The teacher didn't turn up!

I didn't wake up till 7.40 this morning so Totty didn't get a walk before I went to my aquacise class.

The teacher didn't turn up and so the lifeguard took the class and although he did his best it was not really very good. The pool was a bit cooler, too so after the class the hot pools were very welcome.

I then went to get Les and we went down to the port for a coffee. she looked better today but is still feeling very cold but she is very thin and so I suppose she will feel cold if she is not 100%. We sat for ages chatting in the bar where it was really warm, too much for me and I was glad to get out in the fresh air. Hopefully she will be ale to drive tomorrow and then on Friday she is flying to Auckland to stay with her son and daughter in law so she will have rest.

I took Totty out for a very long walk this afternoon and she seems to be OK and a bit more lively.

WEATHER
After heavy overnight rain it was dull this morning but soon brightened up and was sunny for the rest of the day.

A visit to an holistic vet!

Really busy today as I had my keep fit class and then had to rush over to pick Les up and take her to the clinic to have her eye checked but we made it in plenty of time and all is well. I then took her to the Red Cross shop as her daughter, Bianca, is the manager and is on holiday and Les is doing the banking while she is away. We went next door for a coffee and then she went to the shop and I went home.

I took Totty to the vet in the afternoon and it was different. We were there for 50 minutes and she only charged us £25! I thought it was going to cost a fortune! She said basically she is fine but suggested a change of diet to stop the anal gland problem and also gave her some herbs to take and for the lesions suggested using warm tea bags on them for as long as she will let me. We will see. I am not convinced by it all and I was glad that Hon was not with me as he would not have been impressed at this lady and how she was.

After taking Totty home I went back to the Red Cross to pick Les up and take her home. she is not allowed to drive and I didn't think she ought to be getting on buses after working all that time. Hopefully she will feel better tomorrow.

I am not convinced, after reading the leaflet, the new diet is good for Totty. It is raw meat, veg and pasta or rice. It is the raw meat and bones that I have a problem with. We'll see I am not going to change her yet as we are off to Fiji at the weekend and she is going into kennels so it would not be a good idea.


WEATHER
A bit of a chill in the air but not too bad so far. Sunny for the rest of the day with some light cloud in the late afternoon.

Worried about Totty

Totty has been out of sorts for a few weeks now and I wonder if she misses all the comings and going of 58a Centre Drive? She has a couple of lesions that have broken out on her paws and is still rubbing her bottom along the floor.

My friend Les had an eye op today and her daughter took her to the clinic for the op but as she was working I picked her up. she looked really rough and was very cold so we went off to get her a coffee and warm her up before I took her home.

I got back and carried on with my usual Monday chores.

I popped over to see Bronwyn and also saw Alison.

I made an appointment for Totty at a holistic vet for tomorrow and see what they have to say. The receptionist is American but worked in Newmarket for a few years before coming out here! Small world.


WEATHER
Sunny all day with some light cloud 23 degrees

A very relaxing day

I had been told about some canoe racing taking place today so that is what we wanted to find. After taking Totty out we went down into Tauranga for coffee and to take a library book back that was overdue and Jon had finished and as it had been renewed once we had to get it back or the fine would increase daily!

We then went down to Sulphur Point where I had been told the canoe racing was taking place but we couldn't find anything but we did have a very nice walk around and a good look at all the very expensive boats in the harbour.

We then headed out to the Mount and stopped on the way at The Bridge which is a very nice restaurant and we will certainly try it out one night. We saw a lovely Bentley sports car parked there and I took Jon's photo by it.

We then headed down to the Mount and found a very nice cafe and had a lovely sandwich lunch followed by a walk around the shops where I bought a nice sarong for Fiji.

Jon went to the gym later and after that I walked Totty before cooking some very nice duck for dinner.

WEATHER
Well it was warm and sunny again even thoough Jon said he thought it was going to rain! 26 degrees.

Stock car racing

After taking Totty out we went into Tauranga for coffee and then to get some books from the library. We had a walk around the shops and bought a few things and then went to the supermarket for a few bits.

After lunch we took Totty down to the beach at the far end of Papamoa with the intention of having a long walk. The beach is really lovely there with lots of shells and very few people. We saw a man fishing and I asked him if he had caught anything and so we started a long conversation. He is Welsh and has been here with his wife and two daughters for two years but they are very homesick and he thinks they will be going back soon. I can understand why. They live as far away from own as you can get and for two teenage girls it must be awful. It is a shame really as there is so much for families here but if they are missing their family and friends it must be difficult. So we didn't get to walk far as we spent ages talking to him. Totty was happy though as she was able to lie down in the shade of his seat as it was very hot!

We got back and it was soon time to go out to Bay Stadium for the stock car racing. We have been meaning to go all summer and tonight is the last night with fireworks so thought we had better do it.

When we got there we went off to find a place for dinner and had a buffer which was very good and not too expensive. We then found seat in the stands and the event started at 7.00. It was really good fun with stock cars, mini stock cars, saloon cars and super saloon cars. It is not a big track but they seem to go around it very fast and we got covered in the red dust from the clay but it was really good fun. The last race was about to start when suddenly it was cancelled as it was 10.00 and they are not allowed to race after 10.00. It was a real shame as it was the championship final but there were no complaints as that is the law. The fireworks were really good and all in all it was a really good, fun night.

Back home for a coffee and then bed.


WEATHER
Another lovely day up to 26 degrees again

Summer is back again

It was a busy time at the Red Cross with the changeover from summer to winter clothes. We were very busy all morning and had lots of boxes to unpack. I enjoy Fridays very much and enjoy working with Les, Sharon and Sue - all like minded ladies!

Did the shopping and got home for lunch.

As I have left is so long to type this up I can't remember what else I did but being Friday we definitely had fish and chips for dinner!

WEATHER
Cool first thing then hot and sunny for the rest of the day, back up to 26 degrees

Another visit to Kiwi 360

I took Les to Kiwi 360 today, my fourth time! The tour we took was a little different as we stopped at a grading machine and he showed us how the fruit were sorted in the 'olden days'. Life is so much easier for the pickers and packers these days. Les enjoyed it and afterwards we had a good taste of all the various wines and liqueurs and fresh fruit that they had on offer. We also tested all the Kiwi fruit products on sale in the shop and we came out smelling very nice!

We then drove down to Maketu and went for lunch in the cafe there overlooking the sea. The weather had clouded over a little but was still warm. I had a lovely smoked chicken sandwich and salad.

We then went off to Comvita which is a factory making products from bees and their pollen. We tried all the types of honey on offer and all the products and I bought a lip balm and Les bought some toothpaste.

We had a really good time trying all the products and even though I took Heather and Jane to these places it was good to go with Les as we enjoyed all the testing that the girls didn't.

I took her home and then got back in time to feed Totty and then take her for a walk.

WEATHER
A lot of rain overnight but warm and sunny this morning. Cloudy later in the day with a shower of rain and then a sunny evening.

Rain at last

It was a lovely morning with no wind today and I picked Les up to go swimming. Only the main pool was open today as the smaller, hotter ones were being cleaned so the main one was particularly warm. We had a really good lesson but I could feel my back hurting so I was not too enthusiastic.

After the class we stayed int eh main pool and had a swim till the showers would be free and then we got out. We went to our usual place for coffee and I had a hot cross bun and bought one for Jon to take home. Les has a problem with her eye and needs an operation and asked me if I could take her next week as her daughter is away on holiday. She needs to go on Monday for the op and then back on Tuesday to have it checked. Pool woman has not had a lot of luck since coming to NZ and as she is only on a visitors visa she has to pay for all her medical care. Of course I said I would take her and we also arranged to go out for the day again tomorrow.

I then went looking for a fish shop I had been told about and I eventually found it down near the port in the middle of an industrial estate. I bought some king fish which looked nice. The girl behind the counter asked me what I did with it and I told her I would have to Google it when I got home and she thought that was really funny. I told her I had to Google all the fish as I was English and we don't have all this kind of fish.

I then went to collect my contacts which I had a call about and they also fixed my sunglasses. I tried some new perfume a Dior one which is very nice. I am looking for a new perfume but as I have a very sensitive nose and lots of perfumes give me headaches i need to try them on my skin so it is a long job trying to find one, maybe I should just stick with the tow I have used for years!

I then went to the shop for bread and it was still only 11.00 and I thought I had got so much done in a morning so thought I would go home and take Totty out before Jon got home for lunch.

I looked at the clock in the kitchen when I got home and it said 12.55! My watch said 11.30. I don't know what happened to my watch but I then had a bit of a rush to get lunch ready.

After lunch Jon went back to work and I took Totty out and got back just as we had a really heavy shower.

I found a nice recipe for king fish using curry powder and it was very good.

Still trying with the help of my nephew to sort Facebook out. I still can't upload more than five photos and it is a real pain.

The rain has stopped and it is all nice and fresh outside and smells lovely.

WEATHER
Warm and sunny this morning and clouding over this afternoon with some decent rain showers this evening

No gym today

As my back was still a bit sore I decided not to go to my keep fit this morning and so spent the morning catching up with emails.

I had to meet some of the Lions ladies at the Boys College where we are holding the Bride of the Year Show. We looked around the stage, which is huge and we are going to have to fill it up with something like plants but they will need to be big. We were kept waiting for a while but when we finally met Gary he was very helpful and we soon had things sorted out. It was nearly three o'clock by the time I got home for my lunch.

In the evening I picked Janice up to go to Lions and also another lady who used to be in Lions. It was the 18 Charter Dinner and so past members were invited. It was a really good meeting and the speaker was a lady who, at the age of 59, went across to USA and got her truck drivers license and drove huge 53ft trucks across America with her husband for five years. She was a really good speaker and told us some amazing stories about her time there.

Jon had been to the gym and was late home but had had his dinner by the time I got back.

WEATHER
Cloudy but warm this morning with sunny spells. Much cloudier this afternoon and a heavy shower this evening, still 22 degrees

Beware dodgy websites

Well my back feels much better this morning, I can't believe it was so bad yesterday but not like a normal bad back - very strange.

I was chatting to Heather and she told me to check out the website I had ordered my ghds from on the official ghd website - not looking good. When we tried to track the order it said they were coming from China. I think we have been had!!!

I sent an email and told them to cancel the order and I phoned the bank to stop the payment but they needed to speak to Jon so he spoke to them at lunch time and they say they can't stop the payment but to return the goods if they arrive and they will try and get the payment stopped when it comes through. I had a reply to the email saying why did I want to cancel so I told them I didn't want fake goods but so far I haven't heard anything else.

I should have ordered from a UK site and paid what I know is the going rate, silly me.

Did my washing and got all my ironing done. I saw Bronwyn going out this morning and she invited me over this afternoon and I was very good and only had a cup of tea and no wine.

Jon went for another swimming lesson so was home late and I was very hungry. I had taken what I thought were lamb chops out of the freezer but they turned out to be spare ribs but they were very nice.

Not sure if I will go to keep fit tomorrow, I'll have to see how my back is.

WEATHER
A little overcast this morning but still warm. A brief shower this afternoon but then the sun came out again.

Still summer!

We took Totty down to the little park this morning as we intended to take her for a long walk this afternoon.

I have noticed dirty specks on the washing and when I looked into the soap dispenser the other day I could see lots of black gunk but couldn't get the drawer out to clean it so had to get Jon to do it this morning and it was such a mess. How can soap powder, fabric conditioner and water make such a horrible mess? It took a long time to clean it but I managed to get most of it out, hopefully the remainder will just wash through. I did hurt my back while bending over the machine though.

We drove into Tauranga for coffee and we went down to the front of the harbour and it was a lovely morning and so warm. However, my back was hurting so much when I was sitting down and it was much easier to walk. We had a look around town as Jon needs some new glasses and the prices he has been quoted are very high £500 and we were looking for other opticians.

We got back and I made lunch and my back was really bad. I can't believe how it happened and is so much worse when sitting. After lunch I went to lie on the bed and that was better and so I read my book and Jon went out and snipped more grapes off the vine and put them in a bag ready for bin day.

Jon found some glasses on the Internet and decided to give them a go. They come from China and you just send all your details. He needs them for summer and to wear on the beach mainly so £140 is much better than £500 and hopefully they will be OK.

I found some ghd hair straightners on a web site (this is my Christmas present that I haven't got round to ordering yet) it said they were ghd and the place is in Sydney so we ordered them but as they were so cheap I felt a bit nervous about it, we'll see.

Jon went down to the gym and I read my book and as it was only stir fry I had no dinner to prepare.

We took Totty out later when it had cooled down but it was still very hot even at 7.00 in fact it was 29.5 in the living room!

Dinner was really good, I love stir fry and am getting quite good at making up my own flavours. I used some of the chilli peppers Les had given me on Friday, her son-in-law grows them.

We had another piece of the cheesecake but the rest I have frozen, too rich for weekdays.

Hopefully I will be able to sleep and my back will be better tomorrow.

WEATHER
I can't believe this weather so hot and sunny again. I thought we had seen the last of the summer with the cold spell on Wed/Thur but it is so warm again - 28 degrees today.

A new kennels for Totty - or maybe not!

Our noisy neighbours were out talking in their garden till 4.00 last night. The woman doesn't seem to draw breath!

We had to get Totty to the kennel this morning by 8.30 and she really didn't seem to be happy about going. We took her bed and toy and left her in the care of Lester.

We got back and Jon had breakfast and the house seemed so quiet without her. I went off to have my hair done. Now that my hairdresser has started his uni course in Hamilton he now only does hair on Saturdays but that is fine and he did a good cut.

When I got back Jon told me the kennel had just called to say Totty was not happy and it would be better if we went to collect her. We arrived and could hear her barking and Lester said she had been like that since we left apart from the walk he took her on. so it looks like the original kennels is back on and she might not like it but it is all I can offer.

We then went out for coffee and stopped by a Gourmet Trader shop and found the cinnamon sticks I had been looking for and the juniper berries I needed back in December and which Jane brought over for me from UK. They had some lovely yogurt on sale which we bought and some lovely peanut butter which is so yummy.

We went home for lunch and then Jon went out to the gym to put into practice what he had been taught last night, he came back very tired. While he was away I cooked a very nice baked cheesecake and made a very nice braised lamb recipe from my new magazine.

We took Totty out and then I finished cooking dinner and then we watched TV. I must say the baked cheesecake was very good, I have never made a baked one before.
WEATHER
Really warm again this morning but cloudy later then hot and sunny again.

Can't believe it is Friday again

After a quick walk with Totty I was off out to get to the Red Cross. It was fairly busy but as it is the end of the sale, winter stock coming in on Monday, there were lots of people looking for bargains and I was one. I bought a really nice jacket, just right for this time of year and not too heavy. I also bought a short sleeved top with a hood which will be lovely with a long sleeved top for when I am out doggy walking and all for the grand total of $7.50 - less than £3!

I got home in time for lunch with Jon and then I went out to do my supermarket shop after lunch which was better than rushing round in between the shop and lunch.

I finally managed to get in touch with the caretaker at the school where we are holding the Bride of the Year show and we are going to see him on Tuesday to sort out final arrangements.

Jon went for his induction at the gym after work so didn't get home till late and brought the fish and chips in with him.

WEATHER
Very chilly this morning and windy and cloudy but by lunchtime the sun was out and the sky was blue and so it stayed for the rest of the day.

Very chilly this morning

When I got to the park this morning with Totty two of the ladies I met at the bbq the other day were there with their dogs but as I had to pick Les up at 9.30 I didn't have time to let Totty play but I think she would have liked their two dogs.

I went over to the Mount to get Les and she had put jeans on as she was so cold but I still braved it with cropped trousers. First of all we went to Te Puns quarry and had a look around the park. We then carried on to Katikati and stopped for coffee before walking around the town to have a look at all the murals and took a walk along the Huika path looking at all the boulders with verses written on them which don't make much sense but is an old tradition from Japan apparently. We then went out and walked along the path through the salt marshes and saw lots of birds and plants. We had a good chin wag all the way.


We then headed out to the bird gardens where Les bough lunch for me. We bought bags of food to feed the birds and after lunch set off around the gardens. We walked past the lake and came into an opening and there were lots of fantail doves sitting around but as soon as they saw us they came over and we started to feed them and before we knew it we were covered in birds, sitting on our backs, shoulders and arms and feeding out of the bags. It was hysterical and we couldn't do anything to get them off us. I did manage to get a photo of Les with them on her and eventually we managed to get rid of them and walk on. They are lovely gardens with lovely plants and trees and it is so peaceful to walk around.

We then went looking for the track which leads to the biggest kauri tree in the Bay of Plenty. The book said it was a 40 min return walk of Hot Spring Road but it didn't say how far up Hot Spring Road and it turned out to be a long way right up into the hills but very pretty. We finally found it and set off but it was quite a difficult track and we ended up crossing a stream on stepping stones, very hairy, and then carried on up. We walked for 35 minutes and didn't seem to be getting there as so as it was getting late we turned back. We did find some young kauri trees which were pretty impressive but it was a shame we didn't get to see the main one. I think I might go again with Jon sometime and take a picnic and wear my trainers and hopefully find it. It is very isolated and I have to say I did feel rather uncomfortable being out there on our own. We managed to cross the stream again without getting wet and got back to the car and felt we had more than had our exercise for the day.

I dropped Les home and I got back about 4.30 and made a well needed cup of tea and Totty was ready for hers.

There were three messages on the answerphone from Kirsty who was very drunk and wishing me a happy St Patrick's Day!

I am still having problems with the computer and can't upload more than five photos at a time onto Facebook as i can't download the plug in to do more and it is all driving me mad.

Jon has now set up yet another account for me so let's see what happens now!!!!!

WEATHER

After a very chilly start it was bright and sunny for the rest of the day.

There is a definite nip in the air

I went off to the pool this morning and had to wear a jacket as there was a real nip in the air. I picked Les up on the way and when we got to the pool and got changed we made a quick run for the pool. The water was warm but you had to keep your shoulders under. Once the class started it was fine but every time he asked us to lift our arms out of the water it was very chilly. I am not sure I will be able to stick to these classes through the winter and I might have to consider the indoor pool.

After the class we all went into one of the really hot pools and it was lovely till it was time to get out and then it was a really quick run to the changing rooms. After a shower and a rub with a towel I felt really good, maybe the cold is not so bad.

We all went to our usual place for coffee and they had some lovely looking hot X buns just out of the oven but I resisted!

After dropping Les home I went to Bayfair to the supermarket as I needed dog food and some fish for Thursday night.

I got back and Jon had left a message to say he couldn't get home for lunch as he was still in a meeting so I took Totty down to the park as she hadn't been out yet. It was quite windy down by the water but there were a lot of cars there with people sitting in them having lunch.

I got back and had lunch and the lady from the kennels called to say I could go and have a look at them now. I want to see what they are like in the hope that she will like them and go to them happier than she does the others but I think she just doesn't like going to kennels but we will see. They are in a very nice place and it is really a cattery and they only have room for seven dogs and unlike the place she goes to now they have no exercise yard but they do walk them round the property twice a day. The owners are very nice and I am sure would be kind to her but I am not sure if she will like being in a pen all day.Anyway, she is booked to go for a trial to see how she gets on this Saturday and if she is OK I will book her in for Easter and go from there. I worry as much about her as I do about the girls.

We took her out when Jon got home and you can still smell bbq cooking when we go out and the weather although cold in the mornings is still lovely during the day. We did have one heavy shower of rain today but it didn't last long and is the first we have had for weeks.

WEATHER
A real nip in the air first thing but sunny for the rest of the day and then chilly tonight.

It makes a lot of difference not having the computer working properly as I can't be bothered messing around and trying to log on in the morning when I don't have much time so I just don't bother.

Nice walk with Totty but she is slowing down a bit now.

Keep fit was good this morning as it was cooler and we had a good class with a lovely five minutes relaxation at the end.

I did more washing and vacuumed the house and it was all clean by lunchtime.

Jon came home for lunch and brought me a pile of plastic pockets as I have lots of leaflets and tourist information brochures from all over NZ.

I spent the afternoon sorting them all out and I put them in a big basket.

My Mother's Day card arrived from Jane today, lovely card. She had addressed it to Mum, 142b Te Hono Street. The postman must wonder about some of my post! I wish she didn't miss us so much.

Took Totty out this evening just to the park.

The news about the cyclone in Fiji is not good and a lot of damage has been caused but mostly to the north of the main island and they had winds of 200km.


WEATHER
Chilly first thing this morning then the sun ca,e out and it was hot for the rest of the day, cool in the evening.

Up to date again

I wonder when this wonderful weather is going to end! It has been such a good summer. I had two loads of washing out and dried and back in again before 12.00.

Managed to have a chat with Kirsty and she told me she had bought the flowers for Rene who is counting the days to when I come home!

Still lots of trouble with the computer

Did my ironing this afternoon but needed the fan on me to do it.

Jon went for a practice swim after work and is really enjoying it but stubbed his toe on the bottom of the pool and is now limping.

WEATHER
Hot again all day

Mother's Day!

Still having major problems with the computer and it is driving me mad as Jon really can't sort it and I think I need a man to do it but we'll see.

My present from Heather is very nice, two little bottles of Baileys, some chocolates, some very nice hand cream and a nice aromatherapy candle all in a pretty box which she had arranged over the net.

Had a nice walk with Totty and then went for coffee. We have been waiting for the new deli/pizza bar to open in our local shops and it was open today for coffee but will not be fully open till Wednesday so we had a coffee there but they had no muffins much to Jon's disgust!

We didn't do much else for the rest of the day. We did think of going out for a walk but it was much too hot.

Jon's swimming teacher called to say he could do a lesson in the afternoon so Jon went off to that and I made a cheesecake for pudding tonight.

I cooked duck for dinner and it was very good.

WEATHER
Really hot again!

Piglet racing

We went along to Mt Maunganui school fete this morning and they had piglet racing which was really good fun. The piglets were owned by the grandfather of two of the school children and as they were raising money for a new playground he gave his services for free and it was a big hit with lots of people there other than the piglets it was just like a school fete in England.

We went over to Briscoes after the fete and bought some new bathroom scales as ours are a little unreliable.

I am reading a really good book so spent the afternoon sitting in the sun reading it while Jon changed my account on the computer.

Some lovely flowers arrived from Kirsty and James for me for Mother's day.

We had some very good steak for dinner.

WEATHER
Sunny but with a chill in the air first thing. Sunny for the rest of the day and warm but chilly again in the evening.

Bloody computer!

Jon fixed a problem with my computer account yesterday and it is now being very silly, might be a coincidence but it is very annoying as it keeps logging me out.

I had to pick up a parcel from the courier this morning before going to Red Cross and I found myself in the middle of an industrial estate but eventually found the office. It is a Mother's Day present from Heather which I have to wait till Sunday to open. She had addressed it to Mummy Trevenna and the man in the office thought it said Murry Trevenna! I didn't say anything.

I didn't get to the Red Cross till just after 9.00. It was very busy all morning as they have the sale on.

I went straight to the library from the Red Cross as I had a book that needed to get back or I would have to pay $2 for it. You have to pay for new release books and I had taken one day more than I was allowed to read it but they didn't charge me.

I went looking for a birthday present for James. Kirsty thought he would like an All Blacks rugby shirt but they have just brought a new kit out and I don't think he will like it not to mention the price £140 for a top!!! I will have to think again!

Didn't get back home till 3.00 and I was very hungry so made a quick lunch.

Jon and I took Totty out when he got home and it was a nice evening even though it was windy.

We then had fish and chips.

WEATHER
Hot but with a strong south wind this afternoon

Child Cancer collection day

I had to meet Helen at New World for 9.00 so was out early with Totty so I could get there on time. The lady was there to set up the stall and all we had to do was smile at people and hopefully they would donate which they did and very well.

I then did my shopping before going home for lunch.

I really shouldn't leave my blog so long as I can't remember what I did. Oh yes I took Totty to the vet for hr vaccinations and a check up and then I took her down to Rotary Park for a walk.

Jon was late home as he went for his first swimming lesson and did really well and says he did more in half an hour than he did in the six weeks he had at Newmarket. This is a one to one lesson for five lessons and then he can maybe join a group but he really enjoyed it.
WEATHER
Still hot. A bit cloudy this evening and windy tonight.

A lovely day for swimming

It was a beautiful morning and I went to pick Les up, now that Carol has left for UK it is as easy for me to pick her up as her bring her car too and parking is always a problem at the pool.

We had a really good class and worked hard but it is not so bad in water.

After the class we went out for coffee to the Swiss cafe. I only go there because Carol was friendly with all the ladies but I would prefer to go somewhere else now that she has gone as Les and I end up talking to each other anyway.

I popped into Bayfair to buy some fish for dinner on the way home and bought Lemon fish which is a type of shark.

When I got back Jon had left a message to say he couldn't make it home for lunch as he had a meeting.

It was very hot so I read my book and caught up with Neighbours.

The Lemon fish was very good, I cooked it with mango chutney and sherry, a recipe I found on the web.

WEATHER
Hot again, a bit cloudy in the afternoon but still hot.

Keep fit comes around very fast!

I am now a week behind with my blog so probably won't remember what I have done.

Keep fit was good and she didn't push us so hard this week so it was better, we just can't manage in the heat.

I can't remember what I did for the rest of the day probably housework.

I do remember seeing a sign outside the Baptist church hall where we do our class which was advertising Harvest Festival and Palm Sunday , seems very strange to see the two together.

I had a meeting for Lions tonight and have the job of sorting out the goody bags for the Bride of the Year Show which should be OK.

WEATHER
Hot all day.

An eXtra day at the Red Cross

I had to wear a jacket this morning to walk Totty. It is a shame summer is coming to an end but it has gone on longer than it did last year - I was wearing my heavy coat on some of the days this time last year. We even have all the doors open until we go to bed.

I had to get a move on this morning and after chatting to a few people on Facebook and MSN I got on with my washing and housework and I was all done by 12.00.

I got ready for work and made lunch. I ate on my own as Jon wasn't back, he arrived just as I was about to leave - another meeting!

It was very busy in the shop as the sale started today and all clothes were half price. The dressing rooms looked a bit like TK Maxx at the end of the day with loads of clothes all over the floor and just dumped on the rail outside the dressing rooms. I wish they would just put them on the hangers!

The afternoon went over very fast and before I knew it it was 4.30 and time to go home.

I popped into the supermarket to buy some fruit and salad and then went home.

I had to get my washing in and iron the sheets and make the bed. I get so much more done when I am short of time.

I had just finished when Jon got home and so we took Totty out. We are trying to get back into the habit of having dinner at 7.00 we seem to have got later and later.

We had some nice salmon and then washed up and watched TV

WEATHER

After a nippy start to the day the sun came out and it was really hot for the rest of the day.

60th Birthday booked

We didn't have anything planned for today so had a relaxing morning and took Totty out for a walk.

I took Jon over to a new cafe we have not been to before but I saw it when I went to Elizabeth's the other day. It was a really old wooden building 1875 and has been turned into an art gallery and cafe. Not the sort of art I like but very interesting and the coffee and 'healthy' muffin was delicious.

We then came back and Jon then spent a long time on the Internet looking for flight for Thailand for my 60 birthday and finally got it sorted out. We need to fly Auckland to Brisbane then Brisbane Phuket and rather than have to get to the airport for 5.00 am we are going to Brisbane the night before. When we come back we fly to Melbourne and have a four hour stopover before flying on to Auckland. We are flying V Australia which is all part of Virgin. We couldn't find any direct flight to Phuket from Auckland, they go via Australia or you fly to Singapore, Kuala Lumpar or Bangkok and the stopovers were so long so hopefully we have got the right flights.

I don't know which hotel we are staying at as Jon is keeping it a surprise.I don't usually like surprises but he obviously doesn't want me to know so I think it might be something special.

We had some nice stir fry pork with cashews for dinner and then I fell asleep again while watching TV. I do it every night even though I try not to as I then can't sleep when I go to bed.

WEATHER
A little overcast and a nip in the air first thing but very hot when the sun is out

Multicultural Festival

I have been woken for the last four mornings by the phone ringing but as it is in the living room it has stopped by the time I get to it and there has been no message. I had a feeling it was Kirsty trying to call so I had emailed her and said if it was her and we did not answer to please leave a message. Well this morning it rang again and yes, it was her and she left a message - she was getting her times mixed up!!!!!

We did finally mange to have a long chat with her and she told us James' grandad had died that day but other than that they were all OK.

We took Totty out for a late walk and then we went up to the Historical Village for the Multicultural Festival which was very good. They had lots of food stalls there and we had a lovely Thai lunch. There was a parade of national costumes which was lovely and also a stage with traditional dancing from all the countries I think there were about 11 countries represented.

We came home after lunch and spent the rest of the day here.

We had a chat to our neighbours who told us that their children had done well in the school triathlon with Petra coming first in her year and Flynn coming third in his year.

After taking Totty out for a walk we had a nice dinner of lamb with a tomato and feta salad.

It was a very warm night and we sat out on the deck talking till very late.

Jon has been trying to sort out a trip to Thailand for my 60 birthday in June. He is keeping the hotel a surprise but we were trying to sort out flights. There are no direct flight to Phuket and we will have to go via Brisbane and return via Melbourne but that is better than some which go via Singapore or Kuala Lumpar and take about 34 hours due to stopovers!!!!!

WEATHER
Cloudy but very hot and sunny.

Red Cross day again

Really busy day at the shop and it was so warm there. They have a sale starting next Monday and everything is half price. They are short of staff and so Bianca asked me if I could come in on Monday afternoon to help out.

It is better doing my supermarket shop on a Thursday as I don't have to rush to get away from the shop and so can stay a bit later.

Got home and did lunch for Jon and then did a lot of ironing that I haven't had time to do this week - too much socialising!

Took Totty out and then Jon went out for fish and chips.

WEATHER
Hot - again!

Fund raising meeting

I went to a fundraising meeting this morning at Elizabeth's house. When I arrived she was in the garden with some of the other Lions ladies looking at the support she had made for the huge tomatoes that she has growing in her garden. She also had a huge 'collection' of Monarch butterfly in all the stages. The larvae is really pretty, green with lovely little gold dots around the top. Elizabeth is one of the many people that tag the butterflies with tiny paper dots with numbers on like Jon and I found last yea at the quarry, I now know what to do next time we find one.

The fundraising meeting was very good and we managed to get through all we needed and jobs were allocated to people and hopefully the Bride of the Year on 24 April will be very successful.

I had a rush to get to the green grocer and then the Aussie butcher before getting home to make lunch for Jon who was already home.

Went out to finish my shopping this afternoon at the supermarket and then spent the afternoon doing some cleaning and managed to get the windows of the shower cleaned and realised it is Jon's deodorant which is making the mess on the glass.

I prepared dinner early as I was invited over to Carols farewell party at her house over at the Mount. I picked Les up on the way and when we arrived she brought out a bottle of champagne which she had been keeping and it was very nice even though I could only have a small glass as I was driving. We had some nice nibbles and her sisters and some friends arrived and we had a very nice evening.

I got back and cooked dinner and we watched TV and then went to bed.

WEATHER
A chill in the air first thing then hot, hot, hot.

Tauranga - the hottests and sunniest place in NZ

It was off for another quick walk this morning as I had to get down to the Mount for my lesson.

The teacher, Luis, was late this morning so we all started to jog around the pool to warm up while we were waiting for him. He made us work really hard as if it was our fault he was late! But it was a really good class. I met an English lady called Monica who has been over here for three years. She is retired but was very chatty.

After the class we went for our coffee with the usual group. Carol is leaving for the UK on Sunday to spend six months with her daughter in Newcastle and her son and daughter in law in London who are expecting their first baby. She is very excited and nervous about it. She is having a week in Singapore with her other son on the way. She is having a leaving drinks do tomorrow night and has invited me. I don't really like going out too much at night. Jon doesn't mind but I feel bad.

Got back and cleaned the bathrooms. Jon didn't get back for lunch till 1.30.

I really need to invite Bronwyn, Peter, Alison and Doug over before the night draw in. I think I will do a tapas night.

They have Masterchef NZ on TV at the moment and it is more like a knockout competition and they really shouldn't have called it Masterchef. It makes me so mad when I watch it, some of the things they do are just so stupid and unfair to the contestants. I think maybe I should stop watching!

I made a chilli for dinner and spent the night on the computer so that I didn't fall asleep!

The weather man said that Tauranga was the hottest and sunniest city in NZ this summer and I can believe it. They are still having it tough in the North as they have had very little rain.

WEATHER
After some overnight rain it was cloudy this morning but then the sun came out for the rest of the day.

A very busy Tuesday

I was out early with Totty as I needed to get petrol before I went to my class.

It was very warm at the class and she worked us really hard and we were all dripping by the end of it and we didn't finish till 10.25!

I got home and had a quick shower and washed my hair and was ready to leave again by 11.30. What a rush. I was going for lunch in Tauranga with the keep fit class ladies. It was a bar I hadn't been to before and the food was very good. I sat with two ladies I didn't know and a man and we had a lovely time.

Lunch started at 11.45 and it was over by 1.15 so I felt a bit flat and thought it was bit early to go home so went around the shops for an hour.

Back home I watched Neighbours and then I went across to Alison who had invited me over for a cup of tea. Bronwyn was there, too so after not seeing her for weeks I see her twice in two days! Alison had made a lovely cake but I only had a rally small piece.

We took Totty out again and then I made a pizza for dinner but it was so hot to have the oven on, it is going to be a while before we use it again!

I fell asleep watching TV and then couldn't sleep when I went to bed!
WEATHER
Overcast for part of the day but very hot.

First day of autumn

It was another lovely day today and considering it was the first day of autumn it was very good.

After a walk with Totty I got stuck into doing my washing, I had four loads!

I did some housework and Jon came home for lunch

I had an email from a friend here and she was up in the Coramandel on Sunday waiting for a ferry and said the effect of the tsunami was amazing. She said the tide was coming in and out every 15 minutes and the boats were facing first one way and then the other. She said there were many people on the beach watching and had we had a big wave they would have been in trouble. They just won't listen to the warnings from the police. Should it ever happen here I hope they will be more sensible.

I called Bronwyn and asked if I could pop over as I haven't sen her since Jane was here.

We had a nice chat out in the garden but we didn't have a drink as she has given it up for Lent and I am trying to lose weight before we go to Fiji.

I got back and did some ironing and made up the bed with clean sheets.

We took Totty out for a walk and it was still hot.

We had pork loin cooked with mustard and cream for dinner.
WEATHER

Really hot all day again, I can't believe the weather this year so much better than last summer.