Another Month Gone

Blimey, it's the end of November, well I've got the Christmas stuff in the post - after slight panic when I realised last week that the last posting date to the UK is the 29th November! Spent more on the postage than the gifts - crazy or cheap - you decide.

However I have now done my first New Zealand Great Walk and am pretty hooked on this tramping lark. I know I've always enjoyed the outdoors, camping etc but this walk was spectacular, even when I felt like this........

So it was the Abel Tasman Coastal Path, one of 9 Great Walks in New Zealand - though really there are hundreds. Follow the link to the Department of Conversation site (DOC) for more info- quite a good site actually. Plus I've put a small (not) selection of photos on flickr, do take a look.

So we're busy planning our second multi day tramp, but have Christmas to contend with. It's all wrong really, hot, sunny, summer, strawberries and yet - snow scenes and Santa! They tell me it takes a while to get used to - we'll see!

Work still going fine, though the big topic is the Christmas decoration competition. Last year CCU was robbed and I reliably told should have one. So the pressure is on to produce a spectacular display - I will keep you posted!

We finally have the van with us - minus a few pieces and looking slightly worse for wear but we'll move on. We've found a club in Auckland and hopefully (new battery permitting) be off on our first meet next weekend.

Birthday Times

Well yet again it's been a while!


We escaped Auckland to the magic of the Coromandel Peninsula for my birthday. It was truely a world away from the city, though didn't take us long to drive there.


Stayed for two days in Coromandel Town in a great backpackers - the best yet. Very hippy and laid back, went to possibly the best coffee place, that I really didn't want to leave (though I think my cookies are better). Had a trip on a railway up a mountain! Brought pottery. Spent time in a tiny fascinating museum learning lots about mining for gold. We also visited the Waui Waterworks - very bizarre, but great fun.

We then drove over to Hahei to stay in a campsite on the beach. The drive was lovely and despite not being able to find New Chums Beach (a mission set us) it was great stopping at little places picking up local honey and gorgeous organic lemons.

The campsite was quite large and I imagine can be a nightmare in the summer, we however were the only tent, so got a great spot.



I woke on my birthday to blue skies and walked along a deserted sandy beach, paddling in the refreshing clear blue sea, I had a tear or two thinking about Nan, home, friends and family. All however was good, as we went on a kayaking trip to Cathedral Cove (think beginning of Prince Caspian). We had walked there the night before and it was just a stunning as I imagined it would be. The kayak trip was great, going into little cave and learning about the area. We had a great coffee made for us on the beach by our guide (they do this a lot in NZ) and had time to rest and explore the beach more - including the most photographed rock in NZ. The a little ocean crossing we explored more islands, caves and waves.


When the trip was over I couldn't resit any longer and swam in the sea, the fish were all around and it was freezing - well very cold - but it felt great.


Off then to Hot Water Beach, all a bit odd if you ask me but for 2 hours either side of low tide you can dig a hole and create your own hot pool! Hot it was boiling - I'm talking burnt toes! Well that's when you find the hot water, not as easy as its made to sound in the guidebooks.



All is not lost though, a course being NZ there is a great cafe and we had a rather tasty 'Waves Platter' for lunch. Then after a bit more browsing in art galleries and buying watercolours by local artists, we collapsed by the tent and I cooked up a rather tasty pasta supper.



We had by now had a fair bit of the sun and had found it quite warm, beginning to burn I took to the shade with the locals telling me "it's only spring - it gets much hotter than this"



The next day brought some shade but we headed off to Whitianga, via the ferry at the oddly named 'Ferry Landing'!! Here we tried our hand at bone carving, quite impressed by our efforts, more impressed by the patience and understanding of the two owners who guide you through each step and let you loose with rather dangerous looking equipment. Well we have our necklaces now and very proud we are too.



So there you go, highlights of an exceptional trip...a wonderful birthday. I was spoiled with great parcels, messages and cards arriving like a torrent before and after my trip - no I didn't wait till my birthday - everything was ripped into with joy and passion as it arrived. I have loads of thank yous to send....and of course the next trip to prepare for (The Abel Tasman Track in November).

Oh Blimey

Yes I know, it's been ages since I added anything. Well Adam and I have had fairly matching off duty so when not working we're out and about and tend to leave computer stuff to a minimum. I've had really good intentions of updating and letting you all know about what we've been up too. So many places. Loads of trips. Plus the weather is improving here, Spring is here and summer round the corner so they'll be lots more.....

Just a few things I've been meaning to write about

Highwic
Rotorua
Camping in the Bay of Islands
Auckland Museum
Devonport
Dunedin
Skiing at Rhuapehu
The Chateau Hotel
Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka

Well, I put loads of photos onto Flickr so follow the link.

I've also arranged the links on the side - vouchers are available for some of the NZ stuff, so if you fancy treating me........

5 Months In

Blimey, 5 months ago today I landed in a sunny New Zealand, within a week I had found somewhere to live and had started work. That first week is still so clear and yet here I am 5 months in and don't know where to start!

Honeymoon period definitely over though and a routine is forming, not feeling bad about that in anyway. However the weather has been awful and quite depressing, not helped my the leaks, damp and mould in the flat.

Adam arrived on the 11th July, after cancellations and delays. It is WONDERFUL to have him here. He's not been impressed by the relentless rain, plus with problems with getting the camper van cleared, mobile phone not working and laptop breaking, it does not seem to be going well. He's not impressed so far!!

We've managed a little break away (in the rain) to Roturua, which was much more impressive than I had expected! Lots more planned (depending on off duty) so will try to keep this slightly more up to date.