive with Totty into a really beautiful garden and house with lovely kennels to one side. He checked all her papers and took her in and she went off quite happily while I walked back down the drive to the car. We'll make sure we are on time next time!
Now all we had was a seven hour drive in front of us. Driving down through the country was lovely, the scenery changes by the minute. We stopped in Taupo for lunch and had a toasted panini with chicken and avocado before setting off again. Taupo is beautiful and the lake is huge being the biggest in NZ and was formed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions ever. You drive along the lake's edge for a long way and then you see the snow covered peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe - it was beautiful. You then drive through the Rangipo Desert with Mt Ruapehu on your right for many miles and there was a big sandstorm blowing as we went through. This is a big military exercise area and you are advised to stay on the road!
After all that excitement you drop down to flatter land with sheep and cattle herds but still very beautiful in the region of Palmerston North. We were making good time and the roads were really clear and not so windy as around Rotorua and Taupo.
We finally arrive in Wellington about 7.00 and found our hotel quickly and were ready for a warm shower and a cold beer. It was by this time raining and so we had dinner at the hotel which was very good. I chose the fish of the day and Jon had lamb. I can't remember what the fish was called it certainly wasn't cod or hake! but it was good.
After a flat, white decaf coffee (that's a cross between a cappuccino and a white coffee that I don't think we have in UK and it's not a latte but Jon and I are hooked on them) it was time for bed and hope for better weather tomorrow.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Sunday
When we got up this morning Jon was in pain with his sun burnt legs - he won't forget to cream them again!
The walk with Totty was hot but with a cool breeze.
We did think of going to Rotorua today but the forecast is for quite high temperatures so we will wait until the autumn.
Thought we would go over to Bay Fair and see if Jon could get a haircut but it was too busy. After 29 years being married Jon has never come clothes shopping with me but he did today! I need some cropped trousers as all my clothes are either now too big on me or not casual enough for over here. I can't remember how many pairs I tried on but eventually managed to but two pairs of cropped trousers and a casual skirt so a successful trip and no argument!
Jon had cleaned the BBQ before we left so we went to Farmer Jones and bought food for our first BBQ.
After lunch it was just so hot I had to have a siesta!
In the evening we went over to Yatton Park, about ten minutes from here. It has some of the oldest trees in NZ and is really lovely and cool to walk there. Walking through the woods is lovely as there are so many birds but the cicadas are so noisy they are bad enough outside our deck but in the woods they scream at you.
When we got back I went to see my neighbour, Margaret, she had brought me a lot of leaflets from Nelson so I popped round to get them from her while Jon lit the BBQ - it's gas so not much skill required.
We enjoyed our first outdoor cooking and the weather was still so warm, 28 degrees when we went to bed! We set the fan in the bedroom to go off in two hours but when it did the room was very hot so I woke up and had to put it back on again. I woke up at 5.00 dreaming I was in a shoe shop and the AC was very cold - I got up and switched the fan off! All in all a very restless night!
The walk with Totty was hot but with a cool breeze.
We did think of going to Rotorua today but the forecast is for quite high temperatures so we will wait until the autumn.
Thought we would go over to Bay Fair and see if Jon could get a haircut but it was too busy. After 29 years being married Jon has never come clothes shopping with me but he did today! I need some cropped trousers as all my clothes are either now too big on me or not casual enough for over here. I can't remember how many pairs I tried on but eventually managed to but two pairs of cropped trousers and a casual skirt so a successful trip and no argument!
Jon had cleaned the BBQ before we left so we went to Farmer Jones and bought food for our first BBQ.
After lunch it was just so hot I had to have a siesta!
In the evening we went over to Yatton Park, about ten minutes from here. It has some of the oldest trees in NZ and is really lovely and cool to walk there. Walking through the woods is lovely as there are so many birds but the cicadas are so noisy they are bad enough outside our deck but in the woods they scream at you.
When we got back I went to see my neighbour, Margaret, she had brought me a lot of leaflets from Nelson so I popped round to get them from her while Jon lit the BBQ - it's gas so not much skill required.
We enjoyed our first outdoor cooking and the weather was still so warm, 28 degrees when we went to bed! We set the fan in the bedroom to go off in two hours but when it did the room was very hot so I woke up and had to put it back on again. I woke up at 5.00 dreaming I was in a shoe shop and the AC was very cold - I got up and switched the fan off! All in all a very restless night!
Saturday
We were up a bit late this morning and so didn't get Totty out until about 10.00 and it was really warm and she really doesn't like the heat and will stop under most trees for a rest! The walk can take a long time!
We thought we would give the beach a try today - our first time. We went to a local beach about ten minutes by car between the Mount and Papamoa. There weren't many people on the beach and the sand is lovely, fine and white. We gave ourselves two hours as the sun is so strong we thought that would be enough to start. It was lovely just lying in the sun and knowing that we had all the time in the world to get a tan or not however we feel. The two hours were more than enough and Jon realised when we got back to the house that he had not creamed his legs!!!!! They are a bit sore!!. We bought sun cream yesterday and the only SPF you can buy here is 30+, we now know why.
After we had showered and had lunch we stayed indoors as it was really hot. Later in the afternoon we went out looking for the tip. Over the four weeks we have been here we have accumulated quite a few beer bottles and really needed to get rid of them. We could have been in a tip in the UK, it as just the same but with a very happy workman telling us where to put things.
We then took a drive out to see the kennels were Totty is going on Monday. It looks fine so I feel reassured.
We then went to the Aussie Butcher to buy some meat and were very glad to get back to the cool of the house.
We waited till 6.30 before taking Totty out as it was still so hot. We went over to Waipuna Park again as there are lots of trees and shade. We didn't see anyone at all in the park.
We came back and had a lovely dinner of lamb stuffed with cream cheese and spinach yummy! We sat out on the deck and the temperature was still in the mid 20s at 11.00. I hope it is like this on the South Island next week.
We had a Skype call to our friends Mary and Roger until 1.40am, our time. It was really good talking with them and seems very harsh for all you people back in the UK to have such awful weather while we are enjoying one of NZ best summers for years.
Must put some cream on the mozzie bites on the soles of my feet before I go to bed tonight - they drive me mad!!
We thought we would give the beach a try today - our first time. We went to a local beach about ten minutes by car between the Mount and Papamoa. There weren't many people on the beach and the sand is lovely, fine and white. We gave ourselves two hours as the sun is so strong we thought that would be enough to start. It was lovely just lying in the sun and knowing that we had all the time in the world to get a tan or not however we feel. The two hours were more than enough and Jon realised when we got back to the house that he had not creamed his legs!!!!! They are a bit sore!!. We bought sun cream yesterday and the only SPF you can buy here is 30+, we now know why.
After we had showered and had lunch we stayed indoors as it was really hot. Later in the afternoon we went out looking for the tip. Over the four weeks we have been here we have accumulated quite a few beer bottles and really needed to get rid of them. We could have been in a tip in the UK, it as just the same but with a very happy workman telling us where to put things.
We then took a drive out to see the kennels were Totty is going on Monday. It looks fine so I feel reassured.
We then went to the Aussie Butcher to buy some meat and were very glad to get back to the cool of the house.
We waited till 6.30 before taking Totty out as it was still so hot. We went over to Waipuna Park again as there are lots of trees and shade. We didn't see anyone at all in the park.
We came back and had a lovely dinner of lamb stuffed with cream cheese and spinach yummy! We sat out on the deck and the temperature was still in the mid 20s at 11.00. I hope it is like this on the South Island next week.
We had a Skype call to our friends Mary and Roger until 1.40am, our time. It was really good talking with them and seems very harsh for all you people back in the UK to have such awful weather while we are enjoying one of NZ best summers for years.
Must put some cream on the mozzie bites on the soles of my feet before I go to bed tonight - they drive me mad!!
Friday, 6 February 2009
Happy Waitangi Day!
Waitangi Day is a celebration of the signing of a peace treaty between the Maori chiefs and Queen Victoria's government back in 1840. Waitangi is up in the Bay of Islands.Waitangi Day is a public holiday in NZ.
We had our breakfast, cooked cos it is a BH, and then took Totty for her walk.
We then went over to the Mount shopping area and bought a printer, a bedside lamp as the one on Jon's side of the bed is really small and is really from the downstairs bedroom. We managed to find one the same as mine which is a touch lamp and really nice. We also got an adaptor so we can play ipod music in the car. We are sick of the radio station that plays 60s and 70s music as they play the same old tracks day in and day out and I am fed up hearing Herman's Hermits, No Milk Today! All the way to Nelson it would drive us mad!
We haven't been to this shopping area before and we found a new greengrocer and a new butcher - Farmer Jones! Both look good.
After that we went along to the park where the celebrations for Waitangi Day were being held. It was much like a village fete but with Hangi meals on sale (they are Maori food cooked in dug out underground ovens by the heat from hot river stones). They were also selling half watermelons topped with chocolate ice cream. We didn't try any as it was a bit early. There was a big stage with a group playing traditional music with a programme of different acts planned throughout the afternoon. We haven't managed to buy a sunshade yet so we weren't able to sit and watch for too long as it was very hot and most people had tents and sunshades.
We went to the New Zealand Historic Aircraft Museum cafe for lunch and had a BLAT - bacon, lettuce. avocado and tomato sandwich which was lovely. We sat outside but in the shade and a convoy of Ford Capri cars tuned up at the museum they were the NZ Ford Capri Club (see pictures on Facebook). They all parked up in front of the hangars and just enjoyed the day.
We then went to Bunnings (the NZ B&Q) and had a look for a sunbed for me and a sunshade and also we want to put a plant trough at the side of the house to hide the wooden gates we have put up to keep Totty in, we didn't find anything we needed there but it is a very big shop and we found a plant called Kangaroopaws!
We drove along to Papamoa as one of Jon's work colleagues told us about a car he had seen there for sale but we didn't like it.
After a quick visit to Bayfair Shopping Mall to buy a sun shield for the car, I also found some T Gel shampoo, some Nivea face cream and some Sea Legs (just in case the Cook Straights are rough next week) we set off home. I never thought I would get Jon to shop like this, he hated shopping in UK!
It was 30 degrees in the house when we got back and Totty had once again made herself comfy in our cool bedroom.
We didn't take Totty out until 7.00 as it was still very hot.
Friday night is fish and chip night and this week I had bought a tin of mushy peas to go with them. We went back to the first ship shop we tried and the fish was lovely, far too many chips though , next time half a scoop will be enough. It was really nice sitting outside with our fish and chips and bottle of wine looking over towards the Mount.
Jon is now watching the cricket and I am just about to have a cup of coffee and then go to bed.
Who knows what we will do for next Waitangi Day!
We had our breakfast, cooked cos it is a BH, and then took Totty for her walk.
We then went over to the Mount shopping area and bought a printer, a bedside lamp as the one on Jon's side of the bed is really small and is really from the downstairs bedroom. We managed to find one the same as mine which is a touch lamp and really nice. We also got an adaptor so we can play ipod music in the car. We are sick of the radio station that plays 60s and 70s music as they play the same old tracks day in and day out and I am fed up hearing Herman's Hermits, No Milk Today! All the way to Nelson it would drive us mad!
We haven't been to this shopping area before and we found a new greengrocer and a new butcher - Farmer Jones! Both look good.
After that we went along to the park where the celebrations for Waitangi Day were being held. It was much like a village fete but with Hangi meals on sale (they are Maori food cooked in dug out underground ovens by the heat from hot river stones). They were also selling half watermelons topped with chocolate ice cream. We didn't try any as it was a bit early. There was a big stage with a group playing traditional music with a programme of different acts planned throughout the afternoon. We haven't managed to buy a sunshade yet so we weren't able to sit and watch for too long as it was very hot and most people had tents and sunshades.
We went to the New Zealand Historic Aircraft Museum cafe for lunch and had a BLAT - bacon, lettuce. avocado and tomato sandwich which was lovely. We sat outside but in the shade and a convoy of Ford Capri cars tuned up at the museum they were the NZ Ford Capri Club (see pictures on Facebook). They all parked up in front of the hangars and just enjoyed the day.
We then went to Bunnings (the NZ B&Q) and had a look for a sunbed for me and a sunshade and also we want to put a plant trough at the side of the house to hide the wooden gates we have put up to keep Totty in, we didn't find anything we needed there but it is a very big shop and we found a plant called Kangaroopaws!
We drove along to Papamoa as one of Jon's work colleagues told us about a car he had seen there for sale but we didn't like it.
After a quick visit to Bayfair Shopping Mall to buy a sun shield for the car, I also found some T Gel shampoo, some Nivea face cream and some Sea Legs (just in case the Cook Straights are rough next week) we set off home. I never thought I would get Jon to shop like this, he hated shopping in UK!
It was 30 degrees in the house when we got back and Totty had once again made herself comfy in our cool bedroom.
We didn't take Totty out until 7.00 as it was still very hot.
Friday night is fish and chip night and this week I had bought a tin of mushy peas to go with them. We went back to the first ship shop we tried and the fish was lovely, far too many chips though , next time half a scoop will be enough. It was really nice sitting outside with our fish and chips and bottle of wine looking over towards the Mount.
Jon is now watching the cricket and I am just about to have a cup of coffee and then go to bed.
Who knows what we will do for next Waitangi Day!
Thursday, 5 February 2009
It was nice to have a free day today - I am getting to be busy!
Totty and I had a lovely walk around the park this morning it was so quiet, there are very few people who walk anywhere, they all go in their cars.
When I got back I left her in the house and popped round to Margaret's house - she is on holiday at her son's in Nelson. She had asked me to pick any veg that were ready and I picked three different sorts of tomatoes and some lettuce, a cucumber and ONE strawberry! I did notice, for the future, she has some rosemary, parsley and thyme!
I had phoned the kennels and left a message first thing this morning to book Totty in for Monday and they called me back. She said they would need to see her vaccination certificate (it is in the post as the shipping agent thought it might get lost if sent with her) and she would also need kennel cough given nasally as we only had three days before she was to go into kennels. Why is life never simple! I then had to phone the vet and "beg" an appointment for today as tomorrow is bank holiday - they kindly said they would fit us in at 5.40. I then had to video call home on MSN and ask Jane to find out where she could fax the copy of the certificate to the kennels from. Fortunately she is very clever and was able to scan it and email it to me. I then forwarded it to Jon at work and he printed it off and faxed it to the kennels and brought a copy home for the vet. Isn't technology wonderful - and daughters!
The kennels called me and said that was all OK and if she had her kennel cough they would take her at $18 (£7) a day - very cheap. What a morning!
Jon came home for lunch and we finished off the roast chicken we had had for dinner the night before and it was just as good!
I did some cleaning in the afternoon and found Neighbours on the TV. They are ahead of UK but it was good to watch and I enjoyed it.
Jon came home early and we took Totty to the vet. They are very nice there and weighed her and took all her particulars and she was beside herself sniffing all the packets of food, bones, chews and toys on sale there! When we went in to see the vet she was very nice and told us she had worked in Saxmundham and had an aunt in Bury St Edmunds who was 95 and called Ivy Harvey and did we know her!!!!!! Totty got a better medical than we paid for to come out here. She did not enjoy the kennel cough vaccine being shot up her nose but soon recovered. Total cost $53 (£20) very reasonable.
The vet's surgery is over in Welcome Bay, five minutes drive away and there is a park over there called Waipuna Park and Johnson Reserve that I had been told about so we thought we would give it a try. It was beautiful. It is a valley full of ferns, trees and plants and has lovely steps and wooden walkways down to the bottom of the valley and so many birds and is just so peaceful we had a lovely walk. We didn't let Totty off the lead as we could easily lose her in the ferns. We only met one lady with her dog!
We got home and finalised our trip by booking our final night hotel in Palmerston North so we are all set for Monday. I can't think about Totty and kennels too much as it makes me sad and I am sure she will be fine the owner sounded very caring.
We had dinner with salad and more of the tray of avocados that Jon's boss gave him - I must find some recipes with avocado!
Totty and I had a lovely walk around the park this morning it was so quiet, there are very few people who walk anywhere, they all go in their cars.
When I got back I left her in the house and popped round to Margaret's house - she is on holiday at her son's in Nelson. She had asked me to pick any veg that were ready and I picked three different sorts of tomatoes and some lettuce, a cucumber and ONE strawberry! I did notice, for the future, she has some rosemary, parsley and thyme!
I had phoned the kennels and left a message first thing this morning to book Totty in for Monday and they called me back. She said they would need to see her vaccination certificate (it is in the post as the shipping agent thought it might get lost if sent with her) and she would also need kennel cough given nasally as we only had three days before she was to go into kennels. Why is life never simple! I then had to phone the vet and "beg" an appointment for today as tomorrow is bank holiday - they kindly said they would fit us in at 5.40. I then had to video call home on MSN and ask Jane to find out where she could fax the copy of the certificate to the kennels from. Fortunately she is very clever and was able to scan it and email it to me. I then forwarded it to Jon at work and he printed it off and faxed it to the kennels and brought a copy home for the vet. Isn't technology wonderful - and daughters!
The kennels called me and said that was all OK and if she had her kennel cough they would take her at $18 (£7) a day - very cheap. What a morning!
Jon came home for lunch and we finished off the roast chicken we had had for dinner the night before and it was just as good!
I did some cleaning in the afternoon and found Neighbours on the TV. They are ahead of UK but it was good to watch and I enjoyed it.
Jon came home early and we took Totty to the vet. They are very nice there and weighed her and took all her particulars and she was beside herself sniffing all the packets of food, bones, chews and toys on sale there! When we went in to see the vet she was very nice and told us she had worked in Saxmundham and had an aunt in Bury St Edmunds who was 95 and called Ivy Harvey and did we know her!!!!!! Totty got a better medical than we paid for to come out here. She did not enjoy the kennel cough vaccine being shot up her nose but soon recovered. Total cost $53 (£20) very reasonable.
The vet's surgery is over in Welcome Bay, five minutes drive away and there is a park over there called Waipuna Park and Johnson Reserve that I had been told about so we thought we would give it a try. It was beautiful. It is a valley full of ferns, trees and plants and has lovely steps and wooden walkways down to the bottom of the valley and so many birds and is just so peaceful we had a lovely walk. We didn't let Totty off the lead as we could easily lose her in the ferns. We only met one lady with her dog!
We got home and finalised our trip by booking our final night hotel in Palmerston North so we are all set for Monday. I can't think about Totty and kennels too much as it makes me sad and I am sure she will be fine the owner sounded very caring.
We had dinner with salad and more of the tray of avocados that Jon's boss gave him - I must find some recipes with avocado!
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
I was up this morning and ready to take the dog out early as I did not know what time Bronwyn would call me for my haircut.
I spent the morning chatting to Heather and doing my ironing but no call came from Bronwyn. Jon called to see if I was going to be home for lunch and I told him I was going to have to cancel my hair as I was due to be at Pat and Phil's at 2.30. When he got home I called Bronwyn and she said Mark had just arrived and could do my hair then. So I rushed over there and met Mark, who had not brought his dog, but introduced himself and seemed a nice chap. He decided it would be cooler to cut my hair on the patio so off we went outside! I left it totally to him and did not even have a mirror to look in. He said I should not hide from my curls but enjoy them and he made me feel like I was in one of those make over programmes and I really began to enjoy my first haircut down under!
When he had finished he took me off to the bathroom to have a look and I was really pleased with it. he had cut it really well and left my waves and I have to say they have never looked so good! I'm sure I will have him cut my hair again and all for £16, what a bargain!
When I got back home there was just time to hang my second load of washing out and then I was off to Pat and Phil's for tea. They were in their front garden when I arrived and it is lovely - lots of roses. As you walk into the house and go through to the conservatory the thing that hits you is the view, it is lovely. They have a lovely half fifty pence piece shape deck area looking over towards the estuary and it is beautiful. We had a lovely afternoon and drank tea and ate Christmas cake, yummy! I left about five and Pat has invited me to join her with her walking group which goes out every Wed and Thurs.
When Jon came home we went over to the Mount to see the car which belongs to and English couple, both doctors, who need to go back to the UK to finish training but have loved their 18 months here. The car was OK but I was not really sure so we said we would give them a call.
We then went to the supermarket and bought a ready roast chicken for dinner as it was getting late. When we got back we took Totty out for a quick walk and then came back and ate the chicken with some crusty bread and veg and it was lovely.
We have spent the evening planning our trip to Nelson next week. We will drive to Wellington on Monday and stay the night. Jon will meet people at the port on Tuesday and I will have a look around before getting the ferry across to Picton at lunchtime. We are staying at the Yacht Club in Picton on Tuesday night and on Wed we will drive to Nelson. Jon will meet with people at the port there and I will have a look around this arty ex hippie city - it has a cathedral. Jon has to fly to Christchurch on Thursday for the day but I have decided to spend the day in Nelson (I don't like flying unless I have to) the hotel looks really lovely and I think I will find lots to keep me happy there. Nelson is on the list of must see places for tourists and Kiwis alike so I am sure it will be lovely. On Friday we will drive to Picton to get the ferry back to Wellington and set off up north stopping somewhere on the way that we like and get back on Saturday. All sound really exciting.
Only downside is Totty will have to go into kennels! I am waiting for her vaccination certificate to come from UK or the kennels won't take her. If it comes to the worst and it does not arrive she will have to have her vaccinations a few weeks early.
I spent the morning chatting to Heather and doing my ironing but no call came from Bronwyn. Jon called to see if I was going to be home for lunch and I told him I was going to have to cancel my hair as I was due to be at Pat and Phil's at 2.30. When he got home I called Bronwyn and she said Mark had just arrived and could do my hair then. So I rushed over there and met Mark, who had not brought his dog, but introduced himself and seemed a nice chap. He decided it would be cooler to cut my hair on the patio so off we went outside! I left it totally to him and did not even have a mirror to look in. He said I should not hide from my curls but enjoy them and he made me feel like I was in one of those make over programmes and I really began to enjoy my first haircut down under!
When he had finished he took me off to the bathroom to have a look and I was really pleased with it. he had cut it really well and left my waves and I have to say they have never looked so good! I'm sure I will have him cut my hair again and all for £16, what a bargain!
When I got back home there was just time to hang my second load of washing out and then I was off to Pat and Phil's for tea. They were in their front garden when I arrived and it is lovely - lots of roses. As you walk into the house and go through to the conservatory the thing that hits you is the view, it is lovely. They have a lovely half fifty pence piece shape deck area looking over towards the estuary and it is beautiful. We had a lovely afternoon and drank tea and ate Christmas cake, yummy! I left about five and Pat has invited me to join her with her walking group which goes out every Wed and Thurs.
When Jon came home we went over to the Mount to see the car which belongs to and English couple, both doctors, who need to go back to the UK to finish training but have loved their 18 months here. The car was OK but I was not really sure so we said we would give them a call.
We then went to the supermarket and bought a ready roast chicken for dinner as it was getting late. When we got back we took Totty out for a quick walk and then came back and ate the chicken with some crusty bread and veg and it was lovely.
We have spent the evening planning our trip to Nelson next week. We will drive to Wellington on Monday and stay the night. Jon will meet people at the port on Tuesday and I will have a look around before getting the ferry across to Picton at lunchtime. We are staying at the Yacht Club in Picton on Tuesday night and on Wed we will drive to Nelson. Jon will meet with people at the port there and I will have a look around this arty ex hippie city - it has a cathedral. Jon has to fly to Christchurch on Thursday for the day but I have decided to spend the day in Nelson (I don't like flying unless I have to) the hotel looks really lovely and I think I will find lots to keep me happy there. Nelson is on the list of must see places for tourists and Kiwis alike so I am sure it will be lovely. On Friday we will drive to Picton to get the ferry back to Wellington and set off up north stopping somewhere on the way that we like and get back on Saturday. All sound really exciting.
Only downside is Totty will have to go into kennels! I am waiting for her vaccination certificate to come from UK or the kennels won't take her. If it comes to the worst and it does not arrive she will have to have her vaccinations a few weeks early.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
First night on my own
Well all things considered I slept very well and woke at 6.30 to an overcast day but it is set to be hot later.
We went off to the fish market to get some fish for BA and then to Central Med, another doctor's surgery which is like a mini hospital and very modern with about 20 doctors, x-ray, bloods, nurses for dressings etc and pharmacy. The receptionists all wear uniform and didn't look stressed even though the waiting room was full nobody was being unpleasant!. They said they could take us and as Alison's daughter uses them and is happy we will go for that one. I have to take our passports back tomorrow with the forms. They also have a chip and pin machine on the counter as you have to pay before you go in!
We then went to see BA's hairdresser who works in a very nice shop but comes to her house to do her hair for half the price. I had said I needed to make an appointment somewhere so she asked him if he would do mine, too and he said yes so I will have my first haircut tomorrow over at her house for $40 (£16). I hope I like it or it could be embarrassing! He is gay and will be bringing his hairless dog along and will be having lunch, too!!!!
I finally managed to buy a mouse mat - I've had enough of the J cloth.
We came back and I had lunch and as Heather was still up a chat with her. I also saw Jane's photos on Facebook of the snow in UK! I'm not missing that!
I watched a Meryl Streep thriller on TV which frightened the life out of me, I don't know why I watched it. Just as well Jon is home later.
I have cooked a chilli for dinner and am now taking Totty out for her evening walk. Jon won't be home until about 7.30.
Jon got home about 8.00. He enjoyed it down there said it was very quiet and very pretty with lots of vines. A bush fire had just started in Nelson as they were taking off. It was quite bad and lots of people had to move out of their homes.
Jon phoned last night to say it was cold in Blenhiem and he needed a jumper - shame they are still on the dockside in Auckland! His flight from Wellington to Blenheim was a small plane and he said it is the first time he has been given an isle seat and a window seat at the same time! The flight, including the taxiing took just 20 minutes and they reached all of 4000ft!
Had breakfast and took Totty out for her walk. We met the postwoman who Totty dislikes as much as the English ones! As all the mail boxes are at the end of the drives we never get the postwoman coming to the door which is a blessing considering how much Totty used to bark at the Newmarket postie. She was very nice and stopped to chat and was making a fuss of Totty who turned into a very docile little dog as soon as the postwoman got off her bike
Had a quick chat with Jane and then went out with Bronwyn Anne into Tauranga. Got my sunglasses fixed and went to a doctors surgery to register but the list was closed. We went and had a coffee to think. All the coffee shops, and there are many, give cards out and every coffee you buy you get the card marked and every ninth cup is free. I can see I could end up with a purse full of coffee cards and not know which shop I am in!We went off to the fish market to get some fish for BA and then to Central Med, another doctor's surgery which is like a mini hospital and very modern with about 20 doctors, x-ray, bloods, nurses for dressings etc and pharmacy. The receptionists all wear uniform and didn't look stressed even though the waiting room was full nobody was being unpleasant!. They said they could take us and as Alison's daughter uses them and is happy we will go for that one. I have to take our passports back tomorrow with the forms. They also have a chip and pin machine on the counter as you have to pay before you go in!
We then went to see BA's hairdresser who works in a very nice shop but comes to her house to do her hair for half the price. I had said I needed to make an appointment somewhere so she asked him if he would do mine, too and he said yes so I will have my first haircut tomorrow over at her house for $40 (£16). I hope I like it or it could be embarrassing! He is gay and will be bringing his hairless dog along and will be having lunch, too!!!!
I finally managed to buy a mouse mat - I've had enough of the J cloth.
We came back and I had lunch and as Heather was still up a chat with her. I also saw Jane's photos on Facebook of the snow in UK! I'm not missing that!
I watched a Meryl Streep thriller on TV which frightened the life out of me, I don't know why I watched it. Just as well Jon is home later.
I have cooked a chilli for dinner and am now taking Totty out for her evening walk. Jon won't be home until about 7.30.
Jon got home about 8.00. He enjoyed it down there said it was very quiet and very pretty with lots of vines. A bush fire had just started in Nelson as they were taking off. It was quite bad and lots of people had to move out of their homes.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Janet and John had a good sleep and were up early to make some Skype calls to their daughters in UK. I had a chat to our girls and was told it was snowing and the weather was very cold.
We had breakfast on the deck and all too soon it was time to say goodbye to Janet and John. Janet is such a lovely house guest she even cleaned the bathroom before she left! They have now gone down to Rotorua for two days. I'm sure they will have a wonderful time on the rest of their stay.
I took the dog out and put the washing on before having another chat to Heather.
Jon came home for lunch and to get his case, his flight to Blenheim is at 4.45 and he goes to Nelson tomorrow before flying home tomorrow night. Not sure how tonight will go. I am not yet used to the house noises but I will be fine unless the dog barks.
We are going to look at a car for me on Wednesday - fingers crossed.
Took Totty out for her evening walk and called Bronwyn to check shopping was still on for tomorrow.
Had dinner and watched TV. Bedtime time now and I feel fine, the wine must have helped!
We had breakfast on the deck and all too soon it was time to say goodbye to Janet and John. Janet is such a lovely house guest she even cleaned the bathroom before she left! They have now gone down to Rotorua for two days. I'm sure they will have a wonderful time on the rest of their stay.
I took the dog out and put the washing on before having another chat to Heather.
Jon came home for lunch and to get his case, his flight to Blenheim is at 4.45 and he goes to Nelson tomorrow before flying home tomorrow night. Not sure how tonight will go. I am not yet used to the house noises but I will be fine unless the dog barks.
We are going to look at a car for me on Wednesday - fingers crossed.
Took Totty out for her evening walk and called Bronwyn to check shopping was still on for tomorrow.
Had dinner and watched TV. Bedtime time now and I feel fine, the wine must have helped!
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Another lazy Sunday
Took Totty out for her morning walk before it gets too hot and met a very nice Maori man who had a dear little poodle who had a play with Totty.
Jon and I then went off to the Elms Mission House which is the oldest building here in Tauranga and was built by a Rev Brown from Colchester in 1839 so by UK standards not really that old. It was built with wood from Kauri trees shipped down from Mercury Bay in the Coromandel Peninsular. It is in the centre of town but has beautiful gardens, with some huge trees, and it is free to walk around and go into the chapel which is tiny but the house and library are only open on Sunday afternoons and Wednesdays, unless you happen to have arrived on a cruise ship and then tours are arranged out of hours and there is a small fee to go in which we will do one Sunday.
Forgot to get dog food yesterday so it was a quick trip to the supermarket before coming home for lunch and then waiting for Janet and John to arrive.
Janet phoned me at 3.30 from a house on Te Hono Street. I had given then very good directions and they had found the street without any problems and the "Christmas Tree" (a large Norfolk Pine by our drive) but I had told them the house was on the left and it is on the right and had not given her the number! She had her mobile but not the code to use it for a NZ number so they had gone along the street knocking on peoples doors until they found someone in (I said it was quiet around here) and the lady kindly let her call me and Jon went down the drive to meet them. Silly me! It was lovely to see them, they are really enjoying NZ. They had had a lovely drive down from the Coromandel Peninsular and say the beaches there are beautiful. After a cup of tea we went over to the Mount and had a walk around the bottom - I couldn't face walking up it again, my legs are only just recovering from Tuesday. The views from around the bottom are just as lovely and there was another cruise ship in the harbour. Like me Janet could hardly believe it could fit through! After our walk we stopped for a beer before walking back to the car by the harbour.
We thought we might have been able to go to the falls to see the glowworms but we ran out of time. We came back home and got the dog and drove down to Rotary Park to give her a little run about.
We had drinks and nibbles on the deck while I prepared dinner, NZ lamb, and although there was a bit of a breeze it was warm enough to sit outside.
We came in to watch the Australian Open and John enjoyed sitting in the recliner watching it on a 42 cm flat screen which Janet won't let him have at home! Australia is three hours behind us so after the first set we were all falling asleep so we went to bed.
Jon and I then went off to the Elms Mission House which is the oldest building here in Tauranga and was built by a Rev Brown from Colchester in 1839 so by UK standards not really that old. It was built with wood from Kauri trees shipped down from Mercury Bay in the Coromandel Peninsular. It is in the centre of town but has beautiful gardens, with some huge trees, and it is free to walk around and go into the chapel which is tiny but the house and library are only open on Sunday afternoons and Wednesdays, unless you happen to have arrived on a cruise ship and then tours are arranged out of hours and there is a small fee to go in which we will do one Sunday.
Forgot to get dog food yesterday so it was a quick trip to the supermarket before coming home for lunch and then waiting for Janet and John to arrive.
Janet phoned me at 3.30 from a house on Te Hono Street. I had given then very good directions and they had found the street without any problems and the "Christmas Tree" (a large Norfolk Pine by our drive) but I had told them the house was on the left and it is on the right and had not given her the number! She had her mobile but not the code to use it for a NZ number so they had gone along the street knocking on peoples doors until they found someone in (I said it was quiet around here) and the lady kindly let her call me and Jon went down the drive to meet them. Silly me! It was lovely to see them, they are really enjoying NZ. They had had a lovely drive down from the Coromandel Peninsular and say the beaches there are beautiful. After a cup of tea we went over to the Mount and had a walk around the bottom - I couldn't face walking up it again, my legs are only just recovering from Tuesday. The views from around the bottom are just as lovely and there was another cruise ship in the harbour. Like me Janet could hardly believe it could fit through! After our walk we stopped for a beer before walking back to the car by the harbour.
We thought we might have been able to go to the falls to see the glowworms but we ran out of time. We came back home and got the dog and drove down to Rotary Park to give her a little run about.
We had drinks and nibbles on the deck while I prepared dinner, NZ lamb, and although there was a bit of a breeze it was warm enough to sit outside.
We came in to watch the Australian Open and John enjoyed sitting in the recliner watching it on a 42 cm flat screen which Janet won't let him have at home! Australia is three hours behind us so after the first set we were all falling asleep so we went to bed.
Weekend again
We thought we would get out early and get down to the beach with the dog but she decided she wouldn't do what she was supposed to do outside before we left so it held us up. It was by then too late to get to the beach as we wanted to go out to the farmer's market too.
We popped into the local vets to get some Frontline and shampoo for Totty. Frontline is much the same price as it is in UK, I will have to see if I can find it on the Internet.
They hold a farmer's market at the local school every Saturday morning and it is really good, we will need to get there earlier next week as it was nearly all sold out but what we bought was good. We then went to the supermarket and did our weekly shop followed by a trip to the Aussie Butcher to buy some meat and a visit to the deli to buy a cheesecake for pudding tomorrow. I am limited as to what I can make as I don't have all my baking dishes and things and it's too hot to think!
We came back and had lunch and then went off to the beach in Papamoa. There were hardly any people on the beach just a few families here and there. We had a good walk along for about an hour and Totty chased the seagulls but she is still not too sure about the waves. By the time we got back to the car we were very hot and bothered and I had to carry Totty across the sand dunes as it was too hot for her feet!
I gave her a shower when we got home and treated her for the fleas so I hope that will be the last of them. We both showered and I was surprised to see just how much sun I had caught on the back of my neck in an hour. It was so hot out there today but cool down on the beach.
Jon has been looking for a car for me and we have seen a lovely little silver grey sporty job - we are waiting for the people to contact us.
We had some lovely steak for dinner cooked on the griddle - we must get the BBQ sorted out I think. It has been really hot today up as high as 35 and sitting having our dinner at 8.00 it was still 28. There was a new moon and it was so bright along with what I think was the North star which looked so bright it could have been the lights of a plane going into the airport, but it wasn't.
Janet called from Coromandel, she called last night from Auckland, too. They had trouble sleeping on the flights and also in Hong Kong so were really tired in Auckland. They are finding NZ as beautiful as we are and enjoying the driving and told Jon the flight was worth it. We are looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. They wanted to invite us out for dinner but I have prepared something and it will be lovely to sit outside and enjoy the view from here plus we have only been to one restaurant and they are a bit hit and miss here so wouldn't like to take the chance.
I have finished my book and was looking through all the books Seleena left here at the house but they are all a bit deep and dark for me - she is a very serious girl. I have picked one out and it seems to be OK we'll see how we get on if not it will be a visit to the library soon.
Not sure how we will sleep tonight as it is still so warm - I'm sure the wine will help.
We popped into the local vets to get some Frontline and shampoo for Totty. Frontline is much the same price as it is in UK, I will have to see if I can find it on the Internet.
They hold a farmer's market at the local school every Saturday morning and it is really good, we will need to get there earlier next week as it was nearly all sold out but what we bought was good. We then went to the supermarket and did our weekly shop followed by a trip to the Aussie Butcher to buy some meat and a visit to the deli to buy a cheesecake for pudding tomorrow. I am limited as to what I can make as I don't have all my baking dishes and things and it's too hot to think!
We came back and had lunch and then went off to the beach in Papamoa. There were hardly any people on the beach just a few families here and there. We had a good walk along for about an hour and Totty chased the seagulls but she is still not too sure about the waves. By the time we got back to the car we were very hot and bothered and I had to carry Totty across the sand dunes as it was too hot for her feet!
I gave her a shower when we got home and treated her for the fleas so I hope that will be the last of them. We both showered and I was surprised to see just how much sun I had caught on the back of my neck in an hour. It was so hot out there today but cool down on the beach.
Jon has been looking for a car for me and we have seen a lovely little silver grey sporty job - we are waiting for the people to contact us.
We had some lovely steak for dinner cooked on the griddle - we must get the BBQ sorted out I think. It has been really hot today up as high as 35 and sitting having our dinner at 8.00 it was still 28. There was a new moon and it was so bright along with what I think was the North star which looked so bright it could have been the lights of a plane going into the airport, but it wasn't.
Janet called from Coromandel, she called last night from Auckland, too. They had trouble sleeping on the flights and also in Hong Kong so were really tired in Auckland. They are finding NZ as beautiful as we are and enjoying the driving and told Jon the flight was worth it. We are looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. They wanted to invite us out for dinner but I have prepared something and it will be lovely to sit outside and enjoy the view from here plus we have only been to one restaurant and they are a bit hit and miss here so wouldn't like to take the chance.
I have finished my book and was looking through all the books Seleena left here at the house but they are all a bit deep and dark for me - she is a very serious girl. I have picked one out and it seems to be OK we'll see how we get on if not it will be a visit to the library soon.
Not sure how we will sleep tonight as it is still so warm - I'm sure the wine will help.
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