24.8.08...DAY 26
12.45AM...UP I GET.
1.00AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
1.40AM...TV LOUNGE.
2.05AM...STOKE CITY-ASTON VILLA LIVE ON SKY TELE...LETS HOPE ITS WORTH STAYING UP FOR?
4.00AM...STOKE 3-VILLA 2...A RUBBISH MATCH...SHOULD'VE STAYED IN BED!
4.15AM...BACK BENEATH THE SHEETS WITH MY BELOVED...TRIED TO TELL HER ABOUT THE MATCH...SHE WASN'T INTERESTED!...SO INCONSIDERATE!
10.30AM...WOKEN BY NU AND HAIRDRYER!...SO INCONSIDERATE!
11.00AM...CUPPA TEA...HAD TO MAKE IT MYSELF...SO INCONSIDERATE!
11.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
1.00PM...BACON/SCRAMBLED EGG...CUPPA COFFEE.
1.30PM...THINK I'LL GO BACK TO BED.
4.00PM...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...I'M NOT TO ENTHUISIASTIC...BUT WE ARE OFF TO SEE THE GLO-WORMS...I'M HUNGRY...BUT NOT SURE WHAT I WANT...TASTE BUDS ARE NOT GIVING ME ANY CLUES..
7.50PM...SEEN ENOUGH GLO-WORMS...IT WAS DARK...DIDN'T LIKE IT...NU FELL OVER A TREE STUMP AND LAUGHED...I WAS WORRIED!
8.05PM...PHONED MOTHER AND AUNTIE.
8.40PM...PUB/RESTAURANT...MEXICAN ESPLANADA'S?...WITH CHIPS AND SALAD...THE MEXICANS CAN KEEP THERE ESPLANADA'S...TASTED AWFUL...NOT ENOUGH FILLING...CHIPS AND SALAD PASSABLE.
9.30PM...FOUR WHISKEY AND COKES LATER...TIME TO HEAD BACK TO OUR DIGS.
25.8.08...DAY 27.
8.00AM...ALARM...WHY DID WE SET THE ALARM?...HORRIBLE NOISE!
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...BOILED EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...ALL PACKED UP...SAYING OUR FAREWELLS...MET SOME NICE OK PEOPLE.
10.15AM...DEPARTING FRANZ JOSEF...ON OUR WAY TO HOKITIKI...ABOUT 130K.
11.00AM...PICKED UP TWO HITCH-HIKERS...COUPLE OF ARGENTINIAN GIRLS...BETTER NOT MENTION THE FALKLANDS!
11.55AM...HOKITIKI...DROPPED OFF THE ARGIES.
12.30PM...ECO-CENTRE...WE HAVE COME TO SEE PERCY...THE ONE LEGGED KIWI BIRD.
12.40PM...WE ARE TOLD PERCY AS GONE TO HEAVEN TWO MONTHS AGO...OH!...ACTUAL HE'S IN THE DEEP-FREEZE...WAITING TO BE STUFFED...OUCH!
1.00PM...ECO-CENTRE WAS NOTHING TO SHOUT ABOUT...IT WAS DARK AND GLOOMY...WITH FEW BIRDS AND FISH WE HADN'T ALREADY SEEN.
1.50PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
2.35PM...PETROL STATION...ONLY 1.99 DOLLAR A LITRE...IT WAS 2.24 IN FRANZ JOSEF.
2.45PM...HEAD OUT OF HOKITIKI.
3.10PM...TURN OFF MAIN HIGHWAY FOR BLACKBALL...WE MET A CHAP IN FRANZ JOSEF WHO TOLD US TO GO THERE TO TRY THE SAUSAGES...APPARENTLY THEY ARE WELL FAMOUS?...THIS IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE THE LABOUR PARTY STARTED...IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SAYING 'YOU'VE BEEN BLACKBALLED'...YOU'LL GET MY DRIFT?
3.25PM...BLACKBALL HILTON[HOTEL]...LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUTA OF A WILD WEST MOVIE.
3.35PM...THE PLACE WAS EMPTY...ORDERED OUR SAUSAGES.
3.55PM...OK SAUSAGES...NOTHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT.
4.20PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED CAR...NEXT STOP REEFTON.
5.00PM...REEFTON...'OLD NURSES HOME' CONVERTED INTO A HOSTEL...50 DOLLAR FOR A DOUBLE ROOM...IT'LL DO.
5.40PM...NU IN BATH...I'M PREPARING VEGGIES.
6.15PM...STEAK/CARROTS/PARSNIPS/CABBAGE/SPUD.
6.45PM...I'M FULL...WE'RE FULL.
7.15PM...CHATTING WITH A GIRL FROM BRADFORD WHO IS TRAINING OUT HERE TO BECOME A DIGGER DRIVE...WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT!
26.8.08...DAY 28
7.50AM...THIS PLACE SMELLS LIKE A HOSPITAL!...LIKE A NURSE...LIKE AN OLD NURSE...WHATS AN OLD NURSE SMELL LIKE?...CAN'T REMEMBER!
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...EVERTHING PACKED UP...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.25AM...IN THE KITCHEN...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...WHEELS IN MOTION...RAIN POURING.
10.10AM...REEFTON TOWN CENTRE...FOODSTORE...NU NEEDS ENERGY DRINK...GUESS I'M WEARING HER OUT!
10.25AM...WHEELS IN MOTION...NEXT STOP HAMNER SPRINGS...NU ALREADY AS SWIM COSTUME ON.
11.30AM...ROAD TO HAMNER SPRINGS CLOSED...THERE'S BEEN AN AVALANCHE...OUCH!
11.40AM...WE DRIVE ON THRU FLOODED ROADS/BIG PUDDLES.
12.50PM...TURNED ONTO ROAD FOR KAIKORA...ITS ALSO CLOSED!...MORE AVALANCHIES...DOUBLE OUCH!
1.00PM...GOT NO CHOICE...GOTTA HEAD FOR CHRISTCHURCH.
3.00PM...WOOLWORTHS FOOD STORE,CHRISTCHURCH...NEED A FEW ITEMS.
4.20PM...WE HAVE BEEN HETRE BEFORE...ITS ACTUALLY WHERE WE KICKED OFF OUR NZ TOUR.
4.50PM...FINALLY FOUND THE 'STONEHURST'...OUR ACCOMADATION PLACE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
5.30PM...SHOWER...WELL NEEDED...WASH AWAY THE SMELL OF THAT NURSES HOME.
6.30PM...STEAK AND VEG...CUPPA TEA x 2.
7.30PM...IN OR ROOM...WATCHING TELE...TIRED...NOT FEELING TOO GOOD.
27.8.08...DAY 29.
9.50AM...FEEL WEAK.
10.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.50AM...SHOWER.
11.30AM...BACON SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
12.30PM...WE WERE GONNA GO ON A CITY TOUR...BUT I'M NOT FEELING TO GOOD.
1.00PM...BACK IN BED...DON'T FEEL RIGHT.
4.00PM...WOKE...THIRSTY/HUNGRY.
4.50PM...CHEESE/BRANSTON PICKLE SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
5.40PM...WALKED TO CHEMIST...NEED PAIN KILLERS FOR BACK.
6.50PM...BACK AT 'STONEHURST'...MUSHROOM SOUP/CUPPA TEA.
8.00PM...STRAIGHT WHISKEY.
9.00PM...HUGH GRANT FILM ON TV.
10.30PM...FEELING BETTER?...UNSURE.
28.8.08...DAY 30.
7.30AM...THIS ROOM LOOKS TRASHED...EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE.
7.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR ME...ONE FOR NU.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.50AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.20AM...CARRYING EVERTHING TO CAR...WE WERE ON THE THIRD FLOOR...BACK ACHING.
10.10AM...OFF WE SET...SEARCHING FOR ROAD TO AKAROA...WANT THE SCENIC ROUTE...VIA GOVERMENT BAY.
10.50AM...HAD TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR NU TO PLAY THE HAPPY SNAPPER.
11.00AM...VERY SLOW ROAD...VERY BENDY.
12.05PM...'HILL TOP HOTEL'/CAFE.
12.15PM...ALTHOUGH IT AS GONE NOON...THEY ARE STILL HAPPY TO DO ME A FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST.
12.50PM...THAT WAS A EXTREMELY WONDERFUL BREAKFAST...IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA...WELL RECOMMENDED!...BETSY THE BLACK WOOLY HAIRED SPANIEL HAD ONE EYE ON US...BUT WE HAD NO FOOD TO SPARE.
1.15PM...BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN...WE ARE GONNA TAKE THE HIGH ROAD...MANT YEARS AGO THIS CRATER WAS FORMED...WE ARE GONNA GO ROUND THE RIM AND THEN HEAD DOWNWARDS TO THE CENTRE...DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
1.40PM...MANY STOPS...NU HAPPY SNAPPING...GREEN FIELD UPON GREEN FIELD...MOUNTAINS ALL AROUND...IT IS KINDA SPECIAL...ITS ALL SO CLEAN AND TIDY.
2.10PM...AKAROA AT LAST...AN ENJOYABLE DRIVE...THE SCENERY WAS WORTH IT.
2.30PM...CHECKED IN AT 'THE CHEZ LA MAR'...[THERES A LOTTA THINGS FRENCH HERE]
3.00PM...SITTING IN COURTYARD OF PUB...SUN SHINING.
4.00PM...WALKING MAIN HIGH STREET...VERY QUIET.
5.05PM...STEAK/SPUD/CAULI IN ONION GRAVY.
6.30PM...WATCHING TV...NOT FEELING GOOD AGAIN...GUESS I'VE PICKED UP A BUG SOMEWHERE.
FEEL WEAK.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Saturday, 23 August 2008
NZ....CONTINUED
20.8.08....DAY 22
8.30AM...ARE WE DOING SOMETHING TODAY?...CAN'T REMEMBER.
8.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.00AM...BACK IN BED...IT WAS TO COLD OUT THERE!
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.25AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.15AM...SEARCHING FOR BOOKSHOP IN TOWN CENTRE...NEED A CERTAIN BOOK...GUESS I'LL BE LUCKY TO FIND A COPY...IT'S WANNA THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ.
11.40AM...CLOTHING SHOP...BOUGHT TWO T-SHIRTS.
12.10PM...BOOKSHOP...THEY HAVE A COPY OF THAT CERTAIN BOOK!
12.45PM...SUPERMARKET...FANCY PORK.
1.20PM...POSTOFFICE...THINGS TO SEND.
2.00PM...ALI BABA...NEED A HAIR CUT.
2.20PM...I HATE HAVING MY HAIR CUT...BUT IT'S DONE NOW...THINK I'LL BUY A HAT.
3.00PM...BACK AT OUR CHALET.
3.20PM...PORK UNDER GRILL...SPUDS AND CANNED PEAS ON THE BOIL.
3.55PM...ENJOYABLE MEAL...BREAD WITH GRAVY TO FINISH.
4.30PM...SINCE WE ARE HEADING OUT TOMORROW...TRYING TO PACK EVERYTHING IN A ORDERLY FASHION.
5.05PM...IN CAR...ON THE WAY TO THE CINEMA.
5.15PM...PARADISO...A CINEMA WITH A DIFFERENCE.
5.30PM...NU ORDERS THE MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WINE...PLUS AT THE INTERVAL WE HAVE A CHICKEN,BRIE AND CRANBERRY PIZZA!...50 QUID SPEND...THIS IS ONE EXPENSIVE MOVIE!
6.00PM...THE PLACE IS PACKED...EVERYBODIES SEATED ON THERE SETTEE'S...YES SETTEE'S!
6.10PM...FILM ROLLING...A YOUNG GIRL STARTS SINGING'I HAVE A DREAM'.
6.35PM...THE MEN ARE OUT NUMBERED BY ABOUT 10 TO 1...THE WOMAN SEEM TO GIGGLE AT THE MOST UNGIGGLISH OF THINGS.
7.20PM...INTERVAL TIME...OUR PIZZA AWAITS.
7.30PM...THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE PIZZA...IT WAS OK...BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE SECONDS...EVER!
7.40PM...SECOND HALF OF FILM...JULIE WALTERS IS SUPERB...ABBA SONGS ARE SO SINGALONGABLE.
8.20PM...FILM FINISHED...AND A DELIGHTFUL FILM IT WAS TOO...MAMMA MIA IS WELL WORTH A LOOK.
8.40PM...DROPPED CAR BACK AT CHALET.
8.50PM...WALKED BACK INTO TOWN.
9.10PM...THERE'S A PUB HAVING A PUNK NIGHT...NU CAN'T WAIT!
9.50PM...LEAVING PUB...PUNK IN NZ IS NOT PROPER PUNK...NU SEEMS UNCONCERNED!
10.20PM...BACK AT CHALET...BETTER HAVE A BRANDY.
21.8.08...DAY 23...
8.00AM...GOT A LONG DRIVE TODAY.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...ALL PACKED UP...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.40AM...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
10.20AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BREAD AND CHEESE...WHERE WE ARE HEADING IS QUITE REMOTE...AND IN THESE AREAS FOOD TENDS TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE.
10.55AM...220K TO GO TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER.
12.30PM...HAUUST...SMALL TOWN...HAVING MADE SEVERAL STOPS FOR HAPPY SNAPPER NU!
3.00PM...FRANZ JOSEF AT LAST...THE ROAD AS BEEN SLOW...SNOW PILED UP.
3.30PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT HELIHIKE AT HELIHIKE CENTRE[WELL YOU WOULDN'T ENQUIRE AT A SWIMMING POOL CENTRE WOULD YOU?]...ANYWAY...YOU BASICALLY GO UP IN A HELICOPTOR TO THE TOP OF THE GLACIER AND THEN HIKE FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS...THEY DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A HIKE TOMORROW...DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER...WON'T KNOW TILL 10.00AM TOMORROW.
4.20PM...BOOKED OUR ROOM AT LOCAL HOSTEL...THE GLOWORM.
5.10PM...BAKED SPUD WITH CHEESE AND BUTTER.
6.00PM...FREE VEGGIE SOUP.
6.30PM...BOTTLE OF WINE.
8.00PM...PHONED TOM.
22.8.08...DAY 24...
8.00AM...RAIN LASHING DOWN.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...WALKING THRU THE RAIN TO HELIHIKE CENTRE.
10.00AM...WOMAN ON DESK RECKONS TOUR IS NOT GONNA HAPPEN TODAY...WEATHER POOR.
10.25AM...FOR CERTAIN...THERES GONNA BE NO CHANGE IN THE WEATHER...SO NO TRIP TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER TODAY.
11.00AM...EVEN IN THIS REMOTE LITTLE VILLAGE THEY HAVE MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...NEED IT...TODAY IS GONNA BE BORING.
12.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...BREAD AND CHEESE.
1.30PM...WATCHING 'UNOFFICIAL SPICE GIRL DOCUMENTARY' VIDEO...HOW BAD CAN IT GET?
2.30PM...RETURN TO READING MY NEWSPAPER.
3.20PM...SHOWER...DIDN'T HAVE ONE THIS MORNING...SO I GUESS I BETTER HAVE ONE NOW!
4.30PM...WATCHING OLYMPICS...ENGLAND HAVE DONE ALRIGHT WITH MEDALS...RAIN RELENTLESS.
7.00PM...PUB RESTAURANT...FISH[OCKY] WITH CHIPS/SALAD...THE FISH IN NZ CANNOT COMPETE WITH OZ.
8.15PM...CHATTING WITH ZEALANDERS.
9.30PM...BACK AT OUR ENSUITE ROOM.
10.00PM...IS THERE A FILM WORTH WATCHING ON SKY?
23.8.08...DAY 25...
8.00AM...POPPED HEAD ROUND CURTAINS...IS FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GONNA HAPPEN TODAY?
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.40AM...WALKING TO HELIHIKE CENTRE...NOT RAINING...WEATHER LOOKING GOOD.
10.05AM...YES ITS ON!...WE GONNA CONQUER FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER...BIT NERVOUS.
10.30AM...LISTENING TO INSTRUCTIONS.
10.50AM...GETTING TOGGED UP...BOOTS ARE A LITTLE TIGHT.
11.10AM...IN HELICOPTOR.
11.30AM...ON GLACIER...ITS NOT SO COLD.
11.45AM...WALKING GLACIER...TRAMPING THRU SNOW...ITS TOUGH...NEED TO GET FIT.
12.30PM...STILL TRAMPING...FALLEN A FEW TIMES...NU DOING WELL...THE GROUP OF YOUNGSTERS WE ARE WITH ARE SECOND TO NON...THEY HELP US...ITS KINDA COMICAL...ITS A TOGETHERNESS...THERES SOME HAIRY MOMENTS...GOING THRU NARROW GORGES...NU AND I ARE NOT SO NARROW!...SOMEHOW WE SUCCEED...I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS EXPERIENCE...I'M SO,SO LUCKY...AMAZING TIME...AMAZING SCENERY...AMAZING TO THINK I'VE DONE IT...THE GUIDE WAS WONDERFUL[DAN]...THE GROUP WAS PATIENT WITH US...AND A GIRL CALLED MEGAN HELPED NU A LOT...THANKS TO EVERYONE!
2.00PM...WAITING FOR HELICOPTOR FOR OUR RETURN TO EARTH.
2.20PM...WE ARE IN THE AIR AGAIN...NO WORRIES...PINCH OF SALT!!!!
2.40PM...TOUCH DOWN...TOUR COMPLETED...NU AND I RULE OK!
3.05PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BEER.
3.35PM...SHOWER...MY BACK IS SOAKED VIA SWEAT.
4.00PM...SPUDS IN MICROWAVE.
4.15PM...SEMI BAKED SPUDS IN OVEN...NEED JACKETS TO CRISP.
5.00PM...BAKED SPUDS TO DIE FOR...BUTTERED AND CHEESED.
5.40PM...BED...LIMBS ACHING.
8.30PM...UP WE GET...I THINK I SLEPT.
9.05PM...PUB RESTAURANT.
9.20PM...MUSHROOM/CHICKEN ETC PIZZA...BEER.
9.55PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A CHAP FROM CUMBRIA.
10.40PM...THREE GAMES LATER...I CAN'T PLAY THIS GAME ANYMORE...RECKON THIS POOL CUE IS BENT!
10.50PM...WALKING BACK TO HOSTEL.
11.30PM...IN BED...BUT CAN'T SLEEP.
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME/DANCING QUEEN/DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW ETC.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.30AM...ARE WE DOING SOMETHING TODAY?...CAN'T REMEMBER.
8.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.00AM...BACK IN BED...IT WAS TO COLD OUT THERE!
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.25AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.15AM...SEARCHING FOR BOOKSHOP IN TOWN CENTRE...NEED A CERTAIN BOOK...GUESS I'LL BE LUCKY TO FIND A COPY...IT'S WANNA THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ.
11.40AM...CLOTHING SHOP...BOUGHT TWO T-SHIRTS.
12.10PM...BOOKSHOP...THEY HAVE A COPY OF THAT CERTAIN BOOK!
12.45PM...SUPERMARKET...FANCY PORK.
1.20PM...POSTOFFICE...THINGS TO SEND.
2.00PM...ALI BABA...NEED A HAIR CUT.
2.20PM...I HATE HAVING MY HAIR CUT...BUT IT'S DONE NOW...THINK I'LL BUY A HAT.
3.00PM...BACK AT OUR CHALET.
3.20PM...PORK UNDER GRILL...SPUDS AND CANNED PEAS ON THE BOIL.
3.55PM...ENJOYABLE MEAL...BREAD WITH GRAVY TO FINISH.
4.30PM...SINCE WE ARE HEADING OUT TOMORROW...TRYING TO PACK EVERYTHING IN A ORDERLY FASHION.
5.05PM...IN CAR...ON THE WAY TO THE CINEMA.
5.15PM...PARADISO...A CINEMA WITH A DIFFERENCE.
5.30PM...NU ORDERS THE MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WINE...PLUS AT THE INTERVAL WE HAVE A CHICKEN,BRIE AND CRANBERRY PIZZA!...50 QUID SPEND...THIS IS ONE EXPENSIVE MOVIE!
6.00PM...THE PLACE IS PACKED...EVERYBODIES SEATED ON THERE SETTEE'S...YES SETTEE'S!
6.10PM...FILM ROLLING...A YOUNG GIRL STARTS SINGING'I HAVE A DREAM'.
6.35PM...THE MEN ARE OUT NUMBERED BY ABOUT 10 TO 1...THE WOMAN SEEM TO GIGGLE AT THE MOST UNGIGGLISH OF THINGS.
7.20PM...INTERVAL TIME...OUR PIZZA AWAITS.
7.30PM...THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE PIZZA...IT WAS OK...BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE SECONDS...EVER!
7.40PM...SECOND HALF OF FILM...JULIE WALTERS IS SUPERB...ABBA SONGS ARE SO SINGALONGABLE.
8.20PM...FILM FINISHED...AND A DELIGHTFUL FILM IT WAS TOO...MAMMA MIA IS WELL WORTH A LOOK.
8.40PM...DROPPED CAR BACK AT CHALET.
8.50PM...WALKED BACK INTO TOWN.
9.10PM...THERE'S A PUB HAVING A PUNK NIGHT...NU CAN'T WAIT!
9.50PM...LEAVING PUB...PUNK IN NZ IS NOT PROPER PUNK...NU SEEMS UNCONCERNED!
10.20PM...BACK AT CHALET...BETTER HAVE A BRANDY.
21.8.08...DAY 23...
8.00AM...GOT A LONG DRIVE TODAY.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...ALL PACKED UP...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.40AM...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
10.20AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BREAD AND CHEESE...WHERE WE ARE HEADING IS QUITE REMOTE...AND IN THESE AREAS FOOD TENDS TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE.
10.55AM...220K TO GO TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER.
12.30PM...HAUUST...SMALL TOWN...HAVING MADE SEVERAL STOPS FOR HAPPY SNAPPER NU!
3.00PM...FRANZ JOSEF AT LAST...THE ROAD AS BEEN SLOW...SNOW PILED UP.
3.30PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT HELIHIKE AT HELIHIKE CENTRE[WELL YOU WOULDN'T ENQUIRE AT A SWIMMING POOL CENTRE WOULD YOU?]...ANYWAY...YOU BASICALLY GO UP IN A HELICOPTOR TO THE TOP OF THE GLACIER AND THEN HIKE FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS...THEY DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A HIKE TOMORROW...DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER...WON'T KNOW TILL 10.00AM TOMORROW.
4.20PM...BOOKED OUR ROOM AT LOCAL HOSTEL...THE GLOWORM.
5.10PM...BAKED SPUD WITH CHEESE AND BUTTER.
6.00PM...FREE VEGGIE SOUP.
6.30PM...BOTTLE OF WINE.
8.00PM...PHONED TOM.
22.8.08...DAY 24...
8.00AM...RAIN LASHING DOWN.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...WALKING THRU THE RAIN TO HELIHIKE CENTRE.
10.00AM...WOMAN ON DESK RECKONS TOUR IS NOT GONNA HAPPEN TODAY...WEATHER POOR.
10.25AM...FOR CERTAIN...THERES GONNA BE NO CHANGE IN THE WEATHER...SO NO TRIP TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER TODAY.
11.00AM...EVEN IN THIS REMOTE LITTLE VILLAGE THEY HAVE MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...NEED IT...TODAY IS GONNA BE BORING.
12.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...BREAD AND CHEESE.
1.30PM...WATCHING 'UNOFFICIAL SPICE GIRL DOCUMENTARY' VIDEO...HOW BAD CAN IT GET?
2.30PM...RETURN TO READING MY NEWSPAPER.
3.20PM...SHOWER...DIDN'T HAVE ONE THIS MORNING...SO I GUESS I BETTER HAVE ONE NOW!
4.30PM...WATCHING OLYMPICS...ENGLAND HAVE DONE ALRIGHT WITH MEDALS...RAIN RELENTLESS.
7.00PM...PUB RESTAURANT...FISH[OCKY] WITH CHIPS/SALAD...THE FISH IN NZ CANNOT COMPETE WITH OZ.
8.15PM...CHATTING WITH ZEALANDERS.
9.30PM...BACK AT OUR ENSUITE ROOM.
10.00PM...IS THERE A FILM WORTH WATCHING ON SKY?
23.8.08...DAY 25...
8.00AM...POPPED HEAD ROUND CURTAINS...IS FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GONNA HAPPEN TODAY?
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.40AM...WALKING TO HELIHIKE CENTRE...NOT RAINING...WEATHER LOOKING GOOD.
10.05AM...YES ITS ON!...WE GONNA CONQUER FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER...BIT NERVOUS.
10.30AM...LISTENING TO INSTRUCTIONS.
10.50AM...GETTING TOGGED UP...BOOTS ARE A LITTLE TIGHT.
11.10AM...IN HELICOPTOR.
11.30AM...ON GLACIER...ITS NOT SO COLD.
11.45AM...WALKING GLACIER...TRAMPING THRU SNOW...ITS TOUGH...NEED TO GET FIT.
12.30PM...STILL TRAMPING...FALLEN A FEW TIMES...NU DOING WELL...THE GROUP OF YOUNGSTERS WE ARE WITH ARE SECOND TO NON...THEY HELP US...ITS KINDA COMICAL...ITS A TOGETHERNESS...THERES SOME HAIRY MOMENTS...GOING THRU NARROW GORGES...NU AND I ARE NOT SO NARROW!...SOMEHOW WE SUCCEED...I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS EXPERIENCE...I'M SO,SO LUCKY...AMAZING TIME...AMAZING SCENERY...AMAZING TO THINK I'VE DONE IT...THE GUIDE WAS WONDERFUL[DAN]...THE GROUP WAS PATIENT WITH US...AND A GIRL CALLED MEGAN HELPED NU A LOT...THANKS TO EVERYONE!
2.00PM...WAITING FOR HELICOPTOR FOR OUR RETURN TO EARTH.
2.20PM...WE ARE IN THE AIR AGAIN...NO WORRIES...PINCH OF SALT!!!!
2.40PM...TOUCH DOWN...TOUR COMPLETED...NU AND I RULE OK!
3.05PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BEER.
3.35PM...SHOWER...MY BACK IS SOAKED VIA SWEAT.
4.00PM...SPUDS IN MICROWAVE.
4.15PM...SEMI BAKED SPUDS IN OVEN...NEED JACKETS TO CRISP.
5.00PM...BAKED SPUDS TO DIE FOR...BUTTERED AND CHEESED.
5.40PM...BED...LIMBS ACHING.
8.30PM...UP WE GET...I THINK I SLEPT.
9.05PM...PUB RESTAURANT.
9.20PM...MUSHROOM/CHICKEN ETC PIZZA...BEER.
9.55PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A CHAP FROM CUMBRIA.
10.40PM...THREE GAMES LATER...I CAN'T PLAY THIS GAME ANYMORE...RECKON THIS POOL CUE IS BENT!
10.50PM...WALKING BACK TO HOSTEL.
11.30PM...IN BED...BUT CAN'T SLEEP.
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME/DANCING QUEEN/DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW ETC.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
nz continued....day 17
15.8.08....DAY 17
8.00AM...TURNED ON MY MOBILE...LOADS OF INBOX TEXT MESSAGES COMING THRU.
8.05AM...ITS MICHAELA...SHE'S SENT ME FOUR TEXTS...EVERY TIME VILLA SCORED...4-1 ON THE NIGHT.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.25AM...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...ALL PACKED UP.
10.00AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR...HYUNDA GETZ.
10.25AM...PARKED UP ON SUPERMARKET CARPARK.
10.40AM...IMMAGRATION OFFICE...ITS GOOD NEWS...WE CAN GO TO FIJI AND COME BACK TO NZ...AND OUR VISA'S ARE UNEFFECTED.
11.05AM...DRIVING TOWARDS THE OTAGA PENISULA...ON A WELL BENDY ROAD.
11.50AM...ALBATROSS CENTRE.
12.05PM...ALBATROSS CENTRE TOUR.
1.00PM...WE WATCHED A FILM THAT WAS INTERESTING...BUT WE ONLY SAW HALF A HEAD OF A BABY ALBATROSS IN THE WILD...BIT DISAPPOINTING.
1.25PM...DRIVING BACK TO DUNEDIN.
1.50PM...ON THE HIGHWAY TO PALMERSTONE.
2.20PM...PALMERSTONE...LETS DRIVE ON...NOTHING WORTH VIEWING HERE.
2.50PM...MOERAKI BOULDERS...HUGE MARBLE SHAPED ROCKS ON A DIRTY BEACH.
3.20PM...DRIVING ON THRU HAMPTON...LOOKS A BIT POSH HERE.
3.35PM...OLIVE GROVE HOSTEL...BIG SIGN ON GATE READS 'CLOSED'...OUCH!
4.30PM...OAMARA...A LARGE TOWN.
4.55PM...EMPIRE HOTEL...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
6.00PM...TIME TO EAT...CURRT BOG LEFTOVERS...TASTY OK...NEED TO CALM DOWN...TOO MUCH EXCITEMENY!
6.25PM...BOTTLE OF WINE...AFRICAN...TASTED GOOD.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH YOUNGSTERS...A PLEASANT GROUP OF PEOPLE.
9.00PM...AN ENJOYABLE EVENING.
16.8.08...DAY 18...
8.30AM...GOTTA PHONE TOM AT 9.00AM...IT'LL BE 10.00PM IN ENGLAND.
8.40AM...KETTLE ON.
8.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...PHONED TOM...TWO B's AND ONE C...HE'S OF TO LIVERPOOL UNI...WELL DONE TOM...I'M PROUD OF YOU...[CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK!]
9.50AM...SHOWER.
10.25AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...OFF TO MUSEUM.
11.35AM...MUSEUM CLOSED AT WEEKENDS...OUCH.
12.10PM...WALKING THE SHOPS.
12.20PM...NU'S IN KODAK CAMERA SHOP HAVING PHOTO'S PUT ON DISC.
12.40PM...SUPERMARKET...MILK/BREAD/FRUITCAKE!
1.30PM...BACK AY HOTEL...FRUIT CAKE AND COFFEE.
2.10PM...WATCHING 'SNATCH'...A GUY RITCHIE FILM.
3.40PM...FILM FINISHED...IF I HADN'T SEEN IT...I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED IT.
4.10PM...PREPARING VEG.
4.35PM...VEG ON BOIL...PORK UNDER GRILL.
5.00PM...EATING...PORK SLIGHTLY CHARRED...YOU CAN'T TRUST FORIEGN GRILLS!
6.00PM...PLAYING SOLO POOL...NU WATCHING ANOTHER FILM.
7.00PM...ANOTHER BOTTLE OF AFRICAN WINE...NZ WINE NOT THE GOOD.
7.45PM...WINE FINISHED...SOME PEOPLE HAVE A LIFE...SOME PEOPLE LIVE A WHOLE LOTTA LIFE...I THINK I DO BOTH...BUT THE LATTER ESPECIALLY!...NU SAYS I'M UP MY OWN BACKSIDE...THATS INTERESTING...I'VE BEEN AND SEEN MANY PLACES...TO MANY TO MENTION...BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE!...INTERESTING?
17.8.08...DAY 19...
7.30AM...GOTTA A PHONE CALL TO MAKE.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...PHONED WILLIAM...[9.00PM IN ENGLAND]
8.25AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...PACKED EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.25AM...BREAKFAST...EGGS HAVE STUCK TO THE PAN...MUSHROOMS AND BACON OK.
10.00AM...OFF WE SET.
10.30AM...THIS GONNA BE SLOW...ITS WELL COLD AND THERES SNOW IN THE AIR.
11.20AM...GOTTA GO BACK THRU PALMERSTONE AND TAKE THE HIGHWAY FOR RANFURLY.
12.30PM...RANFURLY HOTEL...THEY'VE GOT SKY TELE...ENGLISH FOOTIE ON AT MIDNIGHT...OK IF YOU INSIST DEAR!
1.15PM...SETTLED IN OUR EN-SUITE ROOM...AFTER VAN IN OZ...WE'RE DOING NZ POSH!
2.30PM...HOTEL BAR...JUGS OF BEER ON SPECIAL.
4.30PM...BACK IN ROOM...SHOWER.
5.30PM...HOTEL RESTAURANT...MIXED GRILL FOR ME...NU HAD BLUE COD AND VEGGIES.
7.00PM...BACK IN ROOM.
7.30PM...WATCHING SPIDER MAN FILM ON TELE.
9.30PM...SET ALARM FOR 12.30AM...GONNA TRY AND SLEEP AND GET UP FOR FOOTIE LATER.
18.8.08...DAY 20...
12.30AM...WOKE AT 12.23AM.
12.40AM...TELE ON...SOUND DOWN.
1.00AM...CHELSEA-PORTSMOUTH...I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD HAVE VILLA ON.
3.00AM...4-0 TO CHELSEA...PORTSMOUTH WERE POOR...MADE CHELSEA LOOK GOOD.
3.05AM...MAN UTD-NEWCASTLE.
4.50AM...1-1 DRAW...NEWCASTLE DESERVED TO WIN.
5.00AM...BACK IN BED.
9.20AM...NU WAKES ME...CUPPA TEA...WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT HER!...SHE'S THE BEST.
9.35AM...SHOWER...TRYING TO WAKE UP.
10.10AM...ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO ROLL.
11.00AM...TAKING IT SLOW...THE ROADS LOOK ICY.
11.10AM...CROMWELL...BEEN HERE BEFORE...WE ARE KINDA ZIG ZAGGING NZ AT THE MOMENT.
11.20AM...ONWARD WE DRIVE TO WANAKA.
12.30PM...THE TOWN OF WANIKA...RENTED A CHALET OVERLOOKING THE LAKE FOR THREE NIGHTS...WANAKA IS A SKI RESORT...AND I FEEL A FAKE...I DON'T SKI AND I DON'T SNOWBOARD...WHAT AM I DOING HERE?
1.00PM...NU WANTS EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CAR...SHE WANTS TO HAVE A SORT.
2.30PM...WALKING MAIN SHOPPING MALL...ART DECO OUTLETS EVERYWHERE...YAWN.
3.40PM...PUB...STEAK PIE...WONDERFUL...BEST I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME...BETTER HAVE ANOTHER!
4.50PM...WALKING BACK TO OUR CHALET...SCENERY BREATHTAKING...SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS[HILLS] SURRROUND WANAKA.
5.35PM...SEMI MICROWAVED SPUDS IN OVEN...WANT THE JACKETS TO CRISP.
6.15PM...JACKET SPUDS/BAKE BEANS/CHEESE...NOT BAD.
6.20PM...IF THIS BLOG EVER GETS TO EXCITING...YOU WILL LET ME KNOW...PLEASE!!!
19.8.08...DAY 21...
9.00AM...SHALL WE SKI OR SNOWBOARD TODAY?
9.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...THE SHOWER IS WELL SLOW WARMING UP.
10.30AM...BREAKIE TIME...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...LAUNDRY...BIGGISH LOAD...NEED TO MACHINES.
11.40AM...WASHING DONE...NU SAYS WE'LL DRY IT LATER.
12.10PM...PUZZLE WORLD...A CENTRE FULL OF OPTICAL ILLUSIONS...YOU LOOK THRU LENSES AT CERTAIN ANGLES AND OBJECTS LOOK AS IF THEY ARE IN YOUR FACE...LOOK AT ANOTHER ANGLE AND THEY APPEAR DIFFERENT...GO INTO ANOTHER ROOM...AND YOU THINK YOU ARE LEANING BACK...ABOUT TO FALL OVER...WATER AND BALLS ARE ROLLING UP HILL...MADE ME FEEL A BIT FUNNY...THERE ARE PICTURES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE...MANDELA/CHURCHHILL ETC...AND THERE HEADS AND EYES TURN AND FOLLOW YOU AS YOU MOVE/TURN...THERE IS A ROOM THAT MAKES YOU LOOK SMALL...WALK TO ANOTHER CORNER AND YOU APPEAR TALL...THERE IS A MAZE WITH FOUR CORNER TOWERS...AND YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR WAY TO EACH...THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT ONE AND HALF HOURS...NU AND I DID IT IN ABOUT 40 MINS...GUESS WE GOT LUCKY!
3.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NU WANTS TACO'S WITH LAMB AND SALAD ETC.
3.50PM...PUB.
5.00PM...ATTEMPTING MEXICAN TACO RECIPE.
5.35PM...EATING BOG AWFUL TACO'S WITH LAMB.
5.45PM...TACO'S AND INNEREDS IN BIN.
6.00PM...BREAD AND CHEESE/BOTTLE OF WINE[SPANISH]...THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE ARE THE BEST...LIKE ME!?
BOTTOMS TO EVERYBODY!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.00AM...TURNED ON MY MOBILE...LOADS OF INBOX TEXT MESSAGES COMING THRU.
8.05AM...ITS MICHAELA...SHE'S SENT ME FOUR TEXTS...EVERY TIME VILLA SCORED...4-1 ON THE NIGHT.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.25AM...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...ALL PACKED UP.
10.00AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR...HYUNDA GETZ.
10.25AM...PARKED UP ON SUPERMARKET CARPARK.
10.40AM...IMMAGRATION OFFICE...ITS GOOD NEWS...WE CAN GO TO FIJI AND COME BACK TO NZ...AND OUR VISA'S ARE UNEFFECTED.
11.05AM...DRIVING TOWARDS THE OTAGA PENISULA...ON A WELL BENDY ROAD.
11.50AM...ALBATROSS CENTRE.
12.05PM...ALBATROSS CENTRE TOUR.
1.00PM...WE WATCHED A FILM THAT WAS INTERESTING...BUT WE ONLY SAW HALF A HEAD OF A BABY ALBATROSS IN THE WILD...BIT DISAPPOINTING.
1.25PM...DRIVING BACK TO DUNEDIN.
1.50PM...ON THE HIGHWAY TO PALMERSTONE.
2.20PM...PALMERSTONE...LETS DRIVE ON...NOTHING WORTH VIEWING HERE.
2.50PM...MOERAKI BOULDERS...HUGE MARBLE SHAPED ROCKS ON A DIRTY BEACH.
3.20PM...DRIVING ON THRU HAMPTON...LOOKS A BIT POSH HERE.
3.35PM...OLIVE GROVE HOSTEL...BIG SIGN ON GATE READS 'CLOSED'...OUCH!
4.30PM...OAMARA...A LARGE TOWN.
4.55PM...EMPIRE HOTEL...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
6.00PM...TIME TO EAT...CURRT BOG LEFTOVERS...TASTY OK...NEED TO CALM DOWN...TOO MUCH EXCITEMENY!
6.25PM...BOTTLE OF WINE...AFRICAN...TASTED GOOD.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH YOUNGSTERS...A PLEASANT GROUP OF PEOPLE.
9.00PM...AN ENJOYABLE EVENING.
16.8.08...DAY 18...
8.30AM...GOTTA PHONE TOM AT 9.00AM...IT'LL BE 10.00PM IN ENGLAND.
8.40AM...KETTLE ON.
8.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...PHONED TOM...TWO B's AND ONE C...HE'S OF TO LIVERPOOL UNI...WELL DONE TOM...I'M PROUD OF YOU...[CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK!]
9.50AM...SHOWER.
10.25AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...OFF TO MUSEUM.
11.35AM...MUSEUM CLOSED AT WEEKENDS...OUCH.
12.10PM...WALKING THE SHOPS.
12.20PM...NU'S IN KODAK CAMERA SHOP HAVING PHOTO'S PUT ON DISC.
12.40PM...SUPERMARKET...MILK/BREAD/FRUITCAKE!
1.30PM...BACK AY HOTEL...FRUIT CAKE AND COFFEE.
2.10PM...WATCHING 'SNATCH'...A GUY RITCHIE FILM.
3.40PM...FILM FINISHED...IF I HADN'T SEEN IT...I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED IT.
4.10PM...PREPARING VEG.
4.35PM...VEG ON BOIL...PORK UNDER GRILL.
5.00PM...EATING...PORK SLIGHTLY CHARRED...YOU CAN'T TRUST FORIEGN GRILLS!
6.00PM...PLAYING SOLO POOL...NU WATCHING ANOTHER FILM.
7.00PM...ANOTHER BOTTLE OF AFRICAN WINE...NZ WINE NOT THE GOOD.
7.45PM...WINE FINISHED...SOME PEOPLE HAVE A LIFE...SOME PEOPLE LIVE A WHOLE LOTTA LIFE...I THINK I DO BOTH...BUT THE LATTER ESPECIALLY!...NU SAYS I'M UP MY OWN BACKSIDE...THATS INTERESTING...I'VE BEEN AND SEEN MANY PLACES...TO MANY TO MENTION...BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE!...INTERESTING?
17.8.08...DAY 19...
7.30AM...GOTTA A PHONE CALL TO MAKE.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...PHONED WILLIAM...[9.00PM IN ENGLAND]
8.25AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...PACKED EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.25AM...BREAKFAST...EGGS HAVE STUCK TO THE PAN...MUSHROOMS AND BACON OK.
10.00AM...OFF WE SET.
10.30AM...THIS GONNA BE SLOW...ITS WELL COLD AND THERES SNOW IN THE AIR.
11.20AM...GOTTA GO BACK THRU PALMERSTONE AND TAKE THE HIGHWAY FOR RANFURLY.
12.30PM...RANFURLY HOTEL...THEY'VE GOT SKY TELE...ENGLISH FOOTIE ON AT MIDNIGHT...OK IF YOU INSIST DEAR!
1.15PM...SETTLED IN OUR EN-SUITE ROOM...AFTER VAN IN OZ...WE'RE DOING NZ POSH!
2.30PM...HOTEL BAR...JUGS OF BEER ON SPECIAL.
4.30PM...BACK IN ROOM...SHOWER.
5.30PM...HOTEL RESTAURANT...MIXED GRILL FOR ME...NU HAD BLUE COD AND VEGGIES.
7.00PM...BACK IN ROOM.
7.30PM...WATCHING SPIDER MAN FILM ON TELE.
9.30PM...SET ALARM FOR 12.30AM...GONNA TRY AND SLEEP AND GET UP FOR FOOTIE LATER.
18.8.08...DAY 20...
12.30AM...WOKE AT 12.23AM.
12.40AM...TELE ON...SOUND DOWN.
1.00AM...CHELSEA-PORTSMOUTH...I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD HAVE VILLA ON.
3.00AM...4-0 TO CHELSEA...PORTSMOUTH WERE POOR...MADE CHELSEA LOOK GOOD.
3.05AM...MAN UTD-NEWCASTLE.
4.50AM...1-1 DRAW...NEWCASTLE DESERVED TO WIN.
5.00AM...BACK IN BED.
9.20AM...NU WAKES ME...CUPPA TEA...WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT HER!...SHE'S THE BEST.
9.35AM...SHOWER...TRYING TO WAKE UP.
10.10AM...ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO ROLL.
11.00AM...TAKING IT SLOW...THE ROADS LOOK ICY.
11.10AM...CROMWELL...BEEN HERE BEFORE...WE ARE KINDA ZIG ZAGGING NZ AT THE MOMENT.
11.20AM...ONWARD WE DRIVE TO WANAKA.
12.30PM...THE TOWN OF WANIKA...RENTED A CHALET OVERLOOKING THE LAKE FOR THREE NIGHTS...WANAKA IS A SKI RESORT...AND I FEEL A FAKE...I DON'T SKI AND I DON'T SNOWBOARD...WHAT AM I DOING HERE?
1.00PM...NU WANTS EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CAR...SHE WANTS TO HAVE A SORT.
2.30PM...WALKING MAIN SHOPPING MALL...ART DECO OUTLETS EVERYWHERE...YAWN.
3.40PM...PUB...STEAK PIE...WONDERFUL...BEST I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME...BETTER HAVE ANOTHER!
4.50PM...WALKING BACK TO OUR CHALET...SCENERY BREATHTAKING...SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS[HILLS] SURRROUND WANAKA.
5.35PM...SEMI MICROWAVED SPUDS IN OVEN...WANT THE JACKETS TO CRISP.
6.15PM...JACKET SPUDS/BAKE BEANS/CHEESE...NOT BAD.
6.20PM...IF THIS BLOG EVER GETS TO EXCITING...YOU WILL LET ME KNOW...PLEASE!!!
19.8.08...DAY 21...
9.00AM...SHALL WE SKI OR SNOWBOARD TODAY?
9.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...THE SHOWER IS WELL SLOW WARMING UP.
10.30AM...BREAKIE TIME...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...LAUNDRY...BIGGISH LOAD...NEED TO MACHINES.
11.40AM...WASHING DONE...NU SAYS WE'LL DRY IT LATER.
12.10PM...PUZZLE WORLD...A CENTRE FULL OF OPTICAL ILLUSIONS...YOU LOOK THRU LENSES AT CERTAIN ANGLES AND OBJECTS LOOK AS IF THEY ARE IN YOUR FACE...LOOK AT ANOTHER ANGLE AND THEY APPEAR DIFFERENT...GO INTO ANOTHER ROOM...AND YOU THINK YOU ARE LEANING BACK...ABOUT TO FALL OVER...WATER AND BALLS ARE ROLLING UP HILL...MADE ME FEEL A BIT FUNNY...THERE ARE PICTURES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE...MANDELA/CHURCHHILL ETC...AND THERE HEADS AND EYES TURN AND FOLLOW YOU AS YOU MOVE/TURN...THERE IS A ROOM THAT MAKES YOU LOOK SMALL...WALK TO ANOTHER CORNER AND YOU APPEAR TALL...THERE IS A MAZE WITH FOUR CORNER TOWERS...AND YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR WAY TO EACH...THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT ONE AND HALF HOURS...NU AND I DID IT IN ABOUT 40 MINS...GUESS WE GOT LUCKY!
3.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NU WANTS TACO'S WITH LAMB AND SALAD ETC.
3.50PM...PUB.
5.00PM...ATTEMPTING MEXICAN TACO RECIPE.
5.35PM...EATING BOG AWFUL TACO'S WITH LAMB.
5.45PM...TACO'S AND INNEREDS IN BIN.
6.00PM...BREAD AND CHEESE/BOTTLE OF WINE[SPANISH]...THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE ARE THE BEST...LIKE ME!?
BOTTOMS TO EVERYBODY!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
NZ CONTINUED....[26300/205]
12.8.08......DAY 14
8.00AM...I WANNA STAY WARM BENEATH THESE SHEETS.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...PACKING.
10.25AM...READY TO ROLL.
11.00AM...PAK'N'SAVE[SUPERMARKET]...NEED MILK...ALSO BOUGHT STEAK...ON OFFER.
11.30AM...HEADING FOR AWAKO...80K AWAY...NZ DRIVERS ARE IMPATIENT...I'M DOING SPEED LIMIT...BUT THEY ALL WANNA PASS...THEN THEY SLOW DOWN ONCE THEY'VE PASSED...SILLY PEOPLE.
12.05PM...EDENVALE?...I THINK WE ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY...TURNED ROUND AND HEADED FOR FORTROSE.
12.40PM...FORTROSE...STOPPED THE CAR AND HAD A LOOK AT THE INFO BOARD...THE WIND IS BITING.
12.50PM...BACK IN VEHICLE.
1.20PM...AFTER MANY BENDIND ROADS...HILLS AND DIPS WE ARE IN AWAKO.
1.35PM...HAD A LOOK AT AN APARTMENT...THERES A NOTE ON THE DOOR THAT BASICALLY READS...'GO IN...LOOK AROUND...IF YOU LIKE IT...MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME...WE WILL SEE YOU SHORTLY'...VERY TRUSTING THESE ZEALANDERS!
1.45PM...ITS A NICE APARTMENT...BUT ITS WELL COLD.
2.10PM...BACK IN CAR...NEXT STOP SURAT BAY.
2.25PM...ON A STONY UNMADE ROAD.
2.40PM...SURAT BAY AT LAST...NEXT TO BEACH...CHECK TO SEE OUR CAR TYRES ARE STILL THERE!
2.45PM...CHATTING WITH OWNER OF SURAT BAY LODGE...HE'S WELCOMED...HE SAYS AS SOON AS HE'S MADE THE LOG BURNING FIRE IT'LL BE WARM AND COSY.
2.55PM...NU LIKES IT...WE'RE STOPPING...IT'LL DO.
3.30PM...LOG FIRE BLAZING...ITS GETTING WARM.
3.45PM...TELE ON...OLYMPICS...HAVE WE WON ANY MEDALS YET?
4.30PM...BAKED SPUDS IN OVEN...A RUSSIAN CHAP CAME TO HAVE A LOOK...BUT DIDN'T STAY...WE ASKED IF HE HAD ANY POTATO'S...[AS YOU DO]...HE KINDLY OBLIGED!
5.10PM...STEAK UNDER GRILL.
5.30PM...BAKED SPUDS AND STEAK SORTED...CUPPA TEA.
5.50PM...SOMEHOW I GOT THE SPUDS JUST RIGHT...STEAK WAS EXCELLENT...WONDERFUL MEAL.
6.00PM...TV NEWS...RUSSIA AS INVADED GEORGIA.
7.00PM...MORE OLYMPICS...HAVE WE WON A MEDAL...YET?
8.00PM...A PROGRAMME CALLED 'SENSING MURDER'...ABOUT PHYCHICS WHO HELP POLICE SOLVE MURDERS...VERY INTERESTING.
9.00PM...WHISKEY FOR ME....BRANDY FOR NU...PEANUTS TO SHARE.
13.808...DAY 15...
8.00AM...LOG FIRE GONE OUT...NOT SO WARM NOW.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...WEETEBIX/CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.10AM...WALKING BEACH.
10.30AM...TWENTY MINS IS LONGER ENOUGH.
10.35AM...IN CAR HEADING FOR 'NUGGET POINT'.
11.10AM...WE STOP OFF AT A LOOK OUT POINT...THERES MEANT TO BE A FAMILY OF YELLOW EYED PENGUINS HERE...CAN'T SEE THEM...PERHAPS THEY'VE GONE FOR A DAY TRIP SOMEWHERE!
11.30AM...NUGGET POINT...IT WAS A STEEP CLIMB...CAR SLOW...LUCKY TO HIT SECOND GEAR!
11.40AM...NUGGET POINT LIGHT HOUSE...HERE YOU CAN SEE MANY ROCKS THAT APPARENTLY LOOK LIKE NUGGETS?...NOT!
12.10PM...BACK IN CAR...FROZEN...PULLED THE ICICLE OF MY LEFT EAR...NEXT STOP DUNEDIN[ITS ACTUALLY THE OLD WORD FOR EDINBURGH...THERE MUST BE A SCOTTISH INFLUENCE THERE]...90K TO GO.
1.35PM...DUNEDIN...THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN NZ.
2.05PM...MANOR PLACE...WE BOOK TWO NIGHTS
2.30PM...AFTER A 'WEE' CHAT...WE DECIDE WE DON'T LIKE MANOR PLACE...TO FAR OUTA TOWN...AND THE CAR ONLY JUST MADE THE HILL...WHEELS WERE SLIPPING.
2.45PM...ASKED FOR OUR MONEY BACK.
3.05PM...DUNEDIN BACKPACKERS...CENTRAL TO EVERYTHING.
3.50PM...WALKING TOWN...RAIN POURING DOWN.
4.15PM...BACK AT BACKPACKERS...ITS TO COLD...CUPPA OF COFFEE.
4.50PM...PREPARING CURRY BOG.
5.30PM...EATING CURRY BOG.
6.10PM...BOTTLE OF WINE...CHATTING WITH OTHER WET AND DAMP TRAVELLERS.
6.50PM...HAVE DECIDED WE DON'T LIKE DUNEDIN.
14.8.08...DAY 16...
9.00AM...SLEPT WELL.
9.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA FROM THE URN IN THE KITCHEN...THATS ONE GOOD THING ABOUT BACKPACKERS THEY DO SUPPLY A CONSTANT STREAM OF BOILING WATER.
9.40AM...SHOWER...THE CUBICLE IS RATHER SMALL...I'M NOT ONE TO COMPLAIN THOUGH!
10.25AM...BACON/EGG/MUSHROOM ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...WALKING SHOPS...THE RAIN HASN'T ARRIVED YET.
11.55AM...CADBURYS WORLD.
12.10PM...TOURING CADBURYS WORLD FACTORY.
1.15PM...TOUR OVER...WE HAVE MANY BARS OF CHOCALATE TO SCOFF!
1.50PM...STEAK HOUSE...10 DOLLAR LUNCHTIME SPECIALS.
2.15PM...A STAEK FOR 10 DOLLARS[4 QUID] WITH SALAD AND CHIPS...ITS WAS OK...NU HAD CHICKEN...THE CHICKEN IS STILL ON THE PLATE!...OH DEAR...I TOLD HER SHE SHOULD'VE HAD THE STEAK!
3.40PM...INFO CENTRE...NEED TO KNOW WHERE IMMAGRATION OFFICE IS...GOT A QUESTION TO ASK...IF WE GO TO FIJI...DOES IT EFFECT OUR NZ VISA?
4.00PM...FOUND IMMAGRATION OFFICE...ITS CLOSED.
4.25PM...BACK AT OUR HOSTEL.
4.50PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
5.30PM...CHEESE AND BREAD.
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH OTHERS...WHISKEY AND LEMONADE TO KEEP ME WARM.
7.30PM...SOME LOUSY ITALIANS HAVE PUT SOME CRAP RAP MUSIC ON...TIME TO RETIRE!
GOOD TO BE ALIVE!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.00AM...I WANNA STAY WARM BENEATH THESE SHEETS.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...PACKING.
10.25AM...READY TO ROLL.
11.00AM...PAK'N'SAVE[SUPERMARKET]...NEED MILK...ALSO BOUGHT STEAK...ON OFFER.
11.30AM...HEADING FOR AWAKO...80K AWAY...NZ DRIVERS ARE IMPATIENT...I'M DOING SPEED LIMIT...BUT THEY ALL WANNA PASS...THEN THEY SLOW DOWN ONCE THEY'VE PASSED...SILLY PEOPLE.
12.05PM...EDENVALE?...I THINK WE ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY...TURNED ROUND AND HEADED FOR FORTROSE.
12.40PM...FORTROSE...STOPPED THE CAR AND HAD A LOOK AT THE INFO BOARD...THE WIND IS BITING.
12.50PM...BACK IN VEHICLE.
1.20PM...AFTER MANY BENDIND ROADS...HILLS AND DIPS WE ARE IN AWAKO.
1.35PM...HAD A LOOK AT AN APARTMENT...THERES A NOTE ON THE DOOR THAT BASICALLY READS...'GO IN...LOOK AROUND...IF YOU LIKE IT...MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME...WE WILL SEE YOU SHORTLY'...VERY TRUSTING THESE ZEALANDERS!
1.45PM...ITS A NICE APARTMENT...BUT ITS WELL COLD.
2.10PM...BACK IN CAR...NEXT STOP SURAT BAY.
2.25PM...ON A STONY UNMADE ROAD.
2.40PM...SURAT BAY AT LAST...NEXT TO BEACH...CHECK TO SEE OUR CAR TYRES ARE STILL THERE!
2.45PM...CHATTING WITH OWNER OF SURAT BAY LODGE...HE'S WELCOMED...HE SAYS AS SOON AS HE'S MADE THE LOG BURNING FIRE IT'LL BE WARM AND COSY.
2.55PM...NU LIKES IT...WE'RE STOPPING...IT'LL DO.
3.30PM...LOG FIRE BLAZING...ITS GETTING WARM.
3.45PM...TELE ON...OLYMPICS...HAVE WE WON ANY MEDALS YET?
4.30PM...BAKED SPUDS IN OVEN...A RUSSIAN CHAP CAME TO HAVE A LOOK...BUT DIDN'T STAY...WE ASKED IF HE HAD ANY POTATO'S...[AS YOU DO]...HE KINDLY OBLIGED!
5.10PM...STEAK UNDER GRILL.
5.30PM...BAKED SPUDS AND STEAK SORTED...CUPPA TEA.
5.50PM...SOMEHOW I GOT THE SPUDS JUST RIGHT...STEAK WAS EXCELLENT...WONDERFUL MEAL.
6.00PM...TV NEWS...RUSSIA AS INVADED GEORGIA.
7.00PM...MORE OLYMPICS...HAVE WE WON A MEDAL...YET?
8.00PM...A PROGRAMME CALLED 'SENSING MURDER'...ABOUT PHYCHICS WHO HELP POLICE SOLVE MURDERS...VERY INTERESTING.
9.00PM...WHISKEY FOR ME....BRANDY FOR NU...PEANUTS TO SHARE.
13.808...DAY 15...
8.00AM...LOG FIRE GONE OUT...NOT SO WARM NOW.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...WEETEBIX/CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.10AM...WALKING BEACH.
10.30AM...TWENTY MINS IS LONGER ENOUGH.
10.35AM...IN CAR HEADING FOR 'NUGGET POINT'.
11.10AM...WE STOP OFF AT A LOOK OUT POINT...THERES MEANT TO BE A FAMILY OF YELLOW EYED PENGUINS HERE...CAN'T SEE THEM...PERHAPS THEY'VE GONE FOR A DAY TRIP SOMEWHERE!
11.30AM...NUGGET POINT...IT WAS A STEEP CLIMB...CAR SLOW...LUCKY TO HIT SECOND GEAR!
11.40AM...NUGGET POINT LIGHT HOUSE...HERE YOU CAN SEE MANY ROCKS THAT APPARENTLY LOOK LIKE NUGGETS?...NOT!
12.10PM...BACK IN CAR...FROZEN...PULLED THE ICICLE OF MY LEFT EAR...NEXT STOP DUNEDIN[ITS ACTUALLY THE OLD WORD FOR EDINBURGH...THERE MUST BE A SCOTTISH INFLUENCE THERE]...90K TO GO.
1.35PM...DUNEDIN...THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN NZ.
2.05PM...MANOR PLACE...WE BOOK TWO NIGHTS
2.30PM...AFTER A 'WEE' CHAT...WE DECIDE WE DON'T LIKE MANOR PLACE...TO FAR OUTA TOWN...AND THE CAR ONLY JUST MADE THE HILL...WHEELS WERE SLIPPING.
2.45PM...ASKED FOR OUR MONEY BACK.
3.05PM...DUNEDIN BACKPACKERS...CENTRAL TO EVERYTHING.
3.50PM...WALKING TOWN...RAIN POURING DOWN.
4.15PM...BACK AT BACKPACKERS...ITS TO COLD...CUPPA OF COFFEE.
4.50PM...PREPARING CURRY BOG.
5.30PM...EATING CURRY BOG.
6.10PM...BOTTLE OF WINE...CHATTING WITH OTHER WET AND DAMP TRAVELLERS.
6.50PM...HAVE DECIDED WE DON'T LIKE DUNEDIN.
14.8.08...DAY 16...
9.00AM...SLEPT WELL.
9.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA FROM THE URN IN THE KITCHEN...THATS ONE GOOD THING ABOUT BACKPACKERS THEY DO SUPPLY A CONSTANT STREAM OF BOILING WATER.
9.40AM...SHOWER...THE CUBICLE IS RATHER SMALL...I'M NOT ONE TO COMPLAIN THOUGH!
10.25AM...BACON/EGG/MUSHROOM ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...WALKING SHOPS...THE RAIN HASN'T ARRIVED YET.
11.55AM...CADBURYS WORLD.
12.10PM...TOURING CADBURYS WORLD FACTORY.
1.15PM...TOUR OVER...WE HAVE MANY BARS OF CHOCALATE TO SCOFF!
1.50PM...STEAK HOUSE...10 DOLLAR LUNCHTIME SPECIALS.
2.15PM...A STAEK FOR 10 DOLLARS[4 QUID] WITH SALAD AND CHIPS...ITS WAS OK...NU HAD CHICKEN...THE CHICKEN IS STILL ON THE PLATE!...OH DEAR...I TOLD HER SHE SHOULD'VE HAD THE STEAK!
3.40PM...INFO CENTRE...NEED TO KNOW WHERE IMMAGRATION OFFICE IS...GOT A QUESTION TO ASK...IF WE GO TO FIJI...DOES IT EFFECT OUR NZ VISA?
4.00PM...FOUND IMMAGRATION OFFICE...ITS CLOSED.
4.25PM...BACK AT OUR HOSTEL.
4.50PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
5.30PM...CHEESE AND BREAD.
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH OTHERS...WHISKEY AND LEMONADE TO KEEP ME WARM.
7.30PM...SOME LOUSY ITALIANS HAVE PUT SOME CRAP RAP MUSIC ON...TIME TO RETIRE!
GOOD TO BE ALIVE!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Monday, 11 August 2008
NZ TIMES...CONTINUED...
9.8.08...DAY ELEVEN...
9.30AM...GOSH ITS LATE.
10.00AM...GOSH ITS EVEN LATER!
10.10AM...KETTLE ON.
10.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
11.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
12.10PM...WE ARE OFF TO A MUSEUM...ONLY ROUND THE CORNER.
12.25PM...MANY MAORI PAINTINGS/DRAWINGS/ARTEFACTS...PLUS A ROOM DEDICATED TO BURT MUNRO...A CHAP WHO BROKE MANY LANDSPEED RECORDS IN HIS LIFE TIME ON A 1920 INDIAN MOTORBIKE[WE SAW THE FILM ABOUT HIS ACHIEVMENTS WHEN WE WERE IN OZ]...THEY HAVE THE ORIGINAL BIKE HERE...PLUS A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HIM...PLUS THEY HAVE HENRY THE TUATARA[LIZARD]...WHO'S JUST DONE THE BUSINESS WITH MILDRED...AND IS ABOUT TO BECOME A DAD FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 111 YEARS OLD!...GO HENRY GO!
2.10PM...MUSEUM VISIT OVER...WALKING SHOPS.
3.00PM...BOUGHT NEIL YOUNGS GREATEST HITS...IT SHOULD BE THE FATTEST CD EVER...'CAUSE EVERYTHING HE DOES IS GREAT...SINCE WE HAVE A RENTED CAR WITH A CD PLAYER...WE NOW NEED CD'S.
3.30PM...PUB.
3.40PM...WELL POOR BEER...OUCH.
4.35PM...INDIAN RESTAURANT/TAKE AWAY...BEEF BALTI/RICE/NAN BREADS.
4.55PM...BACK AT LODGE WITH OUR TAKE AWAY MEAL.
5.15PM...THE PLACE AS BEEN TAKEN OVER BY FRENCHIES/A GIRL FROM JAPAN/A CHAP FROM PALISTINE/TWO KIWI'S AND AN IRISH BLOKE...I DUNNO...THESE FORIEGNERS GET EVERYWHERE!
5.30PM...INDIAN MEAL DEVORED...NOT BAD AT ALL.
6.00PM...BOUGHT A BOX OF N ZEALAND WINE...WISH WE HADN'T.
6.40PM...WATCHING TELE WITH A BUNCH OF ALIENS.
10.8.08...DAY TWELVE...
9.20AM...TIME FOR A CUPPA...KETTLE ON.
9.35AM...WE HAVE TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.00AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...NU GONE TO MUSEUM TO PURCHASE A BOOK SHE SPOTTED YESTERDAY...I'M OFF TO THE SUPERMARKET.
11.25AM...SUPERMARKET...BEEF/PARSNIPS/CARROTS/SWEDE/SPUD...ITS SUNDAY...I'M GONNA DO A ROAST!
12.05PM...LIQUOR SHOP...WHISKEY/BRANDY/COKE.
12.30PM...BACK AT LODGE...NOTICED NU'S PURSE ON BED.
12.40PM...OFF I TROT...PURSE IN POCKET.
1.00PM...MUSEUM...SPOTTED NU STRAIGHT AWAY.
1.05PM...'OH'SHE SAYS'I WONDERED WHERE IT WAS'...THAT WAS IT.
1.20PM...OFF WE SET BACK TO LODGE....NU WITH BOOK PURCHASE IN HAND.
1.50PM...PREPARING VRGGIES...BEEF IN TRAY IN OVEN.
3.30PM...PARSNIPS OVERDONE[BURNT]...TO MUCH SWEDE...BUT MEAL OK.
5.00PM...NU DOING HAND WASHING...I'M READING THE PAPER.
7.00PM...PHONED JEANIE.
11.8.08....DAY THIRTEEN...
8.30AM...PLACES TO GO.
8.50AM...KETTLE ON.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.50AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA COFFEE/MCV DIGESTIVE BICS!
10.40AM...IN CAR ON THE WATY TO BLUFF...32K AWAY...NEIL YOUNG CD PLAYING.
11.10AM...BLUFF...LOOKS DINGY.
11.25AM...BLUFF LOOKOUT POINT...YOU CAN SEE STEWART ISLAND FROM HERE.
12.15PM...BAKERY SHOP/CAFE...NU HAD TWO OYSTERS...CHICKEN/CHEESE/SALAD ROLL FOR ME...CUPPA TEA.
1.10PM...STIRLING POINT...BEACH.
2.00PM...BACK IN CAR...HANDS FROZEN.
2.30PM...DROVE BACK THRU INVERCARGILL[WHERE WE ARE STAYING]...WE ARE HEADING FOR RIVERTON.
3.20PM...RIVERTON HERITAGE MUSEUM...BOUGHT DVD OF MAORI HISTORY.
4.10PM...RIVERTON BEACH...WELL ROCKY.
4.35PM...BACK IN CAR...TO COLD.
5.10PM...BACK AT INVERCARGILL AT OUR LODGE.
5.50PM...CHEESE ON TOAST WITH BRANSTON PICKLE!
6.20PM...WATCHING TELE.
BACK ACHING.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
9.30AM...GOSH ITS LATE.
10.00AM...GOSH ITS EVEN LATER!
10.10AM...KETTLE ON.
10.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
11.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
12.10PM...WE ARE OFF TO A MUSEUM...ONLY ROUND THE CORNER.
12.25PM...MANY MAORI PAINTINGS/DRAWINGS/ARTEFACTS...PLUS A ROOM DEDICATED TO BURT MUNRO...A CHAP WHO BROKE MANY LANDSPEED RECORDS IN HIS LIFE TIME ON A 1920 INDIAN MOTORBIKE[WE SAW THE FILM ABOUT HIS ACHIEVMENTS WHEN WE WERE IN OZ]...THEY HAVE THE ORIGINAL BIKE HERE...PLUS A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HIM...PLUS THEY HAVE HENRY THE TUATARA[LIZARD]...WHO'S JUST DONE THE BUSINESS WITH MILDRED...AND IS ABOUT TO BECOME A DAD FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 111 YEARS OLD!...GO HENRY GO!
2.10PM...MUSEUM VISIT OVER...WALKING SHOPS.
3.00PM...BOUGHT NEIL YOUNGS GREATEST HITS...IT SHOULD BE THE FATTEST CD EVER...'CAUSE EVERYTHING HE DOES IS GREAT...SINCE WE HAVE A RENTED CAR WITH A CD PLAYER...WE NOW NEED CD'S.
3.30PM...PUB.
3.40PM...WELL POOR BEER...OUCH.
4.35PM...INDIAN RESTAURANT/TAKE AWAY...BEEF BALTI/RICE/NAN BREADS.
4.55PM...BACK AT LODGE WITH OUR TAKE AWAY MEAL.
5.15PM...THE PLACE AS BEEN TAKEN OVER BY FRENCHIES/A GIRL FROM JAPAN/A CHAP FROM PALISTINE/TWO KIWI'S AND AN IRISH BLOKE...I DUNNO...THESE FORIEGNERS GET EVERYWHERE!
5.30PM...INDIAN MEAL DEVORED...NOT BAD AT ALL.
6.00PM...BOUGHT A BOX OF N ZEALAND WINE...WISH WE HADN'T.
6.40PM...WATCHING TELE WITH A BUNCH OF ALIENS.
10.8.08...DAY TWELVE...
9.20AM...TIME FOR A CUPPA...KETTLE ON.
9.35AM...WE HAVE TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.00AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...NU GONE TO MUSEUM TO PURCHASE A BOOK SHE SPOTTED YESTERDAY...I'M OFF TO THE SUPERMARKET.
11.25AM...SUPERMARKET...BEEF/PARSNIPS/CARROTS/SWEDE/SPUD...ITS SUNDAY...I'M GONNA DO A ROAST!
12.05PM...LIQUOR SHOP...WHISKEY/BRANDY/COKE.
12.30PM...BACK AT LODGE...NOTICED NU'S PURSE ON BED.
12.40PM...OFF I TROT...PURSE IN POCKET.
1.00PM...MUSEUM...SPOTTED NU STRAIGHT AWAY.
1.05PM...'OH'SHE SAYS'I WONDERED WHERE IT WAS'...THAT WAS IT.
1.20PM...OFF WE SET BACK TO LODGE....NU WITH BOOK PURCHASE IN HAND.
1.50PM...PREPARING VRGGIES...BEEF IN TRAY IN OVEN.
3.30PM...PARSNIPS OVERDONE[BURNT]...TO MUCH SWEDE...BUT MEAL OK.
5.00PM...NU DOING HAND WASHING...I'M READING THE PAPER.
7.00PM...PHONED JEANIE.
11.8.08....DAY THIRTEEN...
8.30AM...PLACES TO GO.
8.50AM...KETTLE ON.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.50AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA COFFEE/MCV DIGESTIVE BICS!
10.40AM...IN CAR ON THE WATY TO BLUFF...32K AWAY...NEIL YOUNG CD PLAYING.
11.10AM...BLUFF...LOOKS DINGY.
11.25AM...BLUFF LOOKOUT POINT...YOU CAN SEE STEWART ISLAND FROM HERE.
12.15PM...BAKERY SHOP/CAFE...NU HAD TWO OYSTERS...CHICKEN/CHEESE/SALAD ROLL FOR ME...CUPPA TEA.
1.10PM...STIRLING POINT...BEACH.
2.00PM...BACK IN CAR...HANDS FROZEN.
2.30PM...DROVE BACK THRU INVERCARGILL[WHERE WE ARE STAYING]...WE ARE HEADING FOR RIVERTON.
3.20PM...RIVERTON HERITAGE MUSEUM...BOUGHT DVD OF MAORI HISTORY.
4.10PM...RIVERTON BEACH...WELL ROCKY.
4.35PM...BACK IN CAR...TO COLD.
5.10PM...BACK AT INVERCARGILL AT OUR LODGE.
5.50PM...CHEESE ON TOAST WITH BRANSTON PICKLE!
6.20PM...WATCHING TELE.
BACK ACHING.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
NZ TIMES....CONTINUED...
7.8.08...DAY NINE...
9.30AM...NEEDED A LIE IN AFTER LAST NIGHTS EXERTIONS...IT WAS HARD BEING THE ONLY ENGLISH PERSON COMPETING.
9.45AM...KETTLE ON.
10.00AM...CUPPA TEA...STILL IN BED.
10.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...ITS COLD!
10.55AM...NU WASHING SMALLS...NOT SURE HOW WE ARE GONNA DRY THEM.
11.30AM...WEETEABIX...CUPPA TEA.
12.10PM...SMALLS ON LINE...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE.
1.00PM...LIBRARY...NU WANTS A BOOK ON THE LOCATIONS THE USED WHEN FILMING'THE LORD OF THE RINGS' FILM.
2.30PM...WE'VE BEEN IN THE LIBRARY FOR AGES.
2.40PM...SUPERMARKET...NU NEEDS ENERGY DRINK...I NEED A BUCKET LOAD!
3.05PM...WALKING SHOPS...MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER WAS MEANT TO BE IN TODAY...NOT ARRIVED YET!
4.00PM...CINEMA...A FILM FILMED VIA HELICOPTOR DRIFTING OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND HILLS AND LAKES OF N.ZEALAND...GLASS OF WINE INCLUDED.
5.00PM...POB RESTAURANT...TREATING NU TO A MEAL WITH MY POOL COMP WINNINGS...STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD FOR ME...LAMB STEAKS/CHIPS/SALAD FOR NU.
6.00PM...OK MEAL...JUST ENOUGH TO FILL OUR LITTLE TUMMIES!
6.20PM...WALKING BACK TO LODGE.
6.30PM...DECIDED THAT WE'D HAVE 'ONE' LAST DRINK AT THE MOOSE.
9.00PM...5 DRINKS LATER...BEEN CHATTING WITH LOCALS...NU AS TAKEN A SHINE TO SMALL BOTTLES OF SPARKLING SHIRAZ 7.50 DOLLAR A TIME!
9.45PM...BACK AT LODGE AT LAST...NU GOT THE GIGGLES!
8.8.08....DAT TEN....
7.40AM...SLEPT WELL...DRINK PROBABLY HELPED?
7.55AM...KETTLE ON.
8.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.25AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...PACKING UP...THE WASHING HASN'T DRIED...NU PUTTING IT IN TUMBLE DRYER.
9.15AM...BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.45AM...WASHING DRY.
10.05AM...HANDED IN ROOM KEY.
10.15AM...PETROL STATION.
10.25AM...NEWSAGENTS...I HAVE MY PAPER.
10.40AM...NU IN CLOTH SHOP...SHE WANTS A SLEEVELESS FLEECE...SHE'S ALSO PURCHASED THE 'LORD OF THE RINGS' BOOK SHE WISHED FOR.
11.10AM...OFF WE SET FOR OTAUTAU.
11.30AM...STOPPING VIRTUALLY EVERY 10 MINS FOR NU TO TAKE PHOTO'S.
12.40PM...OTAUTAU...LOOKS GLOOMY.
1.05PM...BLUE COD AND CHIPS...DON'T KNOW WHY ITS CALLED BLUE...LOOKS WHITE TO ME.
1.40PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED VEHICLE.
2.25PM...INVERCARGILL.
2.40PM...WOOLWORTHS...NU NEEDS SOMETHING.
3.00PM...SOUTHERN COMFORT LODGE...BEAUTIFUL LOOKING HOUSE...EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE.
3.30PM...BOOKED IN...DOUBLE ROOM.
4.00PM...WATCHING TELE...EMMERDALE!
4.35PM...PREPARING VEG FOR TONIGHTS MEAL.
5.20PM...LAMB[SLIGHTLY OVERDONE]...MASHED SPUD/CARROTS/CAULI...GLASS OF RED WINE.
6.30PM...TV NEWS...OLYMPICS START TONIGHT.
8.00PM...PHONED PAULINE...TRIED TO PHONE MOTHER.
STILL COLD.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
9.30AM...NEEDED A LIE IN AFTER LAST NIGHTS EXERTIONS...IT WAS HARD BEING THE ONLY ENGLISH PERSON COMPETING.
9.45AM...KETTLE ON.
10.00AM...CUPPA TEA...STILL IN BED.
10.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...ITS COLD!
10.55AM...NU WASHING SMALLS...NOT SURE HOW WE ARE GONNA DRY THEM.
11.30AM...WEETEABIX...CUPPA TEA.
12.10PM...SMALLS ON LINE...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE.
1.00PM...LIBRARY...NU WANTS A BOOK ON THE LOCATIONS THE USED WHEN FILMING'THE LORD OF THE RINGS' FILM.
2.30PM...WE'VE BEEN IN THE LIBRARY FOR AGES.
2.40PM...SUPERMARKET...NU NEEDS ENERGY DRINK...I NEED A BUCKET LOAD!
3.05PM...WALKING SHOPS...MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER WAS MEANT TO BE IN TODAY...NOT ARRIVED YET!
4.00PM...CINEMA...A FILM FILMED VIA HELICOPTOR DRIFTING OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND HILLS AND LAKES OF N.ZEALAND...GLASS OF WINE INCLUDED.
5.00PM...POB RESTAURANT...TREATING NU TO A MEAL WITH MY POOL COMP WINNINGS...STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD FOR ME...LAMB STEAKS/CHIPS/SALAD FOR NU.
6.00PM...OK MEAL...JUST ENOUGH TO FILL OUR LITTLE TUMMIES!
6.20PM...WALKING BACK TO LODGE.
6.30PM...DECIDED THAT WE'D HAVE 'ONE' LAST DRINK AT THE MOOSE.
9.00PM...5 DRINKS LATER...BEEN CHATTING WITH LOCALS...NU AS TAKEN A SHINE TO SMALL BOTTLES OF SPARKLING SHIRAZ 7.50 DOLLAR A TIME!
9.45PM...BACK AT LODGE AT LAST...NU GOT THE GIGGLES!
8.8.08....DAT TEN....
7.40AM...SLEPT WELL...DRINK PROBABLY HELPED?
7.55AM...KETTLE ON.
8.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.25AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...PACKING UP...THE WASHING HASN'T DRIED...NU PUTTING IT IN TUMBLE DRYER.
9.15AM...BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.45AM...WASHING DRY.
10.05AM...HANDED IN ROOM KEY.
10.15AM...PETROL STATION.
10.25AM...NEWSAGENTS...I HAVE MY PAPER.
10.40AM...NU IN CLOTH SHOP...SHE WANTS A SLEEVELESS FLEECE...SHE'S ALSO PURCHASED THE 'LORD OF THE RINGS' BOOK SHE WISHED FOR.
11.10AM...OFF WE SET FOR OTAUTAU.
11.30AM...STOPPING VIRTUALLY EVERY 10 MINS FOR NU TO TAKE PHOTO'S.
12.40PM...OTAUTAU...LOOKS GLOOMY.
1.05PM...BLUE COD AND CHIPS...DON'T KNOW WHY ITS CALLED BLUE...LOOKS WHITE TO ME.
1.40PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED VEHICLE.
2.25PM...INVERCARGILL.
2.40PM...WOOLWORTHS...NU NEEDS SOMETHING.
3.00PM...SOUTHERN COMFORT LODGE...BEAUTIFUL LOOKING HOUSE...EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE.
3.30PM...BOOKED IN...DOUBLE ROOM.
4.00PM...WATCHING TELE...EMMERDALE!
4.35PM...PREPARING VEG FOR TONIGHTS MEAL.
5.20PM...LAMB[SLIGHTLY OVERDONE]...MASHED SPUD/CARROTS/CAULI...GLASS OF RED WINE.
6.30PM...TV NEWS...OLYMPICS START TONIGHT.
8.00PM...PHONED PAULINE...TRIED TO PHONE MOTHER.
STILL COLD.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Friday, 8 August 2008
NZ TIMES...CONTINUED...
4.8.08....DAY SIX.
7.40AM...SLEPT WELL...COULD SLEEP SOME MORE.
7.55AM...NU GONE FOR CUPS OF TEA.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BUTTERED TOASR...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...PUT OUR BELONGINGS IN STORE ROOM.
9.40AM...WALKING TO TOWN CENTRE.
10.05AM...BUDGET RENTA CAR...ABOUT 10 QUID A DAY.
10.40AM...ALL FORMS COMPLETED...GOT A GOOD DEAL BECAUSE WE ARE HIRING FOR A MONTH.
11.00AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
12.15PM...IF WE'VE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING...IT'LL HAVE TO STAY FORGOTTEN.
12.30PM...OFF WE SET...MILFORD SOUND OUR DESTINATION...ABOUT 290K...ITS COLD.
1.00PM...MANY WINDING ROADS ALONG THE LAKE.
2.20PM...TE ANAU...SMALL TOWN...COFFEE SHOP...POST OFFICE.
2.55PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED CAR...120K STILL TO GO.
4.50PM...MILFORD SOUND...ITS COLD...VERY COLD.
5.05PM...BOOKED INTO HOTEL...NOT MUCH CHOICE...THERES ONLY ONE HERE!
5.30PM...SORTING BAGS...WE'VE GOT TO MUCH STUFF...HEAD BANGING!
6.10PM...PATE ON TOAST...GLASS OF WINE.
6.50PM...BOOKED CRUISE FOR TOMORROW...I\LL BE AN ICE-CUBE AFTER THAT!
5.8.08....DAY SEVEN...
7.10AM...NEEDA CUPPA.
7.30AM...WE HAVE TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.00AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.05AM...FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TYRE SEMI-FLAT ON RENTED CAR...OUCH...START CAR ANYWAY...I'LL TAKE IT SLOW...ONLY A COUPLE OF KILOMETRES TO GO TO OUR DEPARTURE POINT FOR FERRY CRUISE.
9.20AM...WAITING OUTSIDE CAFE FOR SHUTTLE BUS TO FIORDLAND CRUISE.
9.30AM...ON SHUTTLE BUS.
9.30AM...CRUISE DEPARTURE LOUNGE.
9.55AM...OFF WE SET...GOSH ITS COLD!
10.15AM...CRUISING DOWN THE FIORD...AN IMMENSE PATCH OF WATER WITH CLIFFS HIGHER THAN THE CLOUDS EITHER SIDE.
10.30AM...FREE PUMPKIN SOUP...WELCOMED.
10.45AM...NU HAPPY...CAMERA IN HAND.
11.10AM...A RARE PENGUIN IS SPOTTED...A SOUTHERN FURRY ONE...WOW!
11.40AM...SEALS ARE SPOTTED...THEY LIKE TO POSE.
12.05PM...UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY...AFTER SO MANY COUNTRIES...I'VE SEEN SO MANY OBSERVATORIES...THIS IS NOT A GOOD ONE.
1.00PM...BACK ON LAND.
1.15PM...PETROL STATION...BLOWN TYRE UP.
1.35PM...BACK AT MILFORD LODGE...THIS PLACE AS NO ATMOSPHERE.
2.00PM...PREPARING CURRY BOG...NU WRITING CARDS.
2.45PM...CURRY BOG SORTED...IT TASTES OK...I'VE MADE BETTER.
3.20PM...READING IN LODGE LOUNGE.
4.00PM...STILL READING[GOSH...I BET I SOUND LIKE AN INTELLECT?...NOT!]...THINK I'M GETTING A COLD...FEEL WEAK...LIVING OUTA SUITCASES IS GETTING TO US...THIS IS OUR 14TH COUNTRY...WE HAVE BEEN IN ZEALAND 7 DAYS NOW AND WHAT I'VE SEEN...I'VE ENJOYED...PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE ON HOLIDAY...BUT ITS NOT...ITS A STRUGGLE AT TIMES...AND ITS EVEN MORE OF A STRUGGLE WHEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A COLD COMING!...I'M NOT LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY...BUT YOU KNOW I DESERVE SOME!
5.00PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM...ME AND MY GIRLIE.
5.35PM...SHOWER.
6.00PM...PICKED UP A MAGAZINE...READING ABOUT CROP SPRAYING IN COLUMBIA...WHISKEY/PEANUTS.
6.8.08....DAY EIGHT...
7.25AM...IT LOOKS COLD OUT THERE!
7.45AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...YOU DON'T HAVE TO BOIL A KETTLE...THEY HAVE BOILING HOT WATER URNS.
8.20AM...TIME GOING FAST...AND WE ARE GOING SLOW.
8.30AM...SHOWER...NEEDA SHAVE...CAN'T BE BOTHERED.
9.10AM...BACON IN A BUN...NICE CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...EVERYTHING IN THE CAR.
10.05AM...OFF WE SET.
11.00AM...MIRROR AKES...NU WITH CAMERA IN HAND...SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS ALL AROUND.
11.20AM...DRIVING ON.
12.20PM...BACK IN TE ANAU...SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT LAMB/SPUDS/CAULI/CARROTS...AND SNAKES...THE BEST SWEET EVER...WELL MAYBE NOT EVER!...BUT FOR NOW THEY'RE THE BEST!
1.05PM...LAKEFRONT LODGE...RECEPTION CLOSED TILL 2.00PM...OUCH!
1.30PM...PUB...SPEAKING WITH A BOTANIST CALLED MIKE...NU HAPPY CHATTING ABOUT PLANTS.
3.30PM...DEPART PUB.
4.00PM...BOOKED IN AT LODGE.
4.30PM...DECIDED NOT TO HAVE THE LAMB TONIGHT...CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO COOK...IT CAN WAIT TILL TOMORROW...HAPPY NIBBLING ON NIBBLES...CUPPA TEA...HAPPY READING.
7.00PM...ATTEMPTING TO MAKE PHONE CALLS TO ENGLAND...WELL FRUSTRATED...IT JUST WON'T HAPPEN!
7.30PM...THERES A POOL KNOCKOUT COMPETION AT THE PUB...OFF I SET...NU NOT INTERESTED.
8.00PM...SIGNED UP...THERES A 100 DOLLAR 1ST PRIZE...2ND PRIZE 50 DOLLARS.
9.00PM...PLAYING IVAN.
9.20PM...IVAN DISMISSED.
9.35PM...ANOTHER BEER...PLAYING GRANT.
9.55PM...A GAME OF MISSED CHANCES BY BOTH.
10.00PM...GUESS I GOT LUCKY...GRANT DISMISSED.
10.10PM...ANOTHER BEER...NEXT OPPONENT REEDY.
10.15PM...ITS A GOOD GAME...HE'S A GOOD PLAYER.
10.25PM...BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH...BYE BYE REEDY!
10.40PM...THE FINAL...PLAYING WHATTO.
10.55PM...ONLY GOT THE BLACK TO POT...THE BLACK DROPS INTO THE POCKET...BUT OUCH...THE WHITE BALL ROLLS INTO ANOTHER POCKET...THE UNTHINKABLE AS HAPPENED...I'VE LOST...LIFES SO UNFAIR!
11.05PM...HANDSHAKES ALL ROUND...I DEPART WITH MY 50 DOLLARS...2ND PRIZE MONEY...OH WELL.
11.25PM...BACK WITH NU...APPALLED WITH MYSELF...2ND IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
11.55PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
STILL COLD.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
7.40AM...SLEPT WELL...COULD SLEEP SOME MORE.
7.55AM...NU GONE FOR CUPS OF TEA.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BUTTERED TOASR...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...PUT OUR BELONGINGS IN STORE ROOM.
9.40AM...WALKING TO TOWN CENTRE.
10.05AM...BUDGET RENTA CAR...ABOUT 10 QUID A DAY.
10.40AM...ALL FORMS COMPLETED...GOT A GOOD DEAL BECAUSE WE ARE HIRING FOR A MONTH.
11.00AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
12.15PM...IF WE'VE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING...IT'LL HAVE TO STAY FORGOTTEN.
12.30PM...OFF WE SET...MILFORD SOUND OUR DESTINATION...ABOUT 290K...ITS COLD.
1.00PM...MANY WINDING ROADS ALONG THE LAKE.
2.20PM...TE ANAU...SMALL TOWN...COFFEE SHOP...POST OFFICE.
2.55PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED CAR...120K STILL TO GO.
4.50PM...MILFORD SOUND...ITS COLD...VERY COLD.
5.05PM...BOOKED INTO HOTEL...NOT MUCH CHOICE...THERES ONLY ONE HERE!
5.30PM...SORTING BAGS...WE'VE GOT TO MUCH STUFF...HEAD BANGING!
6.10PM...PATE ON TOAST...GLASS OF WINE.
6.50PM...BOOKED CRUISE FOR TOMORROW...I\LL BE AN ICE-CUBE AFTER THAT!
5.8.08....DAY SEVEN...
7.10AM...NEEDA CUPPA.
7.30AM...WE HAVE TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.00AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.05AM...FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TYRE SEMI-FLAT ON RENTED CAR...OUCH...START CAR ANYWAY...I'LL TAKE IT SLOW...ONLY A COUPLE OF KILOMETRES TO GO TO OUR DEPARTURE POINT FOR FERRY CRUISE.
9.20AM...WAITING OUTSIDE CAFE FOR SHUTTLE BUS TO FIORDLAND CRUISE.
9.30AM...ON SHUTTLE BUS.
9.30AM...CRUISE DEPARTURE LOUNGE.
9.55AM...OFF WE SET...GOSH ITS COLD!
10.15AM...CRUISING DOWN THE FIORD...AN IMMENSE PATCH OF WATER WITH CLIFFS HIGHER THAN THE CLOUDS EITHER SIDE.
10.30AM...FREE PUMPKIN SOUP...WELCOMED.
10.45AM...NU HAPPY...CAMERA IN HAND.
11.10AM...A RARE PENGUIN IS SPOTTED...A SOUTHERN FURRY ONE...WOW!
11.40AM...SEALS ARE SPOTTED...THEY LIKE TO POSE.
12.05PM...UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY...AFTER SO MANY COUNTRIES...I'VE SEEN SO MANY OBSERVATORIES...THIS IS NOT A GOOD ONE.
1.00PM...BACK ON LAND.
1.15PM...PETROL STATION...BLOWN TYRE UP.
1.35PM...BACK AT MILFORD LODGE...THIS PLACE AS NO ATMOSPHERE.
2.00PM...PREPARING CURRY BOG...NU WRITING CARDS.
2.45PM...CURRY BOG SORTED...IT TASTES OK...I'VE MADE BETTER.
3.20PM...READING IN LODGE LOUNGE.
4.00PM...STILL READING[GOSH...I BET I SOUND LIKE AN INTELLECT?...NOT!]...THINK I'M GETTING A COLD...FEEL WEAK...LIVING OUTA SUITCASES IS GETTING TO US...THIS IS OUR 14TH COUNTRY...WE HAVE BEEN IN ZEALAND 7 DAYS NOW AND WHAT I'VE SEEN...I'VE ENJOYED...PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE ON HOLIDAY...BUT ITS NOT...ITS A STRUGGLE AT TIMES...AND ITS EVEN MORE OF A STRUGGLE WHEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A COLD COMING!...I'M NOT LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY...BUT YOU KNOW I DESERVE SOME!
5.00PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM...ME AND MY GIRLIE.
5.35PM...SHOWER.
6.00PM...PICKED UP A MAGAZINE...READING ABOUT CROP SPRAYING IN COLUMBIA...WHISKEY/PEANUTS.
6.8.08....DAY EIGHT...
7.25AM...IT LOOKS COLD OUT THERE!
7.45AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...YOU DON'T HAVE TO BOIL A KETTLE...THEY HAVE BOILING HOT WATER URNS.
8.20AM...TIME GOING FAST...AND WE ARE GOING SLOW.
8.30AM...SHOWER...NEEDA SHAVE...CAN'T BE BOTHERED.
9.10AM...BACON IN A BUN...NICE CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...EVERYTHING IN THE CAR.
10.05AM...OFF WE SET.
11.00AM...MIRROR AKES...NU WITH CAMERA IN HAND...SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS ALL AROUND.
11.20AM...DRIVING ON.
12.20PM...BACK IN TE ANAU...SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT LAMB/SPUDS/CAULI/CARROTS...AND SNAKES...THE BEST SWEET EVER...WELL MAYBE NOT EVER!...BUT FOR NOW THEY'RE THE BEST!
1.05PM...LAKEFRONT LODGE...RECEPTION CLOSED TILL 2.00PM...OUCH!
1.30PM...PUB...SPEAKING WITH A BOTANIST CALLED MIKE...NU HAPPY CHATTING ABOUT PLANTS.
3.30PM...DEPART PUB.
4.00PM...BOOKED IN AT LODGE.
4.30PM...DECIDED NOT TO HAVE THE LAMB TONIGHT...CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO COOK...IT CAN WAIT TILL TOMORROW...HAPPY NIBBLING ON NIBBLES...CUPPA TEA...HAPPY READING.
7.00PM...ATTEMPTING TO MAKE PHONE CALLS TO ENGLAND...WELL FRUSTRATED...IT JUST WON'T HAPPEN!
7.30PM...THERES A POOL KNOCKOUT COMPETION AT THE PUB...OFF I SET...NU NOT INTERESTED.
8.00PM...SIGNED UP...THERES A 100 DOLLAR 1ST PRIZE...2ND PRIZE 50 DOLLARS.
9.00PM...PLAYING IVAN.
9.20PM...IVAN DISMISSED.
9.35PM...ANOTHER BEER...PLAYING GRANT.
9.55PM...A GAME OF MISSED CHANCES BY BOTH.
10.00PM...GUESS I GOT LUCKY...GRANT DISMISSED.
10.10PM...ANOTHER BEER...NEXT OPPONENT REEDY.
10.15PM...ITS A GOOD GAME...HE'S A GOOD PLAYER.
10.25PM...BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH...BYE BYE REEDY!
10.40PM...THE FINAL...PLAYING WHATTO.
10.55PM...ONLY GOT THE BLACK TO POT...THE BLACK DROPS INTO THE POCKET...BUT OUCH...THE WHITE BALL ROLLS INTO ANOTHER POCKET...THE UNTHINKABLE AS HAPPENED...I'VE LOST...LIFES SO UNFAIR!
11.05PM...HANDSHAKES ALL ROUND...I DEPART WITH MY 50 DOLLARS...2ND PRIZE MONEY...OH WELL.
11.25PM...BACK WITH NU...APPALLED WITH MYSELF...2ND IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
11.55PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
STILL COLD.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
JUST A FEW WORDS ABOUT LITTLE OLD OZ!
THERES A WHOLE LOT GREAT ABOUT OZ...ENJOYED IT ALL...SOUTH COAST EASILY THE BEST....OZ FOLK?...YOU CAN'T FAULT THEM...THEY HELPED NU AND I MORE THAN WE COULD OF HOPED FOR...THE VEGGIES AND THE MEAT ARE LOADS BETTER THAN THE ENGLISH EQUILAVANT...SUNSETS TO DIE FOR...SCENERY UNBELIEVABLE...I GREAT PLACE TO COME...TO LIVE?...I THINK NOT!...PRICES ARE HIGH...PUB ATMOSEPHERE IS DIRE...THERS A LOTTA JEALOUSY TOWARDS THE ENGLISH...THEY WON'T ADMIT IT...BUT YOU CAN SEE IT...YOU FEEL IT...THE OZZIES WORSHIP THERE COUNTRY AND ARE BLIND TO ITS FAULTS...THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY...THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH IMMAGRATION...THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH STREET CRIME...THE TAXES ARE WELL HIGH...THEY SAY ITS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH TO LIVE...BUT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WE HAVE...WE,THE ENGLISH ADMIT OUR FAULTS...THE OZZIES SHY AWAY FROM THEM...THEY LIVE IN OK BUNGALOWS WITH A FAIR PATCH OF LAND...BUT THERES SO MUCH LAND ITS WORTHLESS!...DID YOU KNOW?...[NO JOKE]...80% OF EX-PATS ARE RETURNING TO THE UK...NEVER LOOK FURTHER THAN THE UK...ITS THE PLACE TO BE!.....Ps.57% OF THE BEACHES IN OZ ARE NO GO...ANOTHER 25% ARE OUTA BOUNDS AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR...MAINLY BECAUSE CERTAIN CREATURES MAY LIKE TO HAVE A TASTY?...NIBBLE!...ALSO DID YOU?...THE OLDEST VEG IN THE WORLD IS THE PEA!...I READ IT ON A PACK OF CRISPS...THAT GIVE YOU A BIT OF TRIVIA!...EXCITING HEY?
NEW ZEALAND TIMES....THE START.
30.7.08...DAY ONE.
1.00AM...ATTEMPTING TO SLEEP...BIT OF TURBULENCE.
2.30AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
5.00AM...COMING INTO LAND...THINK I SLEPT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.
6.00AM...CUPPA COFFEE AT AIRPORT CAFE.
7.00AM...NU PHONING LAURA...I'M TIRED...NEED TO SLEEP.
8.00AM...SECURITY/CUSTOMS/DUTY FREE...BOUGHT BOTTLE OF WILD TURKEY AND A BOTTLE OF BACARDI FOR NU.
8.25AM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE BAR...BEER...NU FALLING ASLEEP.
9.10AM...THE CALL COMES OVER ON THE TANNOY FOR OUR FLIGHT.
9.30AM...SITTING ON PLANE...WELL WEARY.
9.45AM...TAKE OFF.
10.30AM...ASLEEP.
12.30PM...BACK IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
3.00PM...COMING INTO LAND...THE FLIGHT WAS ONLY 3 HOURS...BUT ZEALAND ADDS ANOTHER 3 HOURS...IS THAT 3 HOURS MORE OF LIFE...OR 3 HOURS LESS?
3.20PM...TOUCH DOWN SUCCESSFUL.
3.50PM...SECURITY CHECK/PASSPORT CONTROL...NU BECAUSE SHE AS AN IRISH PASSPORT ONLY GETS 3 MONTHS...I,BEING ENGLISH GET 6!
4.20PM...ON BUS TO CHRISTCHURCH CENTRE...COLD AND RAINY...OUR FIRST GLIMPSE OF ZEALAND.
5.15PM...STONEYHURST HOTEL/HOSTEL.
5.30PM...IN OUR WARM ENSUITE ROOM WITH AN ELECTRIC BLANKET!
6.15PM...FEELING HUNGRY...NEED FOOD...YOU USUALLY DO WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY!
7.10PM...VIC AND WHALE STEAK HOUSE...IF I CAN EAT A 1kg STEAK!...PLUS CHIPS[LOADS]...PLUS MUSHROOMS AND SALAD...I AM REWARDED WITH A T-SHIRT...WITH A PRINT SAYING I COMPLETED THE CHALLENGE!...NU HAVING A 250 gramme STEAK...SHE'S SENSIBLE...I'M MAD!
7.40PM...HERE WE GO...GOSH ITS FAT AND WIDE AND LONG...AND THERES HALF A TON OF SPUD TO GO WITH IT...SALAD LOOKS TASTY!
8.10PM...I'M DEFEATED...I'M FAT...I KNEW THAT BEFORE I STARTED...I NEVER WANNA SEE ANOTHER STEAK IN MY LIFE!
9.00PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM...NU'S FALLEN ASLEEP...I'M WATCHING 'BLOOD DIAMOND'...I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE...IT'S A GOOD FILM...I SHOULD SLEEP...BUT CAN'T SEEM TO CLOSE MY EYES...GUESS I FEEL IT IN THE MORNING.
31.7.08...DAY TWO.
10.00AM...COULD SLEEP FOREVER...BUT I'M THIRSTY AND HUNGRY!...AFTER THAT STEAK LAST NIGHT...I DON'T KNOW HOW!
10.20AM...UNWASHED AND SLIGHTLY DAZED I GO DOWN STAIRS.
10.35AM...BACK WITH NU IN ROOM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
11.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
12.05PM...BREAKFAST/EARLY LUNCH?...TWO FRIED EGG ON TOAST AT THE CAFE ON THE CORNER.
12.50PM...TOFFS...BOUGHT A NEW BELT...NU'S GOT SCARF AND GLOVES.
1.45PM...BACK AT HOTEL...PHONED COMPANY ABOUT RELOCATION DEALS...THEY HAVE A CAMPER VAN THEY NEED DELIVERING TO QUEENSTOWN.
2.35PM...IN INTERNET CAFE PRINTING OUT THE DETAILS FOR VAN DELIVERY.
4.00PM...BACK AT HOTEL...IT'S TO COLD TO STAY OUT LONG...PICKING UP RELOCATION VAN TOMORROW AT 10.00AM.
4.40PM...BETTER TRY A DROP OF THE OL'WILD TURKEY[WHISKEY].
5.20PM...HAVING A STROLL ROUND.
5.50PM...SPEAKING WITH A YOUNG COUPLE FROM ESSEX.
6.10PM...HAVING A GAME OF POOL.
6.45PM...NU AS COME TO FIND ME.
7.00PM...HAVING A CHAT WITH AMY AND LEE[ESSEX]...THEY HAVE A VAN TO SELL...OUCH!
7.50PM...CHICKEN SOUP AND BREAD...WENT DOWN WELL.
8.30PM...BACK WAFFERLING WITH LEE AND AMY...BACARDI AND WHISKEY TO THE FORE.
11.00PM...SLEEPY EYED...TIME TO RETIRE.
1.8.08...DAY THREE.
7.00AM...STILL FEELING JET LAGGED...IS THAT AN EXCUSE FOR LAZINESS?
7.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
7.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.20AM...TOAST.
8.55AM...ALL PACKED UP...AMY AND LEE HAVE KINDLY OFFERED TO GIVE US A LIFT IN THERE VAN TO THE VAN RELOCATION CENTRE.
9.15AM...ON THE WAY TO VAN DEPOT...ITS NEAR THE AIRPORT.
10.00AM...I DON'T THINK ITS AS GOOD A DEAL AS I THOUGHT...BUT THEY TOOK 100 DOLLAR VIA THE CREDIT CARD OVER THE PHONE AND IF WE DON'T DELIVER...WE LOSE THE 100 DOLLAR...OUCH.
10.40AM...GOING THRU THE PAPERWORK...RULESW/REGULATIONS.
11.20AM...OFF WE SET...I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS...550K AHEAD TO QUEENSTOWN...GOTTA DELIVER IT BY 3.00PM TOMORROW...THATS ONLY 29 HOURS...THEY INITIALLY SAID 2 DAYS...I THOUGHT THAT WAS 48 HOURS!
12.40PM...GERALDINE TOWN...SLEEP PLACE.
2.10PM...LAKE TEKAPO...BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
3.30PM...A TOWN CALLED'TWIZEL'...WE ARE HITTING THE SNOW...TAKING IT SLOW.
4.00PM...LINDOSS PASS...SNOW HEAPED UP...SKY DARKENING...ROAD TWISTY.
6.00PM...CROMWELL...THATS IT FOR TODAY...ABOUT 50K TO QUEENSTOWN.
6.20PM...KEBAB AND CHIPS.
6.50PM...CAMPSITE.
7.30PM...TIRED FROM CONCERNTRATING...DIDN'T ENJOY THE DRIVE...THE ROADS ARE NOT THE BEST...ITS UP HILL AND DOWN THE NEXT.
8.30PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
2.8.08...DAY FOUR.
7.00AM...SLEPT WELL...KINDA CRUMPLED.
7.20AM...KETTLE ON.
7.35AM...CUPPA TEA...NOT SURE ABOUT THESE T-BAGS...THEY WERE CHEAPO'S.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...BACON/EGG/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.10AM...I THINK WE'RE READY.
10.25AM...OFF WE SET.
11.50AM...QUEENSTOWN.
12.05PM...PRICES ARE HIGH HERE...ITS SKI SEASON.
1.00PM...BUNGI HOSTEL...DOUBLE ROOM...IT'LL DO.
2.00PM...DRIVING TO AIRPORT TO DROP VAN OFF.
2.25PM...AIRPORT...EVERYTHING IN ORDER.
2.35PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT RENTING A CAR.
2.50PM...WE THINK WE HAVE GOT AN OK DEAL...NEED THE CAR FOR A MONTH...GONNA THINK ABOUT IT FOR 24 HOURS.
3.20PM...BUS BACK TO TOWN CENTRE.
3.45PM...WALKING SHOPS.
4.00PM,..NU AS NEW SOCKS[BIT FANCY]...PLUS POSTCARDS AND STAMPS.
4.35PM...PIG AND WHISTLE...THIRSTY WORK SEEING THE WORLD!
5.20PM...HEARD ITS HAPPY HOUR AT 'THE BRAZZ'...ONLY 10 YARDS ACROSS THE ROAD.
6.05PM...ORDERED STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...THE OTHER NIGHT AFTER THAT 1kg STEAK...I DIDN'T WANNA SEE ANOTHER SLAB OF BEEF...I'M A FUNNY OLD BEAN!
6.40PM...WONDERFUL STEAK...CAME WITH CHIPS AND A NUT SALAD?...DIFFERENT!
7.30PM...IT'S A FAIR WALK TO OUR ABODE...THERES A STEEP HILL IN FRONT.
7.55PM...TV ROOM...ALL BLACKS VERSUS OZ[RUGBY].
9.30PM...ALL BLACKS WIN 34-10.
10.10PM...CHATTING WITH OTHERS...WHISKEY GETTING LOW.
3.8.08...DAY FIVE.
9.55AM...WE'VE SLEPT WELL...NEEDED IT.
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...HOT WATER STRAIGHT FROM A HOT WATER URN.
10.35AM...DISCUSSING OUR NEXT MOVE...WE'VE AGREED WE WILL RENT A CAR.
11.00AM...KITCHEN CLOSED TO NOON...LOOKS LIKE ITS GONNA BE A LATE,LATE BREAKFAST.
11.40AM...PHONED CAR RENTAL COMPANY...TOLD THEM WE WISH TO DO BUSINESS...WILL PICK CAR UP TOMORROW.
12.15PM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
1.00PM...NU NOT FEELING GOOD...THE TABLETS WE GOT IN OZ ARE NOT THE SAME AS SHE HAD BEFORE...SHE'S GONE FOR A LIE DOWN.
2.00PM...I WALK INTO TOWN...NEED A FEW ITEMS...THIS PLACE IS BASICALLY FOR SKIERS...THE PLACE IS FULL OF RICH KIDS...AND THOUGHS THAT ARE NOT SO FORTUNATE WORK THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
2.55PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK...MY MINDS GONE BLANK...CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT ELSE WE NEEDED.
3.30PM...PUB...PIG AND WHISTLE...THEY SELL PINTS OF BITTER HERE...THERES A LOT OF ENGLISHNESS IN ZEALAND...WHAT I'VE SEEN I LIKE...I WANNA LIKE IT MORE.
3.50PM...THE FIRST PINT QUICKLY DEVOURED...BETTER HAVE ANOTHER...ITS SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN OZ.
5.00PM...BACK AT SUPERMARKET...I'VE REMEMBERED WHAT WE NEED.
5.25PM...WALKING BACK TO HOSTEL.
5.50PM...BACK WITH NU.
6.15PM...COOKING.
6.50PM...TASY MEAL...PORK/CARROTS/SPUD.
7.30PM...TIME TO RELAX.
COLD.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
NEW ZEALAND TIMES....THE START.
30.7.08...DAY ONE.
1.00AM...ATTEMPTING TO SLEEP...BIT OF TURBULENCE.
2.30AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
5.00AM...COMING INTO LAND...THINK I SLEPT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.
6.00AM...CUPPA COFFEE AT AIRPORT CAFE.
7.00AM...NU PHONING LAURA...I'M TIRED...NEED TO SLEEP.
8.00AM...SECURITY/CUSTOMS/DUTY FREE...BOUGHT BOTTLE OF WILD TURKEY AND A BOTTLE OF BACARDI FOR NU.
8.25AM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE BAR...BEER...NU FALLING ASLEEP.
9.10AM...THE CALL COMES OVER ON THE TANNOY FOR OUR FLIGHT.
9.30AM...SITTING ON PLANE...WELL WEARY.
9.45AM...TAKE OFF.
10.30AM...ASLEEP.
12.30PM...BACK IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
3.00PM...COMING INTO LAND...THE FLIGHT WAS ONLY 3 HOURS...BUT ZEALAND ADDS ANOTHER 3 HOURS...IS THAT 3 HOURS MORE OF LIFE...OR 3 HOURS LESS?
3.20PM...TOUCH DOWN SUCCESSFUL.
3.50PM...SECURITY CHECK/PASSPORT CONTROL...NU BECAUSE SHE AS AN IRISH PASSPORT ONLY GETS 3 MONTHS...I,BEING ENGLISH GET 6!
4.20PM...ON BUS TO CHRISTCHURCH CENTRE...COLD AND RAINY...OUR FIRST GLIMPSE OF ZEALAND.
5.15PM...STONEYHURST HOTEL/HOSTEL.
5.30PM...IN OUR WARM ENSUITE ROOM WITH AN ELECTRIC BLANKET!
6.15PM...FEELING HUNGRY...NEED FOOD...YOU USUALLY DO WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY!
7.10PM...VIC AND WHALE STEAK HOUSE...IF I CAN EAT A 1kg STEAK!...PLUS CHIPS[LOADS]...PLUS MUSHROOMS AND SALAD...I AM REWARDED WITH A T-SHIRT...WITH A PRINT SAYING I COMPLETED THE CHALLENGE!...NU HAVING A 250 gramme STEAK...SHE'S SENSIBLE...I'M MAD!
7.40PM...HERE WE GO...GOSH ITS FAT AND WIDE AND LONG...AND THERES HALF A TON OF SPUD TO GO WITH IT...SALAD LOOKS TASTY!
8.10PM...I'M DEFEATED...I'M FAT...I KNEW THAT BEFORE I STARTED...I NEVER WANNA SEE ANOTHER STEAK IN MY LIFE!
9.00PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM...NU'S FALLEN ASLEEP...I'M WATCHING 'BLOOD DIAMOND'...I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE...IT'S A GOOD FILM...I SHOULD SLEEP...BUT CAN'T SEEM TO CLOSE MY EYES...GUESS I FEEL IT IN THE MORNING.
31.7.08...DAY TWO.
10.00AM...COULD SLEEP FOREVER...BUT I'M THIRSTY AND HUNGRY!...AFTER THAT STEAK LAST NIGHT...I DON'T KNOW HOW!
10.20AM...UNWASHED AND SLIGHTLY DAZED I GO DOWN STAIRS.
10.35AM...BACK WITH NU IN ROOM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
11.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
12.05PM...BREAKFAST/EARLY LUNCH?...TWO FRIED EGG ON TOAST AT THE CAFE ON THE CORNER.
12.50PM...TOFFS...BOUGHT A NEW BELT...NU'S GOT SCARF AND GLOVES.
1.45PM...BACK AT HOTEL...PHONED COMPANY ABOUT RELOCATION DEALS...THEY HAVE A CAMPER VAN THEY NEED DELIVERING TO QUEENSTOWN.
2.35PM...IN INTERNET CAFE PRINTING OUT THE DETAILS FOR VAN DELIVERY.
4.00PM...BACK AT HOTEL...IT'S TO COLD TO STAY OUT LONG...PICKING UP RELOCATION VAN TOMORROW AT 10.00AM.
4.40PM...BETTER TRY A DROP OF THE OL'WILD TURKEY[WHISKEY].
5.20PM...HAVING A STROLL ROUND.
5.50PM...SPEAKING WITH A YOUNG COUPLE FROM ESSEX.
6.10PM...HAVING A GAME OF POOL.
6.45PM...NU AS COME TO FIND ME.
7.00PM...HAVING A CHAT WITH AMY AND LEE[ESSEX]...THEY HAVE A VAN TO SELL...OUCH!
7.50PM...CHICKEN SOUP AND BREAD...WENT DOWN WELL.
8.30PM...BACK WAFFERLING WITH LEE AND AMY...BACARDI AND WHISKEY TO THE FORE.
11.00PM...SLEEPY EYED...TIME TO RETIRE.
1.8.08...DAY THREE.
7.00AM...STILL FEELING JET LAGGED...IS THAT AN EXCUSE FOR LAZINESS?
7.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
7.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.20AM...TOAST.
8.55AM...ALL PACKED UP...AMY AND LEE HAVE KINDLY OFFERED TO GIVE US A LIFT IN THERE VAN TO THE VAN RELOCATION CENTRE.
9.15AM...ON THE WAY TO VAN DEPOT...ITS NEAR THE AIRPORT.
10.00AM...I DON'T THINK ITS AS GOOD A DEAL AS I THOUGHT...BUT THEY TOOK 100 DOLLAR VIA THE CREDIT CARD OVER THE PHONE AND IF WE DON'T DELIVER...WE LOSE THE 100 DOLLAR...OUCH.
10.40AM...GOING THRU THE PAPERWORK...RULESW/REGULATIONS.
11.20AM...OFF WE SET...I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS...550K AHEAD TO QUEENSTOWN...GOTTA DELIVER IT BY 3.00PM TOMORROW...THATS ONLY 29 HOURS...THEY INITIALLY SAID 2 DAYS...I THOUGHT THAT WAS 48 HOURS!
12.40PM...GERALDINE TOWN...SLEEP PLACE.
2.10PM...LAKE TEKAPO...BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
3.30PM...A TOWN CALLED'TWIZEL'...WE ARE HITTING THE SNOW...TAKING IT SLOW.
4.00PM...LINDOSS PASS...SNOW HEAPED UP...SKY DARKENING...ROAD TWISTY.
6.00PM...CROMWELL...THATS IT FOR TODAY...ABOUT 50K TO QUEENSTOWN.
6.20PM...KEBAB AND CHIPS.
6.50PM...CAMPSITE.
7.30PM...TIRED FROM CONCERNTRATING...DIDN'T ENJOY THE DRIVE...THE ROADS ARE NOT THE BEST...ITS UP HILL AND DOWN THE NEXT.
8.30PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
2.8.08...DAY FOUR.
7.00AM...SLEPT WELL...KINDA CRUMPLED.
7.20AM...KETTLE ON.
7.35AM...CUPPA TEA...NOT SURE ABOUT THESE T-BAGS...THEY WERE CHEAPO'S.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...BACON/EGG/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.10AM...I THINK WE'RE READY.
10.25AM...OFF WE SET.
11.50AM...QUEENSTOWN.
12.05PM...PRICES ARE HIGH HERE...ITS SKI SEASON.
1.00PM...BUNGI HOSTEL...DOUBLE ROOM...IT'LL DO.
2.00PM...DRIVING TO AIRPORT TO DROP VAN OFF.
2.25PM...AIRPORT...EVERYTHING IN ORDER.
2.35PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT RENTING A CAR.
2.50PM...WE THINK WE HAVE GOT AN OK DEAL...NEED THE CAR FOR A MONTH...GONNA THINK ABOUT IT FOR 24 HOURS.
3.20PM...BUS BACK TO TOWN CENTRE.
3.45PM...WALKING SHOPS.
4.00PM,..NU AS NEW SOCKS[BIT FANCY]...PLUS POSTCARDS AND STAMPS.
4.35PM...PIG AND WHISTLE...THIRSTY WORK SEEING THE WORLD!
5.20PM...HEARD ITS HAPPY HOUR AT 'THE BRAZZ'...ONLY 10 YARDS ACROSS THE ROAD.
6.05PM...ORDERED STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...THE OTHER NIGHT AFTER THAT 1kg STEAK...I DIDN'T WANNA SEE ANOTHER SLAB OF BEEF...I'M A FUNNY OLD BEAN!
6.40PM...WONDERFUL STEAK...CAME WITH CHIPS AND A NUT SALAD?...DIFFERENT!
7.30PM...IT'S A FAIR WALK TO OUR ABODE...THERES A STEEP HILL IN FRONT.
7.55PM...TV ROOM...ALL BLACKS VERSUS OZ[RUGBY].
9.30PM...ALL BLACKS WIN 34-10.
10.10PM...CHATTING WITH OTHERS...WHISKEY GETTING LOW.
3.8.08...DAY FIVE.
9.55AM...WE'VE SLEPT WELL...NEEDED IT.
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...HOT WATER STRAIGHT FROM A HOT WATER URN.
10.35AM...DISCUSSING OUR NEXT MOVE...WE'VE AGREED WE WILL RENT A CAR.
11.00AM...KITCHEN CLOSED TO NOON...LOOKS LIKE ITS GONNA BE A LATE,LATE BREAKFAST.
11.40AM...PHONED CAR RENTAL COMPANY...TOLD THEM WE WISH TO DO BUSINESS...WILL PICK CAR UP TOMORROW.
12.15PM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
1.00PM...NU NOT FEELING GOOD...THE TABLETS WE GOT IN OZ ARE NOT THE SAME AS SHE HAD BEFORE...SHE'S GONE FOR A LIE DOWN.
2.00PM...I WALK INTO TOWN...NEED A FEW ITEMS...THIS PLACE IS BASICALLY FOR SKIERS...THE PLACE IS FULL OF RICH KIDS...AND THOUGHS THAT ARE NOT SO FORTUNATE WORK THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
2.55PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK...MY MINDS GONE BLANK...CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT ELSE WE NEEDED.
3.30PM...PUB...PIG AND WHISTLE...THEY SELL PINTS OF BITTER HERE...THERES A LOT OF ENGLISHNESS IN ZEALAND...WHAT I'VE SEEN I LIKE...I WANNA LIKE IT MORE.
3.50PM...THE FIRST PINT QUICKLY DEVOURED...BETTER HAVE ANOTHER...ITS SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN OZ.
5.00PM...BACK AT SUPERMARKET...I'VE REMEMBERED WHAT WE NEED.
5.25PM...WALKING BACK TO HOSTEL.
5.50PM...BACK WITH NU.
6.15PM...COOKING.
6.50PM...TASY MEAL...PORK/CARROTS/SPUD.
7.30PM...TIME TO RELAX.
COLD.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
AUSTRALIA....A BIT MORE OF THE LAST...
26.7.08.
9.00AM...OUCH...ITS SATURDAY...J'N'L ARE ALREADY UP...WE ARE STILL IN BED!
9.15AM...MORNING JOHN...MORNING LORRAINE.
9.30AM...KETTLE ON.
9.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...J'N'L MAY HAVE HAD A TIFF...APPARENTLY WE MAY ARE GOING TO MACDONALDS FOR BREAKFAST!
11.00AM...OFF WE GO...4 OF US IN THERE 4X4.
11.20AM...MACDONALDS.
11.35AM...NU AND I TUCK IN TO OUR BREAKIE ROLLS + COFFEE...THE TASTE?...I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE INVENTED A WORD FOR IT YET!
12.10PM...BACK IN 4X4...FREEMANTLE FISH MARKET NEXT ETC.
1.05PM...PARKED UP IN FREEMANTLE...WEATHER PLEASANT.
1.30PM...FISH MARKET...JOHN SAYS THE FISH IS TO EXPENSIVE HERE.
1.50PM...WALKING SHOPS.
2.20PM...BEST FOR LESS...A CHEAP OK CLOTHING OUTLET.
2.40PM...I HAVE NEW JEANS...NU AS NEW TOPS.
2.55PM...PUB...THEY SELL NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE HERE...I SMILE.
3.50PM...BACK IN 4X4...WE ARE GOING TO ANOTHER FISH MARKET[CAROUSEL].
4.40PM...CAROUSEL FISH MARKET...PRICES LOOK DEAR TO ME...I SAID I'D BUY THE FISH...FISHFINGERS WOULD DO NU AND I!
5.05PM...I HAVE 2 KILO OF FRESH BANANA PRAWNS...25 POUND STERLING WORTH!
5.30PM...IN WOOLWORTH SUPERMARKET...JOHN BUYING STEAK FOR TONIGHT...THE FISH IS FOR TOMORROW.
6.10PM...BACK IN 4X4...NEXT STOP WINERY.
6.35PM...WINERY...JOHN IS KEEN TO INTRODUCE ME TO 'JADRAN' GINGER WINE...ONE TASTE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME...I BUY A BOTTLE OF ROSE...NU AS A BOTTLE OF SPARKLING SHIRAZ.
7.05PM...BACK IN 4X4.
7.30PM...BACK AT OUR ABODE...WEARY.
8.10PM...STEAK/HONEY SPUDS/PEPPERS/ONIONS...TASTED GOOD.
8.40PM...STRAWBERRIES/ICECREAM...TASTED GOODIER!...NU AND I ARE FULL!
9.10PM...VIDEO...THE FASTEST INDIAN STARRING ANTHONY HOPKINS...TRUE STORY...WELL WORTH A LOOK.
11.00PM...TIME FOR BED...ITS BEEN A FULL/LONG DAY...AN ENJOYABLE DAY.
27.7.08.
8.35AM...DON'T WANNA GET UP...RAIN POURING DOWN...IT FEELS COLD OUT THERE.
8.50AM...MORNING LORRAINE...JOHNS GONE TO WORK...ITS SUNDAY...OH...MUST BE OVERTIME.
9.00AM...KETTLE ON.
9.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.10AM...WEETABIX...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.00AM...SINCE WE HAVE SOLD THE VAN...WE CAN DEPART OZ EARLIER...SO I AM ON THE COMPUTER...HOPEFULLY I CAN CHANGE THE DATES...MIGHT COST A BIT...UNSURE...ITS DOING MY HEAD IN.
11.20AM...SPEAKING WITH LADY ON PHONE ABOUT CHANGING OUR FLYING DATE.
11.35AM...ITS OK TO CHANGE DATES...BUT ITS CHEAPER TO DO IT ON LINE VIA THE NET...THE LADY ON THE PHONE IS PATIENTLY TALKING ME THRU WHAT I HAVE TO DO...SHE'S EVER SO NICE...PROBABLY GOT THE HOTS FOR ME!
11.55AM...WE HAVE NEW TICKETS...WE NOW FLY ON THE 30.7.08...HOORAY!
12.10PM...JOHN RETURNS FRO HIS SUNDAY MORNING WORK.
12.30PM...I'M BACK ON THE COMPUTER...SEARCHING FOR TICKETS FROM NEW ZEALAND TO ENGLAND.
1.00PM...ALL SORTED...FLY OUTA AUCKLAND ON THE 29TH OCT...SO WE'LL BE BACK HOME FOR THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER...THIS WAS MEANT TO BE A TWO YEAR STINT...BUT IT'LL HAVE ONLY TAKEN US 14 MONTHS!
2.30PM...TIME TO EAT...BANANA PRAWNS AND SPINACH SALAD!...ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!
3.20PM...WATCHING VIDEO...CITIZEN X...A TRUE FILM ABOUT A RUSSIAN SERIAL KILLER.
5.00PM...FRIENDS OF J'N'L TURN UP...THEY SEEM TO LAUGH AT ANYTHING.
6.00PM...JOHNS SON IN LAW SHOWS UP...WITH MARRAN...CRAYFISH HE AS JUST CAUGHT...IN THE POT THEY GO!
6.20PM...NU AND I ARE NOW EATING MARRAN...FRESHER THAN FRESH...DEADER THAN DEAD...NOT ALOT OF TASTE TO THEM.
7.30PM...WATCHING ANOTHER VIDEO...BUT I'M BORED.
7.50PM...TOM TEXTED ME...WANTS ME TO PHONE HIM.
8.10PM...TALKING WITH TOM.
9.00PM...MISSED THE FILM...THATS OK!
10.10PM...READY FOR BED.
28.7.08.
8.10AM...MONDAY AS ARRIVED.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.05AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.55AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.15AM...RAIN LASHING DOWN...NEED TO GET TO POSTOFFICE...GOTTA PARCEL TO SEND.
11.00AM...PREPARING VEGGIES FOR TONIGHTS MEAL.
12.15PM...RAIN AS STOPPED...NU NOT COMING...GOTTA GO TO POSTOFFICE ON MY OWN...UMBRELLA IN HAND...RUCKSACK ON MY BACK.
1.00PM...FOUND POSTOFFICE.
1.10PM...SPOKE WITH LADY AT COUNTER...SHE POINTS TO A BOX...PLUS I HAVE TO FILL IN A FORM DESCRIBING WHAT IS IN THE BOX.
1.25PM...FILLING IN BOX...PACKING PARCEL.
1.40PM...JOIN QUEUE FOR COUNTER AGAIN.
1.45PM...HAVE NOT FILLED FORM IN CORRECTLY...SENT TO THE BACK OF THE QUEUE.
1.55PM...MADE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE QUEUE AGAIN...THIRD TIME LUCKY?
2.05PM...ALL SORTED...COST A PACKET.
2.15PM...OFF I SET FOR THE PHARMACY AND SUPERMARKET...RAIN POURING DOWN...BROLLY UP.
2.40PM...PHARMACY...GOTTA GET NU'S TABLETS.
2.50PM...NO PROBLEM SAYS THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER...47 DOLLARS A BOX.
3.00PM...I START WALKING TO THE SUPERMARKET...HOLD ON A MINUTE I THOUGHT...THATS A BIT EXPENSIVE.
3.10PM...I SPOT ANOTHER PHARMACY AND DECIDE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE PRICE THERE...I'VE BEEN DONE...IT'S 16 DOLLAR CHEAPER HERE!
3.20PM...I'M ON MY WAY BACK TO THE FIRST PHARMACY...I WANT MY MONEY BACK.
3.35PM...EXPLAINING PRICE DIFFERENCE TO GIRL AT FIRST PHARMACY.
3.40PM...SHE UNSMILINGLY GIVES ME MY MONEY BACK.
4.00PM...BACK AT SECOND PHARMACY.
4.10PM...ALL SORTED...31 DOLLAR A BOX.
4.20PM...SUPERMARKET...GOTTA GET CAULI/PORK/SPUD AND BREAD.
4.45PM...WALKING BACK.
5.20PM...BACK WITH NU...SHATTERED...FEEL WET AND SWEATY...NEEDA CUPPA.
5.40PM...IN THE SHOWER.
6.30PM...CHICKEN/SPUD/PEAS.
7.40PM...BACARDI AND COKE.
8.30PM...WATCHING TELE.
29.7.08.
8.40AM...THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG DAY.
8.55AM...KETTLE ON.
9.10AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.00AM...GOTTA GO APACKIN'...NEW CASE ON WHEELS PLUS RUCKSACK.
11.20AM...EVERYTHING IS STREWN...NOT EASY TO KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN.
11.40AM...CUPPA COFFEE.
12.10PM...WE'VE MANAGED TO GET IT ALL IN?...NO WE HAVEN'T!....TWO PAIR OF SHOES...DAMN!...HOW DID WE MISS THEM?
12.30PM...EVERYTHING COMING OUT.
1.00PM...BEANS/MUSHROOMS/BACON IN A DISH!...NU'S RECIPE!
1.40PM...REPACKING.
2.05PM...SHOWER.
2.50PM...EVERYTHING IN...INCLUDIND SHOES...NU WORRIED THAT THE CASE IS TO HEAVY.
3.15PM...READING.
4.10PM...JOHN RETURNS FROM WORK.
4.30PM...LORRAINE RETURNS FROM WORK.
6.00PM...PORK CAULIFLOWER CHEESE STIRFRY...ITS AN OZ DISH...TASTED OK.
6.35PM...PEARS AND ICECREAM...YUMMY.
7.00PM...WATCHING TV NEWS.
8.00PM...JOHN TAKING US TO THE AIRPORT...STILL RAINING.
8.25PM...AIRPORT.
8.45PM...TICKET DESK/CHECK IN.
9.10PM...SECURITY CHECK.
9.35PM...TRIED TO PHONE JEANIE...NO LUCK...PHONED PAULINE.
10.10PM...AIRPORT BAR...BOUGHT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
11.30PM...CALL TO BOARD.
11.50PM...SEATED ON PLANE.
12.10AM...IN THE AIR.
PHEW!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
9.00AM...OUCH...ITS SATURDAY...J'N'L ARE ALREADY UP...WE ARE STILL IN BED!
9.15AM...MORNING JOHN...MORNING LORRAINE.
9.30AM...KETTLE ON.
9.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...J'N'L MAY HAVE HAD A TIFF...APPARENTLY WE MAY ARE GOING TO MACDONALDS FOR BREAKFAST!
11.00AM...OFF WE GO...4 OF US IN THERE 4X4.
11.20AM...MACDONALDS.
11.35AM...NU AND I TUCK IN TO OUR BREAKIE ROLLS + COFFEE...THE TASTE?...I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE INVENTED A WORD FOR IT YET!
12.10PM...BACK IN 4X4...FREEMANTLE FISH MARKET NEXT ETC.
1.05PM...PARKED UP IN FREEMANTLE...WEATHER PLEASANT.
1.30PM...FISH MARKET...JOHN SAYS THE FISH IS TO EXPENSIVE HERE.
1.50PM...WALKING SHOPS.
2.20PM...BEST FOR LESS...A CHEAP OK CLOTHING OUTLET.
2.40PM...I HAVE NEW JEANS...NU AS NEW TOPS.
2.55PM...PUB...THEY SELL NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE HERE...I SMILE.
3.50PM...BACK IN 4X4...WE ARE GOING TO ANOTHER FISH MARKET[CAROUSEL].
4.40PM...CAROUSEL FISH MARKET...PRICES LOOK DEAR TO ME...I SAID I'D BUY THE FISH...FISHFINGERS WOULD DO NU AND I!
5.05PM...I HAVE 2 KILO OF FRESH BANANA PRAWNS...25 POUND STERLING WORTH!
5.30PM...IN WOOLWORTH SUPERMARKET...JOHN BUYING STEAK FOR TONIGHT...THE FISH IS FOR TOMORROW.
6.10PM...BACK IN 4X4...NEXT STOP WINERY.
6.35PM...WINERY...JOHN IS KEEN TO INTRODUCE ME TO 'JADRAN' GINGER WINE...ONE TASTE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME...I BUY A BOTTLE OF ROSE...NU AS A BOTTLE OF SPARKLING SHIRAZ.
7.05PM...BACK IN 4X4.
7.30PM...BACK AT OUR ABODE...WEARY.
8.10PM...STEAK/HONEY SPUDS/PEPPERS/ONIONS...TASTED GOOD.
8.40PM...STRAWBERRIES/ICECREAM...TASTED GOODIER!...NU AND I ARE FULL!
9.10PM...VIDEO...THE FASTEST INDIAN STARRING ANTHONY HOPKINS...TRUE STORY...WELL WORTH A LOOK.
11.00PM...TIME FOR BED...ITS BEEN A FULL/LONG DAY...AN ENJOYABLE DAY.
27.7.08.
8.35AM...DON'T WANNA GET UP...RAIN POURING DOWN...IT FEELS COLD OUT THERE.
8.50AM...MORNING LORRAINE...JOHNS GONE TO WORK...ITS SUNDAY...OH...MUST BE OVERTIME.
9.00AM...KETTLE ON.
9.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.10AM...WEETABIX...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.00AM...SINCE WE HAVE SOLD THE VAN...WE CAN DEPART OZ EARLIER...SO I AM ON THE COMPUTER...HOPEFULLY I CAN CHANGE THE DATES...MIGHT COST A BIT...UNSURE...ITS DOING MY HEAD IN.
11.20AM...SPEAKING WITH LADY ON PHONE ABOUT CHANGING OUR FLYING DATE.
11.35AM...ITS OK TO CHANGE DATES...BUT ITS CHEAPER TO DO IT ON LINE VIA THE NET...THE LADY ON THE PHONE IS PATIENTLY TALKING ME THRU WHAT I HAVE TO DO...SHE'S EVER SO NICE...PROBABLY GOT THE HOTS FOR ME!
11.55AM...WE HAVE NEW TICKETS...WE NOW FLY ON THE 30.7.08...HOORAY!
12.10PM...JOHN RETURNS FRO HIS SUNDAY MORNING WORK.
12.30PM...I'M BACK ON THE COMPUTER...SEARCHING FOR TICKETS FROM NEW ZEALAND TO ENGLAND.
1.00PM...ALL SORTED...FLY OUTA AUCKLAND ON THE 29TH OCT...SO WE'LL BE BACK HOME FOR THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER...THIS WAS MEANT TO BE A TWO YEAR STINT...BUT IT'LL HAVE ONLY TAKEN US 14 MONTHS!
2.30PM...TIME TO EAT...BANANA PRAWNS AND SPINACH SALAD!...ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!
3.20PM...WATCHING VIDEO...CITIZEN X...A TRUE FILM ABOUT A RUSSIAN SERIAL KILLER.
5.00PM...FRIENDS OF J'N'L TURN UP...THEY SEEM TO LAUGH AT ANYTHING.
6.00PM...JOHNS SON IN LAW SHOWS UP...WITH MARRAN...CRAYFISH HE AS JUST CAUGHT...IN THE POT THEY GO!
6.20PM...NU AND I ARE NOW EATING MARRAN...FRESHER THAN FRESH...DEADER THAN DEAD...NOT ALOT OF TASTE TO THEM.
7.30PM...WATCHING ANOTHER VIDEO...BUT I'M BORED.
7.50PM...TOM TEXTED ME...WANTS ME TO PHONE HIM.
8.10PM...TALKING WITH TOM.
9.00PM...MISSED THE FILM...THATS OK!
10.10PM...READY FOR BED.
28.7.08.
8.10AM...MONDAY AS ARRIVED.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.05AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.55AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.15AM...RAIN LASHING DOWN...NEED TO GET TO POSTOFFICE...GOTTA PARCEL TO SEND.
11.00AM...PREPARING VEGGIES FOR TONIGHTS MEAL.
12.15PM...RAIN AS STOPPED...NU NOT COMING...GOTTA GO TO POSTOFFICE ON MY OWN...UMBRELLA IN HAND...RUCKSACK ON MY BACK.
1.00PM...FOUND POSTOFFICE.
1.10PM...SPOKE WITH LADY AT COUNTER...SHE POINTS TO A BOX...PLUS I HAVE TO FILL IN A FORM DESCRIBING WHAT IS IN THE BOX.
1.25PM...FILLING IN BOX...PACKING PARCEL.
1.40PM...JOIN QUEUE FOR COUNTER AGAIN.
1.45PM...HAVE NOT FILLED FORM IN CORRECTLY...SENT TO THE BACK OF THE QUEUE.
1.55PM...MADE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE QUEUE AGAIN...THIRD TIME LUCKY?
2.05PM...ALL SORTED...COST A PACKET.
2.15PM...OFF I SET FOR THE PHARMACY AND SUPERMARKET...RAIN POURING DOWN...BROLLY UP.
2.40PM...PHARMACY...GOTTA GET NU'S TABLETS.
2.50PM...NO PROBLEM SAYS THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER...47 DOLLARS A BOX.
3.00PM...I START WALKING TO THE SUPERMARKET...HOLD ON A MINUTE I THOUGHT...THATS A BIT EXPENSIVE.
3.10PM...I SPOT ANOTHER PHARMACY AND DECIDE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE PRICE THERE...I'VE BEEN DONE...IT'S 16 DOLLAR CHEAPER HERE!
3.20PM...I'M ON MY WAY BACK TO THE FIRST PHARMACY...I WANT MY MONEY BACK.
3.35PM...EXPLAINING PRICE DIFFERENCE TO GIRL AT FIRST PHARMACY.
3.40PM...SHE UNSMILINGLY GIVES ME MY MONEY BACK.
4.00PM...BACK AT SECOND PHARMACY.
4.10PM...ALL SORTED...31 DOLLAR A BOX.
4.20PM...SUPERMARKET...GOTTA GET CAULI/PORK/SPUD AND BREAD.
4.45PM...WALKING BACK.
5.20PM...BACK WITH NU...SHATTERED...FEEL WET AND SWEATY...NEEDA CUPPA.
5.40PM...IN THE SHOWER.
6.30PM...CHICKEN/SPUD/PEAS.
7.40PM...BACARDI AND COKE.
8.30PM...WATCHING TELE.
29.7.08.
8.40AM...THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG DAY.
8.55AM...KETTLE ON.
9.10AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.00AM...GOTTA GO APACKIN'...NEW CASE ON WHEELS PLUS RUCKSACK.
11.20AM...EVERYTHING IS STREWN...NOT EASY TO KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN.
11.40AM...CUPPA COFFEE.
12.10PM...WE'VE MANAGED TO GET IT ALL IN?...NO WE HAVEN'T!....TWO PAIR OF SHOES...DAMN!...HOW DID WE MISS THEM?
12.30PM...EVERYTHING COMING OUT.
1.00PM...BEANS/MUSHROOMS/BACON IN A DISH!...NU'S RECIPE!
1.40PM...REPACKING.
2.05PM...SHOWER.
2.50PM...EVERYTHING IN...INCLUDIND SHOES...NU WORRIED THAT THE CASE IS TO HEAVY.
3.15PM...READING.
4.10PM...JOHN RETURNS FROM WORK.
4.30PM...LORRAINE RETURNS FROM WORK.
6.00PM...PORK CAULIFLOWER CHEESE STIRFRY...ITS AN OZ DISH...TASTED OK.
6.35PM...PEARS AND ICECREAM...YUMMY.
7.00PM...WATCHING TV NEWS.
8.00PM...JOHN TAKING US TO THE AIRPORT...STILL RAINING.
8.25PM...AIRPORT.
8.45PM...TICKET DESK/CHECK IN.
9.10PM...SECURITY CHECK.
9.35PM...TRIED TO PHONE JEANIE...NO LUCK...PHONED PAULINE.
10.10PM...AIRPORT BAR...BOUGHT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
11.30PM...CALL TO BOARD.
11.50PM...SEATED ON PLANE.
12.10AM...IN THE AIR.
PHEW!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
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