Week 5

Monday 30^th May

The week started with a skype call to the Connell  household (including mum). Then went to the aquacentre in Richmond  for a swim. Spent about 4 hours in the library, putting together  a job application. I went and did some gracery shopping while Lisa finished off her CV. Just as I was leaving the supermarket I noticed I had a text message to say that a rare white heron was being released at Mapua wharf at 4.30. I quickly collected Lisa from the library and got to Mapua with a minute to spare. The press where there and so where a lot of seagulls, who weren’t impressed with the new arrival. It was being released here because it was eating prize goldfish from a pond in a nearby town. It was also going to replace a heron called Hamish who, for the first time in 18 years had not returned to Mapua for the winter. The new heron however winged it back to the other town. I don’t know what has now happened to him/her.

Tuesday – Went to a job consultancy company, who charged me money to tell me I was doing everything right and make a few minor changes to my CV! – easy money for them.

Viewed a house that was for sale on Trade Me( a bit like ebay, specific to NZ). Later in the afternoon went out on my bike and did a ‘proper’ training session.

In the evening we went to the Mapua and District Business Association AGM. It was very interesting and welcoming. There were at least 50 people there and at least half of them were really switched on, competent females. There was a very positive feel about what they want to achieve in the next year and beyond.

Wednesday 1^st June – Officially the first day of winter  Sunny, no wind and approx 16 – 18 °C

Wharfside Restaurant & bar

Another view of the area around the wharf

A winter view around the local estuary

Had a coffee at Wharfside before going for a cycle (another proper training session, only this time longer and harder) Lisa stayed at home and did her homework for her class tonight.

In the evening Lisa went to class and I wrote up last weeks blog.

Thursday 2^nd June  Sunny and warm

In the afternoon I met the events manager from a local sports trust. I sent her an email last week, asking about the possibility of getting some work experience with them.  We discussed some options and we agreed that I would do a couple of half days as a volunteer, helping out in her office. I start next Wednesday.

Friday 3^rd June - a bit overcast and much cooler, 9°C.

The start of a long weekend as they get Monday as a holiday to ‘celebrate’ the Queen’s  birthday ! There is an even more important holiday TODAY...Lisa’s 40^th

Lisa's birthday lunch (complete with candles!)

The day started with our coffee ride with Tasman Wheelers. We then went for a late leisurely, lunch at the Apple Shed at the wharf.  We then went to Motueka, where we went into a large shop  called Warehouse, which we had passed a few times. It turned out to be a shop which is a cross between Lidls, Woolworths (that brand still exists here, but no shops)B&Q  plus more. You could buy everything from a pint of milk to a surf board, live bait or any household item.  We dragged ourselves away, knowing that it was the first visit of many. We were very restrained and came away with a CD. I noticed there top 20 CDs. The royal wedding is at number 16 and at number 17 is......Daniel O’Donnell.  We bought neither (tempting as it was).

In the evening we were joined by Adele and Roger from next door and had a few glasses of NZ bubbly, while listening to our new (and at the minute our only) CD. The CD is Adele 19 (just to clarify that we didn’t buy Daniel. If they sell his CDs here I wonder does he ever come here ? The answer to that question  I can live without.

Saturday 4th June

The day started wet and got wetter (but nothing like last week’s storms). We went to Richmond to use the internet as the hub in the house is broken and won’t be replaced until next week. We then went and viewed a house.  We had never visited the library on a Saturday...it was packed with adults and children, some  where having coffee and a chat and some where even looking at books!

We have decided we need to buy gumboots as we are now in winter mode and they are a must in these parts (including in town, cafes and anywhere else).

Sunday 5^th June wet dull and mild

I have a head cold so not bothered about the weather. We had coffee at the wharf and read the weekend papers. I say weekend as they come out on a Saturday but have both Saturday and Sunday’s date on them, so no separate Sunday news.

In the evening we finished off Lisa’s weekend birthday with a trip to Nelson in the evening to go to a Thai restaurant which had been recommended. It was good, portions were huge and the place was packed.  They still allow you to take home your leftovers, so went away with enough for a second meal.

This weeks vocab lesson.....

Little rippers = small children

Flick over = what you do when you send someone information via email

Sweet as = said when agreeing on an arrangement, eg “can I get my hair cut at 2pm?” answer “yis, sweet as” or used to replace OK

This week in the press.......

Hard to follow last week’s story, but I have become fascinated with the lost and found adds. This week one of the found adds was....Sheep. It said that they had wandered onto someone’s property and if they were not claimed they would be ‘either sold or go into the freezer’.