Wednesday, November 03, 2004
On the Road Again!!! Yippee
Last Friday we finished our job at Vibrant Earth and slowly said our goodbyes. We have had a few issues with our car...to say the least. The poor beast blew it's head gasket and was sucked into the sleezy mechanic's shop just before our three day weekend, how sad. But Mary and Phil were fantastic and supported us 100% when we had to go talk to the guy and the commiserating at work made us feel much better. On our last day at the nursery there were only a few of us working since many people were on holiday, working other jobs, or moving to new homes. So we actually started the goodbyes a wee while ago.
This last weekend, as all there in the States know, was Halloween and, although most Kiwis don't celebrate, a few do and even more were curious. Geoff's girls in Twizel dressed up in costume and apparently had a wonderful time--but we never did here what they went as, hmpf. And here in Tasman we got together for pumpkin carving and a bonfire on the beach! What superb weather for Halloween, never seen the like. We all wore tank tops and sandals and carved the pumpkins outside in the sunshine. Then more families met us down on the beach in front of Jeanette's house and we roasted bangers and marshmallows.
When it started getting dark and cool, the wind picked up off the sea and it was too much work to keep the Jack 'o' lanterns alight so we moved on up to the house. Many people left early to put sleepy kids in bed (it was a school night after all) but a few staunch pumpkin lovers came with us and were able to witness the real deal in the dark.
Then we had fireworks! November 5th is Guy Fawkes day, which most of the world no longer celebrates but there are a few diehards left. Geoff being one of them, earlier in the day on Sunday, Mike and I went into Motueka with him to wander around the market, ended up shopping in the supermarket for food, and came out of the trip with fireworks galore. For those that don't know, Guy Fawkes was a guy who tried to blow up parliament, which is a hilarious reason to have a holiday, but it's dying out a bit. Well, Geoff refused to believe me when I said that the fireworks he bought were impressive and way cooler than any I've done before. He just shook his head and lamented the fact that he only had a couple rockets and no professional Chinese fireworks! Sheesh, I assured him that to us, it was quite a stash, and how I wished my brother Peter could be there to play. He'd positively drool.
Look at that loot!
So that was a fabulous final weekend at 'home' and Monday we started getting serious about rectifying our car situation and getting on the road. We dealt with the moron who had our old defunct car, and we started test driving a few that we'd found in the BuySellSwap paper. Tuesday we headed over the hill to Takaka to test drive a car that a few days ago had been just down the road but had moved. It was worth the drive. The people we bought it from were very straight forward and friendly. (It's great to deal with un-shifty people when dealing with cars.) We even got to see their photo album from their travels down south. =+)
So it's terribly funny, I know and will be even more so when we pick Mike's cousin Julie up at the airport in Queenstown on the 23rd. Check out the photo below and then imagine two more duffels a piece for Mike and me + Julie and her backpack. HA. I know, way funny, but it'll work, and the stories we'll have to tell!!!!!!
Basically, the car is a horrible color and a Mini Might, but it runs and it runs well and it'll last til we no longer need it, which is more than I can say for the other blue beasty.
Introducing Mini Might
AND NOW!!! We are on the road again and loving it. Yesterday we packed up our room and packed our belongings in the back of the Mini Might and off we went. We drove south along the coast to Kaikoura where we heard rumor of great seafood. Yesterday afternoon we spent along the seashore and hiking around the peninsula at low tide. Brilliant blue sky and sunshine, that will scorch us if we aren't careful. Man the sun here is much more vicious than we are used to.
Look at that backdrop!
Seaside cliffs
View across the bay
We only really intended to spend the day here and then book out this morning but we are staying. The weather is gorgeous (our turn for summer now guys!!!) and the beach is divine. We found a great snorkeling trip but it doesn't start running again til tomorrow because the guy had a death in the family. So we'll lounge by the sea, take a few hikes, and update our blog today, no worries! In fact, we camped at the bottom of a hiking trail and set out up the mountain early. Gorgeous view since the mountains are right here next to the ocean.
View from above
This last weekend, as all there in the States know, was Halloween and, although most Kiwis don't celebrate, a few do and even more were curious. Geoff's girls in Twizel dressed up in costume and apparently had a wonderful time--but we never did here what they went as, hmpf. And here in Tasman we got together for pumpkin carving and a bonfire on the beach! What superb weather for Halloween, never seen the like. We all wore tank tops and sandals and carved the pumpkins outside in the sunshine. Then more families met us down on the beach in front of Jeanette's house and we roasted bangers and marshmallows.
When it started getting dark and cool, the wind picked up off the sea and it was too much work to keep the Jack 'o' lanterns alight so we moved on up to the house. Many people left early to put sleepy kids in bed (it was a school night after all) but a few staunch pumpkin lovers came with us and were able to witness the real deal in the dark.
Then we had fireworks! November 5th is Guy Fawkes day, which most of the world no longer celebrates but there are a few diehards left. Geoff being one of them, earlier in the day on Sunday, Mike and I went into Motueka with him to wander around the market, ended up shopping in the supermarket for food, and came out of the trip with fireworks galore. For those that don't know, Guy Fawkes was a guy who tried to blow up parliament, which is a hilarious reason to have a holiday, but it's dying out a bit. Well, Geoff refused to believe me when I said that the fireworks he bought were impressive and way cooler than any I've done before. He just shook his head and lamented the fact that he only had a couple rockets and no professional Chinese fireworks! Sheesh, I assured him that to us, it was quite a stash, and how I wished my brother Peter could be there to play. He'd positively drool.
Look at that loot!
So that was a fabulous final weekend at 'home' and Monday we started getting serious about rectifying our car situation and getting on the road. We dealt with the moron who had our old defunct car, and we started test driving a few that we'd found in the BuySellSwap paper. Tuesday we headed over the hill to Takaka to test drive a car that a few days ago had been just down the road but had moved. It was worth the drive. The people we bought it from were very straight forward and friendly. (It's great to deal with un-shifty people when dealing with cars.) We even got to see their photo album from their travels down south. =+)
So it's terribly funny, I know and will be even more so when we pick Mike's cousin Julie up at the airport in Queenstown on the 23rd. Check out the photo below and then imagine two more duffels a piece for Mike and me + Julie and her backpack. HA. I know, way funny, but it'll work, and the stories we'll have to tell!!!!!!
Basically, the car is a horrible color and a Mini Might, but it runs and it runs well and it'll last til we no longer need it, which is more than I can say for the other blue beasty.
Introducing Mini Might
AND NOW!!! We are on the road again and loving it. Yesterday we packed up our room and packed our belongings in the back of the Mini Might and off we went. We drove south along the coast to Kaikoura where we heard rumor of great seafood. Yesterday afternoon we spent along the seashore and hiking around the peninsula at low tide. Brilliant blue sky and sunshine, that will scorch us if we aren't careful. Man the sun here is much more vicious than we are used to.
Look at that backdrop!
Seaside cliffs
View across the bay
We only really intended to spend the day here and then book out this morning but we are staying. The weather is gorgeous (our turn for summer now guys!!!) and the beach is divine. We found a great snorkeling trip but it doesn't start running again til tomorrow because the guy had a death in the family. So we'll lounge by the sea, take a few hikes, and update our blog today, no worries! In fact, we camped at the bottom of a hiking trail and set out up the mountain early. Gorgeous view since the mountains are right here next to the ocean.
View from above
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