10 days to go!

We are off to Sun Peaks in BC, Canada. Our longest trip (2 weeks) since we got married 3 years ago. I am excited beyond expression.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Truth is stranger than fiction - it's a white Christmas downunder!

Last minute gift idea

So we had some FlyBuys expiring next year, and decided to cash in our rather pathetic total. It came down to only two choices - some plastic utensils or a penguin shower radio. Hubby picked up the radio last week.



This little chap is quite something. His goggles are the on/off switch, his flipper control the AM/FM and tuning, and his foot is the volume. He sits on our shower wall and belts out our favourite tunes, increasing the enjoyment of an otherwise tedious activity a hundred fold. We felt a little silly ordering him, but we're so glad we did. If you know someone who would appreciate some music to help their shower-singing along, this would be a great present.

Noel Leeming has it here.

Or you can buy less exciting shower radios...

Looking for somewhere to stay in Taupo, New Zealand?

Cherry Tree Cottage is a charming escape, just a minute's walk from the lake.

(I don't normally promote stuff like this, but I know the owners and can recommend the accommodation from personal experience)

Winter beauty

Taken by yours truly in the Tongiriro National Park.

We'll be coming round the mountain...

Off to Whakapapa for a week. The forecast isn't that great, but hopefully we'll get one or two days in...

The beauty of Nelson

I've been away quite a bit lately, and consequently quiet on this blog. So I thought I better post some evidence of my travels. Here you go.

Warbirds Over Wanaka Wows

Yes, we braved the school holiday/Easter rush and went down to Wanaka for the Warbirds air show. The first obstacle to get over was the flight itself. Fog struck Auckland and we sat in our plane on the tarmac for 2 and 3/4 hours. So it took us 5 hours to get to Queenstown, instead of 1 3/4. We rushed over the hill to Wanaka, gobbled down some lunch and headed to the airport. No sooner had we parked and trekked through to the viewing area, than a plane swooshed past us like thunder. The aircraft were having their practice day, and we would learn that the plane in question was the F1-11, the fastest aircraft currently in military operation. Austrlia has dozens of them, and was lending this one to show off.

Anyway, I won't give a play-by-play of the whole weekend. Suffice to say the weather was mostly fine, if a little chilly sometimes. The entertainments were well organised and varied. There was non-stop action in the air. Hubby was in his element. On the ground, there was a market and various other stalls selling associated wares, hot food and a bouncy castle. And of course, all the vintage aircraft lined up next to each other at the end of the day. My only complaint would be the amount of dust and standing involved. And the queues to get there on the Saturday morning were horrendous. And the PA system was a bit rickety. But overall, a fun experience. Hubby is dying to go back for 2008. We'll see.

Back to the routines…

Well, here I am again, firmly ensconced in reality after returning from our wonderful trip. My first time overseas in nearly 5 years was well worth the organisational effort. Now of course all I want to do is jet off somewhere else, or at least have some more down time to revell in my memories. The highlights of the trip (apart from all the quality time spent together) would be snorkelling with turtles off a beautiful island on the Great Barrier Reef, the beauty of Cape Tribulation, spotting crocs on the Daintree River (plus seeing other animals in the wild like cassowaries and snakes) and just lazing in the sun. We don’t seem to have missed anything exciting in the real world – only more political nonsense leading up to this weekend’s election. Oh to be flying off across the ocean again…

On Holiday Tomorrow...

... so I won't be posting anything for about 2 weeks. Feel free to have a look through the archives if you happen to land here during this time... thanks for visiting!

Countdown to holiday!

My husband and I have just booked a holiday to Tropical North Queensland in September! :-) It will be the first time either of us have been to Australia, and our first holiday overseas together. I'm very very excited. We're going to have a lovely time, leaving our soggy winter behind and lazing on the beach, exploring the rain forest and snorkelling on the reef. Eight weeks to go!

Well, I did it...

I have accepted a job offer. No more looking in the Sits Vacant... at least until mid-July when the contract finishes (it's a maternity cover position). I actually have to be careful not to drink the water there - three girls in the marketing department got pregnant all at once. No, thank you. I can start on Thursday if I like, to get a day over with before the Easter break. I'm waiting to confirm that until after I've signed the contract, which is being delivered today. What a nervewracking experience. I was on edge for most of yesterday.

That aside, our anniversary break was lovely. The house we rented was great - right on the beach and next to a park. We had a mix of hot sunshine and dramatic thunder storms on the first day, which was quite cool, and then mostly sunshine after that. We had a lovely time swimming, walking and exploring. We also had dinner at probably the best restaurant we'd ever been to... mmm I can still taste dessert. We reinacted some of the things we did when we got together. All in all a very romantic weekend.

First Anniversary :-)

Tomorrow morning we are off on our first real trip away (alone) together since our honeymoon. The occasion is our first wedding anniversary, and we are going to the beach where we first got together. The weather has been beautiful all week, and although it's forecast to change I'm keeping my fingers crossed! (It was forecast two rain the last two days and all we've had is brilliant sunshine)

We're currently deciding whether to take my car or his (will air conditioning or fuel economy win out?) and who will drive there. We're both very easy going when it comes to these decisions - which makes them harder to make. Meanwhile I've made multiple lists of what we need to pack from different parts of the house. I like ticking things off lists. Gives me a sense of achievement and control in this madcap world.

We're away for four days - so no posts until at least Tuesday. I'm going to do my best to switch off from the normal stresses of life - even though I'm going to find out if I got a job today or Monday. Wish me luck!