Final week in NZ.

Final week in NZ. 31st Dec 2011

Our adventure in NZ is coming to an end and we wanted to recap.

When god handed out natural beauty, NZ was truly blessed. Not just in one type of beauty but in so many diverse and spectacular ways. The only problem is that god has not finished and he is still moving it about. Having not experienced earth quakes they were a bit frightening, as when they start you don’t know how long and how big they are going to be. Some are quite violent and other just rumble. The sad thing about Christchurch is that about 60% is either knocked down or has to be demolished. The psychological damage is also a major factor as many people are leaving and going to OZ.

We have stayed in 15 different lodges/motels/cabins and hotels in the past 2 months and been to most parts of North and South Islands. We have seen so much natural and varied  beauty and experienced the warmth of the NZ people. this we will leave us with nothing other than a warm feeling for the country. I will attach a few final pics. Next week we fly to Sydney. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a very happy 2012.

2012 Maria Quote .--

The one who loves the most gets the most from the relationship.

I'm a Celebrity  get me out of here !!

Bell Bird with a wonderful song

Lake Tekepo with Rainbow

Arrowtown Bungy  jumper

 Arrowtown-Unknown Couple on wedding day--magic picture

Otago Peninsular

Himalayain Poppy

Otago Peninsula at the Albatross centre

Omaru city centre Standard 8 with Steam Punk creation

Arts Centre in Christchurch following Earth Quake

Maria showing NZ Air Force path finders directions

Dress Code NZ Style

Tomorrow is Christmas day and we are spending the day at the hotel. We decided to book the Christmas buffet lunch that is to be held between 12.00am and 2 pm.

We were informed that there would be guests from the hotel and local people attending.

Once booked I asked the lady who booked us in  what the dress code was and she said that it was pretty relaxed,  but we should wear shoes. 

We both have a pair so we won't look out of place.

Maria said we can do better than that !!!!!

One of the other guests with shoes

Nature Watch New Zealand

I asked Maria yesterday that now she had been in NZ for 7 weeks what was the thing she was most impressed with, she said it was the beauty of the country. Maria Quote-

The coast line all  around both Islands is just stunning from Rocky striking shore lines on the North Island to soft sandy beaches on the south Island with nobody on them it’s just unbelievable .

The tropical palms next to blue fir trees, in gardens are beautiful.

The people are all so friendly and Helpful  with knowledge of the History of their country. It has been an amazing trip, and being with David was the icing on the cake.

Well what was the specialness of the nature here,  a picture tells a thousand words so I will add some pics.

Maria Standing on Kauri tree stump the tree was made into100 man war canoe

Ford Cortina MK 1 1961  Same car that I went with Ronnie Wooldridge to Costa Brava Spain in 1963

There was however one experience where we were not allowed to take pictures and it was last night.

We went to a blue penguin colonyZealand and saw the penguins come in from the sea in groups that are called rafts. We had about 180 come  ashore and we saw them then waddle up to their nesting areas where they were greeted by their mates who had been sitting on the egg all day.  The blue penguin is one of three penguin species that live in NZ and they stand about 10” tall. They live on average to 10 but they can live to 25. We were told that they paired for life and that there was only about a 5%  divorce rate. I told the lady why this was the case and it is because the male has a very low testosterone levels. She was quite shocked that a non-country man would have such knowledge of country matters. I just smiled. The lady did go on to say however that the penguins are very sociable, whatever that means!!!

I did think that the whole bit of being a penguin was not that great.

 They must see other birds flying about when all they can do is waddle, sit on eggs and swim in all weathers. I remember a few years ago I thought about a penguins lot and managed to find this old poem that I thought I would share with you,.

 The penguin

Why was I born a penguin, a bird would have been my wish

I should be able to fly but my wings were made for a fish

I try to walk up straight and proud, but my feet are blue with cold.

It makes me waddle, side to side, some say I look quite bold.

We would all like to get away you see,  life is not much fun.

Cold and wet the wind does blow, I slip and fall on my bum

We’re all black and white, when the rest of the worlds gone colour

I never know who’s mum or dad my sister or my brother.

I was told we should have fur, when the skins were handed out.

What did we get, but feathers in the cold they count for nought.

To top this plight of the penguin were officially now a biscuit.

Depressed I feel, you bet I do if I had a nose I’d pick it.

Shag taking off

By David

Long drop – short drop.

We have had a little difficulty in understanding different terminology whilst we have been in NZ.

One of which was the long drop short drop.----- Can you guess what it applies too.

It is the style of WC that they have here.

The problem we encountered with the long drop was you were never sure if you had been or not.

Maria said this was perhaps a problem that all deaf people would have encountered. !!

Eat to live or live to eat or Kill to eat.

  

 Waiting for fishing trip, with Carshalton Beeches fishing hat.

Eat to live or live to eat or

Kill to eat.

We were staying at a lovely motel in Kaikoura and decided to book a fishing trip. The weather looked ok but overcast. We arrived at the harbour and waited for the boat to come in. As we waited we saw a duck that we thought had committed suicide. We saw it duck under the water this we have seen many times in the UK before. We waited and waited but he did not reappear. I was looking for the harbour master to report the matter and we spoke to a man who told us it was not a duck it was a shag and that they duck under and can come up again about 100 metres from where they go under. So we were very relieved and quite glad I had not reported it !!! [ Nothing worse than being seen as a towny.]

Our boat arrived and we all went aboard, there was Tommo the skipper and Blacky his mate, Maria and I plus three others were the paying customers. The boat was set for six to fish.

We set off and suddenly I was aware how high the swell was as the boat lurched up and down as it started out to sea. After about 10 mins we stopped at a cray fish pot buoy and pulled up the basket that was about 80 mtrs down. The catch was 6 large Cray fish 4 males and 2 females. They were all measured and were found to be above the legal size to keep. We then continued to the fishing area that was 160 mtrs deep, due to the tide we launched a large parachute that would act as an anchor. We cast out our lines that each had 2 large hooks and released the weight and bait to the bottom. Our Maria had a bite straight away and bought up two  golden perch that were about 2 lb. I was beginning to wonder how long it was before i was going to be sick ,eventually it happened I informed the captain that I was going to be sick, he said do it over the side. I felt awful but as I had not eaten it was just a dry wrench that I did. I felt a bit better and then caught a shark that was donated to a man who was making a sea water show tank display. While we were out at sea we saw seals and a large albatross. Once back at the harbour we were all given one Cray fish and some filleted fish, when I got home I went to be bed for an hour.

We had been told that you have to put the Cray fish in fresh water that would drown it before cooking. Maria filled the sink and put the Cray fish in it, the power was unbelievable, it wrecked the place as it tried to get out of the water, we were told it would take 15 mins before it drowned. 

Maria eventually managed to get a saucepan lid on it as it continued to fight. We were then wondering if the people who told us this were pulling our legs as they live in water. However after 15 mins it appeared not to move. But I kept thinking about that film fatal attraction when that lady appeared dead in the bath and then she came back to life.

 Maria went to the motel office and was told we could not cook it in the cottage as the smell would linger for weeks. They brought over a large pot and outdoor electric ring and we boiled it for 7 mins.

I then cut it in half to reveal all the meat that Maria removed, but due to the trauma of the day I could not eat, it.

So could I kill to eat?? No not again. The End

Maria uses all her upper body strength and Saucepan lid.

Passed away

Cooked for 7 mins and it changed colour

Ready to eat I think !!!!

Mans Creation V Gods creation. No Contest

Fence shoe creation by New Zealanders.  

Fenced Shoes creation by Man

Miles of Roadside Wild lupins with 

Snow caped mountain back drop- Magic by God

Lake Tekapo from our balcony by God

No Contest

Dave and Mary Adventure takes a new Twist.

It was 7.19 pm  on Saturday evening and we had finished dinner. We were just relaxing and reflecting on our day at a craft market and a museum that we had visited. Sudenly without warning the couch that Maria was sitting on began to shake, I was at the table and that started to shake.

 It was at that point my City & Guilds earthquake training just went into auto pilot.

I groped Mary and pulled her under the dining room table and whispered re-assuring words to her and told her that I loved her.

It was at this time I realised what Mike Williams meant, when he said we were very brave to do this adventure with no real training!!

We waited for about 5 mins and then just got on with life and did the washing up. 

The End.

Follows details - We were about 2 miles from Nelson when the quake happened.

Strong earthquake felt in Wellington 7:44 PM Saturday Dec 3, 2011l

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Photo / Thinkstock

An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale has shaken the Wellington area and the top of the South Island. The quake was recorded at 7.19pm this evening and struck 30km east of Picton at a depth of 60km.

GeoNet duty officer Dr Tony Hurst says this shake is the biggest they have recorded in the area for around 20 years.

The fire service in Wellington says it has had no reports of damage yet, and Dr Hurst is not expecting any major damage, mainly just items falling from shelves.

A Christchurch resident who is visiting Wellington for a wedding had just finished telling other guests about the aftershocks in Christchurch when the earthquake hit.

She said guests stood up from the reception and ran outside. Glasses and wine bottles were shaking.

Her initial reaction was that if the earthquake was this strong in Wellington it must have been large in Christchurch but was relieved to hear it was localised to the Wellington and Marlborough regions.

#RobSuisted on the ferry between Picton and Wellington tweeted "Wow, on Picton Ferry & hit a pot hole by Tory Channel. Ferry lurched so much we all looked at each other. Turns out #eqnz!", adding "Who'd have thought you'd feel #eqnz on a ship!?"

Another person from Greymouth described the quake as "a solid jolt".

The Google Map Felt Report from GeoNet:

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- Herald Online

1. Damage after 5.7 Wellington quake

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New Zealand Special Art

New Zealand Special Art

We are now leaving Wellington on the North Island and are on the ferry to The South Island...

We have been in Wellington for the past 4 days and one of the things that have stood out is the NZ art. We went to the Papa museum that was spectacular and there was some art that was very different. It also shows that NZ has a softer creative side as well as the hard rugged outdoor Rugby character.

The following are some of the examples.

Photographic Concept

The inspiration was ABSENCE and they had used this and then duplicated it. Once it was duplicated they mirrored one of the duplications and you got mirrored reversed image. Stunning- I think!

Then there was the illuminated art – three plastic bottles against a neon strip light.

When we left the museum we walked across the quay and there was a bronze man looking out to sea. Some artistic NZ person had knitted him a thong and a nice Zorro cape.

Art is something else here.

                 Two Mc Donald’s cups nested with two straws- bent.

Art Deco Shop in Napier

Wellington Electric Christmas Tree at Night

First Pictures from our Adventure

 2x100 man Waka canoe made from Kuria tree

Dolphin following my call

Maria found bird still warm when coming out of toilet

Sunset Sea view from Russell Island 

Maria with ruck sack looking outdoory

Health and saftey hat at under ground bath house in Rotorua

Geezer at Te Puia. Can't add the smell

'

One Month Homeless And KIA-ORA. [Welcome]

One Month Homeless And KIA-ORA. [Welcome]

It is now one month since we became homeless and the feeling attached to homelessness is in some ways liberating-  I don’t know what those people in Dale Farm had to worry about.??

We arrived in Auckland having had a Qantas delay to be greeted by NZ customs hunk. Redhead spiky and gelled. He asked us how long we would be staying and when told two months he retorted “why are you coming here for 2 months???.  He then added that it would be very expensive and cost us a fortune to live in hotels. I thought we had only been homeless for 4 weeks I could   not believe we had already developed that destitute look.

We stayed in Auckland for 4 nights and when we visited the museum we met a large black man with huge hands. He told us he was a boxer and that he had fought the heavyweight champ of the world Vladameer Chincofff [ may be naff spelling] in 1990 that he lost. His manager then left him and is now the champs’ manager.

Honesty

We were told that in NZ we would see things a bit behind the times this is true but there were three examples of honsty that impressed us.

1-       Phone shop directed us to a competitor as they offered a better all over NZ reception for the internet.

2-        Went into a pub and asked for special local beers and barmaid told us where to go, not -  where to go !!!! but directed us to a pub that sold special beers.

3-        When we asked the lady at the car hire place if we would get a better deal elsewhere she directed us to another car hire place.

Fitting in country style.

We have only been in the country for 6 days and Maria has swapped her top of the range handbag for a canvas ruck sack. She had a short period of adjustment as the ruck sack has many zips and compartments. I have a small compartment   in it where I keep my personal possessions.  Maria wears it with confidence and  is pleased that it leaves her hands free to do other things. The outdoor look that she has still has that Maria panache and style about it.  Pictures to follow

Maria’s little notes

The Island is beautiful sub-tropical  and the people are very friendly .I intend to eat mussels and fish all the way round with the odd little lamb thrown in . 

The Maori art and jewellery is very different and the Auckland Art gallery & Museum really interesting .The people we have met get our sense of humour so that’s a relief when you are travelling with Davina .

The driving is bliss no traffic only 4 million in habitants total and we have 7 million in London.

We left Milton Keynes having spent 5 days with Bruv Don and Sis Robyn. It was at Milton Keynes that we were introduced to Tiger bread from Tesco’s and fully organic peanut butter with no preservatives. I was never allowed to have this type of food at home. When Maria said,  that when we returned from this adventure we would be different people.  I think I will return as Mr Blobby. Five days wiv bruv Don added 5 lbs of pure muscle round my six pack.

Sis Robyn took us to Heathrow and saw us off, thanks Robyn.

Blog Style

 I want to set the style of our blog but having not blogged before, we would appreciate any help. Some people have said they are having difficulties on getting onto the blog site and some not being able to add comments. If we have Any Tecco blogger wizards,  help would be appreciated.

I spoke to Chris Strutt [ex neighbour] and he said that he had made a blog that had received caustic comments that the posting looked a bit like a letter, so we don't want that.

We wanted our blog to be interesting but not too gloating that we are on holiday for 5 months and the majority of you will be working.

We wanted it to be personal so you may get a mention.

We want it to leave the reader with the feelings that they would like to comment and add to the blog.

We did not want to be like  BBC Correspondents  as we are also on holls.

Finally, before we set off we were given a lot of guidance advice and we would like to give feedback as to our experience.  Does this sound ok.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has been and gone but has left a lasting impression on us. We were only there for three days and our main pursuit was people watching. This is a free and very rewarding pastime.

The place looked full up with everyone going somewhere quickly. It was fast and efficient. Everywhere was spotless and clean. We left with nothing but admiration for the place. We met one man Eric who said that we had abandoned him in 1997 when we handed Hong Kong back to the Chinese. We had a couple of beers with Eric and told him it was nothing personal.

They seemed short on graffiti artists as there was no felt tip work anywhere.

No beggers or people trying to sell things to you.

The pavements were in slabs that if they had pipes under,  the  slab was screwed down with Stainless bolts. No need to dig the road up. In fact we saw no road works.

The underground service was all air conditioned and there were no inspectors.

No eating or drinking on trains or stations, everywhere spotless.

Watched lady reading on the train and her head was going up and down and not left to right.

Left for NZ Monday evening.

Only 143 days left- oh no !!!!