A forced day at home

After my early night last night I thought I would wake bright and early - wrong, I jumped out of bed at 7.25 as I knew Jon would be up for his shower any minute and then it would have been ages before I could get into the bathroom. I had the quickest shower and hair wash ever and just finished as he came up - phew!

I was just making my cup of tea when Kirsty called. Jon was just about to leave so she had a quick chat to him and then I asked her to call back in five minutes as we had to get the bin out, a chore that takes two of us!!

She called once I was back and we had a nice chat, James left for Beijing today and then Hong Kong so will be away for two weeks.

While we were talking I was doing my chores to get ready for 10.00 for the agent to come for the house inspection. I said goodbye to Kirsty and then hung out my washing and started to bake a cake while I was waiting.

It got to 1.30 and I had had my lunch and was getting fed up as I needed to go out to the supermarket and the PO so I rang the agent's office and they said yes she would be coming. I didn't want to go out in case she came and then let herself in so I waited some more. I did my nails as I was going to Lions tonight and finally she arrived about 3.00. She walked in and said 'Oh you have it beautiful' and that was more or less it. She did look at the window upstairs where we want a blind. She has now said we can have curtains on all the windows but who knows when we will get them. It will be winter before we do and then it won't be so light in the mornings anyway. Never mind.

I shot out to the Aussie Butcher to get something easy for Jon's dinner and then the supermarket but the PO will have to wait till tomorrow.

When I got home the house was so hot and I had to open every door and window. I got ready to go to my Lions meeting and rang Jon to ask him what time he would be home as I didn't really want to shut the house up again if he was on his way which, thankfully, he was.

Jon came home and then I left to go to Lions. We had a good meeting and it was nice to see everyone. Unfortunately, we had a roast dinner again - roast beef on one of the hottest days ever!!! These people that do the catering only seem able to do roast dinners and even the vegetables were not up to the usual standard. I had two slices of beef and some rice salad. The other ladies enjoyed it, I think I am just fussy!! Some fish or chicken would be nice for a change. She did do well with pudding though a beautiful light and fluffy cheesecake with a berry pure.

Our after dinner speaker was a lady who has spent 20 years in China. She went when her children had grown up as she wanted to do something good. She opened three orphanages there and and had nearly 600 children pass through them. All the children, girls and disabled boys, went on to be adopted by Americans, Dutch and Icelandic couples. She told some lovely stories and some very sad ones. She said the babies were left on her doorstep in cardboard boxes or tin cans. She is quite an inspirational woman. She now has one adopted daughter herself and is thinking of starting up an orphanage here in Tauranga, she calls them 'houses' not orphanages.

She is going out to China in April to see how the 'houses' are getting on and she has asked us if we can to make some hats and bibs for the babies as they have no heating and have to wear lots of clothes to keep warm. We will all need to get knitting if she is to have any quantity to take with her but it is a good cause so we will get onto it.

When I got home the glass photo of Jon and I at Kirsty's wedding had arrived and it is really nice. I have never seen one before and I am very pleased with it.

Jon was fine and enjoyed his dinner but Bertie is playing up tonight.

I was just about to come up to do my blog and sent Totty out for her last 'wee' and she didn't come back. I went onto the deck and called her and I could hear her under the trees at the bottom of the garden. The she started to bark and I knew she had a hedgehog so I ran back in to get the torch. As I got back with the torch she knew she was in trouble so left it and came in with her tail down and ears back. If she knows it is wrong why does she keep doing it????

Bedtime now.

WEATHER
Sunny 25 degrees

Wednesday

Another sunny morning and I got my washing out on the line early.

I was going to go to a keep fit class but Jane said she would call so I stayed home. She was late calling as she was delayed and then I missed one call as I was hanging out the washing. Heather called and we had a quick chat. Her friend has asked her to be godmother to her baby and she is really pleased about it. The baby gets christened the day after Jane's wedding so Heather is in for a busy weekend!!

I was completing our census forms online and missed an email from Jane but we eventually caught up and had a chat. She seems to have everything sorted and is quite calm about it all. Well, she appears so to me but maybe she isn't as I can't see her!!

I had to log on to the census website again as it timed out and I lost all my info and had to re type it all. Still, all done now and sent. The census is next Tuesday and we have put that we will both be in this house but Jon came home today and told me he is in Auckland for two nights next week - Tuesday and Wednesday!!!!

The invitation to Jane and Jason's wedding arrived today and it is very pretty - not long now!!

I had to rush to get ready for a meeting at the Red Cross. The area manager was coming over to give a talk on health and safety and we had a meeting with the new manager. I just wish she wasn't so arrogant and bolshy, she is very 'full on'.

I left after the meeting and went to pick up a cheque from a second hand dress shop. I had given them a suit to sell (I bought it for Kirsty's wedding and didn't like it) ages ago and she called yesterday to say it had sold and I could get the cheque.

I then went into Tauranga to get a present for a new niece and a card. I met one of our old neighbours from Te Hono Street and we had a chat. She told me the people who have moved into our house have 'three' cats. They must drive the neighbours mad. Far too many cats in NZ.

I went home and as I had missed lunch I had a cup of tea and then cleared my food cupboard out. It is probably a good idea to have a house inspection every three months as it makes you sort things out!! I don't think she will find much wrong here and not sure why I am getting so worked up about it.

Jon came home early and looked very tired. He did too much yesterday and the day before. Hopefully when he goes to Auckland next week he will feel better as he will have finished his chemo.

We had a bbq dinner tonight and sat on the deck and it was very pleasant. After dinner we read and no TV for a change.

Both of us are really tired tonight, not sure why I am?? All this cleaning!!

I hope the agent is closer to the ten o'clock rather than the two o'clock - I hate hanging around.


WEATHER
Sunny 25 degrees

Tuesday

Another lovely morning, we have had more than six weeks without rain, hardly surprising the farmers are getting worried. There have been a few fires but fortunately they have been able to control them.

I got ready and went up to the hospital for my appointment and was in, checked and out before my appointment time so not bad at all.

I then went up to Bethlehem to the book rooms as Lions were having a tidy up in the book room. I picked up a coffee just before I went in and arrived just as they were having morning tea but I resisted the lovely selection of goodies on offer. Kiwi women are very good bakers.

It was lovely to see them all again, this is the first time since the beginning of December as we had the Christmas break and then we were away on holiday for the last meeting they had so I had a lot of catching up to do.

Some of the books have been around for many, many book sales and so it was decided to get rid of a lot and we had two small skips at the ready. We managed to load the skips as the man was coming to collect them at 12.30. It is such a shame to throw away so many books but if they haven't sold by now they are not going to. By the time I left just before 1.00 it was looking much better. I brought some tapes and videos for the Red Cross as they always seem to sell well.

I got home and had a bit of lunch and then started to put the Norfolk Island photos on Facebook. I am not sure what was happening on FB, I think it was on a go slow as I have loaded so many photos on in the past, it was so slow and has not loaded some so I will have to have a try tomorrow. I notice on every photo of Jon he has his hand across his tummy covering Bertie. I suppose he will relax a bit with it sometime.

Jon rang me from Wellington airport to say that he had not eaten since breakfast and there was nothing in the Koru Lounge to eat so he would need dinner when he got back. He had intended to eat a main meal at lunchtime so that he would not have a big meal so late as Bertie seems to object to that. I managed to find a shepherds pie in the freezer for him I am still eating up the last of the fritatta. Next time I make one I will freeze some of it as three days in a row is a bit much.

I put some of the recycling things in my car to clear the garage a little (we seem to accumulate so much plastic and cardboard) and I set off to the Mount for my aqua aerobics class. I dropped off the recycling and got to the pool early as there was no traffic.

I decided to swim a few lengths before my class and I did three and then three walking lengths and then it was time to start.

We had a lot of ladies there today and Les finally made it for the first time. There were some people from one of the cruise ships in the pool and they joined in with the class and were surprised how difficult it was!!

I left the pools and stopped off to buy some bananas and then went home.

The house was so hot, poor Totty is glad when I get home to open all the windows.

I watered the tomatoes and picked some as they all seem to have ripened together. Some of them are really big and they are very 'meaty' and not many seeds in them. I took some into our neighbour and had a quick chat with them.

I had my dinner and was watching TV when Jon got in about 8.30.

He had his dinner and then unpacked but he is very tired. He had a good trip and he said Bertie was very well behaved.

We didn't watch TV tonight we both read our books and it was really lovely just listening to the crickets, I love that sound.

WEATHER
Sunny 26 degrees

Monday

Jon has gone to Nelson today. His flight to Wellington was not until 10.00 so he didn't need to rush. He would then catch a flight across to Nelson and meet up with the operators for lunch. He is staying in Nelson but flies back to Wellington tomorrow for a meeting and then catches the last flight back to Tauranga and should be home by 8.30.

I was just about to phone my friend Mary when the phone rang and it was Heather so we had a chat but she had things to do so after a chat with Jon she finished. She asked me again about the photos from Fiji as I still haven't put them all on so I must do it.

Jon left for the airport and I rang Mary and we chatted for ages and had a really good catch up. While I was on the phone the man came to cut the grass but I managed to avoid him.

Once off the phone I checked the photos that Heather wanted and it took me ages to find the ones I had already put on Facebook and where I had got up to but I goth them sorted. I didn't manage to get much housework done this morning though. I need to do it as we have a house inspection on Thursday.

I sent Jon a text as I found a pair of PJ's in the bathroom and was not sure if he had taken another pair from the drawer or he had forgotten them. He called me to say he had forgotten them but at least he had time to go and buy another pair before the shops closed. He told me he had arrived safely and it was sunny and warm down there.

I left for my Pilate's class which was very good. I am only gone about an hour as it is local so I was back in time for a late lunch after taking Totty for a quick walk. I should have taken her first thing as it was a bit hot for her.

One of the ladies from Lions called to say the trip to Matakana Island has been postponed. It is the Maori island in the harbour and they are holding a wedding on the day we are booked - a lack of communication with them I think. We will re book for August as they only have Fridays left and not a lot of us can do Fridays.

I watched Neighbours and then did the cleaning but it was really hot. That will teach me to talk on the phone all morning and then do my housework in the afternoon!

I had taken the sheets of the bed and washed them so had to iron them and make the bed.

I spoke to Wendy who is our Lions president, she had left a message for me to call her and we had a long chat about Norfolk Island as she went there in December.

I had my dinner on a tray on my lap - how naughty is that and then I watched some TV and the film We Bought a Zoo which was very good.

Well very late now so I am off to bed.

WEATHER
Sunny and warm 25 degrees.

A quiet Sunday

We both enjoyed a lie in this morning which was nice.

After breakfast we took Totty out for a walk and she walked all the way down the road and back. Typical, I buy some dog behavioural classes to find out why she won't walk and since then she has walked every day!!!

We went out for coffee down to the Mount. It was really busy down there and it took us a while to get parked and when we did it was right in the centre and we had wanted to be down at the beach!! Never mind. The town was really busy as there were two cruise ships in with over 6,000 passengers, such a lot of people.

We walked along to see the cruise ships and then walked to Mount Main Beach and they had the last day of a three day competition for under 14s surf champions. They had to paddle on their boards out to a market and then back in again. Some of the little girls were really little and some of the waves they had to get over were very big. I thought they were very courageous to do it.

We then walked back along Pilot Bay to the car and went home for lunch. Jon had bought a Cornish Pastie at the farmers market for his lunch, they are the best we have ever had here in NZ.

I spent the afternoon doing a few jobs around the house and sorting out some photos to put on FB.

I made fresh tuna for dinner and it was really good followed by a red kumara (sweet potato) fritatta which was also very good.

I called a few people in the UK tonight but only managed to speak to my elderly neighbour in Newmarket and my sister. I must try to do better as I still have about $18 to use on my card before the end of the month!!!

It is now 12.30 and I should have been in bed a long time ago!

WEATHER
Sunny and warm 26 degrees

Just like holiday!

Another lovely day this morning with clear skies and sunshine. Two ships already in port when I opened the blinds this morning.

I gave Jon a treat this morning and cooked him bacon and eggs for breakfast.

We took Totty for a walk and she walked all the way to the bottom of the street and back!!! We found the path that leads down to the water but so much sea lettuce it was not worth going along the beach.

We met one of our neighbours on the way back, TJ and wife, Helga, born in Austria. We had a bit of a chat, very nice man but unfortunately, Bertie made his presence known with the biggest explosion of wind you could imagine! What can you say? You can hardly go into detail with someone you have only just met. Hopefully, one day it will come up in conversation and we can explain. Meanwhile, he probably thinks Jon is very rude!!!

I cleaned some of the windows this morning. We have a house inspection on Thursday so I need to get ship shape. I don't think there will be any problem as the house is cleaner than when we took it on.

We finally managed to get out of the house and go for a coffee, Bertie is being very difficult today. We went down to Tay street and had a coffee and then went across to the beach. It was lovely down there today, not too busy but enough to watch. Jon sat under the shade and read his book as he is still not allowed in the sun. He had to go and 'sort Bertie out' once so not too bad.

As we were leaving we saw Sharon and Des and had a chat.

We went to buy some wine on the way home and then had lunch when we got back.

Jon spent the afternoon watching the cricket and I sat on the deck. I can't remember the last time I was so brown.

We had lamb cooked on the bbq for dinner and still we continued to watch the cricket, just as well I enjoy it. I had poached some peaches in sparkling wine and spices for pudding and they were very good.

Once the cricket had finished we both read our books. I heard Totty barking and went down the garden and found her with a hedgehog in her mouth. I was so cross with her but she soon let it go when I shouted at her and made her come indoors. I went back to find the hedgehog but it had gone.

I was making our bedtime drinks tonight and Jon has Ovaltine and I have de caf coffee. I was moving the cups along the work bench and as I did I tipped the Ovaltine upside down and got my feet covered in it!!! How stupid of me as it is very expensive and I then had to clean it up!!

WEATHER
Sunny and warm 26 degrees

Red Cross Day

Yesterday was really cold in the morning as we had clear skies and as our house does not get any sun till later in the morning it does feel cold - not looking forward to winter!! However, due to some cloud this morning was quite a few degrees higher.

Jon left for work and then I got ready and much to Totty's disgust I left without taking her out for a 'walk'. I can't believe how she is about going out for walks, all excited then a few yards down the road is enough!!

We had a quiet morning at the shop and with all the new changes brought in by Noleen, temporary manager, it made for a difficult morning. We now have to price and put out new stock from the rear of the shop on a desk that she has set up for us near the changing rooms. The problem, well one of the many problems, is that it is crowded down there and the main problem is that we get stuck into putting stock out and then customers are left waiting at the till and they don't like to ring the bell put on the counter for them.

Pause - the bloody big cockroach that was here last night is now crawling up the wall behind the desk and onto the wardrobe!!

I think she is trying to treat the shop like a retail shop in the high street and at the end of the day it is an 'op shop'. She has put an old sofa, with a tatty sheet thrown over it, near the changing rooms and a table with some magazines on. There is no way it looks like an upmarket boutique where people are going to sit and flick through a magazine while their friend/partner/wife is trying on clothes from an op shop. Not only that the boxes of hangers are not allowed to be on top of the desk and so we have to keep bending down to get each hanger which played havoc with my back so I put the box on the desk and tough if she does not like it. I think she forgets that we are volunteers and not paid for what we do. I cannot believe that anyone can come in with such a bad attitude and behave like this with people, why would you want to upset so many people. To add insult to injury, of her two month contract she is now on holiday for two weeks!!! Unbelievable!

I was happy to leave at 1.00 and get out into the sunshine with my bargains which this week were a lovely ceramic wall plate and a lovely, big, blue vase which goes very well in the living room but which Jon has not yet noticed!!

I got home and had lunch, watched Neighbours and then stood ironing till Jon came home. I have finally managed to get it all up to date apart from a couple of things - yeah!!

We had fish and chips tonight but I made a salad to have with mine and only had a few chips. I did open a bottle of fizzy pinot gris though which was very nice.

We watched some TV and now it is bedtime. How the time flies. I can't believe it is only ten weeks and we will be going to the UK!!

Sunny weekend forecast so we might head to the beach if Bertie allows us????

WEATHER
Cloudy start then sun 26 degrees

A perfect day

We are having the most beautiful summer this year, the best we have had since we arrived and hopefully the good weather will continue till Easter which is not that far away!!!

I was up bright, well maybe not so bright, and early this morning and did my washing and walked the dog and went to do my weekly shop and all before 10.00.

I had arranged to pick Margaret up at 10.30 and she was ready and waiting for me. We drove to Tay Street and waited for the other ladies to arrive and the six of us set off walking along the beach toward The Mount. Although it was really hot it was nice down on the beach with a lovely breeze.

We arrived at Mount Main Beach and there was some competition going on with lots of and lots of school children there. Unfortunately, due to lots of rips there was no swimming on the beach today.

We went to a bar and had lunch sitting outside overlooking the beach and it was perfect. Even though we didn't all know each other there was no problem and we all chatted fifty to the dozen and had a really lovely time.

Too soon it was time to walk back again and as the tide was coming in we had to watch for rogue waves which can take you by surprise and before you know it you have wet feet. The walk takes about 45 minutes but you don't notice the time when you are chatting.

Back at Tay Street Margaret and I set off to the library to take a book back for Jon and then we drove to Pilot Bay to see the Queen Elizabeth ship which was berthed there today. It is the first time she has been to Tauranga and there was great excitement.

We drove home and I dropped Margaret off and went to the post office to buy a box to send a parcel home.

I got back and Jon called me to ask if I knew the Queen Elizabeth was in as he had seen it when down at the port. He told me it was leaving at 5.00 rather than 6.00 as was in the schedule.

I rang Margaret and asked her if she would like to go and see her leave and she said yes. So after a little while in the house to fee Totty and have a much needed drink of water I set off again to pick Margaret up.

We got down to The Mount and it was so busy with cars everywhere so I decided to go to the main shopping car park and then walk down to the beach which is not far.

We met Monica, one of the ladies we had been with this morning and we sat on the grass with all the other families who were having picnics and all in all it was a lovely atmosphere and still so hot at 5.00.

The Queen Elizabeth finally left at 6.45 by which time we were very hot as we were sitting in full sun. Luckily I had a small tube of suncream in my bag so we were protected. Had I known it was going to be so late leaving I would have brought the chairs down which I had in the car boot!!

It was lovely to watch her leave the harbour and lots of fun to hear her and the Diamond Princess and the tugs all hooting at each other. The decks were lined with all the passengers and I am sure Tauranga is unique as far as send off go for cruise ships as it is such a lovely setting.

We didn't wait for the Diamond Princess to leave as it was too hot so we drove home and I dropped Margaret off and she like me had really enjoyed our day.

I got home and Jon was out watering the plants. He is fine but said Bertie certainly knows he is back on tablets again!!

We had dinner and watched some TV. Since our holiday we haven't watched as much TV which is good, we will leave all our recorded stuff for the winter days.

I HATE cockroaches! A huge one has just walked across the desk here and I tried to knock it onto the floor and it seems to have disappeared!! It could have waited five minuts before it came out from whereveer it was hiding! Off to bed now and I will probably dram of cockroaches ugh!!

WEATHER
Sunny and warm 26 degrees

A day at home

I was going to go to the swimming pool in Greerton today to do an aqua class but I didn't know what time it started and the silly pool only had an answer phone on!

I decided instead to do an aerobics class from Youtube and show it on the TV thorough our new gadget of Apple TV. It works really well and you get full screen. I did an energetic aerobics class followed by a dance class which was an hour in total and I was very hot afterwards and had to have a shower.

I spent the rest of the morning doing jobs around the house and I took Totty out for a walk but we only got down the hill and she wouldn't go any further and I had to carry her part of the way back.

Just as I got back a lady was coming to the door with the census forms which we can fill in online. I told her I had applied to do it, too but as I was away on holiday for the training I had not been accepted. I asked her how it was going and she told me she was bitten by a dog yesterday! She lives down the road from us and is doing the Hairini area but she said the dog was in one of the other streets, poor woman. I think she is wishing she didn't have to do it now.

My Avon lady Carol came round this afternoon and we had a chat. She left at 2.30 and I realised I hadn't had any lunch.

After lunch I watched a bit of TV and then did the rest of my housework before getting the ironing board out to do more ironing - the downside to holidays!

I spoke to Viv this afternoon. She has been here clearing out her house as she is going to rent it. Her daughter is continuing with her nursing course so she will stay up in North Shore. She leaves in the morning so I won't get to see her this time but she will be back in March.

I spoke to Margaret and she is going to come on the Lions trip to Matakana Island. Ros will let me know next week  if she can make it.

Jon came home and I made dinner while he was watering the plants. Our tomatoes are finally turning red so we should be picking them soon.

We watched some TV and I thought it was later than it was as it is now getting dark by 8.30. I made another batch of yogurt and our bedtime drinks and it was only 9.15. It is now 11.00 so not sure where the time went!!


WEATHER
Cloudy start again but then sunny and warm 25 degrees.

Exercise Day

I was very glad I brought my washing in last night as we had a very heavy downpour and first thing it was very overcast.

Jon started his last lot of chemo this morning so just two weeks left.

I went to keep fit and boy did she work us hard and it was really hot and humid and I was dripping by the end of the class but that is good for weight loss. I stayed for a coffee and then went home and I was one and a half pounds lighter than a few hours earlier so that is the answer, exercise and sweat like a pig!!! But I don't think pigs sweat. Lol

I took Totty out for a walk and she walked all the way down the road and round the corner. We turned to come back and I met a lady doing her garden and we had a chat and I asked her about the big dog round there that always made me nervous and if she knew if it was friendly. She told me it was a very friendly dog but that it had been taken away as the owner was mis treating it. Sad for the dog but it makes me feel better as it was very big.

Totty point blank refused to walk up the hill back home and I had to pick her up and bring her back and she is no light weight!!

I did a few jobs around the house and had my lunch, still keeping to my diet. I have now caught up with Neighbours and now I need to catch up with Mrs Brown's Boys, Doc Martin and Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs and oh so many more!!!

I left to go to my aqua aerobics class and it was by now a very hot afternoon and I was looking forward to getting in the pool. It was lovely to see my friend Carol back from Oz after looking after her grandson in Sydney for seven weeks.

The water in the pool was lovely and we had a really good class and Carla worked us really hard, too with some new exercises.

I had a little chat and then got showered and went to the supermarket on the way home for a few things.

Jon was in when I got back and I got on with the dinner which was a nice recipe from my 'healthy recipe' magazine. I did have an ice cream for pudding though.

We watched some TV and I fell asleep in the middle of Midsummer Murders like I always do. I know all the beginnings and the ends but I never know what happens in the middle.

I have a bite on each foot just on the bunion area and they itch something terrible every night and drive me crazy. I put cream on when I go to bed but have to re apply at least once through the night - bloody mozzies!!


WEATHER
Overcast after overnight rain but sunny and warm later 24 degrees

Monday - back to normal

Up as normal today and back into routine.

Jon left for the office early as he has a new sales woman starting.

I spent the morning messing about with photos from our holiday and doing four loads of washing.

I took Totty out for a walk and passed by at my neighbour to say thanks for watering the plants. They invited me in for a cup of tea so I took Tot home and then went back and we had a chat.

Edwina has wanted to go to Norfolk Island but her husband doesn't so she wanted to know all about it. My opinion is that we really enjoyed it but a week is enough.

I left to come home for lunch and she gave me a pot of plum jam she made with plums from their garden.

I had lunch and watched Neighbours and then got the iron out and started to do my ironing.

I fancied shepherd's pie so I made one for dinner - 29 degrees on the deck and I make shepherd's pie!!

I had frozen some yogurt before we went away to start my next lot and I took it out of the freezer and made the yogurt before I went to bed. I fully expected it to be like milk but it worked so I am off again with my yogurt supply.

Jon came home and was tired after a long day. He went out to water the plants. The nurse rang today to say his blood test he had this morning was fine and he can start his tablets tomorrow. Last course Yeah!!

We had dinner which, despite the heat, was very good.

We watched Coronation Street, we are up to John Stape falling off the roof and Fiz being arrested, all very exciting.

I have been very good on my healthy eating today and I have not had any sugary things to eat.


WEATHER
Cloudy start but very hot and sunny later.

Saturday and Sunday

Typical that Jon had his best night's sleep when we had to get up!!

We were up and ready for collection by 9.00 and David, owner of the cottages, came and picked us and another couple up.

We arrived at the airport and checked in in two minutes and then David drove us back into the town and we went and had a coffee and a chat in a bar, so different to other airports!!

He took us back to the airport at 10.00 just as our plane was landing. We boarded the plane and we were off early. We had a lovely take off and I could have got some lovely photos of the island but the air hostess told me I couldn't use my camera. I have never been told I can't use a camera, such a shame.

I managed to watch the rest of the film I started on the way out and we had a lunch of chicken casserole and a glass of fizzy.

I finished the film and pulled up my blind and we had just flown over Cape Reinga (northern most tip of NZ) and I missed it, so clear and I was so mad with myself. However the rest of the flight down into Auckland was good and we had clear views of 90 Mile Beach.

We landed and were out with our cases in no time and went to customs. I had collected some pumice stone from the beach and had checked the web page but could not find any restrictions on it but thought I had better declare it as I didn't want to be on Border Security. they said it was fine and we went through and were out and across to the car 30 minutes after touchdown!

The drive back was really busy as there was an event in one of the towns on the way and there were thousands of motor bikes/ I am not surprised they have to pay more road tax they ALL drove like hooligans and overtook on double yellow lines, I was glad once we were back.

We stopped into the supermarket to get some stuff for a bbq and then went to get Totty. She looked really well and did not have the awful rasping she usually has through too much barking so we have booked her in again for Easter but I haven't told her yet!!

We got home and the house was roasting and the temperature outside had touched 30 on the way down.

The plants were OK but some were dead. I just wonder if our neighbour worries about using too much water. The tomatoes are finally turning red.

We unpacked and put the cases away and I got one load of washing done and hung out.

We had dinner and then sat and watched TV. It is nice to be home..

I start my diet tomorrow as I have put on weight since Christmas and the holiday hasn't helped!!


WEATHER Sunday
Sunny and warm on Norfolk. Really hot in Tauranga 29 degrees

SATURDAY
Another lovely day on Norfolk Island - the locals actually say 'Nor -folk' like two words.

We had breakfast and I got some packing done and we went into the town to get a few things we needed and I finally managed to track down some guava jelly that I had been told was very good. There is not much to bring back from Nor'folk as they don't make much here so guava jelly is a good one. We also managed to buy a copy of the weekly newspaper which is not like a newspaper at all, it is stapled pages of A4 paper with all the weekly goings on of the island and the population and how many tourists are around. There have been around 500 during our week but we haven't seen them around, I have no idea where people go everyday as it never looks busy.

We went out to the Bumbora Reserve and down onto Crerswell Bay beach which was lovely. There is a lot of pumice coming onto the beaches at the moment and they don't know where it is coming from. I collected some pieces to bring back and after checking the website could not see anything that says I can't take them back to NZ. I will declare it though as I don't want any trouble.

We saw the only bit of vandalism today and that was the door of the emergency telephone down at the beach had been broken off. I suppose it could have been in a panic to call for help though?

We got back to the cottage and had lunch and spent a couple of hours reading and it was so relaxing and peaceful.

I decided to go off to the beach but Jon didn't want to so off I went again in the car and had a couple of hours down there. I had thought it might be busy as it was Saturday but it was much the same with just a handful of people. It did cloud over a little so I left after my last swim in that beautiful water.

We finished the packing and had a cup of tea and read a bit more. I am really enjoying the Fifty Shades books now.

We decided to go to the Servicemen's Club again, the place we went to on our first night. It is just over the road and the food is good.

I had Thai fish curry and it was very tasty but it also nearly blew my head off!! Jon had fish and chips and it was once again very good.

Back to the cottage for another early night and off home tomorrow. I have enjoyed it but a week is quite long enough and I don't know how people can come back year after year?

WEATHER Saturday.
Sunny morning and then light cloud in the afternoon.

FRIDAY

Our neighbours woke us again this morning, I thought it was 6.30 but Jon told me later it was 6.00. They then came back at 7.30, radio on and then sat in the car and put the roof back up only to come out 15 minutes later and leave again! Enough, I called the owner later and told him and he said he would 're locate them'. When we got back later in the day the car was parked elsewhere, end of story, I hope.

We went out after breakfast to St Barnabos church to take some photos. We visited the other day but wanted to take some photos without people in them.

We then went for a walk around the botanical gardens and walked all the way down to the valley but it was pretty boring with not much variety in the plants.

Back into town and we had a coffee, I have found the best place for iced coffee and it is so good.

We then went to Cascade Bay as we had heard a ship was in and unloading. Unfortunately, we arrived just as it was finished and we missed it all.

We then drove to a lovely little restaurant and had a lovely lunch. It was like sitting on your friend's porch, soft chairs, relaxing and lovely food.

We got back to the cottage and I wanted to go to the beach but I knew Jon was tired and would prefer to stay at the cottage so I told him to take me to the beach and come back late for me so I had a lovely hour and a half of bliss with no worry that he was not happy. I swam and sunbathed and read my book - heaven.

Jon came back for me and I decided I should try and drive the car. If ever I was going to try an automatic this was going to be my best chance, no traffic and low speed. I really enjoyed it and it was easy.

We had a cup of tea when we got back and a shower to rid myself of all the sand.

We went out for dinner to a local hotel, well they are all local here! We sat down and I ordered a glass of fizzy and we looked at the menu and really didn't like what we saw, boring to say the least. We decided to pay for our drinks and looks elsewhere.

The town was very quiet and we didn't like the look of the grill and the French place had a convict night on so we went to Hillis where we had lunch the other day.

When we went in we saw the people who we had been with last night and they told us they had laughed so much today about 'Myrtle', what a lovely couple they are.

We were given a table outside but waited for a long time for our drinks order, like 50 minutes!

Eventually, he brought the drinks and I said you need some help (there were no other waiters). He then told us he had let the staff go as it was quiet and then it had suddenly got busy! We arrived at 7.20 so not sure what time he let the staff go, but I don't think he will do it again.

In all we waited for nearly an hour for our meal but when it came it was really good, I had steak and Jon had venison. We then had chocolate cake and berry tiramisu, both very yummy.

We got back and read our books and I had to tear myself away from the second Fifty Shades of Grey to write my blog.

We did notice the stars again tonight. NZ has beautiful, full  starlit skies but down he they ar even better, you can see millions and millions and so clear.








WEATHER
Hot and sunny, again

Thursday

Unfortunately, our neighbours went out this morning again at 7.00, well just after. I did get back to sleep for a while so not so bad.

We went out for breakfast this morning and it was really good, especially the bacon.

We then went souvenir shopping and bought something for the girls which I will need to pack and send when we get back. We eventually found something for James and Jason but it was difficult as there is really not much here souvenir wise.

We went to the Tutankhamen exhibition they have here - very odd! I think we took the wind out of the sails of the receptionist as when she asked if we had been to Egypt we told her yes and I think we probably knew more about it than she did. It was all replica and the bottom line was they were trying to sell replica ornaments and jewellery. However, the art work on the walls was very good and painted by a local girl.

The shop itself had so much jewellery in it, I really don't know how they can afford to carry so much stock.

I found some lovely black ankle boots reduced in a shop. They didn't have my size but called the store room and then went to pick them up for me - service!

We sat and had an iced coffee before heading out to look at Puppies Point, the place we were going to in the evening for the fish fry.

We wanted to go and have a look at the St Barnabos Church again but when we got there the car park was full so something must be going on so we will try again tomorrow.

We had a sandwich back at the cottage and then went to the beach. I would happily spend all my time on this beach. Unfortunately, Jon forgot his book and so he huffed and puffed and sighed his way through the afternoon and so when I could stand it no more I said we should go back.

I sat reading on the deck and then we got ready to go to the island fish fry.

I was just about ready and I heard a lady talking to Jon, we were due to be picked up at 5.30 but she came at five so we had a quick scramble to get out with our cool bag and our  bottle of wine.

The evening was really good with over 100 people there. It was a beautiful setting on the cliff tops with the sun setting. The food was delicious with salads and lovely fresh fried fish.

We were sat with four Kiwis, two ladies and a couple from Christchurch. The man from Christchurch was very nice and well travelled but somewhat infirm now with what I think could be Parkinson's. we introduced ourselves and he misunderstood my name and thought Jon called me Myrtle!! For the rest of the night I was Myrtle! One of those funny situations where you need to be there to see the funny side of it.

Later on we were watching the sun go down and I asked this man, Malcolm, if he had been to Norfolk before and he said 'No, but Myrtle has'. He then roared with laughter as his wife is called Maureen! And I thought I had problems with Jon!!

We all got back onto the buses and we were home by 7.30!!!

We sat out on the deck for the rest of the evening and I caught up with some emails.















WEATHER
Sunny and warm. No idea of the temperature as we haven't watched ant TV or heard ant radio, must be in high 20s

Wednesday

Unfortunately, the people from one of the other cottages have the parking spot behind our cottage and as they did not arrive till yesterday it has not been a problem - just a car sitting there. However, this morning at 7.00 they went out and woke us starting the car. I hope they don't go out every morning at that time. They came back at eight and then sat with the engine running and radio on while they put the roof back (convertible) on! They are also using our garden as a shortcut to their cottage and pass our bedroom, bathroom and kitchen windows and then across our deck. I will have to make sure I am always dressed or the curtains/widows are closed.

As we were up so early we were out early and went driving and sightseeing. We went down to Kingston, all of five minutes away, to see the old cemetery and gaol ruins. There are some very old headstones there and some sad stories. It is the only place that has been under British rule where convicts are buried alongside officers.

We wanted to get a coffee but the bar there was closed. I am not surprised this island has gone bust. It is the busiest time of year for them but half the places are closed for most of the week!

We went back into the town and had coffee and then carried on to more pretty places passing lots of wandering cows along the way. We went down and saw more sharks when they were bringing the fish in. We have been told a ship is due in tomorrow so we look forward to seeing that being unloaded, it usually takes them two days as all the cargo has to be transferred to smaller boats as there is no harbour.

We came back into town and went to Hillis for lunch, our landlady had given us a half price voucher. We had a lovely sitting in their very pretty garden. AND my first lunchtime beer!

We then went down to the beach and I had a swim and Jon had a sleep under the new sunshade so both of us were happy. There was a class from the school having their swimming lesson there, lucky young people.

We got back and had a cup of tea and a shower before being picked up at 6.00 for the progressive dinner. The food was a big disappointment but the people and houses we went to were very nice.

We got back at 9.30 so it looks like another early night and fingers crossed our neighbours have a lie in tomorrow!


WEATHER
Sunny and hot. Mid 20s I think!

Tuesday

We had no Internet last night so could not do my blog.
We had heavy rain yesterday morning and Moo, our Thai cleaning lady, brought us another umbrella. I thought, "How nice of her" Jon said "Oh, we must be in for a lot of rain if they are giving out more umbrellas! Any tips for living with a negative man would be most welcome!!

Well the rain didn't last long and we were able to go into town, well just down the road, and have a coffee and then we walked around the shops. Norfolk Island is duty free and their speciality is European shoes. I think they have more choice here on this little island than in the whole of NZ and half the price, I was in heaven.

We finally settled on a pair for Jon for the wedding and a pair for me for the wedding and I bought some lovely brown, ankle boots and a handbag to go with the shoes. So all sorted but maybe we might just buy some more!

We had lunch and then came back to the cottage and went off driving around the island. It is very easy to find your way around as it is so small and all roads eventually lead back to Burnt Pine Township, which is basically one main street. There are only four street lights on the whole island, three are on the mini roundabout and one outside the school which is why we were given a torch on arrival!

I wanted to buy some fruit as I am really missing but still nothing in the supermarket so we went down to the butcher and veg shop. I went in and looked around and could only see lettuce, onions, potatoes, terrible carrots, ku area and melon!!!!! Have you any apples I asked "No apples" he said with a snort. End of conversation. I really don't know how they get their five a day here?  We did manage to buy two, not too ripe bananas from a box outside a shop which also had pickled onions and some terrible looking carrots in it. There was a jar to put the money in. I don't think you could do that in many places around the world. We have noticed that it is only the hire cars that are locked all the locals leave them open and the windows open, too! How life used to be!

We drove to the Captain Cook Monument which is a lovely spot at the top of the island with beautiful views of the blue, blue water. We passed lots of cows on the roads. They are all individually owned and they owner buys an ear tag for the cow and then it can graze anywhere it wants. When it is time to kill it the vet goes down to the road where it is, shoots it and it is then taken to the butcher all very humane and makes for beautiful, tender meat.

We booked a table to go to Norfolk Blue restaurant for 6.15 (we eat early here to get back before it is too dark to find our way as there are not many road signs). This restaurant breeds the Norfolk Blue beef and the cows are a blue, grey colour and the beef is very tasty. We just had 'naked' sirloin with vegetables and it was delicious followed by the biggest knickerbocker glory I have ever eaten!

The staff at the restaurant were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. They made sure we were surrounded by candles and burning sticks and a spray to keep us safe from the insects.

We managed to find our way home and due to no Internet we were in bed very early.













WEATHER
Heavy rain first thing then sunny with some cloud.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday

WEATHER
Sat. Sunny and warm. Sunday sunny and warm. Monday sunny and warm

These posts are going to be short as I only have my iPad to type on and it takes forever!
Quiet trip to Auckland. Check into Novotel at the airport and then across to airport for lunch.
A short rest before we went into Auckland on airport express bus to watch England in the 20/20 match. Good seats and lovely evening, sunny and warm, great crowd atmosphere. Glass of wine and good entertainment and England won easily.
Caught the bus back to airport, coffee and bed.
SUNDAY
Alarm was set for 6.45 for a 7.30 check in. Joan's mobile rang at 6.20 and he ignored it. Then again a few minutes later and he ignored it and a message was left. I was worried as two calls and a message must mean important. Fortunately, so did he and he got up to hear it. It was Air N z saying the flight was delayed by one and a half hours! Very nice of them to let us know but it didn't make much difference to us as we were now up but at least we could take our time.
We checked in and as we had the delux package we were able to use the lounge and so went up and had breakfast and just waited.
Our flight was called and we boarded and took off at the new time of 11.30.
We had a light meal on the flight and I managed to watch an hour of the film The Saphires which was really good. I will have to watch the other half on the way back. I am not used to such short flights now!
The flight was smooth and lovely views when landing. Very hot on arrival.
Picked up by owner of cottages and she took us on a tour of the town showing us where everything is. It really is very small.
The cottage is very nice with everything we need. We were given a mobile phone to use while we are here. Unfortunately, all the convertible cars were taken. They have told us we can have one for our last afternoon.
We unpacked and then drove into town for some lunch, not many places open on Sunday but we got a sandwich. I would have loved a beer but lots of the cafes are not licenced.
We then went to the supermarket for some breakfast supplies. I think they have more variety in Fiji and Vanuatu and they are third world. Once the supplies run out there is no more till the next ship comes inand that is not often. They grow all their own fruit and veg as that cannot be imported apart from potatoes and onions. The apples were no bigger than golf balls and the banana were well past their sell by date but I am sure they don't use sell by and best by dates here, they eat what they have when they have it and that is that.
We took our supplies back and then set off to have a look around. It doesn't take long to drive around the island.  We went down to Kingston where all the remains of the prison are and Government House all very pretty and the water is the most amazing colour blue and so clear with golden sand. We went up Mt Pitt to the lookout at the summit and the views are wonderful. We took a '500 mtr' walk along the summit track. However it was not the 'easy' walk it stated and by the time we got back Jon was on his last legs. I thought we out to go back to the cottage and let him have a rest which we
did. We can explore more later.
Lots of places are closed on a Sunday so we ended up having dinner at the service men's club which was so old fashioned. However, the T bone steak was excellent.
I can see will will have lots of early nights here as dinner is only served till 8.00 or 9.00!

MONDAY
We had to be up and ready early today as we had a complimentary half day island tour and had to meet in town at 8.45.
There were 16 of us on the bus and I was amazed that there were three couples from UK. I asked them how they knew about Norfolk Island and one said her sister lives in NZ and so they came with her and the other two had read about it but their travel agents had to find out for them as they had never heard of it!
The tour and our guide was very good. You find people here have more than one job and the lady in the travel office was also the lady who made morning tea for us at one of the stops. Everyone knows everyone else and every car you pass waves to you. There are lots of cows on the roads and you have to give way to them. There are also lots of feral chickens which they ask you not to feed.
The tour was useful as we now know where to go and we can retun and spend more time at the places we only spent a short time at. We had some lovely coconut cake with morning coffee.
We went to one place on the coast and walked down the jetty and the fishermen were gutting their catch and throwing the guts back into the water and there were about 10 sharks swimming on the surface and eating the fish - amazing to see.
We got back into town and then went for lunch. After lunch we went to find out about buying some Internet but we had to go back later with our iPads as the man said sometimes it won't work, lucky for us it does.
We went down to Emily Bay this afternoon which was just beautiful. It is calm as it is protected by a coral reef. The sand is golden but best of all the water is warm and very clear and I had a lovely swim. Unfortunately, we have no sunshade and Jon is not supposed to sit out in the sun so he sat under one of the trees on the edge of the beach but he was being bitten by ants so we only stayed an hour but we will go again when we get a sunshade.
We got back and had a cuppa and a read before having a shower.
We decided on a Chinese tonight but it had to be takeaway. The restaurant is just across the road but they are only doing takeaway this week! It was OK but as he, Fred Wong, grows his own veg and it is seasonal the mixture was 'interesting'. The laundry and library are in a little cottage near us so we went and got a DVD to watch. Not a lot of choice so we watched Babe, I had forgotten how much I liked that film.
One thing I haven't mentioned is the spiders here, they are huge and everywhere and make enormous webs, quite spectacular.
Bedtime now not sure w hat time it is as my watch is still on Kiwi time and the hour and a half difference is getting too much to work out so I lea ve my watch off and I am on 'island time' as long as we are on time for our flight next Sunday that will be fine.
iPad won't let me scroll up to check this long post so forgive any errors. Hopefully I can now keep it up to date.

Friday

One day to holiday and Jon is really looking forward to the break, me not so much as life is one long holiday!!

Jon went off to work and then I left not long after and arrived, on time!! Les was back and it was lovely to see her and she told us about her stay in Adelaide and it sounds a lovely place to visit - on the list!!

The shop was quiet which was nice as we managed to catch up. I finished at one but not before I found a lovely green dress which will do very nicely to take away!!

I popped into the Sallies on the way home and found a lovely little elephant, ceramic plaque which will go nicely in the bathroom. I also found a lovely flan dish which I have been looking out for.

I got home early - for a change - and had lunch and then vacuumed to make sure it was clean when we go away - I hate coming back to a messy house. I then went next door to ask if David could water the plants, mainly the tomatoes. I told them to help themselves if any ripen but they are all so green I am not sure they will yet. Edwina had a friend there and we sat on the deck having a chat and I could have happily stayed for longer. Edwina's friend filled me in on Monarch butterflies and told me they always leave the plant to turn into a chrysalis which is why I can't find my big fat one. She told me to put them in a jar with some leaves when they start to turn a dark colour. Hopefully, when we get back there will still be some eggs and I can do that.

When I got back Jon was home and we had a cuppa and then I went upstairs to pack. It didn't take long as it was all sorted and we have more than enough space.

Jon went out for fish and chips and we had dinner and watched Coronation Street. Just got to the exciting bit where Ches is back and John has run off. Not sure where they are up to in Oz so maybe we will wait till we get back, probably too busy on holiday anyway.

I sorted the rest of our things out, lotions and shampoos and suncream etc and now it is bed time. Poor Tot is not looking very happy. I love going away but I hate leaving her.


WEATHER
Sunny 25 degrees

Thursday

Jon was up and ready first this morning as he had arranged to have a breakfast meeting and so left the house by 7.40.

I got up and ready and left to get to my Red Cross meeting for 9.00. We have a temporary new manager for the next two months while Bianca takes her leave. She has been asked to improve on sales as they have dropped. Ours is the biggest Red Cross shop of the three in Tauranga unfortunately sales have dropped off (I think that is what happens to most shops after Christmas) and they want to improve the shop to boost sales but they don't want to spend any money improving the shop which is a bit of a tip decoration wise and there is only so much you can do with displays. Watch this space. People don't like change.

I left the shop and went for a coffee as my appointment for my nails was not till 1.15 so after coffee I went to the supermarket for a few things.

I got home and the car was not parked very straight in the car porch but as I was going out again and Jon had already gone it didn't matter. Wrong! I can pretty much guarantee if I park the car in the middle of the car porch or is is crooked Jon will come home unexpectedly!! And he did! He had forgotten to take his tablets for after breakfast so had to come home for them.

He left more or less straight away and I did an exercise class using my iPad and Apple TV to get it onto the TV and it was really good - no excuses now.

I had some lunch and then left to go for my appointment. I had my finger nails done with ordinary polish as I am giving them a rest and my toes have gel polish, French style. They cost a lot of money and I thought by going to a better place it would be a better job but it is not the best I have had. I don't seem able to find one that I like and can go back to. Maybe I am too fussy.

I went to the library to take some books back for Jon and then took my lovely handbag, that Jon bought for my birthday and the lining ripped, back to the shop as I now have a copy of the bank statement to show them. It was all very easy as I thought I would have a fight on my hands but she changed it and had one in stock so I was very lucky.

I came home and made a cup of tea and made a herb crust to put on the rack of pork. It is very nice having the herbs just by the back door, I use them far more often now.

I thought I had seen the lawn man coming down the street on my way out and was glad I was out. However, when I got home he had not been and he did say he would be every week now but it is over two weeks since his last visit. The gardener is overdue, too. I have no idea who monitors when they come or how they get paid as nobody asks us.

I caught up a bit with Neighbours as I will have a weeks worth to watch when we come back from holiday. I am also spending too much time playing this silly Simpson's game!!! Thanks Heather.

Jon came home and I finished cooking dinner. I couldn't do roast potatoes as the oven shelves broke. The screw that holds them onto the side of the oven fell off and as the oven was hot we couldn't do much about it. I did try and have two burnt elbows to prove it. If we can't fix it we will have to get a man in. One side has been broken since we first came here now the other side has broken, too.

We watched some TV and I put a load of washing on ready to hang out in the morning. I need to come straight home from work tomorrow and get the packing done.

WEATHER
Sunny and warm 24 degrees.

Waitangi Day - bank holiday

After all the rain is was nice to see blue skies again. It is Waitangi Day today which is a national holiday here in NZ  to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Maori chiefs and Queen Victoria's government back in 1840 which brought some peace to the country.

We had no plans for the day other than to sort out our holiday clothes.

I didn't sleep very well last night and have decided to give up wine as I am sure that doesn't help. Totty didn't help either as she woke me to 'put her cover over here' as least ten times and then once to go out - only the second time she has done that in this house she usually sleeps through.

Heather called and we had a short chat as it was getting late for her and she needed to get some sleep as she is working hard and has now started her diploma.

I made some yogurt as we were running out. I am really pleased with the yogurt now and I have had a lot of success with it.

We went out for a coffee over to a cafe just north of Bethlehem which is owned by a couple from Yorkshire. We had a nice coffee and shared a muffin sitting in the sun. Jon bought a beef and Guinness pie for his lunch - I am on a diet as I will be eating a lot next week!

Next to the cafe is a big shed/barn building with some shops in - gifts, paintings, Merino wool and a secondhand shop so we went in to have a look around. I could not believe the prices they were charging for china cups and saucers which I know, through the research I do for the Red Cross, are nothing special. I am not surprised the shop is overflowing at prices like that they will not sell much.

We came home and sorted through our things and Totty now knows we are going away and is following me about more than usual if that is possible!!

I needed to sort out some books on my eReader and also buy the follow ups to Fifty Shades of Grey which on my iPad are very cheap but on my eReader and in paperback here are very expensive so I went for the iPad.

I sat on the deck and ate my tomato and basil salad for lunch while Jon had his pie :-( It was really hot and I had to move to the shade.

I started reading Fifty Shades Darker and now I just want to sit and read and I am looking forward to the flight and our holiday when I can do just that. One of the ladies in Lions told me that Norfolk Island is like NZ was in the 1960/70 which is why it is so relaxing. She said some of the shops look like they still have stock from 1960, too!

I cooked our dinner and after dinner I went on the computer as I need to sort out some photos that are on one of the cards ready to be printed and we will probably need the card so I will have to do that tomorrow. I also have had a call to say there is a volunteers meeting at the Red Cross at 9.00 so I will have an early start and then hopefully I can get my nails done but I forgot to make an appointment so I hope they can fit me in.

Time for a coffee now and then bed. At lat the cicadas have gone to sleep they have been making a terrible noise today. I read in the paper that the rain from yesterday would have allowed a lot of them to break through the soil as the ground has been too hard for them. They certainly made their presence known tonight.

WEATHER
Sunny and warm 24 degrees.

A nice walk around the Mount

It looked promising for our walk around the Mount this morning but it soon changed to rain. I texted Ros and we decided to take a chance and go for it.

I met her down at the base track and as I could see a cruise ship coming across the bay we decided to walk around the Mount from the left and so meet the ship coming in. We just reached the clearing and the beach as it came round the corner. It is the first time either of us have seen a ship arriving, most people go to see them depart at a sensible time in the afternoon/evening. This one was a little late docking and there was already another one in. It never ceases to amaze me how big they are and how they manage to get through a narrow channel but I am glad to see it every time.

We enjoyed our walk which was a little windy but at least the rain stayed away.

We went for a coffee after the walk and I was asking Ros about her son's wedding later this month. He is getting married in Auckland Zoo which should be great fun for them. They both love animals and are vegetarians so thought the zoo would be a good place to tie the knot.

I left Ros and stopped by to get some contact lens solution and some fish for dinner tonight.

I was going to go to aqua aerobics this afternoon and just as I was getting ready Jon came home and told me he had had to make a quick escape from work as Bertie was playing up and he continued to do so for the rest of the afternoon and Jon is now downstairs waiting for him to calm down after taking some tablets.

We had some really heavy showers pass through this evening but now it all looks calm and quiet again with a lovely sky.

We had dinner and watched some TV and then I read my book as it was getting to the end and very exciting. However, the end was a let down and it did not dot the Is and cross all the Ts and left me wondering which I hate - I like tidy!!

We have a bank holiday tomorrow, Waitangi Day, the day the treaty was signed between Maori and Europeans.


WEATHER
 A dry start followed by showers then heavy rain and dry again. 24 degrees

A lot of rain

We had a lot of gentle rain overnight which was good as everything was so dry and yellow so it was needed. However, I just wish it hadn't gone on for most of the day and tonight it is very heavy and windy.

I called Jane this morning and we had a long chat and she seems pretty much sorted for the wedding now and doesn't appear stressed which is good and I hope it stays like that for them.

The rest of the morning was spent doing my housework and I had to wash all the floors.

I went out for my Pilate's class for 1.30 but when I got there she told me it was 12.30 today!!! The class has been changed so many times I am not surprised I got it mixed up. I had put 1.30 down on my calendar after class last week though so not sure if it was changed again. She did offer to do a one to one class with me but I said I would come to the class tomorrow - Tuesday. Looks like another busy Tuesday for me!

I got home and had some lunch and tried to sort out the Apple TV we bought yesterday. I wanted it so that I could show what was on my iPad on the TV e.g. my aerobics classes on a big screen. I knew it could be done but Jon was saying he didn't know how and didn't think it could so I could see no point in buying it just to hear his music or buy/rent films. My nephew came to my rescue by showing me what to look for and with some help from Google Jon and I managed to get it sorted this evening. No excuses now not to keep fit!!

After lunch I did some ironing and then took Tot to the vet to have an anti inflammatory injection for her knees as she has arthritis and licks them till she has sores on them.

There was a cat in a basket at the vets and it was very funny as it was hissing and howling at her and she was barking at the cat. I was glad when it was the cats turn to go in. $130 later I left the vet to go home!!! I commented to the vet that Totty's notes are longer than mine at the doctors!!! But at least it had stopped raining when I went out.

I finished off my ironing and was just giving the dog her dinner when Jon came home. He spoke to Lorraine, cancer nurse, today and explained that we are going away on his 'off' week and what should he do about the blood test. He also asked if he could delay the start of the next course in case he has a reaction like the last one. She spoke to the consultant and they agreed he can have the blood test on the Monday after we come back and start the tablets again on the Tuesday which is much better. They also cut his dose down to four in the morning and evening to see if it helps the tiredness and the diarrhoea.

We had dinner and then watched TV. The forecast is for better weather tomorrow and I hope it is, as it is now torrential rain. I am supposed to meet Ros to walk around the Mount at 9.00 as keep fit is not on this week??? Watch this space.

Off to bed now but we might be in for a very noisy night as the rain is hammering on the roof.


WEATHER
Overnight rain turning to showers this afternoon and HEAVY rain tonight 24 degrees - humid.

Sunday

Well the builders did wake me at 7.00 but I went back to sleep and woke at 9.00!! If we do that next week we will miss our flight!!

Just as I was putting the light out last night a cicada came into the bedroom and was flying around. I knew I could not sleep with it so got up to get it out. It landed on the steps that lead to the bathroom so I carefully climbed them and managed to get the glass from the basin and thought I would catch it and then put it out of the window!!! I had no idea they could move so fast!! I finally managed to get it when it was on the laundry basket but unfortunately all I managed to do was amputate one of its legs!! It shot off under the bed and without waking Jon I tried to look under the bed but couldn't find it so had to leave it and hope it wouldn't crawl up onto the bed through the night ugh!

I tried to call Jane as she had sent an email about wedding plans and I needed to check a few things with her but she was out so I have now arranged to speak to her in the morning.

I didn't feel like having any breakfast this morning so just had a cuppa.

I had managed to secure a card table from Trademe for one of the ladies I go to keep fit with and she does not have a computer. I needed to call the people to arrange collection and payment. They live down near the beach so we arranged to collect it after we had been for a coffee.

We had our coffee sitting in the sun and then went to have a look for an Apple TV connection so that I can play things from my iPad. We bought one and I said we needed a cable to go with it and the 'young' man was trying to sell us something which I just felt was not the correct thing. I suggested, if he had Internet connection, that he check what we needed. He finally gave in and did as I asked and then realised I, 'the old lady' was right!!!

We then went to buy a new mat to put Totty's food and water bowls on as her other one is rubber and the dishes stick to it. In the pet shop they had the most adorable puppies, two Westies and two Labradoodles and the lady got them out and they were so sweet.

We then went down to the retirement village where the lady who was selling the card table lives. What a lovely place to live, really well planned out and lovely bungalows. Marjorie, originally from Somerset, invited us in and introduced us to her husband John who is Dutch. We had a lovely chat with them and in the 20 minutes or so we were there learnt all about their lives. I must say if you have to retire it is a lovely spot and so much to do there.

We managed to drag ourselves away and came home and Jon set up the Apple TV. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to do what I wanted. All I wanted was to plug my iPad into the TV and it would show whatever I had found on the TV so if I want to do a keep fit class I can see it on the big screen and hear it but so far Jon says it won't do that!!!!

We had lunch and took Totty out for a walk and managed to get her all the way down the street to where the new house is being built. I am amazed at how much they have done. I am not sure how much we will see of it from our garden, probably only the roof so I don't think we will be bothered by the finished house.

I took the card table over to Matua to Claire. She is an elderly lady, 80 or so, her husband has cancer and she has looked after him for a long time but he is now in care as she could not cope any longer. She was very happy with the table and gave me a bag of lovely tomatoes from her garden.

I got back and Jon was sitting down in the shady bit of the garden so I made a cuppa and joined him down there. It was a little cloudy and I decided I would do a bit of pruning as some of the plants are getting so big. Unfortunately, the sun came out and I got really hot and the plants I was pruning had some horrible little insects on them, like tiny butterflies, and they flew out all over us so we gave up after cutting some of it back. Hopefully, the gardener is due to come and she can finish it off and take the stuff we have cut down away at the same time. The rate things are growing here I think she needs to be here more than two hours every two weeks but that is down to her to tell the agent.

Our plant that encourages Monarch butterflies is doing well with one really fat caterpillar and lots of tiny ones. Apparently, they will eat the aphids that are on the plant so we don't need to get rid of them. I am sure the big fat one must be about ready to go to sleep and I am looking forward to the next stage and have some photos of it all.

I sat on the deck for a little while and read and then came in and made dinner, lamb medallions and vegetables followed by cheesecake. I have frozen the rest of the cheesecake as it is very rich.

Bertie is playing up tonight so Jon is still downstairs but I think it is time I went to bed.

We can hear some birds at night making a terrible noise down on the water. I am not sure what they are but they sound like geese!!


WEATHER
Some cloud but mainly sunny 24 degrees down to only 20 tonight!!!

Saturday

I was woken this morning at 6.45 by the builders on the new build house below ours using and angel grinder, not too bad here but I am glad I don't live next door!! Later the bricklayers came in and had the radio on full blast in their car. We went out so not sure how long it went on for.

We went to Bethlehem for coffee at the garden centre and then I took my sunglasses back that I had bought last week. The pharmacist did a good job trying to tell me that I would get used to the bifocals but I just wanted my money back which I did get.

We then went to the supermarket for a few things and then back home for lunch.

I spent the afternoon on the computer and Jon slept in the chair, not sure how the time passed but it did. I also dyed my hair and washed the dog so not a waste of time for me.

I made a Baileys cheesecake today which looks pretty good.

We had a cup of tea and I sat on the deck and read my book.

Dinner was nice, I used the parsley pesto which I made on Thursday with pasta and mixed it with courgetes and chicken and it was very tasty.

Jon is not feeling very happy at the moment, being tired is getting him down but not as much as it is getting me down. I get so frustrated with him feeling sorry for himself. I know what has happened to him is awful but he is alive and the prognosis is good so we just have to make the best of it - sigh...... We have sooo much to be grateful for.

I think I might drink myself into an early grave!!

WEATHER
Cloudy start then sunny 25 degrees

Work day

I was up first this morning as Jon had a meeting over in Matamata so it was not worth him going into the office and he went straight over to the meeting and didn't need to leave till 9.00.

I got to work early for a change and I have to say it was nice to have a cooler morning.

The shop was not busy at all today and it was just Sharon and I till 11.00 and then Rose came in. Sharon told me that a lady had been in the day before and tried on a dress and put it back on the rail as she didn't want it. Sharon saw the dress was not hung up properly so went to sort it and saw that every button on the dress had been cut off! How low can some people go?

A lady came in with some plastic containers full of 'stuff'. She said she was sorry it was 'dusty' but that it had been on the porch and in the garage as she was renovating her house. Rose looked at it and told her we couldn't take it as it was little more than junk and very dirty!!! I nearly choked when she said that even though it was true. We did take some things out but it was disgusting. She said she wanted the plastic boxes back as they belonged to her husband for his 'fishing bait'!!! They, too, were in a filthy state and I would have been embarrassed to take them to a shop.

As you can imagine the lady was not pleased with what Rose said and told us she would take them down the road to the Sallies. 'Well you can, said Rose, but they will say the same'. I hope they did too. The woman wanted to get rid of it so that she didn't need to pay to take it to the tip. Some people think we are little more than a junk shop but we have standards. There was a lady at the counter while all this was going on, she was buying a duvet for a well known man who lives on the streets and she said 'Cheeky bitch'. I think that summed it up nicely.

The rest of the morning went over nicely and I have to say the last weeks working with just Sharon have been very nice. Les will be back next week and have us rushing around again - she has too much nervous energy.

I left just after 1.00 having bought a very nice designer dress for $11.50 and I just love it.

I got home and Jon was in. He said Bertie had been misbehaving and so after his meeting he came straight home where Bertie continued to misbehave for the rest of the afternoon. Jon did look tired though and after my lunch I went up to the office and Jon had a good long sleep.

I heard him put the TV on so thought I would go down and do my ironing. Unfortunately, he was watching Torchwood and as he always has to have the TV on so loud it drives me mad when it is something I don't particularly like and why do they have to put such dramatic background music on?? I decided it was best for me to go into Heather's room and watch the TV there and do my ironing. It was pretty warm in there so I had to put the fan on but I did get all my ironing done.

Jon went to get our fish and chips and we tried yet another shop in Maungatapu and it was very good for a change and I enjoyed it again.

We watched Coronation Street and then it was bedtime again.

Sounds like a party going on somewhere with very loud music. I hope once I am in our bedroom, which is at the back of the house, that I won't hear it!!!



WEATHER
Cloudy but a warm 25 degrees.