At the End of Our Street

Saturday 24th November

It was a nice day to stroll barefooted along 'our beach'. It's about 3 minutes walk from our gate. A small stream flows down from surrounding hills. There are usually gulls here; today an oyster catcher as well, and a scampering dotterel. The water looks very clean.

There are tons of shells on the beach. Really pretty colours - no sign though of live pipis. We'll have to investigate when there is a spring low tide.

It looks to be a sheltered, safe beach - I wonder if the bathing suits will come out this summer?

 

This photo shows the blind end of Cook Drive. It ends here at Racecourse Rd.

Alternate Routes across the Peninsula

We normally don't play, 'What If,' games. Doug doesn't anyway - I play them in my mind all the time! 

'What if there was a slip on the main road and we needed to get to Coromandel?' 

I've been at home quite enough this week to be willing to go along with such a possibility.  

'Let's take the Land Rover and try the dirt tracks!'

 Last week we took the tourist route to Coromandel Town, in the MX5. This week we went Land-Rovering and crossed the peninsular on two secondary roads, both gravel and one-way bridges through the bush. 

Highway 309 was first and reached the main Thames road just South of Coromandel Town. Continuing on, we headed south past Te Kouma and Manaia to Tapu, and took the Tapu to Coroglen road back home.

The second route was my favourite - the bush was more lush - the road seemed better maintained with signs where it was definitely one-way and who should give way. ( I like that.)

 

These two pictures are taken from the hill South of Manaia, looking across the Firth of Thames towards Kawakawa and Auckland. It was very windy, the sea covered in whitecaps and tourists were having trouble standing up.

Both the dirt roads were in good order but would not be much fun if conditions were hot and dusty, or with more traffic than the half-dozen cars we encountered.

Now we know - both routes took about half an hour to do about 20 kms. I'm glad that I grew out of being car sick some years ago - both could be challenging for those with iffy tummies.

Guy Fawkes at the Domain

It's been many years since we celebrated poor old Guy Fawkes's disasterous (for him) attempt to blow up the House of Lords and King James l, in 1605.

The last time we did, was at Waiheke Is where we were totally shocked to see a poor misguided individual, high on wacky backy, walk out of the bonfire. We have ignored Guy Fawkes night ever since.

Last night we donned our warmest duds and joined the crowd down at the domain just before dark  There waiting to be lit was a huge pile of pallets with a sad looking Guy perched on top. The winning 'Guy' maker was to have the priviledge of pushing the start button to start off the fireworks display. Meanwhile there were meat raffles:  " Only 20 tickets, ladies and gentlemen; $2 a ticket."

We couldn't believe it - Doug paid his $2, they spun the wheel, and we had the lucky number!

The fire was finally lit at 8:30. We then all waited expectantly for the display to begin half and hour later.

It was spectacular - I've never been that close to a big fireworks display - it must have lasted for a good half hour. Lovely seeing lots of families out having fun together.

Thursday 1st November

There isn't a lot I can do today, so it's a good opportunity to blog, and wander around the garden. There are some beautiful plants growing, as well as fruit trees.

The carpet layer arrived first thing and the furniture got moved onto the deck again. I was feeling a bit anxious as to whether I would like the dark carpet after living on light coloured bluey/green for years, but was  pleasantly surprised when I ventured upstairs to look. The bedroom looks very nice - the curtains and paintwork still match. Living room next!

Wednesday 31st October

Very little sleep again - too much to think about.

The carpet man rang to say that they could begin the job this afternoon. Furniture had to be moved big time - much of it out onto the deck. I have a narrow track through the kitchen and the ensuite bathroom is unusable.

It's so good that we don't have to wait a fortnight!

Halloween - very quiet, no trick or treaters.

Making Progress Tuesday 30th

Neither of us slept much - too many things to do before we can unpack propery.

We knew that the rubbish collection was today. We eventually located the recycles crate - like the ones we used to have in Auckland. We wondered about getting a skip but decided to try our luck with the cartons and newspaper that was piling up already. The collectors cheerfully took it and told Doug where he could take future loads.

Getting some new carpet arranged was a priority. The living room and upstairs bedroom carpet needed to be replaced before the furniture was permanently placed. Another problem was a heavy wall unit that had been left behind. We didn't want it either, the movers had told us that it would need a crane to get it out.(They didn't want to know!!)

After lunch we went carpet shopping. We found some that we liked and were very pleasantly surprised when the salesman said that he could come that afternoon to measure up. He was so nice - he arrived later and offered to help Doug shift the unwanted wall unit. One problem gone. He also knew an organisation that would be happy to have it. He thought that it might be a fortnight before they could lay the carpet but promised to squeeze us in if the opportunity arose.

Early to bed - we haven't walked down to the beach yet.

Move to Whitianga Monday 29th October

Years ago, when Doug and I were first married, we could carry all of our possessions in our car. Ha ha, how things have changed!! Now we need a ten ton truck and a Landrover.

To begin with, I felt pretty pleased with myself if I managed to pack one big box a day. I tackled those things that hardy ever get used, but never-the-less I wouldn't part with.
 ("Throw it out", Doug would say, " If you haven't used it in the last year, don't take it, there isn't room.") 
You can't throw out my grandmother's cups and saucers, Mum's  two tea sets; so I set about keeping most of it, but redistributed some to family and recycled those things that nobody wanted. 

We thought that one medium roll of bubble wrap would be enough,  and our son said that he could get us some boxes.Thousands of boxes, and an extra roll of bubble wrap later, we finally had it all under control.

A number of loads went over to Whitianga in the Landrover - workshop stuff, camping gear etc, and the week before, David followed Doug in my car to leave it there for me.

There were still too many cars and not enough garage space so Doug decided that the time had come to part with the dear old Skyline. It sold quickly -  Grandad spec - would now to begin its new life as a 'boy racer'.

Move day dawned, and at 7:30 am the truck arrived. Rain preceded it.

 David had already moved out but he came back to help on the day.

Dave and I took turns vacuuming and wiping things down as the movers rapidly emptied the house. We wanted to leave more or less at the same time as the truck so we could be there when they arrived.

The house was emptied within three hours so after a quick last good-bye to Nana we were on our way. We caught up with the truck just as they were pulling out at Tairua. It was still drizzling.

It was so good to finally arrive in Whitianga. Everyone had had enough by the time it came to unpacking but eventually the truck was emptied and the furniture places in the right rooms. My main aim then, was to produce a meal and get our bed made - tomorrow was another day.