We're both staggered that 5 months have gone since we arrived in this serene place, and just a little sad that we have to leave in 26 days. As our last month approached we were bemoaning that we only had a month left. Then we smiled as the ridiculousness of that "bemoaning" struck home. Most people can only dream of spending one whole month in a place like the Bay of Islands, let alone 6 months. Plus we get to return after spending a further 6 months travelling around the world. Lucky B's is, I assume, the description the majority of the population would give if asked. So now that we have reminded ourselves just how fortunate we are, this last month like the last 5, will be fully enjoyed, as will the travelling to Japan, UK, Spain, Germany, UK and USA that follows. Do I hear lucky B's, being mumbled?
Since the last blog the weather report is that 1st Feb seems to have been it for significant rainfall. The sun has shone and the man who delivers water to fill up empty tanks is busy and happy. In our house Dawn implemented some strict (and sensible....) water saving measures, so we haven't even managed to empty one of our two huge tanks. Don't worry, the "measures" still allowed showers and flushing, so our house is still a wonderful place to visit. Talking of visits, we are getting booked up for our next period of time here (between early Nov 2010 and early May 2011) as people realise we are serious about loving to have guests. So to all our friends who said they would like to come (which was just about everybody) let us know soon or you may miss out for another year and this beautiful part of the world should not be missed.
Gardening report, bloody hard work, but loving it....... The photos we promised last report are below. Taking account of the fact that we were an office worker and a teacher, and this has been a reasonably large landscaping project, we're quite pleased with our progress, but there's still a lot more to do on the back garden when we return. It may not look like it, but there are over 100 plants in that area still looking like a building site.... The other photos are top and side gardens where we've concentrated our effort this year. For Brian, it's strange the pleasure he gets from digging holes and creating paths with a pick-axe, perhaps he missed his true vocation when young....
We had more visitors. Dominique (Dawn's daughter) and Sara (Dawn's unofficial adopted daughter) both came for a 12 day stay. We were concerned it might be a little quiet for them in this peaceful haven, how wrong we were. They quickly found where the young crowd hang out and had a ball with late nights listening to reggae music, followed by "very" early morning swims in the Bay. Dawn usually heard them come in, Brian didn't. We took them down to Auckland for a couple of nights, during the Chinese festival with great lanterns, music and a firework display. They even had their hands "henna'd" in the local market. Anyway, the outcome of their visit is that they both are now totally smitten with the Bay of Islands and NZ and are frantically planning for their return.
Back to what us oldies have been up to. We've been to the local town hall a few times to see locally produced theatre, very good it was. For a break from the tranquility of Russell we flew down for our first visit to the Mainland (as South Islanders call it). Queenstown deserves it's reputation as one of the fun places in the world as it's possible to risk life and limb doing all sorts of hair raising activities. It is the home of bungee jumping, the original being 43 meters, but now you can dive 134 meters... It has the worlds highest swing giving adrenaline rush seekers a 300 meter arc... Being a more sedate couple we restricted ourselves to speeding down a concrete track on the equivalent of a wooden tray, jet-boating up a glacier fed river with 360 degree turns by our enthusiastic young captain, then canoeing back down through the rapids in blow-up canoes (most with holes, notice the canoe leaning back in the photo). Our bravest activity was paragliding off the top of a mountain, that run and leap into nothingness is quite exhilarating. As with most of NZ the scenery around Queenstown is beautiful and we enjoyed lots of walking and savouring of views.
Now we're sure you're all interested in Brian's golf, stop yawning!!! He has stopped losing balls every round, the wild shots have, to some extent been tamed, and he is winning money. The handicap has also improved as a result. Ok, most of you can wake up again now.
Dawn is still tinkering with various activities. She joined a book club and at the first meeting was reminded of the longevity of the residents of the Bay of Islands! But her main activity has been investigating the very long winded and complex process for seeking residency in NZ. It seems NZ immigration want to know every aspect of your schooling and work experience. Luckily, as some of you may know, Dawn is a bit of a hoarder so she has produced a lot of what's required. Brian's just glad he's too old to apply because he would have found zilch........ The unfortunate news is that after the first submission of documents Dawn hasn't convinced them, but everyone here says you just keep trying and wear them down.
Well, that's it for now. Next update will probably be from Spain, which is also getting booked up with visitors for the time we're there (early May to end July), but there are still some gaps.....
We wish all our readers a very happy Easter. Respond if you like, we always love hearing from you.
No comments:
Post a Comment