FLOWERS

More on the South Island trip later but we picked up flowers today ready for The Big Day on Saturday.

Tomorrow afternoon we can set up the tables.  

South Island Day 3 Afternoon

After going to Cape Foulwind we returned to Greymouth for lunch and then headed for the Denniston Plateau to see what remains of the old coal town of Denniston and learn of its history. See  http://www.denniston.org.nz

There was a heavy mist (or low cloud) which made it quite eerie.  Many women stayed on the plateau as the only way down in the early years was in the coal wagons down the incline which in places was 1:1.25.  https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/denniston-incline.

South Island Day 3

We seem to be so busy that finding time to sort through these photos has been hard.  Anyway, on our first morning at Westport we drove to the start of the Cape Foulwind walk to see the seals.  At this stage Cyclone Debbie was bearing down on New Zealand and, with the West Coast being notorious for its wet weather, we were expecting the worst.   Although it was windy with salt mist it was a pleasant walk.  Looking it up on google it looks as though it was just under 4 kms each way and was an easy track.  We walked on past the seal colony to Tauranga Bay car park where there was an enterprising lady with a mobile coffee shop selling not only coffee but tea, hot chocolate and light meals.

While enjoying our coffees we were joined by some Weka.

South Island Day 2

The second day of our trip took us across the top of the South Island in the coach to Westport.   Our first stop was at the Ernest Rutherford Memorial not far out of Nelson.  He was born and schooled in the area.

We continued in the bus stopping at Murchison for lunch and then at a park where we crossed the Buller River on New Zealand's longest swing bridge to a bush walk.  By chance Doug and I then had a most enjoyable jet boat ride.  One could then return either over the swing bridge or on a flying fox.  As we had been on the jet boat we used the swing bridge as there was a queue for the flying fox.  The eldest member of our group was 97 and she went over on the swing bridge and back on the flying fox

After this we had some rain on our journey to Westport.

West Coast

I see that I haven't posted since the 6th March but life has been hectic.  Most of the time has been spent just settling in.  Among other things, Doug has been busy building a new cupboard in the kitchen which is just about finished.  As well as this we have just  been on a trip to the West Coast of the South Island.  We booked with a local tour group some months back.

Neither of us have been on a coach tour before and were a bit apprehensive.   The weather forecast for the week was not good as the remnants of Cyclone Debbie were due to hit New Zealand after causing havoc in Australia.  On Saturday (April Fools Day) we had to be at the nearest bus stop at 5.45 a.m.  with our luggage.  Needless to say we were hoping it would be fine and it was.  People were picked up around town and we headed to Auckland Airport where the coach was left and we flew to Nelson on two separate flights.  It was a beautiful day and a good flight.

Gary (the tour owner) was on the first flight and collected a coach he had hired in Nelson and picked us up at the Airport before taking us on a short tour around town and dropping us at our very nice hotel.  We had a short time to settle in and he picked us up again for another tour on the other side of town before returning to the hotel.  We had a delicious evening meal.

Views of Auckland

The harbour at Nelson

View across the river from our hotel

THE MOVE

The move went well and I was very pleased with the Removal firm that I used.  Doug and I moved all the smaller items and just left the larger items of furniture for them.

Still boxes and spare furniture everywhere but the lounge, kitchen and dining area are comfortable. We have moved the fridge and Doug has started to build a cupboard/larder where it used to stand. When that is finished I will have a lot more storage.

Apart from trying to empty a box a day I have been busy preserving peaches from "our" tree.  I try and do a pan a day.  In spite of neglect over winter the garden is looking good and my plants make a show at the front door.  I find it hard to believe that it is nearly a fortnight since I moved but, of course, life goes on around the move.  We had a trip up north to a funeral and the usual gym sessions and Parkinson's walks etc.


One of the rose bushes which has flowered continuously over the summer.

Mainly zinnias in the front border.

Begonias and streptocarpus that I brought from Kamo.

This bromeliad that I brought from Kamo looks as though it is about to flower.

Part of one of four trays of peaches left to preserve.  It is just a seedling tree growing behind the garage but the fruit are delicious.  As well as stewing and freezing them I made a peach crumble yesterday.  

After a hot dry summer it is forecast to rain tomorrow and the rest of the week so we picked a lot of the remaining peaches this morning.

Doug is doing his utmost to help me settle in and it just seems right.  It is so much easier for him not to have to drive between Kamo and Tikipunga several times a day and better for me not having to ask him to bring items from the deep freeze.  (I only had a fridge/freezer and the bulk items have been kept in Doug's larger freezer.)

THE HEDGE

Only two more sleeps to go till moving day.  On Sunday my stepson came up with a friend to help.  I asked him to cut the hedge along my drive.  It is actually my neighbours' hedge.  He didn't take long and I think it looks great.  Meanwhile his friend, Erika, swept up all the clippings.  The red bits you can see on top are on the neighbours' side.

A couple of nights ago I noticed the cacti next to the garage was in flower.

and now the frangipani is starting to flower.

I think we are on track with the moving.  Lots has been given to the family, Hospice, Women's Refuge,  SPCA and this morning the Salvation Army are picking more up from Doug's.  Not much is left in my house now except the furniture for the removers on Wednesday.  That will leave Thursday for the last of the cleaning.

A new life starts.