Kia Ora

When we left you last week we were heading into autumn and I said we might need to keep an umbrella with us at all times and we were not wrong the rain kept on coming.

On Tuesday there was drizzle falling again and I set off for a real walk around "tiki tour" I had no idea where I was going but set off (with my brolley) to see where I ended up.After 2.5 hours walking around and finding some new places I returned home a little wet and I hadn't kept on top of water proofing my walking shoes so mt feet were a soaking.

The afternoon was ticking away nicely and I prepared snapper for dinner and also got a pleasant surprise when my NZ driving licence arrived through the mail,which now means I am running on that just like Mel and my UK one is now no use here.

After a couple of mornings waking up early,we got a 30 minute lie in as Mel had a meeting close to home so she didn't need to be up as early.The morning started lively as I washed my face and went to dry it and ended up with a spider crawling over my face which had been happily living in the towel overnight,it did startle me but it was soon in the sink trying to get a grip and crawl out.I fetched a glass and caught it while Mel was still lying in bed wetting herself with laughter!!!

Our shower decided to play up and not drain away today so I let the landlord know and he worked some magic on the sensor and lo and behold we were back in business and not having to stop the shower every 2 minutes.

Once I had cleaned up I set about making some brownies,making brownies is a science and some you get are just too dry,the secret is to not bake them for too long so they stay nice and moist in the middle.I mixed up the mixture and added strawberries and walnuts,the smell of them baking was awesome and 40 minutes later I was sat enjoying one with a nice cup of tea.There is something about a well made brownie that just can not be beaten,and these were good brownies!!!!

Need less to say the first thing Mel did when she got home was head for the cupboard and the brownies!!! It would have been unfair to keep them all for ourseloves so I packed up some for Mel to take into work which went down a storm..

I had another bad nights sleep and am putting it down to lack of activity as Thursday was a quiet day for me so I don't seem to be needing as much sleep.The wind was blowing and as with every Friday it was laundry day which was a doddle today.

Saturday 25th April in NZ and Oz is a big deal,it is ANZAC Day (like rememberance Sunday) It was drizzly as we drove into Devonport for the rememberance service.The high street was lined with returned service personnel,including our neighbour Doug who is 94.ANZAC Day commemorates all fallen military but has an emphasis on all those that fell in Gallipoli in 1915.The Navy band led the parade to the war memorial and the wind was blowing but the crowd was huge.

The thunder rolling in the distance as last post was played and the pit pat of rain on the umbrellas.We got to sing hymns and the national anthem,it is sang in Maori and then English.Mel was very proficient in both as she sings it at work quite a lot.For those that are interested here it is in Maori and English.

E Ihoa Atua
O nga iwi matou ra
Ata whakarongona
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai
Kia tau to atawahai
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

God defend at thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet
Hear our voices we entreat
God defend our free land
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war
Make her praises heard afar
God defend New Zealand.

Back at the RSA (returned sevicemans association) we tucked into sandwiches and juice or in my case and on our neighbours insistence,BEER.It was only 11am but I wasn't about to start arguing with a 94 year old man and a war veteran at that,so I politely accepted.

After a morning of reflection and partly becuse nothing is allowed by law to open until 1pm we headed up the road to check out a wood carving exhibition I had seen advertised.It was small but there were one or two cool carvings including a 7ft bear.The blustery weather made it perfect for a walk on the beach at Milford with the wind in our faces and the waves crashing into the rocks.Even on a wild day the beach is quite alluring.

We topped our day off on a high,I had been after some new underwear for ages and while I was reading the paper the advert jumped out at me for an underwear sale,so 5 minutes later we were heading out the drive and towards the ASB showgrounds on the hunt for boxer shorts.I am pleased to tell you all that after a good rummage around I had 3 new pairs to call my own,and replenish my stocks,so happy days.

Our Sunday was in Mel's words "perfect" we did our usual chores going to the fruit market for the veggies, then to the supermarket for our other stuff. We followed this with a drive to Mairangi Bay where we had a long walk along the beach to Cambells bay in the blustery wind, it was beautiful. The afternoon was then spent lounging on the sofa watching a cheesy afternoon film (although Mel nodded off) and then the big finale a roast dinner with lamb and mint sauce - life doesn't get much better really.

Just in case you are wondering we still don't have our residency visas,but we are plugging away and trying our best to get it done.

Lots of love

M & M
xx