tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51902536381099824022024-03-05T02:28:33.132-08:00Kiwi or bustAbout our move to New ZealandDr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-61494720945117438042010-06-19T00:57:00.001-07:002010-06-19T01:05:26.165-07:00Meet Leonard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIkC_2pKJ8TApHPja657WQc48Rx71_tumuy3zl2BT3RQ501DjThPygW6vVUyAc5W9yGqIYiKX9_wVxYL5NjC-UkfqkyupUQHYnxKeuXwdwQlk4-a50VcZfQ55pJXZHaINvTiipgoVV0li/s1600/DSCF2906.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484391074186181858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIkC_2pKJ8TApHPja657WQc48Rx71_tumuy3zl2BT3RQ501DjThPygW6vVUyAc5W9yGqIYiKX9_wVxYL5NjC-UkfqkyupUQHYnxKeuXwdwQlk4-a50VcZfQ55pJXZHaINvTiipgoVV0li/s400/DSCF2906.JPG" /></a><br />Meet Leonard - our new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">campervan</span>. We have not had a car since we moved here and have managed OK. I walk to work most days, or get the bus if the weather's not great or I've got too much to carry. Going to the supermarket on the bus can be a pain, but you just have to make sure that you don't buy too much.<br /><br />However, one of my ambitions before we came here was to buy a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">campervan</span>, so when our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">next door</span> neighbour decided to sell <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hers</span> it was meant to be! Leonard is a Toyota <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Liteace</span> from 1992. He spent his first eight years as Leonard San in Japan, before moving to New Zealand. Since then he has had his seats removed and a sleeping platform put in. He's large enough for a queen sized mattress.<br /><br />Alex, who we bought him from, was very organised. He has all you could need - stove, plates, cutlery, curtains, tent, a kite...<br /><br />We're looking forward to seeing some of the more remote parts of New Zealand in Leonard's company.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-63340883683649295022010-03-25T13:50:00.000-07:002010-03-25T13:59:40.813-07:00Bright lights big city?I took a trip to Auckland this week for work. It's a funny place.<br /><br />When we were making plans to move to NZ we pretty much ruled out Auckland straight away. The rationale was simple: if you're going to live in a big city you want it to be London or New York, Paris or Hong Kong, not Auckland.<br /><br />Not that there's anything in particular wrong with Auckland per se, it has shops, venues, restaurants, but they are all a bit 'so what' (as my EngD supervisor used to say). The people rush around in a big city fashion, but behind the bustle there seems to be little real spirit.<br /><br />Wellington, on the other hand, is a small city. Rather like Edinburgh is in comparison with London. Despite its size, Wellington has a distinct vibe about it - it has cafes, restaurants, theatres, boutique shops. In short, every time I come back here I know that we made the right choice. I'm happy to leave Auckland to those who want to play at living the big city life.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-73024897060033228192010-03-16T23:47:00.000-07:002010-03-16T23:58:48.930-07:00Have you got wood?It's the time of year in New Zealand when people's thoughts turn to wood. The nights are closing in and the first Southerlies remind us of what awaits in winter. I could blog for pages about the Kiwi unwillingness to heat homes, but I'll spare you, for now.<br /><br />We are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">relatively</span> lucky. We have a system that recover heat from the roof space and recirculates it through the house, it also removes moisture, which is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">good</span> for Anthony's asthma. To complement that we also have a wood burner in the living room. To quote my colleague Nathan, we 'live like kings'.<br /><br />Wood is generally the fuel of choice for those who bother to heat their homes at all. This is the time of year when you start to see piles of it appearing at the end of driveways and the tops of stairs. We were very organised this year and got our winter wood delivered in December. One reason, it's cheaper then, the other that we would have the whole summer to move it down the 100 steps to our house. Good plan? Turned out that the supplier's promise to deliver it to the top of our section translated into dumping it in the middle of the road. Two days and the help of some good friend later and it was stacked outside the house.<br /><br />There is a downside to having the wood delivered in ready to burn chunks - no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wielding</span> of the axe this year. Chopping wood was something that I'd never done, but I don't suppose that I'll miss it on those wet winter evenings.<br /><br />We're ready for you winter, whatever you decide to throw at us!Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-87128454039570695962010-02-24T23:28:00.001-08:002010-02-24T23:28:42.676-08:00EEKIt's been so long since I bloggedDr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-87504857822169747802009-07-20T00:45:00.000-07:002009-07-20T00:54:54.848-07:00Making use of Windy Wellington<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4IatHHDfdHmyfk3DPUO_r3IeRC3UXwXdgdVIokKpP_UtpubIE26B6ahVvfj9QY03EpSdo5lGc1uArgPMqmvRsg38ZdV2e6L4l1ogMvhgAp0J9d81mc3v_YxQN1Aiwj9qik7cQ9XaS9hyphenhyphen/s1600-h/DSCF2310.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360447539296920642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4IatHHDfdHmyfk3DPUO_r3IeRC3UXwXdgdVIokKpP_UtpubIE26B6ahVvfj9QY03EpSdo5lGc1uArgPMqmvRsg38ZdV2e6L4l1ogMvhgAp0J9d81mc3v_YxQN1Aiwj9qik7cQ9XaS9hyphenhyphen/s400/DSCF2310.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwLzKT0tTjqVk-vddV-4_uLUJ5s6927Ppdv-GelWp6wsQQ-_PI1Fec6mYYtcJRGPpn63MBpkw4VuSyZE6gExugd0EN8WwntIsTTzs0nWSUnBAlVLKhg86JfHQ9wYY05Wy6ZnR3-dZEiy1/s1600-h/DSCF2302.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360447535083008562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwLzKT0tTjqVk-vddV-4_uLUJ5s6927Ppdv-GelWp6wsQQ-_PI1Fec6mYYtcJRGPpn63MBpkw4VuSyZE6gExugd0EN8WwntIsTTzs0nWSUnBAlVLKhg86JfHQ9wYY05Wy6ZnR3-dZEiy1/s400/DSCF2302.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DanLpFmWGCSP3QD1HAv4ofN094T8Uwy-5D5V0_B7XWG9ln06otlmUlzrUGexeTGnuM9ADeygL1tNGj3eLBlGfh9UqWJmcHQj84H2IY9N6r-0gY5eYcS1VLpmTeM3A0ZOKk1yq-jduaTg/s1600-h/DSCF2290.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360447526279596242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DanLpFmWGCSP3QD1HAv4ofN094T8Uwy-5D5V0_B7XWG9ln06otlmUlzrUGexeTGnuM9ADeygL1tNGj3eLBlGfh9UqWJmcHQj84H2IY9N6r-0gY5eYcS1VLpmTeM3A0ZOKk1yq-jduaTg/s400/DSCF2290.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>In the 9 months that I have lived here, I can concur with the general view that Wellington is a windy city. Calm days are rare here, especially in winter, so it's ironic that on my recent visit to the new West Wind windfarm there was no wind!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>West Wind is still under construction, but it is already part-operational and is an impressive sight. You wouldn't believe that you are only over the hill from a capital city - it's so wild and lonely.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-14392281299138014452009-03-20T14:46:00.000-07:002009-03-20T14:50:01.110-07:00They've got the powerOur new home overlooks Evan's Bay in Wellington. Until I moved here I didn't know how much goes on in the bay. Every evening and weekend there are lots of people sailing, swimming and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">kayaking</span>. This weekend you can add offshore <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">powerboating</span> to the mix. The NZ powerboat series has come to Wellington harbour and there are currently lots of boats speeding up and down the bay. The poor captain of the harbour ferry is having to weave in and out and hope for the best. I hope that no one is silly enough to be swimming out there today!Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-19675546589612329692009-02-20T16:43:00.000-08:002009-02-20T16:59:52.078-08:00Keep on movin'Sorry, I've been terribly remiss in my blogging of late.<br /><br />This past week has been a bit mad. Last weekend our letting agent told us that there was someone coming round to view the property. Why? It turns out that our landlord has been a naughty boy in the property market and the flat has been repossessed. The agent couldn't tell us whether or not we would be able to continue living here after our lease is up in mid April. Not good.<br /><br />So we thought that we'd better start looking round for something else. Trade me ahoy. Trade me is the Kiwi version Ebay, it's where everyone looks for rental property too. We saw a lovely looking house for rent up the hill from us in Roseneath. Next challenge - the open home. Open homes here are the main way that people show property for sale or rent. You have to get in quick or you've no chance. We got there first (yeah!), but there were a couple of girls there too. When we were being shown round we were sizing each other up - it was like sharks circling. They broke first and asked to put their names down, but they had a third person to consult. We zoomed in and put our cards on the table - we want to take it and we don't have anyone to consult with. Thankfully the owners, Kate and Holger, really wanted a couple to rent to and were more than happy to take us on as tenants. We've got a lot in common and it's really nice to meet some new people. They are only moving out because they can't manage the steps with their small baby at the moment.<br /><br />Problem solved? Well yes, in a way, but we were still looking at paying double for a month and a half until our rental contract here ran out. Then a notice went up in the lift - someone looking for a property in this block to rent for a short term. We made contact and they are taking over our lease.<br /><br />Thanks to whoever was looking out for us!Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-6555698524561991712009-01-18T18:41:00.000-08:002009-01-18T18:46:42.465-08:00Cat walking - the new craze?Today I've seen two separate instances of people taking their cat for a walk. This seems just plain wrong.<br /><br />Incident #1 took place right outside our flat where a group of people drove up and parked and then took their cat out of the car and played with it on the grass. The cat seemed reasonably content until it was required to return to the car.<br /><br />Incident #2 saw an elderly lady walking her cat in a harness along Oriental Parade. The cat looked most put out (understandably) at being treated like a dog and was refusing to walk at all.<br /><br />What will be the next trend here in Wellington? Stick-insect surfing? Guinea-pig triathlon? I'll let you know.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-8229085311559179612009-01-17T23:39:00.000-08:002009-01-17T23:52:00.734-08:00Welcome to the food templeMoore Wilson's is a Wellington institution. It started out as a wholesaler to the restaurant trade, but is now open to all. The deli fresh section has recently been refurbished as is now somewhat like a conventional supermarket in appearance. There you can get lots of great fruit and veg, meat, breads, dairy products and coffee. This is also the section where they have one member of staff devoted to tending the orange squeezing machine. You can smell orange zest from along the street!<br /><br />The fresh section of the store is great, but it's when you cross over to the grocery section that the magic really begins. First there is the real cash & carry section which is a full-on warehouse. You can by in bulk here - there's enough rice to restock a paddy field. Anthony only just managed to stop me heading off with a kilo of dried <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">chillies</span> today.<br /><br />Next to the cash and carry is the alcohol. Now I've blogged about Gerry's on Old Compton Street on London before (<a href="http://kiwiorbust.blogspot.com/2008/09/gerry-gerry.html">http://kiwiorbust.blogspot.com/2008/09/gerry-gerry.html</a>), but Moore Wilson's is Gerry's on a grand scale. You name it, they're likely to have it. Upstairs from the booze is the non-food section. Need glasses, plates, knives, a mop, a heater, cookery books, bedding? You'll find them all here. This may sound like an advert for the shop, but for anyone who's into food there's nothing to beat it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.moorewilson.co.nz/">http://www.moorewilson.co.nz/</a>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-30195608503661024082009-01-12T01:05:00.000-08:002009-01-12T01:11:17.836-08:00Harbour at night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacbAdIrZcuG9laUokrARtizHJ8HcdsvggvXObhLbh-XOoJl_TiuqHs3qhpAVy_JBpA7xEMdv_q49xcNk84sTZeBG_QwA1bt3wpPhHike9GVI4itSE3qHr6d1G-_BJDnr8IOHGtyz1EMaH/s1600-h/DSCF1851.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290332254825764530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacbAdIrZcuG9laUokrARtizHJ8HcdsvggvXObhLbh-XOoJl_TiuqHs3qhpAVy_JBpA7xEMdv_q49xcNk84sTZeBG_QwA1bt3wpPhHike9GVI4itSE3qHr6d1G-_BJDnr8IOHGtyz1EMaH/s400/DSCF1851.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-69217890332845918582009-01-10T13:17:00.001-08:002009-01-10T13:21:51.687-08:00Rush Hour<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhH6ecque_56HJg1qPnGTzf0MzVNqgqcNbrh9m1uHDq2zMr8BDLjxNUvZRknLax_zMl8WNqvJ4_inoPmqyUKP_4I1h5IGeeF8JTiJNbUG7hplMF5lrz7DMLWDS4jWCCrD1QYDZdSqTEMR/s1600-h/IMG_4591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289777687702894146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhH6ecque_56HJg1qPnGTzf0MzVNqgqcNbrh9m1uHDq2zMr8BDLjxNUvZRknLax_zMl8WNqvJ4_inoPmqyUKP_4I1h5IGeeF8JTiJNbUG7hplMF5lrz7DMLWDS4jWCCrD1QYDZdSqTEMR/s200/IMG_4591.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Wellington Harbour is the commonly-used name for Port Nicholson. I took this picture the other day with a container ship coming in. A cruise ship is already in and the Interislander ferry from the South Island is also approaching. The only thing missing is a small ferry that goes across the harbour to Days Bay.<br /><div></div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-33601038500890494052009-01-08T11:50:00.000-08:002009-01-08T12:02:11.708-08:00Baking bonanzaI like to bake, always have done. My Mum is a good baker and she taught me well. When we moved there was a whole box of baking equipment - one thing that Anthony didn't complain about me bringing.<br /><br />I've noticed that in the UK a lot of people don't bake. There are of course many that do, but there are many more that don't. Baking supplies in UK shops vary, but are normally limited to a small section of shelf space (usually next to the jam).<br /><br />New Zealand, on the other hand, is a nation of bakers. Buying baking supplies here is like shopping in the 1950s, 21st Century style. Baking supplies are not corralled in a small section in close proximity to the preserves here, they have a glorious aisle to themselves.<br /><br />Let's start with the basics. Baking powder, baking soda and cream of tartar are all there, not in little pots, but in full sized packets. They are there for people who will use them and come back for more, not leave them at the back of a cupboard following some half-arsed attempt to make cupcakes 3 years ago because they saw an article in Cosmo about how cupcakes are trendy.<br /><br />Muffin cases are another example. In the UK many places don't have them, and those that do usually just have them in white. Here they have lots of designs and sizes, you can even get ones specifically for savoury muffins (my latest are a fetching red chili design).<br /><br />Whatever else New Zealand may be, for me it's turning out to be baking heaven.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-42888964760713112182009-01-05T16:11:00.000-08:002009-01-05T16:15:44.283-08:00Resolutely no resolutions, almostAt this time of year I have been known to indulge in making a few resolutions for the year ahead. You know the kind of thing - eat less, move more. This year I'm not making any.<br /><br />Well, I'm kind of making one. We've made it all the way over the New Zealand, the least we can do is to make the most of it.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-3113142935358221032009-01-01T21:11:00.000-08:002009-01-01T21:24:36.544-08:00Belated review of 2008At this time of year reflection is inevitable, and 2008 has been a bit of an odd year, so I'm taking the opportunity to look back at what went on.<br /><br />Obviously moving to New Zealand was a big event from the last 12 months, but it wasn't everything. It's been in our minds for a few years now, but to make it happen has given me a huge feeling of empowerment. I don't know how things will go here, but no is not the time to dwell on that. It'll be what it'll be, all we have to do is to do our best and have fun.<br /><br />So, back to 2008. On the job front we both had changes. I discovered that I could survive pretty uncomfortable work conditions, but I couldn't do it for long, or without the support of some very good friends. Anthony discovered that quitting your job on your second day can actually work out in the end!<br /><br />I made my first trip to Asia in January, not knowing that I'd be returning within the year. There were also a couple of great trips to Lyon, somewhere that I will miss and hope to return to.<br /><br />My Grandad's 100th birthday was the high spot of the year for me. I always knew that he would make it, but it was great to see him on such good form, surrounded by family.<br /><br />Who knows what lies in store in 2009, but I wish you all the best for the next 12 months.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-40051043996165740122008-12-28T18:53:00.000-08:002008-12-28T19:05:09.491-08:00The stuff of legendYes, it is finally here, THE STUFF.<br /><br />After seeing them boxed up and taken away on 1 October our worldly possessions were returned to us on 23 December. After horror stories of containers left on the dockside in Singapore for 8 months, Somali pirates, shipwrecks and officious NZ customs officials we were very pleased to see them arrive.<br /><br />However, after the initial pleasure came a period of unease, bordering on the mild panic. Sure, having stuff is good, but it also means that you have to look after it and take it with you when you move etc. You're no longer just away for an extended holiday when you have all your stuff with you.<br /><br />Now, after much sorting out, it's all starting to feel more homely. There is a sofa to sit on instead of the floor. A bed to sleep in instead of a mattress on the floor (the floor has played a big part in our life for the last couple of months). There are pots and pans for all your cooking needs, rather than restricting meals to those that can be made in 2 saucepans. There is a choice of clothes and shoes - hopefully work colleagues will no longer think that I sleep in my clothes for a week.<br /><br />Of course there were some casualties in the move. A couple of bowls and glasses and a desk, to name a few. The oddest was my Nintendo DS, of which I have the charger, instruction booklet, games and pointer, but no games unit itself. Still, everything is straightening itself out, including Nero, and the good news is that if you come to visit there will now be something for you to sleep on and to sit on.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-41173643356152374302008-12-25T21:13:00.001-08:002008-12-25T21:20:04.374-08:00Christmas in the sun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY_NlluzMDsBFeqRhZJ7jp-ROKs51LmAMlDfb5n3Fz3vt2i6YVBvSV3RLJfntdG24POZ3GMFlPaRJiNq8co4ZKEiM0nJRxC-rjisxaFhyzg4P1sNPByVC_NkqjX_d1mYByLWpy0AIssFA/s1600-h/IMG_4580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283963327831619250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY_NlluzMDsBFeqRhZJ7jp-ROKs51LmAMlDfb5n3Fz3vt2i6YVBvSV3RLJfntdG24POZ3GMFlPaRJiNq8co4ZKEiM0nJRxC-rjisxaFhyzg4P1sNPByVC_NkqjX_d1mYByLWpy0AIssFA/s200/IMG_4580.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOccMIsx7_vaVmqc9iQ24BJXgDDpuq1nz0govlLWTBHrmTlwUtfohLopvpB4iM7EEZSm0w8Ff8XGPgtUvNYUQN6QrAeLz4Rv5evUhj9CK5OUcrhJ5FxTxjJAqFaHn0IM8-ctlw6HlDanDo/s1600-h/DSCF1796.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283963321230976898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOccMIsx7_vaVmqc9iQ24BJXgDDpuq1nz0govlLWTBHrmTlwUtfohLopvpB4iM7EEZSm0w8Ff8XGPgtUvNYUQN6QrAeLz4Rv5evUhj9CK5OUcrhJ5FxTxjJAqFaHn0IM8-ctlw6HlDanDo/s200/DSCF1796.JPG" border="0" /></a>Merry Christmas!! </div><div> </div><div>Christmas in the sun is a weird concept to get your head around as a Northern Hemisphereite. Yesterday we took a drive over to the Wairarapa which is a region to the east of Wellington. We drove down towards Cape Palliser which is the most southerly point of the North Island.</div><div> </div><div>When we got back we took a walk along Oriental Parade where Anthony took the great picture of the frisbeeing Santa.<br /></div><div></div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-22272598329586989342008-12-13T13:35:00.001-08:002008-12-13T13:41:50.767-08:00Kiwiana Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzd_ggAndUPePMpbSVRZWqI4ebKnnq1XvtnwedGVANkEbFiE7e6kpPA7SWS-7LL8krTNil6IAD-O1_Jw_-X0Y22Q22XFiXR4CJ0djLoPmV86TouHScZ3RhNUlr0WbvY-x2Aftax1cK3nB/s1600-h/DSCF1591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzd_ggAndUPePMpbSVRZWqI4ebKnnq1XvtnwedGVANkEbFiE7e6kpPA7SWS-7LL8krTNil6IAD-O1_Jw_-X0Y22Q22XFiXR4CJ0djLoPmV86TouHScZ3RhNUlr0WbvY-x2Aftax1cK3nB/s200/DSCF1591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279393060789450546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoP19HF7IhplO1fLkky9a7ikGOMGDEeRQRUrnkKIPn_WLIhKxdZnLFSf5ot3qdam0NjaQQMdflaFM7VVqQaO-0Olxx5Mripu4BGljwZeTN85ZOKYfsRH4jedfQXPW3QncCMduLFWQi5Yc/s1600-h/DSCF1581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoP19HF7IhplO1fLkky9a7ikGOMGDEeRQRUrnkKIPn_WLIhKxdZnLFSf5ot3qdam0NjaQQMdflaFM7VVqQaO-0Olxx5Mripu4BGljwZeTN85ZOKYfsRH4jedfQXPW3QncCMduLFWQi5Yc/s200/DSCF1581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279393057390717298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0NBCq9arTyyA9DzGh2OFd-C5IWT1nmQMax-oJmFDaokWzA2F18Dw3uuTM52fJAze6agbE2lB4a450-RkYwylKAXAQeITnpZbzjeUmDMH6aLlpxu5yeEFZeHJehgKFvOQMylNUm_MWG90/s1600-h/DSCF1712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0NBCq9arTyyA9DzGh2OFd-C5IWT1nmQMax-oJmFDaokWzA2F18Dw3uuTM52fJAze6agbE2lB4a450-RkYwylKAXAQeITnpZbzjeUmDMH6aLlpxu5yeEFZeHJehgKFvOQMylNUm_MWG90/s200/DSCF1712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279393037655794466" /></a><br />Lots of New Zealand towns have a landmark to make them stan out from the crowd. I'll record these as I come across them. This is the first batch. the plane doubles as a cafe.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-64647462420288848202008-12-02T23:14:00.000-08:002008-12-02T23:17:27.274-08:00Tri-ing too hard?Triathlon is almost a way of life in NZ. On my way home this evening I had to negotiate ranks of dripping runners newly emerged from the harbour. <div><br /></div><div>I recently saw an advert for a triathlon event for 5 year olds. They obviously start them young here!</div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-76062726351742758322008-11-30T23:19:00.000-08:002008-11-30T23:23:07.863-08:00How do they do that?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOMBWwS-JzfwFBYOEWAiAthaPZloNmNjaPCy5bTrBaSMVFv6aM4tSZGl56RpeExp8-f7jOmI0apFgTCo-k_xOZcQvwekrIk0YBC63rcYVjXERX94MoffAaWtNY0wpD9mc-dgMlhp0k1cK/s1600-h/DSCF1732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOMBWwS-JzfwFBYOEWAiAthaPZloNmNjaPCy5bTrBaSMVFv6aM4tSZGl56RpeExp8-f7jOmI0apFgTCo-k_xOZcQvwekrIk0YBC63rcYVjXERX94MoffAaWtNY0wpD9mc-dgMlhp0k1cK/s200/DSCF1732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274718341718677810" /></a>They are advertising this 'Massive shoe liquidation' at a venue on my route to work. I'm really curious to see how they are going to liquidate a massive shoe - acid? I'm not sure how massive the shoe is, but it's bound to be impressive.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-30063625433222531872008-11-29T16:09:00.000-08:002008-11-29T16:20:54.994-08:00Oh I do like to live beside the seasideI know that I am risking it all by saying this, but it seems as though summer has finally reached Wellington. Yes, there are still days when you have to walk at a 45 degree angle, but at least the howling gale has a touch of warmth to it.<div><br /></div><div>Where we live is the prime Wellington beachfront area. At least it is now that the mayor has paid for a couple of million tons of sand to be stolen from someone else's beach and dumped in front of the sea wall here. Wellingtonians make the most of this strip of sand and there is always someone playing beach volleyball/walking their dog/jumping into the sea straight out of the sauna. This morning there was a 'surf carnival' where teams of lifeguards raced each other in boats. Really I'm beginning to think that my new life involves being an extra in Home and Away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Exciting things come in on the sea too. On Friday I was cycling to work when I saw a pod of dolphins in the harbour. They were right in close to the shore, about 8 of them. They had just come to look around, perhaps killing time before Te Papa opened. Lots of people stopped to watch them and I have to admit it made a welcome change from tube mice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday we went on a cycle ride round some of Wellington's bays. You don't need to go far to fell as though you are out of the city. On the Miramar peninsula we stopped at Scorching Bay to watch a diving school. It was fun to watch their trail of bubbles and they made their underwater journey around a reef. I'm not sure that I want to take up diving just yet, but a friend at work goes snorkeling regularly and I might be up for that. In the meantime, I'm happy sitting in the sun having a coffee watching Anthony getting to grips with sailing.</div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-76243145570065690512008-11-25T23:20:00.000-08:002008-11-25T23:24:25.034-08:00Sandwich horrorOne question that we get a lot is: "what food do you miss from the UK?". Really we haven't been here long enough to miss anything. However, if you pushed me I would say an M&S tuna and sweetcorn sandwich. Actually, any M&S sandwich would be good. You see, for those of us who don't like egg, tomato or random beetroot in our sandwiches then New Zealand is not the best place to look for bread-based lunchtime solutions.Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-18026112706182366352008-11-15T22:16:00.000-08:002008-11-15T22:38:39.450-08:00Steamin'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5xIa_B6VKTnEyYSeZa_-e1qGRuKQSkIwAJ3QirGoysqFKnpsd0GC7R1oMAjpwKu_0Czg0_-uInLPTMoWL0HoZo31C9v2oEEzkBHCrPsd4q6a4DphuebWbhUwqOqqAgcvM3Wnhy6jAvUz/s1600-h/DSCF1649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5xIa_B6VKTnEyYSeZa_-e1qGRuKQSkIwAJ3QirGoysqFKnpsd0GC7R1oMAjpwKu_0Czg0_-uInLPTMoWL0HoZo31C9v2oEEzkBHCrPsd4q6a4DphuebWbhUwqOqqAgcvM3Wnhy6jAvUz/s200/DSCF1649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269139676178405538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmkxsgk2Fb_RJXMGP_E6U8oDbG6tvBKCqsPh5aTYY_ReCu4L9-6VyiFpAjFACRNRZ7HuIIgrj8PmYq8dGdg-iw8Ei93Rb7P7XpkJPmjRsDOx25irPhXu0qT-T-8rdDOCjLKxuVuqs4z0l/s1600-h/DSCF1639.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmkxsgk2Fb_RJXMGP_E6U8oDbG6tvBKCqsPh5aTYY_ReCu4L9-6VyiFpAjFACRNRZ7HuIIgrj8PmYq8dGdg-iw8Ei93Rb7P7XpkJPmjRsDOx25irPhXu0qT-T-8rdDOCjLKxuVuqs4z0l/s200/DSCF1639.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269139674161841586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yEcvU0ZQ8qHeZF3B914rHTiSjHoRE8NB0dO_pHHXzGq3xi6_1bPZnFOs_hFl3kRlxhKSgr1fJtgA09ZJGrGgeh0Y8dCGu6SKUyMuOvTl2sMfziWNebLifxcJnmM4c5OcryddohfZTEd6/s1600-h/DSCF1628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yEcvU0ZQ8qHeZF3B914rHTiSjHoRE8NB0dO_pHHXzGq3xi6_1bPZnFOs_hFl3kRlxhKSgr1fJtgA09ZJGrGgeh0Y8dCGu6SKUyMuOvTl2sMfziWNebLifxcJnmM4c5OcryddohfZTEd6/s200/DSCF1628.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269139669286160962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1heIJk_OOAO0iNmTf3NGaIxFVAsUSY8iwuSGACiKp_7kE_qFHMdwaPc9A7Dxis98kB3J8tWMjcvCMxyExD316UcgnGu9k4i8rknHUD9VOgWJQ636a_Wgh7P64aKztNlYBLvjSJ0t9CkTu/s1600-h/DSCF1621.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1heIJk_OOAO0iNmTf3NGaIxFVAsUSY8iwuSGACiKp_7kE_qFHMdwaPc9A7Dxis98kB3J8tWMjcvCMxyExD316UcgnGu9k4i8rknHUD9VOgWJQ636a_Wgh7P64aKztNlYBLvjSJ0t9CkTu/s200/DSCF1621.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269139663065934386" /></a><br />I had a really interesting week in Taupo at the geothermal conference. One of the highlights was a trip to the brand new (the official opening is next week) Kawerau geothermal power station. The station generates around 100MW of electricity, as well as providing power to the neighbouring pulp and paper meal and heating greenhouses growing vegetables. Here are some short video clips and some pictures.<div><a href="http://www.mightyriverpower.com/Generation/News/LatestNews/Detail.aspx?id=1369">http://www.mightyriverpower.com/Generation/News/LatestNews/Detail.aspx?id=1369</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyHcU2iUb_ct9nNfcw6_DzW8r66ey7MDHIufhF5SvJ7iAazLxqQnctWqh7odgZhalgty08hWx_IDdNinrrrxg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6yYVYQgGXzgq197on9VbHuwTWXz64jgG4ht2RNL7k6Nil93grPQ1W9HqeLuoI-3wr9Ycfgtna-hEwYKvCLQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-43651711392866172742008-11-08T23:59:00.000-08:002008-11-09T00:03:12.658-08:00EarthpowerI'm off to a conference about geothermal power this week. A significant proportion of New Zealand's power is generated from geothermal resources. The conference is in Taupo, which is in the volcanic region of the North Island.<div><br /></div><div>There are a couple of field trips to geothermal power stations which should be interesting. I'll try to post some pictures when I get back.</div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-10511749024820715992008-11-07T18:11:00.000-08:002008-11-07T18:21:01.099-08:00Observing the KiwisI imagine that this will be a theme that I return to, but the New Zealanders do have their own ways of doing things. On sunny days, like today, they can be found sprawled anywhere, regardless of whether they should be there or not. There is one spot on Oriental Parade where the promenade passes a row of boat houses. You regularly see people sitting on the roofs of these boathouses having a beer and soaking up the sun. In the UK this would be frowned upon, but here it is the norm. What I find less acceptable is the people who ride their bikes on these raked roofs, using them as some form of obstacle course.<div><br /></div><div>A disregard for authority is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">de rigour</span> here. On Guy Fawkes night there is a huge firework display in the harbour and on the way home from work I came across a group of people unloading two sofas, two armchairs, a coffee table and a couple of crates of beer from the back of a pickup. They then proceeded to set up their outdoor living room in the middle of the pavement at the harbourside.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went to the local pool to use the steam room last night. However, we didn't join many of the locals who spend their evening going to the sauna, and then running down to the harbour to throw themselves in and then return to start the process again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly we have some way to go before could be considered to have adopted the Kiwi lifestyle!</div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190253638109982402.post-51967303895625227372008-11-01T20:35:00.000-07:002008-11-01T20:45:06.313-07:00Kiwi coffee nomenclature and the national scone obsessionCafe culture is big in NZ - BIG. People seem to go out for coffee with alarming frequency, and at the weekend brunch is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">de</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">rigeour</span>. Apparently this has only been the case for the last 10 years or so. Before that the Kiwis drank tea and stayed at home for the most part.<div><br /></div><div>I have to say that I've yet to have a bad cup of coffee at a cafe here. They do the usual cappuccinos, espressos, lattes etc., but most people go for one of the Kiwi coffees. A 'short black' is an espresso and a 'long black' is a normal black coffee (like an americano). My favourite is a 'flat white', it's kind of a cross between a cappuccino and a latte.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along with the coffee most Kiwis will consume some type of cake. Most cafes have a choice of savoury or sweet muffins (American style) and savoury or sweet scones. Whether you pronounce scone to rhyme with Joan or gone, you'll get your fill here. Date seems to be the favoured sweet flavour, and cheese the favourite savoury. I've yet to experience a range of scones, but my first impressions are that we make them lighter at home! Mind you, at home we don't microwave them to heat them up and melt the copious amounts of butter that we've spread on them. Am yet to find a proper cream tea, that will be a happy day!</div>Dr Frau Drhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806207963524038522noreply@blogger.com0