Aidan & Karen’s Travels

31st July 2007 

Well theres nothing like doing things by half. Turns out my wrist is a mystery to the consultants too and the scans etc are being sent to a dude doing a phD. Trust me to not just have a simple problem. It seems to take over my life at times but fingers crossed the Docs will work out what the problem is and be able to do something about it.

On a brighter note we had a great weekend to mark our 6 months away and went to the antarctic encounter place Kelly Tarltens to handgout with the peguins for abit. Its a wicked place and you get right up to the penguins in these “snow cat” things. Aidan was in his element and numerous photos are sure to appear on the blog one of these days. The stingrays there are massive and we were amused by those in the front of the crowd getting soaked as the rays flapped their wings as they swam round the side of the tank. I wouldn’t want to mess with them.

Aidan went off to the Simpsons Movie at the weekend with the boys so I went out with the girls for some retail therapy. Its great to be settled enough to have friends and although at times I think we both wanted that overnight it has taken a while.

Work is work, we are planning the next set of holidays which is much more exciting. At least we seem to be on the down hill slope into spring and summer here which is very eciting. We love being here now and everyone tells us its loads better in the summer so can’t wait.

I’ve been back at school for a week and a half now and things are going well - it’s amazing how quickly you get back into the swing of things. I’ve got a parent’s evening next week but unfortunately it clashes with The Shins gig that we are going to see. It is amazing that we  don’t do that much through the week but as soon as something is planned sure enough anothe rthing happens on that very same day!

We went to see ‘Knocked Up’ last night. It was very good - it had a bit more substance than most ‘gross out’ comedies. As Karen said most people would see something they would recognise in the film. Worth seeing though.

We did the typical Kiwi experience at the weekend - went to see the All Blacks play. It was against Australia as well. I was quite surprised by how quiet the crowd was - I was expecting Armageddon. However, things warmed up a bit in the second half (I’m not sure whether it was the rugby improving or the booze kicking in that had the desired effect). The onlyt downside to the night was the terrible weather - torrential rain and a thumder and lighning storm as well. We were partially covered by the adjoining terrace but the people around us weren’t so lucky. The All Blacks won in the end - and now it is all guns blazing for the world cup. I hope they win it - the nationwide depression will be too much to deal with.

Arghh! My winter hols are over already an dback to school tomorrow. Nevermind i had an absolutely awesome time and got to see a bit more of NZ which was great. The Coromandel was a beautiful part of NZ as was north of Auckland around Whangerei. Unfortunately, when Karen and I visited Whangerei the weather was awful (althoug two days after we left storms hit that part of Nz and caused havoc). It was great to get out of Auckland for a bit though. When the weather is raining all the time the scenery of Nz is just like the lake District. Makes you a little bit homesick really.

Our friend Stuart (wo we met on the Trans-Sib train) came to stay from Adelaide for a few days. It was great to see him and we reminisced about the train trip - more of a counselling session for him though. Went to watch the rugby last night (NZ v. South Africa) it’ll be absolutely mental when the world cup starts. I hope the All Blacks win it or else i think tehwhole country will go into mourning.