After really heavy rain overnight we woke to a really lovely clear blue sky and sun.
We took a walk to the rugby club that we can see from our balcony. It was a good walk and further than I thought but it was very pleasant and nice to see our house from a different angle.
We got back with a very tired Totty and then we went out for coffee and a walk around Tauranga. We had coffee on The Strand overlooking the harbour and it was very pleasant. We then walked around Tauranga and I was surprised at how many of the buildings are Arte Deco and it is only when you look up above street level that you can see and appreciate them, it is like a mini Napier. We walked along the front to a fish market which is also a fish and chip shop and mentioned in the Lonely Planet. It was very busy there but looks like it might be worth a visit to try some.
After all the walking we were more than ready for lunch when we got back. I had bought two slices of ham on the bone on Friday and when I looked at the price label they had charged me over $9 and on the label it said olives. I will have to take the bag back tomorrow as that is way too much for two slices of ham.
We took Totty out to our little park and as soon as she got out of the wooded bit and by the beach she raced over to where the eel had been yesterday and started looking for it. We were both very impressed that she knew exactly where it had been. Fortunately, it had been washed away.
We lit the fire when we got back and it was very cosy. Roast chicken for dinner tonight. Only three days and Heather will be here.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Long Weekend
For the start of the bank holiday it was a bit cold and overcast but at least dry.
We took Totty down to our little beach in the park and the tide was in so not much beach. However, she did find an eel which looked half dead and disgusting. I had to put her on the lead and drag her away as she kept trying to sniff it and I have heard they can be a bit nasty. Ugh!
We went into the shopping centre and had our coffee and then went looking for the wood factory but didn't find it so ended up buying some in a garage.
I had been given a nice photo frame from my friends at the WSH before I left and had not got round to putting a photo in it so we went to get one done.
After that nothing much - back for lunch and then Jon washed the car and I pottered about.
It looked like it was going to rain so we took Totty out early to the park and then came back and lit the fire - mmmm cosy.
i cooked some really good rack of lamb for dinner - I have never cooked it before and had to get a recipe off the internet. It was really delicious and next time it is on special I will try it again.
We took Totty down to our little beach in the park and the tide was in so not much beach. However, she did find an eel which looked half dead and disgusting. I had to put her on the lead and drag her away as she kept trying to sniff it and I have heard they can be a bit nasty. Ugh!
We went into the shopping centre and had our coffee and then went looking for the wood factory but didn't find it so ended up buying some in a garage.
I had been given a nice photo frame from my friends at the WSH before I left and had not got round to putting a photo in it so we went to get one done.
After that nothing much - back for lunch and then Jon washed the car and I pottered about.
It looked like it was going to rain so we took Totty out early to the park and then came back and lit the fire - mmmm cosy.
i cooked some really good rack of lamb for dinner - I have never cooked it before and had to get a recipe off the internet. It was really delicious and next time it is on special I will try it again.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Last Fish and Chip day before Heather arrives.
Red Cross day today and the sun is shinning again.
I spent most of my time tidying a stack of pillowcases and I put them all in neat piles - all the pinks together, all the blues together etc and it all looked very good. I am sure it won't last long. I then moved on to the toys and sorted them all out. There was a huge collection of old McDonald toys most of which were broken - why do people bother to donate them and why does the processing room bother to send them up to the shop in bits!
An old lady came into the shop and bought a selection of teddies to give to some poor children. She was a lovely Scottish lady and we had a long chat about England and what it is like now to when she lived there in 1956. she told me how NZ has changed and she says not all for the better. When I served her at the till it came to $9.50 and she gave me a $20 bill and 50cents and I should have given her $11 change oops I only gave her a $10 bill and to add insult to injury one of the other girls told me that all cuddly toys were on special at half price! She said she didn't mind and paid the full price. I don't think I am very good at shop work! She paid $10.50 and should only have paid $4.75
After the shop I went to the supermarket and rushed home to find a message on the answerphone to say the board meeting was going on over lunch and Jon would not be home - phew! I had bought some lovely hot, roast gammon for lunch so I had to enjoy it on my own!
Fish and chips tonight - not sure what Heather is going to eat on Friday nights when we have our fish?
I spent most of my time tidying a stack of pillowcases and I put them all in neat piles - all the pinks together, all the blues together etc and it all looked very good. I am sure it won't last long. I then moved on to the toys and sorted them all out. There was a huge collection of old McDonald toys most of which were broken - why do people bother to donate them and why does the processing room bother to send them up to the shop in bits!
An old lady came into the shop and bought a selection of teddies to give to some poor children. She was a lovely Scottish lady and we had a long chat about England and what it is like now to when she lived there in 1956. she told me how NZ has changed and she says not all for the better. When I served her at the till it came to $9.50 and she gave me a $20 bill and 50cents and I should have given her $11 change oops I only gave her a $10 bill and to add insult to injury one of the other girls told me that all cuddly toys were on special at half price! She said she didn't mind and paid the full price. I don't think I am very good at shop work! She paid $10.50 and should only have paid $4.75
After the shop I went to the supermarket and rushed home to find a message on the answerphone to say the board meeting was going on over lunch and Jon would not be home - phew! I had bought some lovely hot, roast gammon for lunch so I had to enjoy it on my own!
Fish and chips tonight - not sure what Heather is going to eat on Friday nights when we have our fish?
Housework
Apart from taking Totty out twice all I did today was housework and get the bedroom ready for Heather.
I met a lady in the park and had a chat to her and she is from Chester and lives not far from me. She has lived here for 35 years and has two children here. She invited me round for a cup of tea anytime I want so I really must take her up on the offer.
Oh I tell a lie I did pop out to the shops to buy an ink cartridge for the printer. I put it in and now can't get the printer to work and neither can Jon so he says he is going to have to re install it.
I met a lady in the park and had a chat to her and she is from Chester and lives not far from me. She has lived here for 35 years and has two children here. She invited me round for a cup of tea anytime I want so I really must take her up on the offer.
Oh I tell a lie I did pop out to the shops to buy an ink cartridge for the printer. I put it in and now can't get the printer to work and neither can Jon so he says he is going to have to re install it.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Library Day
I needed to go and change and renew our books this morning - we don't want to get into debt in NZ!
I stopped off at one of my favorite coffee bars and sat on the porch with the sun shining in and had a coffee. I started to read a magazine and before I knew it an hour had passed. I copied a couple of recipes from the magazine, one was for fudge which Heather will love. The other is for a passion fruit and coconut pudding mmmm! two of my favorite things.
Had a quick look around the library but it is hard work to find what you want. It is organised in author name so all the crime, romance, thriller etc are all together so it makes it quite difficult. I would love to change it all!!!
I had a good night at Lions last night and felt very flushed during the enrollment and this is obvious by the red face in the photo. I still have no idea what the subs are, I am sure someone will tell me soon.
Janice who gives me a lift and is my sponsor brought me a holiday brochure for Fiji (her husband is the director of a travel agent). It looks really, really beautiful and I think will be a wonderful place to spend our 30th wedding anniversary but that is six months away!
Now this is a bit complicated to write but I need to put it in. Janice picks me up and we drive to a local doctors surgery car park where we meet up with two other ladies who live out in Welcome Bay and we either go in their car or they come with us. This week it was Helen's turn to drive and she is a bit of a chatterbox and so I don't think pays 100% attention to the road. On our way back we have to cross a main road which has traffic lights and a mini roundabout and she took a wrong turn and went across the wrong side. Very fortunately, for us, nothing was coming our way, a huge lorry did blast her on his horn to warn her. When I got out of the car my legs could hardly support me. I hope we don't have to go with her very often!!!
I stopped off at one of my favorite coffee bars and sat on the porch with the sun shining in and had a coffee. I started to read a magazine and before I knew it an hour had passed. I copied a couple of recipes from the magazine, one was for fudge which Heather will love. The other is for a passion fruit and coconut pudding mmmm! two of my favorite things.
Had a quick look around the library but it is hard work to find what you want. It is organised in author name so all the crime, romance, thriller etc are all together so it makes it quite difficult. I would love to change it all!!!
I had a good night at Lions last night and felt very flushed during the enrollment and this is obvious by the red face in the photo. I still have no idea what the subs are, I am sure someone will tell me soon.
Janice who gives me a lift and is my sponsor brought me a holiday brochure for Fiji (her husband is the director of a travel agent). It looks really, really beautiful and I think will be a wonderful place to spend our 30th wedding anniversary but that is six months away!
Now this is a bit complicated to write but I need to put it in. Janice picks me up and we drive to a local doctors surgery car park where we meet up with two other ladies who live out in Welcome Bay and we either go in their car or they come with us. This week it was Helen's turn to drive and she is a bit of a chatterbox and so I don't think pays 100% attention to the road. On our way back we have to cross a main road which has traffic lights and a mini roundabout and she took a wrong turn and went across the wrong side. Very fortunately, for us, nothing was coming our way, a huge lorry did blast her on his horn to warn her. When I got out of the car my legs could hardly support me. I hope we don't have to go with her very often!!!
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Body & Soul
Totty made friends with the Corgi this morning but I was in a hurry so couldn't leave her to play for long. Corgi owner was telling me we are in for another cold snap with winds coming up from the south and that the forecast for this weekend is for rain. Typical bank holiday! We have Monday off for the Queen's birthday.
I went along to a new class this morning called Body & Soul. It is a much more popular class than the one I went to last week with about 35 women there and one man. Very mixed ages from about 40 to 80. I really enjoyed it and wish I had done classes like this in UK and then I would be more flexible. We danced and marched around the hall to all sorts of music including Rule Britannia and many others that are played at 'Last night at the proms'.
I chose this class as they stay and have a cup of coffee in the hall afterwards and so I thought I would get to have a chat. However, this week they had a guest speaker who is a physiotherapist and gave a really good 45 minute talk. I chatted to a few of the ladies and they all made me feel very welcome and gave me a round of applause when I was introduced to them at the beginning of the class which made me blush but it was all good fun.
Jon is interviewing for a new salesman today and tomorrow and has ten candidates to see. He came back for lunch early so I think the afternoon is going to be a long one.
I am being enrolled at Lions tonight so feel a bit nervous. They also have a speaker but I am not sure who it is.
I went along to a new class this morning called Body & Soul. It is a much more popular class than the one I went to last week with about 35 women there and one man. Very mixed ages from about 40 to 80. I really enjoyed it and wish I had done classes like this in UK and then I would be more flexible. We danced and marched around the hall to all sorts of music including Rule Britannia and many others that are played at 'Last night at the proms'.
I chose this class as they stay and have a cup of coffee in the hall afterwards and so I thought I would get to have a chat. However, this week they had a guest speaker who is a physiotherapist and gave a really good 45 minute talk. I chatted to a few of the ladies and they all made me feel very welcome and gave me a round of applause when I was introduced to them at the beginning of the class which made me blush but it was all good fun.
Jon is interviewing for a new salesman today and tomorrow and has ten candidates to see. He came back for lunch early so I think the afternoon is going to be a long one.
I am being enrolled at Lions tonight so feel a bit nervous. They also have a speaker but I am not sure who it is.
Monday, 25 May 2009
It comes to something when........
........you know the price of beer but not of milk!
Yes that is what happened to us in the supermarket on Saturday! We needed some beer and were looking at the special offers and I suggested a particular brand to Jon as it was a good deal and it suddenly occurred to me that I knew the price of beer per litre but not the price of milk. shows what I consider to be important! Jon thought it was hugely funny.
It was so warm this morning when I took Totty for her walk. I had gone out wearing scarf and gloves as well as the usual jacket but no sooner had I got out than off came the gloves and scarf, it was so mild.
Lots of birthdays coming up so had a trip to Fraser Cove shopping centre to stock up on cards and also to post some letters.
It was a good washing day and I managed to get it all dried and back in and ironed before Jon got back.
The owner of this house left all kinds of stuff in a drawer in the kitchen so I decided to have a clear out today. I think she liked 'health foods' as there were many packets of interesting things like husk and magnesium things, all of which I have thrown out. They will be out of date by the time she gets the house back - if she ever comes back to live here.
I think she might be gluten intolerant, too as there are many gluten free recipe books. I have also noticed in the supermarket there is a huge selection of gluten free foods to choose from.
I found a milkshake maker in one of the cupboards and a very big slow cooker and a recipe book for that so maybe I will start to do some slow cooking although I find it hard to get my head around cooking a casserole for 8-10 hours when I am sitting her doing nothing! Maybe if I ever get a job.I also found a bread maker but I don't think I will go there - too tempting to eat hot bread and butter for breakfast!
When I was out with Totty this afternoon there was a young boy in the park with his dog called Billy or Lilley, I have trouble with the accent! Anyway I saw this dog when it was a puppy, now it is quite a size and very boisterous. It came charging over to us and Totty was quite happy to play until it jumped up at me, in a friendly way, and then she really went for it. Fortunately, for Totty, it is a friendly dog and backed off but when it came jumping at me again she did exactly the same thing. The boy was calling it but had no control over it at all. I think she was trying to protect me but it was chaos. We eventually managed to get out of the park in one piece but I hope we don't meet them too often. They live on the edge of the park so hopefully if he sees us there he will wait until we have gone.
After our very spicy stir fry last night I have gone for simple lamb chops tonight with a garlic and cherry tomato sauce. (I have just discovered tinned cherry tomatoes - lovely)
Yes that is what happened to us in the supermarket on Saturday! We needed some beer and were looking at the special offers and I suggested a particular brand to Jon as it was a good deal and it suddenly occurred to me that I knew the price of beer per litre but not the price of milk. shows what I consider to be important! Jon thought it was hugely funny.
It was so warm this morning when I took Totty for her walk. I had gone out wearing scarf and gloves as well as the usual jacket but no sooner had I got out than off came the gloves and scarf, it was so mild.
Lots of birthdays coming up so had a trip to Fraser Cove shopping centre to stock up on cards and also to post some letters.
It was a good washing day and I managed to get it all dried and back in and ironed before Jon got back.
The owner of this house left all kinds of stuff in a drawer in the kitchen so I decided to have a clear out today. I think she liked 'health foods' as there were many packets of interesting things like husk and magnesium things, all of which I have thrown out. They will be out of date by the time she gets the house back - if she ever comes back to live here.
I think she might be gluten intolerant, too as there are many gluten free recipe books. I have also noticed in the supermarket there is a huge selection of gluten free foods to choose from.
I found a milkshake maker in one of the cupboards and a very big slow cooker and a recipe book for that so maybe I will start to do some slow cooking although I find it hard to get my head around cooking a casserole for 8-10 hours when I am sitting her doing nothing! Maybe if I ever get a job.I also found a bread maker but I don't think I will go there - too tempting to eat hot bread and butter for breakfast!
When I was out with Totty this afternoon there was a young boy in the park with his dog called Billy or Lilley, I have trouble with the accent! Anyway I saw this dog when it was a puppy, now it is quite a size and very boisterous. It came charging over to us and Totty was quite happy to play until it jumped up at me, in a friendly way, and then she really went for it. Fortunately, for Totty, it is a friendly dog and backed off but when it came jumping at me again she did exactly the same thing. The boy was calling it but had no control over it at all. I think she was trying to protect me but it was chaos. We eventually managed to get out of the park in one piece but I hope we don't meet them too often. They live on the edge of the park so hopefully if he sees us there he will wait until we have gone.
After our very spicy stir fry last night I have gone for simple lamb chops tonight with a garlic and cherry tomato sauce. (I have just discovered tinned cherry tomatoes - lovely)
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Sunday and it's cold
There was a real nip in the air this morning and the wind was very cold. It didn't stop Totty from going into the water (only the shallow part) when we took her to the park this morning. She had got the scent of something and spent a long time sniffing around on the beach.
We decided to go over to the Mount for coffee today but by the time we got there it was raining quite hard. We found a cafe to sit outside but undercover and near a heater and enjoyed a very nice cup of coffee.
After coffee we set off to find a shop that sold wood or coal and ended up a a huge DIY store. We got a bag of coal and some wood. We are going to have to look into a better supply or this is going to cost a lot of money.
It rained for the rest of the afternoon but by the time the fire was lit and we were sitting having a nice bowl of soup for lunch it didn't matter.
I had picked out a recipe for pork fillet cooked with chilli and coconut which I wanted to cook. I thought it was very good but Jon said it was too hot and I need to lighten up on the chilli next time.
We decided to go over to the Mount for coffee today but by the time we got there it was raining quite hard. We found a cafe to sit outside but undercover and near a heater and enjoyed a very nice cup of coffee.
After coffee we set off to find a shop that sold wood or coal and ended up a a huge DIY store. We got a bag of coal and some wood. We are going to have to look into a better supply or this is going to cost a lot of money.
It rained for the rest of the afternoon but by the time the fire was lit and we were sitting having a nice bowl of soup for lunch it didn't matter.
I had picked out a recipe for pork fillet cooked with chilli and coconut which I wanted to cook. I thought it was very good but Jon said it was too hot and I need to lighten up on the chilli next time.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Saturday
We had a very cosy night last night once the fire was lit but the house was so, so cold this morning. Best thing for me to do is get into a hot shower as soon as I get up.
At least the sun was out today so the house warmed up quickly. After walking Totty in Rotary Park we went into Bayfair for coffee and to get some money before going to the equivalent of the Ideal Home Exhibition but a mini one at Bay Park Stadium. We watched a Ready, Steady, Cook style cook along done by some students from the local catering college which was good. We tried some very nice organic rump steak, wine, garlic bread, pizza, a Bailey's type liquor and some very good avocado oils. We bought some very good cheese and also some shammy clothes which are supposed to soak up liquids very quickly and seemed like a good deal. So all in all it was good. After that we went to the Classic Flyer's (an aircraft museum) cafe near the airport for lunch and were able to sit outside. It seems really crazy that we are so cold in the house yet we can sit out and have lunch!
We went off and bought more wood for the fire, we are going to have to have some delivered as buying it in small bags is going to work out quite expensive.
We had another nice walk with Totty down to the park this afternoon and she was able to get down onto the beach and chase the gulls - a favorite thing for her these days.
Ross, who works with Jon and is the boss' son-in-law, called round this afternoon with a huge bag of kiwifruit he had picked for us from Mark's orchard. I will need to give some to my neighbours as Jon and I will never manage them all. They are the golden kiwifruit and I find them a bit sweet but they are so good for you I will have to try and get used to them.
We have just lit the fire as it is cold again and, according to the news, we are having one of the coldest spells in NZ for many a year and there is so much snow on the ski slopes already and they are not due to open for another month and they are having lots of avalanches. The crossing from Wellington to Picton that we went on in February has been cancelled because of the weather so it must really be bad down there. Trust us to arrive in the coldest of years but we also enjoyed one of the warmest summers so we shouldn't complain. It would not be so bad if the houses were warmer but they are so cold. We are going to have to put a radiator in the room for Heather as her room is downstairs and never gets the sun so is really cold, poor girl does not know what is in store for her, just as well she is a student and not used to really warm houses (her boiler was broken for a lot of last winter so she should be used to it).
We have some nice steak and sweet potato for dinner tonight but I think I should have made a casserole!
At least the sun was out today so the house warmed up quickly. After walking Totty in Rotary Park we went into Bayfair for coffee and to get some money before going to the equivalent of the Ideal Home Exhibition but a mini one at Bay Park Stadium. We watched a Ready, Steady, Cook style cook along done by some students from the local catering college which was good. We tried some very nice organic rump steak, wine, garlic bread, pizza, a Bailey's type liquor and some very good avocado oils. We bought some very good cheese and also some shammy clothes which are supposed to soak up liquids very quickly and seemed like a good deal. So all in all it was good. After that we went to the Classic Flyer's (an aircraft museum) cafe near the airport for lunch and were able to sit outside. It seems really crazy that we are so cold in the house yet we can sit out and have lunch!
We went off and bought more wood for the fire, we are going to have to have some delivered as buying it in small bags is going to work out quite expensive.
We had another nice walk with Totty down to the park this afternoon and she was able to get down onto the beach and chase the gulls - a favorite thing for her these days.
Ross, who works with Jon and is the boss' son-in-law, called round this afternoon with a huge bag of kiwifruit he had picked for us from Mark's orchard. I will need to give some to my neighbours as Jon and I will never manage them all. They are the golden kiwifruit and I find them a bit sweet but they are so good for you I will have to try and get used to them.
We have just lit the fire as it is cold again and, according to the news, we are having one of the coldest spells in NZ for many a year and there is so much snow on the ski slopes already and they are not due to open for another month and they are having lots of avalanches. The crossing from Wellington to Picton that we went on in February has been cancelled because of the weather so it must really be bad down there. Trust us to arrive in the coldest of years but we also enjoyed one of the warmest summers so we shouldn't complain. It would not be so bad if the houses were warmer but they are so cold. We are going to have to put a radiator in the room for Heather as her room is downstairs and never gets the sun so is really cold, poor girl does not know what is in store for her, just as well she is a student and not used to really warm houses (her boiler was broken for a lot of last winter so she should be used to it).
We have some nice steak and sweet potato for dinner tonight but I think I should have made a casserole!
Friday
It was cold this morning and after walking the dog I was looking forward to going to the Red Cross. shop for a warm.
When I got to the shop it was freezing in there and they have the door open all the time so ended up wearing my coat all morning. I helped Lois sort boxes and boxes of jewellery that had been donated and which quite honestly they will never sell it is more fitting for an African country, bright bangles and beaded necklaces and the biggest hoop earrings you could ever imagine and hair bands that went out of fashion years ago. When I say boxes and boxes there must have been more than 40 boxes the whole room was full of the stuff. They would be better selling everything off for a few dollars instead of trying to sell it for so much, but who am I to question?
After the shop I looked forward to doing my shopping in a warm supermarket which I did and then got back to a very cold house for lunch, no sun shine today so a cold house.
I popped into Tauranga to pick up Jon's shoes from the repair shop and then walked the dog before snuggling up on the sofa with a blanket and a book and the fire on.
Fish and chips tonight!
When I got to the shop it was freezing in there and they have the door open all the time so ended up wearing my coat all morning. I helped Lois sort boxes and boxes of jewellery that had been donated and which quite honestly they will never sell it is more fitting for an African country, bright bangles and beaded necklaces and the biggest hoop earrings you could ever imagine and hair bands that went out of fashion years ago. When I say boxes and boxes there must have been more than 40 boxes the whole room was full of the stuff. They would be better selling everything off for a few dollars instead of trying to sell it for so much, but who am I to question?
After the shop I looked forward to doing my shopping in a warm supermarket which I did and then got back to a very cold house for lunch, no sun shine today so a cold house.
I popped into Tauranga to pick up Jon's shoes from the repair shop and then walked the dog before snuggling up on the sofa with a blanket and a book and the fire on.
Fish and chips tonight!
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Thursday
I did try and get a yoga class sorted out for today but was not able to contact the person so it will have to wait until next week.
It was sunny today but very cold. The living room really heated up when I closed the doors to the hall. The sun shines right in so that is what I will have to do in future - Jon thought I had had the heater on when he came home for lunch! The hall and bedroom were pretty cold though.
A man came with a machine and munched up the tree roots in Pat's garden today. It is all raked over now and ready for grass.
I have spent a very frustrating afternoon trying to complete Heather's student finance form. It took ages to log on and then when I did it tells me I am not putting the correct number or date of birth in and I took the details from further up the form. It shut it down as it said an error had occurred and I must leave it for 24 hours before logging on again! Ugh!!!!!
I think I am going to have to get some casserole recipes going as it is getting colder. They have had a lot of snow in Taupo which is just three hours from here. The desert road which we drove on when we went to Wellington was also closed today and there were a few lorries stuck in it - just like England!!!
It was sunny today but very cold. The living room really heated up when I closed the doors to the hall. The sun shines right in so that is what I will have to do in future - Jon thought I had had the heater on when he came home for lunch! The hall and bedroom were pretty cold though.
A man came with a machine and munched up the tree roots in Pat's garden today. It is all raked over now and ready for grass.
I have spent a very frustrating afternoon trying to complete Heather's student finance form. It took ages to log on and then when I did it tells me I am not putting the correct number or date of birth in and I took the details from further up the form. It shut it down as it said an error had occurred and I must leave it for 24 hours before logging on again! Ugh!!!!!
I think I am going to have to get some casserole recipes going as it is getting colder. They have had a lot of snow in Taupo which is just three hours from here. The desert road which we drove on when we went to Wellington was also closed today and there were a few lorries stuck in it - just like England!!!
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Exercise Class
I was off out to my exercise class by 8.50 to make sure I got a place to park.
When I arrived there were only six women and one man plus Rita the instructor and they were much more than 50+ more like 70+. We started promptly to Abba music and went on to some Scottish music followed by Bony Ms Rasputin, some jazz and ended with some lovely relaxing South Pacific Island music. It was all low impact exercises but very enjoyable and great fun. I can feel I have had a workout but I am not aching and hopefully I will not be tomorrow.
After the class I went for a coffee and then back to the house.
After lunch I decided to take Totty to the beach as it was such a lovely day and I also needed to go to the recycling place as we had lots of cardboard and plastic bottles to get rid of. There was only Totty and I on the beach and in all out walk we only met one otter person, it was lovely.
Back at the house I decided to watch Atonement which I had recorded on Sky. After a slow start I thought it was a lovely film and did not expect the ending it had - tears.
Just about to have our dinner of cauliflower cheese and chicken breast in breadcrumbs yummy - I love cauliflower cheese!
When I arrived there were only six women and one man plus Rita the instructor and they were much more than 50+ more like 70+. We started promptly to Abba music and went on to some Scottish music followed by Bony Ms Rasputin, some jazz and ended with some lovely relaxing South Pacific Island music. It was all low impact exercises but very enjoyable and great fun. I can feel I have had a workout but I am not aching and hopefully I will not be tomorrow.
After the class I went for a coffee and then back to the house.
After lunch I decided to take Totty to the beach as it was such a lovely day and I also needed to go to the recycling place as we had lots of cardboard and plastic bottles to get rid of. There was only Totty and I on the beach and in all out walk we only met one otter person, it was lovely.
Back at the house I decided to watch Atonement which I had recorded on Sky. After a slow start I thought it was a lovely film and did not expect the ending it had - tears.
Just about to have our dinner of cauliflower cheese and chicken breast in breadcrumbs yummy - I love cauliflower cheese!
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Monday & Tuesday
Monday was a big washing day due to all the bad weather last week I had a mountain and apart from that all I did was write emails to people, what a boring day but it has to be done.
I was chatting to one of my neighbours and she told me she had called round last week as she had made a batch of scones and wanted to invite me and another neighbour, Lisa, who I have not met yet. She didn't get a reply so she left it. I told her the bell does not work and she needs to knock on the door and the dog will bark. Shame really as that would have been nice. Jon has now bought some batteries for the bell, that was all it needed!
Today was a lovely day again and walking Totty this morning was lovely, clear blue skies again.
I had my hair cut this morning by the same guy I have used since I got here but now instead of going over to Bronwyn's house I go to the salon where he has a chair. It was nice to have it washed properly and then cut and dried and he has done a really good job on it and it looks all fluffed up and bouncy but it won't look like that tomorrow!
I bought a new pair of jogging pants today and a top together with a yoga mat. - why? Well I phoned up a lady who runs low impact exercise classes and I go for my first one tomorrow. I am also trying to sort out some yoga classes. I hope that when I come off my HRT I won't have the pains in my joints that I had last time I tried to come off them and hopefully these exercises will help. They are $5 per class which is about £2 - very cheap.
The lady who lives in the bungalow next door had three trees felled in her garden today, one was old and had already had a branch break off the other two she just didn't think were in the right place. It looks a bit bare over there now. It took three men two hours to cut them down, shred what they could and prune all her shrubs and tidy up afterwards, pretty impressive workmanship!
It has gone a bit cooler again tonight and the South Island is very cold and they are having lots and lots of snow down there brrr.
I was chatting to one of my neighbours and she told me she had called round last week as she had made a batch of scones and wanted to invite me and another neighbour, Lisa, who I have not met yet. She didn't get a reply so she left it. I told her the bell does not work and she needs to knock on the door and the dog will bark. Shame really as that would have been nice. Jon has now bought some batteries for the bell, that was all it needed!
Today was a lovely day again and walking Totty this morning was lovely, clear blue skies again.
I had my hair cut this morning by the same guy I have used since I got here but now instead of going over to Bronwyn's house I go to the salon where he has a chair. It was nice to have it washed properly and then cut and dried and he has done a really good job on it and it looks all fluffed up and bouncy but it won't look like that tomorrow!
I bought a new pair of jogging pants today and a top together with a yoga mat. - why? Well I phoned up a lady who runs low impact exercise classes and I go for my first one tomorrow. I am also trying to sort out some yoga classes. I hope that when I come off my HRT I won't have the pains in my joints that I had last time I tried to come off them and hopefully these exercises will help. They are $5 per class which is about £2 - very cheap.
The lady who lives in the bungalow next door had three trees felled in her garden today, one was old and had already had a branch break off the other two she just didn't think were in the right place. It looks a bit bare over there now. It took three men two hours to cut them down, shred what they could and prune all her shrubs and tidy up afterwards, pretty impressive workmanship!
It has gone a bit cooler again tonight and the South Island is very cold and they are having lots and lots of snow down there brrr.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Sunday was a lovely day
We set off early, for us, just after breakfast and drove to Katikati. Last time we were there we had seen a nice walk along the river and thought it would be nice to do it with Totty and we were not disappointed.
The walk has big boulders along the pathway with very profound statements inscribed on them. What the story is behind it I don't know but it was a nice walkway and obviously a good path to teach your children to ride a bike as there were many of them doing it!
Once we left the main area in the town we headed over to the path that runs along the river with marshland on the other side. It was a lovely walk and we only saw a handful of people on our way. The path runs along the back of some houses and is very wide. The houses have incorporated the path into their gardens and look after it and planted it up with some really lovely plants and shrubs making it look like one big garden. Some of the houses were lovely and you just couldn't help but look in!!!
At the end of the path you look across to Matakana Island which is in Tauranga Bay and I have mentioned before. We had our picnic lunch and then set off back to the car. It took a total of two and a half hours and was really good. We saw a huge amount of birds including many kingfishers, three were actually sitting on poles while we watched them. There are information boards along the way which tell you the names and was very helpful.
We were very tired when we got back to the car and Totty was very quiet. We drove out to where we had walked and it was about a five mile round trip. A good bit of exercise for a Sunday afternoon.
On our way back we stopped at a little roadside place I had seen many times which sells fresh fruit ice cream. I had a boysenberry one and Jon had kiwifruit and it was very good.
Back at the house Jon washed the car and I read my book and Totty fell asleep.
We were glad we had the early start as it rained in the early afternoon where we had had a lovely sunny morning.
The walk has big boulders along the pathway with very profound statements inscribed on them. What the story is behind it I don't know but it was a nice walkway and obviously a good path to teach your children to ride a bike as there were many of them doing it!
Once we left the main area in the town we headed over to the path that runs along the river with marshland on the other side. It was a lovely walk and we only saw a handful of people on our way. The path runs along the back of some houses and is very wide. The houses have incorporated the path into their gardens and look after it and planted it up with some really lovely plants and shrubs making it look like one big garden. Some of the houses were lovely and you just couldn't help but look in!!!
At the end of the path you look across to Matakana Island which is in Tauranga Bay and I have mentioned before. We had our picnic lunch and then set off back to the car. It took a total of two and a half hours and was really good. We saw a huge amount of birds including many kingfishers, three were actually sitting on poles while we watched them. There are information boards along the way which tell you the names and was very helpful.
We were very tired when we got back to the car and Totty was very quiet. We drove out to where we had walked and it was about a five mile round trip. A good bit of exercise for a Sunday afternoon.
On our way back we stopped at a little roadside place I had seen many times which sells fresh fruit ice cream. I had a boysenberry one and Jon had kiwifruit and it was very good.
Back at the house Jon washed the car and I read my book and Totty fell asleep.
We were glad we had the early start as it rained in the early afternoon where we had had a lovely sunny morning.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Summer is here again!
It has been an amazing day today up to 21 degrees again, hard to believe all that hail at the beginning of the week.
We took Totty down to our beach park and the tide was in and the water was so calm. There was a golden retriever playing in the water and bringing a stick back to the owner. Totty was really funny as she wanted to go in but was not sure, she got as far as the top of her legs then came back out and we thought she would follow the dog when it went in again but she stayed on the edge. I think by next year she will be going in.
Jon and I went into Tauranga and had a coffee and it was so warm sitting in the sun. We bought two gin and tonic glasses as Jon bought some gin on his way back from Sydney. He is a bit fussy about his G & T glass and the only ones we have are big water glasses. Tonight we will be having our first G & T since we got here!
There is a shop in Tauranga that sells all sorts of hand made crafts and knitted things like baby jackets, yes they still have their babies in hand knitted jackets here. There are some lovely things in the shop like quilts and smoked dresses for little girls, embroidered tablecloths and all sorts of stuff. It is run by volunteers and when your items sell the shop takes a percentage and you get the rest, a really good idea. Anyway, I took Jon in to look at some tea cosies I had seen there and we bought one, I have been looking for one since we got here and I realised we had not brought ours. Yes I know you can make tea in the cup but I like using my tea pot!
After lunch we took Totty down to Papamoa beach. It was a lovely afternoon with very few people on the beach and we had a really long walk and Totty enjoyed chasing the seagulls with no chance of catching them which is just as well as they are bigger than her!
I am now just roasting a piece of beef and looking forward to my G & T. It will probably knock me out as I am not used to it!
We took Totty down to our beach park and the tide was in and the water was so calm. There was a golden retriever playing in the water and bringing a stick back to the owner. Totty was really funny as she wanted to go in but was not sure, she got as far as the top of her legs then came back out and we thought she would follow the dog when it went in again but she stayed on the edge. I think by next year she will be going in.
Jon and I went into Tauranga and had a coffee and it was so warm sitting in the sun. We bought two gin and tonic glasses as Jon bought some gin on his way back from Sydney. He is a bit fussy about his G & T glass and the only ones we have are big water glasses. Tonight we will be having our first G & T since we got here!
There is a shop in Tauranga that sells all sorts of hand made crafts and knitted things like baby jackets, yes they still have their babies in hand knitted jackets here. There are some lovely things in the shop like quilts and smoked dresses for little girls, embroidered tablecloths and all sorts of stuff. It is run by volunteers and when your items sell the shop takes a percentage and you get the rest, a really good idea. Anyway, I took Jon in to look at some tea cosies I had seen there and we bought one, I have been looking for one since we got here and I realised we had not brought ours. Yes I know you can make tea in the cup but I like using my tea pot!
After lunch we took Totty down to Papamoa beach. It was a lovely afternoon with very few people on the beach and we had a really long walk and Totty enjoyed chasing the seagulls with no chance of catching them which is just as well as they are bigger than her!
I am now just roasting a piece of beef and looking forward to my G & T. It will probably knock me out as I am not used to it!
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday .....
...where does the time go!!!!
I can't believe I haven't written on my blog for so many days, I haven't exactly been busy.
On Wednesday I went shopping to buy a present for Jon's niece's new baby, Jack, who looks so cute with his little sister in the photo my sister-in-law sent by email. I bought him an All Blacks body suit and some matching socks - I hope Fiona likes them.
Jon was on a "How to Sack People" course all day so was not home for lunch so I went into a little cafe and had a lovely bowl of soup and a roll then carried on shopping. The sun was shinning again so it was nice to be out.
Thursday morning Jon left to go to a meeting in Auckland and I went for a mammogram in the afternoon - ouch! After that I went into Bayfair and bought a hot water bottle just for when the weather gets cold again.
Totty was set upon by a dog in the park - the same one that had a go at her when she was out with Jon one day. I thought the dog was going to be OK as she just had a quick sniff to begin with but as I was talking to the owner she turned on Totty and it was horrible to see. I dived in like a woman possessed and the woman owner was left with her mouth hanging open. She did put her dog on the lead but did not tell it off. She told me there are some dogs that her dog takes exception to, obviously Totty is one of them. However, she does let her dog run wild in the park and there is no way she could have grabbed it so she really ought to have it on the lead or muzzled and if it happens again I will report her to the council who take dog trouble very seriously and will do something about it.
When Jon got back from Auckland he said it was a long way to go in one day but he was glad he had his new car. It isn't the distance, it is the roads and the speed you have to drive - 100 kms max.
Friday was my Red Cross shop day again and it was really quiet in there so I spent all my time tidying up the racks of clothes and helping a girl sort out a costume for a fancy dress party.
Jon had a meeting at work so took sandwiches for lunch and so after the shop I was able to go to the new supermarket and have a good look around. They have a huge choice of 'foreign' foods with lots of Asian, Malaysian and Japanese and I could do with someone to tell me what they all are and how you use them. We did have a good stirfry on Thursday night.
It was fish and chips night and as we had missed two weeks they tasted even better.
I can't believe I haven't written on my blog for so many days, I haven't exactly been busy.
On Wednesday I went shopping to buy a present for Jon's niece's new baby, Jack, who looks so cute with his little sister in the photo my sister-in-law sent by email. I bought him an All Blacks body suit and some matching socks - I hope Fiona likes them.
Jon was on a "How to Sack People" course all day so was not home for lunch so I went into a little cafe and had a lovely bowl of soup and a roll then carried on shopping. The sun was shinning again so it was nice to be out.
Thursday morning Jon left to go to a meeting in Auckland and I went for a mammogram in the afternoon - ouch! After that I went into Bayfair and bought a hot water bottle just for when the weather gets cold again.
Totty was set upon by a dog in the park - the same one that had a go at her when she was out with Jon one day. I thought the dog was going to be OK as she just had a quick sniff to begin with but as I was talking to the owner she turned on Totty and it was horrible to see. I dived in like a woman possessed and the woman owner was left with her mouth hanging open. She did put her dog on the lead but did not tell it off. She told me there are some dogs that her dog takes exception to, obviously Totty is one of them. However, she does let her dog run wild in the park and there is no way she could have grabbed it so she really ought to have it on the lead or muzzled and if it happens again I will report her to the council who take dog trouble very seriously and will do something about it.
When Jon got back from Auckland he said it was a long way to go in one day but he was glad he had his new car. It isn't the distance, it is the roads and the speed you have to drive - 100 kms max.
Friday was my Red Cross shop day again and it was really quiet in there so I spent all my time tidying up the racks of clothes and helping a girl sort out a costume for a fancy dress party.
Jon had a meeting at work so took sandwiches for lunch and so after the shop I was able to go to the new supermarket and have a good look around. They have a huge choice of 'foreign' foods with lots of Asian, Malaysian and Japanese and I could do with someone to tell me what they all are and how you use them. We did have a good stirfry on Thursday night.
It was fish and chips night and as we had missed two weeks they tasted even better.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
The day after the big storm
I heard today that the hail was so bad and so thick they were using surfboards on the Mount beach as snowboards. The roof on part of the shopping centre at Bayfair collapsed with the weight of the hailstones and up to 30% of the kiwi fruit could be ruined, it is absolute devastation in Te Puke for the farmers. There were also many water spouts over Papamoa. Everyone keeps telling me it is not normal for this time of year!
My car had to have a WOF (warranty of fitness), MOT, today I went to meet Jon at the office and we went along to the garage to have it done. It is a special garage that only does WOFs and they are very quick and very thorough and very polite.The customer services here in NZ are really good and a lot of UK shops and business could learn a lot from the attitude over here - they are here to serve you and do so with a smile. Glad to say my car passed.
I went off and had a coffee when it was done and a look around the shops before going home for lunch.
It was a business meeting for Lions tonight but no dinner so I had to eat at 5.30!!! Janice picked me up and she told me about the accident on the Hamilton road on Sunday as she had been caught up in the traffic coming back from Hamilton and she told me a car had gone off the road and into the river but that was all she knew.
The business meeting was just like a Ladies Circle business meeting, lots to discuss. I am going to be inducted in two weeks time at the next dinner meeting.
It was quite cold when we came out of the meeting, 8 degrees. I said to Jon I wish I had been born a squirrel and then I could hibernate!
Had to have a cup of coffee and a biscuit when I got in as dinner seemed a long time ago!
I hope the weather warms up soon.
My car had to have a WOF (warranty of fitness), MOT, today I went to meet Jon at the office and we went along to the garage to have it done. It is a special garage that only does WOFs and they are very quick and very thorough and very polite.The customer services here in NZ are really good and a lot of UK shops and business could learn a lot from the attitude over here - they are here to serve you and do so with a smile. Glad to say my car passed.
I went off and had a coffee when it was done and a look around the shops before going home for lunch.
It was a business meeting for Lions tonight but no dinner so I had to eat at 5.30!!! Janice picked me up and she told me about the accident on the Hamilton road on Sunday as she had been caught up in the traffic coming back from Hamilton and she told me a car had gone off the road and into the river but that was all she knew.
The business meeting was just like a Ladies Circle business meeting, lots to discuss. I am going to be inducted in two weeks time at the next dinner meeting.
It was quite cold when we came out of the meeting, 8 degrees. I said to Jon I wish I had been born a squirrel and then I could hibernate!
Had to have a cup of coffee and a biscuit when I got in as dinner seemed a long time ago!
I hope the weather warms up soon.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Monday
I haven't been able to find out why the road was closed last night, obviously an accident but I don't know how far down the road it was. Communication is not a strong point over here in any area and I didn't hear anything on the news.
The weather not too good this morning we had a lot of early morning rain and it looks like we may get a lot more.
I didn't get to see Amy as she went off to Rotorua and is staying there tonight and I am not sure if she will be back this way which is a shame as she didn't get to see very much of Tauranga or the Mount.
Well we did get a lot more. We had an amazing thunderstorm and Totty went mad running around the house barking as she doesn't like thunder. I did manage to get her out for a walk in the morning but the afternoon was a definite no, no!
It started to thunder and got very dark again at about 4.00 and then the heavens opened and we had the most incredible hail storm and living in a house with a tin roof and the living area upstairs, it was very very noisy. Hailstones are obviously not common as when it had passed the children were out from next-door collecting them in plastic pots! We did have two lovely rainbows though! Tauranga made the national news because of the hail, it is very bad for the kiwi fruit.
I just put the gas heater on and cuddled up with Totty on the sofa for the rest of the night.
The weather not too good this morning we had a lot of early morning rain and it looks like we may get a lot more.
I didn't get to see Amy as she went off to Rotorua and is staying there tonight and I am not sure if she will be back this way which is a shame as she didn't get to see very much of Tauranga or the Mount.
Well we did get a lot more. We had an amazing thunderstorm and Totty went mad running around the house barking as she doesn't like thunder. I did manage to get her out for a walk in the morning but the afternoon was a definite no, no!
It started to thunder and got very dark again at about 4.00 and then the heavens opened and we had the most incredible hail storm and living in a house with a tin roof and the living area upstairs, it was very very noisy. Hailstones are obviously not common as when it had passed the children were out from next-door collecting them in plastic pots! We did have two lovely rainbows though! Tauranga made the national news because of the hail, it is very bad for the kiwi fruit.
I just put the gas heater on and cuddled up with Totty on the sofa for the rest of the night.
Sunday
Jon was feeling much better today and we took Totty for a nice walk on our little beach in the park, the tide was in so she couldn't go far but it was lovely and sunny down there.
We went out for coffee and to buy a new light bulb for the cooker hood. What an interesting life we lead! We then went over to Bayfair Shopping Centre and had a look round the shops.
Nothing much to do today as the weather was not looking good so we went back and I read my book and we had lunch.
It is Mother's Day here in NZ seems odd to be able to buy hyacynths for Mother's Day - don't they come out at Christmas?
I put the computer on in the afternoon and there was a message from Amy, my friend's daughter who is now in NZ. She was coming up to Tauranga on the bus via Hamilton to see us and also to look around and go to Rotorua. As her bus would not be in until 8.40 Jon suggested we go and pick her up in Hamilton which is about an hour from here and Jon was happy to give his new car a test drive over distance!
We set off and only got a few kms out of Tauranga and there was a traffic jam on the Hamilton road, there is only one road to Hamilton! We crawled along for 45 minutes until we got up to a policeman and a sign that said road closed. He was handing out leaflets and instructions on how to get to Hamilton going on really small roads, and the really small roads here are 'really small'. By this time it was raining and nearly dark so we took the decision to go back and we called Amy to say she would need to get the bus as planned but we would meet her at the bus stop and hopefully her bus would be able to get through. No Radio 2 Travel News here! We eventually got back after over an hour and had only done a journey that usually would take ten minutes!
We finally had a text from Amy to say her bus had left but that was 7.20 so goodness knows what time she would be in. Anyway she decided it would be better for her to stay at a hostel in Tauranga as she wanted to go to Rotorua on Monday and at least she would be near the bus stop so that is what she did and we had dinner.
All in all it was a very up and down day and we didn't achieve very much. Hopefully I will be able to meet her for a coffee before she goes back tomorrow.
We went out for coffee and to buy a new light bulb for the cooker hood. What an interesting life we lead! We then went over to Bayfair Shopping Centre and had a look round the shops.
Nothing much to do today as the weather was not looking good so we went back and I read my book and we had lunch.
It is Mother's Day here in NZ seems odd to be able to buy hyacynths for Mother's Day - don't they come out at Christmas?
I put the computer on in the afternoon and there was a message from Amy, my friend's daughter who is now in NZ. She was coming up to Tauranga on the bus via Hamilton to see us and also to look around and go to Rotorua. As her bus would not be in until 8.40 Jon suggested we go and pick her up in Hamilton which is about an hour from here and Jon was happy to give his new car a test drive over distance!
We set off and only got a few kms out of Tauranga and there was a traffic jam on the Hamilton road, there is only one road to Hamilton! We crawled along for 45 minutes until we got up to a policeman and a sign that said road closed. He was handing out leaflets and instructions on how to get to Hamilton going on really small roads, and the really small roads here are 'really small'. By this time it was raining and nearly dark so we took the decision to go back and we called Amy to say she would need to get the bus as planned but we would meet her at the bus stop and hopefully her bus would be able to get through. No Radio 2 Travel News here! We eventually got back after over an hour and had only done a journey that usually would take ten minutes!
We finally had a text from Amy to say her bus had left but that was 7.20 so goodness knows what time she would be in. Anyway she decided it would be better for her to stay at a hostel in Tauranga as she wanted to go to Rotorua on Monday and at least she would be near the bus stop so that is what she did and we had dinner.
All in all it was a very up and down day and we didn't achieve very much. Hopefully I will be able to meet her for a coffee before she goes back tomorrow.
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Friday & Saturday
Jon got home just after midnight after a miserable drive back from Auckland through rain and some fog on the hills.
I did my stint in Red Cross shop today, they were very short of staff - just me! The shop manager, Bianca was there and they brought up two of the volunteers from downstairs so it was OK. It was the Red Cross birthday and they had a huge chocolate cake and we were giving everyone a piece, yummy!
I did my supermarket shop and must have got into the slowest checkout ever and didn't get back till 1.15 to a hungry Jon as there was nothing much in the fridge for a sandwich.
It was really overcast and when the sun doesn't shine on this house it is really cold so when I could stand it no more I went downstairs and got the oil filled radiator and put it on - blue is not really my colour. It did warm up eventually and by the evening it was OK.
Jon came back from work not feeling well and so did not fancy fish and chips so I had beans on toast and he had soup. Two weeks and no fish and chips.
We got our new car on Friday. It is very nice, a Nissan something or other and is metallic gold with black leather interior and you don't need a key to start it very high tech. So high tech we couldn't get the doors locked when we went to buy the heater it took Jon about ten minutes to get it to work. I think he needs to read the book again, just as well it is not like mine, in Japanese!
Jon still wasn't 100% on Saturday - I think he must have caught a bug on his travels.
We went out for coffee and bought a gas fire and some logs for the open fire so it can get as cold as it likes now I have a fire I can put on. Typical though it has been really sunny again today so the house is fine.
We have a nice beef casserole for dinner tonight, just what is needed on a sunny day!
I did my stint in Red Cross shop today, they were very short of staff - just me! The shop manager, Bianca was there and they brought up two of the volunteers from downstairs so it was OK. It was the Red Cross birthday and they had a huge chocolate cake and we were giving everyone a piece, yummy!
I did my supermarket shop and must have got into the slowest checkout ever and didn't get back till 1.15 to a hungry Jon as there was nothing much in the fridge for a sandwich.
It was really overcast and when the sun doesn't shine on this house it is really cold so when I could stand it no more I went downstairs and got the oil filled radiator and put it on - blue is not really my colour. It did warm up eventually and by the evening it was OK.
Jon came back from work not feeling well and so did not fancy fish and chips so I had beans on toast and he had soup. Two weeks and no fish and chips.
We got our new car on Friday. It is very nice, a Nissan something or other and is metallic gold with black leather interior and you don't need a key to start it very high tech. So high tech we couldn't get the doors locked when we went to buy the heater it took Jon about ten minutes to get it to work. I think he needs to read the book again, just as well it is not like mine, in Japanese!
Jon still wasn't 100% on Saturday - I think he must have caught a bug on his travels.
We went out for coffee and bought a gas fire and some logs for the open fire so it can get as cold as it likes now I have a fire I can put on. Typical though it has been really sunny again today so the house is fine.
We have a nice beef casserole for dinner tonight, just what is needed on a sunny day!
Thursday, 7 May 2009
If sombody asked me today what I miss about England..........
....I would have to say central heating! I know Jon was away last night but that aside it was very cold and this morning it was freezing. The houses here are just not equipped for the cold. I know they don't get much of it and they have open fires but it is such a pain to light it and it wouldn't stay lit overnight. The thing to have here is what they call a 'heat pump' which is like an air conditioning unit but pumps in hot air. Unfortunately, our house does not have one, even though it is only four years old and from what I read in the papers so many people are having them fitted soon the electricity grid will not be able to cope so I don't know what the answer is - an oil filled radiator I think before I turn blue overnight!
By 8.30 though I was showered and dressed and off out with Totty and the sun was shinning and it was a lovely day.
We made friends with the 'pesky corgi' this morning so hopefully Totty can enjoy a morning play with him - he needs to lose some weight, a very over indulged dog by the looks of things.
I had to go to the PO this morning so went to the one in the town centre and had a coffee while I was there, I'm addicted to the stuff over here.
I just happened to pass the dress shop that had the sale the other day and saw two very nice T shirts which will be good for next summer. I also picked up some brochures from the travel agent. I wanted to see what the prices were for skiing holidays in the South Island and also the Central North Island which is only 3 hours away from us. We also want to think about what we are going to do for our 30th wedding anniversary next January. We did want to go to Fiji but they are having a few problems over there and who knows what could blow up so it is a bit iffy. I quite fancy the New Caledonian Islands which are two and a half hours away and look wonderful. They advertise them as 'France in the Pacific' and there are lots of little islands and lagoons and white beaches with coconut groves and they look beautiful.
I was drooling over the brochures when Bronwyn called to say she had to go and buy some wool (she is knitting for her grandchild) and would I like to go with her. So, without having had any lunch I grabbed a banana and off I went - never refuse an invitation!
She took me to a really lovely clothes shop called Wendys. They had some really lovely clothes in there but I think I will need to get a job before I can shop in there. They were all displayed really well and lots of combinations put together it was also very busy so I don't think she will be closing due to the recession.
After buying the wool we went off for a coffee - my second today. Bronwyn is so excited about her grandchild and has bought so much, no wonder her husband is starting to complain. Baby clothes are not cheap over here.
When I got back it was time to take Totty out and I met a lady in the park, Linda, who I met yesterday. She comes from Taupo and has a golden retriever and lives in Welcome Bay but her dog likes to swim so she brings her over to our little beach as there are no waves. The dog doesn't like waves as she is used to swimming in Lake Taupo. We enjoyed a nice walk and chat together - what would I do without Totty?
I haven't heard from Jon yet so I assume he met the chap and had his meeting and his flight will be on time. However, I still have another dinner on my own.
Fish and chips tomorrow, we missed that last week!
By 8.30 though I was showered and dressed and off out with Totty and the sun was shinning and it was a lovely day.
We made friends with the 'pesky corgi' this morning so hopefully Totty can enjoy a morning play with him - he needs to lose some weight, a very over indulged dog by the looks of things.
I had to go to the PO this morning so went to the one in the town centre and had a coffee while I was there, I'm addicted to the stuff over here.
I just happened to pass the dress shop that had the sale the other day and saw two very nice T shirts which will be good for next summer. I also picked up some brochures from the travel agent. I wanted to see what the prices were for skiing holidays in the South Island and also the Central North Island which is only 3 hours away from us. We also want to think about what we are going to do for our 30th wedding anniversary next January. We did want to go to Fiji but they are having a few problems over there and who knows what could blow up so it is a bit iffy. I quite fancy the New Caledonian Islands which are two and a half hours away and look wonderful. They advertise them as 'France in the Pacific' and there are lots of little islands and lagoons and white beaches with coconut groves and they look beautiful.
I was drooling over the brochures when Bronwyn called to say she had to go and buy some wool (she is knitting for her grandchild) and would I like to go with her. So, without having had any lunch I grabbed a banana and off I went - never refuse an invitation!
She took me to a really lovely clothes shop called Wendys. They had some really lovely clothes in there but I think I will need to get a job before I can shop in there. They were all displayed really well and lots of combinations put together it was also very busy so I don't think she will be closing due to the recession.
After buying the wool we went off for a coffee - my second today. Bronwyn is so excited about her grandchild and has bought so much, no wonder her husband is starting to complain. Baby clothes are not cheap over here.
When I got back it was time to take Totty out and I met a lady in the park, Linda, who I met yesterday. She comes from Taupo and has a golden retriever and lives in Welcome Bay but her dog likes to swim so she brings her over to our little beach as there are no waves. The dog doesn't like waves as she is used to swimming in Lake Taupo. We enjoyed a nice walk and chat together - what would I do without Totty?
I haven't heard from Jon yet so I assume he met the chap and had his meeting and his flight will be on time. However, I still have another dinner on my own.
Fish and chips tomorrow, we missed that last week!
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Wednesday
Jon was up bright and early and ready for his trip to Sydney. He wasn't looking forward to driving back through the Karangahake Gorge late at night when he comes back tomorrow but, thanks to Bronwyn, he now knows a different route and tried that on the way to the airport this morning which he found to be much better he told me when he called to say he was at the airport.
I had a nice video call with the girls this morning and was able to see David and Leo, Kirsty's rabbits - so sweet. I had to rush off and take Totty for her walk as I had arranged to go out for coffee with Bronwyn.
We went out to a garden centre on the Cambridge Road which has a nice little cafe. I had a lovely raspberry, lemon and apple muffin - very naughty!
Bronwyn's daughter is expecting a baby in June and so after coffee we went to a baby shop to have a look at some things that she wanted to buy for her. The Kiwis are very into knitting and she has knitted a lot of things for her, something we don't do so much in UK now.
I don't know where the afternoon went! I managed to get my washing dry before we had a little thunder storm and then watched the Ellen DeGeneres Show. It is an American chat show, I don't know whether you have that in UK but she is very funny.
I have been ironing Jon's long sleeve shirts as I think he will be needing them soon.
Jon called to say he had arrived in Sydney but that the taxi driver did not know his way around Sydney and asked 'him' where the hotel was!!! After consulting with another taxi driver they found it.
Not sure what I will have for dinner tonight - I hate eating on my own!
I had a nice video call with the girls this morning and was able to see David and Leo, Kirsty's rabbits - so sweet. I had to rush off and take Totty for her walk as I had arranged to go out for coffee with Bronwyn.
We went out to a garden centre on the Cambridge Road which has a nice little cafe. I had a lovely raspberry, lemon and apple muffin - very naughty!
Bronwyn's daughter is expecting a baby in June and so after coffee we went to a baby shop to have a look at some things that she wanted to buy for her. The Kiwis are very into knitting and she has knitted a lot of things for her, something we don't do so much in UK now.
I don't know where the afternoon went! I managed to get my washing dry before we had a little thunder storm and then watched the Ellen DeGeneres Show. It is an American chat show, I don't know whether you have that in UK but she is very funny.
I have been ironing Jon's long sleeve shirts as I think he will be needing them soon.
Jon called to say he had arrived in Sydney but that the taxi driver did not know his way around Sydney and asked 'him' where the hotel was!!! After consulting with another taxi driver they found it.
Not sure what I will have for dinner tonight - I hate eating on my own!
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
A trip to the library
Well showers were forecast for today but it has been another beautiful day.
I sat in a coffee bar this morning in the lovely sunshine and enjoyed a coffee while listening to a South American group play pipe music.
On my way to the library there is a ladies clothes shop that has a rail outside and I usually have a look through. It says it is clearance stock and week by week it has been reduced until today it had everything for $20, about £7.75. I had a look through and found a lovely, black pinstriped skirt, fully lined and reduced from $155, about £77. I tried it on and it is a lovely fit and very smart. What a bargain! It was only when I got home and worked out the price that I realised what a good deal it was.
I then went on to the library and chose books for Jon and I. A lot of the books are by American authors and you have to have a good look through as they are arranged by author so all the crime, thriller and romance etc are all together and it is quite hard work finding what you want.
Horror of horrors when I got to the computer to check them out I put my hand in my bag to get my card from my wallet and inside my bag crawling on my wallet was a small cockroach agh!!!! I was trying to get it out of my bag without causing too much attention and hoped nobody could see it. Eventually I managed to get it out and it crawled away under the desk. Tauranga City Library will have to be fumigated and it is all my fault!
I have been warned about cockroaches here in Tauranga but so far we have only found three or four in the house and Jon has dealt with them pretty swiftly but in future I will have to make sure I don't leave my handbag on the floor. If it had crawled out in the car I would have had a fit.
Jon wasn't home for lunch today as he had a conference call to do at the office so it was lunch alone. He is off to Sydney tomorrow until Thursday night but won't be back her until after midnight so I have two days on my own.
I sat in a coffee bar this morning in the lovely sunshine and enjoyed a coffee while listening to a South American group play pipe music.
On my way to the library there is a ladies clothes shop that has a rail outside and I usually have a look through. It says it is clearance stock and week by week it has been reduced until today it had everything for $20, about £7.75. I had a look through and found a lovely, black pinstriped skirt, fully lined and reduced from $155, about £77. I tried it on and it is a lovely fit and very smart. What a bargain! It was only when I got home and worked out the price that I realised what a good deal it was.
I then went on to the library and chose books for Jon and I. A lot of the books are by American authors and you have to have a good look through as they are arranged by author so all the crime, thriller and romance etc are all together and it is quite hard work finding what you want.
Horror of horrors when I got to the computer to check them out I put my hand in my bag to get my card from my wallet and inside my bag crawling on my wallet was a small cockroach agh!!!! I was trying to get it out of my bag without causing too much attention and hoped nobody could see it. Eventually I managed to get it out and it crawled away under the desk. Tauranga City Library will have to be fumigated and it is all my fault!
I have been warned about cockroaches here in Tauranga but so far we have only found three or four in the house and Jon has dealt with them pretty swiftly but in future I will have to make sure I don't leave my handbag on the floor. If it had crawled out in the car I would have had a fit.
Jon wasn't home for lunch today as he had a conference call to do at the office so it was lunch alone. He is off to Sydney tomorrow until Thursday night but won't be back her until after midnight so I have two days on my own.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Monday - washing day
I thought I ought to make the most of the sun today as the forecast is for showers tomorrow so I managed to get all my washing, washed, dried and ironed.
Last week I sent off my form for a mammogram with a copy of my visa and on Friday it was returned to me saying I am eligible for the free breast screening service and they have given me an appointment for 21 May. I phoned them today for a time and they have now moved it forward to 14 May at 1.40 so far it all seems very efficient. They do mammograms every two years here, ouch!
Jon has been given some Kiwi fruit at work today so I won't need to buy any for a while. He is off to Sydney on Wednesday and, hopefully, will be back late on Thursday night. He is also getting a new car!
Last week I sent off my form for a mammogram with a copy of my visa and on Friday it was returned to me saying I am eligible for the free breast screening service and they have given me an appointment for 21 May. I phoned them today for a time and they have now moved it forward to 14 May at 1.40 so far it all seems very efficient. They do mammograms every two years here, ouch!
Jon has been given some Kiwi fruit at work today so I won't need to buy any for a while. He is off to Sydney on Wednesday and, hopefully, will be back late on Thursday night. He is also getting a new car!
McLaren Falls in the Autumn
You just would not believe that after such a cold wet day we now have a beautiful hot sunny day.
We went out towards the falls stopping off at one of our favorite coffee bars and sat admiring the view and enjoying our coffee.
We got up to the falls and I really wished we had brought a picnic with us as the weather was lovely. We walked along glow worm path to the waterfall but didn't spot any glow worms. After a walk along the lake taking pictures of the lovely trees we headed back to the car as I was really hungry just as well we don't live far away.
After lunch we took Totty to Papamoa beach. The tide was in and really high as was the surf and there were quite a few people in the water but it was far too cold for me. Totty had a really good run and enjoyed chasing the seagulls. It must have been quite a storm out at sea on Saturday as there were many birds washed up, a little penguin and a huge puffa fish.
We had some really good lamb steaks for dinner and a nice bottle of rose - not a bad day.
We went out towards the falls stopping off at one of our favorite coffee bars and sat admiring the view and enjoying our coffee.
We got up to the falls and I really wished we had brought a picnic with us as the weather was lovely. We walked along glow worm path to the waterfall but didn't spot any glow worms. After a walk along the lake taking pictures of the lovely trees we headed back to the car as I was really hungry just as well we don't live far away.
After lunch we took Totty to Papamoa beach. The tide was in and really high as was the surf and there were quite a few people in the water but it was far too cold for me. Totty had a really good run and enjoyed chasing the seagulls. It must have been quite a storm out at sea on Saturday as there were many birds washed up, a little penguin and a huge puffa fish.
We had some really good lamb steaks for dinner and a nice bottle of rose - not a bad day.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
First log fire of the year
Today started OK but while we were out walking Totty it started to rain and has rained on and off for most of the day and it has been quite cold.
We went out to Fraser Cove for coffee and then bought a clothes maiden, so I don't need to use the tumble dryer I also saw a nice brown skirt (I didn't bring any of my winter skirts with me from England!) so I bought that, too.
When we got back it was really quite cold in the house and so we - Jon - lit the fire. I was a bit nervous to begin with, living in a wooden house and a big fire in the grate but once it got going it burned quite nicely and made the room very cosy. The forecast is for warmer weather tomorrow so hopefully we won't need to lite it again for a few weeks but it is nice to know it is there if we need it.
Dinner last night...... was a really good evening. Apologies were given for having taken so long to get together but everyone was very nice. There was Jon's boss, Mark and his wife Val, their daughter Sandra and her husband Ross who both work for Genera. Barry who is a sort of accountant for the company and his wife Sally. I got on well with all of them (Sally gave me lots of tips on Kiwi cooking) and we had a really good giggle. The meal wasn't the best we have had over here but it was fine. Lots of restaurants do a "bring-your-own wine" here and Mark came with two bottles of red, one of white and one of white fizzy. Jon was driving and could only have one glass but most of the wine was drunk! Jon is definitely out of practice since coming to NZ.
It never ceases to amaze me how much Kiwis travel all the people we were with last night have been to England at least once and most of them three times, they have all travelled around Europe. Africa, parts of Asia and also South America. They see nothing unusual in this and think it is the norm. Most people in the UK travel in Europe and that is it. They think we are so lucky that we can get to so many places without having to spend a whole day on a plane and I suppose they are right but I had never thought of it like that.
We have got a lovely roast dinner tonight, a nice bottle of wine and a log fire to sit in front of what more could you ask?
We went out to Fraser Cove for coffee and then bought a clothes maiden, so I don't need to use the tumble dryer I also saw a nice brown skirt (I didn't bring any of my winter skirts with me from England!) so I bought that, too.
When we got back it was really quite cold in the house and so we - Jon - lit the fire. I was a bit nervous to begin with, living in a wooden house and a big fire in the grate but once it got going it burned quite nicely and made the room very cosy. The forecast is for warmer weather tomorrow so hopefully we won't need to lite it again for a few weeks but it is nice to know it is there if we need it.
Dinner last night...... was a really good evening. Apologies were given for having taken so long to get together but everyone was very nice. There was Jon's boss, Mark and his wife Val, their daughter Sandra and her husband Ross who both work for Genera. Barry who is a sort of accountant for the company and his wife Sally. I got on well with all of them (Sally gave me lots of tips on Kiwi cooking) and we had a really good giggle. The meal wasn't the best we have had over here but it was fine. Lots of restaurants do a "bring-your-own wine" here and Mark came with two bottles of red, one of white and one of white fizzy. Jon was driving and could only have one glass but most of the wine was drunk! Jon is definitely out of practice since coming to NZ.
It never ceases to amaze me how much Kiwis travel all the people we were with last night have been to England at least once and most of them three times, they have all travelled around Europe. Africa, parts of Asia and also South America. They see nothing unusual in this and think it is the norm. Most people in the UK travel in Europe and that is it. They think we are so lucky that we can get to so many places without having to spend a whole day on a plane and I suppose they are right but I had never thought of it like that.
We have got a lovely roast dinner tonight, a nice bottle of wine and a log fire to sit in front of what more could you ask?
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