18th June 2012

We awoke to grey skies and cold weather. I don't know what happened to the clear skies, but there was only a little frost around.
After breakfast we headed down to Petes for morning tea and a look at the added features of his house. Pete has been building this house for many, many years. Each time we visit there is something new to see. The main bedroom is nearly finished and the living areas are very cosy. There is a circular staircase that needs finishing off, but all in all it looks great.
We picked up fresh bread for lunch and headed back to Olives. Ham and beetroot sandwiches were on the menu. Then we went back into town to do some shopping. I am now the owner of a pair of black ugg boots. I picked up a cord for my I pad charger and a longer circular knitting needle. Kevin also bought ugg boots, some wet weather gear and gloves. We also bought sausages and some groceries for tea. By the time we got home the rain was getting stronger. By evening it had really set in. At least it is not so cold.



We were very surprized when we found some crumbed sausages for sale at the butchers shop. We just had to buy them. Kevin has been asking his Mum to cook him crumbed sausages like the ones he remembers from his childhood. She always says she never cooked him crumbed sausages but he keeps insisting. So tonight he had his crumbed sausages. I hope that is the end of that.

Location:Taupo NZ

17th June 2012

Another frosty start to the day. We got up at about 8am, dressed quickly and headed off to take some early morning photos by the lake. We parked next to Manuels restuarant and opened the boot to find only one small camera bag(mine). Kevin had to drive back home and get his camera. That was the second delay today. He wet his jeans when he chucked some warm water over the car to get rid of the ice. He used my hairdrier to fix the problem.
After taking photos of the bird life, lake and mounain covered in snow, we went around to five mile bay for a clearer view of the mountains. We also stopped off at the harbour for a few more shots of the mountain covered in snow.
A quick visit to Woolies for some food and then we went home for breakfast.
The middle of the day was full of visitors. We shared stories, photos and reminisced about old times. We finished off with a family photo while we were all together.
In the afternoon we watched the V8's in Darwin, had a nap and organized tea. When we went to bed the sky was clear and the temperature was dropping. I tried to read, but fell asleep very quickly.


Frost on the car.


Blackberries on the block behind the house.



Silly faces from the three brothers.


The view of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Tongariro from Five Mile Bay.



Another view from the Harbour mouth at Taupo.

Location:Taupo NZ

Saturday 16 th June 2012

After a very restful sleep in a bed, we got up at 6 am, dressed and then headed North to the field day near Hamilton. Over night there had been a strong frost and the car was covered as was the rest of the country. The scenery was stunning with bare trees in a nearly white environment. Gradually as the sun warmed up the frost started to lift. It took 2 hours to get to the Mystery Creek Field day. The parking was well organized and we made a point to remember where we had left the car. Keeping six people together was quite difficult.




The first event we watched was a tractor pull. Here are some
other images from the event.











We had a great time and arrived home about 6pm. Just enough time to change and get ready for tea. We all went to a local restuarant called "The Bay". I had garlic prawns and a pork tenderloin. Yummy! We also managed to watch the rugby international match on TV. new Zealand narrowly beat Ireland. It is well under zero tonight, so time to get under the covers.

Location:Taupo New Zealand

Friday 15 th June 2012

Today was a very long day. We let Perth at about 1am and arrived in Sydney for breakfast, except we didn't get any. By the time we transferred to the International terminal and found our gate, it was nearly time to board our flight to Aukland. After another three hours, we were landing. We got through customs without issue, picked up our hire car, sorted out a new sim for my phone and then headed off South. We missed the motorway turn off, so after a quick detour we were off.
Luckily Kevin knows the way home. We avoided Hamilton, planning a stop at Cambridge for a coffee break. We got caught up in the traffic build up from the Mystery Creek Field Day. Eventually it thinned out and we changed drivers. Garrett was keen to drive, so he took over. I continued to catch up on my lost sleep in the back seat. We arrived at MIL's house at 8pm and sat down to fish and chips and NZ hotdogs- battered red sausages on a stick. BIL Simon arrived from the Mount and finished off the leftovers. After lots of catchup, it was time for bed. It was 11pm (7pm WST).




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Taupo New Zealand.

Packing

There was no time for a sleepin this morning. I had important things to do in preparation for our holiday in New Zealand. Some clothes needed a turn in the drier as the weather has been wet. Suitcases were opened and filled. The fridge was emptied. The cat food was organized . We had lunch and then it was down to the last bits and pieces. I hopped into the car and did a mental notes of what I had packed and then realized that we had not put in the passports. Luckily we did this before we left home. My new suitcases both weighed in under the limit, so there will be room for shopping.
The trip up to Perth was very wet and windy. I had the back seat, so just hung on and read my Ipad. We had tea at DD's and then tried to watch some telly. At ten oclock we finally set off for the airport and we got through the formalities very quickly. Now we are just sitting and waiting for our boarding call. I think I will be asleep very soon as it is way past my bedtime.



The latest announcement was that we will not be leaving until half past one in the morning.

Location:Perth Airport

The day after the Storm

The winter storms that have ravished the South West of WA have really put a dampener on our holiday plans. It started on Sunday afternoon and we were blacked out until late evening. On Monday you could see the number of trees that been felled or branches that had been ripped off. A lot of homes were still without power. Local schools decided to close early on Tuesday and some were closed all day due to lack of water or storm damage. I do not remember ever having school closed, except for the day after Cyclone Alby went through many years ago. I think it is funny as I am on long service leave for four weeks, so my relief is the one coping with all this uncertainty.

Last night we experienced another bout of wild weather, but managed to watch telly while others nearby had blackouts. We started worrying about our little flock of sheep, but it was rather too late to consider building a shed for them when it was already dark. This morning they were happily grazing in the back paddock. The bark was the result of Sunday's storm.
Today I have a few more jobs to do so that I can pack tomorrow, so I had better finish this off.
I think this piece of sculpture is stunning. I wonder if I could do something similar in paper and cardboard.

Location:Colie WA

Sunday free for all

What a day it has been and it's not over yet. It started out with a sleep in and then after breakfast I printed out some photos and cut a few hexagons with my silhouette. It was time to pack the car for today's crop but the rain was teaming down. I backed the car right under the eaves of the shed and then put everthing in the boot. When I got to the shop there was a creek running down the road which I had to hop over to get to the footpath. Once we were safely inside we got onto the business at hand-scrapping LO's for the Chookscraps competition based on the block. I braved the rain and the trucks on the road to go over to Maccas for lunch. About 3pm the lights started flickering and the mobile sign took off down the footpath. I rescued it before it hit my car. The wind and the rain got louder and at about 3 .30pm the power went out. After glueing all my pieces down, I packed up and loaded everything back into the car. Driving home was OK to start with , but then the roads were covered in ripped off branches. I even had to drive off the road to go around a fallen tree before I reached home. My route was relatively uneventful. There were fallen power lines and trees down on several other streets nearby. I just hope that there are no homes damaged in the storm.
I have been using my Iphone tethered to my Ipad as every thing else needs electricity. I wonder how long we will have to wait for the power to come back on. DH has just lit some candles, but I think it still be a while yet as there is no sign of Western Power. I might just have to find my knitting.

Location:Collie