Rain Forest Express

Taking a moment to look through photos I've been taking over the last couple of months and have been reminded a great trip we did with the in-laws with the rather marvellous name of 'Rain Forest Express'. Being in able to travel into a rain forest and experience the closeness of the trees, learn a little history and see tunnel wetas, all in one train trip, the in-laws loved it and have to say, it was quite fun. The Waitakere ranges are a treat that is so close we enjoy them frequently but we'd never done the train trip. Rather popular, only running certain days/times, booking in advance required and all that, it is very well organised and well run. We were blessed with a stunning day and great views, an all around great day out, though Adam and I did both feel that we'd rather be out walking in the forest, it is a great option if you can't do that. Adams mum made an admirable effort walking up the hill to the dam, a determined woman indeed, so it was great that she was able to enjoy the rain forest at such close quarters.

Our latest trip to the Waitakere Ranges was over the Easter break, now 20 years of shift work means that public holidays don't really register, I've worked plenty and never really minded, rather enjoyed it in fact. Now I'm in a Monday to Friday job, blimey did I enjoy the long weekend and am have clearly registered and marked all the remaining holidays. I have to confess that I was so unaware of the public holidays, I though I came to work on the Good Friday and that it was only Monday off. How joyfully mistaken I was. We were promised terrible weather and we had some of the best weather Auckland has seen all summer (yes, it's autumn now, but you know what I mean). I was in full recovery mode, so didn't take one single pic while walking the Fairly Falls track on the Sunday. Fabulous time, blissfully long weekend.

Balance required

It appears the combination of a new job and visiting in laws has wrenched from the ability to do anything! Well maybe a slight exaggeration but it feels like it. The flowers didn't arrive for my mothers birthday - though I did at least remember to phone. Several other birthdays have been missed. I have a stack of postcards that I have dutifully brought on various outings waiting to be written, there is even a rather amazing gift to be posted. Does 'sorry' quite do it? Will I be forgiven?
Stupid tasks around the house and garden have not been done - everywhere I look there are reminders of my ineptitude disorganization and general inability to do. Maybe I'm too hard on myself but maybe the scales have tipped too much in favor of work. You see I love my new job and there are so many things to learn, projects to tackle and generally things to get a grip on. It's brilliantly exhausting and clearly taking my all, well that and trying to adjust to Monday to Friday working after 20 years of shift work.
The in-laws are on a ten week visit which is coming to an end soon, we haven't traveled around as much as last year but we showed them the Coromandel and more of the Auckland region. There has been birthday BBQs, train rides, fireworks and lots of cake. They love being here and Adam has someone to take fishing, plus he and his dad have tinkered about with the van and the car! However it's made it difficult for me to find the routine I thought I'd get with this job as they arrived before I took up this new post. So still looking for that balance.
Well a weekend of WOMAD won't have done me any harm, booked an annual leave day and after just a little melt down hit the road in the van and have had a fabulous time. Really but remember to book the Monday off as well next year, so we won't be traveling back through the night having left after The Black Seeds. Brought a stack of clothes - none of which I'll able to wear to work, though the henna tattoo will still be there!

A job well done

I'd been avoiding several jobs in the garden, but with some time off before starting my new job I thought I'd tackle one. I do actually enjoy cleaning windows and my treat was buying some new plants to put into the little strip in front of the windows. Sparkly windows, tidied garden spot and the grand plus of not falling off the ladder.

Chasing the Sun

As a transition from one job to the next or a homage to night shifts which are now gone or maybe just because we can; we took a trip. An overnight adventure in the van. Sunset in the west, Muriwai beach in its windswept and sparkling finery then a drive through the night to catch the rising sun in the east. Hahei beach in its perfect glory with a swim as the sun rose. It was, as always, a wonderful adventure.

Make a cuppa, put your feet up, put groovy tunes on and watch the slide show