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.

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.