Easter - in the Autumn..?

Well, it is a bit strange to have Easter in the Autumn - as the rains set in on us today, and the wind gets up. We will also be harvesting today - digging spuds for tea... Wonky seasons out here, but lovely all the same.

I helped make a wee egg hunt for the kids this morning - laid printed bunny paw prints for them to follow through the house to a nest of dyed eggs, and chocolate ones too!

And I pushed Annie a bit far with the Easter bread - she asked whether a 2-braid spiral or a 3-braid plait would be best, and when I suggested a 4-braid French Plait - she practically chucked the dough at me and said "get on with it big bro..!"

So, here are some pics of my bread - big one the 4-braid, the wee one a 3-braid plait. First time I've made an Easter bread. Also a couple of my ubiquitous Snoopy doodle on an egg...

Happy Easter to you all!

Ciaran supervising me...

...rolling out the dough...

...wee one rolled and plaited...

\

...big one French-plaited...

Have a Snoop-tastic Easter!

Woodstock wishing Happy Easter

Not too bad for a first attempt...

Had to include this picture of their cat - Yeti who has 26 toes! And the same number of claws...

"don't mess with me - I have double-opposable claws mate..."

A couple of added pictures from this afternoon - harvesting corn from Annie and Hamish's garden, which we will have for our tea:

Picked...

...from here...

...plucked...

...and a huge bowl of corn is ready for tea!

Knowing what hard work is...

The last few days I have been working...

Well, I have been trying to work, but to compete with the Kiwis is somewhat of a challenge. Probably I am just very unfit and unused to proper physical work.

Kitted out with new boots, tools and toolbelt...

(doesn't mean I can use them!)

On Wednesday i did my first days work for Hamish - we stripped out a bathroom; took out all the fixtures and fittings, stripped the tiles and livers off the walls and floor. Hamish worked hard - I chipped in, and melted and roasted in equal measures. It was probably around 20-25 degrees in the room, and having recently come from the low temps in the UK, I am not yet used to it here (this is my excuse anyway).

Yesterday we worked on putting up a lean-to shed for Hamish's neighbour - I learned (quickly) that banging 4" nails into timber is not the same as what I have been used to in woodworking. Also got a bit sunburned - my foolishness for not remembering to put sunscreen on EVERY TWO HOURS, MATE...

Today we went to a friend's place: he had recently felled a 30m pine tree, and this was to be cut up for firewood. Hamish worked through the trunk with his 44" chain bar, and I felt somewhat lacking being given a 16 or 18" saw... I soon became glad of the smaller saw, and then still was left for dust by Hamish and the other chap, as they ripped through this tree. I was left to cut up the rings - standing on a 45 degree slope, trying to balance 50-60kg rings on end to cut is a bit of a challenge for me...

After lunch (thank god for the break!) I was sent to work the log-splitter - possibly due to my far less-than-average rate on the hill with the saw! At least I could manage this...

Today I learned that Kiwi men are pretty tough - they do this kind of thing regularly and it is part of normal life. The women are no slouches either - on the hill carting down loads of cut timber for splitting, and feeding us, keeping us hydrated and caffeinated at all times!

I have a long way to go to even come close to matching this way of life and work...

Anyway, plenty of pics below:

ok - I didn't use this saw, but worth the pose...

Start of the day...

Clearing the smaller branches off first.

Chopping the rings down to movable sizes.

...it would have been rude not to, eh!

Heard the one about chopping the branch you're sitting on..?

Ahh... lunch!

Part-way through the day.

One Kiwi and his office...

Quality control from my niece Fiona

Full of sap.

...now this one I can manage...

A wee bit of sap on Esmerelda...

One tired, sweaty, mucky, happy man...

All in, I had a great day. Loved the work - even though I was put to shame somewhat. Now had a fabulous tea, a cuppa or three, and heading for the shower and then bed. I might just sleep like a log tonight...

Apples over olives...

A week away from the UK - still not a week here though... strange...

This post will hopefully allow me to post some pictures... I have not managed to get them up from the ipad on previous posts. (apples 0: olives 1)...

Since leaving Auckland on the 18th I travelled overnight on the bus to Wellington:

View from my 'bedroom' on the bus

Took the ferry across the Cook Strait - one of the the most picturesque boat rides in the world:

 (also perhaps one of the windiest and wettest rides...)

I arrived in Picton and was met by Annie - when the ferry finally docked: it was too windy for it to get to the wharf for a good 15 minutes...

I felt very homesick when I got into Annie and Hamish's - I think it was the reality of finally arriving, and having yet another 'home' - I worked out that since leaving Pennine last summer, I have had 4 or 5 different places that have served as my base, but none have yet felt like my proper home. With the exception of Delrow, the other places have been in transit, and usually involved me living out of a bag (or three). This has been tough over time - especially the last few months, however it has been the wonderful people and person(s) in all of these locations who have made me feel very welcome, and truly at home!

I have decided not to go and do the olive harvest WWOOF thing - it will cost me too much to get back up to the North Island, and I will not be earning money for a month. (Apples 1: olives 1). Hamish has got plenty of work for me, and will employ me on a wage, so it seems very sensible to take up a fantastic offer, and to save money now and travel later. Besides, my favourite foodstuff has recently become apples... (Apples 2: olives 1)

On Thursday Hamish and i went for a drive out to Beatrix Sound for Hamish to measure up for a building quote. Now, this drive was about 200km all in... a reasonably straightforward drive in most cases... Not in the Sounds! over 7 hours to complete it - with the roads deteriorating (or as i saw it - becoming far more interesting) the further out in to the Sounds we got. 

 Lunch on the back of the Ute...

 Obligatory shot...

Below is a picture of a good section of the road out to the client's place - most of it was rutted and involved wading through streams, clay sections, a beach section, and plenty of bouncing out of the seat...

Hamish spent a couple of hours measuring and I enjoyed the scenery - as did Esmerelda below...

...the weather was pretty great - a bit of a breeze to spoil the 20-25 degrees of sunshine, but nothing to send me running indoors.

Once done, we retraced our drive back, stopped for dinner on a beach, and I pondered a wee bit on that earlier feeling I had had, as I munched on yet another apple... 

...homesick?

So, until next time, assume that I am eating well (Apples 4: olives 1); that I am going to have some work to keep me busy; and that i am enjoying the company of my once-distant family, now my hosts, companions and fabulous lovely people all round!

Final score: Apples 4: olives 1...

Various views of Auckland...

Arrival.

Manchester airport has only two types of weather. The rain that you can see, and that which you can't. The latter generally means that you arrived at night.

Auckland promised to deliver the same as I arrived into damp, drizzly and overcast skies, me partly wondering whether the pilot had taken a wrong turn out of Singapore...

Customs took a while, as I had to declare my half kilo of marmite, followed by that anxious moment when the drug dog sits down and wags its tail happily next to my bag. It turns out that the drug of choice is fruit, and the wee dog was getting its fix from the lingering smell of a kilo of braeburns which I had brought to add a couple more dimensions to the airline food.

The drizzle abated somewhat as I rode the bus into Auckland. Arrival at the hostel inspired me to get out as soon as I could. Ok, at least I had booked myself a single room but I'm not sure I am still cut out for bunking with others in my progressive, and perhaps a little too middle class, years. In that room I felt a very long way from anyone and anything really; when you jet off for an indeterminate length of time, and a new - even if temporary - life, a stained and noisy room isn't quite the start I had expected! Combined with the real tug of leaving some people back in the UK and a distinct lack of sleep meant that I wasn't feeling my finest at that point.

A much needed shower preceded my first venture out. I set off for coffee and internet - found these in Starbucks (30 mins free tinternet with a purchase), and then stumbled on the Auckland Arts Festival.

Over a couple of hours and a handful of apricot beers I watched some fine live music - Ben Allen; a touch of Ben Howard meeting Newton Faulkner, followed by Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes; I'm not sure who meeting - or even touching - who with this one: Jazz/rockabilly or some such fashion. I was welcomed to Kiwi hospitality and cheer by chatting with a few people. One such couple also bought me one of those fine beers that I'm sure you are wondering must be a misspelling above. No, they really were apricot beers, and mighty fine too, and they complemented very well my chosen tea (sorry; supper to most of you) of Fattoush, Tabouleh, Hummus, Feta, Quinoa, and a couple of other things I can't recall let alone spell. 

Fed and watered, I returned to my lodgings, was once again ignored by a couple of other guests, and slept. At 8.30.

Woke at 4am, and had no choice but to enjoy the noise of everyone walking home from their respective Saturday nights. They seemed to be taking their jolly time, as most of them were still passing at 7.30, still in jolly fashion.

And still it rains. Apparently there's not been any rain for a long time and they are desperate for it. I, on the other hand am less desperate; I did sensibly pack my waterproofs - in a box which is being sent to my sister - together with my sensible shoes. My not so sensible self is therefore ostensibly prepared to get wet silly. Of course I had to bring my beloved Adidas 'bumblebees' which have been developing an escape hatch for my toes on the sole, and now osmose water faster than a pump. 

I have found the perfect cure for jet lag. It goes by the medical name of Paddy's Day, otherwise known as St Patrick's day.

I bumped into Steve outside the hostel and got chatting, and he invited me to join him and some others to a few bars. I thought a couple of pints wouldn't go amiss...

They really go for Paddy's Day here - we were amongst a distinct minority not garbed in green, but joined the majority in voice, vice and many versions of Irish classics - I've not often heard fairytale of new York outside December; it greeted our ears no fewer than five times yesterday. Met and chatted to a fair few folk; Steve, Ashley, Phil, Alan (Alan! Alan! Alan!), Domi, and Meg from the hostel; Trent and Clyde - S. Africans both working on super yachts as crew; Duncan from - yes - Glasgow, and plenty of friendly Kiwis.

Had a great time - I managed my couple of pints, and because they could have felt a bit lonely, I invited a few more to join them. And somebody kindly invited a round of Jaegerbombs at one point. 

Today I go to an orientation held by IEP - the sister organisation to BUNAC - after which I have a few hours left in rainy Auckland before I have yet another semi-vertical nights sleep on the overnight bus to Wellington.

So far it's been fun. A bit expensive, but a good way to start off. Next stop, Annie and Hamish's, and I'm really looking forward to seeing them and the kids, finding something to do, settling into Kiwi time (I was up at 3am each morning so far), and getting on with the adventure...

Sensational travelling...

...no, not necessarily in the sense of fantastic or wonderful travels, but rather an assault on the senses.

The flight was mostly bumpy; seatbelt signs going on and of regularly, entire toilet queues being told to return to seats-and-place-tray-tables-in-the-upright-position, smiling stewardesses giving in to the weaker bladdered, and some crying children. I managed to fully not watch three films - my mind was not able to settle into them at all and I gave up after a few minutes. Had a fitful couple of hours sleep, to a soundtrack of Mumford & Sons, which only reminded me of the last couple of months at Pennine, and served to make those couple of hours occur at quite different times during the flight.

I arrived in Singapore at 7am UK time, had some breakfast coffee at lunchtime, and am due to fly out five hours later at 9pm. I'm not sure what time I think it is now.

I seem to have found a chair in the transit lounge which is suffering mild turbulence on this part of the carpet - I keep having to hold on to the arm. I have heard of having sea-legs, but this is my first experience of 'air-arse...'

I forked out a fiver for the liberty of a shower - the best fiver spent in a while. Smokers here have what appears to be a lovely glade just off the concourse. Of course it is outside, where the temperature is 33 degrees, and a few thousand percent humidity. And I found myself there in jeans; smoked the fastest cigarette of my life so I could re-find myself in air-conditioned (if a little turbulent) heaven. Perhaps now is a good time to quit.

My next flight is 13 hours, with some kind of time difference again, and I arrive in Auckland around lunchtime (equivalent to UK midnight or so). Don't know what my body will decide to feel like; whether breakfast is in order, or dinner or tea. I hope that tomorrow I will wake up and feel like it is Sunday - although the tomorrow I am thinking of is still a couple of days away... Oh crap.

Well, time to wander a bit; good morning, good afternoon, or goodnight to you, wherever you may be.

...and a jump

But hold me fast, hold me fast

'cause I'm a hopeless wanderer

And hold me fast, hold me fast

'cause I'm a hopeless wanderer.

The final few days are approaching, and I am preparing myself to depart and head off. I have had some time to reflect on the last couple of months, and on how far I have come in this time - but I won't bore with this stuff, only that I have really appreciated the time, space and company at Pennine to prepare for what is next.

I have packed the things that I am taking to New Zealand - and then unpacked and repacked them a few times. After all the time I spent trying to find flights that would give me the greatest baggage allowance, I have struggled to get my rucksack to weigh more than 16kg.
I am still packing up everything else that will be stored while I am away - including packing up all my clothes and leaving nothing to wear for the next few days...

The storm before the calm...

I have lent a few things out as it helps with the storage - the main thing being my mountain bike; as I would rather have it ridden than sat in the back of a dark cupboard.

I sent off the final ebay sale today, and am not sad to leave behind the hours of selling, searching for best postage deals, and mostly the packaging up of my bikes - pipe-lagging, bubble-wrap, and acres of parcel tape...

With all the preparations, I hope that I don't prove to be a genuine hopeless wanderer - folk have been asking me when my flight is, and aside from saying the day (Thursday 14th March) I don't actually know what time it is - I had assumed it was around lunchtime, but on checking my email now, it turns out to be at 6.15pm! Perhaps now might be a good time to check over all the other details...

I have booked into a hostel - BBH - for a couple of nights when I arrive in Auckland. The day after I arrive is St Patrick's, which gives me more than ample excuse to search out and raise a pint of Guinness or three, and (hopefully) be fresh as a 4-leaf clover for the orientation at 10am the following day. I chanced upon this as I booked my own travel rather than going with BUNAC, and orientation is all about work, setting up bank accounts and social security number etc. so it might just be a useful session...
I have booked a night bus to Wellington on Monday 18th, and will then take the ferry for what is described as one of the most picturesque boat rides in the world - across to Picton on the South Island.

I joined WWOOF in New Zealand a week ago, and within half an hour I received an email requesting me to go and work on a farm in Whakatane on the Bay of Plenty for their olive harvest for 4-5 weeks. As of now I haven't had confirmation that I have the job despite replying with a sound 'yes' to them, however they were keen to have me. If it all goes to plan, I will be there from the 10th/11th April onwards. The farm is 400m from the Pacific Ocean (for a swim every day after work), and has 800 olive trees - plenty of bashing...

My departure form Pennine is Wednesday 13th, and this approaches bringing mixed feelings. Going to New Zealand is exciting: slightly daunting but with so much opportunity and freedom. But leaving Pennine - actually, leaving the folk who have picked me up and revived me over the last couple of months, will certainly tug somewhat. However, I will remain in contact, and will return no doubt.

Onwards...