Local Santa Parade - Henderson

This weekend we trotted along to the local parade, and had a completely lovely time.

It was small, it was funny seeing all the branded vehicles towing flatbeds with other branded vehicles (lots of go-carts), and the traffic in the area was successfully turned into a nightmare.

Despite this, the atmosphere was a heck of a lot of fun, and we got lollies and cheers, and the marching bands were really quite awesome. There were also some original vehicles in the parade, which were fantastic, the original firetruck made us marvel at how far technology has come.

My favourite Bank, and my favourite burger restaurant were in the parade, so that was also a plus :)

For some reason, nothing quite says Christmas like men in kilts and the resounding drum beats with the wails of a bagpipe band... *sigh of contentment*

Rugby World Cup Fever!

Well, up until last Friday, I had very little interest in the Rugby World Cup.
I'd heard the hype, seen the ads, read the news, listened to the radio, but now it's actually here... WOW the atmosphere!

My daughter and I headed to Te Atatu Peninsula for the fireworks of the opening night, and I was astounded at how many cars were there. It took us 10 minutes to get off the freeway, and once we got off, there were parked cars lining the street on both sides.

We found a spot, and walked down for the best view we could get of the evening. The view across the harbour was ideal, and though we didn't have music, the fireworks were spectacular.

We watched the fireworks on TV later, and I was stunned at how the live music was being played, sang and danced to in various locations all over the city, and the fireworks were all going off in time to the music. Masterful!

Now for the next 6 weeks, we will see people chasing a ball around a field, but I've now had my interest peaked and am even debating on going to see a game ;)

RWC by *KarenDFrancis on deviantART

 

 

 

 

Action World Auckland

If you enjoy danger safely, if you desire the high wire under your own steam, if you ever wanted to run away to the circus, you need to spend a day at Action World Auckland!

These oversized blow up jumping castles give you all the options you need to perform heart pulling mini adventures.

To start with, you go to the suspended ladder, and try to climb up it, inevitably falling off within a dozen rungs, and learn to always land safely when you fall.

After this, you can move on to a choice of exciting activities. The most amazing thing is the fact you are doing it all without a harness, this is completely up to you, your strength, and facing your fears.

Walking a high wire suspended 2 storeys off the ground with nothing to hang on to, and no where to go but down is a real challenge. I think the best we managed was half a dozen steps.

The slide and jump was cool, and the trapeeze was ridiculous (only one of us tried it out - its so very far off the ground)... but the absolute best was the battle arena.

Holding an oversized cotton tip, you walk along an air filled beam towards your oponent, and battle to be the last person standing... we found the greatest challenges were the balance... and then the laughter... it's very hard to knock someone over when you are laughing so much you fall over yourself.

We had a great day out, and are considering it for a future birthday party, something different, fun, active and challenging!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

Hobsonville Point Sunday Markets

Tucked away behind the Catalina Cafe at Hobsonville is the local farmers markets. With the new motorway having been opened, it's actually very close to the major on and off-ramps for the area, in a lovely setting.

Inside a large Shed, there are a wide variety of fantastic goods for sale. All organic, home-made type things but in a mass produced style.

My current favourites are the pumpkin seed bread - purely awesome toasted with soup. The Fig and ginger Jam - have it with crackers and double cream brie... to die for!

The selection of cheeses, pastries and fresh herbs are wonderful. They also have cooking diplays using all the produce from the markets, live music, a juice bar, a coffee corner.. and so forth.

The week I took this pictures Lyn Walters was playing her music, and her dulcet tones made the market have a fantastic mood.

The most awesome thing? Taste testing! Yummmmm!

It's not a very big market, but it is ever so tasty and a really enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Hobsonville Motorway Opening and Walk

I've personally been fortunate enough to walk under the Syndey Harbour, in the tunnel before it was open to traffic, as well as the Gateway motorway in Brisbane... just recently the whole family got to walk along a motorway before the traffic was allowed on it.

Hobsonville Motorway opening was fantastic fun and it was more like a carnival than a walk.

We started at the Northern end, and traveled 4.5kms before catching a chartered bus back to the beginning (and our car).

Around every kilometre or so was a group of stalls and a bunch of fun. The first stop had a jumping castle, a sausage sizzle and some musicians.

The next stop had pancakes, coffee and a tent with information about the motorway and city plans.

The next stop had Bratwurst, the MoreFM Radio station car (with music blasting) and a drinks stand.

The kids did very well for almost all of the course, then got tired at the end. After we finished our walk, they let the cyclists on for their turn.

The great thing was the next day it was open to traffic and we got to drive down the raod saying "yesterday we walked here, and we never can again"

History in the making.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auckland Skytower Skyjump

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Ok, now I got that out of my system, let me tell you about the Skytower Skyjump.

Free Fall Base Jumping from 192 metres is not your usual way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and this morning it was not the way I had planned to spend it.

However, this was something I had wanted to do since we got to Auckland, I had a voucher, it was going to expire soon, and the the time.. so it seemed.. was now!

When I arrived, they told me I was going to jump a little earlier than planned as I had arrived so early, this got my nerves going and I spent the next 10 minutes wriggling, shaking and entirely failing to sit still. When I realised that it was going to be a little longer I calmed down.

The guy who got us ready was calm, happy and helpful - gave the little group I was in a tonne of confidence. We suited up, got the harnesses on, then headed to the top of the tower.

At the top I offered for the other girl to go first and observed what she did. When it was my turn I knew they would be stopping me 10m down for a photo and felt good about the checks they did of the harness and gear.

My turn came very quickly. I've been up the tower before, more than once, and even jumped on the glass platforms looking down to the ground, feeling completely safe. Standing on the OUTSIDE of the glass with the wind hitting you and walking along a skinny platform is a completely different experience.

When I got to the end of the platform, I glanced down briefly and instantly felt uncomfortable, so I decided not to do that again. The wind chill factor was -6degrees Celsius, and every time I grabbed the railing for stability, my fingers froze. Oh yeah I knew I was alive!

Then my harness got attached to the rigging, I got told to step forward until my feet were on the edge... oh how everything in my body was yelling at me about how wrong that was to do... and then... on the count of three... Let Go!

Getting off the top was the hardest part. Then, for the next 11 seconds I took in the view, the ground that was coming ever closer and as I neared the large red target I knew... YEAH I've done it.

Exhilarating!

 

 

 

 

Driving in Auckland

We've been here getting close to a year now... and I'm finding myself driving like the locals.

At first I found the right-hand turning rule confusing... but have almost gotten used to that now.

I've had a friend here describe it as having manners for the other person, but I simply found it odd.

We both want to turn into the same street, from opposite directions. The person who is the in the lane closest has to give way to the person in the further lane... In this case, blue car gives way to red car.

So the person who 'can' turn easily, waits for the person who can't turn in as easily... however, if a car is traveling straight through the intersection behind the blue car, then the blue car can go and doesn't have to give way.



No I haven't had an accident... yet, but my brain has taken a long while to switch over.

The other thing I find most odd?
Freeway Driving in Auckland.

On the Freeways around Auckland, the speed is 100km/hour. Most times I am on the freeway, (which are generally 2 lanes) the people in the right lane are going 100, the speed they are allowed to go... and people in the left lane go anywhere from 70km-90km/hour... and sometimes slower.

The road is the same both lanes, the speed is the same, and yet there is a 30km discrepancy... today I found myself doing it as well... left lane, slow down by 20km... I think I may have been here too long ;)

Magic Broomsticks Devonport Segway Tour - Video

Here's a video I did of the Segway Tour. So very much fun, even if you don't have a special occasion, just go for the heck of it! They get some real speed up, it's really quite a thrill :)

Winter Warmth

It's c-c-c-coooold!

Ok, to those New Zealanders walking around in shorts and t-shirts, you are not cold... but I'm feeling it - 4 layers of clothes and a fire in the fireplace every night! (*Note to self - buy more timber)

So what can you do to keep warm here? Believe it not almost every activity you would like to do is indoors!

There are many indoor sports centres, hockey, soccer, squash and so on, there is indoor mini golf, go karting, snow skiing, ice skating, heated indoor swimming pools (complete with indoor water slides), and then the usual movie theaters and great places for dinner.

If you don't want to go out to go indoors, convert your garage and take up an indoor hobby. We visited Dunkley's craft show just recently, and found it very inspiring. Last year after visiting we started scrapbooking and card making, this year we are sewing and knitting... and for the boys... there's always computer games.

The best (worst?) part is TradeMe.co.nz, where you can buy or sell anything, and they deliver it to your door, my fabric box is overflowing!!!! Every person I have spoken to here knows and uses trademe at one time or another, some run businesses on it, it's a fantastic commodity and seems much more widespread than ebay was in Australia.I've made a few things so far, and am planning to do more this winter.

Now if I get carried away enough with the sewing, I may just put some of the things I make back onto Trademe to sell ;)