As always happens...

....when you say you have no time to write, suddenly you find yourself with the time. Here I am in Rotorua with 10 days left in this beautiful country and mum and dad have headed back to the jade shop to buy even more jade. Not that I'm complaining I've got a cool necklace out of it. Anyhoo. Yup I'll be home 2 weeks today and I'm pretty darn scared about it all. Nice to know there'll be lots of people to see and places to visit when I get back. We've done so much travelling now that I can't possibly fill you in on all of it, but I do have to mention that we went to Waitomo Caves yday with Spellbound - you remember Sal, and guess who was our guide - Norm!! He remembered us and the tour was as good as last time, plus I didn't freak out when we had to turn our lights out and couldn't see a thing. OOh yes and i'm meeting up for brunch with those two rascals Kate and Pheebs tomorrow. Looking forward to that since we've never managed to meet up since you left. Well those there parents are back now so next time I write will probably be from cafe numero 6 dans the Bay of Isalnds in a weeks time. So get on those comment horses and give me plenty to read and lots of positive messages about home please. Cheers chums. Toodles. xxxx

Hello

Sorry I've been missing a while. Only got time to say we're having a good time. Very sad on leaving Welli, but so glad it happened. Hope you're all ok. I get home on the 9th of march. See you then. xxxx

Go go, go go go!!

Well it's been a hectic week that's for sure. Mum and Dad (aka Chris and Bob) arrived safe and sound last Friday, and tears of emotion were shed. I picked them up in Cliff the car and since they were surprisingly spritely considering their long trip, I took them to Island Bay where we escaped a quick rain shower with a coffee at the bach cafe. We did several must do Welli activities in the days following including Choc fish, Te Papa, and a walk along Oriental Parade. The weather has been good to us everyday so far, and our ferry crossing to south island was perfect. We've just moved down from Kaikoura to Christchurch and I'm off on a tour to Edoras tomorrow avec Fred and Laura, leaving mum and dad to wander the streets alone. I'm sure they'll be ok out there on their own. Anyhoo, it's getting late, it's turning 10 pm as I type, and I need to be up early for the trip. I'll fill you in more at a later date when I can maybe add some photos. It sure is good to be on the road again. Hugs and Kisses. xxxxxx

Swift Update

Aaah!! As it's coming to the end of time here :( We've been doing lots of visits to those places we're fond of. Plus there was the road trip up to the big day out. It was a 10 hour journey there and back, but we all shared the driving so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The drive on Thursday was blessed with beautiful weather so we had a gorgeous lunch stop with jimbo the car (later retitled jimboid due to his robotic whinings) by Lake Taupo. The volcanoes looked amazing, and I'll try and puit pics on soon. Only 3 days till the rentals get here!! Oh yes, the big day out itself was brillo. Evermore were the highlight for me personally. I was looking forward to the killers most, but the crowd was too huge, and the sound wasn't working right, so it wasn't the experience I'd hoped for. Still looked mighty fine though. Anyhoo, time running out, must go.... byeeeeeeeeeeeee. xx

I'm Excited!! (because)

Not only have I got 7 and a half days left of work, and not only am I enjoying a yumsbum kumara, feta, and cashew salad as I write this, but also it's only a week and a bit until the Big Day Out and my anniversary of being in NZ, and only 2 and a bit weeks until mum and dad come out, wohoo!! Now don't think I want my last two weeks in Wellington to go quickly, but I am ready to make a move, and we're going to have an ace time travelling. I've got it all planned, there's so many amazing things and places to do and see. Myself, Laura and Fred are going to Edoras for example. Cannot wait for that!! And strangely enough I am actually looking forward to coming home. I'm worried it will feel rather weird at first but it will be great to see everyone again. Anyhoo, I just wanted to share my excitement. That is done. Hope you are all well. xxxxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Here is a quick post with a few pics from our New Year. It began at the Sked-Pryde residence, and though weather was wet and typically windy, we were hopeful of a fun evening. We hot-footed into town at 9 and headed to the Matterhorn. A few beverages were consumed here, and more festive frolickers joined our party. We progressed on to Molly Malones...
...where we saw in 2007.... Happy New Year!!! Contact was attempted with the home regions, but it was a hard task and many people tried and failed due to network congestion. Laura, however, hogged it a bit and got through twice!! Look at the despondency on that face...We all soon cheered up once more though with a rousing chorus of Delilah, American Pie, and others i can't quite recall...
Our final port of call was Indigo, where we stayed until about half 2-3 having a bit of a boogie. A good time was had by all. I hope you enjoyed your New Year, and all the best for the rest of it. xxxxxx

Christmas Post

Yo! I'm back at work and it sucks. Maybe Gina's right and it is worse to have a long weekend as it makes the remaining days drag. Who knows, all I know is that I hate scanning with a passion, and a lot of other things about this place too (as in work not NZ mind), but I shan't go into that. I have ranted now, and it is time to move on to happier things.
Happier things means Christmas!! The day came, and it didn't feel one iota like Christmas, but it felt special nevertheless. Myself and Caroline began with Croissants and a cup of tea, quickly replaced by bubbly for the opening of the presents.

I was very chuffed with my presents - the bracelet from Ben & Kate went perfectly with my dress for the day, and my necklace from ma and pa also (very like Eowyns though you probably didn't know that, and don't know who she is, but well done anyway, it's very pretty). I also got some majorly funky socks complete with evil herbivores, though how jerome and julian could be evil is beyond me. Just look at them...

Caroline was also pleased with her presents, especially the Take That dvd from her sis, which actually worked on our player, so we were both thrilled. It was so cool to see the guys up there in Manchester doing their thing. I didn't think I actually liked them that much, but I'm totally hooked now. They were fantastic and it brought back feelings and memories I didn't know I had. Rock on Take That!! It was also cool to think that Anna and Helen had been there to see it - at least I think you guys went - did you?!! Anyhoo, back to one of my presents, some awfully big pants!! I've already questioned mother as to the meaning - apparently I'd told her I was getting fat. I think what I'd said was that I'd put weight on. But still, we found a use for them on Christmas morning, and that was throwing them at the TV whilst TT were strutting some funky shapes. Here you see both Take That, the TV, and the pants.

At 2pm we were graced with the presence of Laura and Fred who had come to pick us up so we could get out to the beach before chowing down. This we did manage, but people were a little put off by the wind and the distinct lack of sun, so it was a brief visit. Here we are a minute after the 2nd carfulls arrival, taking a quick snap of the gang on the beach wall at Lyall Bay, before the 1st carfull went straight back home - though Fred make them walk up the big hill, poor wee things. From right to left it goes Bill, Veronica, Lals, Moi, Caz, Carla, and Fred. What a jolly bunch. (i must add here that Veronica broke into the flat as I think it wasn't known if Laura had any keys or not. I'll let them tell you the details on their blog, but I will say we were all impressed by the tactics used. Make-up was lost).
I was not to be deterred by the wind, and made sure I took a paddle in the Cook Strait before we were whisked back to Overtoun Terrace. Even with the wind the air wasn't that cold, but the sea was pretty nippy.

Here is myself and Laura looking gorgeous. That's the only reason I put this picture on really!! Oh, but please note both my bracelet and necklace, even though you can't see them that well.
Once back at the house the kitchen got into action, and the gang made us a wonderful feast, with homemade stuffing and other delights. Thanks to the chefs, my tummy likes you a lot. Look at the hats people, aren't they fabulous!! Fred doesn't have his on here,so here he is wearing double the quota...

Dinner was followed by myself, Caz, Fred, and Lals opening our special presents to each other out on the decking. These were all things made in NZ that we could keep to treasure the memories. I got a lovely photo holder. Then it was back inside for an attempt at scottish dancing - how the heck do you spell that other word for it?! - and Charades, oh and some Buzz action of course. A brilliant time was had by all, but I warn you if you ever play anything with Bill - keep your eye on him, he's a sneak!! Film names we'd never heard of, and probably never will again. Now come on Bill!!

I hope you all had an enjoyable day. Why don't you tell me about it? I am all lonesome here in Wellington as the rest of the gang have gone off exploring until the weekend, so it would brighten my day to hear you yuletide tales. xxxxxx

P.S I can't believe it's nearly 2007. Aaaaaahhhh!!

P.P.S. Thank you to everyone for my presents. Some have not arrived yet, so I await them with anticipation. (this is not a hint for you to send me presents, I am referring to ones that I have been told are coming, but which have not yet appeared, ie. those from Sal and Tim, Fiona and Catherine). Right, I really am off now. Ta ta.