Time for a little whinge

Although we had another lovely weekend (relaxing in the garden on Saturday and lunch in the countryside on Sunday with an old uni friend of Andy's and his Melburnian wife) I thought it was time for me to air a few grievances just because that is what I do best!
The main whinge this week must be about our ongoing possum problem. They've been living with us since December yet the pest control people only managed to come out to us this week. They blocked the hole in the roof with the intention of forcing them out the escape hatch but instead it sent them downstairs (favourite spots being behind the extractor fan in the kitchen and more alarmingly Max' bedroom) I think they have now escaped (or died) but it's typical the one week that Celia and Max both decide to sleep through all night, the possums keep us awake!
An ongoing whinge is of course the cost of living over here. I had to actually ration Max and Celia's banana intake this week as they have now reached $12 a kilo (that about £2.50 a banana)!  We also naturally  expected our favourite Australian wines to cost less than they did in London but some of them are as much as 50% more here?! The biggest price shock this week, however, was the cost of musicals (not an everyday essential item I grant you). How I regret not taking advantage of all the shows when I was in London. The only musical showing is Hairspray and it's about 3 times the price you'd pay in the West End.
I watched Australia's answer to 'Question Time' this week (called 'Q&A'). The format is pretty much identical except they run a constant ticker along the bottom of the screen showing all the incoming twitter comments and I mean all. So as I was listening to a very serious and well articulated debate on Libya I was amazed to see scrolling along the bottom of the screen such comments as "that Miss Devine is a bit of alright, mmmm...." How I miss the BBC!
And finally, I was peeved to discover that they have never heard of Aussie Miracle Moist shampoo over here - I feel like reporting them to the trading standards office as I'm poitive they don't really use Macadamia nuts from Queensland!

Back to Normality

The past 2 weeks have been blissfully uneventful in comparison to the previous 2 but that is not to say we haven't been making the most of our weekends. The Saturday before last we had a lovely barbie at Niamh and John's house (one of my expat playgroup friends) and the next day we headed into the countryside as Deloitte were hosting a family day at a fun park so more barbequing, rides on hobby horses, Celia went down her first 'big' water slide and she took part in a very early easter egg hunt.

This weekend was a long one as Monday was a public holiday (Labour day) so we went to the Moomba festival on Saturday which is held on the banks of the river Yarra in the city centre. As always this was free, family friendly and packed with things to do - they really know how to put on an event here.

On Sunday we went to Werribee Open range zoo which would have been more enjoyable if it hadn't been for the typical Melbourne weather (set off in blazing sunshine dressed accordingly, 10 minutes outside Melbourne the temperature drops 6 degrees and in the blink of an eye the storm clouds roll in and it pours for the next 3 hours!). Anyway, Celia loved the hippos and Max was a big fan of the wooden variety.

We ventured into the city centre on Monday to attend the Moomba festival parade in the morning and see a bit more of the city in the afternoon. Celia was a bit unsure of the stilt walkers but she loved the Melbourne Museum in the afternoon (once again this is free, child friendly and has stacks to see and do) plus it's next door to the beautiful Royal exibition building and is in cool and quirky Fitzroy so we have earmarked a few bars and restaurants for some return visits.

So a lovely way to spend a few days and appreciated all the more when we got home and witnessed the horrors the poor people in Japan are going through. Feels surreal.   

Sunshine, chilling out, old friends and a fab wedding - We Love New Zealand!

Before being caught in a certain earthquake in Christchurch, we actually had an amazing holiday in New Zealand. It really is one of the most stunning places we've ever been and I for one can't wait to go back.

As it was only 5 short weeks since our last holiday we really didn't feel ready for another trip. Consequently both Lydia and I were totally underwhelmed by the prospect of the planned 10 days of planes, hirecars and boats that awaited us in NZ.
Within 24 hours of reaching Queenstown however we were well and truly switched to holiday mode. Nine and a half years after my last visit (an adrenaline packed boys trip with my friend Olly) and once again I was in love with New Zealand. Our thanks for this must go in no small measure to the wonderful hosting of Julie Brown (and husband Julian) a good friend from distant Glasgow years. They laid on a fantastic barbeque and introduced us to their beautiful and carefree children. Sipping wine made from vines growing in your own garden whilst your children play on the lawn overlooking uninterupted lake and mountain views. You guys certainly have the life! Great to see you all - we'll be back come ski-season!

Why can't all gardens be like this?

BBQ and great company by Julie Brown.
Wine by Amisfield. http://www.amisfield.co.nz/

We spent four days in and around Queenstown and could easily have spent another week. Wanaka and Arrowtown are two other fantastically scenic towns and everywhere you go the people are incredible, the roads are empty and the views sensational. Celia loved the paddling (even if the water was freezing) and Max just seemed like a different wee boy thanks to the fresh air and a bit of daddy time!
We can't recommend it enough.

Nice!

Simon says - put your right hand up

From Queenstown, through a combination of plane, car and boat we made it to Marlborough Sound and the seclusion of Furneaux Lodge (http://furneaux.co.nz/accommodation) on the north coast of the North Island. This was the main reason for our trip to NZ - the wedding of another university friend Olly and his new kiwi wife Sarah. This was a four day affair in a location only accessable by boat (or a 3-day walk). The combination of fishing, diving, walking and wine on the veranda with mates I haven't seen for 10 years made for an incredible few days. The wedding wasn't bad either!

Thank you so much for the invite Olly and Sarah. Your vows were memorable. The wedding was stunning and we wish you all the best for a happy future together. We'll be waiting patiently for news of those first grandkids!

Furneaux Lodge

Mr and Mrs Roberts

Get a room!

Chip of a very old block

From Furneaux, via Picton it was back to Christchurch and a couple of nights in the tranquil beachside suburb of Sumner with its surfing, great coffee and scary scenic mountain roads. Yet again we found a great little town, with lovely friendly people and amazing scenery.

On 22nd February 2011, three hours after we left the hotel for a walk round Christchurch before heading to the airport, Sumner was very near to the epicentre of the Christchurch earthquake. Our holiday ended a little unexpectedly but thankfully we have some terrific memories of the previous 10 days to balance the rather more scary times of the next couple of days.

I'll be back to New Zealand again in September for the rugby world cup. I can't wait.

View from top of Queenstown hill