Boxing Day

I can't believe it but I have found the ABC Grandstand crew broadcasting the cricket from the MCG so I am unpacking to familiar voices and feeling a bit more like it's a real Boxing day. Hopefully they will cross to the start of the Sydney to Hobart & then I'll have the whole experience complete.

I went out this morning to pick up a few things (inc mustard for ham sandwiches) and managed to get some shots of the Pohutukawas. When you get a whole bunch together it looks fantastic.

Christmas eve

It's raining. I was really hoping to be able to take a photo of a NZ 'christmas tree' today but it may not happen. The Pohuhutawas are in bloom and some of the trees around here are massive, think Morton Bay Fig massive. They have big red fuzzy flowers against dark green leaves and look fantatastic and christmassy, but not in the rain.

It doesn't feel like Christmas. I guess because my usual routine is totally up the creek and I've been putting all my energy into getting things packed/unpacked, disconnected/connected and not baking and shopping. I have bought cards but they will probably be post-Christmas cards this year, I will make a valient attempt to get them off before the 31st!

House full of boxes

My stuff arrived on Wednesday! Who knew that a truck load of cardboard boxes could be so exciting. So far I have located sheets, towels, tea towels, bread & butter plates, bowls, half my doonas, two pillows, a small fraction of my coffee mugs and wine glasses, all my cake tins and all my shoes. No pegs, dinner plates, table cloths, cutlery or clock radio. Yet. The extra good news is that MAF (Ministry of Ag & Fisheries) does not want to fumigate or insinerate any of the things tthey inspected and they all arrive tomorrow.


Yesterday it rained most of the day so I got a fair amount done but today is fabulous and I am sitting on the balcony with my back to all the mess inside. This is the view. Well I'd better go and hang the washing out then get stuck into more unpacking. I might put my dining table back together so I have another flat surface to stack things on while I decide where they go.

Yesterday was a big day

The girls arrived and I discovered I am now the proud owner of two international standard pet carriers. Yes, those beautiful blue and safety orange creations are all mine - now sporting extremely well stuck on evidence of their travels including one hilarious sticker that has them identified at dogs. This was the only option as the other picutres were fish, birds or turtles. Makes you wonder how they would transport fish in a cage with very large breathing holes.

They spent the first hour doing circles of the house sniffing out all the corners and ended up in my wardrobe, I suspect because it's dark and quiet.

They don't seem to be showing any ill effects. In fact it has been business as usual today, I was woken at some shocking time with a demand for breakfast and we have spent most of the day lying around in the sun. As you can see Jess is enjoying herself, McDuff is jammed in a corner which I guess feels safer as there is nothing to hide under.

The other thing that happened was I got the internet connected at home so I'm now good to go with the blogging and not having to worry about doing it on work time.

Some special kiwi things

As promised here are some special kiwi things


Feijoa Smoothie bought in Christchurch airport


Think about what goes down the drain


Baby chocolate fish (a small school)


Lemon & Paeroa! World famous in NZ since ages ago

Those of you who know me really well will not the lack of Hokey Pokey ice cream and Shrewsbury biscuites. I'm trying not to overdose on all my favourite things, saving some for later now that I can have them ANY TIME I LIKE!

I survived Week 1

Really, I did a lot of stuff. I have...

Rented a house
Connected gas, electricity, phone & internet although phone & internet aren't working yet
Got myself a NZ mobile phone number
Heard my container arrives next Monday (yeah!)
Done my Council familiarisation tour
Had at least 2 meeting every day
Been to my first christmas function
Given mum & dad a v quick tour of the town

Not bad as first weeks go

I have been collecting photos of distinctly kiwi objects and as soon as I'm connected at home I'll be posting those as well as some of the house and most importantly the view - I can see the sea!

Surviving Day 1

I'm back at my desk (briefly) at the start of Day 2 so, yes I survivied Day 1. It went really well. I have a whole week of meetings scheduled with people from all over the organisation so hopefully I'll start to get a feel for how it all fits together.

Oh and I have rented a house! Lovely 2 bedroom place with views out over the sea from living, dining and main bedroom plus a fantastic big verandah at the back. It's walking distance to work as well which is great, means I don't have to worry about not getting any exercise.