Whimsical Woman's Wonderings on the World

Navigating in a damaged city

2011-06-16T15:57:00.004+12:00

Beautiful, old, 2 storey, probably double brick house that was destroyed on Feb 22nd, 2011

I hadn't realised how much I used landmarks to navigate my way around the city! As I was driving through Sydenham, I felt quite disoriented as so many distinctive buildings have disappeared. Sydenham is now very open, spacious and empty looking.

According to The Press last week, apparently there are some central city businesses looking at relocating to Sydenham so they can get up and running again. The Honey Pot is one of them and I'm looking forward to being able to eat in that establishment again!

I haven't taken many earthquake photos, not sure why. The above house has now been completely cleared away and there's now an empty section with lovely trees around it. It will be a great site to build on.

I'd always loved the 2 storey double brick old homes that we had in Christchurch and its sad to see them being cleared away, but there's no way I'd want one now.

Soooo full

2010-03-03T14:11:00.003+13:00

I've eaten far too much for lunch but it was so yummy! There was a shout of Indian food - 9 different varieties. I don't often get to eat Indian as I. can't eat spicy food so this was a real treat. Mind you, as I don't eat spicy food all that often, my ability to eat said spicy food has definitely decreased.

Now I'm sitting at my desk trying to work with a very full tummy and (probably) reeking of garlic. How's that for a word picture?

Fine

2010-02-26T16:45:00.002+13:00

It could have been a post about the weather, which has been remarkably 'fine', if not brilliant, but its not. It could have been a post about my health which is 'fine', but its not.

Its a whinge about the fact that I have 2 overdue library books for the first time in forever and I now have a 'fine' of . . . $2 each = $4 total! Hmmmpff.

What's happened is that I've decided that I've been spending way too much time reading lately. I had got to the point of taking out 5-6 books a week and reading them all. End result: life passing me by. So I just left the pile of unread books in the corner and thought I would read them before returning them. Didn't, haven't, going back unread - nothing wrong with the books, I may even get them out for another attempt (once I've paid my fine).

Its a different life now that I'm not powerhousing through reading ALL THE TIME. I have more time in my day for doing things like spending time with I., doing dishes, chatting to friends, noticing the weather, etc. Much more interesting.

Done & Dusted!

2010-02-16T15:48:00.003+13:00

Except that you could hardly call it dusted - the wind & rain were exceptional! I don't think I've ever been so wet and been prepared to stay out in it.

So I walked the Buller Gorge 1/2 Marathon in the wettest, wildest conditions I've ever been in. At the start the wind was throwing the rain so forcefully at us that it hurt. Quite often everyone was walking hunched over (didn't see the runners - they left before us). Luckily that only lasted for the first hour or so. I didn't have my watch on as its not waterproof so I'm only guessing the time.

The scenery was quite spectacular in this weather. The wind was picking water up out of the river and hurling it at us, as well as throwing it out of the sky at us. It was amazing how fast the river rose. I'd have to say that the river was flowing faster than I was walking, which was a little depressing.

Overall, I was pleased with my time. I have no idea if it was a 'good' time but I completed it and bet my friend by 3 minutes. I really got that I'm completely competitive but probably only in the stuff that doesn't matter, like this! Walking up the Bridle Path really paid off because the giant hill that people talked about was a doddle - in fact, I was able to pass people on it so the agony was worth it at that point.

Spending time with my friends was great. I feel as though I know them much better and I thoroughly enjoyed their company. What more could one ask from a weekend?

Luckily I've engaged my brain

2010-02-11T14:30:00.002+13:00

I've yet to walk this 1/2 marathon thingee & already, when people mention other opportunities to do other crazy length walks, my mouth has the tendency to say "that sounds OK!".

Where's my head?? I've yet to test my survival ability in a long (OK, extremely long) walk. Why would I want to even think about doing another before I've proved I can survive this one? Madness I tell you.

So, no further commitments have been committed to yet. Hmm, where did that 'yet' spring from?

On a side note - my phone survived (I'm touching wood)!!

Toasting technology

2010-01-22T14:57:00.001+13:00

I'm obviously too tired — I just poured a full cup of coffee over my cellphone! Its currently dismantled & toasting itself gently in the oven to try and dry it out. Who knows if it will work. I feel a little bit as though I've lost a limb.

A few steps forward

2010-01-19T14:20:00.003+13:00

Agreeing to a friend's persuasion and signing up to walk the half marathon is only the first of many expensive steps.

There's the decent walking shoes to purchase so I don't end up crippled - they're actually running shoes as they have more 'cushioning'. Not that I have them yet as they didn't have any in my size. Hopefully I'll get them on Fri before I head away on holiday. Yes, they'll be coming with me as I HAVE to get some distance in in them so my feet don't die on the day. These shoes are the most expensive I've ever bought and they're PINK! Apparently its so you can tell I'm a female. They'll be the first pink thing I've worn for ever I suspect.

It was also recommended that I buy specialist socks that help prevent blisters. As I'm all for that I also bought a pair of them, once again at huge expense. They're actually shaped differently for your left & right feet!

This whole walking thing is opening up a whole new world of expense and marketing. Ridiculous really when you think about women wearing girdles walking over the Bridle Path on a nor'west day. The only good thing is that I have now convinced another friend to join us. If I'm going down I'm going to take as many people as possible with me!

What on earth was I thinking when I said "Yes"?

2010-01-15T12:56:00.002+13:00

Its not something I've ever aspired to do. It has never made my bucket list or been a 'maybe one day' thing. Its never whispered seductively to me.

But I'm still doing it.

I've just registered to walk a 1/2 Marathon in a few weeks!!

Madness.

Almost compulsory purchase of ring!

2009-03-18T11:02:00.003+13:00

Standing in a shop with a large ring on my finger that won't come off is one of the scariest things that has happened to me in a while!

There's a fabulous little shop called Blackbird not far from here that's full of lovely crafty bits & pieces. I've been having a lovely time poking around when I come across a bowl of rings. A friend of mine has been saying a lot lately that I'm not particularly adventurous with my jewelery so I decide to try on a 'knuckle duster' type of ring.

It slides on smoothly, it looks pretty but I'm not sure. I want to try it on another finger. Hmmm, not sliding off as easily as it slid on. In fact, its not moving at all. Ok, stay calm, discretely yank on ring in the start of a 'oh my god, am I wearing this forever' panic, all without having to share my predicament with the shop owner.

Now its perfectly obvious that this ring is just not coming off. Charming shop owner offers suggestions - hold hand up in air to reduce blood flow (finger now slightly swollen so its NEVER coming off), cold cloth to stop swelling etc. Starting to think about how hard would it be for I. to get the thing off later in the day - what sort of file would we need? How much blood would be involved?

Decide that I need to man up and buy the ring so I can go away and panic in private!

Complete our transaction with me wondering out loud about 'who can I give this ring to that has smaller fingers than me once I get it off' but secretly thinking that this ring is going to be destroyed before it ever comes off my finger! As I walk out the door I waggle it one more time in resignation and it JUST SLIDES OFF! Unbelievable!! Charming shop owner notices and buys the ring back off me and I drive back to work thinking that it served me right for sneaking some pottering time off from work when there was work to be done.

End result: I'm a very happy non-purchaser of the shop Blackbird and I am going to be exceptionally careful about trying on large knuckle duster rings!

If you're in the Christchurch area, please make the effort to come and visit Blackbird (their byline is 'secret treasure box'!). Its at 16 Station St in Heathcote Valley. There's no website yet but I'm assured its coming. I'll certainly be going back there when I have some spare cash.

Hello little lonely blog

2009-03-17T17:07:00.002+13:00

I know its been a long time but I've been trying to concentrate on doing other things. I have managed to fit in a fair bit of reading though. I'm not really sure I want to add up how many books I read last year - I think it might be waaaay too scary. So here's last months list:

Colour of Death by Elizabeth Lowell - murder mystery
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin - Fantasy
Dinner for Two by Mike Gayle - chick lit from male perspective?
A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - fantasy
The Haven Home for Delinquent Girls by Louise Tondeur - modern

Favourite book was probably Colour of Death. I enjoyed the books by Martin but struggle with the story being told from so many individual perspectives. Not sure that I will be able to keep going with this saga.

There seems to be a bit of a fantasy theme going on here. I enjoy them but definitely go through phases of reading them. For some relief from it, I've been quietly reading Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. Its taken me months to finish it as I've only been reading a few chapters at a time plus its a huge book. Astounding. I can see why people kept recommending it to me.

First foal of spring

2008-09-26T15:00:00.002+12:00

Yesterday driving to work I saw the first foal of the new season. He can't have been very old as he was still very wobbly on his feet. I really enjoy driving past the foaling paddock every morning and seeing how many new arrivals there are. When the foals start arriving is when I know that spring is really here.

Nerves

2008-09-23T10:52:00.003+12:00

Last month, or perhaps the month before, I committed to a creative endeavour organised by Nikki-Shell. When I signed up, I thought that I would be able to do this easily. Then - a bonus! We got an extra month to get it completed in!! No problems. Hah!

What I've come to realise is that: a) I'm a complete procrastinator, and b) if it wasn't for the deadline that looms NEXT WEEK, there's no way that this project would ever get underway. To be fair, the realisation that I'm a procrastinator is not a new one and I have systems in place at work that enable me to complete work on time. (One of the best ones is to share with I. what I've actually managed to achieve in a day - it can be pretty humbling as admitting that I've wasted most of a day is not a strong place to stand.)

Anyway, back to the zine. I've already received one from one of the lovely participants but, now its confession time, I've yet to start mine! I've had lots of great ideas but there's been no activity in the execution department. So I'm declaring to all and sundry that before I leave work today I will have completed ONE whole page. [Thinks to herself: today is the 23rd, it must be posted by the 30th, so that leaves 7 days to produce it. I'm going to have to do more than 1 page per day, dammit, or modify the concept!]

So expect some wingeing over the next few days - about deadlines, lack of creativity and why, oh why, have I left this to the last minute again? But I'm not making myself wrong!??! Nope, no time for that, just have to get stuck in and do it.

Edited to add: as of this afternoon I have 1 page done!! 11 to go & counting.

Reading lists - a bit of a catch up

2008-09-22T11:23:00.004+12:00

Even though I haven't posted any reading lists for ages, I've still been reading & keeping a record!

Dec 2007:

Transformation (Carol Berg)
Chasm City (Alastair Reynolds)
The Empty Chair (Jeffery Deaver)
Portuguses Irregular Verbs (Alexander McCall Smith)
Like Mother, Like Daughter (Jane Sigaloff)
Polar City Nightmare (Katharine Kerr)
Love & Devotion (Erica James)
My Legendary Girlfriend (Mike Gayle)
Revelation (Carol Burg)
Sleep No More (Greg Iles)
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (Alexander McCall Smith)

Unfortunately, I didn't keep any notes on what books I enjoyed or not but I do remember that I was very disappointed with 'Portuguese Irregular Verbs'. I'm guessing that I enjoyed the Carol Burg books if I went on to read the 2nd one in the series.

Jan 2008:

She's All That (Kristin Billerbeck) - Christian chick lit (had to read it when it was categorised as that!)
Small Town (Lawrence Block) - skim read this. Absolute trash. Don't bother. Thank goodness for libraries.
Lot of Love (Fiona Walker) - chick lit
The Curse of Challion (Lois McMaster Bujold) - fantasy
Vroom by the Sea (Peter Moore) - travel. Have fantasies of doing this sort of thing (travelling by Vespa in Italy)
Paladin of Souls (Lois McMaster Bujold) - fantasy
The Blessing File (Caroline Morwood)
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Alexander McCall Smith) - mildly entertaining
Natural History (Justina Robson) - fantasy/sci fi. Really couldn't be bothered with it & returned it unread

On to the next month which was . . .

Feb 2008:

China Road (Rob Gifford) - non-fiction. Absolutely brilliant and positive. One of those books that I just had to keep reading
A Sight for Sore Eyes (Ruth Rendell) - murder/mystery. Depressing
Accelerando (Charles Stross) - sci fi. I don't remember this one at all but made a note saying mind bending!
Seeing George (Cassandra Austin) - this was categorised as a modern fairytale and was a quick and pleasant read
Trading Tatiana (Debi Alper) - modern mystery. Evocative with weird characters
The Secrets of Jin-Shei (Alma Alexander) - medieval/historic. Set in China. Completely feminine viewpoint. I found it fabulous
Every Boy's Got One (Med Cabot) - chick lit. Nice read
Yon Ill Wind (Piers Anthony) - sci fi. Lots of work puns
The Last Precinct (Patricia Cornwall) - murder mystery

That will do for the lists for today!

A rave about Spring

2008-09-22T09:54:00.002+12:00

The weather here has been fabulous. Beautiful sunny days and moderate winds so that all the blossom trees are blossoming fabulously and not losing the blossom. Some years the blossom only stays on the tree for a day, if we're lucky but this year its just fabulous. Driving through town at 11.30pm on Friday night I was able to see the cherry blossoms between Hagley Park and Little Hagley just glowing in the moonlight (and street lamps) through the trees and over the river. Spectacular.

The daffodils and kowhais are equally as spectacular as well. Apparently all the rain we had this winter has meant that the daffodils have done really well this year. My garden is a riot of gold. There's still snow on them thar mountains which means we may still get a frost but it all just looks great at the moment.

Its amazing the difference a bit of sunshine makes on everyone's outlook on life. After a winter of gloomy weather and LOTS of rain, a few days of sunshine and everyone has perked up. Life is much more pleasant at the moment.

What's been happening, you ask?

2008-09-02T14:05:00.003+12:00

Daisies on lightbox (taken in Aug 2007)

I was looking at my photos in iPhoto yesterday, mostly because Photography Club was last night, and I realised that I haven't been taking photos. Or writing any blog entries. Or feeling as though I'm doing much of anything that I used to do before, really. Its not because I'm not doing anything but what I'm doing now is so different to what I was doing a year ago.

The upside of my current interests is that I'm not watching television, but when I do its because its a programme I really enjoy. Even then I record it so that I don't waste time watching adverts. Now, if I'm blobbing out in front of the TV, I can only last a short time before I'm picking up a book instead or even getting up to do the dishes.

But every now and then I do fall back into my bad habit of staying up waaaaayy too late to watch absolute rubbish and end up going to bed at 2am or later. I get so frustrated with myself when I do this because its not as if I was watching anything worth while even. Luckily, I've asked I. to come back downstairs when I do this and to tell me to go to bed (yes, like I'm a 5 year old) and this mostly works. I've promised that I won't yell at him when he does this and I generally go to bed at that point.

Its like I can only last so long before I do something to sabotage any good habits I've developed. I don't know why I do this but in this last week I've noticed something about myself - I've been waiting for me to let myself down in some way, which I did this weekend. I won't be sharing it because I'm not proud of it! But the point is, is that I'm setting myself up to fail. Its like I know I can't keep up the new habit/behaviour/goal so I just wait until I go into sabotage mode (it can take months) and then go "see, I just can't do it" and try to give it up.

When this happens, I then have the perfect "out" so that I don't have to keep going with it PLUS I get to prove that I'm unreliable so don't expect anything of me because you know I'll just let you down! Its an excellent strategy for keeping myself small, which is not what I'm up for.

What am I trying to say? Hmmm, a little bit scary but I think its that I'm no longer going to give myself that option of giving up. Its no longer available. Sorry. That door has closed.

What's next? Picking myself up off the mat when I do fail/give up/whinge and have another go. My favourite quote at the moment is the famous one by Winston Churchill: 'Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.'

Shaking things up over here

2008-07-02T14:00:00.003+12:00

Rakaia River mouth (south side). 25/4/08

I've been thinking about what do I want to do with my 'one and fabulous life' - that's a quote but I can't remember from where. Two weeks ago I declared that I was going to close my business and do something, anything else, other than what I'd been doing.

What's shown up for me is that by making that declaration, I've really felt able to look into what do I want to do? I don't have any answers yet but its been a fascinating journey so far. I've realised that I've been living as though I can't have it all and on Monday (2 days ago), I got that I CAN have it all, whatever 'it all' means for me.

All of a sudden, instead of living in a world of stinginess and not being able to, I've got the whole wide world stretching out in front of me, full of possibilities. What's amazing for me in this new space, is that I'm not terrified of it. Rather, its exciting because truly, anything IS possible.

I have absolutely no idea what shape or form this will take yet but its a lot of fun playing with 'what ifs' and 'I could do....'. So my work continues in the meantime while I play around with and in my life. How cool is that?

Shock, horror! Its a new post

2008-07-01T19:43:00.002+12:00

I keep making all sorts of promises to myself along the lines of "I'll regularly post on my blog this month" or "Why don't I try to do the blog daily option?" but never do anything. So, once again, I'm just going to put some thoughts down and see where this takes me.

My little sister was just out here for a fortnight (hello E) and I really feel as though we didn't see much of each other. It was a very short visit with a specific focus so I wanted to give her the space to do that. Now that she's gone, however, I feel a bit as though a limb is missing. It was so nice to know that she was just down the road (even though it was 1.5 hours down the road) and now she's 24 hours away if you take a direct flight!

I guess what I'm struggling to say is, that while she was here I felt I had tons of time to catch up with her and suddenly she's back on the other side of the world! I can feel a little bit of 'its not fair' creeping in here and that's not what I mean. Simply put, its great when she's here on my side of the world!

I miss you E & T. Will talk soon.

This little blog has been forgotten in the flurry of my life!

2008-05-13T14:48:00.004+12:00

Peaceful farm scene
It was going to be an entry in the Kiwiana category at Photography Club! Can you tell why I didn't enter it?

What I've noticed is that I've been busy with work and other things, but I still find time to read other people's blogs and enjoy them. Lately, a few of the blogs I read regularly have been saying that they're going to have a break from regular blogging (daily, or every couple of days) and I've just realised that I've been ignoring mine.

Whenever one of my regular readings stops for a while/for ever, I'm completely devastated. It feels the same as when a friend leaves to go and live overseas. But in this case, its completely one sided as they don't even know who I am. I'm not very good at leaving comments but so often I just wish I could.

But inside of this, I've also noticed that I've been stopped around taking photographs. I just haven't been picking up the camera and doing it. I've still got the habit of carting the camera around with me but I never think to grab it and use it. Partly because I've become extremely critical of my own photos in comparison to other peoples, partly because I've just dropped the habit. I've even stopped putting photos in whatever posts I do do.

So, its time to get out of my own head and just do things - write, take photos, phone friends for no reason at all. Life is too short to be stopped doing the things I like doing!

Answer to photo question: Look closely at one of the cows in the background. I think the judge would have noticed this!

Thoughts from this extra day

2008-02-29T15:19:00.002+13:00

I should be working so these are just bullet point jottings:

I. & I have decided that the next time this extra day rolls around, we're going to take it off work and give ourselves a FUN day that doesn't involve work or any 'should dos'!
I have just inherited a digital camera from the best brother-in-law ever!! Quite aside from the fact that he'll always be that because he's my only one, all I can say is 'THANK YOU'.
I have been out every night this week. It looks like it may continue for a bit longer as well. I'm looking forward to being at home on Saturday night though. Makes juggling appointments challenging and I've already overlapped a couple of things next week which is going to be a bit of a challenge.
'Men in Trees' has started again and I. taped it for me last week, even though I'd forgotten it was on (because I was out). Isn't he fantastic?!
My baby sister and her hubby (see point #2) are in the country for another two and a bit weeks. Yay! Next weekend all our family are going away to a holiday house in the mountains for some together time. It may be a bit overwhelming for I. but the rest of us are fully intending to have a great time. The 5 nephews & nieces are going to get thoroughly spoilt. There will be cake and maybe even some shoe conversations!
I've eaten out far too often this week. My bank account has taken a bit of a hammering.
Gave my brother P ticket to go to the Split Enz concert and am now suffering from envy. May yet get tickets for ourselves.
Haven't had my afternoon coffee yet and am not sure if its a good idea as I already feel hyped up but am out tonight until midnight, minimum, so may need the kick start it will provide.

Enough blithering. Things to do, people to see, coffee to drink!

Valentine's Day

2008-02-20T11:16:00.004+13:00

I've just realised that I haven't shared what I did on Valentine's Day. I was a flower courier person! Do you have any idea a) how exhausting it is to load & unload your car with flowers all day & b) how much fun it is to deliver the most amazing bunches of flowers to people (not just women!) all over the place?

My friend M bought a flower courier company last year and, of course, Valentine's Day is their biggest day of the year. She was looking for people to help her so I volunteered as its something I would never normally get to do and it was a whole lot of fun, even if the day did start earlier than I expected!

I stayed in town overnight at M's place and I'm glad I did as I didn't get to bed until midnight and was up at 5.15am. I was scheduled to start at 7am but a florist rang in a panic saying that they had more arrangements than they thought and we would need 2 cars to fit it all in. So at 6.10am I was standing in the dark outside a florists, helping to sort, load and check.

Then it was back to Addington Raceway (hired for the day to sort all the deliveries), unload the arrangements onto the various suburbs (tables) and into the centre of town to help pickup more flowers. 2 vans and 1 station wagon (mine) couldn't pick up all the flowers. One of the vans did two more trips to finish getting all the flowers. Some of the arrangements were massive! 12 long stemmed red roses in such a large arrangement that you could only carry one bunch at a time as you needed both hands to support it! I wrote up 44 bunches and that was probably only about 1/3 of what was laid out for collection!

Back to the raceway for sorting and then start loading up for my 1st delivery run. I ended up doing a run in the central city (Peterborough, Salisbury & Kilmore Sts with Cambridge & Oxford Tces). Completely filled my car with flowers and couldn't fit them all in of course. It was only after I'd been driving around for an hour with a car load of sweetly smelling flowers that I remembered I hadn't taken by hay fever tablets! Luckily I. came to the rescue (he was also roped in to help & ended up out Papanui way) so it wasn't all bad.

When I delivered the flowers to offices and reception desks, peoples reactions were quite funny. Some appeared to be bitterly disappointed that it wasn't for them. If a male boss was there, I often had to wait while they went and found the sweet young thing it was for so that I could hand them over directly and they would be embarrassed. All sorts of reactions. Surprisingly, I only went back to the same buildings a couple of times during the day but I did get quite familiar with where businesses were.

I. has never given me flowers. He buys me books and CDs which I really appreciate. But at one point as he staggered past me loading his car with huge floral arrangements, he did say "this is as close as you'll get!"

What amazed me was the conspicuous consumption of it all. Obviously a lot of money had been spent on these Valentine's Day flowers and of course, they were fantastic and would be appreciated. But at the end of the day I felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of money spent. I know that for the florists and flower growers its the most important day of the year but in the end, for a lot of people there is the underlying expectation that they HAVE to do it to show their loved one that they love them. Apparently the next day was unexpectedly busy for the floral couriers as they frantically delivered flowers for those people that had forgotten about Valentine's Day or who got into trouble for not doing something on Valentine's Day!

Still, to be part of it all was a lot of fun. I don't want to be a courier driver but felt honoured to be part of the occasion. I was too busy to take photos which I now regret as it certainly was spectacular.

Thoughts on why I blog

2008-02-12T09:53:00.001+13:00

Talking to my brother D last night, I realised that I'd lost track of why I'd wanted to blog in the first place. It was a way of keeping in touch with my overseas family (hi E & T) and also as a record of what I've been up to. I'd never thought it would be a place where people come to discuss politics or to straighten themselves out, it was just for me to blither in and for friends and family to read as they felt like.

Reading other peoples' blogs is always inspiring for how well they write, for what they're achieving in their lives and for how much they're prepared to open themselves up to complete strangers. That really isn't me. I've always been a very private person and even putting up photos can be a bit of an effort for me.

But I have changed over this last year. I've realised that by my not sharing my life with my friends and family I've kept everyone at bay. Someone I met recently said that the secret to making new friendships and expanding the ones you have, is to share yourself and allow them to share themselves. A very simple equation. If the equation is out of balance in any one direction, then the friendship really doesn't develop.

It can be very scary to open up to someone you don't know very well but I can see, from my experiences over the past year, that anyone I want to share my life with is someone that will honour what I'm saying. They may not agree with it but that doesn't matter. Listening and being listened to is what friends and family are for. Knowing that they understand and accept me with all my foibles and that I understand and accept them, makes the relationship stronger, not weaker.

Thank goodness for all my friends and family.

November readings - I can't believe it!

2008-02-01T13:50:00.000+13:00

Drawing with the iGirl whilst babysitting, Dec 07

I'm completely staggered to see how long its been since I blogged. I'm an avid blog reader and I suspect I get put off putting my own thoughts down here when there are so many other, waaaay more articulate and regular bloggers out there. I know that its not a competition and that I am doing this just for me, blah blah blah, but I still feel as though I have nothing worth while to contribute.

In lieu of actual thoughts, here is the reading list from November 2007:

City of Light (Lauren Belfer)
Angels (Marion Keyes)
Bad Boy (Olivia Goldsmith)
The Dead Sit Round in a Ring (David Lawrence)
Icehenge (Kim Stanley Robinson)
Making Hay (Veronica Henry)
Beneath These Stones (Ann Granger)
Metro Girl (Janet Evanovich)

Only 8 books that month as I've been quite busy. Least favourite book: hard to decide as there were quite a few books that were completely predictable but 'Icehenge' drove me completely nuts. I only finished it out of sheer pig-headedness. I find it incredibly difficult to read books where more than 1 character is telling the story and when you space the characters out over a long time, it just (there's really no other way to say this) prolongs the agony. Don't read it. When Science Fiction is good, its absolutely brilliant but bad SF is truely horrendous.

I don't have a favourite for the month although Marion Keyes is always a relaxing read.

As a result of my busyness I've discovered something interesting that I do whenever I feel overwhelmed by the world - I sit and read so I don't have to think. I think I've always known that I do this but its only in the last couple of months that I've acknowledged it. At the moment I've reduced my reading to make sure that I only read when I genuninely have nothing else that I SHOULD be doing.

The October readings

2007-12-18T09:26:00.000+13:00

I know that putting up a list of what I read in October is cheating a bit, but I don't care. It still counts as a post!

Almost French (Sarah Turnbull)
The Proof House (KJ Parker)
Lords & Ladies (Terry Pratchett)
Quicksilver (Christie Dickason)
The Truth (Terry Pratchett)
Myrren's Gift (Fiona McIntosh)
Wife for Hire (Dianne Blacklock)
Ten Big Ones (Janet Evanovich)
Blood & Memory (Fiona McIntosh)
The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
City of Light (Lauren Belfer)
Bridge of Souls (Fiona McIntosh)

The best book definitely has to be the first one, 'Almost French'. Sarah writes about meeting a Frenchman and deciding to go to Paris to see whether the relationship is going to progress or not and the struggles she has with learning the language and living in Paris. Very well written and it made me want to move to Paris, even with all the trials and tribulations she went through. I went back to the library to see if there were any other books about living in France, particularly Paris, but nothing came up to the same standard for me.

Worst book was 'The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic'. Chic lit at its most predictable. Felt as though the author was trying to copy 'Bridget Jones' Diary'. Very light and boring.

I only heard on Sunday about Terry Pratchett having been diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimers. Very, very sad. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be diagnosed with this disease. My thoughts and best wishes go out to him and his family.

Its almost been two months!

2007-12-17T16:54:00.000+13:00

Playing around with a lightbox with Scrap Pea, August 2007

I can't believe that its been almost two months since I last posted. The problem I have is that I feel guilty if I do this during work hours and I can't blog at home yet. The net result is that it just never happens. Looking at this photo makes me realise how long it is since I took any photos as well. Time skates by.

So, this is really just a post to say that I'm still alive and kicking.

Why don't I set myself a challenge of posting once a day for the rest of the week? Should be quite a challenge as I haven't even finished my Christmas shopping yet - its hard to do when you don't know what you're going to get people!

September readings

2007-10-31T13:31:00.000+13:00

Yes I know! It's almost October and I'm only now putting up my reading list from September but if I leave it another day then it WILL be November and I'd have to publish the October list as well! So here goes the summary:

Dead Sleep (Greg Iles)
The Amtrak Wars bk 5 (Patrick Tilley) - can't remember the full title
Tears of the Giraffe (Alexander McCall Smith)
The Amtrak Wars bk 6: Earth-Thunder (Patrick Tilley)
Colours in the Steel (K J Parker)
Night Watch (Terry Pratchett)
24 Hours (Greg Iles)
The Belly of the Bow (K J Parker)
Unnatural Exposure (Patricia Cornwell) - after I'd started it I realised I'd read it before but finished it anyway

Not as many books that month - I've been busy doing other stuff.

Favourite book was 'Colours in the Steel', worst book was 'The Belly of the Bow', both by KJ Parker. The first book was the first in the series and I thought it was an exciting book but the 2nd one really lost that excitement. I only finished it because I thought the 3rd one might be more exciting (but it wasn't).

There was a bit much of an emphasis on SF this month, which I've managed to even out in Oct. Also, all the books were novels and that may have been the reason for stopping reading for a while - I'd overdosed on them. Interesting to look back at what I'd been reading.

Challenge accepted

2007-10-08T14:35:00.000+13:00

Last week Scrap Pea & I discussed how we hadn't been updating our blogs. As we were at a Photography Club meeting we decided that we needed to challenge ourselves and at the same time, put something up on our blog. So we set ourselves a small challenge - to tell a story using photos. Of course, I've left it to the last minute to do (we promised that we'd have it up by Mon) so mine is a very simple story.

Touristy bus tour in L.A., Oct 2006:

On my way to the UK last year (via L.A.), my mother & I were delayed for a day. We decided to take advantage of the delay and do a 1/2 day tourist tour to give us a taster of L.A. rather than sitting around at a very boring airport hotel.
Our first stop was Venice Beach. To my poor, sleep deprived eyes it was so glarey I could hardly see and the above photo really does not show how white the sand was, nor how hot it was even though it was only about 8.30am.

There was virtually no-one around at that time of the morning - just some bums that had been sleeping rough. We'd just had a 9/11 memorial installed in Christchurch so it was interesting to come across this memorial here.
On the way back to the (air conditioned) bus, I spotted this huge cactus/succulent. So unlike anything we have back in NZ.
Racing around in the bus I kept seeing these trees. I still have no idea of what they are but found them totally fascinating. I think I've posted this photo before because I can now see where Dr Seuss got his ideas for all his weird vegetation. It wasn't made up - he just looked out his window!
We did the usual touristy stuff of visiting a market and the celebrity walk. Also had the joy of visiting a bank to change money. We weren't expecting to spend any time in the US so we had absolutely no US dollars. I managed to change some Australian money to US (after visiting two banks) so we could buy some food and water. The bus driver had warned us about dehydration and boy, was he ever right.
Then, as we raced back to the hotel, we passed all these oil pumps that were what caused L.A. to be built where it was.

So there you have it - a 5 second snap shot tour of my one and only L.A. experience. I found the tour fantastic and really want to go back to have a good look around. Just haven't managed it yet.

August readings

2007-09-11T11:17:00.001+12:00

Once again, I've been rather slack at updating this blog but I have been doing rather a lot of reading. So here's last month's list:

Seven Up (Janet Evanovich)
The Ill Made Mute (Cecilia Dart-Thornton)
O is for Outlaw (Sue Grafton)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (J K Rowling)
The Bean Trees (Barbara Kingsolver)
The Amtrak Wars: bk 1 Cloud Warrior (Patrick Tilley)
Paris to the Moon (Adam Gopnik)
The Amtrak Wars: bk 2 First Family (Patrick Tilley)
P is for Peril (Sue Grafton)
The Lady of the Sorrows (Cecilia Dart-Thornton)
The World According to Mimi Smartypants
Q is for Quarry (Sue Grafton)
The Amtrak Wars: bk 3 Iron Master (Patrick Tilley)
Monstrous Regiment (Terry Pratchett)
The Mind Map Book (Tony & Barry Buzan) - still reading

I think there's meant to be another book in there somewhere but I can't remember.

Best book of the month: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. I read 'The Poisonwood Bible' a number of years ago and I'm not sure if I enjoyed it, but I found it an absolutely gripping read. There was an overwhelming sense of dread right from the first paragraph - I knew something terrible was going to happen, it was a case of keeping reading until it did.

'The Bean Trees' definitely didn't have that feel. Dreadful things happened but generally they happened outside the immediate story so that I could isolate them from the characters but once again, I found it a gripping read but in an enjoyable fashion. I know that the library has other books by her but I'm saving them and not doing my usual of reading all of an author's books one after the other.

Worst book of the month: The World According to Mimi Smartypants. I think my problem with this book was that I had high expectations but it was light, very short and I didn't feel I got to know Mimi at all. There was a list of characters (real people) at the front but I'm pretty sure that some of them never featured or, if they did, I didn't notice. This was the first book from a blog that I've read and I trust that others will be better.

Biggest disappointment: Paris to the Moon. The back of the book said it was about an American family living in Paris and some of it was. Actually, it was the articles that he wrote while living in Paris with his family so there was very little about his family in it. I enjoyed the family writings but the rest (of course) now felt very dated as it was quite political. Pity, as I had high hopes.

Slow traffic

2007-08-21T14:35:00.000+12:00

Rail above road bridge, SH1, Seddon.
A replacement bridge is being built to the right so the nervous excitement of the possibility
of a train driving over the top of you is going to come to an end.

As I puttered through the Lyttelton road tunnel this morning at a sedate 45km behind an obviously nervous driver, I was thinking about the speed I normally drive. I have been making a concerted effort to obey the speed limits and its not difficult in my daily commute. I just cruise along, listening to music, thinking my thoughts and I rarely get over 105km. I travel at the speed I wish to, not because I'm being held up by traffic.

But around town its a completely different story. I really struggle to stay anywhere near 50km, particularly on some roads, for example, Port Hills Rd where everyone does a minimum of 60km. When I travel at 50km on these roads I feel like I'm a real fuddy-duddy, the traffic builds up behind me and I feel pressured to travel more quickly.

Traveling at the speed limit can be very relaxing, particularly on the open road. You virtually never catch up with anyone and the speed hounds scream past and disappear off into the distance leaving you with the open road again. In town I just find it harder to keep my speed down and to keep my cool. Its a very interesting experiment and I think it goes to show how quickly I used to drive and equally, how lucky I am to have never received a speeding ticket. (I'm not counting on the one speed camera fine I got 4 years ago!)

The last time we drove to the Sounds towing the trailer we noticed the phenomenon of always driving on an open road. Towing, we have to drive at 90km which is an easy speed for people to pass you at. Cars pass, disappear off and you're left with this wide open space to drive into (this could be a metaphor for something) without the stress of fast drivers being aggravated by you holding them up.

I guess I'm thinking about speed limits a bit because this weekend I'm away with friends for a long weekend covering a fair amount of the South Island. Some of the roads we'll be on just call out to be driven on fast - I wonder if I'll be able to resist?

Reading list: July

2007-08-10T13:57:00.000+12:00

I had forgotten that I was going to try to keep a record of what I've been reading. Just out of interest and not for any particular reason. Here's July's list:

N is for Noose (Sue Grafton)
Interesting Times (Terry Pratchett)
Three to Get Deadly (Janet Evanovich)
Married to a Bedouin (Marguerite van Gelderualsen)
Fish 'n' Chip Shop Song & other stories (Carl Nixon)
Full Speed (Janet Evanovich)
Four to Score (Janet Evanovich)
The Sword of Shannara trilogy (Terry Brooks)
The Fifth Elephant (Terry Pratchett)
High Five (Janet Evanovich)
Hot Six (Janet Evanovich)
The Iron Tree (Cecilia Dart-Thornton)

The length of this list was helped by the fact that I've rejoined the local library (it has also added to the late night problems mentioned previously).

Favourite book of the month: 'Married to a Bedouin'. Beg, borrow or buy this book - its fantastic. This is a life story. I felt it petered out a bit at the end but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it. I borrowed it from my mother's friend but its one that if I see it in a second hand book shop, I'll buy it.

Worst book of the month: 'The Sword of Shannara' series - it was more a case of I over dosed on the series as I read it straight through. 3 fantasy novels in 1 go. Big mistake. I should have diluted them with other books so not the author's fault.

I sometimes get overwhelmed with the options when I go to the library so you can see a bit of a theme in my reading material. When I find an author or series I like I tend to read as much of them as I can. But I have learnt from my fantasy overload and I am trying to spread the authors out more. Any suggestions of favourite books and authors will be gratefully received.

Currently reading: 'Paris to the Moon' by Adam Gopnik and 'The Amtrak Wars book 2' by Patrick Tilley.

Tired

2007-08-10T09:34:00.000+12:00

I've just been reading Secret Agent Josephine's latest post about how tired she is and I completely sympathise! I'm overtired at the moment but in my case, its completely self induced. A few late nights, a late meeting and then last night, even though I'd promised myself that I would go to bed early, I didn't. The bloke did and when he went off I knew I should as well but I just couldn't.

I get like that sometimes. Unable to drag my lazy self off the sofa and getting grumpier by the minute. The worst of it is is that I know I'm doing it and I can't stop myself.

At least today I don't have a headache and I have been able to concentrate on doing some work. We've had nor'wests for the last 3 days which is fabulous (warm and dry) although when you're at work you don't really get to see the weather. But it does feel like spring. Hopefully this will continue into the weekend.

With I. now not working, he's been a busy little boy around home. The rotten corner of the house has been dismantled and replaced over the last two days. As a result though, he's feeling shattered and I think is planning to have a much easier day today and clean up the mess of rotten weatherboards and stuff that is scattered in the garden. My excuse for not working in that garden has now gone. I hadn't wanted to put effort into it because I knew he'd be trampling all over it as he worked on the house and now that its done, hmmm, I guess I could do some gardening tomorrow?!

Nothing in particular

2007-07-31T13:40:00.001+12:00

Winter sunrise, 2007

Photo taken for a class for my photography club but I just couldn't get it to print well. The sunrise was absolutely amazing though and I was glad I'd made the effort to grab the camera and have a go.

I feel very out of touch at the moment. Life rocks on in autopilot and I feel as though I'm just going with the flow. Its been brought home to me today how much I'm just going with it as its I.'s last day at work.

For the last 4-5 years, we've been travelling together to work. As we have a 3/4 hour commute, its given us this enforced time together where we can talk about whatever - whinge about work, make holiday plans, have an arguement, decide what to have for tea - and its about to come to an end. Tomorrow, I'll be commuting by myself.

It does mean that I can listen to RDU as soon as it comes into range (I. really dislikes it) but it also means that I have to drive both ways. Not a problem really but it was nice to share out the driving. Generally, I. drove in the mornings and it was my turn in the evenings. Now I'll have to be more awake in the mornings.

I. is going to have some time off from full-time, paid employment. If its fine tomorrow he'll either go fishing or play some golf. He's very excited and is walking around with a huge grin on his face. He has got some worked lined up, including going to stay with his brother (K.) to help him build his garage that he's been trying to build for about a year. I'm sure some fishing will be fitted in around that as well.

Of course, being without the regular second income is of some concern but I'm sure we'll be fine. Maybe it will help me focus on my own work and generating a decent income but its not really working today. (Hence the procrastination of writing a post. Not going to bed until midnight last night is probably the real cause of my lack of motivation though.)

Its not as though he's not going to be earning nothing, its just going to be less and not as regular as we've got used to. As I say, if I really got cranking in my own business things would be great. Intellectually, I know that I can do it. Its just turning that knowledge into motivation and action. It all seems a bit much effort today. Could be the chocolate cake we had for morning tea and the Subway sandwich for lunch?

Yoo hoo . . . anyone out there?

2007-07-16T14:54:00.000+12:00

I can't believe that its been a month since I've written anything here. 2 weeks of that month I was having computer problems but even so.

What's with all this cold and frosty, then cold and damp weather. I know that its the middle of winter but its COLD! Having to wear multiple layers of clothing and eating way too much food, particularly comfort food like chocolate. Its not helping the waistline. Also not exercising is not helping the waistline (and the thighline and the bottomline).

But spring must be on its way because yesterday I saw lambs and they were frolicing in the grassy green paddocks and sunshine. They must have been about a week old but there was a whole paddock of them. I was completely staggered as no lamb worth its mint sauce would have chosen to have been born in some of the weather we've been having. Did I mention that its COLD? Also, Christchurch is smoggy!

Doesn't this photo just make you want to live here?!! This was taken about 10am on Sunday 8th July. It was a beautiful clear and sunny day and first thing in the morning you could see the fantastically snowy Alps in the distance. But by 9.30 it was still -2 degrees so people lit their coal fires and the view disappeared! You can see one of the coal fires smoking away in the photo. You can really smell the smog as well. Not a lot of fun.

The cold weather definitely slows down the brain cells as well. Some mornings it takes ages for me to get the brain engaged and as for getting the fingers working on the keyboard, it can be quite a challenge. The upside is that the Alps look fantastic as we drive to work and we get to see some great sunrises and sunsets.

Field trip

2007-06-13T16:18:00.000+12:00

Glenrock Station cottage, June 2007

I can't believe its been a week since I wrote anything here but life has been full on with lots of adventures. Good fun.

I took an early day on Friday and headed off into the high country for a night away with the local photography club I belong to. The idea was to have 2 photo sessions of late afternoon sun and a dawn before coming home about midday on Saturday and it was a whole lot of fun.

Our car load got up there at about 3pm. It was a beautiful day but bitterly cold. Very little snow around for this time of the year (Mt Hutt hadn't even opened at this point) but fantastically clear. Luckily Fiona (our hostess) had been over and got the fires going in both houses so they were toasty warm when we arrived. Of course, we had to instantly go out and take photos whilst it was still daylight.

We'd organised that everyone bring food to share so once it was thoroughly dark we heated up the food and trekked over to the other house. There were 11 of us in total and we had an absolute food mountain. We even had a couple of huge apple pies to finish with. Fantastic. C. had brought along a hand-eye coordination game, complete with prizes, so much hilarity ensued. Especially with the occasional glass of wine thrown in.

The next morning was extremely frosty but everyone was up and out ready for the dawn well before dawn, well, dawned. It was so cold that our hats got frosted but once again, it was a beautifully clear day. There were gaggles of photographers everywhere. Dawn was approximately 8am so by 10am we were back at the cottage with the fire stoked up and drinking coffee, trying to defrost fingers and toes.

Then off up the valley for more photo ops. We ended up at Manuka Point looking up river to the mountains. I'm afraid I can't be bothered to haul out my atlas to name them.

Manuka Point, June 2007

You can see from this photo how dry its been. Normally you'd expect to have snow right to the bottom of those mountains, if not actually standing in the stuff where I was taking the photo. Fantastically beautiful though. Not a cloud in the sky.

New arrival in the family

2007-06-06T12:04:00.000+12:00

Its most exciting! I've got another niece! She arrived this morning at St Georges. I don't have any more information but its very exciting. I only had one niece but an over supply of nephews at 3 (not really, its great). So the iGirl now has a little sister to torment and be tormented by.

Another surprise success

2007-06-01T09:00:00.001+12:00

Winter sunrise, May 2006

I've shown you this photo before but I thought I'd show you again as I got an acceptance for it at Photography Club on Monday night. I have cropped this according to the judge's suggestion and it is better. I entered this in the 'Ellesmere Through the Seasons' category. None of my other photos passed muster unfortunately but I did learn a lot, as usual. I've made a promise to myself that I must enter at least one photo every month this year as its the only way to push myself. So far I've been doing well.

Last month there was a Digital Image category for the first time ever. The idea behind it was that the photo had to be obviously "fiddled with". When there were so many options it was actually quite hard to decide what to do. In the end I decided to go with a collage type effect, which is the image below on the left. On the right are the 2 images I started with.

"Adventure"

This photo didn't come anywhere but I had a lot of fun doing it. When it was shown to the iGirl she got very confused and wanted to know when she was there.

This week we got to hand in our mystery object photos (I'll explain more about that next month). On talking to the others after the meeting, almost everyone had taken their photos on the Sunday or Monday (as I did) even though we'd had the mystery object for approximately 3 months! Its that old deadline thing again. If it wasn't for deadlines I don't think I would have achieved anything.

Sprinklers

2007-05-24T12:08:00.000+12:00

Had a lovely time on Monday night with fellow members of the local photography club learning tips and tricks to help us take and work with photos on our computers. A lot of fun. My only problem was that I'd been on a course all weekend and was feeling a bit worn out. Aside from that, it was most enjoyable.

BUT, as I left (in the dark and cold) and was running across the lawn dodging shrubs (believe me, it was the only way out!) the sprinklers came on!! Couldn't believe it. I haven't heard if anyone else got caught. It certainly made for a speedier exit.

Weekend playing in Kaikoura

2007-05-16T08:48:00.000+12:00

Sunday morning, Kaikoura, 13th May 2007

We've just had a weekend away in Kaikoura, playing with our classic car friends and it was a lot of fun. This was a different style of weekend to the ones we normally run. Normally we have tour notes and a lot of structure but as this was an additional weekend to what we normally offer, I couldn't be bothered writing tour notes and running around checking the route. Instead, on Friday night after talking to various people that were on the weekend about what sort of driving they might be interested in, I photocopied a map and applied a highlighter. Much simpler.

We were extremely lucky with the weather as well. It was a perfect autumn weekend - crisp mornings (no frosts yet though!) and clear sunny days. We haven't had the extremely strong winds we normally get at this time of the year so the autumn leaves are still on all the trees. Very spectacular driving on the inland Kaikoura road through to Hamner. It was perfect weather for owning a soft top car. Unfortunately, our classic cars are still off the road so we had to travel in the Subaru wagon - not very exciting.

We'd decided that we would stay at the YHA for the weekend. Its right on the seafront with great views looking back towards Kaikoura and gets all the afternoon sun. We also decided that we weren't going to self cater! This time we were going to eat out for every single meal over the weekend and we did. Fantastic fun.

Found an excellent cafe (Encounter) that opened at 7.30am for our breakfasts. I was good on Saturday morning and had muesli and natural yoghurt but they offered hotcakes with bacon and bananas as well so I succumbed on Sunday morning! As did I. The service was excellent and the cafe wasn't really noisy like so many modern places are. The other excellent aspect was that it was on the esplanade so you could sit there and look at the sea. So many places in Kaikoura don't have a sea view.

The weekend was based around Donegal House, which is an Irish Bar with restaurant and accommodation. I'd stayed there a couple of years ago with another group and found the accommodation excellent. The appeal is that everything is on site so you don't have to worry about people driving after maybe having too much to drink. The owner is a law unto himself and is passionate about his Irish music and plays it extremely loudly but its all a lot of fun.

So all in all, it was a very relaxing and casual weekend. Beautiful weather, fantastic company and interesting roads. Plus, we weren't at home slaving away on the house. Always a good thing. Everyone that attended were very keen for another weekend like it but having organised two events in a row, I'm quite keen to have a break. We'll probably do it again next year though!

Photography success

2007-05-08T17:16:00.000+12:00

I belong to the local photography club and last night had a surprising success of an Honours and an Acceptance for two of my child portraits. I've only ever had an Acceptance once before and this was my first Honours so it was quite exciting. Mind you, they were photos of my two nephews F. and F. who are both extremely photogenic so as a photographer, all I have to do is make sure its in focus and the rest they do.

My friend Scrap Pea also got an Honours and an Acceptance so overall, we had a great night.

A day of sun in amongst the gloomy weather

2007-05-02T12:01:00.000+12:00

Autumn colours on Ashburton Domain, 29th April 2007

Had a lovely time on Sunday. We belong to a classic car club and I'd organised a day run on Sunday around and about in Mid-Canterbury. I'd had some help planning the route from my parents which was great. We decided that we would drive the route to check it and I'm glad we did, because at one point we ended up driving down a long, rough shingle road that had road works on it. There would have been a lot of unhappy campers if we'd used that road.

We started at Rakaia with 15 cars (which is an excellent turnout for a day run) and went via Barhill to the Ashburton Domain for lunch. By the time we got there, the day had become very sunny with minimal wind. The Domain was fantastic. It has a lot of well grown trees and the autumn colours were impressive. There's a maple grove that was spectacularly red.

4 cars joined us at lunchtime from a car club in Timaru which was fun. It was interesting though because they had quite a different attitude to the run than we did. They always travelled in convoy and one person expressed concern over the long drive (100km!!). Mind you, another one of them couldn't even find the Domain so it didn't bode well for their day.

We'd put the route around Lake Hood, which is the new man made lake near Ashburton. Most people had never been there although all of them had heard of it. Then out to the lost settlement of Waterton, though Longbeach, back over the river and down to Hakatere (Ashburton River mouth) and a finish with a cup of tea at the Ashburton Aviation Museum.

Hakatere is amazing as the river mouth is quite small but there's a large lagoon and a large population of cormorants. When we checked the route on Saturday they were in two flocks, one each side of the river mouth, and there was a lot of splashing and washing going on in the river and then drying of wings on the beach.

Finishing at the Ashburton Aviation Museum was excellent as it gave a final destination for people. My parents are heavily involved in the museum and had arranged cups of tea and biscuits as a small fundraiser for the museum. I could tell my father had been involved in the purchase of the biscuits because there was a good assortment of chocolate ones - lovely. They had opened the hanger doors to the workshop and put chairs out in the sun but out of the wind. A nice and relaxing way to finish the day for most people.

Unfortunately one participant got blinded by the low sun over some trees (a real hazard at this time of the year) and quietly drove into a ditch. Luckily they were all OK but obviously shaken. The local farmer towed his car out with a tractor and it looked as though it had no panel damage but it wouldn't start. So an unfortunate end to what had been a very cruisy day.

Holiday report

2007-04-27T10:45:00.000+12:00

Baby seals playing in stream near Kaikoura, 21st April 2007

When you're towing the boat the drive is always longer so we decided to leave Saturday morning and enjoy the drive and the sights. We drove out of our place at 9.30am feeling quite relaxed and stopped for morning tea at Cheviot and lunch at Kaikoura. Really cannot recommend where we stopped for lunch - the coffee was absolutely hideous, undrinkable even. I don't know how people can make terrible coffee. Don't they ever drink what they make?

We'd heard from my parents about a stream north of Kaikoura that baby seals play in while their mothers are out fishing for the day so decided to explore it. When we pulled up there were a couple of very excited children there that were yelling about seeing the seals - I'm staggered that there were still baby seals there as they were so loud.

We trekked off up to the waterfall (it's only a 10 minute easy walk) stopping to peer into the stream now and then but never saw them. The waterfall is lovely but that wasn't the point. I was terribly disappointed but on the way back down we heard them splashing around. They had already started back down to the sea to see if their mothers were back yet. They were having a lovely time slithering over the rocks and leaping around in the rock pools but they were also very cautious, stopping to listen and look from time to time. They were incredibly difficult to photograph as you can imagine - in a bush stream with no sunlight. We had to follow them quietly downstream before I was able to get any shots.

We called in to visit I.'s brother and s-i-l in Blenheim for an early afternoon tea which was lovely. We stayed with them at Christmas and had a lovely time. I.'s brother D. is an artist and he had even more of his paintings set up around his studio. He said that he's selling a lot of paintings that depict the local area, for example, all the vineyards. Talented bloke.

By the time we got to the house in the Sounds it was about 5.30pm. We had to fight our way in through all the cobwebs. The house hadn't been used for at least 2 months and it always seems to get overrun with those long legged, pale inside spiders that like to sling long thin cobwebs across doorways at about face height. Charming. I vacuumed the bedroom before we set up in it because although I'm not scared of spiders, I'm not all that thrilled with the thought of them landing on me during the night.

It was definitely autumnal up there. We didn't light the log fire at night because the house always heats up well during the days but first thing in the morning was definitely chilly. The bedroom we sleep in doesn't have any curtains so you tend to wake up when the sun gets up, which I enjoy. Its a very easy way to wake up.

I. spent Sunday and Monday out fishing in his boat. High tide was around midday which meant launching the boat was always challenging as the bay is very shallow. Monday morning he was out in the boat at 5am (!!!) but did admit that that was possibly a little early as it was actually too dark to see and he had to tie up to a mooring until it got light enough to see to carry on. Unfortunately he didn't get a single snapper bite which he was devastated about. Spotties, herrings and kawhai he had limited success with but they were not wanted so got put back.

To top it all off, we then had a contretemps with the boat shed door. To close the door a length of rope had been tied to it with a loop in the end so you could pull it down. Do you see where I'm going with this? As we pulled the boat out on Tuesday, neither of us were really paying attention and the loop caught on the front of the boat which, of course, then pulled the door out into a lovely V shape!! We nearly cried. Our friends are so kind to us in lending us the batch and then we destroy the boat shed door.

Luckily I. is a handy bloke but even so it took him about an hour to push and hammer the door back into a reasonable shape. One of the runners on the side had pulled off so we had to partially dismantle the door to get it all back together. By the time he'd finished, if you didn't know I doubt that you'd notice but it wasn't a pleasant feeling to know that we'd have to confess all to the owners when we returned. [They were completely relaxed about it but we'll have to see how they feel after they've seen it.] The door runs smoothly and can be locked but its not perfect.

So, not a good note to finish on. We spent Wed morning cleaning and getting the last of the spiders that we hadn't got over the previous few days and headed off home again about lunchtime. Late lunch in Kaikoura and home again on dark. Have I mentioned how slow it is when you're towing a trailer? I have? Damn, I'd wanted to reiterate how long it all takes but I guess I shouldn't harp on about it then. At least this time we didn't get a puncture that took half a day to fix because the boat trailer has rare sized wheels so that's something to be thankful for.

I think that I had a better break than I. He got to go fishing unsuccessfully with his brother but he was really thrown by the carnage we created. I read 5 books, did a little walking and lots of eating. Very relaxing really. Looking forward to our next holiday already.

5 day break

2007-04-26T15:31:00.000+12:00

Are you jealous? Are you? Huh? This is the view from the deck of the holiday house we stay in looking out over Keneperu Sound and was taken Tuesday middayish. Beautiful, clear, windless and quiet because it wasn't a holiday weekend.

I've got more to say but really need to do some work to make up for the two days off I've had so I'll close with 5 books read, spot of house cleaning (house hadn't been visited for two months) and a contretemps with the boat shed door. All will be related in a later post.

General catch up

2007-04-20T11:00:00.000+12:00

I don't have anything particular to say so thought I'd just post a selection of rambling thoughts!

Saw a shooting star as we drove home last night. Seriously cool. Haven't seen one for ages. This is the advantage of shorter days - it increases the likelihood of spotting shooting stars.
I. and I both caught colds over Easter weekend. He's over his and I'm still revoltingly snotty. How come? Its not fair. I'm so over this.
Going up to the Sounds for 5 days!!! Theoretically, we should leave tonight but as we're towing the boat it makes for a much slower journey so we're leaving tomorrow morning. The theory goes that we'll be in Kaikoura for morning tea (coffee and cake looking at the sea) and Blenheim for lunch. As absolutely nothing is packed yet I'm not sure how we're going to execute that particular plan. The only thing we've organised so far is asking our fabulous neighbours to feed the cat, which they can do.
Its a fantastically sunny day today. I noticed that the oak trees by the river opposite Princess Margaret Hospital are looking brilliant - all red and orange colours. At work we've had the paraponters floating down from the hills behind us to the park in the valley. It looks very cool but there's still no way I'll ever do it.
Spoke to the little blister this morning (Hi E). She was raving about the fantastic home made curry she was eating as she spoke to me but as I was in morning mode, it did absolutely nothing for me.

OK, enough with the dots. I think my brain just fell out. Have a great weekend and Anzac Day everyone.

Cats

2007-04-16T13:07:00.000+12:00

I went along to the opening night of 'Cats' on Friday night, put on by Showbiz at the Theatre Royal and it was great. I'd never seen it before but was very familiar with the music. Unfortunately, due to I's inability to take Day/Night tablets when he's got a cold, he wasn't able to go as planned so I took my (very pregnant) sister-in-law J. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

There's a lot to be said for going on opening night. You've got no preconceived notions about what the show will be like and can just get on with being involved. The theatre was absolutely full. Apparently half an hour before the show started there were 5 seats not sold and they were in the back row of the gods. It was a bit of a scrum getting a cold drink in the interval but that's to be expected in that situation.

I felt that everyone in the show was very professional. They are all amateurs and have day jobs so I can only assume that they had a lot of rehearsals because the dancing was excellent. Everyone kept in cat character very well. I only spotted one obvious mistake when two cast members ran into each other during a particularly frenetic dance scene but they recovered well. One cat's tail came off but she was able to reattach it in the interval. Minor hiccups that can happen in any show.

So, I can thoroughly recommend the show and I'm really glad I made the effort to go on opening night. Its something I must remember to do for other productions I want to see. Nice to hear that the show is almost sold out, even with some extra shows they've put into the season.

It was an incredibly cold night. J. had brought along a woolly hat to wear on the way to and from the theatre and when we walking back to the car afterwards, I really envied her the hat. I could feel the heat draining from my head as we walked.

We called in at Winnie Bagoes to have a coffee and a bit of a wind down. It was quite amusing watching some of the young girls faces when they saw how pregnant J. is! Going into bars nowdays is so much more pleasant as its all non-smoking. It has certainly increased my comfort levels. The smokers didn't look so thrilled as they huddled in the alleyway around the brazier. I'm very grateful I never started.

Giant dust bunnies

2007-04-11T10:37:00.000+12:00

I am not a naturally tidy person and neither is I. so together we create chaos in our house. On Easter Monday I'd had enough of our completely trashed bedroom and spent the whole afternoon degunging it and I'd have to say that my dust bunnies had morphed into giant were-bunnies that lurked in the corners and growled whenever I approached.

I moved every piece of furniture in the room and cleared everything off the floor and its amazing how much more spacious the room feels now. Plus, I have a feeling of virtuousness which always helps.

I hate housework with a passion but I live in an old villa that generates dust as a natural by-product of its age plus, living in a small country village, we get a lot of outside dust (nor'west winds, burnoffs, that sort of thing). I'm not complaining about living in a small village - I love it. BUT country living can be messy and when one is not houseproud, the mess and dirt builds up without one really noticing until the dust bunnies start to growl.

The upside of not being particularly houseproud is that when does do an attack on a room, its extremely satisfying as the results are SPECTACULAR. All that's left to do is the bay window sill and going through drawers to make room for stuff that has been living on the floor. Throwing out things is extremely satisfying and I'm in the mood to do more.

Again with the autumn

2007-04-05T11:41:00.000+12:00

The making of quince & tomato jam, May 2006

I just realised this morning as I looked at my fruit bowl, that its full of fantastic autumn bounty, most of which has been supplied from friends' gardens. Quinces, big fat vine ripened tomatoes, small sweet grapes, lemons and feijoas (store bought as I couldn't wait).

Quince and tomato jam making is on the menu for the weekend and if I'm really brave, I might even try quince jelly. I've never made jelly before so feel quite daunted about the whole process. The up side is that if it doesn't work, there's still more quinces to be harvested.

This morning it was only about 6 degrees when I exited the house but its turned into a fantastic sunny day with a gentle breeze. One of the joys of this time of year is having leaves fall on you as you walk to drive around - so cool.

Autumn is checking in

2007-03-29T13:28:00.000+12:00

I was just reading a post about spring breezes and spring cleaning (Wish Jar - obviously a northern hemisphere blog) and I realised that I am actually looking forward to autumn. I went shopping for veges the other day and only now do I realise that I bought some of my most favourite winter veges, potatoes and pumpkin, for roasting.

Today is the second day of misty, damp weather that's not particularly cold and the forecast is for it to stay the same until Monday next week. I had been feeling a bit glum about it all as we've had some truly fabulous weather lately (foggy mornings opening up into clear, sunny and hot days) but where the nights are cool enough to sleep well under your duvet. But back to my point about the overcast weather - I enjoy living in a climate where we have defined seasons and where I want to eat winter type food. Casseroles, roasts, oven cooked vegetable dishes, sticky puddings (not too many of those though). To be fair, I've never lived somewhere that's always warm but the benefit of here is that the ski fields are close in the winter and the sea is even closer in the summer.

Autumn is always a beautiful time of the year. The pin oaks are starting to turn burnt orange and deep red, the poplars are gold and the swallows are starting to form groups and think about flying away. Earlier this week there was a ceremony to farewell the godwits. I didn't go to it but I like the idea of change and shifting. It allows time for new celebrations and enjoyments like hot chocolate drinks (see yesterday's post!) and roast meals with friends. Warm fires and thick, fluffy jerseys. Seeing snow on the mountains as we drive to work. Clear starry nights as we drive home - sometimes we're lucky enough to see shooting stars.

Sure, it means the start of colder weather, lots of rain, unexpected snowfalls, colds, 'flu and other negatives but when I think of autumn I don't think of all these things. I mostly think about the beauty of nature and look forward to all the colours it puts on. Which reminds me, I must drive past the university as they have some fabulous trees on Creyke Road which should be looking amazing soon.

Decadence

2007-03-28T12:02:00.000+12:00

I have just had the most fantastic chocolate drink! Well, it wasn't really a drink — rather it was liquid chocolate in a cup that you ate with a spoon. The only redeeming feature of the whole decadent exercise was that I'd ordered the smallest size. So the moral of the story is, if you want a truly chocolaty experience, go to Metro by the Sea in Ferrymead.

Its a wrap

2007-03-26T15:54:00.000+12:00

L to R: sound operator, actor's arm, director, camera operator, stills photographer

Its in the can! We finished shooting at 2.20am Saturday night with about 74 minutes of film. Very long day but a lot of fun. We didn't start filming until about 2pm as there was a lot of work converting D's house into a film set first. I hadn't realised how much waiting around one does on a film set. I've worked backstage on musicals (at university) and once they start, they stop for nothing whereas in a film there's lots of stopping and reassessing.

I worked as props, set dresser, continuity girl and recorder all wrapped up into one. As continuity girl/set dresser I refilled a bottle of wine a huge number of times. It felt like hundreds but I'm sure it wasn't.

Working on this short film has changed my attitude towards actors (and actresses). I've always thought that they were arrogant and difficult to work with but I discovered over the course of the day that professionals are just that. Professional. Easy to work with and they can turn their characters on and off pretty much on demand. So I've learnt another big lesson - professionals are always professional and are worth it.

The director (brother D.) had put a huge amount of preparation into it. He knew what he wanted and was able to express it clearly to the rest of us. We were all amateurs at film making so shot setups were slow to start with but as the day wore on, we definitely got slicker. There was only one time constraint. We HAD to do the outside shots between 6-7pm so that no matter what else happened, we had to stop what we were shooting at 5.30pm and get ready for the outside work.

Completely exhausted by the time I got home of course. We'd all spent most of the day on our feet and its very tiring. I didn't achieve much yesterday and because I was over tired, I didn't get to bed in good time and feel shattered today as well. Off to a meeting tonight as well but it won't be a long one, particularly as I've organised it!

Lovely lunch

2007-03-23T15:59:00.000+12:00

Clouds reflected in the calm waters of Lake Rotoiti, 3 March 2007

I met up with a friend for lunch today at East Coast Cafe down by the Estuary and had a truly lovely time. We sat outside (in the shade of a sun umbrella in deference to my easily burnt skin and general overall whiteness), gazed at the briny blue and chatted about this and that. There was quite a strong easterly wind which meant that we didn't get too hot and it was GREAT. I came back to work feeling quite refreshed.

It reminded me how much I love the water. Growing up we could hear the sea in storms and could see it (if we stood on the dining room table). We sailed as children and have had lots of adventures and misadventures, though fortunately nothing too major. One of my grandmothers lived in Lyttelton and had the best picture window looking out over the port. Even now I love trips on ferries, preferably of the small ferry kind (I find the inter-islander stuffy).

It does one good to go down to the sea and smell the fresh ozone.

My brother's dream

2007-03-22T09:51:00.000+12:00

My brother (D.) has always had an interest in films and film making. This weekend, Saturday in fact, he's shooting a short film as part of a course he's doing and I'm so excited. He's called for helpers so of course I'm in.

Years ago we did musicals together at university which was a lot of fun (and where he met his wife!). I'm really looking forward to working with him again.

I know that he's feeling the pressure of being the director & scriptwriter & casting agent etc but I'm just looking forward to being part of his vision. I have no idea what I'll end up doing on Saturday but I'm prepared to do just about anything except, maybe, get in front of the camera. I much more of a behind the scenes type of girl.

He's got very limited time available for all the post production work as he has a young family and can't commit days and weeks to this project so its going to be a short, short film. Up to two minutes. But I'm sure that because he is keeping short, it will be punchy and focused.

I'm very excited! Can you tell?

My brain is full

2007-03-16T12:47:00.000+13:00

I don't know what I've done but my brain is full and is in danger of seizing up completely. Could be the late night on Wednesday - we didn't get home until midnight which is way past my bedtime on a school night. Could be because I just haven't been going to bed in good time so even before the late night I was tired. Last night I was tucked up in bed by 9.30 and my brain just would not shut down. It buzzed around in ever decreasing circles making whimpering noises whilst everyone else in the house snoozed away. Nights can be incredibly long in those situations. Plus, today is seeming to be quite long because I have a nagging something (not quite a headache, just a ... thing) in my forehead. Squinty eyes in the bright sunlight as well. Waaaay too tired for coherence or paragraphs it seems!

Growing up

2007-03-08T11:44:00.000+13:00

iGirl in action

I read something the other day about children growing up and its reminded me of something my niece, the iGirl, used to do. Before I went overseas in October last year, she wasn't saying the letter 's' at the beginning of words. When my mother asked her what she did in the garden, the answer was "niff and mell". But by the time we got to Christmas, she'd passed through this cute stage and was "sniffing and smelling" all over the place. But as a result of passing through this stage, I lost the cute nickname as she tried to say my name. Very sad.

I have another iGirl story: I called in one morning to pick up her father (my brother) to take him to work. The iGirl was all very matter of fact about me being there and once I'd turned up, had factored me into her day. When I announced that I was going off to work she was very worried: "Who is going to look after me?" was said in a tone of alarm even though her mother was in the next room.

I wanted to include these two little stories here because I've discovered that I've already forgotten so much of what my nephews used to do and if I make a note of the stories here, then I can reference them later.

Weekend adventures at the Classic Boat Show

2007-03-06T17:03:00.000+13:00

Early(ish) morning at the head of Lake Rotoiti, South Island

This amazing contraption is powered by spoons! Mind you, he only entered the water when there was no-one else around.

The drive/motor/row/sail (there was no wind so they just drifted) past.
Note two of the eight steam boats!

Where did my love of reading come from?

2007-02-26T13:36:00.000+13:00

A fantastic town - must go back! October 2006

I was reading a post on another blog today about reading in schools and where does your love of reading and writing come from and, more importantly, how easily it can be killed off as you go through the schooling system. This discussion resonated with me as I had a very relaxed weekend reading new books and dipping into old favourites.

My family are avid readers and always have been. My grandmothers both read a lot and I can remember going into my great grandmother's room with her breakfast tray (it was a treat to be allowed to carry it) and she had to clear a space for it amongst her knitting and books. Reading books under the bedclothes with a torch after the light had been turned off because you simply HAD to know what was going to happen next.

The agonies of trying to limit the number of books to borrow from the library down to a mere 3 or 4. And then running out of new reading material before you get back to the library. My parents have always read extensively. My father usually has more than 1 book on the go. (I've inherited that tendency as well - I think I have 3 on the go at the moment.) We always got a book in our stocking on Christmas morning and that kept us quiet for most of the day.

Now that I have nephews and a niece its great to see that our family tradition of being avid readers is continuing. They all love books. There is always book reading before bed. The fastest way to quieten them down is to offer to read a book and even if one of them is uninterested at the time of the offer, they usually sneak over before the book is finished. When my father was visiting my brother when he had a leg injury one day, he ended up with a hoarse voice. He was stuck on the sofa with his leg up and the youngest boy kept backing in with different books to be read, virtually all day I believe.

I'm a fast reader which I considered to be an asset at school. When we had to read a book, I could read it really quickly to find out what happened and then reread it more slowly to pick up all the nuances. I know that this frustrated some of my friends that weren't great readers as they often didn't make it all the way through. But when I read a book, I get absolutely lost in it and don't even hear people when they talk to me.

When I was about 20, I went and stayed with family friends in Australia and was in a state of shock when I discovered that they didn't even have a set of bookshelves. They were very out-doorsy people and were always doing things, rather than curling up with a book. Their daughter (a few years younger than myself) had to buy a dictionary for school and I had to show her how to use it! She had stayed with us the previous year and found our family frustrating. In the evenings we would all be sitting around reading and she would have nothing to do and would start bouncing off the walls.

So books and reading have always played an important part in my life. I can't imagine never reading. I even take books with me when I go camping. Those books collect quite a bit of wildlife as sandflies tend to squished into the pages.

As for English teachers at school, I can't say that any of them particularly inspired me but I always enjoyed the subject. I think the best year was the last year when we studied war poetry and romantic poetry. I found it interesting to look at the poetry by type, rather than by author. The downside of English was having to read 'The Hobbit' in my first year at secondary school. I've since reread it and enjoy it now but having to read it chapter by chapter and discuss it as we went was like drawing teeth.

Autumn already?

2007-02-23T15:49:00.000+13:00

Autumn colours in Edinburgh, October 2006

Its hard to believe but I'm already seeing some autumn colours around the place. Driving to work this morning a row of poplars were starting to change. Now I know that these trees are one of the first to go but it seems a little early as we haven't had our summer yet and I'd like to register a complaint. Yes, we've had a week of hot weather but its raining today and 1 week does not a summer make. I've even had to use my drier this summer which is unheard of for me so take note, whoever is organising the weather - I'm not impressed. Could be better. Try harder please.

Being brave & drawing in public

2007-02-21T12:51:00.000+13:00

Gardener's shed, London, October 2006

I'm not brave and I don't draw in public but I've just been reading an old article on Danny Gregory's website and it reminded me of an artist I met in London when I was there in October.

My little blister and I had just done a 2 hour walking tour (where I took the above photo) and were absolutely shattered. We staggered into the nearest coffee house (can't remember the name but it was lovely) and got sustenance. The only available seats were at the long bench in the front window, next to a young woman who was sketching in her journal.

We were both absolutely fascinated and impressed with what she was creating. She was drawing the building opposite in a long, narrow Moleskin so that the building took up the full length of both pages. After a while she hauled out another journal and started a different perspective of the same building.

Eventually I interrupted her to talk to her and I felt very self conscious about doing so. I didn't want her to feel as though I was snooping but I just wanted to let her know that I thought what she was doing was brilliant and that even better, she was just drawing while she was having coffee. It turned out she was a law clerk (I think, can't quite remember) and was on a break before heading back to work.

One of the commenters on Danny's post mentioned that when he's out drawing, so many people assume that you're either a full time artist or arts student. I had completely forgotten about this women until reading that post but I remember being surprised that she was wearing a suit. First impressions and assumptions - so often wrong.

New toys

2007-02-20T11:58:00.000+13:00

OK, so its not really a toy but I have just purchased a new laminator and its GREAT! Its small, relatively light weight (compared to the monster that threw a hissy fit and died) and fast. Fabulous. So new is better. I'll leave aside the whole discussion of whether the idea of turning biodegradable paper into plastic enclosed, live for ever laminates a good idea or not for someone else to sweat over.

Happy cat

2007-02-16T10:50:00.000+13:00

This is what we arrived home to the other night - a very happy cat basking in the lawn clippings. She was all nice and toasty and, surprisingly, smelt lovely when she came in.

She has been quite a pain in the mornings lately. This morning she woke us up at about 4.30am by bouncing on us and saying that it was a new day and where was her breakfast. By 5.30am I. had got fed up and locked her out of the room so I managed to get another hours sleep. Still, not as bad as the other night when we heard her calling from downstairs with her "I've got a present for you" voice. It was a live mouse and when I appeared half way down the stairs, she got so excited that I might be going to fed her her biscuits that SHE LET IT GO! Fantastic. 3am in the morning and I was in bare feet and I didn't have my specs on. It was all too hard so I just went back upstairs to bed. Its not a comforting thought to think that there's a mouse running around some where.

I. and I have a deal - I deal with the feathered things and he deals with rodents. I have a lot more things to deal with but really, I still believe I'm getting the better end of the bargain as dead rats, or rather the left over, half chewed bits of rats, are not my most favourite things. Mind you, on the days we come home from work to find piles of feathers on the floor I feel a bit hard done by as I'm scrabbling around on hands and knees trying to get all the feathers. I've learnt by bitter experience that its really best not to fire up the vacuum cleaner until you've collected the feathers 'cos otherwise they tend to get blasted from one end of the room to the other and it makes the whole job that much more difficult.

Who'd have pets!

Reminder of hotter days

2007-02-13T13:12:00.000+13:00

Russell lupin on Summit Road, Akaroa Harbour - Monday 5th

I've included the above photo to remind me that we have had some truly hot days but they've been few and far between. Driving to work this morning was dark, gloomy and cold. Lots of cars had their headlights on and it was depressing. This is meant to be one of our warmest months for heaven's sake! But after about half an hour at work, the clouds cleared and its turned into a fabulous day with minimal wind. One really can't predict the weather now days.

I had a surprise phone call about 4pm yesterday from my nephew L inviting me to go up the gondola 'RIGHT NOW!'. He loves the gondola with a deep abiding passion so as a treat for surviving his first 5 days at school, he got to go up the gondola with his mother and his favourite auntie (sorry E - but be reassured, he didn't mention T at all). The 'right now' part was that they were parked in the gondola car park already so I had enough time to grab my pass and exit. We had a lot of fun but I had to leave them up there and come back to work to put some payments through. Boring. Got an excellent view of the cruise boat that's in at the moment though. We'd guessed that there was a boat in because there were a lot of shall we say 'older people' wandering around over at the gondola. I still find it staggering that people would choose to come on a cruise from Australia to Lyttelton!

I've been driving my sports car a bit more lately. Its more challenging to drive than modern cars so sometimes I just can't be bothered with it but yesterday was more challenging than normal. As I was coming through town I noticed that changing gear was getting more and more difficult and that the gear lever felt quite loose. I decided to apply my positive theory to it (as in, believe that you'll be able to change gear easily and you will) which helped to a certain extent. Before I drove home I. had a bit of an investigation into it and having done so, volunteered to drive it home himself, for which I was very grateful. Its now parked up and he's ordered parts from the UK to repair it so who knows how long that will take to come through. Sigh. I was enjoying tooling around in it.

My Niece, the iGirl

2007-02-09T11:20:00.000+13:00

Spent a fair amount of time with my brother and his 2 (will be 3 later this year) children at the Sport Planes Association fly-in in Ashburton on Saturday afternoon. This is my niece, the iGirl, sitting in Papa's plane and not looking at her incredibly scary aunt i.e. me! She got over her 'shyness' fairly quickly and she and I spent the rest of the afternoon together walking around the aircraft and talking to the owners.

A Harvard put on a short aerobatic display which was really good. iGirl was fascinated by the smoke that it put out during the display and wanted to go over and see the plane at the end. When we got there an air force guy was polishing the prop but was more than happy to explain where the smoke came out and what he was polishing the prop with (it was grease!).

We spent the whole time talking. When she didn't hear what I said, she would say "Say" instead of 'pardon'. Very cute. She's also really into cups of tea - not for herself. Just the whole practice of sitting down with a drink and having a biscuit. The cafe scene really suits her.

After we'd been in the Aviation Museum watching a video of a top dresser putting on an exhibition (she wanted to know way more than I could explain), she was given a large sticker of the new Air NZ airbus by one of the guys manning the Museum. Stickers always have to be used so she peeled it off and stuck it to her tummy where it stretched from one side to the other. I, of course, forgot to get a photo of that.

I have high hopes of the iGirl being a petrol head. We've already had a discussion about how my sports car is for girls to drive, that her Daddy can't drive it because he's a boy and when she's a big girl she'll be able to drive it. Her father just rolled his eyes when I told him.

Photo shoot

2007-02-08T12:05:00.000+13:00

First thing this morning at work we raced out and took photos of cars. Lots of fun. Got to try funny angles and what we thought were arty shots. The only real problem was that a) I was wearing heels which aren't the best for scrabbling around in shrubbery trying to get a different vantage point, and b) the seal leaks tar so we couldn't lie down, kneel or lean on it without getting tar stuck to our hands and clothes. Lots of fun though but I came back in all hot and sweaty even though it was an overcast morning.

Spotted

2007-01-31T08:54:00.000+13:00

Yesterday - the peacock that I've spotted before, just wandering down the road in a very relaxed fashion.
This morning - a sheep, looking fairly alarmed, heading towards the Lyttelton tunnel. The tunnel guys managed to detour it off the road and up the side out of the way. When I left they were trying to decided how to catch it!

Creative Challenge #3

2007-01-29T14:34:00.000+13:00

Penelope Illustration has set a creativity challenge, of which taking a photographic record of your day is the third. I initially set out to take photos every 1/2 hour and I started out well. But then I forgot and there would have been endless photos of a computer and keyboard and I would have been feeling even more robotic than I did (middle photo, 2nd to bottom line - it was how I was feeling at the time). So its more the edited highlights of my day!

Changeable weather

2007-01-29T11:56:00.000+13:00

I know I talk about the weather a lot (maybe it comes from having grown up on a farm where the weather is SO important in every day life) but these photos are an excellent example of the type of weather we've been having lately. They were all taken from my office window over the space of a couple of hours.

top photo: 9amish - lovely sunny day
middle photo: 10ish - sou'west cloud starting to appear over top but we still have hope that a nor'west might appear out of nowhere and blow the cloud out to see
bottom photo: 10.30ish - all hope of a nor'west has gone, the day has gone to the dogs

I didn't take any more photos after that because really, how exciting are photos of drizzle and general yuck? They pretty much sum up what our summer has been like.

Comet spotting

2007-01-25T08:32:00.000+13:00

After forgetting to go out and look at McNaught's comet on the only clear night this week (Monday night), we've been staying up a bit later to see if the cloud will clear enough to see it. Finally, last night we had some limited success. There was low cloud which was diffuse enough higher up to see the moon so we decided to just drive out into the country away from the lights and take pot luck and we were lucky.

We parked on the side of the road, turned off all the lights and stepped out into the pitch black and could see a pale vertical streak in the sky. Eventually the clouds parted long enough for us to see the head of the comet as well. Its HUGE! I was a bit concerned that we wouldn't be able to find it but there was no problem.

I'm not sure if it was because I need new glasses or if there was a bit of cloud over it but it wasn't particularly clear. Maybe if we'd stayed out there longer the sky would have darkened more so it would show up more clearly, but there was a huge bank of clouds approaching that were completely covering the sky so we didn't feel like it.

So, limited success but well worth trying to see on another night.

Escaping the Office

2007-01-22T14:45:00.000+13:00

I took this snapshot as I travelled up the gondola on Friday and roasted in the heat that was the little glass cubicle. As long as we were moving it wasn't too bad but when we stopped, well, heat city. It wasn't even particularly sunny either, just nice and warm for a change.

This is to prove to my little blister that yes, I did take a break and escape the office BUT it wasn't totally unprovoked - a friend rang and said she was going up to do some work so I met her up there. Doesn't fit the criteria we set up does it E?

Summer fruit

2007-01-18T13:05:00.000+13:00

I have just gone and bought a box of Sundrop apricots from a grower in Horotane Valley and they are FANTASTIC. I think apricots are my favourite fruit, although a fresh, ripe nectarine would run a close second.

Horotane Valley has always been the traditional place to buy apricots and it was absolutely beautiful round there today. Even though its a beautiful day there's a sneaky easterly blowing at work but round in the valley there was no wind, it was quiet and all very lush and green looking. All the properties have apricot trees growing everywhere and the orange fruit really glows in the sun.

I bought this box lot from a lovely old man near the top of the valley. You can also pick your own fruit but I really can't justify the time off work to do so. Its a lot of fun buying from the grower. When I said that I was wanting to eat them he swapped some fruit from other boxes over so that there was a lot of good eating fruit (as opposed to jam or bottling). Unfortunately, by the end of this week the fruit will be pretty much over for the season but then the apricots from down south will start coming in which helps to extend the season. But in the meantime we all stuffed ourselves with fruit at lunchtime.

Reading

2007-01-16T14:53:00.000+13:00

This year I've decided to keep a list of books that I read, just out of interest. I don't normally do any New Year's resolutions as I'm aware that I will probably not keep them but a list of what I read is quite different. Its not a resolution, its just a record.

Interestingly its already made a difference to the way I'm reading which I'm finding quite strange. I tend to read and reread books, mostly because I read incredibly quickly and if I didn't reread books, I would have to borrow a huge quantity from the library and friends and my arms would lengthen with the weight of books I'd be carrying around. So I've already come to my first quandary in my list: when I reread a book, do I list it again or do I pretend that I've only read it the once. At this stage I'm leaning towards the listing again option.

We're up to January 16th and already I've read ten (10) books! BUT because of the list I'm trying to space out my reading - what's with that? It should just be a genuine list, a record, of what passes in front of my eyes.

Out of interest here they are:
• Mister Pip Lloyd Jones
• Scaredy Cat Mark Billingham
• Sea Glass Anita Shreve
• Between a Rock and a Hard Place Aron Ralston
• My Own Words Judy Bailey
• Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen (again)
• The Creative License Danny Gregory
• Under the Duvet Marian Keyes
• Miss Garnet's Angel Sally Vickers
• an as yet unpublished novel by a friend (which was excellent)

Quite an eclectic collection - ranging from murder mysteries to biographies. I'd have to say that it wasn't a good idea to read Judy Bailey's book straight after Aron Ralston's harrowing tale (he's the guy that cut his arm off to save his life). Both were biographies and at any other time I would have enjoyed Judy Bailey's book much more but after Aron's - well, what can I say? I didn't read anything for a couple of days after that one.

So, that's the list so far. I can't see that I'll be adding to it soon as I'm currently without any new books to read. Have to do some rummaging at friends' places. I may do the occasional review as well if I feel like it.

Mini expedition for sea run trout

2007-01-12T17:42:00.000+13:00

Salmon fishermen at the Rakaia River mouth (south bank)

Had a great little expedition down to the Rakaia River mouth last week. Its not far as the crow flies but we have to drive up to the Rakaia bridge and then all the way down the other side to get to the best fishing place so it takes at least 3/4 hour. On the plus side, it means when you come back you drive past the icecream shop!

I. is not a salmon fisherman but likes to try to get sea run trout. They have the same pinkish colour flesh that the salmon have, but not as strong, and they taste much better than river trout which are often muddy. He didn't have any luck this time but I was fascinated by all the activity down there.

We saw: one man catch a salmon, which got everyone else very excited and a lot more people started to fish; small terns (fairy terns maybe?) gorging on little silvery fish about the size of your smallest finger that were swimming in from the sea right on the edge of the waves; a cormorant going after the same fish further up the river and he wasn't even having to swim under water; a man driving a large & heavy 4W drive truck almost getting stuck but managing to get out of the soft sand by slamming the vehicle into reverse straight away; 2 guys further up the river that stood in the same spot the whole time we were there, casting and reeling in but catching absolutely nothing - I would find that dispiriting.

So all in all there was a lot of activity and I wasn't bored at all. But the best bit was trying out the new cafe at Rakaia on the way back (too cold for icecreams even though its summer) and having a fabulous date scone. Yum.

A domestic goddess I'm not!

2007-01-11T16:34:00.000+13:00

Even though I make no claims on the domestic goddess front, its a great feeling when you produce homemade jam! This was a brew of black currant & rhubarb jam - the black currants came from our neighbour's garden and the rhubarb from mine & the neighbour's & a friend's garden. I got 12 pots of jam (some of them are quite small) and it was very satisfying. I think I prefer this jam to straight black currant as its not quite as strong. It goes extremely well on scones with whipped cream as well.

Garden tours & weekend adventures

2006-12-06T13:52:00.000+13:00

Taken in London, October 2006

This weekend reminded me of wandering around public gardens in London as I came across some of the most amazing roses in both cases but in London they were at least labelled. I'm not sure if we can get this rose here but I remember that it had the most amazing fragrance. This weekend I came across other amazing roses but because it was all in private gardens, nothing was labelled so I'm not able to find them again.

The garden tour was on Saturday which was fine but there was a very cold easterly blowing. Most of the gardens had great shelter so we ended up almost too hot and I'm not complaining. My neighbour, Y., had organised the tickets and it was over in the West Melton area so the gardens were all very large. One of these days I must do a town garden tour so I can see how people cope with small sections.

But it was interesting. I found that the gardens I liked the best were those that were full of plants and had lots of nooks and crannies. One garden in particular was being set up in a grand scale and I found it to have no soul - it appeared to all be for show and it didn't feel lived in. First time I'd been to a garden where I've had that reaction! There were 5 gardens in total and we were to go around them in a certain order to allow the entertainment to happen. What happened for us was that we ended up going around them before the entertainment as it allowed us more time to browse without getting interrupted. It also meant that we missed the crowds (and mad drivers) which was an added bonus.

Seeing all those gardens did inspire me though. I came home and did some weeding before it started to rain on me. I weeded around my herbs that had disappeared into the jungle and when it came time to get the parsley on Monday night, it was easy to find. I must buy some pea straw this week to smother the new weeds that will now be frantically growing.

Sunday was a picnic brunch out at Waihora Domain. Once again it was a very cold easterly but once our friends had positioned their campervan upwind to block it, it became very hot when the sun came out. And yes, I've now had my first sunburn (extremely mild) for the season. Its not summer until I've been sunburnt. I am an incredibly slow learner! I carry sunblock in all the cars and I would say that I always put it on, except that I always get burnt at least once a season. Very frustrating as I have very pale skin and burn to a crisp in what seems like nan0-seconds.

By midday we'd decided to head off and do some Christmas shopping which was great. I got all my nephews and nieces presents and we were home again by mid-afternoon. I've still got a long way to go but at least I have the important presents done. We're planning on getting our Christmas tree this weekend as well. Very exciting.

Another month over already

2006-12-01T11:11:00.000+13:00

Now that its December I can officially start thinking about Christmas. I find it very hard to do any Christmas shopping before December as it seems far too early. I struggled with the fact that in the UK all the department stores had their Christmas shops set up in October - it seemed obscenely early!

Its the first official day of summer and to celebrate we have a very cold southerly. 2 days ago we had screaming nor'westers and very high temperatures and today I have the heater on in my office. At least the weather is consistently predictable: 2-3 days hot & windy, 2-3 days cold & wet which should mean that the weekend will be fine as yesterday it rained as well!

Speaking of yesterday, I had a fantastic day. I took the morning off (which turned into the afternoon as well) and helped my friend J. in her business. She owns a furniture rental business and was putting furniture into an empty house that was for sale. There was a bit of a time constraint as the first open home was at 3pm yesterday afternoon but we thought we'd easily get it done.

Issue #1: Raining, therefore when shifting the furniture it all had to be covered with sheets to protect it.
Issue #2: Very narrow windy drive that you can't get the furniture truck up and its a back section.

Put those two things together and it meant lugging all the furniture by hand up the drive, without it getting wet or damaged and, more importantly, without hurting ourselves! But we made it.

I found it fascinating to see how different the house felt after we'd put the furniture in. The difference was really obvious when we were part way through and people started coming in to see the house. Even though the open day was at 3pm, real estate agents were bringing people through before that which did slow us down quite a bit. You can't really continue to assemble a bed when people are standing in the middle of the bedroom or vacuum around them! But the furniture made quite a difference because people were exclaiming that the second bedroom does fit a double bed once we'd put one in.

But it all took us a lot longer than we expected and we only walked out of the house at 2.20pm! I was absolutely shattered, so after I'd dropped J's car back home, I took myself off to Cafe Red at the Riccarton Library for lunch. I went there because our friend Walpole runs it and I hadn't been there before. He was able to come and sit with me for a while which was lovely. It was a great spot and the food and company were excellent. Another point in its favour is that the cafe is right by the magazine racks so there's plenty of excellent reading material available.

By then it was 3.30pm and it would take me half an hour to get to work so I bailed on the whole idea, went grocery shopping (so exciting!) and then on home. At which point another issue arose. Namely that I didn't have a door key! Remember that it was raining as well. So I spent a good half hour breaking into the house, which I eventually managed to do. I would not make a good burglar. At one point I'd actually given up and went across to the neighbours to cadge a coffee but they weren't there so I had to go back and try again. Serve me right for not having the key on me.

I was a very tired little girl last night after my big day out.

Holiday Weekend coming up

2006-11-16T12:45:00.000+13:00

Today is the last day of the working week - tomorrow is Christchurch Show Day. Traditionally its a screaming hot nor'west day but its come a day early so we've got that today. Apparently the forecast is for thunderstorms over the weekend. Fabulous. Hard to believe that on Monday I was wearing a jacket, scarf and jersey and the last 2 days have been true summer weather.

Normally in a shorter week I'd be in a big panic trying to fit 5 days work into 4 but for some reason I haven't been in panic mode this week. Not really sure why. Maybe its the after effects of the 3 week holiday last month. I've been trying to remember when the last time was that I took more than 1 week's holiday and I can't remember. Even though I try to get a couple of weeks off over Christmas and New Year, some of that time is spent at home and inevitably I end up doing some work over that period. The joys of self employment. It must be true that holidays are good for you if I still feel relaxed about life. More likely is that I've overlooked something and just before I leave tonight I'll find it and then have to come back to work over the weekend.

That sounded very pessimistic and that's not what I meant at all. I enjoy what I do - I just have to work out how to do it more efficiently and earn a better income.

The photo is taken L.A. and is of an unknown but fabulous tree - I think Dr. Seuss must have been American because these are the trees in his books!

Trip Report: Getting to the UK

2006-11-13T17:04:00.000+13:00

Venice Beach, L.A. - 10am(ish)

I've decided that I really need to do a trip report because they're such fun - for me anyway. This first part will cover the getting to the UK because it was a bit of an adventure, mostly because it took 48 hours instead of the expected (and usual) 24.

We flew from Christchurch to Auckland to catch the international flight without any problems and sat in the Koru Lounge (thank goodness for mothers that are members) snacking on free food and reading interesting magazines whilst waiting to be called for our flight, which never happened! First of all there were technical delays and then at about 11.30pm, there was an announcement that they were going to change the engine(!!!) on the plane and we were going to have to overnight in Auckland. Personally, I'm all for changing the engine if there's any issues.

So we were loaded onto buses and shipped out to a hotel for the night, what was left of it considering we had to be back downstairs for the bus at 5.30am. That was a definite challenge. My mother and I decided that we'd have separate rooms because we could and both had an excellent, although short, night's sleep.

Once we were back at the airport (and ensconced in the lounge again) we were told we could spend the day in Auckland and catch that evening's flight or take the flight to L.A. and overnight there. We decided to do that because neither of us had spent any time in L.A. and it would give us half a day there. Loaded up and flew off without any issues.

For some reason our luggage was REALLY slow coming out in L.A. so we were on the last shuttle to the hotel and by the time our bus got there, there was no room left at the inn. Loaded back onto the bus and to another (better) hotel where I eventually staggered into bed at 2.30am local time. Up and meeting mother for breakfast by 8.30am which is really good going for me.

My mother had met another passenger on the flight at breakfast who had found out about a bus tour that left in half an hour so there was a bit of a rush on my part to a. eat and b. pack out of the room before going! Made it though. We were the only 3 from our flight doing the tour - most of the others had opted to sleep in and try going for a walk later.

The tour was called a Hollywood tour and it was excellent. I came away from the tour wanting to come back to L.A. and having a good explore. The first part was hilarious as we went to the tour company's depot where we paid for our tour and were sorted onto the appropriate buses. Included in our fee was free popcorn! Not at that time of the a.m. for me I'm afraid but people did take advantage of it - it smelt a bit revolting on the bus later.

I couldn't get over the brightness of the light. I wasn't expecting it as NZ is considered to be bright but I'd have to say that I found L.A. brighter. I had my glasses on so hadn't brought my sunglasses with me and thoroughly regretted it. I spent most of the morning with my eyes all squinted up and watering. Mind you, I'm not sure that I would have been able to get my lenses in anyway. Venice Beach, which was our first stop, was completely blinding - the photo really does not show the glare.

The only other problem we had was that we had no US money as we weren't expecting to be there at all. There was a mid-morning break to allow shopping and my mother and I had to run around and try to find somewhere to change money so we could buy water. Ridiculous really.

So thoroughly enjoyed our tour. When we got back to the hotel the others told us that they'd tried to go out walking but there was nowhere to go. I'd heard before that L.A. is a car city and that people don't walk anywhere but had forgotten that so was glad we'd done the tour thing.

The flight from L.A. to the UK was absolutely horrendous as the airline had put 2 flights together and the plane was completely full. Not a spare seat anywhere. So it was noisy, hot, crowded, queues for the toilets and we had terrible seats in the middle and not together! Do not want that experience again. Didn't sleep on that leg at all.

Once we got to Heathrow we had to wait for at least 30 minutes on the tarmac while our slot was cleared. That was a real pain but we seemed to go through customs fairly quickly. Because we'd now arrived on a Sat instead of a Fri E & T had come out to meet us which was fabulous. So great to see them and they escorted us to their flat.

To be continued.

Giant boulders

2006-11-10T11:21:00.000+13:00

Castle Hill on Saturday

Its been ages since I've been on here but I've been having lots of adventures - the main one being a holiday in the UK to visit my sister and her husband. Lots of fun but I did catch her cold and its particularly revolting - thank goodness for the day/night drugs that dry you up so you can at least function and don't end up with a sore & red nose.

Last Saturday (first weekend back) I went up to Castle Hill with the Ellesmere Camera Club for a day shooting artistic photos. I must confess to not feeling particularly artistic but did get a couple of shots I'm happy with. I don't have a fancy camera and lens so am a bit limited with what I can do but it was fun and nice to get out and about in some lovely weather.

The rocks are fabulous. When we first got there, there were only a couple of people mooching around but by the time we left there were quite a few rock climbers scrambling around having fun. Definitely a young person's game - they were all very fit and enthusiastic.

Adventures on the high seas

2006-09-25T11:14:00.000+12:00

I. had wanted to go fishing at Kaikoura yesterday. A friend of his had rung on Friday saying he was going to be there and that the weather looked perfect for it. I. hadn't been able to convince any of his fishing buddies to join him at such short notice so was going anyway.

Sunday morning was so beautiful (warm nor'west which means a flat sea at Kaikoura) that I decided I would go as well. We left a bit later than we intended (late night the previous night but that's another post) and had a very cruisy drive up. The good thing about towing a boat and having to travel more slowly than cars is that you're always driving into a clear road - everyone passes you and heads off and you never catch anyone up.

Anyway, got to the Kaikoura coast and the sea was the flattest I've ever seen. We launched at South Bay and could see that there were lots of boats out, with a few coming back. Presumably they started a lot earlier than us as it was now lunchtime. It was brilliant motoring across the bay - the water had that oily smooth look that the Sounds has and there were huge flocks of Sooty Shearwaters resting on the water. We also passed many seals just lolling about looking very relaxed.

We get to where I. wanted to fish but first he had to get the depth sounder working. There are a lot of very pointy rocks at Kaikoura and we didn't want to end up on them. Very shortly he had a line in the water and caught . . . a Jock Stewart. So that got tossed back but it looked promising. At this point I got distracted by a pod of Hectors Dolphins that cruised past and under the boat - they are extremely cute.

Then the southerly hit. There was absolutely no warning. Other boats that were around us fishing hadn't started back or anything. We hadn't missed any warning signs. One moment the ocean was a millpond and looking beautiful, the next it was a hurly burly and cold. Thankfully I was wearing my ski jacket so I didn't get too cold on the long trip back and it certainly was a long trip. Even though we were running with the wind, the sea was extremely choppy with some quite unpleasant swells. At one point I. almost fell on me as we dropped off a peak into a trough. But it never felt dangerous - just uncomfortable.

The most difficult part was retrieving the boat as the southerly hammers onto the boat ramp. First of all I. had to get me onto the jetty which was challenging as there were lots of boats hanging on, instead of dropping the retriever of the car off and moving away to let other boats in. Then some inconsiderate parkers on the ramp so that other people had no room. But the main challenge was getting the boat on the trailer as the wind kept pushing it off the side. This was the point when we got the most wet as we basically had to jump in and push the boat on! Very cold.

I'd bought a change of clothes but we had to go and buy I. shorts and a t-shirt! The shop assistant was very accommodating and allowed I. to drip into her changing room and wear the new clothes out, thankfully, so I was the only one that had to change on the side of the road. Mind you, when you're as cold as I was, you don't really care - all you want is to get the warm, dry clothes on NOW! We then followed that up with a hot coffee and a muffin - they tasted really great as well.

So it wasn't a particularly successful fishing expedition but it did turn into more of an adventure than we were expecting. Adventures are always a good thing! We got lots of fresh air and did enjoy ourselves. Slept like logs last night. Obviously I have no photos to add because it really wasn't the weather for waving the camera around. Next time.

Less than 2 weeks to go

2006-09-22T15:01:00.000+12:00

Its just under a fortnight to go & I'll be off to the UK. This time in 2 weeks I'll still be on my way there - some where over the Atlantic I suspect. Excitement.

To add fuel to the fire, the little blister and I are going to Paris! We'll only be there for 2 nights but I don't care. Paris! Sights, coffee and struggling with my 6th form French. What more could a girl want. Well, a bit longer would be perfect but its a taster for next year.

I'm trying to not get over excited at this point because I've still got a lot of work I want to get done before I go but its fun to get excited.

Wet weekend

2006-09-20T09:45:00.000+12:00

Just a quick note to say that, as predicted, it was a very wet weekend but the company more than made up for it! Highlights from the weekend -

Flock of wood pigeons taking off from a tree as we drove past - there were at least 20 of them
69 classic cars blatting along the West Coast roads
Excellent coffee at Punakaiki
Saturday night function at Shanty Town where (almost) everyone dressed up
Fantastic croissant at Cafe de Paris in Hokitika
Whenever we stopped we always ran into friends
Wild sea and fantastic views

Swallows yet again

2006-09-14T15:54:00.000+12:00

It's very hard to get photos of these flighty little guys (presumably 1 guy and 1 girl). This is one of the pairs of Welcome Swallows that are building the nests you saw in yesterday's post. They perch on this skylight to preen, rest and look at us suspiciously. So very cute. In case you hadn't already guessed, I'm a bit of a bird nut (you can blame my mother for that) and it is truly exciting to me that they're building a nest where I can see it.

Today has been an absolutely fabulous day with no wind. The paraponters have been floating down over head all day, visitors to the gondola just lazing around in the car park and not so long ago, 3 young guys skateboarding in the gondola car park. Everyone is very relaxed. I haven't been so relaxed because I'm taking tomorrow off and we're going on a classic car tour so have been trying to clear the decks a bit. But I'm definitely starting to feel the weekend coming on now.

The tour starts in Maruia at the local primary school at lunchtime with the locals catering lunch for all of us (I think there's 60 cars) as a fundraiser for the school. Then we off to the West Coast for 2 nights in Greymouth with a fair bit of driving in between. Unfortunately the weather is likely to be fairly moist - if its fine here on the east coast then its usually wet on the west. Our car leaks a bit as well so it will be everything in large plastic bags and hope for the best. These classic car events are always a lot of fun because they're very social and we've made many good friends over the years - its a great opportunity to catch up with everyone. One of the best things about them is that it forces you to take a weekend off from the daily grind of just living. Here's to holidays.

Nest building progress

2006-09-13T10:55:00.000+12:00

Top photo taken this morning, bottom photo taken 31/8/06

As you can see, the nest on the left is now HUGE - I'm not sure how the swallows manage to fit in but they are still very busily flying backwards and forwards to it. The nest on the right has increased slightly in size but I haven't seen any birds flying to it for a couple of days which is sad.

Yesterday at about 3pm we heard a sonic boom from a meteorite entering the earth's atmosphere. Because there's a workshop downstairs with flammable goods in it, at first we thought someone had managed to blow themselves up and then when everyone appeared looking hale and hearty, we thought a petrol storage tank might have blown up in Lyttelton. But it was all over the news that a meteorite had caused the boom which shook this building - quite an impressive feat as its made of concrete. Apparently they've found a piece of it somewhere near Hinds. How cool is that?

Random thoughts on a sunny spring morning

2006-09-12T11:24:00.000+12:00

Rakaia River mouth lagoon

I've just realised that I've stopped taking photos! I had three functions last week where I would have normally waved my camera around and I didn't. Partly because at the two birthday parties there were so many cameras being used there weren't a lot of participants left that were just being at the party, instead of recording it. But also partly because of the local photography club I've joined.

I've got nothing against the club - I really enjoy it. Its the only local thing I do as I don't work locally. I guess the problem is that instead of taking more photos and trying different things, I've gone the other way and given up which is ridiculous! I'm learning a lot from the discussions at the club about taking photos, so instead of feeling that my photos are amateurish (nothing wrong with that) I should be trying harder. So starting from today I'm going to try and take at least one photo a day.

The down side of not taking photos at the birthday parties is that I now don't have many photos from them as only 1 person has shared their photos with me (unsubtle hint to my family!). I've learnt my lesson though. I'm about to go now and take a progress photo of the swallows when I have coffee.

How do I know spring is here?

2006-09-08T11:10:00.000+12:00

Apart from the frantic nest building by the swallows, the frolicking lambs in paddocks, blossom on trees and daffodils doing their thing everywhere? I know its spring because the sun now shines directly onto my computer screen in the mornings which, while lovely, does making working more of a challenge.

It always seems a sacrilege to block the sun out but I just have to, to achieve anything. In about another month the sun is higher and it doesn't affect my ability to work to the same extent.

Yay for spring though!

More progress on the nest building

2006-09-01T17:15:00.000+12:00

I know this photo isn't particularly clear but there are two nests and there's a swallow standing in the partially built nest on the left. Last year the nest was in the middle of the 2 beams so its interesting that this year they've shifted. I don't think there would have been much nest building going on today as the painters were water blasting the roof over them which would be enough to put any little bird off. Hopefully it hasn't put them off entirely - I won't know until Monday.

Swallows

2006-08-30T16:58:00.000+12:00

Just a quick note to say that the swallows are back but there's two pairs building nests in the same area this year. We're wondering if its one of the babies from last year back being a grownup. I thought I'd try to take some photos of the construction so I'll try that tomorrow morning if its sunny as they really are hidden away. But its very cool.

Frustration!!!!

2006-08-29T09:49:00.000+12:00

Some times I just hate computers! @#%!*&!! I've spent the morning working on an image and what I see on screen is NOT what I'm getting printing out. Unbeeeeliieeeevable! Its probably something really simple that I've just forgotten about but its driving me dotty. I can feel my jaw clenching even as I type this.

Deep, calming breaths.

Nope, that didn't work. I sympathise completely with people that hurl their computers out the window. OK, back into the fray having vented my spleen - it did help!

Weekend report

2006-08-21T11:16:00.000+12:00

We had a great weekend, both weather-wise and getting stuff done-wise! On Friday night we went to help friends set up a stand at the classic car show at Pioneer Stadium. Its always reasonably awkward doing a stand there as its a wooden floor and is used for sport so everyone has to be super careful not to damage it.

We were doing a Peking to Paris 100th anniversary display which generated a lot of interest. G. had a map of the route that he put up and people from the other stands were coming over and shaking their heads when they saw it. Most people thought we were mad. The good thing about doing the stand this year is that G. works for a show (musical) company and we were able to use some props e.g. a camel, in our camping in the desert with our cars scene. It was all G.'s idea and we used upside down carpet to represent the sand. It was all quite effective.

I'd decided that I needed to come to work on Saturday because I hadn't got enough done during the week. I find that if I'm planning to come back to work, its best to do it on Sat because then its not hanging over me the whole weekend. I must admit that as I drove in on Sat in the warm and sunny day, I couldn't believe I was wasting a fabulous day at work but that's the way it goes sometimes.

I got heaps done, which was excellent. And afterwards I went over to J's place for coffee and a chat which is always fun. I borrowed the original 'Sabrina' DVD from her and watched it on Sat night. Obviously I enjoy the later one more (Harrison Ford, need I say more) but did enjoy it. Audrey Hepburn is gorgeous but the movie is so dated now - it was produced in 1954.

Yesterday was another great day so we got heaps done at home. I. has almost completely finished the front verandah - just a final top coat to go on all the paintwork and put up the last of the guttering and then its done. It looks good too. I gardened and am a bit stiff today but I'm sure its good for me. Managed to fill the wheelie bin with rubbish which is always the challenge of the weekend - it seems like such a waste of opportunity when it goes out half full.

Last night was just pottering around, doing dishes etc but I did manage to do some repairs to clothing - sewing on missing buttons. Seems like such a waste of time but its great to get some clothes back.

So, not the most exciting of weekends but we achieved a lot.

A social couple of days

2006-08-17T15:01:00.000+12:00

I've just come back to work after having lunch out for the second day in a row. This is very unusual for me but its been great fun. Today was lunch with a friend who has just had 10 days in Fiji and I know I shouldn't be envious, but when she was talking about how fabulous it was, I definitely felt the green-eyed monster stirring. Tropical island holidays always sound fantastic and I've never had one, which is ridiculous when you think how close to all these amazing islands we are.

Yesterday was lunch with my younger brother (hi D!). I hardly ever get to see just him now days and wanted to make the effort. Years ago, when I worked in St Albans, we'd sometimes get together for lunch in Merivale but it must be at least 10 years since then. Went to the Vic which was great but when I got back to the car I thought I had a ticket. All the parking in the area is only 60 minutes & I was well past that. It turned out that someone had gone down the street putting flyers on all the windscreens but they looked like a ticket from a distance.

While having a cup of coffee just now, we watched a paraponter take off from the hill above us, glide overhead and land in the park below. Very cool. They're appealing to try but I don't think I'm brave enough. As my other brother says, its bad enough controlling a sailing boat and that's only 2 dimensions. Stuff in the sky adds a whole other dimension. Plus, it could involve pain if it all goes wrong. Mostly with sailing its just very wet when it goes wrong.

The photo is in honour of the fact that (on the fine days) its starting to feel very spring like. Plums have started flowering, there are lambs every where and we're almost able to drive to and from work without using the lights. Very exciting. The pink camellia is one of two by my front door and they flower prolifically. This photo was taken last year in September but I noticed last weekend that they were both starting to flower. In another week or so they'll be smothered.

Wet, wild & windy

2006-08-08T13:24:00.000+12:00

I know I comment a lot on the weather here, I think partly because I grew up on a farm where the weather is so integral to your life and survival. Anyhoo, the weather the last couple of days has been pretty unbelievable. All the 3 w's mentioned above.

I'd been feeling confident about the lack of leaks in my office as I hadn't (note the past tense) had any for a couple of months but today I have 13 various types of containers scattered around the floor behind me catching leaks! I'd take a photo but it would be far too depressing. I'm beginning to believe that its the wind pushing the water somewhere so that it ends up in my office.

I'm putting off walking out to the mailbox to clear the mail because of the weather but I used that excuse yesterday as well and at some point one just has to grit one's teeth and brave the elements. If the postie can, then so can I.

Strange to think that my folks are still in the air on their way to the UK to see the little blister having left town last night. At this stage they'll be over the States somewhere. 24 hours in an aluminium can! Stranger to think that I'll be doing it in 8 weeks!! As my youngest brother says - you pay a fortune to sit in an aluminium can for 24 hours while people run around outside and change the scenery. Mind you, one of the scenery changes could well involve Paris and that is always a good option.

My diary has just popped up with the daily alarm that says "Focus". Its a very timely reminder and I'll do just that. Until next time, keep warm and stay dry.

Living on the Canterbury Plains

2006-08-03T09:44:00.000+12:00

Southern Alps taken from moving car

I read a post from KnittingIris the other day about driving through the plains in America and it got me thinking about living on the Canterbury Plains. I have lived in Canterbury all my life - growing up on a mixed cropping farm in Mid-Canterbury, education followed by work in Christchurch and now I live in a small village outside the city but work in the city.

The great thing about Canterbury is that you can see for miles. There's often strong winds which clear the air so you can see the Southern Alps to the west and a huge shingle coastline to the east interrupted by Banks Peninsula. No matter where you are you can always orient yourself by the mountains or Port Hills (Banks Peninsula) so its hard to get lost. From my office which is on the slopes of the Port Hills, I can look out now towards the north and can see over the estuary to the plains, sea and mountains. How lucky am I?

You're a maximum of 1.5 hours away from the mountains or the sea, no matter where you live. I grew up going skiing in the winter and sailing in the summer. Looking back it was a great childhood but I have always known that.

Today I was just rung up by a friend who said that she has some work to do in the foothills of the Alps so why don't I join her & we'll do afternoon tea afterwards at Terrace Downs (I've mentioned this place before - its a favourite). Superb. This is why I love living here - its so easy to get away. You can decide that you want to go and stand on a mountain and an hour later you're doing it, breathing in all that fresh air and appreciating life.

I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say. I think its along the lines of so many people think the plains are boring and they are when you're driving in a car on the main road from point A to point B, but there's so much more to them. The patchwork pattern of all the paddocks - you really know you're home when you fly over the Southern Alps and see the plains spread out. The joy of standing in a grass paddock in the summer and hearing a skylark singing its heart out but not being able to see it (this is making me feel very nostalgic). Pukekos running around in the wetlands. The ease of biking every where. Big sky and the feeling of being able to breathe. Huge open space and being able to see the horizon. It always gives me a sense of freedom.

Can hardly believe its a winters day

2006-07-31T16:33:00.000+12:00

More beach stones

For the last day in July we've been delivered up a perfect day - pity its a work day. When I went out for an appointment at 10am I didn't even take my jersey because its so warm and sunny. Hard to believe that August is generally the best skiing. The skifields are taking a bit of a hammering over the last few days with nor'west winds but I'm sure a southerly will come through to top them up before too long.

We had quite a productive weekend. With all the fine weather I was easily able to get all the washing done (it looms large on my horizon in winter weekends) and I. got more done on the front verandah. I even helped with the sanding down of some of the verandah posts!! Also did a token amount of gardening as well - its vital to fill the wheelie rubbish bin as otherwise you feel as though you're wasting an opportunity. The neighbours came back yesterday so it was our last chance to use their bin as well so more of the macrocarpa hedge was pruned. Its looking reasonably tame for the first time in ages.

Yesterday was fine but cold and wasn't really conducive to working outside. As I hate housework, we decided to go to the Little River Cafe for lunch. Before going I made the neighbours a welcome home lemon tea cake, which was a bit rushed and a little light on the lemon as I only had 1.5 lemons, instead of the required 2. We also lit their log fire as we thought they might be feeling the cold having been in Europe for a month with all the hot weather (we were right!).

Little River was full of cyclists as the Little River Rail Trail opened in the last couple of months so there were lots of people wandering around in their little dinky shorts and flash jackets (very cold wind). The cafe was doing a roaring trade so already Little River is reaping the benefit. Eventually the Rail Trail will go all the way from Hornby (Christchurch) via Lincoln and on out to Little River. When we were driving back to Chch all the cafes on the way had cars with cycles on racks at them.

What surprised us was how many people were walking the Trail. It goes around the edge of Lake Ellesmere and Lake Forsythe and I guess there are lots of photo opportunities but its a long way on foot!

One of the best things about the Little River Cafe is that there's an art gallery attached so not only do you get to eat great food, you get to have an art fix as well. They have a lot of local (Banks Peninsula and Christchurch) artists, which is great. I always come away wishing I could actually afford to buy art! But I also feel a bit more inspired to give my own art a go.

Canterbury winter

2006-07-27T10:46:00.000+12:00

I'm enjoying our winter weather at the moment. We're in a settled period of clear, frosty nights and beautiful sunny days. I was out on the deck upstairs with Barney at morning tea and even though I could see my breath, it was fabulously sunny. The mountains looked absolutely amazing as we drove in to work this morning and its noticeable that the sun is hitting them earlier in the mornings as the days get longer. These are all positive things.

Its now a bit later in the day and it has clouded over. My fingers are frozen (again) even though its apparently 20 degrees in here and I've had to turn the heater on. I think the problem is that I've been doing a bit of surfing instead of working which although fun, is not conducive to getting the blood circulating. I'm not about to leap to my feet and start doing star jumps but I think if I started running around doing actual work it might help.

In order to procrastinate a little bit longer, I'll now go and get the mail!

Blogging

2006-07-26T17:25:00.000+12:00

Iceplant showing winter colourings, Kaitoreti Spit

I have discovered something! If I read other peoples' blogs before trying to write something in my own, I tend to put off writing anything. Which is completely ridiculous as this is a space for me. If other people want to read it, well and good but its actually just for me. OK, maybe its for my family as well, particularly those that are overseas so they don't forget who I am.

The new moral for this blog/me: don't read other peoples' work before trying to write my own.

Wonderful weekend

2006-07-24T15:54:00.000+12:00

Although this looks as though we're looking across the sea, we're just looking across Lake Ellesmere from Fisherman's Point to Mt Herbert (in the middle with all the snow).

The weather this weekend was so settled and beautiful (no wind - hooray) that we achieved
lots around home and decided to go down to the sea by Lake Ellesmere to see the supposed 5m swell. Banks Peninsula looked fantastic with snow on all the high points and the lake was incredibly full and blue. Often its a bit murky as its a very shallow lake. I don't think the ocean swell was 5m because that's huge but it was breaking over the shingle bank and into the lake which was impressive.

It was lovely being out and about because so often I feel as though all we do in a weekend is household duties: washing, housework, house maintenance, car maintenance, gardening etc. Some of those things, gardening for example, I do enjoy but at this time of the year there's such limited time to get everything done before its dark or too cold that one starts to feel as though all one does is slave in the weekend.

Part of my problem is that I. always works really hard in the weekend, particularly on the cars, that if I'm relaxing having a quiet read, I feel quite guilty about not doing more. Not that I. suggests I should do more, its a self-imposed guilt which is one of the most guilty guilts you can get because you can't really have a rational discussion about it with yourself!

Don't get me wrong, I did take Sunday morning off to do a little (successful) shoe shopping and then have coffee with a friend so it certainly wasn't slaving away all weekend but I would have to say that sometimes home ownership is not all its cracked up to be. Part of the problem is, of course, that we bought a run down house and then didn't do any maintenance for a number of years and are now paying the price of trying to fit all those years of work into one year.

We did repair the barge board over the laundry to stop the starlings getting in and nesting this year and it looks great. Last year the starlings started nesting so early that they managed to raise two broods, virtually without a break so we never had a nest free opportunity to block the area off and I'm way too soft hearted to kill baby birds. Somebody suggested we could have pushed the cat into the gap but a. eeewwww and b. cats don't eat starlings anyway!

Out to dinner

2006-07-21T13:21:00.000+12:00

I just read a post on another blog (maliavale) that said to just write and not worry about what people think. That the writing is the important thing. It also said amongst other things, to write about your own city. So I will.

Last night I went out to dinner at Little Saigon, a Vietnamese restaurant on Colombo St. Its amazing how often we end up there, partly because there's always room, partly because they're very good about children, partly because the food is plentiful and cheap, but mostly because of the deep fried banana and icecream dessert! I'd never had this particular delicacy before being taken there a couple of years ago and now I ALWAYS make sure I have room for it, even though its full of everything I shouldn't be having.

Our friend K was up from Dunedin and had to head home today so we went to celebrate her getting her cast off her arm. Its been a real marathon for her and she doesn't have a lot of strength or mobility in her wrist yet. Thank goodness for ACC but she's desperate to get back to a full wage - she said she's going backwards at the moment. K, L and their daughter G were there, as was J. I. had decided to bail as he's spending today and the weekend doing some renovations with his brother on his mother's town house.

As usual, we had a great time. We always order Christmas Squid (its actually Crispy but our first experience of it was just prior to Christmas so yanno) but for the rest of the dishes we choose numbers at random, check what they are and go with it. I chose 22 first but when we discovered it was shark fin & mushroom soup, it got abandoned. Partly because I don't like mushrooms but mostly because we don't believe in the principle of shark fin soup. We always end up in a huge mess having eaten too much but its great. You can't pretend that its high-end cuisine but its always great and always open.

G turns 5 in a couple of months and is very artistic. Unfortunately she had a really bad cold and coughed an awful lot but was very good about it all. She's very artistic so her mother had bought along paper and pens. At one stage she asked me how to spell my name and then wrote it out so neatly under a drawing she'd done for me. I was able to find in my random diary a drawing she'd done one other time we'd been at the same restaurant when she was only 2. She said that she could remember that day because it was my birthday. Remarkable child!

Leaving the restaurant was freezing cold. It had been very cold and wet during the day but the skies had cleared so we could see stars which meant that it was going to freeze. Made for a lovely drive home though. But when I woke up this morning it wasn't frozen but is was seriously cold. A southerly had come through in the night with a howling wind.

We've had rain/hail/snow at work almost all day so far today, mostly of the horizontal variety. All the heaters are going full blast and even then they can barely keep up. You know what its like when you're sitting working at a computer - you hardly move and all your extremities start to freeze up and you can barely move your fingers. I've got the fan heater blowing under my desk and got icy fingers. I just can't picture 40 degrees on the London underground that the little blister was in yesterday right at the moment!

1st birthday party

2006-07-14T10:45:00.000+12:00

Meet my oldest and youngest nephews. They were examining the birthday boy's toy train set which was a huge hit. L. (on the left) is almost five and was just sitting with F. (the birthday boy) and letting him do his own thing. I just missed the shot where L. had his arm around F.

I suspect that this will make the little blister homesick! Sorry E.

I burnt a book!

2006-07-11T15:01:00.000+12:00

I did, I really did. After reading it, I ripped it into four sections and threw it into the log fire because it was so hideously bad. I cannot believe that it was published, let alone that they have published a sequel. There was no connection to the characters - I didn't care whether they lived or died - they were just boring. I'm not even going to say the name of the book because then someone might be tempted to go and buy it and its not worth it. It was absolute rubbish. I've never done this to a book before. Normally if I don't enjoy them I just file them on a bookshelf I don't look at all that often but this book didn't deserve any shelf space. Pah!

I feel much better for venting my spleen, as they say.

I feel . . .

2006-07-07T16:03:00.000+12:00

naked I tell you. I'm not in reality but I left my mobile on the charger at home and I feel completely lost. Something vital is missing. Pathetic. I need to get a life!

Nothing much happening

2006-07-06T12:01:00.000+12:00

I can't believe its been over a week since I posted. I think the problem is that I've been really stretched/stressed at work so by the time I get home, I've lost all enthusiasm to do anything. I had been casually sketching most nights as I lazed around - applying the theory that the more you practice, the better & more enthusiastic you get - but lately its all gone by the wayside.

I. and I did go along to the Ellesmere Photography Club for the first time on Monday night. I was quite excited about it because I have been enjoying taking photographs lately. I feel a lot less precious about them and will just have a go anyway. Often they don't work but digital has certainly eased the concern about cost and I like the instant feedback aspect.

Anyway, we walked over to the Masonic Lodge where the meeting was and much to our surprise, not only had they started on time but there was someone there we knew. Everyone was really friendly and I learnt a lot. We're going to join the club because its only $15 for a year and I'm going to try to be brave and put in a photo or two for assessment next month. Scary/exciting!

The weather this week has been very cold. There was snow on the hill above the gondola when we arrived at work yesterday and it snowed during the morning but the rain washed it away. Today I'm huddled in front of the heater trying to get my frozen fingers to work properly. At least the days are getting longer now!

Snow photos from fishing trip

2006-06-29T11:04:00.000+12:00

Telegraph Road

Castle Hill station

Snow covered bush on side of road at Flock Hill station

Frost on matagouri bush at Lake Pearson - even the sun wasn't melting it!