The countdown begins, three weeks tommorow George and I brave the coronavirus mania and fly to Texas…in the meantime…

It was a weekend spent with my lovely cousin and her furbabies.  Leonburgers lounging at the bathhouse, a saturday morning of fun and fur.  Shampooed, rinsed and blow waved as all girls need from time to time and smelling like roses…

And on that note, Russell Rose is flowering again.  He is the only plant to flourish in this abnormally dry spell we are having in New Zealand.  I think I almost killed him with love (and water), now just getting the odd misty drizzle and the March humidity he is blooming (literally).  All the other pots have all but given up, knowing that in three weeks they will be emptied and stowed away for the winter. I will need to find a good babysitter for Russell Rose over the winter as I take off to warmer climes.

But, seriously, this corona virus is putting a bit of a damper on travel plans.  As so many are cancelling their trips, the airlines are cutting out flight routes and limiting the options for this Maltese Kiwi to get to the homeland. Maybe people will start to rethink the panic actions once all the toilet paper is sold out…and go in search of a more relaxed environment.  We will take all care and precaution, continue to wash our hands and keep our distance from the snuffly sneezers on the way.

Meanwhile in the camp,  this endless summer has expediated the production of the Kiwi Feijoa fruit…

These guys are just dropping from the tree in masses on a daily basis and make a much healthier after dinner snack than my usual 2 or 7 chocolate biscuit habit.

The family is all gathering at Waiwera, just in time to wave me goodbye, Jaxon and Steph are moving up this weekend in preparation to move into their home behind Dans house.  I’ll be locking up the cottage and keeping some days available for weekends and December… This little seaside camp is getting quiet and everyone is leaving for their fixed abodes or overseas adventures.

 

 

 

 

After two months of very hot dry weather, we finally have had some mistings of rain….while the humidity soared the temperatures have finally dropped, at least overnight, we are not having to use the air conditioner every night.

Not saying it isn’t still beach weather, just a long walk to the water at low tide.  We had a visit from my nephew and his wee girl, who was determined to have a swim at the beach….and play in the sand, there was plenty of that to choose from.

George has had a trip to his old uni town, Dunedin, and returned rather the worse for wear….need a couple of days sleep and good food, say no more.

My Boss has braved the air travel scares and headed offshore for three weeks and left me “Charles in Charge”….. so long as I hit the road at 5.30am (to brave the march madness of Auckland traffic) and leave town before 3pm (to beat the school pick ups), I think I will survive.  With the odd day working remotely.

Our Rugby team, The Blues, has a home game this weekend after two South African wins…

The Hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes have been cleared from the supermarket shelves, with no restocking dates, as these products come from China and most things from China right now are not reaching our shores.  This Coronavirus scare has changed our lives….or it will do if people continue to clear the shelves of toilet paper…seriously, I don’t quite get the toilet paper thing, as I watch trolley loads of the stuff roll out of our supermarket.  If you are quarantined for a bit, sure food would be a priority.  And Water??? Kiwi water is drinkable from the tap and there is no indication that these guys will stop running.  Anyway, by all accounts as with any flu, this nasty little bug will make you sick at the worst if treated with respect.  And George and I will fly off in a months time for the next adventure….Texas here we come!

After 50 days of sunshine, we had rain!

My evenings of plant watering have kept the flowers blooming through summer, and last week the dives came to help, and one sat on my head during the excercise! All those in our kiwi paradise were getting thirsty!

The week passed in a blur of heat, tiredness, work and traffic jams. Now all the universities are back at work the daily commute is somewhat more tedious.

Almost two months in, in 2020 and Saturday gave us some tears from heaven…which is a little how it felt waking up to a grey morning.

Dan got me moving with a tip run, shopping and a push to take the boat out for an evening trawl….jobs done, nanna nap and on the sea at 4pm, with the sky’s clearing for the evening.

As usual we went deep! And rocked and rolled in a two meter swell, the fish were hungry, the fish were small and the anchor decided we needed to camp the night off the back of Kawau Island! It did seem like we may do this as the sun was closing in on the land. Some tricky manoeuvring, by Dan, round in circles, back and forward, and we were free to head back to the warmth of our own beds…

A beautiful evening, cruising back up the river at sunset, easy boat wash , no fish to fillet, hot shower and relaxing evening preceded a great nights sleep (in our own beds!)

We cannot fathom the changes in our lives when loved ones leave us.

My beautiful mum finally succumbed to the Parkinson’s that she has been battling for the last 10 years…

She was determined to share Jaxon and Stephs wedding a month ago but waiting for a baby was a big ask!

Needless to say she fought and was determined to walk again right up until the last minute.

We honoured her wishes with a BBQ and Bubbles, and platters of cheese and crackers at the beach – surrounded by her wonderful friends and memories.

A little lost and missing my morning coffees with mum on the way to work, time for a routine readjustment and instant coffee at the bach!

Well, this solo adventurer will need to find some new travel buddies, Mum and Russ and I have shared some amazing trips, and trip ups….and family time, now I must venture into the future taking their memories with me.

After a blustery weekend, a lot of tears, a lot of reminiscing and reconnecting, it’s time for this tired little kiwi to get her feet back on the ground and move forward.

There is always washing, food to make, work to do and friends to catch up with…

I have these three wonderful young men to keep me on my toes!

A four day trip, quite different to the planned eight day adventures when we left Auckland at the beginning of the week….

Not only did we not get into the Hollyford Track, we didn’t make Te Anau and I didn’t have two days off…and we are heading back as mum not well.

On the upside, I’ve been driving a great Jeep and have seen lots of clients and been very productive work wise!

Today was a clean up and pack up and rebooking flights to get home today.

Up and over the Crowne Range, with a break at Bradrona! Yes a fence of bras, in the middle of nowhere.

Well not quite nowhere, we were actually taking a short stop at Cardrona Distillery, the last client on my list.

The place was a buzz with excitement as this morning they had just found out they had won a prestigious award in London.

The best single malt less than 12 years old in the world!

After an celebratory morning for the Cardrona team (breakfast of whisky shots) our man Kenny was busy taking tours through the distillery. I was given a coffee and George water in a shot glass!

We enjoyed a hour or so of peace in the southern summer mountains.

A quick visit with Kenny, between tours, and we hit the road, heading up to the top of the Crowne Range.

A photo stop at the highest point, lake wakatipu in the distance, way down there, our destination.

A picture does not really do this part of our country justice. We were high up and about to embark on a very windy descent, behind a very cautious campervan.

Halfway down, and closer to the Queenstown airport, we watched this plane fly in between the mountains to land.

So now, we have spent 3 nights in Wanaka, $60 in gas, a little more in food, met lots of lovely people and now I’m anxious to get home to Mum!

Otago lakes is a beautiful part of our country, yesterday we had 24 hours of rain and a very work productive day, barring a quick visit to the supermarket for dinner supplies.

This morning dawned with blue skies blue lakes and a sunny day promised…

A couple of hours of work, a visit to a boutique winery (client) and it was off for a bit of exercise….

First a toilet stop at puzzle world….. where’s Wally? (George) hiding in the 3D painting!

Mt Iron beckoned – a leisurely 10 minute stroll..someone was telling porkies!

Half way up, sweater off, hamstrings burning and 40 minutes later…

On top of the mountain…yes mountain, a fantastic view of lake Wanaka and lake Hawea!

Over the town, over the lake and even a bit of snow on the mountains in the distance!

A full circuit around, up (and up) over the top and down the other side – mountainsides of yellow wildflowers. Now the adventurers enjoying the scenery, on the downward slopes.

I did say I was heading down south to the land of the pines (Darius Rucker) .. well here it is pinecones the size of rugby balls.

An hour of pain and pleasure followed by a drive to the beautiful lake Hawea….

More pines and George in the Hawea dam site, water and mountains the backdrop.

Blue, turquoise and green, the colours of the southern lakes in central Otago.

Hunger set in and a sandwich followed, before our return to our villa home in Wanaka, George had work on the agenda, but not before a nap, and Sue headed out for a coffee catch up with another Carrybag client on the Wanaka waterfront.

The perfect day, of work, play and peace ended with a yummy fish and chip dinner and a couple of Southland brews…Speights!

Friday night was the first AUCKLAND Blues game of the super rugby

The team all ready for the first big win….we’ll almost, but we are avid supporters and will continue the loyalty Russ has installed in us for the duration

A warm summers evening, and a 2.5k walk there and back didn’t stop the evening chill setting in-the supporters flags came in very useful.

Another big weekend at Waiwera followed, as we farewelled a dear Riverhaven friend….after which, at 5am Monday Morning, Sue and George headed “down south to the land of the pines!”

The trip to Queenstown and Te Anau to set out on one of NZ great walks – the Hollyford Track!

Not all plans go to plan! The Queenstown landing was aborted at the eleventh hour as we dived at a forty five degree angle skywards! Evidently a sudden southerly gust (on landing – 3 feet from the runway) would have mean’t we overshot. Good piloting and another bumpy 30 minutes in the air (george feeling rather green) and we safely landed from the other direction! A drizzly cool day in the Deep South greeted us!

So the plan was to visit my Queenstown clients then head to Te Anau to catch a helicopter to the track! Our friends, Pam and Guy, meanwhile submerged in bad weather are unable to get out from said track and meet us….probably not until Wednesday!

A great day of client contact as we drove in the other direction…an executive decision!

A damp stop at Arrowtown, followed by winery visits (clients of course) and the headed north through the Kawerau gorge…

A short stop at the gold mining town, to be soon thwarted again by rain, and off to Cromwell for a fantastic pub lunch!

The kawerau river, a view from the bridge! Once dated in Cromwell, and over the other side of the mountain range, sunglasses came out for the last hours drive to Wanaka, where we were greeted by a warm balmy afternoon….one more stop (work related) and off to our lovely mansion, kindly offered by georges friends family!

Our home with a view, mountains in the background, following a short stop at the supermarket for essential supplies…we will stay here tomorrow and catch up on work emails and weather permitting a short half day hike! (After all we are prepared with all the appropriate hiking equipment)

A couple more work visits, like wineries and breweries, ho hum!, and hopefully our friends are back on dry land and we will head south….We do forget how beautiful country is….soaking up the mountains and the lakes and uncrowded roads of the Deep South!

Anniversary weekend in Auckland NZ, and the Riverhaven community (Waiwera) brought everyone together for the Music Jam on the green, a tradition that Russ was determined to re-ignite….The sound and light team worked for days before getting the stage set and everyone practiced their special songs to dedicate to Russ.  Actually, the friday night before the Saturday Jam, was a prejam Jam outside my cottage with everyone working together to have their sessions in order….into the wee small hours.  A little panadol was needed to get me going on Saturday morning.

The Day was hot, and the preparations “Big”, getting our old gazebo up in a prime spot to accommodate the family and friends joining us…..Food preparation, Jaxon up at 5am to cook a smoked brisket for the workers, shopping and cooking and of course icing down the liquid refreshments….

The Stage was set for a big night of singing and dancing, from our very talented residents of the Riverhaven family and their groupies (us old girls dancing like we were 18!)

It was really hot with the sun still tanning everything in sight when we kicked off at 6pm….brisket in one hand and cold speights in the other! (well for me at least)

Sunhat clad groupies ready for action…..while the Riverhaven band ground out the first tunes…

And a few of the boys who were not on stage….Steph was first up after the band session, and did us proud, (even though she was nervous), belting out an Ed Sheeran and Savage Garden number to set the scene for the evening…Now she could relax.

A Johnny Cash session by the Mitchell boys dedicated to Russ got the feet tapping and yours truly first on the dance floor (well grass).

The sun set and with the practiced numbers all complete and everyone in the mood, the “Jam” began, and the team all sang their favourites dedicated to their Mums, kids or Russ….

Steph, Aaron and Jaxon, with a cheeky little fiddler on the side sang “King of the Road”, we could all see Russ up there beside them singing and tapping his toes! Definitely one of his show pieces!

The night rolled on (and the sunglasses stayed on) and the music continued until 11pm (the noise control hour, and we did not need a repeat of the wedding noise control visit) so we packed up camp(that was a big job) and retreated to our little corner of this world, with a number of campers not ready to hit the sack….I was ready for bed after my previous late night (its an age thing), but outside my window, the beer pong games, with  vocal support of more an more songs continued….until 4am!

A broken sleep, but a few hours at least and it was definitely a Sunday to take the now running boat for a test drive. Trudi, Sue and Steph headed out to sea around 10am, fed the fish and enjoyed the relaxation of sitting on the boat, Steph enjoyed a boat nap….to catch up on her 4am morning.

Meanwhile, George took time out and took Mary to the Hot Rod show at Orewa, an outing she really enjoys, and with the fishergirls back on the beach around 4pm, no fish for dinner,  it was a communal BBQ with what we could all scratch up (all 15 of us)

Aaron and Dan the Chefs for the day….paper plates, salad, etc…just what the doctor ordered, and an early night for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday saw a blue sky day, with some of the offspring heading out early for the Riverhaven fishing contest.. and George and I having an afternoon at the AUCKLAND ASB ATP men’s tennis finals! Doubles and singles finals – the two Frenchmen in the singles providing us with a great contest! (And entertainment in true French style)

It was a great afternoon of tennis, packed mum lunch and iced water…interspersed with layers of sunblock and knowledgeable (not) comments from the drunk spectator sitting directly behind us, who graced us with his presence, when he wasn’t off at the bar buying more beer! (Which I might mention was a welcome respite)

The fishermen and ladies, while not winning the big one, provided us with a yummy fresh fish dinner upon our return…cooked by none other than yours truly!

It was a catch up day on Sunday, in readiness for most of us to return to the real world of five workdays, and Trudis offspring to head back to Australia after a fabulous holiday.

Kristi, Nathan (the Aussie kids) and George took a leap of faith off the Waiwera bridge at high tide, cooling off in the rising heat!

So we finally have a kiwi summer, temperatures of up to 30 degrees and high humidity, the aircon has been working overtime and yesterday on my way home the side mirror fell out of the merc. The 30 year old glue holding it in had melted!

Floyd, Dans dog is, by default, learning to swim, as when George and I took a dip after work, he decided we needed saving… actually it was the other way around…floyd couldn’t work out how to turn around and head back to shore and was frantically paddling off into the sunset! I had to race out, refloat and turn him 180degrees to head back to shore! More practice is needed.

And the boat is still waiting for the next broken part to be replaced – now the throttle cable – as reverse is a gear you need when approaching shore… maybe this week!

What would our weeks be with out adventures mishaps and repairs….Ah well another long weekend looming and fun in the sun!

Sculptureum Matakana, 40 minutes north of our little home in Waiwera…..a grab one deal and an amazing adventure….

A garden paradise of flora and artwork from all over the world.

In good Bonnici-Carter style, egg sandwiches, water and cheap online entry we headed off at midday….

The flowers were in bloom on a perfect kiwi summers day as we meandered through the outdoor garden.

A little refreshment not going amiss for our Trudi in the secret garden pathways…

A circle of rock love surrounding Sue, quotes and motivation in gardens rocks and words of wisdom from Steve Jobs!

George in the Giraffe garden bonding with the taller species of this world.

Driftwood, rocks and metal blended with our native palms and grasses…

George and Steph meandering through the cobbled paths, bordered by mondo grass that one mustn’t step on…not even a toe!

Dandelion sculpture sprouting tall from a footstool of purple wild flowers.

A whale of wood dwarfing the girls – a sculpture made from hundreds of pieces of driftwood collected and joined together.

Pink snails, fishing boy, hugging meerkats and many more…..too many to share, a mere snapshot!

And the artwork in the galleries – paintings, caricatures, flowers made from milk bottles and artists inventions in every form and shape.

Sue and Sandy taking a well deserved rest, relaxed and smiling from an afternoon of inspiration, colour and imagery!

One more, a LifeSize sculpture of Kashin the Elephant who graced our Auckland Zoo for many years…

Sculptureum Matakana, well worth a visit for the discerning art enthusiast, those who want inspiration or for those who just need an extraordinary visual hit in their lives.

We topped this off with a swim at Omaha beach, shopping and fuel stop on the way back to enjoy a lovely balmy evening BBQ with the Waiwera team!