Excitement personified!

Kaikoura - view from the apartment

On the way to Hanmer Springs

Overlooking Christchurch at the top of the gondola

Hi Everyone from a warm and sunny Christchurch! Sorry to mention the weather for those of you still suffering the rigours of winter but our days are definitely getting shorter so that means yours must be getting longer.

It has been a great fortnight having Jennie and John here for a visit. Not so good at the beginning as they arrived and their luggage didn't! Thanks Qantas. It had been left behind in Sydney and thankfully arrived the next day. Still, all they had the first night was the clothes they had travelled in, their hand luggage plus tee and shorts to sleep in courtesy of the airline. Thinking back three years, that was more than Katherine and family got when their luggage was left behind in Sydney, also by Qantas. A pattern beginning to emerge, would you say?

We had a lovely time - catching up on all the news, reminiscing - lots of chatting! We went to Sumner and Governors Bay, had "fush and chups" in Akaroa, of course visited the family and went to Hanmer Springs (rain and hot springs) and Kaikoura (sunshine and whales and dolphins). The time went too quickly and all too soon they were getting ready to fly to Australia for the rest of their trip. The house felt very empty without them!

Still, can't sit still as another trip planned for next month so, until then, take care all of you.

Love Carol xxx

Golden Bay

Totaranui

Pupu Springs (Te Waikoropupu)

All the comforts of home!

'Dressing up in garbage' competition

Doing silly things in a tent!

Hi Everyone,

The holidays have been and gone and the children go back to school this week. Where oh where did the time go? We went camping! To Golden Bay at the top of the South Island. Three family tents and Nana in a cabin - I thought. Unfortunately there was a mix up in the booking and although I had a cabin for the first night and the last 3 I had to sleep in the Jacob's tent for the remaining 3 nights.

Now, the last time I slept in a tent was when I was in the Girl Guides and with the Youth Club - in my teens. I really would have preferred to keep it that way but such is life. I survived, didn't I? Ash very kindly moved out of his bedroom - thereafter called the 'hobbit hole' - and I moved in. The first night I awoke when it was still dark and needed the loo - no en-suite!! First I had to get to my feet. (I do prefer my bed to have legs!!) Then I tried to open the window - no way out that way Carol. Finally got out into the night air - and it was not raining, thankfully. I timed it - 10 minutes! Lucky there was no desperation involved.

Actually it wasn't really that bad and the weather was kind with only one day of rain. The area is very beautiful and I can see why so many people go there in the summer. I will include some of the photos as usual.

I do hope that you are all keeping well and that the winter weather is "set to fair!" I am very excited as Jennie and John arrive in a couple of hours so I will have to set off to the airport in an hour or so. At least it only takes 20 mins to get there. There will be another blog quite soon so, until then, take care.

With love Carol xxx

The South Pacific. Another holiday?!!

Hi Everyone,

December already! Oh, oh, oh! No 'Ho, ho, ho' just yet please. I know that many of you are having to put up with snow already so hope that this photo makes you feel warmer (and just a tiny bit jealous?) The photo is of our beach, we only had the road to cross from the garden to get there. Chickens are a problem - especially the roosters. They do not seem to realise that they only have to crow as it gets light not every hour on the hour plus countless times between. I kept on mentioning Christmas dinner but to no avail.

Don't worry. We did have to suffer there in Rarotonga (Cook Islands)!!! The mozzies were out in force - I have never had so many bites although I was lucky in that they did not itch. It did rain, but it was warm and the sea was warmer than Christchurch is at the moment (not difficult) plus the lagoon made it extra safe for the children. You just had to avoid stepping on the sea cucumbers! We went for a trip in a glass-bottomed boat where we snorkeled and glimpsed all the colourful fish in the lagoon followed by a barbecue of fresh tuna, plus entertainment - part of which was Matt and Roy. I believe Ash has the video!

We ate fresh coconut - they fell off the palm, then Malc dehusked them and we ate the creamy flesh. A neighbour brought round pawpaws from her sister's tree for us to enjoy. It is a lovely place to go. Food is expensive as it all has to be imported from NZ but, hey, it is an island in the South Pacific! I really liked the idea of 'Island time' and would like to go back. The night flight home was a trial and we were all so, so tired yesterday but, hopefully, will be restored to our usual energetic selves (!!!!!!!) soon.

Only two weeks of school left then it is Christmas, New Year and the long summer holiday. Lots to do before then. I am not sure about the Xmas card situation this year as I think I have missed the last posting date for overseas so I will wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year and hope that your card catches up with you sometime in 2011. All my love Carol xx

Hooray to be home!

Hi Everyone,

I am so glad to be home - with the new visa that gives me 6 months here before I need to go offshore for at least a day then repeat - twice. Hopefully by that time someone will have got around to my residency application.

Koala at Taronga Zoo

Couldn't live in Sydney - too many people, cars, hills!!! I mostly enjoyed the stay, apart from the 5 days of pain with my back. Luckily it all settled down in time for Sarah's visit last weekend and I had already changed my flight so that I could come home early. We really got a lot out of the 4 days she was with me. We walked around the harbour, botanic gardens, art gallery and back to the harbour for dinner while watching it get dark and the Opera House all lit up. And that was only the first afternoon.

Coal miner's hut in the Blue Mountains

We took the train to the Blue Mountains - they really are blue due to the oils from the gum trees and the sunshine (I think). Another day of a lot of walking and the next day - the Zoo where we got 'up close and personal' with the koalas. They are lovely but we were not allowed to touch. The other Aussie animals that made our visit were the Tasmanian Devils and the Platypus.

Residents of the Blue Mountains

Unfortunately the weather worsened and we could not go whale watching on the last day. Rain and the traffic conspired so that I nearly missed my flight but home again and happy now! I was in time for Olive's third birthday too and it is her party on Sunday.

The aftershocks are continuing - one last week that I missed was just off the coast and made the houses shake. Enough already! And that goes for this blog too. I hope that you are all keeping well and that the winter is kinder to you this year. Not long until Christmas folks!! But we have a holiday before that so keep your eyes open for the next instalment.

With love Carol xxx

Australia 2

Hi Everyone,

Greetings from a warm and sunny Sydney. RESULT!!!! I have got the new visa. It took a time for all the paperwork to arrive here. Thanks Sarah for your help! No thanks to DHL who took 3 days to find me. I was hanging around the house for most of that time so that there was someone to sign for the package. Immigration did it on the spot, ~I couldn't believe it having braced myself for at least 10 working days wait. It is such a relief and now I can enjoy the rest of my stay.

In celebration I took a cruise of the Harbour and met a couple from Manchester on their honeymoon. They took the photo of me and I took one of them - to be their thank you letters! Aahhh!

I expect there will be another episode in the very near so i will finsih by sending all my love and thanks for all the messages.

Carol xxx

Australia 1

Hi Everyone to this my first Aussie blog.

I have left the shaking in Christchurch, and the cold behind and am sunning myself in Sydney. I was so stressed at having to leave, headaches galore, but having visited Immigration here I am feeling much better. With luck, when I get all the pieces of paper together it will not take too long to get the visa Lots of hoops for Sarah and Annie to jump through but my fingers are still crossed - it does make typing hard!!

I am doing a fair bit of walking trying to find my bearings in the city. I have seen the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, visited the Chinese Garden of Friendship - so peaceful - and walked around Paddy's Markets - definitely not peaceful. Took a ride on the Monorail because I could but mostly walk or take the free shuttle so far. I have plans for whale watching, going to the Zoo and taking a day trip into the Blue Mountains, so plenty to keep you all updated on. So, that's it for the first instalment.

All my love Carol xxx

Post earthquake!

Oban, the town in Stewart Island. View of the bay.

Well Folks, greetings from a post-earthquake Christchurch - still suffering aftershocks (more than 1000 so far) some of which are a definite jolt to the system! The roads are getting back to normal - the repairers are doing a great job.

I was intending to tell you about my trip to Stewart Island (great) and about the gallant ferry battling the giant waves and heading into the teeth of a gale - all true - and how we missed all the snow down south that caused the stadium roof in Invercargill to collapse but you will have to imagine it and content yourself with one photo.

More to the forefront in my mind is my upcoming trip to Australia. I have been given my marching orders from Immigration and have to leave the country by the 11th October when my 3 year visitor's visa expires. I asked the minister 3 months ago to allow me to stay until the application for residency is considered (2 years! and my papers were lodged in Feb this year). He said "no!" No reason - that's it. My MP had supported my case but to no avail. The letter arrived last week and you can imagine the dismay and panic.

To cut a long and 'heart-wrenching' story short, I am going to Sydney to apply for another visa - it can only be applied for offshore. Hopefully it will be granted and I can come back in time for the family holiday in late November. I can't contemplate what happens if it isn't given to me. Back to the UK I suspect. The reason for Australia is

it is closer than the UK (less travelling)

they will be able to do it faster (fewer applicants)

it is spring

cheaper to get to.

So think of me as I explore Sydney, guide book in hand. I intend to have a good look round. I have booked to be away for a month but could be back sooner. Keep writing as I will have the computer with me and will miss NZ.

Yours, with love and all the fingers and toes crossed, Carol xx