Flying Foxes

On Saturday there was an opportunity to photograph flying foxes with the telephoto lens. Mum and I took Emily to the park while Ian and Sally took Zoe to the zoo.

This is the best that I could do.



In the afternoon I set off in search of ginger beer. (We already had Cadbury chocolate with Macademia nuts ready for the Saturday night feast). The east coast of Australia has the famous Bundaberg brewery. For quite a while I wondered if I would find any. There is a little convenience store in Parramatta and there it was; Bunderberg Ginger Beer.

Arrival

It is now Monday evening at 5.40 pm. It has been dark for sometime.
We landed safely on Friday night; having circled the Australian sky waiting for a landing slot. Ian met us.The air was cold and we were dressed for the 32 degs of Hong Kong. Fairly straight to bed. Saturday was familiarisation and shopping. On Sunday we did meet some of the wild life.


Today has been Medicare and car day. You wait in a very sophisticated queue system and collect a form. On Saturday Sally and Ian return to the queue with completed form. The afternoon was more interesting. Sally collected a cheque and then we set off to the garage. The Camry was about ready for collection. The deal was done. I drove the petrolless Camry back to the apartment. Why don't they put petrol in or maybe be close to a filling station.
The car is now in the apartment garage and Sally has gone off in the Zafira to pick up Ian after his first days work.
Sally and Ian now have two cars and a house which they can move into on 23rd; furniture or no.
Emily and Zoe are coping with the move very well.

Last Post Before Home

Tomorrow is our last day here in Kiwi land. A final picture blog will sum up this journey when we get home.

On Saturday it was Zoe's birthday. It was a good day. It started with some present opening and then Ian, Sally and Zoe set off as the party organisers at 'Butterfly Creek'. Half an hour later, mum, Emily and I followed behind.

No one thought that the weather could be as good as it was. we left a dull Glover Park and turned up at the party to baking heat. The party went well and the first drops of rain fell and turned into a downpour when we got back.

We spent the afternoon presenting, but it became obvious that leg stretching was in order. All of us drove off to 'Valentines' in Papuranga. At this restaurant you could eat as much as you wanted, including pud for a fiver. The choice was wide, including baby octopus and the quality was high. A good day ended well.

On Sunday it was 'Around the Bays' day and, despite dire predictions, it was hot and sunny. The family had made provisions to 'batten down the hatches', but suddenly Ian decided to take Emily to the zoo. For me it was a good opportunity to do the photo swap with Sally. Ian prepared tea and then mum and I set off for my final NZ photo shoot of Auckland City from Devonport. I stayed as long as I was allowed. A few minutes more would have bought real darkness.


Today we are doing last jobs around the house and getting ready to pack in the morning. We have had a final walk down to St Heliers shops and I hope to go to Sylvia Park to buy a new suitcase this evening.

Chimney Sweep

I forgot to mention the chimney sweep.
I love talking to real Kiwis. This gentleman who came to sweep the chimney was a real Kiwi of many generations. His story was that his something, something grandfather came to New Zealand in 1840. He came has a retired soldier to be a 'Fencible'. A Fencible was given a plot of land by the government and was expected to defend the Pakia against the Maori whenever necessary. His plot was in South Auckland. He was mentioned again in 1896 as being the oldest pensioner in New Zealand.
The chimney sweep was also proud of the fact that there was no Maori blood in his family line. I am told that this is something of a rarity.

The weather has suddenly changed. Summer is over. The mornings are darker and colder. Mum is in cardigans. I am wearing a top, but still in short sleeves, short and trainers with no socks.

I went down to St Heliers this morning for some turps. I took the precaution of taking a waterproof. The rain comes very suddenly and equally heavily. As I neared the town the rain was visibly moving up the sea front towards me. I thought that I would make it to shelter. On the corner just before crossing to the shops a silver coloured car pulled up in front of me. I was certain that it was Ian coming to the rescue. I started to get in. It was in fact a stranger waiting to pick up his wife. Sorry! sorry! Leg it. As soon as I had made my purchase the rain stopped, so with soggy short bottoms and a very wet coat I made my way back. By the time I reached home I was bone dry.

Sheets of rain are still coming. The workman are trying to set up the marquees for the 'Around the Bays' fun run/walk on Sunday.

Beach and New Car

On Sunday Ian and Sally took Zoe off to swimming lessons, followed by breakfast and special Early Learning Centre shopping. Mum and I used the buggy to take Emily down to the beach. She became very excited when she saw the playground; so much so it was difficult restraining her - and it would be one of those moments when traffic was heavy.

The beach was in full use. A large group of children were having their fourth surfboard lifesaving class.


After her time in the playground Emily spotted the beach. She was bit miffed when we would not let her simply jump off the high grassy bank on to the beach. However, as soon as she got on to the beach she spotted the sea. She made a bee-line for it with mum in hot pursuit. The sea edge is still lined with sea weed from the recent storm, but mum found a clearer space near the rocks.


The sea was really busy. Further down the bay a large group of people were in various stages of swimming to Rangitoto and back and there were many boats of various sizes in view.

We regrouped for a really nice lunch and after lunch it was time to get the new car.

We knew that this week was going to be difficult for Sally, but we had plans. On Friday Ian informed us that it was going to be difficult for him to help. The solution was that we had a car, leaving both of them free to come and go as they needed. Ian came up with the idea of using air-miles to hire one (if you remember the Subi is off the road at least until Wednesday at the earlist). So, Sally and I went off into town. We did not realise that the Saturday street jazz festival had been transferred to Sunday in Mission Bay, causing a slight delay.

The centre of Auckland City is strangely quiet on a Sunday and all the car hire places are in one area. The hire was speedily carried out and soon I was following Sally on detour of Mission Bay route in a rather nice red Mitsubishi Lancer.


Another good meal, prepared by Ian ended a pleasant, if half stormy weekend. The only trouble being that I went to bed itching madly due to insect bites we think we picked up from the pond side at Monterey Bay. They still itch even now.

Eat Your Heart Out Lawrence

On Tuesday I borrowed the car. The object being to purchase a toilet seat as a third replacement for a broken one. The toilet is not your standard one. I was also going to investigate why the cistern refused to fill up. This year, with greater confidence, I pulled off the lid. It was, to me, a fairly foreign arrangement, but it was immediately obvious that the water supply tap was practically off. After 2.5 years you can now get a good flush.

Because Villory Boch toilets are not your standard ones, I made my way passed Placemakers to Plumbing World. After great indecision we came away with one that we thought would fit, but with an option to return. I also puchased a special toilet roll holder.

We also purchased mirror fitting and concrete mix to fix in the swing. This time from Placemakers. Unlike shopping in B&Q when you can be the only one around, including assistance; there seems to be 5 assistants for every customer. Which is most annoying?

On the way home we called into the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Gardens. This is centotaph in honour of the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand. It is a large area of green with different views of the city and Rangitoto.

After lunch we unpackaged the toilet seat to find that it fitted. However, it was badly scratched and so back to Plumbing World. Very annoying, but a satisfactory job was done.


On Wednesday we tackled the swing. Mum and I took turns digging the four holes. Mum is much neater. I am quicker. Once levelled in went the concrete. Another job done.

On Thursday the tropical storm struck.

CRASH
On Friday the rain still came down. Sally did not have a sitter so mum and I got up early. I went with Sally and bought the car back to take the girls to child care. It was too wet to do anything.
There was no going outside, so the two mirrors got hung. Another job done.

At ten to four I left to get Sally. It was only drizzling. I was pleased with how well I knew the route and managed a difficult island. I little down the road I noticed a bright orange car approaching the next junction on my left. The approach raised concerns and I was ready for evasive action. It appeared to stop and then suddenly turned right across my bows. I put on full anchors and for a minute (no second) I thought I had avoided the inevitable. But, the inevitable is the inevitable. I pulled up. So did the man behind me who gave me his card and left. Somehow the orange car had done u-turn back into the street it came from.

A little old lady got out of the car and my first words were "What did you do that for?" We exchanged details. I got to Sally who miffed that I hadn't totalled the car.

The insurance man will not be charging us excess has he was convinced that it definitely was not my fault. The car goes in on Monday. I am grounded until it is restored to health.

My 30 year unblemished record is down the pan + a lot of inconvenience.

On Saturday mum went with Sally to take Zoe to ballet class. Ian, Emily and I went off to Plumbing World to pick up the toilet roll holder and my missing phone, which Ian found in the car as we parked at Placemakers. I swear it wasn't there when I looked. We had coffee and breakfast. Rather, Emily drank Ian's coffee and helped consume my chocolate whiskey cake.

Today, Sunday, mum went with Sally to Zoe's swimming class. It has generally been a quiet day. Sally is photocopying my passport and driving licence for the insurance claim.

Strawberries, Wine and Trains

Thursday 12th was to be the only full day that Ian, Sally and girls spent with us.

This was also the day to discover that the cable to the SAT NAV was not working. We manually followed the family to 'Strawberry Patch'. Here Zoe had a happy hour picking fresh strawberries and we had coffee.

From here we followed to 'Clearwater' winery. The best part was sampling the product. The final one 'Sea Red' was particularly tasty and we have a bottle to share and eat chocolates with. After lunch the family went back as the girls were tired. We wondered around the vineyards and spoke to a young Kiwi man who was humping barrels. He was not looking forward to returning to his studies in Uni next week. I guessed what he was earning money for and left him with the wish that he did not drink it all at once.

We found our way back to Napier, being particularly pleased to find the 'Rothman's Building' again and bodly enter the foyer to photograph interior Art Deco details.

In the afternoon Ian, Zoe and myself made our own journey into 'Train World'. Zoe enjoyed controlling the engines on the Thomas layout, but we spent nearly an hour there because of the play she had on the wooden Thomas layout.

The largest central model was a very imaginary (no comment) model of British trains. The star model was one that started life as a model of Us scene, became Napierised, was purchased and presented to the town. A ride round on a miniature railway completed Zoe's time there.

Here we go again; 'where are my glasses?'. We had just driven off. Ian drove round to the front of 'Train World' and waited in a parking bay. I retraced my steps around Train World and then along the alley back to where we had parked. Coming back to the car I was giving up and beginning to hope that I had left them back in the house. At this point I spied them on a low wall. There is a God who watches over lost spectacles and a helpful Kiwi who picked them up of the pavement. Thank you both; if you are reading this.

On the way home Ian called in to to sort out the SAT NAZ. Zoe had gone to sleep in the back. I began to feel hotter and hotter. At which point I tried to open the door. Locked in. So I tried the windows - electric. I didn't try the air con - no power. In desperation I twiddled a lock on the door. This triggered the alarm. Ian dashed straight out laughing and gave me the keys. No I had air - even air con. After lengthy negotiations Ian appeared with the new SAT NAV cable.

Home for tea, walk and bed.

Napier - Part 1

Napier, having a population of over 50,000 is designated a city. It is on the sweeping Hawkes Bay. It was planned as a town in 1854, but in 1931 it was virtually destroyed by an earthquake reading 7.9 on the Richter scale.

Most of the buildings before 1931 were destroyed by fire, but over two years the town was rebuilt during the peak years of the Art Deco style.

Unfortunately it would seem that this country has little concern with history. I have seen it written that nothing here is worth preserving because it is not old enough. There are many Art Deco features in Napier, but much has been allowed to come into disrepair, destroyed or modified.

We, that is Sally, Ian, Zoe, Emily, mum and I flew in to the town on a twin prop plane. This makes it the first time that mum and I have ever flown on anything other than a jet.

The girls travelled quite well. It would be the first plane ride that Zoe would remember. Emily perhaps won't remember this trip quite the same.



The flight took us over some rather bleak ranges.




I am always pleased with the detail of my aerial photographs taken without image stabilization using a standard lens. The following image is a very clear one of the moment when the wheels touched down.

The plane landed on the tarmac of the small domestic airport and we were soon through.

After the flight we were in convoy of cars. Ian had the SAT NAV in the red Toyota Camry and so I followed behind, with mum, in the silver Camry and parked outside our holiday home. Both cars had air con and automatic gears. This was in a very quiet area 'near the airport'. The open Pacific Ocean was a short walk over a browned grass and a gravel beach. From the horizon their was nothing but water between us and America. It was a peaceful ocean at this point.

Napier has a reputation for being sunny and dry. But, that did not take into account the arrival of the rain gods from Nottingham. I did try to persuade the grateful residents to bow down and worship us and bring offerings of gold. The chap next door just laughed.

Out accommodation was good. Mum and I had the upper floor with a bed sit room, en suite and balcony. The Clark family had two bedrooms off the kitchen, lounge and spa bath area.This arrangement worked well.

This is our room with balcony looking over the sea.

Once we were settled I drove out to Napier with mum, Sally and Zoe. We got to the sea front where there were certainly Art Deco signs. The central promenade gardens were like many UK seaside towns.

The beach that we saw was somewhat disappointing, being made of grey gravel that was just becoming black sand grains. Zoe enjoyed this and mum enjoyed collecting the white drift wood that was prevalent on the beach.

We made a visit to a shop called . Here we came face to face for the first time with deadly 'possum'; destroying scourge of the kiwi bird in the country. This group were on top of a mini singing of their victories.

On our return we came upon a beautiful example of Art Deco. This was labelled 'National Tobacco Company'; being known as the from the 1950. It is now a gymnasium. Cool!!! I made a return a visit on Thursday and was able to photograph some of the interior.

I finished the day with a photograph of Napier Harbour taken from our balcony.

Feeding the Ducks

Ian invited mum and I to go with him and the girls to feed the ducks at the Auckland Domain. With SAT NAV on we followed them; arriving and parking just in front of them. Even without the Sat NAV our navigation skills are improving. In fact, we had feeling we knew where to find them despite the SAT NAVS' protestation to "make a u-turn when possible.

Zoe enjoyed feeding the ducks, but Emily seemed unhappy, so Ian took her back to the car. Zoe wanted to go to the 'climbing' trees principally to scare mum.

When we got back to the car Ian and Emily had gone. Zoe wanted to go to the museum. Once more we visited Sally the dinosaur, did jigsaws, but this time we visited the war exhibits. Zoe liked the Spitfire.

After a quick drink and ice cream we returned home and we are trying to keep cool in the shade.

Crystal Mountain and Botanic Gardens

Today we went our separate ways.

Mum, Sally and Emily went off to the Botanic Gardens and Ian, Zoe and myself went off to Crystal Mountain.

The range of charges was daunting.

Crystal Mountain is an area some distance away in Auckland. It is trying to be a theme park for adults and children, but it fails in being a theme park and children friendly. It has number of activities for children, but these are hourly and children just won't wait. There is a roller coaster which Zoe went on, a tractor train, which we had to give up on, pony rides, crystal panning. There was also a display of crystals and a well stocked crystal jewellry shop.

We regrouped at the house and had a leisurely afternoon. It was too hot to be out for long. UV burn times, with blocker, were extremely small.

In the evening Sally and Ian went for a meal in Parnell while we baby sat. When Sally got back we sat and watched the first episode of 'Boston Legal' - strange but enjoyable, with William Shatner playing a comic part as an aging head of a law firm.

It is now Sunday morning, the day is starting, the sun is starting to blaze and we are promised temperatures near to 40 C with burn times of 3 minutes. Keeping cool and out of the sun is the priority. There is no actual air conditioning, but the heat exchanger between the roof space and the house is on and I expect all the fans will soon be buzzing.

Dining Out

On the same Wednesday we, (Ian, Sally, Mum and me) were invited out to dinner. Karen, who is Sally's child minder had told her parents about us and they were keen to meet us. Ted Worthington was an ex-pom. He has lived here for 50 years, having left the ship on which he was serving at the age of 23. He had worked hard on various jobs such as fruit picking and eventually bought a small fleet of fork lift trucks at the height of the building boom in NZ. His wife was a blond Kiwi named Dianne.

Ian drove us to quite a 'normal' home in Mission Bay. It had the usual steep drive. It ended at a car porch containing a BMW car and a Mercedes pickup (neither brand new). We were shown into a small room at the end of which appeared to be an illuminated beer pump. We were offered a complicated array of beers or wines and nibbles. It became obvious that we were in a small bar room. It had imitation black oak beams. Around the edge were genuine horse shoes. There was hunting horn, a stack of old vinyls. Pictures of boats, airoplanes and trains. Ted knew the writer of the ancient railway magazine. There was an old picture of a mansion in Colney with an old Bentley out side the door. Ted now has an old Bentley in the garage. I did not quite catch whether it was the same Bentley that was his father's one outside the house in the picture.

Before we left we were asked what we would like to drink and Ted busily loaded up a bottle bag. Ian drove Sally, Mum, Karen and I down into Mission Bay we parked and made our way into a fish restuarant where we were seated at table for 7.

Ted arrived and there was a load pop as the champagne cork accidentally flew out of the bottle in the bag that he was carrying. He plonked down the wine and asked the waitress for glasses. They said that they did not have enough. Ted refused one of the glasses as it was dirty; was annoyed that there were not enough glasses and strangely enough a whole batch of clean wine glasses appeared. The restuarant did sell its own wine, but in NZ it is quite normal for customers to have their own wine and use glasses from the restuarant.

We had a good meal of snapper, chips and salad and having had good time and arranged to sail with Ted on Thursday we went back home arriving about 9. All was quiet and we went to bed.

Auckland Zoo - 2009

The zoo remains a favourite of the children. And of many people in Auckland.

We were 'late' setting off, so no attempt was made to park in the car park. Entrance was followed by coffee. As we sat in the central area elephants were bought out on parade. Irene says she does not remember being so close to them.

Up Close and Personal

Baby Tiger

Last years tigers have given birth to babies. They have grown fast.

The howler monkeys were noisy and playful.

The Giraffes have Grown

The Lions Still Roar Lazily

Ian spotted that Emily was getting tired. She does run around quickly. He took her home. We had lunch. Zoe explored some tunnels and posed nicely on the yellow lizard.