Kia Ora

The last seven days have been frustrating for us on several levels,Monday arrived and it was a Bank Holiday here so there was no chance of us getting the car back and we would have to wait until Tuesday for any information as to when it would be ready.So we decided to fill Monday by taking a walk up North Head to watch the regatta take place.

Waitemata Harbour was packed with boats of all shapes and sizes and it was a great sight to see.We also had a trip down to where they are going to site the new Navy Museum,to be honest although we were curious to see what the plans were for the museum we both had a bigger interest in the pipe band that was playing and the sausage sizzle that was on offer!!!

We ended Monday at the beach and had a swim in the sea to cool down,Mel did more swimming than me as I tended to be talking too much and ended up with mouthfuls of salty water all the time.

With Mel starting work next Monday we had decided to start getting up early to get into the routine for Mel,unfortunately Tuesday morning didn't start too early because it had been so humid in the night neither of us had slept too well but we still have a few days to get it right.The car had started at the garage so it looked like the fault had disappeared but we asked then to keep it to see if the fault re-occured.

I left Mel taking care of the laundry and I set about the 3 bikes in the garage fitting new brake blocks to them all.It had been 5 days without the car and luckily the weekend had been busy but now we were keen to get it back so we could get things done and by early evening they had found the fault on the car and just needed the new sensor to get it running which pleased us both but it would be Thursday before we got the car back.

After a bus ride into Takapuna and a short walk to the garage we had our car back the total repair bill was over a $1000 (400 quid) luckily we only had to pay the first $250 (100 quid) and hopefully we will get that back next week from the car dealer,we were just happy to have the car back.A few weeks earlier Mel had seen some shoes while we were out in Takapuna so we paid a visit to the shop to try them on.Usually shoe shopping with Mel can be a nightmare and she can never find any that she likes but to my amazement and hers I think,they fitted and she loved them so she snapped them up there and then.

We also managed to pick her up a new skirt too,Mel did try 5 items on so that wasn't bad going and a succesful 50 minutes!!!

It was Friday again and nearing the end of January and also a little cooler.the sunshine is nice to have but it really tires you out and although it has been nowhere near as hot as Melbourne we were glad to have a cloudy day.I noticed a motorbike shop with a sale on so we took a trip over to have a poke around.It proved to be succesful and we both picked up a few items at under half price so we saved around $600 (240 ponds) so happy days.It became a bigger surprise when we checked out and got anther $140 off the trousers so we just paid and left ecstatic with our purchases.

The last few Friday's have seemed to involve some sort of immigration issue and today was no different,we are still waiting for some paperwork to come through and have been told it could take another 2 weeks,but all we can do is wait and wait some more and eventually things will get sorted out.

After the little blip in the weather yesterday we were back on track today with the sunshine so we took ourselves over to Mission Bay to try another beach for a change.The tide was on it's way out but we just sat and enjoyed the sunshine for as long as we could before moving into the shade of a big Pohutukawa tree.

Sunday for me was a monumentous day as Mel had to show me how to use the washing machine here and this meant for the first time in all the years we have been together she has had to relinquish power over the laundry as she will be busy with work.I managed fine with the washer but got a couple of pointers when it came to hanging out the clothes.I never thought it was so technical, just shows what I know!!!!

Mel got herself all sorted for the big day tomorrow,so all I have to say is GOOD LUCK for tomorrow and enjoy your day,babe.

Lots of Love

M & M

xx