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We are home in the UK now. Please use the link to 'At the Oaks'

LA Loss and Home

Matt did as asked and caught up with the coach that was to take us back. I dutifully and now gratefully produced a $5 note. We transferred to the coach back. The passengers involved were very forgiving. (We got the impression that they had waited some time for us, but were not letting on.) A minutes away from Matt our driver asked if a Mr Norwood was on the coach and asked if my name was James. Matt had found my credit card on the ground by his coach in Bereley Hills. I was at once alarmed that some millionaire celebrity my want to rip me off. Matt was not due back for some time and we were due to leave before that. What to do? Booking the coach was the last credit card transaction that we would do, so, we asked the company to cut it up when it was bought back to the office. I felt that I could trust them, but I have contacted the bank and had it cancelled since.



We got back to the Hacienda just after 12:00 noon, got our luggage boarded the shuttle, tipped the driver and entered the terminal. Again, to the confusion of LAX. However, they do have people in red uniforms who volunteer (Why?) to help passengers throught the airport. (One of these volunteers is a lady OAP). We got to the many confused queues at the BA desk. We were told that our flight would be one hour late. (The board was not to show this for some time and until it did we had to go on the assumption that it was on time. Which was some time and forced us through security earlier than we would have liked.)



When you bag has been weighed and labelled at the BA desk you then have to drag them across the hall to be left at the x-ray machines. At least we did not have to stand with them. (Had we have been told by a returning passenger at Heathrow we might have stayed to see them put in the machine. This returning passenger told me that when they received their case back from US customs the lock had been broken off and the baggage tie removed and put into the case with a letter saying that passengers to the US should not put locks on their cases as the customs officers were authorised to break them off. I have to say that our locks went through perfectly well.) On the US news we learned that the US is losing 17,000,000 tourists a year because of these draconian measures.



Having got through these formalities we went in search of food. This is all on the upper level. There is bar dedicated to the Japanese. There was no way that we could make out these menus. We searched for a doughnut. I suddenly realised that this was one US delicacy that we had not tried in the US. None were to be found. It looked like we were stuck with the internationally prefered snack of muffin and coffee, but I spotted 'root beer'. I don't know what it is, but it was served in a large Pepsi cup and tasted like Pepsi, but at least it was cold and wet.



Down stairs we went relatively smoothly through security. The departures area is bleak. I needed the toilet. I could not find a cubicle with a working lock that looked hygenic. Having explored this area we decided to press on to the BA departure gate, even though it was too early to do so. It was already crowded. The toilets here were newer, as was the area. The locks worked and it was cleaner. We had been told by the Quantas flight attendant that we would be bused out. However, he was wrong when it come to BA passengers. Our departure lounge was superior and our gate led directly on to the flight. We boarded our BA plane. Everything worked. There was a moment that my light would not switch off, but it was soon fixed. We in the UK not only believe in safety, but in honouring our contracts to provide all that we say we will. Let's try to find something good about our country.



The flight was smooth, the food was good, but despite the whiskey, sleep was difficult. Touch down home, emotions, disembark, long wait to collect baggage at the carousel. (Three out of five working.) Show passports, out of the terminal in minutes, not hours, no checks made.) Long walk through to the central bus station. Arctic winds blowing though the automatic doors which were constantly opening. Would it be possible to have air trap entrances? Across to tickets, great service, rebooked for £3, no space on 12:00 noon, space on 2:30. Bus boarding is efficient. The buses arrive on time, before they stop there is clear public announcement stating which bay, where to and when. Immediately the display board shows.



While waited we did put on some extra clothing, has a coffee and muffin and was greeted by the thunderous sound of hail on the tin roof.

Heathrow Bus Station - Hail Amongst the Spring Blossoms

The journey home was smooth. The coach pulled in to Broadmarsh Bus Station precisely on time. Four yards separated us from the 21. Ten minutes later we were off. Twenty minutes later we were at the top of Ewe Lamb Lane. Joni met us there.

The Kiwis had returned from their visit to the Down Under People on the Islands Next to Australia. We will always be Kiwis at heart. We have gained much from our trip - hopefully made friends with our girls.

We are drawn back by our commitment to family and friends here. But, one day, by God's grace we will return to the people and places which are now also in our hearts.

Lost in LA

When a travel agent tells you that Bank Holiday will not affect your travel; just laugh.

Fortunately, we had this time saving plan which involved driving ourselves and our luggage to Sally's office, leaving the car there and being taken in her car to the airport. So far, so good. However, Auckland airport happens to be at the end of the most amazing route that could be chosen to get you there and, everyone in Auckland had chosen to leave work early and take the airport route for their flights to bank holiday destinations. It was Thursday which was followed by Friday which happened to be Good Friday - a bank holiday in NZ. Good Friday is observed in NZ; everything stops - unlike the UK. The sky was blue and the temperature high.

Eventually though, in good time, we arrived at Auckland International and after our emotional 'good bye' made our way throught he usual checks - this airport is actually one of the worst dealing with departures - the queuing is disorganised - after the baggage queue there is then a queue to pay the departure tax - why? - no other airport in the world raises money this way. We purchased some refreshments, magazines (I bought two 'Amature Photographers' which happened to be the UK editions.) and a zip up plastic bag to take our medicines on board. Noticed advised us to do this, trained staff told us to buy them at 'Whitcoules', but no one told us that they were free at a dispenser just around the corner into the security checking area.

We boarded the plane. Everything was normal except for the announcement from the captain who was able to say, without laughing; I quote "It is a requirement of the United States government that passenger on board aircraft to the United States do not congregrate in groups, especially in the toilet area." We had two seats at the very back of the Quantas flight, next to a friendly Australian chief cabin steward. He told me two things which stick in mind and will be explained further. Firstly, he was in LA in 9/11 and secondly Quantas pride themselves on safety, so that even if the in flight entertainment fails the flight takes off, even if this means purchasing a large amount of magines to distribute amongst the passengers. What he failed to predict was that the inflight entertainment was about to fail and that this is no joke on a long haul flight. I was trying to get to sleep by the time that they had got it working.

Another missed prediction was the turbulence. For a long period of time it was like being in a car with no tyres or suspension on the most bumpy road in NZ that you could imagine. No one slept.

At last the plane flies in to dear LAX. Once again it was on board to articulated, vertically stacked mobile sardine can from touch down to terminal building. Our friendly steward explained that this was a good system which allowed pasengers to be taken conveniently to the appropriate arrivals area. This area happened to be the same arrivals area whether you were in transit, a foreign national or a LA visitor, or even flight crew. The one difference was that the American nationals got through the system quicker and the rest of us stood in along queue for almost an hour to have our finger prints and photos taken and our documents checked. On one of the documents I positively verified that I had never been involved espionage. There were no Arab passenger, and I saw no Arabs anywhere. Why?

Through to the sidewalk at last. This is where it all goes wrong. To understand what happened next you will need some information. LAX forms almost a quadrangle with a square build in the centre concentrically placed is continuous island from which various forms of public/private transport collect passengers. On one corner is the part of the island where hotel shuttle buses collect passengers. The second piece of information is that at regular intervals down these sidewalks there are hugh supporting pillars. (Americans do not seem to object to having their sidewalks blocked by all sorts of obstacle - previous post.) When we first visited LA two months earlier we had gone beyond the departure for hotel buses corner and learned where to catch them.

Now the story. We arrived in LA with no dollars. We needed $5 to tip the bus driver. The solution was to get dollars from the ATM (the hole in the wall machine - cash point). However, it only gave $20 notes. (I have just realised that I can type $s and £s on my machine - NZ macines don't do £s). The second step of the solution was to change a $20 dollar note. I was told where to go and set off carrying a heavy bag and towing a large red suitcase and wife similarly loaded. The next part of the solution was for me to get the $5 notes myself and so with a firm "stay there" to my wife I set off. Having rounded two corners I re-entered the building found a kiosk, got my change and set off back. Having taken only three minute I was quite surprised to find that neither my wife or the two large suitacases were not there. In my mind formed the question, "What don't you understand about the phrase 'stay there'?" At this point I was convinced that my wife had simply wandered off. After walking backwards and forwards for some time and passing four helpful black gentle men who promised to violently waylay my wife should she try to pass by, I went to the enquiries desk and had her paged. More walking about, this time formulating the theory that she had decided to board the hotel bus I returned to enquiries, had her paged again and the hotel contacted. Now I was really worried. Had she been abducted for ransome, was she ill and in hospital? Where are police? What happens if you dial 911? Back to the helpful black men. "Which arrivals point did you come from?" said one. Then it dawned. I had not gone passed the second corner. Emotional reunion behind the second pillar, on the bus and to the hotel.

Time to have a Subway sandwich, have a rest, discover that your long held theory that we would arrive in the UK the day before we left the US was an erroneous theory, send emails to advise those at home as to what was happening, have a great steak and salad bar meal, try to book a tour for the following morning and get some sleep.

We arrived at the following morning earlier than I had wanted to, but this gave us time to consume a glass of superb, US orange juice and a pile of blueberry covered pancakes at the Ihop restuarant. Having packed for a speedy departure from our hotel after returning from our tour at 12.00 noon we sat and waited to set off on our tour of the stars' homes at Beverley Hills. We only chose this tour because it would get us away from this uninteresting part of LA and would enable us to get our afternoon flight. However, when we got off the shuttle bus at the starting point of the VIP tours, paid our $110 we were told that the tour had been extended and would not return until late afternoon. Our distress was noted and a plan was hatched whereby we would change vehicles at 'Prairie Drive' to be returned by 1.00. We agreed to this. Our jolly drive, Matt, pointed out the sites. We stopped at Venice beach and the boardwalk of tacky seaside shops and stall. We were advised not to use the toilets - that they would be better at Santa Monica beach. A man was playing a grand piano next to the beach on the board walk.

A Grand at Venice, LA

Aparently the toilets at Santa Monica where also disgusting. I expect that people who pay $6,000,000 for a ground floor condo don't use public toilets. Our guide was proud to announce that the ferris wheel at Sant Monica beach was solar powered.

The Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Beach

On to the homes of the stars. So many large ostentacious buildings. One could only be appreciated from Google Earth. I did not take notes, but look at this example.

Ostentation at Beverley Hills

Now to explain the reason for the 9/11 panic in LA

They have their own twin towers

There is a final chapter to come.

The Last Blast from NZ 2008

Only one whole day left in NZ. Last things to do - places to go.

Last Friday and Saturday saw the social event of the year - Zoe's birthday. On Friday she was three. The extended celebrations began in the morning with the opening of a few special presents; including a microwave and a high chair. Sally had the day off and so we went a little later to Bear Park with a cake for morning tea to be shared with everybody there. It was a great event and a lot of fuss was made over it. The cake for this came from the 'Cheese Cake Factory' and had a 'Shrek' decoration. Later the evening meal was a family party and her mum had bought a 'Nemo' candle. Her nan had made a chocolate cake with a 'Nemo' decoration. More presents followed and the evening ended with Zoe trying out the bouncy castle which had been hired for party proper on Saturday.

Happy Nemo to You

Saturday arrived with two hours for the final preparations before 16 children and their parents descended on us. Fortunately the weather was excellent, but despite our own plans started with tea on the patio with 16 guests on hired small chairs by a row of three tables. The cake this time was a larger version of the 'Cheese Cake Factory' one. Apart from the bouncy castle there were lots of things for the children to do, and the adults enjoyed their own party and chin wag. The event ended with opening of more presents. After much tidying up the afternoon bought a rest for Zoe and an end to the day. Well almost. Two Ian's friends (the ones that ahd recently had a baby - earlier post) called in to give Zoe their present. This was a good opportunity for a BBQ and rugby for the men.

On Sunday we were cut off from the world (at least for the morning) by the 'Round the Bays' fun run. It ended in St Heliers and the runners etc. made their way to the tent city to enjoy the corporate enter tainment provided on the park outside the door. It was a hugh event only marred by a quarrel with bus drivers who had parked their coaches in next doors' drives and told Sally to mind her own business when she asked them to move. Zoe, dad and grandad paid a brief visit. Zoe enjoyed the bouncy castle which was an assault course of five connected bouncy things with six feet climbs and drops.

Fun Runners Enter Glover Park

I spent the morning hastily preparing photos from the party and other sources. Ian took me to Manakua City to be processed at Dick Smith Power House. We had over 200 images to print and had gone to Manakua assuming that it would be quite there. Unfortunately, so did numerous other people. (On Monday Ian reported that the Manakua store had printed 20,000 on that one day; the most for any store in NZ. Today, Tuesday, I went to collect them and at the same time I had four enlargements done instantly for $10; that is 80p each.

On Monday Zoe went with her mum and nan for a check up after a foot operation which happened just before our arrival in NZ. They have been pronounced perfectly straight. In the evening mum and I went for an evening walk to Ladies Bay, arriving in time to catch the sunset. The moon was beautiful on the water, but unphotographable. As we walked back I noticed that as I passed cliff walls and stone walls heat was radiating from them and they were hot to the touch. Having absorbed heat during the day they were now giving it out. Back home mum and I sat and played Scrabble, eat chocolate egg and drank whiskey. Whoops, I forgot to say that on Sunday morning we had an early celebration of Easter so that we could enjoy chocalate eggs and bunnies with the grand children.

Lights and Auckland Sunset

It is now 3:45 on Tuesday afternoon. The sky is as blue as it has been for the past few days and the temperature is high. (A bit of a up market version of our UK September days.) Emily should have had her immunisation, but when her mum went to collect her she found to have a high temperature. The injection did not happen, but having seen the doctor she is now asleep in her room next door to me. We wait the return of Zoe and her mum and then her day for our evening meal and hopefully a drive down to Point England to see the sunset over Rangitoto from their.

Tomorrow will be a day of last purchases and packing for depature the following day.

It is hard to get around the fact of how long we have been here, and also that we shall soon be regaining the day we lost at the beginning. I think that this is how it will work. On Thursday evening our plane takes off, we have a meal, watch a movie and tuck down to sleep. After thirteen hours, we wake up, have breakfast and land. It is Thursday morning in Los Angeles. We go to the hotel, have lunch, hopefully go on a tour of the city, go to bed, wake up on Friday morning, catch a plane, have brunch, watch some movies, fly for eleven hours and land in Heathrow on Friday morning. Can you see the flaw in this? (it could be called the internation date line.

My next post will be from the UK to describe our last day here our journey and our time in LA. I suppose when we get back we will always be Kiwis at heart. Keep posted. I'll let you know.

Gannets Gallore

Just as I was thinking that sight seeing in NZ for this trip was over, Sally took a day off to take us to Murewi beach which is on the west coast. We passed through small Auckland townships and a retail park which had an enormous range of craft work from various people gathered under one roof. This was fabulous. The weather was excellent, thw way easy and when we got there - wow!!!

The coffe shop was in an excellent position and we had a good lunch. I should have photographed my sweet.

I'll let some photos speak for themselves.

Gannet rock

Gannet colony

Gannet family

Breakers

Wide long beach - surfers' paradise

Animal Weekend

The weather is picking up again. After the Coromandel Adventure and before the weekend Friday needed to be rest/catch up day. It has been a long time since we walked through the park to the cliff top overlooking Rangitoto. This time we took a snack and a book to sit awhile. This was after we had made a brief postcard/shopping visit into St Heliers. We picked up the girls in the afternoon and went to the Ladybird park. This park has the usual climbing things and a springy thing that looks like a ladybird. Zoe did a bit of falling here, so we went down to St Heliers' beach. Again the Zoe's play was shortened. This time because she slipped on the rocks and her 'no-no' (backside) landed in a rock pool. Quick change of clothes and home again.

On Saturday morning Ian and Sally set off to birthday shopping and so we took Zoe to the zoo. This was a slight mistake because the Pasifica Festival was on in the same place. It was a slow journey to the zoo car park. We were checked to see if we were actually going to the zoo. I have a feeling that their ticket method did not work as we saw numerous cars pull up in the zoo car park and the occupants disappear into the show grounds.

Zoe enjoyed her time at the zoo. She stood happily watching the usual animals, but unfortunately was badly shaken by a rooster who managed to take a peck at her bread. Later we had a good lunch and a train ride around the zoo by a driver who inspired confidence by telling us that this was her first day and starting off backwards. Zoe finished the time with a number of slides and a climb on the dragon.

Hippo Wallowing

On Sunday we again took Zoe out. This time to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater Adventure. This is only ten minutes drive down the road and, like the zoo, she has a season ticket to put around her neck. This was a last minute decision and we paid the price by being in a long queue consisting of Liner passengers at the end of their journey from Miami. The big attraction for such tourists are the penguins and the Antarctic snowcat ride.

This episode was very short and mum took Zoe for a long play in the sand at the beach. She was the only one who did not have a sleep in the afternoon. When I woke from my sleep the girls were asleep in their rooms, Ian and Sally were spread out in the lounge and mum was ironing in the kitchen.

Later Sally cleaned the fish tank out and brought the disposal unit to a halt with grit. (This morning I gained a new skill - how to remove and repair a disposal unit - I think.) The day ended with the grown ups in front of the telly eating more of the delicious Cadbury chocolate flavour that the don't seem to make in the UK.

On the Coromandel

Dark fir trees and pink pampas grass

I have long been attracted by the Coromandel. It is on North Island to the west of Auckland and is a peninsula which juts out north into the Pacific Ocean. On it west coast is a large wide inlet known as the Firth of Thames. Along its spine is a moutain range called the Coromandel Range. It took us about one hour to drive to its main town of Thames from Sylvia Park in Auckland. This journey was south down highway one, east along highway two until highway twenty-five branches off and swings north. This highway goes on through Thames and on to the town of Coromandel.

This whole area was populated during the gold rush days. The gold is not alluvial and the first diggings were abandoned until later when the gold here was found to be worth the effort of digging for. The gold quickly became uneconomic to mine and so the towns were given over to the tourist trade. There are many tramping tracks over the Range, the beaches are golden soft sand, there is wildlife and hot springs. In short this is the holiday paradise for Aucklanders.

Mountain peaks in the Coromandel Range

Having had a coffee and cake in Thames; next to Warehouse and not far from Pak n' Save we decided that we would make the trip across the Range to east coast of the island. Once again it is stunningly beautiful. Some locals had to spoil it with fly-tipping (would you believe). We chose to head to Pauanui, which is said to be the home of the rich and NZ's famous. Here we had a good lunch and Speights Ale before exploring the beach area. The car park straddles the harbour, on the river mouth on the left and the beautiful sands on the right. There is a ferry which makes the crossing to the other side of the town, known as Tainua. Tainua is the money generating tourist side of town and a hugh distance by road from where we were.

The Ocean at Pauanui

The Beach at Pauanui

Having explored, we made our way back across the range and headed towards Thames, but turned left into Kaureranga which is a very small town on a road leading to the DOC (Department of Conservation) information centre and the start of a number of tramping tracks. The road up starts with a number of beauiltiful original, colonial houses. Next there is a housing estate and at the side of the road is the village store run by a homely lady shop keeper. When we went in for our 'Magnum' ice lolly (By the way, a sweet here is called a lolly - a lolly is called a lolly on a stick) the shop was full of young school children on the way home from the local school. There are no signs in these places restricting the number of such youngsters.

The temporary information centre will be replaced by a smart new one by the end of March. Here we were told of a 15 minute walk to a lovely pool. We decided to do this. Fabulous.

Reflections in the Pool

We drove out of the site, remembering to warn others not to attempt to drive in the same way. The spikes go down when you approach them in one direction, but would mercilessly rip all your tyres off in the other direction.

On the way back we looked for a pub to have a pub meal. But, I noticed a sign pointing to a 'Subway' sandwich restuarant off the the motorway, changed my mind, attempted to find said place, but where was it. Intead we toured more back roads, finding our way onto the old South Road and along it was a pub/motel. This turned out to be a trucker's bar where we enjoyed different ambience, a plate of chips between us topped with fish in batter and a sausage between us. For me, this was rounded off with a glass of Tue Ale and mum again failed to get her ginger beer, getting a glass of fruit juice instead.

The journey was not quite ended. As we approached base, the sky began to go a rosy-red. So, we headed for St Heliers beach. I set up my camera on the rocks out into the sea and took a series of awesome sunset pictures.

Sunset From St Heliers Bay

Odd Days In

Saturday was a recovery from Queenstown day and we simply walked along the windy sea front. On Sunday the weather was iffy.We all set off, but the rain started, causing between car conversations, ending in going to Ambury Farm Park, where it did not rain and Zoe enjoyed the animals. Ambury is a large flat area sticking out into the Manukau Harbour south of the city centre and on the west. Auckland sits largely on a narrow strip of land joining two larger land masses. Manukau Harbour is ringed by land with an opening into the Tasman Sea. Waitemata Harbour is also well protected and leads into the Pacific. There are also numerous other bays and inlets. The farm is council owned and has a number of domestic farm animals on show. There is also a camp site. The visit is free. We had lunch and coffee at 'The Coffee Club' on the way home.

Monday was a day to forget. Zoe came home and fell down stairs. Access to the house is up a flight of concrete steps. Once up the house is on one level. However, there is a part completed room down a steep flight of steps. There is a 'secret' locked door to this flight of steps. Mum uses them to go to washing machine in a smaller room off the lower room which is something of a library. Zoe fell about two steps , but landed on her head on the carpetted floor. She was very dazed. Her mum and dad took her to the emegency medical centre. There was no harm done.

On Tuesday the linemen arrived at the building plot next door. They sat in their vehicles for most of the morning out of the torrential rain and when I left for my appointment in Auckland they were sound asleep in the corners of their vehicles.

My meeting in Auckland was in the bishop of Auckland's offices with the Bishop's chaplain in charge of local shared ministry. Basically the church in Auckland have very little cash, a widespread and declining congregation and so they are doing church by ordaining local people to run their own churches. This is having the effect of increasing the numbers who attend church in NZ. Clever kiwi solutions to the kiwis special problems.

Before this meeting I cleaned my shoes. What with? Kiwi polish and a Kiwi brush (no joke).

On Wednesday the linemen and the builders returned. This time the builders sit still as the linemen do their work.

Linemen at work

Each section has its own pole. The electrical power criss-crosses an estate on street poles. When a house is built the linemen run cables from the street poles to the section pole. One red, one, yellow and one blue. They quickly completed the task and left the pole ready to be connected to the section at the right time.

After this the builders began their work. The yellow digger dug out a road way at the far side of the a lorry tipped out hardcore. The digger filled the lorry with soil and rubble. The lorry went away. The digger spread the hardcore along the road way. The lorry came back with more hard core and tipped it out for the digger to spread and refill the lorry. This process continued until a longer firm road was laid.

Clever stuff.

The Queenstown Journey - Part 4

What to do now with only one day and so much choice. I know; I'll hire a car and go see the bungy jumping etc. One firm advertised a hire for $15, that is 5 GDP. (Please not that I am using a NZ keyboard.) After enquiries, not one car was available. So, jump on a 'Connectabus', get a return to Arrow Town and go. A 'Connectabus' is a regular service bus, however these have piped video music and lots of tourist leaflets. We actually purchased a day tripper ticket which was cheaper than a return.

So, why Arrow Town? Answer; we has heard that it was interesting place to visit. We travelled passed Lake Hawes and there was a magnificent reflection of the mountains behind it on the mill pond surface. Lesson - take the opportunity when you can - reflections don't last forever. At Arrow Town the bus pulled up in a large parking area overlooking the Arrow River and below the town.

First thing - explore the town. The town had a very wild west appearance along its main street and some of the buildings were of great historical interest going back to the gold rush days. The town suddenly came into existance when alluvial gold was found and Europeans, American and Chinese descended on the place. Each man staked his claim along the Arrow and the Western women did their best to look after their children and recreate civilised home life. Out of town the Chinese men set up their own camp consiting of stone huts with corrogated tin roofs. There was a difference of motives between the Chinese and the Westerners. The Westerners were settlers the Chinese had come because of the hard conditions they faced at home. Gaining wealth was life and their desire was always to return home. (There is little prejudice today, but I think that this feeling NZ being home for some and opportunity for others still clouds relationships between different people groups in this country.)

I forgot to mention that a tourist raised an interesting question on the journey yesterday. (Not the one about why all the sheep are going in one direction. To which the answer was 'one of them started to move, the others just followed.) No I mean the question about whether NZ Europeans had treated the Maoris better than the Australians had treated the Aboriginals. The answer had to be yes, but there was a sad confession that New Zealanders could have done better than just providing hand outs, which have repurcussions for today's Maori relationships.

Back to Arrow Town. On one of the Streets outside a very well kept colonial style store was a beautiful vintage car. There were other vintage cars and a scattering of cones. Across the road white strips of plastic had been laid. When we returned we found a film crew has taken over, the white strips were being pressed into the road surface to become a pedestrian crossing. By the way it is easy to recreate a crossing beacon. Most of the ones in NZ are large, orange plastic discs on to of a black and white painted pole.

A film set in the making. The car has a plastic pedestrian cossing strip over it.

After lunch we explored the Chines gold miner's camp and then went to find the Arrow river. There was not much water to see. Most of the bed was dry. But, there were noitices on some paths telling trampers to keep out when it is raining; suggesting that the river may fill very rapidly in the wet season.

Thatched homes in the Chinese mining camp

On request the bus dropped us off at Lake Hawes. This was a remote spot with no bus stop, but the hope that there would be another one in an hour and that it would stop on request and take us home. Of course the reflection had gone, but we had an enjoyable walk. The next bus did pick us up and we returned to our appartment.

To finish our time in Queenstown we did an after tea walk in the gardens. The had got up along the shore, but the gardens were sheltered and quite lovely. There were also mysterious objects scattered around. Can you guess what they are?

The Remarkables Overlooking the Town Gardens

What is this?

This ended our time in Queenstown. The service bus took us back to the airport. We waited leisurely for the plane. On the way home I had a very good conversation with a young English man on a working visa. Having discussed the universe and everything through a much more turbulent journey (At one point the pilot announced that coffee would not be seved, then it was, with disasterous consequences after which the cabin crew put lids on our cups.) we made a smooth landing in Auckland to a pleasant, sunny day.

The Queenstown Journey - Part 3

A NZ Traffic Jam

This is it. We are standing outside the apartment again. Exactly on time a taxi with a Canadian couple already on board pulls up. The driver warns us that she will not be taking us far. In fact, by the time that I have done up my seat belt we pull up at the Millenium hotel further down Francton Street. (No charge.) Here we stand and wait; trying to communicate with the Canadian couple. As we wait we see a tour bus pull up outside our apartments. A couple get on. The bus makes the 30 second drive to the Millenium Hotel. We get on. By now we are fearful that we may be on the wrong bus, but the driver turns out to be a happy Kiwi who quickly reassures us that at least he is capable of getting us to our destination.

You have to know that on our travels around NZ most of the signs are only in English. True, many of the words are Maori. But, in this place almost all tourist signs are in two languages and there is even an interpretter on the coach and on the boat. The language being Japanese. They are very welcome as they bring in the Japanese yen. And, they also provide entertainment for other foreign visitors. 1. They have a tendency to ignore notices (even in Japanese). 2. They fill their cameras with endless images of wonderful views. However, there is always an individual or a group in front. They also take endles combinations to ensure that everyone of their party is in at least once.

You now need to know something of the geography of the journey. Milford Sound is around 20 miles east of Queenstown. However, the journey is to take over 4 hours to include two rest stops and three viewpoints. This because the coach really cannot get over the mountains, but has to head due south for many miles, turn and go slightly fewer miles east and then turn north for the same number of miles that we went south. There are helicopter and small plane rides over the mountains which take ten minutes.

Te Anua

The driver talked knowledgeably, interestingly, humourously and almost incessantly for the whole journey there. For miles we followed the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu on our right and The Remarkables on our left, through small townships eventually arriving at the much larger town of Te Anua with a large population of 1785 (at the last count). The town is regularly swelled by the arrival of tourists and the coach stops at a central coach park to provide toilets, souveniers and refreshments. But only briefly. There is a further stop for toilets and the next are for sightseeing at Mirror Lake, The Chasm and the helicopter pad at the other end of the tunnel. Our journey was also interrupted by a typical NZ traffic jam - sheep being moved from one field to another. After this point the we ran into the inevitable rain. It rains 95% of the year on this rugged west coast. However, we were told that without this rain the falls would not be so spectacular. According to the driver, when it stops raining the falls stop, just as if God had turned the taps off. There is little or no headwater in this region. When the ground cannot take any more water (which is most of the time) the water simply plunges off the mountains into the valleys, creating the spectacular sights that we were witnessing.

The Cascades

Yes, there was tunnel. This had been cut roughly out of the rock and mostly unlit, giving the impression of driving through a cave. The tunnel is very short and also one lane. Fortunately the lights were against us going towards Milford; giving us an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery at this spot. The driver assured that there was better to come. With eyes closed we exited the tunnel. When we opened them, he was so right. Words now begin to fail.

On Milford Sound

Onwards we went to the Sound itself. The small harbour looked like a large ferry terminal and sizeable boats were tied up. It was not long before we boarded 'The Pride of Milford', which was large powered catamaran. On entry we were photographed. I, naturally spoiled her photograph by photographing the photographer. We didn' buy the finished article. My face had a camera in front of it. Once on board we were shown to our table. Up the middle were tables arranged with black plastic boxes. This was the special meal for the Japanese guests. We enjoyed a large buffet meal (at extra cost) and spent my time on deck trying to do photographic justice. At times the falls were close up and personal. I am beginning to get used to being soaked, all in good fun and knowing that I would soon dry off. After a time on the boat we returned to the coach; to a quieter journey back, stopping only at Te Anua for the usual, followed by 'Madagascar' on the coach and finally back to our apartment; supper and a good night's sleep.

The Queenstown Journey - Part 2

Nothing daunted, we decided to get on with the day. So in the spirit of true adventure, we decided that our next stop would be the Kiwi park and the Maori Experience. So, we trudged boldly up the flight of steps (a ramp criss-crossed) between parallel road across the hill sides, getting almost to the foot of the gondola and the cemetry.

At the entrance to the park a delightful Maori gentleman presented us with discount vouchers, we paid our fee, collected our electronic audio guides and entered the park. We were to learn that an enthusiastic owner had converted a rubbish ground into a wildlife park. Apart from the entrance retail centre (shop) and cafe, the park had been kept relatively wild. The trail could be followed as you wanted to and was only interrupted by the call to the conservation show and the Maori experience. At the show we were introduced to a variety of birds and the tuatara, which is, apparently, a living dinosaur.

Tuatara

Not surprisingly, the Maori gentleman had become a Maori warrior and was joined by another male and two female warriors. Later our Maori gentleman/warrior was to become a Maori groundsman and one of the ladies a receptionist. We learned some Maori words, heard songs and stories. After the show we were invited to take photographs. I could not resist joining them in the haka. I think that they were more amused than I was. Fortunately, I did have my 'All Blacks' gear on. Now I am a Kiwi.

Me - Maori

Of course we had to seek out the star of the park; the real kiwi bird. As always at these places, you enter a dark building, are assured that your eyes would adjust to the low light level. And so we starred. At the top of the hill in the centre we believed that there was movement. We shall never truly know, but even if it was, we shall never have a good image. I am sure that this strange nocturnal animal will have an image of us.

We returned to the apartment for a leisurely afternoon and then a walk back for glass of Speights pale ale each (I could have murdered a pint). The evening ended by sitting at the lake side, watching the sun set and waiting for that magical glow of a reflected fiery image of the sky on the lake. It never happened.

The Sunset that Never Happened

The Queenstown Journey - Part 1

On Monday there was a very early start to catch the domestic flight to Queenstown. The airport is next to the International airport and is not a wooden hut with a grass strip. Neither was the plane a two-prop 12 seater. It was a sizeable 737 jet and travelled full. We had our usual window seat and I had the pleasure of sitting next to a young New Zealand lady. She was on her way home to Queenstown having been to an interview in Auckland for an early years post. I told her that most Aucklanders would think that she was nuts; looking to move from one of the most beautiful places on earth - most Aucklanders would give their eye-teeth to live where she had her home. This is the problem for Kiwis - there simply is no work outside the main cities, where most of them are squeezed together.



The plane flew for two hours, mainly down the eastern side of both islands; that is along the Tasman Sea. It then turns inland to make a landing in a valley surrounded by mountains. As you fly the final stage of the route you are aware of two things. The first is the turbulance (if we did not have our seat belts on I am sure that we would be banging our heads on the roofs). The second concerns the wing tips. Not only are they violently swaying up and down, threatening to snap the wings off, but they are dangerously close to a mountain peak at each side. All you can do is repeat to yourself 'The pilot has done this loads of times and he knows what he is doing'.



Eventually the plane touches down at Frankton airport. No one looks any the worse for wear, and we board a shuttle bus for the 8 km journey along Lake Wakitipu to our accommodation which was to be studio apartment in a block called Wakitipu View. Due to the strange and random departure times we were never to meet any one in charge of the accommodation. Our greeting was provided by the outgoing or in resident guys explaining the procedure to newcomers. Basically, when you arrive your key is in the door. You enter the apartment and find a note requesting that you phone the office on your arrival. Thats it.

The Remarkables along the Edge of Lake Wakitipu

We had a whole day to explore Queenstown. This started by going down (I mean down) to the wharf. We never really cracked the gentle up hill way back. Mountain climbing gear would have helped. Our first task was to book a journey to Milford Sound. Unfortunately, the main tour companies were fully booked. We found a Japanese travel agent called Aki, who obligingly found a company who would take us to the Sound on Tuesday and put us aboard a boat that would take us out on the water.

After this we walked into town to find a supemarket to get our supplies. The main street is called Shotover Street after the river that flows from the mountains throught the town and into the lake. We were able stagger back, have lunch and a rest before going out again. We walked through the town park which is a peninsular jutting out into the lake and along the shore. The wind was very strong and the waves were very high. The water level does rise and fall, so it seems to be a lake rather than a sea because the water is fresh not salty.

Queenstown Wharf

Tuesday morning came. I was up before the six thirty alarm. Other around us were up too. Queenstown is the centre of many activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, canoeing, climbing, tramping (that is hiking along mountain tracks sometimes for three days, getting bitten by the dreaded sand fly). All these activities start early in the day. We waited outside our accommodation for over an hour. We watch coaches depart from hotels around us (one would have been ours). We gave up, walked into town to have it out with Mr. Aki. A further hour went by. He was then ten minutes late and very apologetic. However, the tour company admitted their mistake. This time they were given my mobile number as we rebooked for the following day.



Part two, which is the story of day two follows.

Hamilton

Motorway Entrance

Hamilton is some two hours drive due south of Auckland on the motorway (mostly). Can you imagine the M1 in the UK becoming a town street (sometimes suddenly). The purpose of our journey was to see the gardens in the Summer, having only seen them in the Winter. The weather was iffy, but we decided to go for it.

I was pleased that I was driving south from Auckland at 8:30. The traffic north into the city was not moving. Once passed the outer limits I could put my foot down and maintain a steady 100 (Kms that is). I had been a little unsure of the speed limit and having driven on the motorway I still am. I was told that speed restrictions were rigorously implemented and draconionly penalised. I was not going to take a chance. The scenery to Hamilton was very different to Auckland. The road passed along the edge of valley of the Waikato river which is very long, creating a wide flat plain with wooded hills at each side.

By Kiwi standards, Hamilton is a sizeable town. The gardens were on the south of the town which we reached by following the motorway around the numerous retail parks. Eventually we came to a small island in the middle of the road where we turned right across the northbound highway traffic.

It is hard to describe such a beautiful place. We entered into ample free car parking, walked towards the information centre and turned to an area of the gardens that were set out as example of the gardens of other nations. On the way back, there was the rain. However, it had stopped even before we had purchased coffee in the cafe. The 'coffee art' on the top of my foam filled cup was a picture of an apple. Coffee art keeps its shape to the bottom of the cup. (Who invented it?)

USA Minimalist

Italian

After coffee we headed towards the 'allotments'. This consisted of a six year rotation on enormous plots, surrounded by a tall wall and plots for various fruits. Out of this area were the tips to make your garden eco-friendly, including eating the root of a weed growing in a stagnant pond.

The allotment

From here we struggled to find the rose garden and the hot houses. There were amazing, but you could tell by the roses that summer was coming to an end, and that December and early January was the best time for flowers.

On the way back we thought that we would look for the graves of the last king and queen of the Maoris. We did see a cemetry in the town of Ngaruawahia. However we managed to cross the Waikato and travel along the 'B' road, often being allowed to drive at 100 km. (Another 'however' - you had to be a nutter to do it.) It was well worth driving on this side of the river. It had a more remote NZ feeling, although there were the homes of some of the wealthier in places along the road.

Eventually, we were obligued (Canadians do know this word - see next post) to swing right over the river and back on to the motorway. Again we were blessed. This time the south bound traffic was almost stationary coming out of the city. 'Don't speak to soon, my man' - the last twenty miles being a nightmare, with the 'cleverer' drivers going along the slip roads on the right and undertaking and the vast majority of drivers being unforgiving as you tried to legitamately change lanes. You do have to know more that your directions. You would have thought that the four left hand lanes of a road that enter the T-junction of a similar road going across would have two lanes turning left and two lanes turning right? You have guessed it. Not this junction - three lanes turn right and I am in the one which I thought would go left. Unforgiving is not the word for the uproar as I made my turn into the only left turn lane. Home and tea. Another great day. Another positive achievement that daily I look to make.

Down to the QE2 and the Bishop

QE2 in Auckland Harbour

All week we have been receiving the exciting news that theQE2 is due in port. Having checked her itinerary on the web, we were pleased to learn that she would be in Auckland Harbour on Thursday; so off we set, expecting to be part of a large crowd of tourists and sight seerers. Large crowds rarely happen in Auckland, except for Rugby and the death of a hero. Incidentally, I learned today about a key difference between Kiwi and English culture/commercialisation. I was sitting in Newmarket shoppping mall when a cheery, wise Kiwi gentleman sat down to join me with a "everything comes to those who wait" opening. I told him of my one disappointment that there was very little, in fact, practically zero, Edmond Hillary memorabilia available. He explained, what I should have already guessed; there is no money to be made out of producing and marketing such material, simply because the market is far too small. Therefor he reasons it is best that New Zealanders have short memories. He assured me that Kiwis are conscious of their small nation state; having all the trappings of super power (army, navy and airforce, but on the scale of the Liliputions.

Anyway, back to the QE2. Having parked, we walked the fifty yards remaining and there she was. Majestically disappointing compared to the modern liner that we had seen earlier. She really did look like an old lady on her last journey. It is quite sad to think that at forty years old this was the last Auckland stage of her final journey home to Southampton. Having walked from stem to stern along the dock we then decided to make this a Sky Tower day. It was one of the clearer days and we expected great views and it became more special as events unfurled.

After coffee we paid our 50 bucks and entered our Sky Tower lift. The only other person with us was a 'jumper'. You could tell that she was a jumper because she had that look on her face and a bleu and yellow coverall with red tags. I have never asked anyone if I could take a picture of them, but this time I did and she was very pleased to pose for me. Later, I was to photograph her again; this time suspended from the edge of the Sky Tower by what seemed to be a very thin cable. The photos show a different person in a relaxed, happy pose and then at the precise moment of realisation that they were falling. Even though the jump is controlled, not free fall, it must still be scary

Look - I'm Falling

The views from the tower were great, including an aerial view of the QE2, the Museum, where it was obvious from the huge number of luxury coaches, was the venue for the QE2 passengers. We had a special treat of a railway embankment fire, but I particulary pleased with geometric view of the Sky Tower hotel roof.

Hotel Roof

From Sky Tower we went for a sandwich which we ate in Albert Park. Work was going on to complete the Chinese lantern display to celebrate the year of Rat. I am glad that I took some photos to record the intricate paper work, which I feel sure must have been destroyed by the storm that struck the whole island that night.

Chinese lanterns

We thought that we could walk to the cathedral, but transfered to the car. We were in for a surprise. Some years ago, in true Kiwi fashion they decided to put the old wooden cathedral on to the same site as the modern cathedral. In England we do it simpler - we build a new Coventry cathedral on the same site as the old one. They enormous task was to raise the whole huge, stain glassed wooden building 21 feet into the air on enormous trucks and tow it across the road. Apparently, no glass was broken and hardly a tile moved. A Professor Toy was the mastermind. (Did he invent Lego?)

The new goes well with old. The stained glass in both is stunning.

Underwater Rugby

Saturday was to be a busy day.

We set off for Sky City, but it came over cloudy. We decided that there was plenty of time to catch a clear sky later. The alternative was Kelly Tarlton's Unwater World, which was on the Tamaki Road back. We were among the first to arrive at nine o'clock. (It gets much too busy later - especially on a wet day.) The first part of the adventure is the Antarctic display which is a 'snowcat' train taking you around the penguin pool. Next there is a model of Scott's base. This is followed by the usual coffee bar, but this was near a very large open tank of sting rays. I sat for the tourist survey. (What did we think of our accommodation? Very good value for money.) Then came the main tunnel aquarium with sharks and other large fish. I did not do too well on the photography - low light and fast moving fish. Then out through some of the more usual tropical tank; including the Nimo one. Invariably through the shop and out.

Eel face

Zoe enjoyed the stop off at the Mission Bay park and it was home to a more relaxed afternoon.

The evening was very different for Ian and I. It was the first game of the season and was betweem Aucklands 'Blues' and the away team 'Chiefs'. Apparantly there are so few top league teams in NZ that we were watching the best, which included a number of 'All Black' players.

The pirate ship

Cheers

Car parking is a night mare. As early as we were it meant a long walk, mostly up hill. However, the bar not far from the entrance to the ground was a good refreshment stop. It was basically a high street 'barn'. It was packed full of non-smokers. There were all ages, sexes and even opposing supporters. There were even Kiwi males drinking lemonade. It was a very friendly atmosphere. How different from a Premier League match in the UK.

When they say take your partners, they are serious

The same friendliness was evident at the ground and it was set for a good family evening. The match started with the cheer leaders and entertainment provided by a pirate ship which exploded noisily and flammably as it went around the ground. I am afraid that I could not really follow the match. The first half seemed slow and well matched. (The cheer leaders did their thing a lot to ease the boredom.) By half time we (The Blues) were losing. There was a change of pitch after half time. and suddenly The Blues made an unbeatable lead. Every body was disappointed by lost opportunities and poor reffing; despite winning. Speights Ale flowed freely in the gound - in plastic bottles, because they sometime get thrown high and randomly for some reason.

The walk back to the car was more down hill. The evening was warm and dry thoughout and we got a little delayed by the Jazz and Blues festival going on at Mission Bay. But, we were home a little after ten.

On Sunday morning was the head ache. Not me, mum's migraine and she was out of it for most of the day.

One Tree Hill

In the morning Ian, Zoe and I went for a ride up One Tree Hill. So called, because it used to have a lone tree on top of it. The tree was destroyed by vandals and there is now an obelisk to mark the summit. It is typical of Auckland that now matter how steep the hill, a spiral road is provided, not only for cars, but for runners.