Puhoi River Trip

Well it's been on lists, here, there and everywhere. Written in notebooks, scrappy bits of paper and mentioned every summer. It took one phone call and heh presto we're booked in.
It's a popular day to go, it's the 2nd January, in kiwi land, this is a public holiday, joy of joys, another two days off this week. The transition from shift work may be sinking in.
The sun is shinning, there is a light breeze and a few clouds in the sky, perfecto.
We go upstream first, tranquil and full of bird life. Heading back down we maneouvour around the just starting folks and make our way towards the sea. Kayaking under the main road is kind of fun as we're not in a car in traffic. The noise quietens and the river starts to widen. There are lots of extra books of the river to explore, but eventually we make it to Wenderholm. The very efficient staff are there, help you out of your kayak and then your transported back to the starting point.
Our plan was to return to Wenderholm but the place was seriously packed so we headed to the next regional park north. Blessed we are in this part of the world. Kiwis love the beach in the summer so this one was busy but not in the same league so we were in that water. Bliss. Then some serious soaking up the sun time, with picnic and book. Bliss.
So why did it take us do long, why do 'to do' lists stop you actually doing! I'm addicted to lists but I need to move to the action state. So we may even be painting those chairs soon.

Books, movies or walks

Well the lists of 'things' from birthdays past have to a certain extent inspired but I haven't done really well to be honest. On the eve if my birthday I thought maybe a theme challenge rather than a list of things that I may or may not do. Over a coffee in the city we discuss the options, 41 books, 41 movies or 41 walks. To be honest my money was on the 41 cakes idea but in the end we decided on 41 walks. I stepped up to the August break challenge so this is a step forward - in many ways. In seemed a healthier option. 41 walks in the coming year, but for now....its time for feijoa sparkling wine from the Lothlorien winery.

A belated number 9

Oh dear, put this one on the list of '39 Things'. But heh ho, all done. Have new glasses, will be able to see those numbers at work and page the right doctor! Turns out my eyesight hasn't got a lot worse - based on the prescription sunglasses I still had - now there's an idea I should have just worn to those to work. Anyway digressing in my mind and my typing. I have new glasses, my eyesight still isn't too bad.  Apparently my eyes (the technical bit of  them anyway) are different shapes - one is rugby ball shaped and one is soccer ball shaped and this is why I can't judge distance or park a car - hurrah and reason and now I'll just celebrate this and enjoy my bad parking. Choosing the glasses was very interesting, alone in a shop without the ability to decide or any confidence in what might actually look good on me. To the rescue - a box with the three I had narrowed it down to take away. So the next few days at work I gathered various opinions, over my choices, face shape, colour, some opinions bordering on personality descriptions, all in all, it helped, and I would't have chosen the winning pair, but I'm very happy.
So a week to go till the birthday I better take another look at those lists (things and things) and maybe just carry them over.

Number 28

Well, more vague numerical titles for my blog. Well the August Break project certainly resparked my interest in my blog if no-one else's! A thought occurred, what about those 40 things. My 40th birthday is looming fast so here on the eve on the Rugby World Cup I can acknowledge that number 28 is a certainty. When I wrote my list back in October, I added number 28 with scorn and a smirk, oh no, for sure. RWC fever is contagious and fantastic. Auckland is alive with anticipation, seriously, everyone is talking about it. I'm actually sorry I don't have tickets and may still try and get one and at the very least will be watching the All Blacks vs France game in a lively pub like setting.

My RWC whiteboard 

I have (of course), taken charge of the ward decorations - as a colleague put it - "you do like a project." The flags positioning was a two (wo)man effort and was met with great praise, then I managed to find some bunting to finish the task. My proudest moment however is the 'RWC whiteboard', I love the logistics, I love the planning. I am a crazy control freak. The latest achievement has been the lucky dip sweepstake - I am a bookmakers daughter. Again, a proud moment of planning, actually some maths and spelling involved, but I had help on that front (thank you Vicky, Lynne, Jo and Pauline).  I can name all 20 teams involved and probably draw their flags to be honest!

The defining moment came, when, at Jo's insistence I took the first draw in the lucky dip sweepstake, I pulled out.........New Zealand, how bloody cool.

40 Things

My birthday has been and gone, not one photo of me taken, but I did get one of all the great cards I had. It was a quite day with a musical ending, but I had been working on my list. Yes some are repeats of those not quite managed last year. So I roll towards 40 full of hope and good intentions and plans for a birthday trip. So here we go, 40 things for my 40th year on the planet.

1. Crack this running lark (I really do want to be able to run)
2. Go to Austrailia (more than once, given I had a trip planned for 2 days after my birthday)
3. Poster of the Petra trip (or maybe Morocco one) - after the success and pleasure of the Rome poster
4. Phohi river trip
5. Scuba day
6. Write a gratitude journal over the year
7. Writer more letters (more than what for goodness sake, I seem to know the post office staff very well)
8. Go horse riding along a beach (yet to decide which beach)
9. Do some groovy artwork with some kids (I have a few to choose from and some visiting this year)
10. Help Adam build his summer temple
11. Have my Oscar Party this year (for sure this time!!)
12. Finish the 365 mug shot project
13. Get onto that weekend massage course
14. Act as a wonderous host (2 planned visits this year - I'm up for more - anyone wanting to visit NZ)
15. Ski again in the South Island (maybe take a lesson this time and hope to get into my trousers this time)
16. Dentist thing really has to be done
17. Take the train (vague and interesting)
18. Walk the Tongariro Crossing
19. Find good boots
20. Make my own bath bomb
21. Cuddle a Koala bear
22. Get myself to a festival
23. Make rainbow drawers
24. Revamp the unit thingy in the garage
25. Do the full on Rotorua experience
26. Walk on an active volcano
27. Have a voucher frenzy
28. Embrace the World Cup
29. Plant more wild flowers
30. Spend lazy days at the beach this summer
31. But while doing number 30 try this body boarding marlarcky
32. Plan smashin 40th birthday trip
33. Lay in a hammock
34. Make a will
35. Make eating at the table a habit
36. Make Adams birthday a special event
37. Meet up with those folk I went to school with that live really not that far from me
38. Breathe well
39. Bake the epic super rainbow cake
40. Feed the birds