Noticed this morning that the birds were becoming very interested in my apricot tree. They were damaging even the green ones.
So J and I picked the whole tree. Rather us than the birds. We filled a large bucket with the crop!
The green ones will ripen indoors!
Us 1 - Birds 0
They will probably be waiting for the plums which I think will be next to ripen!
and the tomatoes will need to be covered before long...
... i think the birds may win on the strawberries!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Saturday 29th November - drought returns
There has been about 5mm of rain in Napier this month. It has not rained properly for about 7 weeks. Hawkes Bay is drying out about 10 weeks earlier than usual. The hills are brown!
I hope the calves have enough grass to survive.
I planted the tomatoes out today. They are going to need lots of watering this spring/summer... they say it will not rain properly now ntil March!
I'll keep you updated on the tomatoes.
I hope the calves have enough grass to survive.
I planted the tomatoes out today. They are going to need lots of watering this spring/summer... they say it will not rain properly now ntil March!
I'll keep you updated on the tomatoes.
Saturday 8th November - election day
Today is election day. It is very civilised with voting starting at 9am and finishing at 7pm. All election posters and advertising banners have to be removed the night before the election so the day itself is very eerie with not obvious signs of an election!
We have 2 votes, one for a local candidate and one for a party... the party vote goes towards adding extra MP's to those parties with the highest proportion of the national vote. The election system is more racist than I expected with those designated as Maori being part of a separate electorate from the restof us. They have their own constituencies and candidates.
By 11pm they know the winning parties. National Party have won the highest proportion of the vote and John Key will be the new Prime Minister. Helen Clark and Labour have been turfed out!
I expect Labour will be happy to leave National with the economy going down the drain!
We have 2 votes, one for a local candidate and one for a party... the party vote goes towards adding extra MP's to those parties with the highest proportion of the national vote. The election system is more racist than I expected with those designated as Maori being part of a separate electorate from the restof us. They have their own constituencies and candidates.
By 11pm they know the winning parties. National Party have won the highest proportion of the vote and John Key will be the new Prime Minister. Helen Clark and Labour have been turfed out!
I expect Labour will be happy to leave National with the economy going down the drain!
Saturday 8th November - latest bookcase
Alex and I finished this bookcase on Saturday morning.
It has 12 metres of shelf space... and that's not enough to empty all our boxes...
I need about another 10 metres of shelves!
It has 12 metres of shelf space... and that's not enough to empty all our boxes...I need about another 10 metres of shelves!
Saturday 1st November - Jim and Jean in town
Jim and Jean brough Alex and Betty back from their trip round the North Island.
J took this photo on one of our banks.
Casper had to be included!
Saturday 18th October - two new residents in Rotowhenua Road
J has purchased 2 Friesian bulls calves as a new enterprise. He and his grandad have set up electric fences in the paddock and he is going to be a beef farmer!
Friday 10th October - Ruapehu skiing
J wanted to go up to Ruapehu to try out skiing. We went for a couple of days at the end of my holiday. Ruapehu is only 4 hours from Napier. It was a first time for us all. We started off with a long lesson. I think I will go for another lesson before we try that again!
Tuesday 7th October - Kawekas
J likes this photo of me. He took it as we stood on the banks of the Mohaka River up in the Kawekas.
Tuesday 7th October - Kawekas
The Puketitiri 
Road up past our property eventually leads to the Kaweka mountain range. This hot tub is set up beside a mountain trail. The water is heated by hot gas coming from the ground and directed from a stream in to this tub. The tub apparently holds a maximum of 8 people but the water was too hot to climb in!
Road up past our property eventually leads to the Kaweka mountain range. This hot tub is set up beside a mountain trail. The water is heated by hot gas coming from the ground and directed from a stream in to this tub. The tub apparently holds a maximum of 8 people but the water was too hot to climb in!Saturday 4th October - McIntyres and Rosses visit
On the deck at Rotowhenua Road. The McIntyres and Rosses came over this afternoon from Palmerston North.
Friday 26th September - Alex and Betty in town
A & B arrived in Napier this morning for the start of a six week visit. They had a safe journey but were very tired.
I am off work for 2 weeks so hopefully we will have the opportunity to see a lot of Hawke's Bay.
I am off work for 2 weeks so hopefully we will have the opportunity to see a lot of Hawke's Bay.
Saturday 12th September - Templepatrick Alexandra to Napier BHS football team
J has played football during the winter for the High School team. They won all but 1 match over the season and conceded less than 10 goals. J's team voted him 'Player of the Season'. His former coach at Templepatrick Primary School and Templepatrick Alexandra (David Alcorn) would be proud of the achievement of his former player! J was offered the chance early in the season to play representative football for the Hawkes Bay region but he turned it down as he has so many other sports commitments.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Monday 1st September - those wooden houses
A friend remarked on my post about the noisy earthquake last week and wooden New Zealander houses being so flimsy.
Apparently the Hastings earthquake was the noisiest one in the area with the sound travelling throught the ground and the air. One reason for the wooden houses is earthquakes. They should suffer less damage when the big one hits.
So far there have been over $5million claimed for damages last week!!!
Apparently the Hastings earthquake was the noisiest one in the area with the sound travelling throught the ground and the air. One reason for the wooden houses is earthquakes. They should suffer less damage when the big one hits.
So far there have been over $5million claimed for damages last week!!!
Saturday 30th August - Olympic gold
I saw 2 Olympic gold medallists this morning when the city of Napier organised a parade for the Evers-Swindell twins. They won a rowing gold for the second successive olympics. The twins are locals, having grown up in Hastings.
Hastings mayor is talking about naming a street or park in their honour!!
Hastings mayor is talking about naming a street or park in their honour!!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tuesday 26th August - get over it
I listenen to the Nolan radio podcast about the floods last week. A householder whose home in Belfast was hit by the flood was saying that he would not have accepted aid from the 'forces of occupation' if they had come offering help... In the words of a Tui ad 'Yeah Right' !!!!
There has been a lot of rain in the South Island these last 48 hours. Some places have had 3 months worth of rain in those 48 hours!!!
A dairy farmer in North Canterbury lost over 100 cows this morning as they walked over a bridge which was overwhelmed by a swollen river. The coastguard, police and rescue services all came to the farmers aid and managed to rescue 30 cows. No politics of victimhood here!!!
All this wet weather here is mirroring the weather in Northern Ireland these last couple of months... I hope they get some good weather soon... we need it here too!
There has been a lot of rain in the South Island these last 48 hours. Some places have had 3 months worth of rain in those 48 hours!!!
A dairy farmer in North Canterbury lost over 100 cows this morning as they walked over a bridge which was overwhelmed by a swollen river. The coastguard, police and rescue services all came to the farmers aid and managed to rescue 30 cows. No politics of victimhood here!!!
All this wet weather here is mirroring the weather in Northern Ireland these last couple of months... I hope they get some good weather soon... we need it here too!
Tuesday 26th August - Earthquake 5.9
Hastings and Napier were hit with a level 5.9 earthquake at 11.25pm last night...
No serious damage done.. just a lot of shaking...
Tried to get R & J on the phone this morning but the phones were out... the earthquake had taken out some power lines and phone lines...
Managed to get J on mobile phone at 8.15am... all ok..
R was up when the earthquake hit. She thought the house was going to fall. The noise was like a train inside the house!!!
We need to sort out our emergency supplies in case the really big one hits!!!
No serious damage done.. just a lot of shaking...
Tried to get R & J on the phone this morning but the phones were out... the earthquake had taken out some power lines and phone lines...
Managed to get J on mobile phone at 8.15am... all ok..
R was up when the earthquake hit. She thought the house was going to fall. The noise was like a train inside the house!!!
We need to sort out our emergency supplies in case the really big one hits!!!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Thursday, 21st August - a visitor in Wellington
My cousin, Mary was in town today. She was down from Hamilton with a school team for an economics competition.
The weather in Wellington was excellent today.... lovely and calm with not a cloud in the sky...best winter day for quite a while.
We met up for half an hour at the Beehive and caught up with the latest news.
Good to see a familiar face in Wellington!!!
The weather in Wellington was excellent today.... lovely and calm with not a cloud in the sky...best winter day for quite a while.
We met up for half an hour at the Beehive and caught up with the latest news.
Good to see a familiar face in Wellington!!!
Thursday 21st August - podcasts
I have been listening to a few Radio Ulster podcasts this week.
It seems nothing changes much.
Gerry and Sean are still using the same jokes.... and they are still funny!
Ian Junior is trying to wear his fathers shoes.... listened to him on the Nolan Show.... Denis Murray is not Stephen Nolan!!!
I was listening to the blogs to follow up on the flood news over the last weekend. That flood warning between Omeath and Warrenpoint was hilarious... will take a while for Carlingford Lough to dry up!!!!
It seems nothing changes much.
Gerry and Sean are still using the same jokes.... and they are still funny!
Ian Junior is trying to wear his fathers shoes.... listened to him on the Nolan Show.... Denis Murray is not Stephen Nolan!!!
I was listening to the blogs to follow up on the flood news over the last weekend. That flood warning between Omeath and Warrenpoint was hilarious... will take a while for Carlingford Lough to dry up!!!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
12th August - hail in Wellington
We have just had a hail-shower while I sit in this internet cafe in Wellington... the locals are amazed to see ice fall from the sky...
If only they spent a winter in Northern Ireland....
By the way I see the northern irelanders are suffering from heavy rain... you have my sympathy... Wellington has had a lot of rain over the last few weeks... I almost feel at home here in an odd way!!!!
If only they spent a winter in Northern Ireland....
By the way I see the northern irelanders are suffering from heavy rain... you have my sympathy... Wellington has had a lot of rain over the last few weeks... I almost feel at home here in an odd way!!!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
27th July - another broken humerus
R fell about 6 weeks ago and has been feeling pain off and on in her right arm. After finally getting x-rays and having them analysed she has been told that she has a cracked humerus.
They have said that nothing is to be done apart from avoiding lifting heavy weights.
Odd we both have damaged humerus bones within weeks of each other.
J damaged ligaments in his knee last week too so we are all crocks at the moment!
They have said that nothing is to be done apart from avoiding lifting heavy weights.
Odd we both have damaged humerus bones within weeks of each other.
J damaged ligaments in his knee last week too so we are all crocks at the moment!
26th July - early spring in Hawke's Bay
The wattle trees are coming in to bloom. They are Australian trees and they have glorious yellow displays in early spring. We have several dozen wattles scattered across our block.
Our proteas are also coming into bloom. They have the largest flowers I have ever seen. They are South African shrubs but they normally do well in Hawke's Bay. Some of the early blooms have been damaged by the odd frost but they still have a good display. They will be in bloom until Christmas...
The block next to ours down to the road has about 30 sheep in the paddocks. Since last weekend J says about 5 lambs have appeared including a set of twins.
The lake is still in flood.... and getting much wider as a lot of rain is falling today... and we saw 3 pairs of ducks down there... they are getting ready for spring too...
The rain has shown up the pine pollen which covers everything at this time of year in Hawke's Bay. There are 10's of thousands of hectares of pine forest to the west of us and in the early spring that pine pollen comes our way. The yellow sediment is showing up in puddles, on windows and on the car.
Yellow is the colour of spring....
Our proteas are also coming into bloom. They have the largest flowers I have ever seen. They are South African shrubs but they normally do well in Hawke's Bay. Some of the early blooms have been damaged by the odd frost but they still have a good display. They will be in bloom until Christmas...
The block next to ours down to the road has about 30 sheep in the paddocks. Since last weekend J says about 5 lambs have appeared including a set of twins.
The lake is still in flood.... and getting much wider as a lot of rain is falling today... and we saw 3 pairs of ducks down there... they are getting ready for spring too...
The rain has shown up the pine pollen which covers everything at this time of year in Hawke's Bay. There are 10's of thousands of hectares of pine forest to the west of us and in the early spring that pine pollen comes our way. The yellow sediment is showing up in puddles, on windows and on the car.
Yellow is the colour of spring....
Thursday, July 24, 2008
24th July - winter or spring?
Wellington is experiencing some 'British Open' weather this week. This afternoon and evening all flights and ferries out are cancelled because of the storm. Yesterday evening a local train was derailed after hitting something blown on the line.
Meanwhile up in Hawkes Bay last weekend daffodils were in bloom. Our almond trees have some early blossom too! Spring comes 6 weeks earlier in Hawkes Bay than anywhere else in NZ.
I am looking forward to getting out of this storm and back to Napier tomorrow!
Meanwhile up in Hawkes Bay last weekend daffodils were in bloom. Our almond trees have some early blossom too! Spring comes 6 weeks earlier in Hawkes Bay than anywhere else in NZ.
I am looking forward to getting out of this storm and back to Napier tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
22nd July - British Open
We watched some of the British Open over the last few days of my holiday.
That weather certainly tamed the golfers!
That weather certainly tamed the golfers!
21st July - social networking
There are many different electronic networks to join these days.
I have discovered it is a fascinating way to link up with people who I have lost touch with. I joined the linkedin.com network earlier in the year and have managed to re-connect with a lot of my old work-mates in Northern Ireland and England. Linkedin.com is a networking site for the work environment rather than truly social.
A friend invited me to join Facebook the other day. I joined today and have immediately managed to track down lost connections in Canada... there is no way it would have been this easy in the pre-internet days...
You can now find me on Facebook... searching for my name should be enough...
I will continue to post my news here on the blog.
My photos can be found on flickr.com. Email me if you want linked to view them...
I have discovered it is a fascinating way to link up with people who I have lost touch with. I joined the linkedin.com network earlier in the year and have managed to re-connect with a lot of my old work-mates in Northern Ireland and England. Linkedin.com is a networking site for the work environment rather than truly social.
A friend invited me to join Facebook the other day. I joined today and have immediately managed to track down lost connections in Canada... there is no way it would have been this easy in the pre-internet days...
You can now find me on Facebook... searching for my name should be enough...
I will continue to post my news here on the blog.
My photos can be found on flickr.com. Email me if you want linked to view them...
15th July - construction work
I am on holiday from work this week.... a short twelfth fortnight holiday....
J is into table-tennis with his mates so we have built a full size table-tennis table over the last 2 days. We always wanted to build one back in Parkgate but we just didn't have space for it.
It was fun going out and finding the materials... a bit different from the process of going to B&Q in Northern Ireland.... there seems to be a shortage of good quality construction timber for the amateur DIY-er here... or maybe we were just looking in the wrong places. Anyway we eventually sourced enough good materials to make the table.
We have the table in the workshop for the present but J eventually wants it in the garage when we sort it out...
J is into table-tennis with his mates so we have built a full size table-tennis table over the last 2 days. We always wanted to build one back in Parkgate but we just didn't have space for it.
It was fun going out and finding the materials... a bit different from the process of going to B&Q in Northern Ireland.... there seems to be a shortage of good quality construction timber for the amateur DIY-er here... or maybe we were just looking in the wrong places. Anyway we eventually sourced enough good materials to make the table.
We have the table in the workshop for the present but J eventually wants it in the garage when we sort it out...
12th July - Ballycastle or Napier ?
I see on the BBC weather page that the forecast temperature for today is 9 to 14 degrees C.
Our temperatures in Napier today ranged from 9 to 21 degrees C at peak.
Who is having summer weather?
;-)
Our temperatures in Napier today ranged from 9 to 21 degrees C at peak.
Who is having summer weather?
;-)
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
1st July - what price petrol?
The price of one litre of petrol here is NZ$2.10 which equates to about 84 pence at today's exchange rate. I see petrol in the UK is about 33% more than what we pay here.
I am sure Northern Irelanders would love to be paying 84 pence a litre now!!!
Some New Zealander politicians are talking about reducing the speed limits on all roads by 10kph to conserve fuel. It will make the roads safer too. The maximum allowed speed here now is 100kph.
Some Americans (USAers) are talking about reducing their maximum speeds too. Their maximum speed in 60mph now.
It would be a brave Northern Irelander politician who would propose reducing the speed on all roads by 10mph. It would be a much safer place if they did.
I am sure Northern Irelanders would love to be paying 84 pence a litre now!!!
Some New Zealander politicians are talking about reducing the speed limits on all roads by 10kph to conserve fuel. It will make the roads safer too. The maximum allowed speed here now is 100kph.
Some Americans (USAers) are talking about reducing their maximum speeds too. Their maximum speed in 60mph now.
It would be a brave Northern Irelander politician who would propose reducing the speed on all roads by 10mph. It would be a much safer place if they did.
30th June - justice
When I worked in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, I worked in the same team as Jim Gilchrist. He worked as a systems analyst but he lived for music and playing with his group in the evenings. He was a gentle soul.
In 2005 I was shocked to hear of his murder.
Life in prison for his murderer should mean life.
In 2005 I was shocked to hear of his murder.
Life in prison for his murderer should mean life.
28th June - a winter shower
We had some hail this afternoon. It lasted a short while but is was unusual to see white stuff falling from the sky....
It was 13 degrees at the time so the hail did not stay very long...
We are having quite a cool winter in Hawkes Bay. I have brought the tomato plant which was growing from seed indooors... it may be too late as it has been burned a bit by the frost. We have peas growing at the minute in our garden too... just like you in the Northern Hemisphere....
It was 13 degrees at the time so the hail did not stay very long...
We are having quite a cool winter in Hawkes Bay. I have brought the tomato plant which was growing from seed indooors... it may be too late as it has been burned a bit by the frost. We have peas growing at the minute in our garden too... just like you in the Northern Hemisphere....
27th June - something to think about
The wife of one of my colleagues has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
In 2002 I went on a training course in the south of England to learn about using the Leigh Dovetail Jig. My tutor at the time was a retired woodwork teacher. His theory was that the biggest experiment in the early 21st century was the wide use of mobile phone technology. There is no long term analysis of the damage mobile phone users are doing by holding a device with microwave technology close to our brains.
I talked to my dentist about it a few years ago. I wanted to know if anyone with fillings in their teeth had ever observed like me that they (the fillings) were irritated after a mobile phone had been used for a while. I got toothache by using the phone a lot.
If you put something metallic in a microwave oven you will get an instant (not very nice) reaction!
So has there been research done by mobile phone companies on the use of their technology when there are metal objects like fillings or glasses close to the brain when the phone is used? I do not think they would reveal the results!!
Like that old woodwork teacher I think there will be many more brain tumours in our lifetimes. Those early adopters and high users of mobile phones are at high risk of damaging themselves.
The experiment is only one of those going on these days...
In 2002 I went on a training course in the south of England to learn about using the Leigh Dovetail Jig. My tutor at the time was a retired woodwork teacher. His theory was that the biggest experiment in the early 21st century was the wide use of mobile phone technology. There is no long term analysis of the damage mobile phone users are doing by holding a device with microwave technology close to our brains.
I talked to my dentist about it a few years ago. I wanted to know if anyone with fillings in their teeth had ever observed like me that they (the fillings) were irritated after a mobile phone had been used for a while. I got toothache by using the phone a lot.
If you put something metallic in a microwave oven you will get an instant (not very nice) reaction!
So has there been research done by mobile phone companies on the use of their technology when there are metal objects like fillings or glasses close to the brain when the phone is used? I do not think they would reveal the results!!
Like that old woodwork teacher I think there will be many more brain tumours in our lifetimes. Those early adopters and high users of mobile phones are at high risk of damaging themselves.
The experiment is only one of those going on these days...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Saturday 21st June - the shortest day
It was about 19 degrees out on the deck at lunchtime today. Not bad in deep mid-winter. It was a gloriously sunny day too. We had all the doors in the house open as there was no breeze.
I expect you northern hemispherers are the same as you enjoy your longest days!
They have been cutting grass for silage over the last few weeks and sending it over to the Waikato to help out the drought stricken dairy farmers there. Imagine cutting grass for silage at Christmas in Northern Ireland!!!!
I expect you northern hemispherers are the same as you enjoy your longest days!
They have been cutting grass for silage over the last few weeks and sending it over to the Waikato to help out the drought stricken dairy farmers there. Imagine cutting grass for silage at Christmas in Northern Ireland!!!!
Thursday 19th June - shoulder update
Just in case you are wondering, I have stopped using the sling on my arm. It is a bit restrictive and the shoulder is lots better. I still get pain in it sometimes but hopefully that will go away.
Funny / strange thing is that my shoulder now clicks sometimes when I move my arm.... I hope that goes away too!!!!
Thank you to all those who have written, phoned, texted and emailed over the last few weeks. It is good to know friends are still out there and keeping up to date with our adventures.
Funny / strange thing is that my shoulder now clicks sometimes when I move my arm.... I hope that goes away too!!!!
Thank you to all those who have written, phoned, texted and emailed over the last few weeks. It is good to know friends are still out there and keeping up to date with our adventures.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Saturday 7th June - Irish in town
I stayed this weekend in Wellington. R & J are down for the weekend.
New Zealand are playing the Irish rugby team on Saturday evening. The Irish supporters come out in force to support their team. Tommy Bowe nearly scored a superb try.
It is a surprisingly close game despite the poor weather. I think New Zealand are lucky to win.
On Sunday we see the Rimutaka hills coated in snow and realise it really was that cold last night!
New Zealand are playing the Irish rugby team on Saturday evening. The Irish supporters come out in force to support their team. Tommy Bowe nearly scored a superb try.
It is a surprisingly close game despite the poor weather. I think New Zealand are lucky to win.
On Sunday we see the Rimutaka hills coated in snow and realise it really was that cold last night!
Saturday 31st May... a Golden weekend
Jim and Jean are celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary this weekend.
We have been invited up for the weekend. The family get-together is on Saturday afternoon in Cambridge. A great opportunity to see some relatives we have not seen in a year and some new ones we have not met before!
We are staying with Archie and Mary for the weekend.
Monday is a public holiday. Queens Birthday weekend... Australia and New Zealand celebrate the Queens Birthday with a holiday.
We have been invited up for the weekend. The family get-together is on Saturday afternoon in Cambridge. A great opportunity to see some relatives we have not seen in a year and some new ones we have not met before!
We are staying with Archie and Mary for the weekend.
Monday is a public holiday. Queens Birthday weekend... Australia and New Zealand celebrate the Queens Birthday with a holiday.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Thursday 22nd May – final confirmation of the fracture
I had my appointment with the fracture clinic this afternoon… it is the top of the humerus which is fractured… inside the shoulder socket. It must have collided with one of the other bones.
The only remedy is to keep my arm in the sling until it gets better.
The seat belt could not have broken that bone….
I think my reflex action in moving the car left must have had me gripping the steering wheel very hard at impact. The insurance assessor told me that the steering column was damaged when he looked at the car. So the jolt from the impact broke my arm bone inside the shoulder socket…
I can live with that knowing we avoided much worse.
The only remedy is to keep my arm in the sling until it gets better.
The seat belt could not have broken that bone….
I think my reflex action in moving the car left must have had me gripping the steering wheel very hard at impact. The insurance assessor told me that the steering column was damaged when he looked at the car. So the jolt from the impact broke my arm bone inside the shoulder socket…
I can live with that knowing we avoided much worse.
Saturday 17th May – an Australian visitor
Rose is in New Zealand for a couple of weeks and has stopped with us for the weekend. A chance for us to visit some of the local tourist stopping places… and catch up with the Australian family news.
Rose is also good with plants so we have identified a few of the Australian plants in our garden.
Rose is also good with plants so we have identified a few of the Australian plants in our garden.
Friday 16th May – things you can do with a broken bone in your shoulder
- Play golf
- Clean out the guttering
- Type (although that was getting very painful)
- Drive the (new) car
- Prune lots of plants and trees in the garden.
- Pull up the dying tomato plants.
I will add to this list as I remember what else I have done.
Friday 16th May – a broken bone in my shoulder
The physio phoned to tell me that I had a broken bone in my shoulder and would be getting no more treatment from her for a while… a good job as it was torture! I have an an appointment with the Wellington Hospital fracture clinic for next Thursday afternoon.
I have to go out purchase a sling and put my arm in it until the appointment
I have to go out purchase a sling and put my arm in it until the appointment
Thursday 15th May – what’s in a shoulder
Another appointment with the physio today. The pain in my shoulder has been much worse yesterday and today. When she heard she immediately booked an ultrasound scan to identify what was really wrong….
I have seen the inside of my shoulder…. It is very complicated… the tendon which was being treated is perfect but they have found a suspect fracture… will know later when the radiologist analyses the images.
I have seen the inside of my shoulder…. It is very complicated… the tendon which was being treated is perfect but they have found a suspect fracture… will know later when the radiologist analyses the images.
Monday 12th May – more physio
Another appointment with the physio…. Did not tell her about clearing the guttering…
Saturday 10th May – clearing the guttering
Some of the recent rain is causing the guttering to overflow so I spent the afternoon cleaning it out…
… the shoulder hurt more after that…
… the shoulder hurt more after that…
Thursday 8th May – physio
With my shoulder still in pain, I went to physio and they diagnosed a damaged tendon… I have to rest…. No golf for a while…
Saturday 3rd May – golf
It is the end of J’s school holiday. The schools get 2 weeks between each term of 10 weeks. There are 4 terms in the year. Autumn Term starts on Monday.
My shoulder still hurts but we went out for a game of golf in the afternoon. They said my shoulder was just bruised internally but it was worse after the game…
My shoulder still hurts but we went out for a game of golf in the afternoon. They said my shoulder was just bruised internally but it was worse after the game…
Saturday 19th April – the end of the tomatoes
With the cooler weather, most of the tomatoes are finished… there a few still growing but most are done.
We have a small tomato growing from seed. I will bring it indoors before the frosts come and grow tomatoes over the winter…
It rained this week too. The burn is back and the field/paddock below our house has lots of water birds again.
We have a small tomato growing from seed. I will bring it indoors before the frosts come and grow tomatoes over the winter…
It rained this week too. The burn is back and the field/paddock below our house has lots of water birds again.
Sunday 13th April – the end of our car…
Firstly you need to know before reading this that J & I survived and walked away…
One of the biggest road hazards in New Zealand is tourists especially those who normally drive on the right side of the road. There have been many fatal accidents involving tourists.
J & I were out for a drive today and at noon were about 25km south of Hastings on a country road when on going round a left-hand corner we met a minibus in our lane. There was a bank on our side of the road and I knew immediately we had nowhere to go and we were going to be hit hard.
The airbags and seatbelts saved us. My reflex action must have been to move left as we ended up against the bank. The minibus bounced off the car and stopped in our lane. When we got out we found the minibus driver and passenger already out. They were Swedish tourists and had forgotten which side of the road to drive in New Zealand.
The most amazing thing is that we walked away. The only marks on J and me were the burn marks from the airbags exploding. Full marks for modern car design.
The car was a wreck. The wheel in front of me was ripped up off the axle and amazingly the hub-cap from that wheel ended up on the car roof… surreal…. It must have been amazing to see…
The police were on the scene in about 30 minutes.
The policeman estimated that my front right corner was about 1.5m from the left side of the road at impact so the minibus did not move left at all. If I had not moved so far left, the impact would have been much worse and the damage unthinkable…
J was hurt across his lap and my right shoulder hurt because of the seat belts so the policeman sent us to hospital by ambulance.
We emptied the car before it was taken away.
It will be written off…
We spent the rest of the afternoon in hospital. Their x-ray checks and tests found we had no internal injuries.
The police, ambulance crew and those who stopped on the road could not believe we walked away.
We are fortunate.
One of the biggest road hazards in New Zealand is tourists especially those who normally drive on the right side of the road. There have been many fatal accidents involving tourists.
J & I were out for a drive today and at noon were about 25km south of Hastings on a country road when on going round a left-hand corner we met a minibus in our lane. There was a bank on our side of the road and I knew immediately we had nowhere to go and we were going to be hit hard.
The airbags and seatbelts saved us. My reflex action must have been to move left as we ended up against the bank. The minibus bounced off the car and stopped in our lane. When we got out we found the minibus driver and passenger already out. They were Swedish tourists and had forgotten which side of the road to drive in New Zealand.
The most amazing thing is that we walked away. The only marks on J and me were the burn marks from the airbags exploding. Full marks for modern car design.
The car was a wreck. The wheel in front of me was ripped up off the axle and amazingly the hub-cap from that wheel ended up on the car roof… surreal…. It must have been amazing to see…
The police were on the scene in about 30 minutes.
The policeman estimated that my front right corner was about 1.5m from the left side of the road at impact so the minibus did not move left at all. If I had not moved so far left, the impact would have been much worse and the damage unthinkable…
J was hurt across his lap and my right shoulder hurt because of the seat belts so the policeman sent us to hospital by ambulance.
We emptied the car before it was taken away.
It will be written off…
We spent the rest of the afternoon in hospital. Their x-ray checks and tests found we had no internal injuries.
The police, ambulance crew and those who stopped on the road could not believe we walked away.
We are fortunate.
Sunday, 6th April – time changes
We put our clocks back for winter…. We are now 11 hours ahead of the UK.
Friday 28th March – start of Autumn
Flying home from Wellington, I can see the changing colours of the countryside. The poplars have been turning gold since late February but the oaks are now turning red.
The grapes have mostly been picked and the apples are being picked these days.
Later on the grapes will turn gold and red. The peach and apple trees will turn gold.
The swallows have mostly gone to. It is a puzzle to me why they actually leave as Hawkes Bay winter is generally warmer than an Irish or a Scottish summer…
Autumn is my favourite season in Hawke’s Bay.
The grapes have mostly been picked and the apples are being picked these days.
Later on the grapes will turn gold and red. The peach and apple trees will turn gold.
The swallows have mostly gone to. It is a puzzle to me why they actually leave as Hawkes Bay winter is generally warmer than an Irish or a Scottish summer…
Autumn is my favourite season in Hawke’s Bay.
Monday 24th March – more cricket
J and I went back to watch Day 3 of the test match. England are dominating the match. Andrew Strauss hit 174 runs today. James managed to have his photo taken with him after the match…
One for the archives!
One for the archives!
Saturday 22nd March – Test Match Cricket
England are back in town for the final test match of their tour in New Zealand. The series is 1-all and this is the decider. J and I have tickets for the day. No danger of being rained off here!
A good days cricket. We saw Peterson hit a century including a six on the roof of the stadium.
J collected a lot of player autographs after the days’ play.
A good days cricket. We saw Peterson hit a century including a six on the roof of the stadium.
J collected a lot of player autographs after the days’ play.
Friday 21st March – Good Friday – a family get-together
Aunt Mary phoned in the morning. She and Archie along with Joanna, Andrew and the children are coming across from Palmerston North to visit us in the afternoon. Cousin Mary and son Connor are also coming from Hamilton to stay for the weekend…. So we had a family reunion in Napier!
Saturday, 22nd February – bird scarers wanted
The local paper in Hawke’s Bay is advertising for bird scarers for the orchards and vineyards. They have to work from dawn to dusk and need a firearms licence!
The countryside resounds from early morning to the sound of gunshot and automatic scarers. It sounds like a battleground!
This will continue until the last of the grapes and apples are picked in mid-April….
The countryside resounds from early morning to the sound of gunshot and automatic scarers. It sounds like a battleground!
This will continue until the last of the grapes and apples are picked in mid-April….
Wednesday, 20th February – a one day cricket record
The one day international in Napier was a tied match with both teams scoring 340 runs apiece. J was there for the match. I saw the tail end after work on TV and it was enthralling right to the last ball!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, 19th February - cricket tomorrow
The England cricket team are in Napier tomorrow to play in the fourth one day international against the New Zealand team. New Zealand are leading the series 2-1 and need to win one more to win the series. Therefore a must win match for England too!
Jesse Ryder, the new young star of the NZ ream (and an ex-pupil) was in J's school today to meet the boys. I am sure it was a memorable experience for them all!!
The boys have been given the afternoon off tomorrow to go see the match. J already has his ticket and has been looking forward to seeing the stars of both teams!!!
Jesse Ryder, the new young star of the NZ ream (and an ex-pupil) was in J's school today to meet the boys. I am sure it was a memorable experience for them all!!
The boys have been given the afternoon off tomorrow to go see the match. J already has his ticket and has been looking forward to seeing the stars of both teams!!!
Tuesday 19th February - Seymour see less
I see the giant's son has quit one of his jobs... about time!!!!
By the way, if any of you Northern Irelander politicians need a consultant to provide them with information on, say New Zealander ways of doing things I am only too happy to give assistance, but it will be for a fee. You seem to be very generous with who you provide jobs to and I will be only too happy to assist, especially as you are keen on good pay rises as well!
By the way, if any of you Northern Irelander politicians need a consultant to provide them with information on, say New Zealander ways of doing things I am only too happy to give assistance, but it will be for a fee. You seem to be very generous with who you provide jobs to and I will be only too happy to assist, especially as you are keen on good pay rises as well!
Saturday 16th February - Art Deco weekend
When the big earthquake hit Napier and Hastings in 1931 most of the town centres were rebuilt in the Art Deco style. Napier is a popular site to visit to view buildings of this style.
Napier now has an annual Art Deco festival where people dress up in period costume of the 1920's and 1930's for the wek and there is a display of vehicles from that period too.
There are about 500 vintage vehicles in Napier for the weekend carnival. It is strange to see these on the roads with the drivers and passengers all dressed up.... it is like being transplanted to that era...
Today the Queen Victoria cruise liner arrived in Napier too with 2,000 passengers and 3,000 crew. We get most of the cruise ships visiting Napier but this is the biggest ever with only 25 metres to spare to turn round in the harbour!!! I am sure the passengers were surprised to be met with the Art Deco costumes and celebrations in the city!!!
It was probably Napier's busiest weekend ever!!!!
Napier now has an annual Art Deco festival where people dress up in period costume of the 1920's and 1930's for the wek and there is a display of vehicles from that period too.
There are about 500 vintage vehicles in Napier for the weekend carnival. It is strange to see these on the roads with the drivers and passengers all dressed up.... it is like being transplanted to that era...
Today the Queen Victoria cruise liner arrived in Napier too with 2,000 passengers and 3,000 crew. We get most of the cruise ships visiting Napier but this is the biggest ever with only 25 metres to spare to turn round in the harbour!!! I am sure the passengers were surprised to be met with the Art Deco costumes and celebrations in the city!!!
It was probably Napier's busiest weekend ever!!!!
Friday 15th February - a dry country
I flew home this afternoon with the skies clear across most of the south of the North Island. The countryside is very dry with most of the grassland beige or barley coloured.
Surprisingly Hawkes Bay looks the greenest... only a greener shade of beige!!!
The farmers will be struggling if this dry weather continues into autumn and winter.
Surprisingly Hawkes Bay looks the greenest... only a greener shade of beige!!!
The farmers will be struggling if this dry weather continues into autumn and winter.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Saturday 9th February - drought elsewhere in New Zealand
Some of the areas in New Zealand which usually have a regular springling of rain have been rain-free since early September. These areas are huge dairying areas and are suffering a shortage of grass and fodder.
Waikato has had its driest January in 100 years. The hills there are brown like those of Hawkes Bay. I think we have had more rain lately than they have had... very unusual. The dairy farmers are suffering and using their winter fodder. When winter comes there could well be a major crisis.... possibly an opportunity for dairy farmers in other parts of the world eg Ireland, to gain new markets...
Waikato has had its driest January in 100 years. The hills there are brown like those of Hawkes Bay. I think we have had more rain lately than they have had... very unusual. The dairy farmers are suffering and using their winter fodder. When winter comes there could well be a major crisis.... possibly an opportunity for dairy farmers in other parts of the world eg Ireland, to gain new markets...
Thursday 7th February - golf
J & I played golf today at Hastings Golf Club. It is one of the top golf courses in New Zealand and only about 25 minutes from our home.
It was a cloudy day but warm even so. The second time we had played golf this week and last time for a while as he starts school tomorrow....
It was a cloudy day but warm even so. The second time we had played golf this week and last time for a while as he starts school tomorrow....
Saturday 2nd February - Harvest Festival
This weekend many vineyards are exhibiting their produce all across Hawkes Bay with special events.
We took the opportunity to go meet my cousin Emma Lowe and her event promoting Monowai wines.
You can find them on: www.monowai.co.nz
We took the opportunity to go meet my cousin Emma Lowe and her event promoting Monowai wines.
You can find them on: www.monowai.co.nz
Friday, 1st February - holiday time
Finished work today and home about 4pm on early flight.
I am taking the next week off to relax and sort out a few things round home before school starts next Friday. It will be my longest period in our new home since we moved in on &th September.
I am taking the next week off to relax and sort out a few things round home before school starts next Friday. It will be my longest period in our new home since we moved in on &th September.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday 29th January - identity theft
I have had my identity stolen over the last few days. Fortunately the UK credit card company picked up the rogue transactions and contacted me.
One of the online UK companies I purchased something from several years ago must have had their database hacked into and credit card numbers stolen. There had been 3 transactions on my account, all invalid but amounting to over 1000 pounds.
It's a scary world out there....
The credit card company cancelled the 3 transactions and the card. I have been very lucky!
One of the online UK companies I purchased something from several years ago must have had their database hacked into and credit card numbers stolen. There had been 3 transactions on my account, all invalid but amounting to over 1000 pounds.
It's a scary world out there....
The credit card company cancelled the 3 transactions and the card. I have been very lucky!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday 25th January - waking to a nightmare
I have my clock radio set to turn on with the Radio New Zealand National news service each morning. It is the Radio Ulster or Radio 4 type news for NZ and is probably the best service here.
This morning I woke to hear a female northern irelander accent trying to justify the removal of a statue in Limavady. For about 90 seconds, I thought I was listening to Radio Ulster and then I woke up and realised where I was...
The woman, a little irelander ( Sinn Fein ) councillor from Limavady was trying to argue her case with an NZ interviewer and not being very successful. Apart from the broad accent, the argument was not very good. She could not convince the interviewer how a 14 year old boy who left Limavady could be threatening to the people there today.
Later at work, my boss asked me about the story.... he had heard the interview too. He could not understand half the interview due to the broad accent and wanted to know how a 14 year old boy could be so senior in the Orange Order and what was dangerous about a grand master....
Little do the little irelanders realise what they are doing... I am sure visits from New Zealanders to Limavady or Northern Ireland are not being encouraged by such a public row...
This week started with New Zealand burying their most famous citizen, Sir Edmund Hillary. It ended with little irelanders villifying another of their famous citizens on national radio....
.... well done Sinn Fein
This morning I woke to hear a female northern irelander accent trying to justify the removal of a statue in Limavady. For about 90 seconds, I thought I was listening to Radio Ulster and then I woke up and realised where I was...
The woman, a little irelander ( Sinn Fein ) councillor from Limavady was trying to argue her case with an NZ interviewer and not being very successful. Apart from the broad accent, the argument was not very good. She could not convince the interviewer how a 14 year old boy who left Limavady could be threatening to the people there today.
Later at work, my boss asked me about the story.... he had heard the interview too. He could not understand half the interview due to the broad accent and wanted to know how a 14 year old boy could be so senior in the Orange Order and what was dangerous about a grand master....
Little do the little irelanders realise what they are doing... I am sure visits from New Zealanders to Limavady or Northern Ireland are not being encouraged by such a public row...
This week started with New Zealand burying their most famous citizen, Sir Edmund Hillary. It ended with little irelanders villifying another of their famous citizens on national radio....
.... well done Sinn Fein
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday 24th January - goldfinch nest
I forgot to tell you about the goldfinch nest...
We have 2 almond trees in our garden. They had lovely pink blossom in the early springtime in September when we moved in to our house. They are now loaded with almonds which are ripening. I am looking forward to harvesting them!!!
Anyway a few weeks ago, I noticed there was a nest in each tree and a goldfinch was sitting on one nest. It has since disappeared so its brood must have moved on.
To those ornithologists out there, we have lots of 'British' (in the geographic non political sense) birds in New Zealand. We have chaffinches, goldfinches, sparrows, yellowhammers, warblers, thrushes, kingfishers, blackbirds and swallows. Yes swallows... I have not figured out where they go in the winter... there is not much need for them to migrate as our winter days are usually warmer than northern irelander summer days!
We have loads of nests in the shrubs and trees in our garden.
By the way Anne you are very welcome anytime in Hawkes Bay. We are not that far away!
We have 2 almond trees in our garden. They had lovely pink blossom in the early springtime in September when we moved in to our house. They are now loaded with almonds which are ripening. I am looking forward to harvesting them!!!
Anyway a few weeks ago, I noticed there was a nest in each tree and a goldfinch was sitting on one nest. It has since disappeared so its brood must have moved on.
To those ornithologists out there, we have lots of 'British' (in the geographic non political sense) birds in New Zealand. We have chaffinches, goldfinches, sparrows, yellowhammers, warblers, thrushes, kingfishers, blackbirds and swallows. Yes swallows... I have not figured out where they go in the winter... there is not much need for them to migrate as our winter days are usually warmer than northern irelander summer days!
We have loads of nests in the shrubs and trees in our garden.
By the way Anne you are very welcome anytime in Hawkes Bay. We are not that far away!
Thursday 24th January - BBC news
One of my readers asked today if I followed the BBC news. I read it every day among other world news web-sites. Sometimes I watch BBC World News on Sky to get a fix of good news reporting.
I see in the news that Ian Junior is now on a rural planning review committee in the Assembly... how ironic!!!! Putting the fox in with the chickens!!!!
In the New Zealand Herald today (and on their website) is an article on the antics in Limavady. We now live in a global village and the news travels fast. Removing a statue of William Massey (former prime minister of New Zealand) will not change (little) mind-sets.... but it might annoy some New Zealanders! I am sure they would be happy to have the statue.
By the way I live round the corner from the Parliament Buildings in Wellington during the week and there is a statue of another famous Northern Irelander NZ prime minister ( John Ballance from Glenavy) in the grounds... I do not think it bothered the Irish President when she visited the NZ Parliament last year!
Ballance has roads, streets and places named after him. Massey has a university which carries his name.
When will those little irelanders learn to respect and admire the achievements of their fellow countrymen????????????
I see in the news that Ian Junior is now on a rural planning review committee in the Assembly... how ironic!!!! Putting the fox in with the chickens!!!!
In the New Zealand Herald today (and on their website) is an article on the antics in Limavady. We now live in a global village and the news travels fast. Removing a statue of William Massey (former prime minister of New Zealand) will not change (little) mind-sets.... but it might annoy some New Zealanders! I am sure they would be happy to have the statue.
By the way I live round the corner from the Parliament Buildings in Wellington during the week and there is a statue of another famous Northern Irelander NZ prime minister ( John Ballance from Glenavy) in the grounds... I do not think it bothered the Irish President when she visited the NZ Parliament last year!
Ballance has roads, streets and places named after him. Massey has a university which carries his name.
When will those little irelanders learn to respect and admire the achievements of their fellow countrymen????????????
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday 22nd January - world finance in turmoil
The amazing losses by banks around the world but particularly in America are hard to credit. How do Americans claim to be world leaders when so much money is squandered and lost...
One of my most enduring memories of the USA in 2006 was how many beggars there were in New York and San Francisco. They were on all the streets and there were certainly more per footpath metre than I have seen in any European city! I have never seen a beggar approach a 13-year old boy before and ask for money... a bad experience for J in NY and SF!!!!
George Bush has presided over Katrina and the impoverishing of America... he will certainly be remembered!
One of my most enduring memories of the USA in 2006 was how many beggars there were in New York and San Francisco. They were on all the streets and there were certainly more per footpath metre than I have seen in any European city! I have never seen a beggar approach a 13-year old boy before and ask for money... a bad experience for J in NY and SF!!!!
George Bush has presided over Katrina and the impoverishing of America... he will certainly be remembered!
18th January - the Causeway
There is still a lot of fuss about the Causeway.... and the saga about the big irish giant and his son goes on!
I remember hearing the early morning news about the Causeway visitor centre fire and councillor Christopher McCaughan stating that Moyle Council would rebuild.
I remember too the early morning news on a 12th July as the Paisleys (Ian senior and Ian junior) spoke on the phone as they drove to Ballymoney and the site of the fire which killed the Quinn boys. That was the fault of the Drumcree dispute... Ian junior always turned up at North Antrim tragedies in those days.... it was him cynically just getting into the news and making himself known in North Antrim...
I remember too a Stephen Nolan TV programme on the police and speed cameras. Ian junior took part in that programme and the long-haired Ian criticised the police for catching speeding drivers. I especially remember that programme as Stephen Nolan called me personally on the morning he was to broadcast and asked me if I would take part and talk about the death of my mother-in-law as the result of a road accident. I declined as at that time the case could have gone to trial. I was very angry with the irresponsible attitude of Ian junior in that programme. My view is that the speed limits on all Northern Ireland roads should be 10pmh lower than currently. The NZ speed limit maximum is 100kph... that is 60mph. Drivers are prosecuted if they exceed the limit by 10kph. If outside a school the driver is caught exceeding the limit by 3kph he/she will be prosecuted. Northern Irelander police need to be more strict! Which political party is brave enough to propose reducing the limits by 10mph?
The Causeway development was just the latest phase in a developer trying to take advantage of poor planning processes to make more money for himself rather than considering the environment.
Ian junior spoke this week on the Stephen Nolan show about mistakes he may have made...
Ian junior is an opportunist politician and should be outed by all parties including Alliance.
I remember hearing the early morning news about the Causeway visitor centre fire and councillor Christopher McCaughan stating that Moyle Council would rebuild.
I remember too the early morning news on a 12th July as the Paisleys (Ian senior and Ian junior) spoke on the phone as they drove to Ballymoney and the site of the fire which killed the Quinn boys. That was the fault of the Drumcree dispute... Ian junior always turned up at North Antrim tragedies in those days.... it was him cynically just getting into the news and making himself known in North Antrim...
I remember too a Stephen Nolan TV programme on the police and speed cameras. Ian junior took part in that programme and the long-haired Ian criticised the police for catching speeding drivers. I especially remember that programme as Stephen Nolan called me personally on the morning he was to broadcast and asked me if I would take part and talk about the death of my mother-in-law as the result of a road accident. I declined as at that time the case could have gone to trial. I was very angry with the irresponsible attitude of Ian junior in that programme. My view is that the speed limits on all Northern Ireland roads should be 10pmh lower than currently. The NZ speed limit maximum is 100kph... that is 60mph. Drivers are prosecuted if they exceed the limit by 10kph. If outside a school the driver is caught exceeding the limit by 3kph he/she will be prosecuted. Northern Irelander police need to be more strict! Which political party is brave enough to propose reducing the limits by 10mph?
The Causeway development was just the latest phase in a developer trying to take advantage of poor planning processes to make more money for himself rather than considering the environment.
Ian junior spoke this week on the Stephen Nolan show about mistakes he may have made...
Ian junior is an opportunist politician and should be outed by all parties including Alliance.
11th to 14th January - Jim & Jean over
Jim and Jean came over on Friday evening. We went to explore Napier on Saturday morning and in the afternoon went up to Puketitiri and Balls Clearing. Balls Clearing is a 36 hectare reserve which is one of the few areas of untouched native forest which was never felled. It is full of tall native trees and lots of native birds. Jim certainly enjoyed the forest!
On Sunday we went over to see Norman Lowe (from Strangford) and his NZ wife Lynette. Norman migrated to NZ in 1973 and is a far out cousin. He is farming 300 hectares at Kereru in inner Hawkes Bay rearing beef cattle.
One of his daughters (with her Chilean husband) has developed a vineyard over at Crownthorpe and is selling her wines as far away as the UK. Check out the Monawai label.
On Sunday we went over to see Norman Lowe (from Strangford) and his NZ wife Lynette. Norman migrated to NZ in 1973 and is a far out cousin. He is farming 300 hectares at Kereru in inner Hawkes Bay rearing beef cattle.
One of his daughters (with her Chilean husband) has developed a vineyard over at Crownthorpe and is selling her wines as far away as the UK. Check out the Monawai label.
Saturday 5th January - home again
The tomatoes survived the weeks holiday. I think there was more rain in Hawkes Bay than where we were.
The birds are appreciating the tomatoes so I will have to put up a net for them!
The birds are appreciating the tomatoes so I will have to put up a net for them!
Friday 4th January - Nelson to Picton
We stopped last night in Nelson before driving this morning along the Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton... to be recommended when you are not in a hurry. We had plenty of time in Picton before catching the 6 pm ferry to Wellington for an overnight stop in my apartment.
Saturday 5th drive home to Napier.
Saturday 5th drive home to Napier.
Thursday 3rd January - golf in the heat
J and I played golf this morning at Motueka. It was the hottest day yet... it was 39 degrees in the car when we returned... too hot for golf I think!!!!
Wednesday 2nd January - Motueka
We travelled over last night from Takaka and stayed in Motueka.
Today we took sea taxi up Abel Tasman Park and stopped at various bays... next time I am going to walk the pathway along the shore!
Met up with one of my colleagues from work this evening. He lives in Motueka and flies to Wellington from Nelson each week.
Today we took sea taxi up Abel Tasman Park and stopped at various bays... next time I am going to walk the pathway along the shore!
Met up with one of my colleagues from work this evening. He lives in Motueka and flies to Wellington from Nelson each week.
Tuesday 1st January - kayaking in Abel Tasman
Abel-Tasman Park is between Golden Bay and Tasman Bay and is one of the most popular parks in New Zealand.
J & I went sea-kayaking this morning along part of the park. The water is normally very clear and you can see to the sea bed... it was choppy today though and I for one was glad to bring the kayaks back to shore!!!
Next time we will go out on a calmer day!! Me anyway!
J & I went sea-kayaking this morning along part of the park. The water is normally very clear and you can see to the sea bed... it was choppy today though and I for one was glad to bring the kayaks back to shore!!!
Next time we will go out on a calmer day!! Me anyway!
Monday 31st December - Farewell Spit
We set out at 5.30am to join bus trip from Collingwood to Farewell Spit. This 35 mile long sand spit at the most northerly end of the south island and was named by Captain Cook as he left New Zealand to go to Australia. The bus took us along the spit to the end where a lighthouse sits. There is an amazing wealth of bird-life along the spit. Plenty of seals too.
In the afternoon we went to a fish farm near Takaka and caught 4 salmon...
After that early start we were tired tonight!
In the afternoon we went to a fish farm near Takaka and caught 4 salmon...
After that early start we were tired tonight!
Sunday 30th December - Takaka
We went over Takaka hill today to stop for 2 nights in Takaka in Golden Bay. It is beautiful countryside too but greener with lots of dairy cows mainly jerseys and guernseys in the paddocks.
I have learned since that my grandparents visited Golden Bay in the early 1960's as they toured the South Island. They apparently liked this part of the country.
I have learned since that my grandparents visited Golden Bay in the early 1960's as they toured the South Island. They apparently liked this part of the country.
Saturday 26th December - Nelson
First impressions of Nelson are that it is a bit like Portstewart...
it has lovely sandy beaches facing North...
the sun sets over the westerly hills each evening...
there are lots of holiday homes and apartments facing the sea...
there are expensive restaurants along the seaward side of the road...
differences:
Nelson is the sunniest place in New Zealand with over 2400 hours each year!
There is no Morellis... it is needed with all that sunshine....
J and I went out to Happy Valley today and went on a quad trip for 4 hours up the mountains. At the end we were allowed to race the quads around a track and J hit 60km/hr... I think it has awakened a desire for speed... I hope not... He wants to buy a quad now for our section... hopefully he will be satisfied with the ride-on mower for a few more years!
it has lovely sandy beaches facing North...
the sun sets over the westerly hills each evening...
there are lots of holiday homes and apartments facing the sea...
there are expensive restaurants along the seaward side of the road...
differences:
Nelson is the sunniest place in New Zealand with over 2400 hours each year!
There is no Morellis... it is needed with all that sunshine....
J and I went out to Happy Valley today and went on a quad trip for 4 hours up the mountains. At the end we were allowed to race the quads around a track and J hit 60km/hr... I think it has awakened a desire for speed... I hope not... He wants to buy a quad now for our section... hopefully he will be satisfied with the ride-on mower for a few more years!
Friday 28th December - golf in Nelson
J and I went out early to play golf on one of the local courses. It was called Greenacres which is a bit familiar to those living in Ballyrobert!
A special event was the hedgehog which trundled across the 5th fairway as we were teeing off. That has never happened before!
A special event was the hedgehog which trundled across the 5th fairway as we were teeing off. That has never happened before!
Thursday 27th December - Havelock and Nelson
We left Blenheim early to travel to Nelson where we are stopping for a few nights. We broke our journey in Havelock where Ernest Rutherford spent his early years.
Stopped too just before Nelson at a place called Happy Valley. The landowner has set up a flying fox between 2 hills. The cable is 1.6km long and we went down it at top speed. We hit 95.3km/hr on the way down. Recommended!!!!
Stopped too just before Nelson at a place called Happy Valley. The landowner has set up a flying fox between 2 hills. The cable is 1.6km long and we went down it at top speed. We hit 95.3km/hr on the way down. Recommended!!!!
26th December - on holiday
We left early this morning to set out on our holiday to the South Island. We are driving to Wellington to catch the 3pm ferry over to Picton and stay the night in Blenheim.
Stopped in Carterton to break our journey. A man in the restaurant heard our accents and asked us where we were from. He was born in Glengormley but had migrated with his parents when he was 11 to NZ.... another northern irelander!
The weather in Wellington was grey... they had had a hail shower in Picton in the morning... not typical summer weather but it all made for a choppy crossing on the ferry!
Blenheim was dry... in fact very dry with the hills looking browner than Hawkes Bay!!!! They are having the drought this year!
Stopped in Carterton to break our journey. A man in the restaurant heard our accents and asked us where we were from. He was born in Glengormley but had migrated with his parents when he was 11 to NZ.... another northern irelander!
The weather in Wellington was grey... they had had a hail shower in Picton in the morning... not typical summer weather but it all made for a choppy crossing on the ferry!
Blenheim was dry... in fact very dry with the hills looking browner than Hawkes Bay!!!! They are having the drought this year!
25th December - Christmas in the sun
Christmas Day is lovely with all day sun. It is our 3rd Chrismas in New Zealand and first in our own home. It is nice to be home at Christmas again....
Saturday 22 December -golf at Christmas
J & I went up today to Puketitiri. It is about 30 minutes inland from where we live up in the Kawekas. They have a 9-hole golf course in the village. It is grazed by sheep!
Probably one of the more isolated golf courses around.
The primary school in Puketitiri has just closed this month as it only has 5 students. A typical trend in the world as people move toward towns and cities.
Probably one of the more isolated golf courses around.
The primary school in Puketitiri has just closed this month as it only has 5 students. A typical trend in the world as people move toward towns and cities.
Thursday 20th December - earthquake 6.8
An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the scale hit Gisborne at 9pm this evening. It was felt all over New Zealand...
R & J were in the car in Napier at the time. They were stopped at traffic lights and felt the car rocking from side to side.
The people of Gisborne were lucky. Most of the buildings damaged were in the shopping area of town. It it had happened during the day many people would have been injured.
R & J were in the car in Napier at the time. They were stopped at traffic lights and felt the car rocking from side to side.
The people of Gisborne were lucky. Most of the buildings damaged were in the shopping area of town. It it had happened during the day many people would have been injured.
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