Winter is throwing it at us – ice on the cars, flooding rivers and Rainbows

At the end of a wet Saturday the sky lit up with hope in the form of a double rainbow.

Another year has flown by as 12 months ago today Sandy left us and we embarked on caring for Dad, who has had his struggles, a number of hospital visits and a major shift to a new abode in Panmure! The worst place in the world to get to. Having visited two times this week on my way home, I encountered an extra two hours behind the wheel each time navigating – more road works and traffic jams!

Another day was spent working at Jax’s and helping with the baby as Steph stepped back into the working world. On top of the coronavirus the baby’s are battling a respiratory virus outbreak here and his kindy has had a few cases – so safer to keep him at home! A little bit of Granma Sue time.

And Sunday gave us sunshine – time for planting, weeding, cooking and ironing (only under duress). I finally planted the feijoa trees and the lemon tree – making some marks in the ground.

And the world catches its breath as we prepare for another working week….5am start and battling the traffic for another day!

The Nelson Trip came to quick end…rebooking first flight back last Saturday….not cleaning campervan….and weekend in hospital, with Dad. This time Steve doing nights and the Bonnici family (mine and cousins) daytimes. He’s a fighter and flicked back into action to get back to his home on Thursday.

So my “holiday” week is a distant memory as the aftermath (last week) has included four days to the other side of Auckland (for work) hospital visits and hours on the road (driving). It seems that every crash on the roads this week decided to happen just before I passed through – needless to say, sitting in stationery traffic on motorways has been a big part of my week.

New Zealand continues to remain relatively covid free (apart from border isolation) while Australia (our travel bubble partner) struggles to get outbreaks under control. As only a small number of the population is fully vaccinated – we will never achieve immunity or confidence to move far from our own doorstep! Us 60 plus’s should be offered the vaccine by the end of July, but many are hesitant! (and information is scarce as to who can book and when)

In the small world..we now live in, the youngest family member visited the cottage yesterday…

And (Tyler) took a nap on Russell’s blankey!

The All Blacks continue to dominate the pacific test challenges…and provide Saturday night (in house) entertainment.

Winter is throwing its usual dampness and cold…interspersed with a few hours of Sunshine and the odd polar blast. Thermals, Jackets and scarves are all out in force.

Sunday morning dawns with more of the same and a grocery shop on the agenda! Winter life can be a little dull!

After a dinner of nuts and peanut butter sandwiches we woke to another golden bay day!

As our final destination yesterday was at dusk, and our tummy’s were rumbling the pack up and ship out was fairly prompt – back to Takaka for the first whiff of bacon and eggs we could find!

Street parking the bus and a full cooked breakky in front of us, our travel feet relaxed into a morning of exploring the coastline!

Just out of Takaka road tunnels and

George rocking the Pohara coastline!

A very coromandel like drive around the coastline with holiday settlements culminating in the golden sands of Ligar Bay

New Zealand coastlines never fail to delight! As we had the reverse of the Takaka hill ahead, we u-turned at this point and headed back to the climb! George’s turn at the wheel this time, as we climbed and wound our way over the ranges. Dropping into Motueka for the next coffee and George meal! A leg stretch, a winery visit and a catch up with Uncle Ron for the third coffee of the day.

Now back in camp (Tahunanui) to spend our last night with Brenda and Graeme at the “Speights ale house”. What more could a gal want!

The day started at 9am leaving Nelson heading west! Clear skies and frosty feet. First stop supermarket for supplies and out to Mapua

For a coffee and a loo break

Then an executive decision to take the coast road west…through Motueka, Riwaka and kaiteriteri beach!

Golden sands on the top of the South Island.

Then chauffeur number one (George) still at the wheel we wound our way over the Hills towards Marahau

Not an easy feat in a 7 metre bus…praying no oncoming trucks. And down into Marahau – the memories of family holidays at the “Blair” bach. George was so young he can’t remember.

We stretched our legs on the boardwalks at the start of the Able Tasman National park.

George has been rocking his timer so we can capture the moments with the both of us

It was then my turn to drive as we headed out towards the Takaka Hill. Did I draw the short stick…one way up and one way down, lots of corners and steep climbs!

The view from the top, once again snow underfoot and sun overhead…then the descent…

Into Golden bay…a walk to a lookout and a grand view of the “Bus”. Next stop Takaka and Dancing Sands Gin Distillary. Found it, but not my client (the owner) who apparently lives in Nelson (from whence we had come)!

The journey continued to Collingwood, where we luckily found a gas station and we were rocketing towards empty. No free camping signs everywhere and no eating places open! So further west they said, there’s got to be something! Actually in the middle of winter no!

Farewell spit, the northernmost point of the South Island and campground closed for repairs until May! Now being the 1st of July, we realised not everything you read is true! Sun setting and nighttime hitting us at a great rate we hightailed it back (east) to a camp we had passed at pakawai, just before closing time of 6pm. Non powered camp and peanut butter sandwiches for dinner, but here we are in the wilderness of Golden Bay!

Room with a view – at least George has while I am bundled up front. Gas heater on, no room to swing a cat…but winter camping at its best!

Today would have been Russ’s mums 100th birthday and the letter from the Queen!

The morning started with George and Sue exploring Tahunanui beach!

Chilly and sunny – if these two words pop up in the same sentence we know it is winter.

Triple thermals and puffer vest temperatures ….

Such a beautiful beach and the holiday park we are staying at, Russ used to clean the loos at this place in his uni holidays. Maybe not such fond memories! Then we were off to the Marsden Valley cementry for morning tea with Mrs Carter – flowers, Louise cake and Raspberry slice! And of course coffee!

Graeme and I chopped and dug (Graeme mostly), I did the girls tidy up (trimmed the edges) and we had a lovely morning!

Here we all are! Chatting and reminiscing! Then it was off to visit the homesteads of our ancestors! As time goes by all looks smaller and not the same without our humans

A view from the hills – where the Carter’s had their retirement whare! Which they never got to!

After an afternoon of reminiscing Graeme dropped George and I at one of my clients and we walked home via the the Dump (op) shop….

George rocking his new drug dealer sunnies and holding my new handbag – maybe the backpack will take a back seat for a while!

Adventures in the south and taken the travellers from Picton to Blenheim to St Arnaud to Nelson in two days.

After the first night in the campervan – Sue on the massage table with bars – George in the king bed, a nice warm shower at Nancy’s we set off…

The polar blast kicking in but nice clear skies!

It was then off to Blenheim for a couple of winery visits (work) and lunch with Brenda and Graeme ( my in-laws) and then to find Russ’s childhood friend….we fifteen point turned and parked up the 7 meter camper and proceeded to chew the fat and ended up at the Chinese restaurant that Russ and Simon used to frequent on Russ’s sales trips south!

I got the inside bed – and george took ownership of the camper! Then Simon special – pizza for breakfast and we hit the road – heading to the Nelson lakes and Mountains!

The most boring and historical site on the way up the valley….mountains (and destination in the distance) No towns as we followed the Wairau river until a food truck…coffee…and George’s next feed came out of nowhere

Together with truck dog, very friendly owner and a loo with a view!

Long drop with mountain views – very chilly!

Open air loo – no room for modesty!

After a great coffee, bacon butty and a good chat we hit the road soft snow falling!!! To the Nelson Lakes…lake Rotoiti thru the mountain village of St Arnaud!

The wildlife

The locals

The visitors

Then it was swinging the camper down through the mountains, hope valley and back to Nelson….and a loo stop in Nelson which grew into an op shop shopping spree….5 op shops in 1 km. So the worms were biting and George needed a feed, then off to the supermarket in Richmond Rush hour traffic to the supermarket dinner and drinks replenishment- two car parks for a 7 metre van! Getting chilly sun starting to set on the final leg…

Cruising the waterfront freeway to Tahuna holiday park and meeting the family (Brenda and Graeme) for the next couple of nights!

Plugged in – heater on- right next to our travel buddies in their nice warm motel – and dinner IS on its way….

A week full of tidying up loose ends, last minute Saturday work and a visit to the grandbaby…

Giving him his first lessons in how to keep the boat afloat!

Home to pack, cook dinner and get up early Sunday for the next big thing!

This meant leaving home at 7am, collecting George and heading to the prepaid airport park for a leisurely wait until being called for our flight. Ok so if you’re not two hours early you are late! With no traffic on a Sunday morning it was a very quick run through, meaning quality time over a coffee and breakfast, while the six flights before us filled and left. It was kind of exciting to be getting on a plane again!

Not the big boys but the 68 seater cigarillo direct to regional Nelson! George felt he was in a hobbit plane as there was definitely not standing room for his 6’7”. Out came the anti bacterial wipes and the air hostess informed us (her words) good idea as we don’t sanitise these regional planes in between turnarounds! Front row seats meant plenty of leg room and no one in front….until 10 minutes from destination….the pilot advised that landing conditions were marginal in Nelson and don’t be surprised if we had a sudden vertical ascent just before landing and diverted to Blenheim – a two hour bus ride back to Nelson to collect our campervan before heading back through Blenheim to Picton! Destination day one!

However the weather gods were in our favour and we touched down, grabbed the bags and our weeks travel mode with all the instructions!

George was keen to get behind the wheel (in torrential rain) and we headed east, skirting the city and along a watery coastline

Up and over some mountain range (getting hungrier by the minute) and an hour later dropping into the Rai valley…

Stopping at the first (very busy) cafe we found… A very expensive chicken burger and chips to share, only realising, after sating our hunger, that we had probably just eaten someone else’s lunch noting we had double chicken patties and two lots of chips. Needless to say we were very full and ready to set off once again in the rain. Then it was out on the plains and easier driving – to open our 7 meter camper up to a roaring 90km (downhill that is)…

Acres of sleeping vineyards outside Blenheim then north again to Picton. Having been instructed in the toilet emptying procedures, and hesitant to perform these, every public toilet on our journey is a temple! Last stop and George decided it was my turn to drive, a mere 10kms from Picton! However, I still think I drew the short straw, as supermarket stop loomed and four blocks of Picton shops before I could find appropriate roadside parking! Shopping done and out to our friend Nancy’s house for a much needed cuppa…only to mis navigate the driveway and rearrange her berm…while going nowhere fast (skidding) A reverse back onto the road and a second go at getting the sealed bit meant destination day one was complete! A Dinner date with Graeme and Brenda upon their arrival off the interslander ferry meant one more journey before bunking down! Kindly Nancy offered her nice small hatchback to zoom back into the restaurant. Beds flattened and made up with King George in the comfy king size (encompassing entire back half of van) and my single slab behind the driving seat. Just saying, as I lie here, head touching one side and feet on the other, I now not only know the length of the van but am assured that it is 5’7” wide!(a perfect fit for a human of my stature)

The campervan being a new experience for both George and myself, there have been a few teething problems, none insurmountable, but definitely a challenge. As we hunker down for the night.

After last weekend with the crew sharing a long awaited (18 year) win, followed by a day of Waiwera Annual committee meetings – the work week began.

Kind of feels like one step forward and two back at the moment with computer issues, new staff training and sick days. But next week…. Not my problem, off to the South Island for a week (no not Queenstown) on Sunday with the youngest offspring.

Came to panmure last night to stay with Dad in his new abode…a two hour drive from Waiwera, and yes the traffic jams and Roadworks just found me again! I turned into the main drag of panmure – wrong side of road, oncoming traffic, bus driver scowling at me as I reversed back and blocked two buses waiting for lights on roundabout to change!

I’m up early this morning to head to work from here, hopefully get a jump on the traffic and create minimal havoc with the locals!

The days this week have been fine and crisp! Like 2 degrees crisp at night! And another storm is on its way to greet us at the start of our holiday…how far the campervan travels on the first day or two could be debatable!

Floyd has been a gypsy this week, as I have had three days at work office and only two at home office.

George came for his Wednesday visit, Dan is slaving away on my city units and haven’t seen the grand-baby for a couple of weeks. But early starts mean early finishes and bed by 9!

As the Olympic Team was announced this week, Russ’s Dads Long lost Olympic Blazer made an appearance!

1948 London Olympic Cycling – in all its glory in the forefront! And finally thanks to Graeme’s (Russ Brother) persistence it is coming home next week!

Up and at it now for a busy day (work) and packing…adventures await

While my Maltese family is basking in temperatures in the mid 30s, We, down under, are grasping for double figures and if the water shortage is not appeased there is something seriously wrong with the way we capture the sky’s tears!

Two weeks have passed since the long weekend adventures….and in two days time, we have the shortest day and begin the up hill climb into fairer weather!

A midweek trip to the not so sunny Bay of Plenty for a not so happy event, another funeral. The upside was catching up with dear friends and once again escaping the rat race of Auckland.

Or did I… it seems roadworks and traffic jams are nationwide (or at least they follow me). Hours of car sitting, followed by desk sitting upon my return has set in the hips and a good walk today is in order!

Floyd has donned his wet weather gear to help my builder create garden space and ploughed around in the mud!

In between the raindrops, the local pub was pumping out some Friday night sounds and beckoned the girls for a dance and…

Of course Trudi joined the band! After all open Mike night is a free for all! And we only live once!

It seems Dad has settled into his new home in Panmure and his new “girls” are looking after him well.

The boys are all trucking along working, playing and looking after babies! Tonight however is “Blues” night…the transtasman rugby final and Rain or Hail we’ll be there. Time to gather the ski gear!

So Thelma and Louise left sleepy little wet Waiwera at 8.30am this morning…..heading south for the long awaited retreat! The rest of the city had either left or given up on a long weekend getaway.

Putting on their blonde hats thinking a bit of R &R shopping on a Saturday morning would be fun before the final destination!

Only to realise it was actually Sunday and in the sleepy little town of Pukekohe, most shops were closed! But not all – barbers and cafes and 2 dollar shops were open all hours!

Meeting up with a couple of friends (Jill and June) for a late morning brunch!

Then it was on the road again, heading west to the wild coast. Arriving at destination at designated 2pm, only to be told the luxury villa was not ready and we could walk to the lookout! Not particularly appealing in the drizzle and low cloud, but off we went!

Thelma amused herself with the local flora while Louise took a comfort stop in the bush. Needless to say the nasty weather meant we did not have to watch out for other trampers!

Thelma braved the cliftops while Louise nervously took photographer duties…. The dampness was increasing but not before a glimpse of the castaways resort, where we were destined (at some point)

Needless to say we were not going to get any sunset pictures tonight! Having worked up a little thirst, the gals decided a sojourn in the bar might be in order to fill in time! Nothing like a cheeky little Rum and coke to warm the bones.

Then the call came, the villa was ready….and the real business began. Thelma had a small rest with a tabloid magazine while Louise soaked up the view and a glass of wine!

Next it was time for some personal maintenance….

A collagen plumbing mask (purchased from the $2 shop and instructions in Chinese) As they say, you get what you pay for and it fell off in 2 minutes ($1 per minute obviously)

Next job was hair and eyebrows!

Followed by baths and showers in our own personal ensuite! Yes we are going all out – a room each!

Thelma and Louise rocking their new hairstyles…Thelma wondering if she overdid the “Perm” and Louise wondering if the colour is quite what she envisaged. Oh well it will grow out!

Now it’s time to relax with a few refreshments until we truck down the hill(40degree incline) to the A la Carte Cliftop restaurant! (Rocking their curls and bangs). Just to let all our followers know we will not respond to any comments as you may or may not be aware….there is no internet at Luxury Retreats!