The InClass Course Component

Back in Brisbane and just completed our in-class component - both passing and receiving our ceremonial certificates. We're taking a few days to finish up some assignments and then off to Adelaide for our prac teaching.

The Stinky Town

We spent 3 nights in Rotorua at a backpackers - a new experience for us both. We went luging, fed seagulls, visited Huka Falls and got pretty wet as it rained the whole time. The smell was pretty overpowering - Rotorua is known for it's geothermal pools and they don't smell too great. We drove to the largest lake in Australasia - Lake Taupo, where we played golf, into the lake!

The Caves

On our way to Rotorua for a few days break we stopped at the Otorohanga Kiwi House and the Waitomo Caves. A beautiful glow worm tour and a 2 hour walk around the caves showed some amazing sites, not all photographable unfortunately.

The BBQ

GU Bob organised a family BBQ today. Great food and great company made for a great day.
I was thrilled to catch up with Lydia, the creator of Pedro, which she gave me when I was 3 and I only recently passed to my niece, Madison. See pics of Pedro then and now:

The MOTAT

We spent the day at the Museum of Technology and Transport with GU's Bob and John. It was like having personal guides because their stories were far more interesting than those the Museum had! Photo shows us enjoying an "Earthquake Experience". After Motat we went to Sylvia Park - a 1km long shopping centre!

The Greats

Today we caught the bus to Auckland to be met by my Great Uncles Bob and John. They looked just as I remembered them and it's been 18 years since i've seen GU John!!! We went up the Skytower for a great view of Auckland and then were treated to a "tiki tour" around everywhere. We were taken back to GU Bob's where GA Cherry had made a marvelous dinner for us and our room even had fresh flowers in it! We were thoroughly spoilt.

The Lake Walk

After a fun afternoon of playing with the nephews and niece we went for a lovely evening walk around Hamilton lake. It's only about 2.5 kms and there was plenty of bird life to look at and learn about. The weather has been great and not too cold!

The Arboretum

I still don't know how to pronounce the place but I loved it. We visited the Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park. It's an old quarry which has been replanted and open to visitors. There is a 2km walking track along it that has art sculptures along the way. It was beautiful to walk through (although I struggled with the steps!). I thought of my Uncle a lot and think he would have really enjoyed it. We had a booklet that told us about the art and the artist and had a very enjoyable time. I'd highly recommend it. The scenery changed from deep rainforest to open meadowland with plenty of water ponds filled with lillies. It was very relaxing yet we were active. The fresh air here is great. See here: http://www.sculpturepark.co.nz/

The Catch Up

So what's been happening? Well the surgery went ahead and has been declared a success and the recovery was made much easier by a wonderful husband and a god-sent Aunt. The process of selling everything began and went remarkably well. Jedi found an amazing home, perfect for him and has already established himself as part of the family. We had a few minor hiccups, with poor little Pep getting cancer and needing an operation - which thankfully removed it all but meant we couldn't find a home for her. Then Bryan went and got an abscess in his tonsils that required surgery 2 days before we were due to fly to NZ and kept him in hospital. Thankfully again, he was okay.
The house has settled, the money paid and everything we own packed into our car, including Pepper. We are in New Zealand on holiday and Pep is holidaying at Amanda's Palace for Pets. Everything is on track.