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

Christchurch Earthquake - Way too close for comfort!

For most of the last two weeks we have enjoyed a fantastic trip to New Zealand where we went to celebrate the wedding of our good friends Sarah and Oliver who live in Christchurch. Our most vivid memories however are of a much more tragic event.

At 12.50pm on Tuesday we were just finishing our lunch, a nice sandwich in New Regent St, Christchurch, a few minutes after stepping off the tourist tram in Cathedral Square.
At 12.51pm we were on the floor of the cafe with our 7 month old Max's buggy thrown on its side, surrounded by food and bottles of soft drink falling from the fridges. Yes, we were in the middle of a 6.3 earthquake - it was very obvious very quickly.
What we didn't know at the time of course was that this was the most deadly earthquake to ever hit New Zealand and that only two streets away in both directions buildings were collapsing taking scores of lives.

The next few minutes were pretty hectic as we picked up our children and got out of there as quickly as possible. As we left the cafe we could see clouds of dust coming up the street, probably from the cathedral so obviously we ran the other way, with Lydia carrying a frightened Celia and me pushing a screaming but somewhat oblivious Max. We had to crouch and take cover a few more times as fairly large and extremely scary aftershocks hit but we were pretty quickly out of the central area and away from large buildings.

As we walked away from the central business district in a bit of a state of shock we could see helicopters dropping water on burning buildings and plumes of dust rising in several parts of the small city. It was pretty obvious that there was no chance of retrieving our luggage or passports. They were in a multi-story car park right in the city centre as we were due to head to the airport immediately after lunch. The locals told us that the last earthquake had sealed off the city centre for a week and that this one was much worse. We also heard on someones radio that the airport was closed so we, like many thousands or others were stranded with only the clothes we were wearing.

  


A backpacker hotel we passed as we left the CBD - everyone got out safely

 

Refugee children sharing their donated pyjamas

Over the next 48 hours we experienced so many random acts of kindness it wouldn't be possible to mention them all - but I'll try to remember the main ones

• The backpackers who let us share their radio to hear what was happening
• The amazing lady from Armagh street (we will find out your name and send you a thank you) who took us into her house and gave us water, baby milk, baby bottles, spare clothes for the children, advice on where to go
• The bus driver who squeezed us on the first 'stranded foreigners' bus out of the city and then left us all alone at the Antarctic Exploration Centre (a blessing in disguise)
• The manager at the Sudima hotel whos organisational skills in controlling, feeding and arranging sleeping for around 2000 stranded people was just staggering
• The Australian family (Levi, Sarah and Ruby) who so kindly allowed us to share their room on Tuesday night - unbelievably we were one of a very small minority in that hotel who actually had a bed - although with dozens of aftershocks there wasn't much sleeping!
• The businessmen and the German student who lent me their iPhone chargers - I hope the extra blankets from our room helped you sleep a little. iPhone4 battery life is appalling, just when you need it most.
• The Red Cross people at the rescue centres who were organised and helpful and gave us more nappies, babyfood and plenty of food and water.
• The manager of the beautiful Copthorn hotel and his wife who took us into their home and gave us coffee and a few moments of calm at a point in the day when things were becoming a little too stressful to handle (for Lydia!). They then found us a room in the hotel that allowed us to see the British Consulate on Thursday morning - and he bought me a Guinness.
• Margaret, the mother of our friend Michelle in Melbourne who drove, picked us up and then ferried us to one of the few open chemists to have our new passport photos taken
• The English couple we met at dinner who kindly donated clean t-shirts to Lydia and I (they probably smelt us across the table) and some books and stickers for Celia
• My employer Deloitte for arranging and paying for our very expensive new flights home - without them we would have been there until Sunday
• The British Consulate for getting us emergency passports (eventually)
• The random woman we met at the British Consulate who then insisted on dropping us to the airport
• My boss Lisa, for coming to meet us at Melbourne airport at 9.30pm with food, flowers, wine and teddy bears. Amazing.

Red Cross Relief Centres - Very impressive

The one thing maybe doesn't get properly reported is the number of aftershocks. In the 51 hours between the earthquake and the time we left Christchurch there were more than 100 aftershocks, each of them making your heart beat just a little faster than normal, and in some cases quite a lot faster! Check out this fascinating up-to-the-minute tremmor map. http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/

And finally, thanks to all our friends around the world who sent so many great messages of support via Facebook. A lot of families in Christchurch are much much worse off than us this week so please think of them too. We have a story to tell for the rest of our lives. Around 250 people aren't here to tell any stories anymore.

The epicentre - where we were EXACTY 24 hours earlier - the view is probably quite different now

Very soon we'll post some details and photos of the real reason we went to NZ - a fantastic holiday and a beautiful wedding. It's a truly stunning country with incredibly friendly people so please go see for yourself. I guess it would be understandible if Christchurch isn't on your itenerary right now (although the tourist dollar will be most welcome in the coming months) but the rest of the South Island should be on everyone's 'must see' list. We loved it.

















Honeymoon Couple and LOTS of rain!

Last weekend we had our first proper overseas visitors come to stay. We're still waiting to hear from all the others who promised a visit!
My cousin Russell and blushing bride (actually Russell is far more blushing come to think of it) Claire (formerly of Ballyclaire) Millen stopped in for a couple of days whilst enjoying their Australian honeymoon.

I'm not sure if the open plan nature of our spare room, extremely squeaky spare bed and children who like to wake up at 6am really created the desired honeymoon atmosphere but it was fantastic to see them nonetheless.

Unfortunately for Russell and Claire Melbourne's unpredictable weather excelled itself throwing up the worst tropical rainstorm in living memory (just as I was stoking up the BBQ). It then proceeded to rain torrentially for 24 hours and then be freezing cold the rest of the weekend. Lovely excuse for a couple of big nights out however.

We trust you are enjoying the rest of your honeymoon and hope Max and Celia did their little bit in showing you the delights of parenthood (they were really funny and well behaved all day - just forgot how to sleep at night for a couple of days).

Anyway, next up on our antipodean odessy is a little trip to New Zealand and the very extravagant wedding of my old friend Olly. More on that one next time.

Andy Murray - Dear oh dear!

Australian Open Final - Sunday 30th Jan 2011

Good atmosphere. Terrible game.

 As global sporting events go, the final of the Australian Open tennis is right up there. So imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out just before Christmas that the general public can purchase final tickets online, just like that. Brilliant.

That was Lydia's Christmas present sorted then.

The two month's anticipation built further during the two weeks of the tournament as Melbourne really did go tennis mad for a while. It seems like just about everyone we know went at least once - it is just what you do when you live in this sporting mecca. And of course, Murray reaching the final was the perfect finale for us. 

Everything was great then, except of course the match. In case you didn't know Murray was soundly thrashed by Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Thankfully for us we also went to the semi final between Djokivic and Federer on the Thursday night which was a much more entertaining event.

Still, can't complain too much. Atmosphere was great, Lydia and I had a couple of nights out sans enfants and of course not everyone will be lucky enough to experience such a fantastic event in their lifetime. I just hope Murray doesn't take stage fright again next year.

Anyone for tennis?

It's weeks like this when I really appreciate being a domestic engineer as I get to watch the Australian Open  every afternoon (when not escorting Celia to the park of course). Unfortunately, it also reminds me how much I miss the good old BBC as the coverage isn't a patch on Wimbledon back home. For example, I was watching the final game in a 3 setter woman's match and it was potentially one point away from match point and they broke for a commercial break!!! They also break for 'Home and Away' at 7pm - ahhhh!
Anyway, there will be no breaks in play on Thursday or Sunday as I get to watch the men's semi-final and final up close and personal thanks to Andy's generous Christmas gift (he is also going so he was overly generous to himself in my opinion!)
While on my favourite topic of Aussie TV, I must tell you what the top news story was yesterday - 'Shane Warne kisses Liz Hurley again'. The worst floods in a century don't stand a chance up against a B list celeb's love life.
Well that is enough moaning, time for some positive stuff and there is plenty as we had such a lovely weekend. The sun was out (but not too hot) and on Friday we went into the city to meet Andy after work. We headed to Federation Square where a big screen was showing the tennis and then we went for dinner down one of the many buzzing alleyways. Nearly all the restaurants are child freindly and the atmosphere is very continental. Over the remainder of the weekend we ate outside, went jogging in the park, swimming in our local outdoor pool, visited the aquarium which was amazing and a must for anyone planning a visit, went to the Kid's Party in the Park which the council stages free and had lunch overlooking the Yarra river at the Crown Casino complex which is also a must for any visitor.
I wonder what we would have done this weekend if we had been back home??...............  

Throw another snag on the barbie

Yesterday saw us host our first social gathering as we had a barbeque for 14 big people, 6 little people and a handful of babies (but they didn't eat much) and I'm glad to say it went relatively smoothly and all appeared to have a good time.
 Andy, the aspiring chef, insisted on making a multitude of marinades and salsas from scratch and the preparation, not to mention the shopping, took hours but it was definately worth it as the food was delicious.
We were very lucky with the weather as it was a sunny end to a miserable week of weather. I'm sure everyone saw the horrendous floods in Queensland and although we had nowhere near as much rain, it still chucked it down solidly until Friday afternoon. It was also unbearably humid which I have never really experienced before and don't wish to again. I had a headache nearly everday and by Friday the washing I'd done on Monday was still damp and needed washing again!

Not a Very White Christmas

It sounds like everyone back home in Northern Ireland has enjoyed a wonderful white Christmas. I have to say, we are just a little bit jealous. Although when my dad who has lived there for 70 years is complaining of the cold, then things are definitely pretty bad. He never complains about anything.

Here in Melbourne it feels like we were one of the few places in Australia to have a rain-free couple of weeks and a pleasant 20 - 30 degree temperature throughout the holidays - except for a sticky 38 degrees on New Years Eve.

Our fun-filled fortnight started with my very successfull turkey-on-the-barbeque christmas dinner. Dinner for 2 plus 2 babies took a full day to prepare & tidy up and with a 5kg turkey and a 2kg ham we are still enjoying Christmas dinners right into January. I'm now seriously appreciative of the effort it takes my mother and all my aunties to cater for Christmas Dinner for 20+ people - no mean feat.

On the present front, Celia was very impressed with her trampoline from Santa and Max was just pleased she left him alone for a while.

Between Christmas and New Year we headed south to the Mornington Penninsula for some serious beach time. However with a cooling sea breeze and a family full of colds we ended up spending more time inland sampling the fayre at some beautiful vineyards, strawberry farms and scenic walks. I even managed a game of golf with some work colleagues at a stunning course called Thirteenth Beach - a bargain at $70 dollars.

Celia and I did manage a few dips in the sea and she is already perfecting her surf-girl look. That combined with a new found obsession with sitting on her own listening to CDs - she is definitely growing up fast.

From Rye, in Mornington it was off to wonderful Tasmania following a brief NYE stop back in Melbourne. Tassie is just idyllic, so much so that our 1970's throwback chalet didn't bother us in the slightest. Our New Years week was a delightful mix of beaches, bush walks (complete with first Australian snake sighting), kangaroos, gastronomic delights in stunning vineyard settings and some of the freshest, tastiest produce we've ever had. If you want some serious wilderness, no mobile phone coverage, deserted beaches and  great food and wine, head for Tasmania, now.

The greatest complement we can give came from Lydia - "It is just like Donegal, but with sun!"

Max hasn't been to Donegal yet, but Tasmania definitely meets with his approval.

So there we have it. Christmas was very different and to be honest not quite the same as good old Ulster with the family. We're thinking Thailand next year, minus the BBQ turkey.

As you can see in the photos and throughout this blog 2010 has been so good to us in so many ways. We can't wait for the excitement of what 2011 will offer. But first, time for a diet and some serious exercise! Now, where's that expensive new bike again...Celia, stop listening to your CDs and grab your helmet!