Kia Ora

Monday 12th January 2009

It will be three weeks today that Mel will start her new job so I thought I had better pull my finger out and I applied for a few jobs this morning,The humidity today was an absolute energy sapper and our main task was to secure ourselves a motel room for the 17 days that we have to move out in February and March,but things didn't start too well as everything was way more money than we wanted to pay,and the ones that were in budget were worse than a hostel!!!!

We took care of a few small jobs in Devonport and Takapuna before heading out to Sylvia Park,NZ's largest shopping and entertainment mall.Thankfully we weren't shopping but returning an IPod adapter that we had bought for the car only 10 days ago.It turned out to be pretty rubbish and we were surprised when they took it back without a box or any hassle. It was then back onto the great motel search but to be honest we kept drawing blanks so the new strategy was to go home and blanket email them all and wait for replies to see who had the best prices.

Because the day had been so warm the early evening was pleasant and was just the right temperature so we took off to the beach for a bit of a swim,we were amazed how much warmer the water was than just a couple of weeks ago.We stayed around until the water cooled off.Back at the house the email to the motels had produced no replies but we were hopeful that something would turn up.I gave the car a good clean out and hung up our new air freshener!!!

Tuesday 13th January 2009

Not too much to report today,I scoured a few more job sites and we hung around the house until my hair appointment at 3pm,they cut hair really quickly here and within 25 minutes of leaving the house I was sat back on the sofa with considerably less hair on my head!!!

We enjoyed a walk around Devonport in the evening and even managed to feed the local ducks and pukekos who decided to surround me and peck at my toes trying to get at the bread.At one point I had about 200 ducks scrabbling and quacking around me!!!

Wednesday 14th January 2009

Mel woke up in the middle of the night as she felt something on her arm,it turned out to be a spider crawling on her which initially shocked her,but I think it was the spider that got the biggest shock when it went flying across the bedroom at lightning speed!!!

I went out for a quick spin on the pushbike again today for a blitz around Devonport but 2 days on the trot is enough as the bike is old and it is like sitting on a wedge of concrete.When we switched on the computer we had a couple of nice emails,the first was STA (who host our blog) wanting to use another of our photographs.They have had about 5 off us now and it is nice when someone else appreciates your pictures,although I wish they paid you for them!!!!

The second was from NZIS letting us know that our paperwork had been received and the ball was rolling so to speak.

Today has been a monumental day for one more reason,as the shorts I bought in Melbourne back in August 2007 have worn through on the left leg in 2 places.To be honest they have seen so much action and the only time I haven't had them on is when they were getting washed or when I have been in the sea,so at some point I will have to go and purchase a new pair.

After lunch we went around a few motorbike shops and priced up helmets and clothing for us which turned out to be pretty pricey but at least we had a good idea what we needed to spend to keep us safe on the road.

High tide had passed so rather than head for Cheltenham Beach by the house we went a 1/2 mile up the road to Narrow Neck Beach as the sea bed drops off so the water stays deeper for longer,we even managed to stay away from the dairy and the lovely ice creams,but we had a great swim before returning home for dinner.

Lots of Love

M & M

xx