Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello fellow-Poms,
Am up at the crack of breakfast-time to update you on our exciting adventures. Actually we haven't done anything particularly special but have still had lots of laughs. Naomi and Lydia continue to act as if they are emotionally and physically joined at the hip and are having a great time.
Jim and I have been on a couple of walks around the estuary and today are planning an ascent of the north face of Mt Maunganui, followed by a coffee shop. The sad news is that I have discovered there is something at Starbucks that I like - a double chocolate-chip frappuccino, which is probably not that good for the figure, or the bank balance, or anything else except Starbucks profits.
Last night we had a strange experience - we were persuaded to go to the local hot pools - a natural thermal spring which has been made into a sort of massive bath akin to a swimming pool but which you just sit in until you're too hot then you stand up to let the night air cool you down a bit, then you sit in it again and sweat. (Well, I did anyway- Naomi claims she didn't). The worst bit was at the beginning - you had to change in little cubicles outside and the tarmac was freezing, then run to the pool hoping your goose pimples weren't so big they'd stop you getting through the doors. Then when you got in it took a while for the feeling to come back into your feet. Two hours or so later, though, we were reluctant to get out. It was rather pleasant to lie in the water, with steam rising off the water into the night sky, but the lights under the palm trees illuminating the edge of the pool and the rain forest garden beyond. But then you look up and see the stars through the steam... Ah well. Very nice it was.
Now I'll get off and let Naomi tell you about the rest...
Hi everyone, sorry we haven't really blogged properly in a while! Anyway, on with the rest of what we've been doing. Just to forewarn you it's not all going to be touristy activities!
On Sunday night, everyone except Lydia and I went out to church. We stayed in because Lyd had work to do and i was tired. So they went out and Lynne asked us to keep an eye on the lasagne which was in the oven. We did and after about half an hour we noticed it starting to brown, so decided to cover it. We put a tray over the top and went back into the living room. About 10 minutes before they were due back, we decided to have another look at the lasagne. Oh dear. The top of it was completely burnt and shrivelled - it looked like a cross between a prune and one of those wrinkly dogs! We decided to try and pick the burnt bits off, then put more cheese on and put it back in the oven. Unfortunately we only got as far as picking the burnt bits off before we saw the car pull up in the drive and started to panic! When they came in, we leapt in front of the lasagne to try and hide it, but they could smell the burning! Oops... We showed them what we had done, much to their amusement, but thankfully it ended up tasting nice! (Yes, it was actually edible)
After dinner, we were having a chat and Lydia was clearing the table. She had a plate in her hand and was trying to make a serious point about something or other! So she was drying the plate whilst talking and she stepped backwards with it in her hand, not realising the dishwasher was open behind her. She bumped into it and wobbled a couple of times before losing her balance completely. With a horrified expression on her face, Lydia fell backwards and SAT in the dishwasher!!! It took us about half an hour to recover from our hysterics, but even thinking of it now i get the giggles!
So that was a very entertaining Sunday night for us. Yesterday, Dad, Lydia and I were at home when Jim came running in, shouting about needing his camera. We didn't have a clue what was going on and thought something amazing must be happening so we raced outside down to the bottom of the drive. We thought we were stopping there but Jim beckoned us to jump in the car. I had no shoes on, neither did Dad, and Dad had left the front door wide open! So we piled in, no seatbelts on, and Jim drove off at about 100 miles an hour! We stopped at the top of the road and could see an amazing rainbow over the estuary. So we took some photos, i had grabbed my camera, and then got back in the car with soggy socks and hoping no-one had burgled their house while we were gone!
As Dad has already said, last night we went to the hot pools at a place called Fernland Spa. It was an amazing place and very relaxing! Although when we got in, it was not quite so relaxing. My feet were so cold after standing on the cold tarmac that when the hot water touched them it felt like my feet were on fire!! I was standing on the steps shrieking that my toes were burning and so Lydia had to come and help me in. There was a man lying on the steps right next to me with his eyes closed, and when he heard us being loud he just kind of opened one eye and looked at us before shutting them again - which made me laugh as well. When we got out and were getting changed in the changing rooms, I noticed that there was steam coming off my body and my swimming costume which was very odd! But it was a fun night.
Today I am going into school with Lydia! I'm not going in for the full day, but am meeting her there when it is her morning break, at 11. Then we will have 2 lessons, then lunch, then one lesson. I'm looking forward to it - it will be fun. We'll let you know how it goes.
Plans for the rest of the week, so far: tomorrow we're having a lazy day and then going shopping at the Mount, Thursday Dad and I are going to Rotorua and Whakarewarewa (yes it is actually a place - don't laugh!), Friday we are all going to Waitomo and staying in an amazing motel over night - it is actually a ship used in the war and we have the captains quarters which are posh!, Saturday we are going into the Waitomo caves where the glow worms are!
So it's looking busy but fun for the rest of the week. Speak soon and look after yourselves.
Naomi x
- comments