Over the hills and far away...

I have driven over 800 kilometres since we last yapped! So, pull up a chair, get yourself a cuppa and let's see...I drove to my brother's 50th birthday bash in Invercargill. It was a long drive especially with Scowly and 11 year old in the back seat!

However, yes it was my OLDER brother since you ask. Cheeky!

It's a pretty part of the country and was actually very green, a symbol of all the rain lately.

Here is a place called Shag Point. Seems well named according to The Stud, he answered nature's call and reported several pairs of wimmin's knickers in the bushes!! You'll be thrilled to know there are pix of them.

Here is a view of Bluff, there is a narrow causeway between Bluff and heading back to Invercargill. It was a freezing cold day with hail and everything.
This is a wee beach at Land's End, no good for sunbathing eh?
We took the kids out for dinner on our first night in Invercargill. To a restaurant named Big Willy's. This is the ladies loo door. You can imagine the boys loo door!! To be honest, it was not the best meal ever. Our steaks were ok but considering they called themselves a family restaurant our kids meals arrived pretty much just as us adults were licking our plates clean!


This is Lake Waihola, and we had a cuppa tea and whitebait sandwiches here on our way south. The sandwiches are basically fritters/patties between bread. Yum. I like mine with vinegar but then again I like vinegar sandwiches too.

Drove home 465 kms in one day. It was tiring but they make red wine for that eh? (After the driving, mate, AFTER the driving!!

And becasue you have been good kids while I've been away, here's a treat for you

On the road again

I have been away again, the West Coast. I have taken you there before. About half way there (or back, depending on which way across the Island you are going) is a place called Arthur's Pass. It is a great spot to stop and have a cuppa - or in winter, to let the kids get out of the car for a run about in the snow! Whatever time of year, you can see these birds. They are native to New Zealand, called the Kea. Right cheeky they are! They are parrots. It is not uncommon for them to get into some hapless motorists car if they have left a window open, they will then proceed to chew on whatever they find. I think they own Arthur's Pass.
This one thinks so too. Just be careful if you ever decide to have a drink form this water fountain, you don't know who or what was there before you! They look rather dull but in reality have wonderful orangey-red underbellies.
On the way back to Canterbury, I also found Steve a new place to live (to escape his gloomy world at present anyway!) - isn't it lovely? Land for the kids, sheep to count, mountains nearby...
Just put this car in as random eye-candy for the blokes or petrol heads in general, it was parked across the road from where one of my colleagues lives. Maybe I could convince the boss that this is the new car he needs to buy for me to continue to carry out my duties....

Kiwi Moosik

Just thought I'd share this one with you.

Gad, a book review? Surely not!

It's like this. I saw this book at the airport bookshop on one of my many trips to Invercargill. At the time I decided I would finish the book I already had and would buy Don't tell mum etc next trip. Well, couldn't find it next trip or the one after that so eventually put the idea to the back of my mind.

When up in Auckland recently I saw it in a shop there and nabbed it. I couldn't NOT read a book with a title like this, even tho' its not really the sort of travel adventure book I would read. I'm not sure there are ANY travel adventure books I would read. I am too lazy and prefer the DVD, the visual events.

So, I started reading the book on the plane on the way home from Auckland to Christchurch and thoroughly enjoyed the start. It is a "larikins" book really. Full of funny fart jokes and boy-speak but there are some rather insighful passages which made the overal experience worthwhile. I would have liked to hear more about how things went with his dad, but I'm nosy that way.

Don't get me wrong, this won't win any prizes for its language or plot, and its more like a sit down with a mate who is just back from an OE and you've had a beer or three and he's telling you abouot the trip. But some days thats what you need. Some days, you want a good read for the train or plane, and if you're really lucky a charming handsome fella next to you (or felless if you prefer) might strike up a conversation about it and thus add a bonus to your trip!

Daisy makes a break for it...

I know, how cute! I did wonder about the pink leash and the grey fur...a bit too 80s??


In the meantime, 2 blondes walk into a building...you think one of them would have seen it.

And now for something completely different...

Sorry folks...I guess this is my response to some heavy stuff going on in the world in general and some personal stuff I'm dealing with. However, "normal" transmission will resume. Maybe.

I'm going about with a face like two buckets banging together as we have no Dr Who on the idiot box now, what will we do for that Whovian fix? Last week in Torchwood Capn' Jack disappeared to the sound of the TARDIS arriving...and I had almost given up on Torchwood. I still can't warm to Gwen and Monkey-Face (Owen) is annoying too. Maybe I'm just grouchy today.

What is going on?

What is this? What's going on?

I can't believe that this senseless killing has happened here. naive I know, we're not that unique here. Fugitive Bolgger has put it all extremely well. It happened there too. WTF?

All FB's readers have a point. But how much do you weigh up in that "flight or fight" nano-second? I would appreciate someone helping me too. I have 2 daughters and a husband, a mother and brothers.

Have we really some that far from dancing round the campfire? Sometimes I think not. Sometimes I KNOW not.

Value your friends and family. Make sure they know you love them. You never know what's round the corner.