Recently we have had a Bellbird on our feeders!!! He is fantastic and hangs around the garden alongside the Silvereyes and Green Finches. One morning as I was changing the sugar water container he was flying around the trees and the feeders as if to tell me off for taking his food away. What a cutie!
Sabine and I are continuing with our swimming. We have been going basically every other day. I tried the watersides one evening. I was a bit cheeky and inquired at the slides themselves about it, and the woman in charge just let me have a go on them, seeing as both slides weren't in use anyway. Usually you need to pay extra for them. She let me try both the slow ride and the fast one.
I banged my foot in the swimming pool one evening on my way out. It didn't feel like much at first but it caused light bleeding and blistered later on. Its been difficult walking on it. I dont think the quality of the water is very... natural. More like they are putting in too much chlorine or bleach or something. Yes we have been going more regularly, but we have been experiencing dry skin and very dry hair. My hair feels like straw. We use moisturising cream but we still need hair conditioner.
One evening just before bed I noticed a very small and cute stick insect in the bathroom. We handled it and took photos of it. Then I put it outside. It reminded me of them being around when I was a kid, though this one was very small.
Sabine and I got the news that we passed immigration. We send off both our passports in order to have residency permits put in them. This is not permanent residency, as that's the final step which is a few years away.
12 Sat-
We went to the market first thing. Today's highlight vegetable was a HUGE swede. We decided to go swimming directly afterwards but by this point it was 8:30 going on 9am, and all the lanes were full, most of them with swimming lessons. Sabine's slow lane was crammed and things just weren't working out, so we left and came home. We showered then went out again to town. Sabine wanted to go to a cafe but the one we tried (the Vanguard) was full so we couldn't. We both didn't want to walk to town. My foot was hurting because of when I banged it the other day so I didn't want to walk too much. Its actually the rubbing against the shoe that's causing the pain each time I take a step.
We went grocery shopping, starting at Mitre 10 for bird related things. We had a nice cake in their cafe. We got a decent bird feeder with hooks and more fat balls. We even got two Bell Bird / Tui feeders to entice the Bell Bird that's visiting our garden. We then shopped in Pac N Save. We did some of the cooking for the week, but not all. I also set up the bird feeder.
13 Sun-
We went swimming first thing, and it was much better than yesterday. Its Mothers Day today across most of the world, so we were lucky to get a table at this cafe / pub type place. Looking at other tables, they were serving incredible portions. I ordered a curry, and Sabine had 'Portabello Mushrooms'. Unfortunately hers was on the smallish side, but mine was a winner! Sabine was feeling miffed so she got a cake at another proper cafe we went to before, just up the road from where we ate. This time it was for take out. I got a cake too because why not. Mine was a raspberry and white chocolate slice and hers was a chocolate brownie. I inquired in 3 woolen shops around the Octagon, regarding woolen socks to rival what I have for bed socks. Its actually a pair of Dads woolen NZ socks that's been in use for nearly 30 years. Unfortunately none of these shops sell them, just crap thin things that would last next to no time. One shop told me that I'm likely to get a pair in a woolen shop in Ashburton. After looking up online just now I've found this website: https://www.nzsock.co.nz
We went to Island Park Reserve Estuary at Waldronville / Brighton for another walk to the sea. This being our 3rd visit I think. The waves were high, almost good enough to surf on.
We came home and cooked the things we bought yesterday. A Bell Bird was on the new feeder whilst I was messaging Alex. After that we decided to go swimming again, cause why not! I taught her some more strokes that would be good for once she has her googles which she ordered.
14 Mon-
I went out to lunch with an Indian guy named Pankaj from work, to celebrate my residency permit. He got it too last November. I remember at the time when he got it. He works in BIS like me, but not in my direct area. The restaurant we went to was called Indian Garden, on Hanover street. It was an Indian (dur) that served nice curry things in individual pots. Only $11 (about £6) for the lunch special. Pankaj was working for an Indian telecommunications company that sent him to different countries for a few years at a time, that being UK (Leeds), Dubai, Australia, and even Helsinki. He was working in Auckland when he decided he wanted to stay. His Indian company didn't help him so he got a different job and somehow got to be working at the DCC, whist applying successfully for residency.
My shoes from Mum and Dad arrived! Thank god! They actually bought me two pairs which was nice. Here's hoping they actually last more than 4 months! I don't trust the brands you can buy out here.
18 Fri-
This evening we went to the Italian restaurant Etrusco again to meet up with Barbara, who was in town. She is a friend of Mum's who lived next door but one in Upper Hutt when I was a kid. I last saw her 4 or so years ago in England. Earlier in the week I got a Facebook message from Jessica, her daughter, asking for my phone number so Barbara and I could communicate. That morning at work I got Sabine on board and we searched for somewhere appropriate to go for dinner that would have gluten free food. We decided on Etrusco again because they did a decent gluten free menu, and because we knew it was good. I arranged the booking, reserving a table for 6:30pm. Sabine and I got there first and it wasn't long before Barbara arrived. We ordered a gluten free flat bread for a starter, and each with a main course. I had another pasta but it was really filling. Sabine had a pizza which looked great. We talked to Barbara about the past and the present, about her work and family life, and visa versa for our lives. I wanted to pay for the meal but she wouldn't allow that. We kinda fought over who to pay. lol. We gave her a lift back to her aunts place. Shes been here for a week to visit her aunt who she doesn't see very often. She forgot to give me her present earlier so she was happy that we were able to give her a lift so she could give us it, which turned out to be a nice bunch of expensive Whitaker's chocolate.
19 Sat-
We went swimming first thing, then decided to head to town. The parcel for my new socks had arrived and was lying on the doorstep just as we were heading out. These are loveeely socks. I didn't mention that are designed as hiking socks, but I just like using them in the house and as bed socks. This new pair is a pack of two for $40. They should last for yearrrs, hopefully! Earlier in the week I emailed the sock specialist that I found online and attached them a photo of the pair I took out to NZ with me, and asked if they still produce them. This is the guys response:
Hi Alan,
I remember these socks fondly!
We used to make these - however unfortunately the yarn required to make these became harder and harder to source, it's quite a heavy gauge - and then eventually NZ lost the industry for scourers and so the raw materials had to be sourced from off shore - so the financial suitability to produce these in NZ and have at a reasonable price for end consumers became obsolete.
Sad but true reality of many NZ manufacturing plants.
But alas we have an alternative - the yarn is not as heavy duty - and won't last you 30 years but I have a few pairs myself and suit me fine for my gumboots and steel caps.
I think the guy was underselling it to be honest, as of when I'm writing this passage (22/05), they have been brilliant. Incredibly similar to the pair I brought out with me. Very thick, warm woolen sockys!
Back to talking about Saturday, we had lunch at 'The Perk' cafe. We've been there twice now, they do nice cakes. We decided to have their breakfast but it was served like arty food. A bit disappointing considering, but they are still great for their sweet range. I bought a new pair of pyjamas in town. I wanted something heavy and cotton. I tried on a few things and decided on this 2XL blue check, pure cotton set. I must admit I'm not too happy with my current pyjamas because its not cotton. They are a tad uncomfortable and don't exactly fit me. I'm not comfortable sleeping in materials other than cotton. We looked around a few more shops as Sabine needs new shoes and a nice winter coat. She found a pair and bought them, but is struggling to get a winter coat. After that we went and did a weekly shop.
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| New pyjamas and socks |
20 Sun-
We went swimming this morning first thing. Later we went out for lunch to a cafe called 'Govenners cafe'. The door kept opening and blowing in fallen brown leaves. I called it a 'rustic atmosphere'. Sabine wasnt thrilled by her choice, but I was happy with my burger.
They did this arty competition thing. Basically they have a wall covered with customers napkin art. They pick out one a month and give the creator a $20 cafe voucher. I know its a gimmick, but I still wanted to draw something. I only had a pen, pencil and highlighter pen but I gave it a shot. They had snap dragons in a vase on our table, so I drew them. Here's my photo before I handed it in:
After that we went window shopping, but soon came home to clean the house. This afternoon we watched the latest live action Disney version of Cinderella, and ate a new 'Jurassic World' Chargrill Doritos flavour, which were strangely bright red coloured.
We bought Kindling yesterday so we have everything prepared for using the wood burner. Today we finally put it on. We watched a YouTube video on how to use it and set up the kindling and place the firewood on top. It got going properly after putting on the third log. It took a good hour to warm up. Our cats LOOOVED it! They were sitting by the fire and stretching out their bodies to keep warm. I have to admit I could get used to this, but we have to use it sparingly.
