Sea World

Still revisiting pleasant holiday memories as Autumn really settles in. The wind was icy cold this afternoon and the leaves are whirling about a lot more than they were last week. The colours are gorgeously intense with the apricot tree being my favourite at the moment. Although we are still struggling through a difficult time with the small person, there were moments of fun and enjoyment today. A very pleasant morning spent in the company of two lovely women and their adorable twin boys up in Cashmere in a beautiful home in a sunny spot. Family visits and watching four children having a blast fooling about on the trampoline. Watching Nic in his very too small Superman outfit with his cycle helmet racing Nat with a glossy clown suit and red and black rugby beany and cycle helmet down the drive was very funny. However, this post is not about another Saturday in Christchurch, rather about a sunny day on the Gold Coast.

Dolphins and fish and roller coasters and other fun rides plus a very cheesy American style ski jumping show and a whole lot of other lovely things. The water flume ride and the Bermuda Triangle were such a hoot and I loved my first roller coaster ride. It was short intense and very upside down so short and intense was pretty much how I liked it. Jasmine looks so cool and I am yelling hi to Nic not screaming. It was such a fun and action packed day. Nic was the only child at the Sesame Street performance who didn't know who the characters were. Pre-school kids don't have time to watch TV so miss out on lots of those things. No big deal as far as I am concerned but interesting.

I could tell you about all the worthy and interesting things about Sea World but you can check out the link above and see for yourself. I decided not to take the day too seriously and just have a good time. It was so well set out and there were lots of people there having a really nice time. Of note was a totally insane group of Philippine tourists dressed in the most insane clothes and stopping every few steps to have amazingly weird photos taken. I thought we were on candid camera., unwitting guests at a fancy dress party, and I am no stranger to travelling and seeing weird and interesting people. I am not sure they saw anything of the park because they were so busy having their photo taken by the signs and doing that peace sign thing. Bloody hilarious. Love the Gold Coast and all the odd life that visits there.

Aaah Mothers Day

So the sun has well and truly set on Mothers Day and unlike my post in 2006 I am not experiencing a warm fuzzy feeling. Why?

• Nicholas was tired out of his mind and was a total s**t all day
• I visited a friend of mine whose daughter has died and how shitty is that for her?!
• Made a lovely orange cake for said friend and then bloody broke it...took a container of home made biscuits instead (and a stunning bottle of wine)
• After hiding all of N's toys for continuous mis-demeanour's, I then had to ring a friend and bleat down the phone about being a terrible mother with no patience or skills...saddo. I have no right to feel so sorry for myself for God's sake
• Forgot to ring Adam in England to wish him a happy birthday

Some good things did happen

• Lovely new kitty cat lay on the bed while I finished a really enjoyable book - Bitter Sweets
• Visited my lovely mother at home and gave her a lovely book which I hope to read myself one day
• Ate beautiful free range pork fillet for dinner
• Nicholas went to bed early

Let's hope tomorrow is a better day. I hope everyone else had a good day

Wet'n'wild

I think I might have got a porn hit or two on my last post of a similar title. Moving on, we went to Wet'n'wild on the Gold Coast and had the time of our lives. Nic was amazing and stoically tried every ride with the calmness of either infant indifference or pure terror. It was a great day and we don't really have the pics to prove it cos it is hard to keep your camera dry in a wet and wild environment. However, I can share with you, for the very first time, picture of me in my togs, having fun. I must say that we knew where the cameras were so hammed it up a bit.

Our new baby is here

She arrived today and she is gorgeous. Our little family is now complete and we are all gaga. Sad I know but you just cant help but love her. We rescued her from he SPCA - left by people moving house she had been in the pound for 2 months so is loving being in a home again. She has been playing with rolled up paper and sitting on all the seats and trying out all the laps. She is as quiet as a mouse and very very calm. Nicholas is just terrorising her and she seems to be taking it ok. I feel so sorry for her having him following her all the time and lying on the floor 5cm away watching her eat and you should see the way he carries her. No name yet. We would love some suggestions but I know my readers (all two of you) don't comment, which is ok, but if you can think of a cool name, make a comment.
She is so cute, I almost cried when we put her in the car. Having a bit of an emotional time lately. Two glasses of red wine last night and I was almost gibbering. A real saddo. I had forgotten how much I like to drink and go to the pub and talk sh**. I really am a party girl at heart and feel that the repression of partying for the last few years is about to lift. Could be messy. No doubt sensible parenting and partnership will prevail - sadly.

Saturdays

Saturdays really are the best ever days. And I would have to say that some of my all time best Saturdays have been when I have been travelling. There was a Saturday in London in 1990 that really stands out and another in the same place about 11 years later. We had an awesome Saturday in Amsterdam and one in Linz this last trip to Europe and even in Australia two weeks ago, we had another perfect Saturday. Analysing the days I would have to say that most involve markets, shopping, travelling, food of some description and a bit of culture. Underpinning those things is the feeling that for one day a week, even in a foreign country, everyone is doing the same stuff and you actually belong to the global village.

We went to Brisbane after several days of rain soaked adventures on the Gold Coast. Having spotted a sun on the weather map within easy driving distance we hightailed it for the bright light of Brissy. We had a fantastic day. Poor old Nic was walked off his feet but was rewarded with ice creams, frozen yoghurt, more food, a visit to the museum and swimming.

Getting ourselves to the South Bank required about two sets of lights and a left turn or two. Not bad for a 101km journey. Gotta love that Pacific Highway. Rocking up early we started our journey at one end of the South Bank precinct, wandering along the Arbour Walkway and spent about 7 hours working our way through the market, past the Nepalese Temple, into the stunning Queensland Art Gallery..., ... through the very busy and impressive museum...a wander over the bridge (brown water in the river the likes of which we don't have in the South Island of NZ), past the stunning new public library, up the tacky heaving and very interesting shopping mall before lunch in the food court. Back down the mall and into the library...with 10 minutes to explore before closing, back over the bridge, back down the path to the artificial beach, another graze through the market, down the stairs and into the car. A couple of right turns and we were off out of the sun into the pi#$%ng rain soaked Gold Coast. Although I had blisters from my jandals I felt uplifted and energised by yet another fantastic Saturday. We all felt the same.

Wet and Wild

No not the fun park - the weather and the animals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. We decided to take a risk and visit the sanctuary although the weather was marginal and we had a great time. This guy had his eye on Nicholas which was fun...through the glass
If you ever make it to the Gold Coast, you must visit this place. It is great and all done by volunteers

It was pouring pouring pouring rain at the end of the visit and we were soaked to the skin but we did get to see some cool stuff like snake licking the back of a tree frog as it fled for its life and clung to a wall. We had been there before but for Jasmine it was her first encounter with some of these animals. She loved it.

Everyone was in good cheer although the rain was horrendous but this was the last day we could pretend that it was ok to be wet all the time. Spirits were low but we found a way to lift them. Tell you about that tomorrow.

Back from the Gold Coast

All back to normal after our little trans-Tasman adventure. Almost normal, still school holidays. We had a good time away and I am not exactly sure what we did each day as they tend to blend in to each other on the sunny GC, especially when it rains for days on end. Being the outdoor mecca for the Aussies and Kiwi's there isn't a hell of a lot to do when the weather is crap. However, we did manage to get out and about.

Sitting in the airport in quiet contemplation I saw a young woman wandering through the place that looked so much like Jasmine, and it was. Jonty had organised a surprise in Jasmine coming with us - a first time full family holiday. What a great surprise. That changed everything about the holiday. It was Jasmine's first out of NZ experience and although Australia is the country most like ours in the world, there are differences and it is a fun place to visit.

The great thing about the Gold Coast is the weather and the beaches. That hot and damp heat is like a tonic for chilly South Islanders, however, a Southerly wind prevailed for all but two days of the holiday so there was no humidity. It was a bit chilly but we still swum most days and I walked on the beach at 6.15 every morning. I was addicted to it and loved my alone time each morning.

This is my destination each morning - Flat Rock

...and the view south to Coolangatta.

Each morning we hot footed it down to the Currumbin Estuary for a swim in the pool that John swims in 365 days a year. It is tidal and warm and all the oldies go there for the slow swim that keeps them young and vital. We were there about 8 or 9 o'clock each day and it was perfect...except on the very wet days when we didn't visit.

The fish are gorgeous and come right up to you looking for tasty bread treats. People feed them as we did one morning. In a feeding frenzy Nic got bitten by one and was screaming the place down for a few minutes but recovered enough to see his bleeding and bruise as a badge of honour of an intrepid traveller. Next holiday instalment tomorrow.

Holiday

We are off to the Gold Coast for a week or so, so there wont be any posts from me for a while. Catch up when we get back.

The day after

So, because we get up so early in our house and being at Moeraki we just had to get up and see what was happening at the wharf. Many bleary eyed people were getting themselves aboard the charter fishing boats. It was a perfect still morning and although cold, the sun was almost up. We then went for a walk up the hill and around the back of the town. After breakfast the whole family headed for the Katiki Lighthouse and discovered a penguin hospital. One adult penguin was in the wards about to be released so we saw a Hoiho up close which was a first for all of us. When then descended to the seal colony lookout and watched the seals flopping about in the water and fighting on the rocks. Great fun.

Of course we had to visit the boulders as you do. Then off to Waimate to see bees and got a tiny jar of perfect honey... and a quick visit with Marie-Anne in Timaru. It was a perfect day to be travelling up the country. Sunny and not too hot, still and stunning.

Birthday

We have just come back from a great weekend away in North Otago celebrating my mother's 70th birthday. All the family and some friends rocked up to Moeraki for the day on Saturday with the family staying overnight and enjoying a day roaming around on Sunday as we journeyed home. I think I have blogged Fleur's Place before and it is so worth a revisit. Anyone who eats there will always plan a return visit. We were 15 in number and everyone loved their meals. We also had a gorgeous chocolate mousse cake for dessert and some lovely Two Paddock wines. Yummy Groper

Jasmine and David came up from Dunedin which was brilliant. Marie-Anne came from Timaru and Susan and Craig from Waimate so it was a southern affair. Auntie B and all of us made the trip from Christchurch.
Granny and her adoring grand children --- and the cake

Jasmine and Dave in the groovy little car and the whole party outside Fleur's

Daylight saving

It is the same every year, well twice a year actually. The weirdness of the first day after daylight saving starts or ends. Today was my sleep in day and I actually did which is unheard of. Of course Nic was up at 5.45 full of beans. However, he did keep a low profile after a honey sandwich and a screaming fit over a large mosquito in the toilet. I had no energy today and just wafted about the house and garden pathetically moving things about and weeding tiny pieces of the garden. Highlight of the day was a walk around Hagley Park in the late afternoon. Nic had his bike and we just pounded on behind him.

So I did get to do a couple of the things I dreamed of for the weekend. However, no leaf shuffling as it is a bit early in the season for mountains of leaves. Lovely to be out and about with all the other families and walkers, bikers and tourists. Very pleasant. Yesterday I got to soak in the pools at Hanmer after a 4 hour rain soaked session watching mad people racing in the 12 hour mountain bike race. It was fun to watch and support friends and family. We felt a little guilty slinking off to the warmth of the pools but thought being there to support in the first place was the key thing to focus on. Simon and his team were 18th in their section and Cath (above) was 2nd in hers. Even though the 12 hours race was downgraded to 8 hours, that is still bloody impressive. 8 hours racing in the mud and rain. Madness. Would love to have a go one day though. Something to look forward to.

Different eyes

Lately I have been feeling really bored with everything. Not sure if it is a comedown after all the fun parties and celebrations or the inevitability of winter but whatever, I have felt trapped in my boringness. Today however, there was a glimmer of hope - actually more than a glimmer, more like a flash. Brought on by the need to use my car today and not wanting to pay for parking, I parked about 1km from work and walked the last 10 minutes of my journey. What transpired on my way back after work was a bit of a revelation. So simple in the telling but rather fantastic in the execution.
The wind had moved from the relentless north east drone I bike home in every night to a chilly southerly. That in itself could have really pissed me off as the one day I don't bike I could have had a lovely sweeping tail wind home. It didn't though. I had the pleasure of walking through Victoria Square in the very late afternoon autumn light - shinning through gorgeous golden leaves. Tourists were wandering about, leaning over the bridge watching the punt struggle gently against the river flow. It was all slow and relaxing. Then I scooted across the road and headed up Durham St towards the car and made a mental list of the things that I could do this weekend that would make me happy. And it goes like this

• get out in to the park and shuffle through mountains of crispy leaves
  
• head up to Hanmer to watch the 12 hour bike race AND have a super soak in the hot pools. The trees will be fantastic


• get over to Lyttelton Market and buy some new herbs, organic vegetables and lovely pesto


• commence the autumn clean up in the garden


• go for a bike ride in the park


• climb up the Bridle Path


• go to Blax for a coffee and wander through the deli really slowly
  and so on and on and on...

The joy that walking home instead of biking afforded me was that my mind was allowed to wander - not having to constantly ensure my life is not in danger and keep an eye on all the crazy car drivers and without the distraction of my MP3 player, I had room to think... something not to be underestimated.

Every now and then I need to take a different route and see the world a little differently ... so simple ... so perfect