We went to a property auction in Napier on Friday afternoon. A lot of houses are sold by agents through priivate negotiation so it is diffiecult to know what the real price of houses is and if they are selling for the asking price or less.
Our feeling is that the property market is not rising but people are still placing houses on the market at high prices. So we thoutht the auction would show the real picture.
There were 7 houses up for auction. We had seen 3 of them and could have bought one of them if confident enough about the process. All 7 of the properties did not sell! None made the reserve price. Only 3 of the properties had bidders and that was one bidder for each property. So obviously that told us that demand was not as great as told to us by estate agents or that buying at auction is not that popular!
Anyway there is another auction on Thursday, 1st March and we have seen one house on that list so we will see if buyers behave any differently!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Art Deco weekend - 16th to 19th February
The Hawkes Bay area was hit by 2 very large earthquakes on one day in February 1931. As a result the towns of Napier and Hastings had to be rebuilt and this was done in the Art Deco style of the 1920's.
The Hawkes Bay area now has an Art Deco weekend where a lot of the towns people and visitors dress up in styles of the 20's and 30's for the weekend. There are loads of events organised but the biggest is a vintage car parade with probably about 500 vintage cars in the Napier over the weekend.
It is an odd sight to see all there people dressed up in fancy garb. I find it very strange and I am sure the people of the 1930's would also find the sight very odd!! They probably could not have afforded to dress as well!!!
Anyway the townspeople seemed to have lots of fun and it brought a lot of visitors to the area. We are just glad we had accomodation sorted and did not need a motel for the weekend!!
The Hawkes Bay area now has an Art Deco weekend where a lot of the towns people and visitors dress up in styles of the 20's and 30's for the weekend. There are loads of events organised but the biggest is a vintage car parade with probably about 500 vintage cars in the Napier over the weekend.
It is an odd sight to see all there people dressed up in fancy garb. I find it very strange and I am sure the people of the 1930's would also find the sight very odd!! They probably could not have afforded to dress as well!!!
Anyway the townspeople seemed to have lots of fun and it brought a lot of visitors to the area. We are just glad we had accomodation sorted and did not need a motel for the weekend!!
A 60th Birthday party - 10th February
On Saturday afternoon went over to Taupo for Tom's 60th party, organised by Morag, Inez and Prue.
Hessie and Edwin arrived for the evening. So more Northern Irelander accents to hear! Twice in a weekend!
J managed to get in some tennis with the girls and Tom before it got too dark.
We stayed the night and next morning went over to Lake Taupo for a picnic lunch at the shore in Kinloch. It was a lovely sunny day. I went out on the lake on a double canoe with Tom. We saw some wild birds (which Tom had not seen before) building a floating nest in near the shoreline. J managed to get out on the lake on a kayak which was a first. He wants us to get a kayak as soon as we are settled! That is in addition to the dog and cat and....
Drove back to Napier in the afternoon.
Hessie and Edwin arrived for the evening. So more Northern Irelander accents to hear! Twice in a weekend!
J managed to get in some tennis with the girls and Tom before it got too dark.
We stayed the night and next morning went over to Lake Taupo for a picnic lunch at the shore in Kinloch. It was a lovely sunny day. I went out on the lake on a double canoe with Tom. We saw some wild birds (which Tom had not seen before) building a floating nest in near the shoreline. J managed to get out on the lake on a kayak which was a first. He wants us to get a kayak as soon as we are settled! That is in addition to the dog and cat and....
Drove back to Napier in the afternoon.
Meeting Northern Ireland visitors
Ian (ex-Parity, Antrim) and his wife Caroline are in NZ for a months holiday during February. They have already toured a lot of the North Island and are in Hawkes Bay for a few days. After leaving HB they head south to Wellington and then on to the South Island.
Ian and Caroline took us out for evening meal on Friday. It was good to hear Northern Irelander accents again and to catch up with some news.
I think Ian may well travel as many kilometers as us before they leave New Zealand. I hope they take time to stop and absorb some of the NZ culture.
Ian and Caroline took us out for evening meal on Friday. It was good to hear Northern Irelander accents again and to catch up with some news.
I think Ian may well travel as many kilometers as us before they leave New Zealand. I hope they take time to stop and absorb some of the NZ culture.
A drive to Wellington - 9th February
Dropped J off at school and then drove to Wellington for a job interview at 2pm. Did not stop for long and arrived in Wellington about 12.30pm.
For a change it was a lovely sunny day in Wellington but the wind was still blowing!
Grabbed a quick lunch and got to the interview with about 20 minutes to spare. Interview was by a panel of 3, all dressed in casual clothes. It is hard to know how to appear at interviews but I would not have been comfartable to be as casual as them. Interview went well and will possibly hear back next week.
Then had long drive back - decided to drive through Upper Hutt and Wararapa on way back for a change but was a mistake as traffic accident on road slowed all the traffic down. A car had driven off the road and stopped just before going into a river. All occupants were out and seemed to be ok.
Got back to Napier about 8.30pm.
In space of 3 days I had driven about 1800km. Aunt Mary says I am now more kiwi than a lot of New Zealanders!!!!
Will be resting before setting out on more long journeys!
For a change it was a lovely sunny day in Wellington but the wind was still blowing!
Grabbed a quick lunch and got to the interview with about 20 minutes to spare. Interview was by a panel of 3, all dressed in casual clothes. It is hard to know how to appear at interviews but I would not have been comfartable to be as casual as them. Interview went well and will possibly hear back next week.
Then had long drive back - decided to drive through Upper Hutt and Wararapa on way back for a change but was a mistake as traffic accident on road slowed all the traffic down. A car had driven off the road and stopped just before going into a river. All occupants were out and seemed to be ok.
Got back to Napier about 8.30pm.
In space of 3 days I had driven about 1800km. Aunt Mary says I am now more kiwi than a lot of New Zealanders!!!!
Will be resting before setting out on more long journeys!
A drive from Napier to Auckland 7th & 8th February
We had contacted the shipping company and asked for some things to be taken out of our shipment. These were mainly sporting equipmet that J wanted and our sets of golf equipment. The golf bags had been inspected by the Ministry of Agriculture and they had said that the bags needed cleaning. The golf bags had been sent away bit only one bag was returned to the shipper. So I needed to go to Auckland to check on the situation and pick up J's equipment.
J had his first morning at school... an easy start with a half day! He is in the top class and will be doing accelerated options in some subjects. That means his class will be doing NCEA exams a year earlier than most of his age group.
Set off after lunch to drive to Cambridge. Arrived there for tea with Jim & Jean, picked up mail and then drove on for another 2 hours to arrive in Auckland about 9pm. Stopped the night with Elizabeth McK and next morning left at 7.15am for meeting with shipper at 8am.
Most people in Auckland drive to work in their own car rather than taking the bus or sharing lifts so there is tremendous traffic jams.I am glad we did not decide to settle there!
Arrived at the shippers on time and saw where our property was stored. They had set aside the pieces I had asked for including J's golf clubs but mine were missing!!!!
Asked the company to keep looking for the golf clubs. If they do not turn up will probably need to involve the police as they have obviously been stolen by an employee somewhere along the way.
Drove back to Cambridge for lunch with J&J. Hessie and Edwin arrived from Thames just before I left and I saw them for about 20 minutes. Arrived back in Napier about 5pm.
J had his first morning at school... an easy start with a half day! He is in the top class and will be doing accelerated options in some subjects. That means his class will be doing NCEA exams a year earlier than most of his age group.
Set off after lunch to drive to Cambridge. Arrived there for tea with Jim & Jean, picked up mail and then drove on for another 2 hours to arrive in Auckland about 9pm. Stopped the night with Elizabeth McK and next morning left at 7.15am for meeting with shipper at 8am.
Most people in Auckland drive to work in their own car rather than taking the bus or sharing lifts so there is tremendous traffic jams.I am glad we did not decide to settle there!
Arrived at the shippers on time and saw where our property was stored. They had set aside the pieces I had asked for including J's golf clubs but mine were missing!!!!
Asked the company to keep looking for the golf clubs. If they do not turn up will probably need to involve the police as they have obviously been stolen by an employee somewhere along the way.
Drove back to Cambridge for lunch with J&J. Hessie and Edwin arrived from Thames just before I left and I saw them for about 20 minutes. Arrived back in Napier about 5pm.
Second journey Taupo & Napier
Set out for Taupo firstly to stop with Tom & Ruth and then go on to Hawkes Bay.
Arrived in Taupo on sunny morning.... R's first visit to Taupo and she liked the town. Went for ride on Huka jet boat which was fun! Then went to see Huka Falls. Drove out to Tom's farm for tea. J was really looking forward to this part of the trip. Went for a walk over the farm and Tom showed us site where he is planning to build new house. J played tennis with Tom.
Left Tom's farm to drive to Napier. Found accomodation in motel near sea-front, Marine Parade. Next morning went to council offices and found information on possible employers and schools. We visited Taradale High School and Napier Boys High. We had tours of them both but Napier Boys High headmaster spent an hour with us and showed us round. Also met with estate agents and were taken round a few houses to get idea of local houses and prices.
Had meeting with local furniture maker and saw round factory.... impressive operation!
After few days we left Napier and drove over to Palmerston North to stop with Joanna & Andrew
Arrived in Taupo on sunny morning.... R's first visit to Taupo and she liked the town. Went for ride on Huka jet boat which was fun! Then went to see Huka Falls. Drove out to Tom's farm for tea. J was really looking forward to this part of the trip. Went for a walk over the farm and Tom showed us site where he is planning to build new house. J played tennis with Tom.
Left Tom's farm to drive to Napier. Found accomodation in motel near sea-front, Marine Parade. Next morning went to council offices and found information on possible employers and schools. We visited Taradale High School and Napier Boys High. We had tours of them both but Napier Boys High headmaster spent an hour with us and showed us round. Also met with estate agents and were taken round a few houses to get idea of local houses and prices.
Had meeting with local furniture maker and saw round factory.... impressive operation!
After few days we left Napier and drove over to Palmerston North to stop with Joanna & Andrew
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Day 2 - new car - first steps to independence
J McK had take us on Friday afternoon to look at some cars but we set out to Hamilton on Saturday to tour the car lots and find our new car. The Ford garage had a good selection of 1 year old hire cars. We picked a gold Mondeo with 32k kilometers on the clock and seemed to be running well.
The insurance was sorted out with a phonecall to the NZ AA.
Our money was not yet in our NZ bank account but the car dealer took us on trust and let us drive off without paying! We had the car a week before the money actually got into the account and we were able to pay. I could not see any large car dealer in the UK being so generous!!!!
So we were mobile on day 2 and getting our first steps towards independence and the start of a search for our new home.
The insurance was sorted out with a phonecall to the NZ AA.
Our money was not yet in our NZ bank account but the car dealer took us on trust and let us drive off without paying! We had the car a week before the money actually got into the account and we were able to pay. I could not see any large car dealer in the UK being so generous!!!!
So we were mobile on day 2 and getting our first steps towards independence and the start of a search for our new home.
Arrival in New Zealand
Due to the smaller steps we took on our travels through USA, we were only 4 hours of time difference between LA and Auckland and therefore not much jet-lagged. Flight arrived on time and we were met in the arrivals lounge by M&A and J&J - a GREAT New Zealand welcome!
It was a sunny spring day as we travelled south to Cambridge, stopping at .... for a mid morning coffee.
BACK in NORTHERN IRELAND... this was the day the politicians were to finally sort out their issues... but NI made the world headlines when a terrorist tried to blow up Parliament Buildings at Stormont... I expect this will be new Guy Fawkes Day for Northern Irelanders... and fireworks will be let off until 25th November every year... sensation was shortlived in NZ as New Zealanders more interested in where the Rugby World Cup final wll be played in 2011.... a new stadium or an updated stadium.
It was a sunny spring day as we travelled south to Cambridge, stopping at .... for a mid morning coffee.
BACK in NORTHERN IRELAND... this was the day the politicians were to finally sort out their issues... but NI made the world headlines when a terrorist tried to blow up Parliament Buildings at Stormont... I expect this will be new Guy Fawkes Day for Northern Irelanders... and fireworks will be let off until 25th November every year... sensation was shortlived in NZ as New Zealanders more interested in where the Rugby World Cup final wll be played in 2011.... a new stadium or an updated stadium.
Stage 4 - Los Angeles
The roads into LA were amazing.... just cars and more cars. America is surely the country of the automobile!
Stage 3 - Big Sur
We left San Francisco driving south to join the coastal highway to Los Angeles. This road mostly follows the coastline and is much slower that the inland route to LA.
Stage 2 - San Francisco
The welcome in San Francisco was much more friendly and relaxed compared to New York. We took taxi from Airport and arrived at our hotel about 9pm. We were staying at Fisherman's Wharf which is central tourist area for city.
We took a tour of the city on our first day to get our bearings. We went out to Golden Gate Bridge and up to the hills to get view over the city. Finished off with a tour of the city centre.
On second day went over to Alcatraz... could not help wondering as we walked around that someday American tourists may be walking around The Maze and seeing similar prison cells which are likely to be much more comfortable that Alcatraz.
J and I hired bikes and cycled along the shoreline to the Golden Gate Bridgea and over the bridge to Sausalito. It was a lovely sunny October day... probably much warmer than our average summer days. We met R at Sausalito for lunch and caught the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf. The cycle trip is recommended by us!
We hired car and drove up to Muir Woods and then on to Napa Valley. Muir Woods has preserved some of the huge Californian Redwoods. They have been there for hundreds of years. While walking in the woods, met a group of people who had been in Northern Ireland and knew David Trimble and John Hume.... possibly connected to Bill Clinton!
We took a tour of the city on our first day to get our bearings. We went out to Golden Gate Bridge and up to the hills to get view over the city. Finished off with a tour of the city centre.
On second day went over to Alcatraz... could not help wondering as we walked around that someday American tourists may be walking around The Maze and seeing similar prison cells which are likely to be much more comfortable that Alcatraz.
J and I hired bikes and cycled along the shoreline to the Golden Gate Bridgea and over the bridge to Sausalito. It was a lovely sunny October day... probably much warmer than our average summer days. We met R at Sausalito for lunch and caught the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf. The cycle trip is recommended by us!
We hired car and drove up to Muir Woods and then on to Napa Valley. Muir Woods has preserved some of the huge Californian Redwoods. They have been there for hundreds of years. While walking in the woods, met a group of people who had been in Northern Ireland and knew David Trimble and John Hume.... possibly connected to Bill Clinton!
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