Towards ANZAC Day

On Saturday I accompanied Irene, Sally and Zoe to Albany Westfield Shopping Mall. It is a vast area and a lot of time was spent on clothes buying. I bought a smart summer shirt in KMart for £4.50


It was getting dark when we got back and we were at the back of the city and the sun was setting.

On Sunday Irene and I went to the same church as last week. It was a good service. I still find it odd that large churches here have the facility for selling luxury coffee and food with a credit card.


On Monday it was back to our Emily time. In the afternoon the shower cubicle man came and completed this phase of the building renovations.

The unit is very smart with two shower heads and a fitted glass door over a tiled cubicle.


On the Tuesday the main feature of the day was taking the girls to their dance class and buying snapper and chips for tea.


Wednesday was a special day. It was ANZAC Day. Zoe was in the parade with the Brownies.

There was at least three fly passes.

It looked as if most of the town had turned out. After the parade and placing the poppy wreathes there was a short service on the main shopping street. There was an interesting talk on the origin of ANZAC Day. It seems that the first Australian and Kiwi troops fought their first battle of World War 1 at Gallipoli when a number of them, greater than the population of St Heliers were seriously injured and about half that number were killed.


The service was another opportunity to inspire patriotism. I can't but think that as countries like the UK become more multi-cultural they need more symbols of patriotism. As far as I understand it there is no party like the BNP here. 


Before going back for lunch we walked along the beach which was very crowded with families who stayed on after the Anzac service.


Sally had made some Anzac biscuits which are delicious.


In the afternoon Irene and I went into the city to buy presents. We arrived at the Victoria Park Market (We had previously visited this in 2003) to find that it was undergoing a £10,000,000 face lift. The charm of the old market is disappearing, but its chimney will stay.


Not finding much to buy in the few open units we walked on up to the Sky Tower and managed to purchase one or two bits. Walking about the very quiet city it felt like Sunday. Even the car parking is free.


It was still quite early and sunny so we drove off to Cornwall Park. The park was full of families enjoying the day. We made it to the restaurant minutes before the 4.00 deadline. The purpose of this visit was to enjoy a pot of English tea and scones with the voucher that we had been given.

 Returning home and enjoying our pasta meal it still has a Sunday feel except that Irene and I are shattered by all our walking.

Present Week

Today we should be on a plane home.

Following our arrival back to Auckland last Wednesday we have collected a hire car and commenced our child care service.


On Friday I had the pleasure of seeing Zoe collect awards for good work in class. It was a lovely ceremony under the trees in the playground just before lunch.

On Sunday it was Zoe's birthday party. With the family we went of to a swimming pool which had been hired as a party venue. The party started with Zoe and her friends enjoying the pool. There were two pools. The shallow pool for the little ones like Emily and another for the older children.

The pool time ended with the arrival of piles of pizzas. Some of the children were very pleased to end the pool activities at this time. After pizzas Sally bought in her wonderful cake creation. This went down well.


Our working week started by collecting Emily from kindy at lunch time, doing some school work, and going to play with her on the beach. At other times of the week we have taken her to other educational activities such a Gymbaroo and, on Thursday, we have taken both girls to dance classes.


Wednesday was a special day. It was Zoe's birthday. We made an early start with a few presents at breakfast before the girls went off to school.

After school I took Zoe down to St Heliers where she joined with the other Brownies to sell their biscuits. We were there for about an hour. 

 

Next to the Brownie stall, outside the library there was a man with 1/90th replica of Noah's ark and lots of literature. We had a chat and many people stopped to talk to him. 

When we got back to the house it was all very silent. Then there was a giggle. In the downstairs playroom a party was set out. Ian and Sally had gotten home early and we all enjoyed a surprise party. Although, Zoe was a little annoyed that she had been told about it earlier. Unwrapping the rest of the presents followed.

Piñata busting

This is Benny.
He has still not figured out the cat-flap concept.

On Thursday afternoon we took Emily to Gymbaroo and then on to Kelly Tarlton's. While Irene was in with Emily I went for a walk to a nearby bay. It was good to be out without my camera and hat; not looking so much like a tourist. In the evening I drove out, with Irene to Devonport. We got caught up in the home bound city traffic, then under the new tunnel and over the bridge. It was interesting to see the comings and goings at Devonport harbour. As the ferry got halfway across the water from Auckland cars and buses suddenly arrived, streams of people got off the ferry and the car park went empty once more. I can't help but think that this must be a less stressful way of getting home from work than making the journey that we had just done.

Arrivals at Devonport

We watched as darkness fell and the city lights came on. The sun set with the same golden rays over the harbour bridge that we witnessed just before we left in 2009.

Yesterday it was really hot. 


In the morning I continued with my quest to extend our travel insurance. My UK company will only extend beyond 20th April, most companies will not insure non-residents. Two NZ companies will sell me insurance, but will not cover pre-existing medical conditions. Another company will cover anybody, anywhere but only under 60's. This morning I spoke to an insurance agent who started by telling me that I did not need insurance in NZ due to reciprocal agreements, but cover was necessary and possible for the Singapore bit but recommended that Irene be insured by a different company to cover flight costs and luggage.


After this I started on a painting. I bought myself a canvas, some acrylic paints and brushes. I have decided to paint a picture of 'Mount Cook'.


Emily did her work in the afternoon and was happy playing at home. The pool was tempting. The water was warm, but I was not sure of the quality. I now know how to test it and next time it happens I will be able sort it out.


Before collecting Zoe from her after school club I went to the chemist to get a months supply of my tablets. It had cost £35 to have an examination at the local doctor so that he could write out a prescription. It was a bonus to know that I was medically fit. Most items cost £1.50. Compare this to UK prices. It only took 10 mins for the chemist to put the prescription together, unlike the one week notice needed at home.


In the evening Sally took Irene and me out for a drink and our pudding before a walk along the sea front.


Today, Saturday, we got up  and Irene received Mother's Day presents from Zoe and Emily. (It is not M.D. here.)

Ian and I took the girls out in the hope of getting pony rides, but we finished up with a Dunkin' Donut and a visit to covered playground. The girls spent two hours there before returning with MacDonalds. They then went out to visit a previous nanny and see her baby.

We all went out to a 'Mother's Day' dinner in the evening.

Tomorrow Sally and Ian are joining in with 80,000 other people to do 'Around the Bays'. They will be walking 8.4km (5.2 miles) from the Ferry Building to St Heliers and finish off with a barbecue on a local park.