Walking in the Hunua Ranges

Last weekend we decided to go out and enjoy some of the great countryside here. We headed off to the Hunua Ranges with a picnic and the intentions of a short walk and kicking a ball around. The countryside on the drive up there was so pretty. When we arrived we picked up a map showing the walking routes and decided to go for a short route for our first visit and picked the one and a half hour loop.

The start of the walk was through sub tropical forests and was really steep, after about a half hour walk up 'a mountain' my heart was racing faster than after a gym session. Although that's not saying too much I guess often my gym session would consist of quite a bit of time in the Sauna and spa pool! After another half hour steep walk we came across a sign post that didn't quite match where we thought we should be. After consulting our map again we realised the car park we'd set off from wasn't the one on the map and we were in an entirely different area of the forest! I must add here that I hadn't been in charge of the map reading, I left that to Darren - who should know better as a former scout!

The result of that meant we were on a three and a half hour walking loop! There was talk of turning back by the youngest member of the walking party but we decided to carry on. And I have to say it was well worth it the forest was beautiful, and about half way round it opened out to a picturesque dam - it reminded me a bit of Marsden (Huddersfield). We stopped there and ate our picnic, which included the most yummy bacon and egg pies.

At the end of the walk was a rock hop over a stream. It was a lovely place to go and reinforces some of the reasons why we came to New Zealand.

Every weekend feels like being on a holiday here, but just the same as being back at home Mondays come round so quickly!

photos taken on the walk - Rock hopping across the stream - Hunua Falls - A peek
of cossey Dam

More fun on Mount Ruapehu

Day 2 in the snow...

We woke up to another perfect day, brilliant blue sky no cloud and not a breath of wind. We decided to give snowboarding another go, to see if we could really master it. This time Kenny (our friend from Auckland) decided to give it a go as well, but without the lesson! I have to say he picked the going down the hill up really well, he was almost to the bottom of the slope before I'd even got going. The only thing was no-one had told him how to stop, so very painfully for him he had to fall to stop himself. He's been suffering ever since with sore ribs, its cruel to laugh at someone else's misfortune but it was one of the funniest sights ever - well so far that day!

After a couple of hours we decided our aching bodies could take no more of the snowboarding and headed much higher up the mountain on the ski lifts for some lunch and sight seeing. The views up there were amazing and the ski runs looked pretty scarey - not sure I'll ever be good enough to give them a go.

After lunch and a few photo opportunities we set off back down the ski lifts. I've never been too keen on travelling on the ski lifts, it makes me nervous having to jump off while the chairs are still moving. What happened next has made me even more scared of going on them. As we approached the bottom of the slope, a huge queue of people were waiting to go back up. I jumped off and tried to run to the side out of the way of the chair but got the toggle of my coat stuck in the chair. I shouted to the guy operating the chair that I was stuck but instead of stopping the chairs he asked if I could take my coat off, all this whilst I'm running alongside the chair in the snow. In a mad panic I managed to get my coat off doing a stunt man type roll in the snow at the same time. Much to the amusement of my family and friends and the huge queue of people waiting!

I did get a bit of an applause for my efforts and the guy helping people on to the chairs managed to get my coat for me. So apart from a bruised cheek all ended well!

After that we headed back up to Auckland. Its one week on now and I've only just stopped aching. Harry can't wait to try it again but the ski season is pretty much coming to an end so it will be next year before we go again. Unless we go to the indoor ski centre at Snow Planet - mmmm...i might just watch!

Fun in the snow!

My furniture and other posessions finally arrived I came home to a house full of boxes - 106 of them to be precise. We've just about finished unpacking them now and it feels much more like home having familiar things around us and pictures up on the wall.

One of the best things about having our things here is I can use the dishwasher now we have more than four plates, dishes, cups etc. I was really glad to get rid of the cardboard coffee table too! The spare bedroom is made up now ready for visitors from the UK. The first visit is from Jodie and Richard in thirteen weeks - I can't wait I'm hoping to talk them into staying!

Last weekend we decided to get away from the boxes for a while and head down to Mount Ruapehu. Its about a four hour drive down towards the middle of the North Island and is a ski resort in winter. We'd booked a fantastic house in Ohakune, when we arrived the log fire was burning it was really cosy.

Next day we got up to a perfect day brilliant blue sky with just a slight chill in the air. The views from the decking were fantastic. A beautiful running river and green trees to one side and the snow topped mountain to the other. We decided to head up to the mountain go and play in the snow for a while and see what the skiing and snowboarding was like.

It was pretty busy there but just so beautiful. You could see for miles and miles. Harry wanted to have a go at snowboarding so we hired a board and boots and booked him a lesson. Rather foolishly Darren and I decided to have a go too!

We (Darren and me) were by miles the oldest people having lessons. It was one of the hardest things I think I've ever done. My problem was I couldn't stay on my feet and when I fell I couldn't pull myself up from a sitting position without heading off down the hill! The only way I could get to my feet was from a kneeling position which meant I ended up facing up hill and started going down the hill backwards. After about my 20th fall I was ready to give up. But Chris, our instructor was so patient and between him and Darren they made me keep going.

I finally started to get the hang of it learnt to turn and managed to stop and steer myself down the hill. Harry picked it up pretty quickly and he was flying down the slopes and couldn't wait to have another go. The apres ski was my favourite bit of the day...to be continued.

Go the Giants

I've been counting down the weeks until our furniture and other possessions arrive in New Zealand. They arrived on the date due about three weeks ago. It took a while for it to clear customs and then it had to be checked by MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry). They cleared last week but then I was told there wasn't a van available to deliver until this Thursday! I'm not sure my cardboard coffee table will last, its sagging in the middle now. I'm so excited about seeing my shoes and handbags again and it will be really nice to have some kitchen equipment and furniture too - can't wait!

So this weekend will be unpacking and maybe watching the Giants game, if I can stay up that late or get up that early! Everything sports wise seems to be going well since we left, England won the ashes; the Giants have got to the final of the Challenge Cup and Huddersfield Town have had a great start to the season, scoring nearly as many goals as i saw all last season! Maybe we were jinxes.

Extreme Edge

I have a bit of a fear of heights, so when Harry suggested going rock climbing for his birthday, I tried to talk him into doing something a bit less adventurous. Maybe a trip to the cinema or bowling, but no he was adamant that we go rock climbing and insistent we all had a go.

So Saturday morning we set off to Extreme Edge, which is a fantastic place with climbing facilities for all ages and all abilities. One of the instructors give us a quick lesson in using the equipment and watched us try a first climb, then we were just left to it. Harry was like a monkey man, scaling the walls, right up to the top, he managed the walls with overhangs as well, even though he had a harness my heart was in my mouth watching.

I reluctantly had a go, on my first attempt I climbed about six foot and then needed to be let down. It took me a further three attempts before I managed to reach the top, I was so proud of myself especially as I managed to climb higher than Darren. I know I shouldn't gloat but I just can't help it! I'm glad I did the rock climbing, its something we haven't tried before, but I don't think I'm in too big a rush to do it again. Although Harry can't wait to give it another try.

The evenings entertainment suited me more. We went down into the city to Minus 5 - a bar where the walls, chairs, bar and glasses are all made of ice. That was good fun but cold. Then onto a Brazilian Restaurant called Wild Fire. The food is all barbecued and the staff just keep coming round with different kinds of food. It is mostly meat and fish, but they brought the most delicous barbecued Pineapple. On each table is a little wooden tower half red and half green, whilst ever the green part is at the top the food just keeps on coming, I think we all probably ate too much. The evening was finished off with the restaurant staff singing Happy Birthday in Portuguese.

So all in all a really good birthday treat for Harry.

Birthday Celebrations

We've had birthday celebrations here this week, Harry became a teenager! Great birthday fun but its a bit sad not to be sharing it with family and even sadder no birthday pictures with Dennis (our cat).

We got Dennis before Harry was born and every year I've always taken photos of Harry opening his present, with Dennis always there amongst the wrapping paper. Or trying to open the presents for Harry. Sadly we had to have Dennis put to sleep last year he was old and his kidneys were failing. He had monthly injections and had to take tablets every day for most of the last year of his life - he lived much longer than expected. We knew at some point we'd have to make the dreadful decision to say good bye but it didn't make it any easier when the time came. It still makes me cry thinking about it now.

Dennis was one of the family and we all still miss him!

What I like about New Zealand

Week 8 in New Zealand, it's almost feeling like home. I had so many emails since my last blog people sympathising with me, encouraging me and others telling me to get a grip or "pull yourself together you dozy mare". I also had some tips like listen to Radio one on-line, I never thought of that but that's exactly what i'm doing right now. The disappointing thing is Chris Moyles isn't on, its Vernon Kaye. Then another one saying look on the bright side, "you might not be able to share a bottle of wine with Jodie but at least you get the bottle to yourself" Good point! Thanks to everyone who sent me emails.

To balance out last times home sick post I thought I'd think about the things I like about living here:

I like not having to wear a coat in winter

I like that there are so many flowers and trees even though its winter

I like having the sea right across the road from my house

I like Kiwis (the people) - everyone is so friendly

I like seeing Pukeko's - strange birds that look funny when they run

I like living close to one of my best friends

I like the fact that the telly is so rubbish we hardly have it on.

I like paying less for petrol

I like seeing palm trees along the side of the road as I drive to work

I like the thought that this is winter but its almost as warm as the UK in summer

I like Hells Pizza

And I think when summer comes there'll be even more 'likes'!