April 8, 2013

  • Monday 8th April

     

     

     

    I woke up an hour earlier than my alarm.

    So lay still for a while and waited until I heard Seb's alarm through the wall at 6am-ish.

    Nicky had made up a bed for me in Elizabeth's bridal room.

    I was surrounded by beautiful creations.

    Love this mirror and the perspective it gives.

    We were all packed up and ready to leave soon after 7:30am.

    Just had to wait for Oliver to arrive.

    He pulled up just before 8am so we all said our goodbyes and headed northwards at 8am - right on schedule.

    It was a sunny clear morning - cool with a heavy dew.

    But as we headed towards Culverden we became enveloped in fog and slowed down by large trucks.

    We still made it there before 9am.

    Tim's cousin Ed & Jan pulled in behind us a few moments later.

    We wandered over to The Red Post Cafe and enjoyed their company over coffees.

    It was lovely to sit and talk with them - Ed had us in stitches with accounts of his incognito cycling adventures laughing

    We stocked up with freshly baked yummy hot meat pies from The Culverden Bakery across the road, had last minutes roadside conversations and hugs all round before hopping into the Safari and heading back on the road again at 10am.

     

    It wasn't as smooth a drive as coming down.

    Seb was on a mission to get back so we were traveling a bit faster and the road seemed rougher and more swaying on corners which my stomach didn't like much.

    Maybe it was the aftermath of the chicken pie I had just eaten winky

    Despite not feeling great I knitted as we drove and chatted with Oliver.

    I am starting another wee hooded jacket in the same yarn as the other one but in a different colour range.

    I actually got quite a lot done which made the trip feel more productive.

    We stopped at Maruia Falls to stretch our legs for 10 minutes.

    Oliver hadn't been there before and it was a better option than a repeat stop at Springs Junction!

    It is a very pretty wee place.

    I didn't venture down to the river as my footwear was inappropriate.

    But the view from above was enjoyable.

    There was a large amount of  driftwood swirling at the base of the falls.

     

    Seb was on a mission to get to Nelson, plus the sandflies were attacking Phoebe, so we were soon on our way.

    Arrived in Richmond at 2pm and got started on our lists.

    Seb's was in his head so Phoebe & I were playing guessing games trying to work our lists in with his!

    Also we were trying to get hold of Noel so they could meet up, but that proved nigh impossible.

    So carried on with the lists!!

    While Phoebe and I did the bulk shop the boys did a repack of the Safari.

    Then it was into the city.

    Phoebe & I zipped into see Roni to talk about the holiday in the Yasawa Islands for her and Sebastian.

    Decisions were made and we left with Phoebe clutching more pamphlets to make some more decisions from - all most exciting happy

    They leave May 4th - and if there is anyone who would like to contribute towards Phoebe's 21st birthday pressie - ie the holiday - then message me privately.

    This holiday is instead of presents and party.

    They are going to go island hopping for a couple of weeks and enjoy some sea air, sunshine and swimming, and hopefully swim with some manta-rays.

    I have been collecting donations towards it for several weeks now - it will be a lovely time for them after such a hard couple of months.

     

    We whizzed around the corner and met up with Phillipa at Starbucks.

    As she was on a time constraint she had pre-ordered our drinks and they were waiting for us as we walked in the door.

    Nice to sit and catch up with her and the wedding plans for 10 minutes before she had to rush off to do more things.

    We met up with the boys again and did the last few things - fuel and groceries - then went over to see Nathan.

    He was at work so we crashed out at Hangar 58 and ordered some dinner.

    It was quiet so his boss said he could sit and talk with us for a wee while.

    We were all quite hungry so the food disappeared very quickly.

    We finally headed off homewards, called in to Seb's house to check out how it was looking.

    Phil had done a great job of cleaning the carpets, the landscapers had done their job and it was all looking great.

    Just the shower being fixed now and then it will be all ready to be rented.

     

    Seb & Oliver connected up the trailer that Seb had loaded & parked up at Hira before we left, and then we were on the final stretch towards home.

    The last 2.5 hours!

    It was too dark to knit so I dozed.

    I was so tired.

    Seb dropped the trailer at the top of the hill and then quickly ran me down our hill to home and then back up to hook it up again and took it down their hill to unpack in the morning.

    Shoshannah & Azzan flew out of their beds when they heard me come in.

    Hugs and cuddles all round and then they went off to bed.

    They had the house clean and tidy and the fire going so the place was toasty warm.

    Mahalia was sound asleep.

    I unpacked some stuff, then went through all the mail which was piled up at the end of my bed, and then hopped into bed and snuggled down.

    It was really good to be home.