Jim & Karen

Things seem to have been a bit hectic recently, We have been to see Billy Connolly live, shopping, been to a Rugby match, shopping, been camping, shopping, shopping……

We all (Karen, Susan and I ) went to see Billy Connolly live at the Westpac Stadium which is next to Addington Raceway where we went to the races before. We were a bit early so we wandered over to the Racetrack ( there was no entrance fee) and had a couple of drinks and watched some races before heading back to the Westpac. The Big Yin was fantastic and well worth going to see. Karen had a bit of trouble with his accent but it was a fantastic evening.

We have also been to the Rugby to see the Crusaders (the local Christchurch team) play an Australian Team called the “Western Force” it was a good match that ended in a draw. Not being a Rugby “fan” I will probably wait for a big/international match before I go again.

Last weekend we went camping to Lake Tekapo. The weather forecast when we left Christchurch was for Cloudy/showers so we went with the plan that if it looked too wet we would only go for the day and not bother camping. On the way down though the clouds broke up and it was a lovely sunny day. So off to the campsite, pitched the tent and then off to the pub for a pint.

We then went to Hot Pools that are next to the campsite and had a soak in very hot water for a while, Karen and

Susan also had a session in the Sauna. Off to Tekapo village for Fish and chips for supper and then a glass of wine by the tent while we watched the Sun go down. However, as the sky was free of clouds the temperature dropped quite a lot overnight and we had quite a chilly night of it. When we got up in the morning there was frost on the car windscreen and on the inside of the tent !! Note to self – get some thicker sleeping bags for use when we go camping in the car and weight does not matter. The ones we have are great for backpacking but not really for use at the end of the season when it is starting to get cold.

However, apart from Mrs Grumpy, “I’m freezing” (guess who that was?) we soon warmed up packing away the gear and having breakfast. Because of the clear skies over Tekapo there is an Observatory on the hill (Mount John) by the side of the Lake so we walked up to the top to have a look. It was a lovely walk and the views (as usual) were stunning. Because it is fed from a glacier, Lake Tekapo is a very vivid blue from the minerals that are washed into it. This colour combined with the mountains in the background make it a really beautiful place.

The Observatory was very interesting and we joined a tour and got a look at the telescopes and equipment that the Astronomers use on a daily basis. The big project here is finding planets around distant stars. Had an enormous Ham sandwich at the café there and then walked back down the hill to the car and then home.

There are plenty more pictures here in the gallery.

Autumn is in the air here now, trees starting to change colour and we lit the fire for the first time the other night so will have to a load of wood delivered soon for the winter.

Karen, Susan and Jo are flying off to Wellington for the day tomorrow so muggins has to get up early to take them to the airport, still they should have a good time and it is quite reasonable for a day out.

More soon.

Putting this on quickly – will edit and add some pictures later.

Once again I have neglected my duties here and let a long period elapse between entries. Truth is that things have been pretty hectic just lately. As mentioned in the previous post Susan is now here with us and we are doing our best to make sure that she sees as much of NZ as we can cram into her time here. Susan has not had time to sit down there is so much to do and see. If you look on Susan’s Facebook page you will see lots of photos of her adventures.

We went to the “Classical Sparks” free concert in the park again and it was a superb evening. There was a group of us (including Susan) and the music and the fireworks were really good.

We have also heard from Michelle that we are going to be Grandparents “again”. While this is wonderful news it is typical of Michelle that the timing has thrown our plans into disarray. We had flights booked to visit the UK in July so that we missed 3 weeks of the NZ winter and got a bit of the UK summer. But with the baby being due in September we have had to re-arrange the flight now for September.

The weekend before Susan arrived Karen and I went up to Pohara in Golden Bay at the top of the South Island for a weekend Camping. It was a really nice place and the campsite was right by the seashore, 20 seconds walk from the Tent and we were on the beach. We went walking and swimming in the sea and had a really relaxing break.

Karen and Susan have been going to the Gym and I have made another Chair for the patio. Karen is after me to make a two-seater now and I have also started to make a small round table for the living room.

We have also just had the first aniversary of moving into our house at Vista Place – that year has gone by so quickly!!

Trying to do all this stuff while still going to work and doing all the normal things (like shopping) as well…..

More soon – honest.