The First Week

Today (Monday) I have been out by car for the third time. The first was to go into Sylvia Park mall. While the girls did food shopping I went into The Warehouse (Irene keeps calling it Wilko). I bought a bright blue pair of basket ball shorts. I noticed that the sizes on offer were small, medium. large and about 9 sizes of extra large. Apparently Samoans are big bodied.

After this outing we then had our first walk around the block. The objective was the play park at the primary school. Despite the holidays the school grounds are completely open and the playground is quite special. The four girls had the run of the place. Even Irene was caught climbing. 

The walk down the hill gave us our first view of Rangitoto.

The barbecue was lit.

To finish the day the girls took to the pool.

The second was to go with Sally to her dietician. I was allowed to witness the complex measurements and the consultation.

Then I was confined to three days in bed. Once quarantine was lifted and I felt well enough, Irene and I had a number of walks around the block until the final one on Sunday, when we walked far enough down the hill to be within striking distance of the sea. So, we struck off down and prepared to face the steep walk back.

So, the first real outing was on Auckland Day (a bank holiday). Out on the sea was the regatta and we aimed to cross over to Devonport. Ian drove around and the rest of us took the ferry. Our departure was heralded by three tugs in a triangle spinning rapidly and water cannons from another boat.

Once out on the sea there was a good view of the city and an amazing cruise liner.

Waiting outside the ferry terminal at Devonport was a wagon and horses. I wondered if the horses were the same ones as those we saw on our first trip in 2003. (How long do horses live?) The driver called out "Who wants a ride?" Irene and the girls were soon aboard.

The girls went to the play area with Sally and Ian. Irene and I headed into the town away from the bitter wind.

We all met up for lunch before departing. We gave up on sitting watching the regatta. I sat at the front of the ferry and took pictures of a yacht in full sail and another of a liner.

Our drive home took us through Mission Bay. It was quite congested as this is a favourite resort of Aucklanders. Irene got out of the car at the town centre to meet up with Sally and Zoe in order to explore a large craft fair. Back home I had a rest and later in the afternoon Irene and I went for another walk along Maskell Street to Glover Park before having our meal.

The house is going quieter and I sit next to a large screen showing a show called 'Australia Has Got Talent'. One recognisable member of the panel is Dawn French.

Joke of the Day

From the public address system comes the announcement, "We will now have a moment of silence for the school librarian". After a pause the announcer goes on to say, "She's not dead, just wants a moment of silence."

Arrival

The next leg of the flight was about 11 hours. For this stage we flew in an aircraft which had a pair of seats by each window. This made life easier than when we had a stranger sitting between us and the aisle.

The journey was passed quickly by viewing movies, sleeping and eating. This was one of our greyest arrivals in in NZ and we saw rain on the windows.

Unlike the carousel at Guangzhou which was empty of luggage when we got to it, the New Zealand one was full of cases moving at such a high speed that it was being thrown off at the bends or dragging passengers back into the rear area. With the battle won and passage through friendly emigration staff completed we reached the exit.

In the waiting crowds were the beaming faces of Sally and Zoe. Following hugs and chatter the waiting car whisked us to our Kiwi home. It was great to be back. In house there was again the lovely greeting from Emily and Ian.

The day passed in something of a haze and the exchange of Christmas presents. I am thrilled with mine. During the trip I will be taken behind the scenes of Auckland Zoo for a master class with a safari photographer.

Robin Hood

Necklace

Glitzy Globes

 Later there would be the planned 'pass the parcel' and the making of balloon animals before we collapsed into bed.

NZ Trip 2014 - Getting There

On Friday morning our friend Mary picked us up bright and early and so we arrived in very good time at the bus station (about 1 hour early). While we sat in the relative warm we met another friend, Sue. She was on her way to Germany. Just before she left us I discovered that I had my car keys in my pocket. I had intended to leave them for Joni. Sue kindly volunteered to put them in my letter box when she got home from Germany on Tuesday.

After waiting a further hour, as the temperature plummeted to a level below the that which we had dressed for, a kind official informed us that the bus was delayed and it could come any time. So, after one and a half hours delay, we set off. Our journey took us through the A453 road works, where in addition to the normal delays there was an accident and we were directed right into the centre of Clifton. Next we went to the East Midland Airport and then to Luton. Eventually we arrived about 2 hours late into Heathrow. Time was on our side. In fact we were two early and towed our cases for too long around the terminal.

When we dropped the cases they told us that they would be held at the airport in Guangzhou. 'Please don't' we said. The flight was only ten hours in a beautiful 'Dream Liner' with touch screen entertainment.

At Guangzhou we were asked if we had booked into the airlines hotel. This came as surprise to us, particularly as it would be free with breakfast and free transit. With some trepidation, but with some reassurance from a fellow traveller we decided to lose the money on our booked hotel. An elegantly dressed bell boy took charge of our cases and hotel official gave us a polite introduction to the hotel.

It was about half an hour to the hotel. They had already arranged our departure time for the morning.

The room was 75 star. It had its own chandelier which was a miniature version of the massive crystal one in the entrance lobby. The room was about the size of the ground floor of our house. The two single beds were just smaller than a double bed, the room was twice our height there was a mahogany desk, dresser and refreshment stand, valley stand, a bathroom three times the size ours with a free standing bath, an awesome shower area and a vast sink. There was a separate toilet and sink and a walk in cupboard. In the cupboard were two gas masks to be worn in case of fire. There was also a large sofa and coffee table. Beside the phone in the toilet there were two others. There was also free wi-fi.

I tried hard both here and later at the airport to send messages home, but despite the signal I could not Facebook any one. After all, we were in China.

In the morning we woke early and enjoyed the bathing facilities before we went to breakfast. In the 'Italian Bistro' there was vast selection of quality food served on to elegant tables.

We had time to explore this 'The Lake Dragon' estate. A river flowed along the edge of the estate. On the opposite side were the massive homes of the rich. In the complex was an 'English Street'. Apart from two battered, red phone boxes there was little to resemble home.

Next we attempted to walk to 'The Lake Dragon'. This is really the Chinese word order. Not being quite sure of our direction we approached a smart young guard. He could understand what was said, but couldn't make us understand. So, he got out his phone. I expected to see a map. but what he showed us was what he was trying to tell us. However, it was in Chinese.

We found our own way to the lake. I certainly would not swim across it. Neither was I impressed by the concrete boxes described as elegant apartments in the estate agents amazing book. 

There were also some curious signs.

Organism - Recycles

We also discovered one of the main problems of this part of China. We saw hardly any pavements, even in the town. But that is another story.