Finally we move

Lloyd loves doing this, is probably his favourite activity at present

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Finally we moved onto Bowentown.  The sole reason being that Steve couldnt find anywhere decent to fish, and was slowly driving me mad going on about it.  Personally I could have stayed on the Mount for the next 2 weeks, it was idyllic.  A stones throw (literally) from the beach, lots of cafes to eat in, good weather, lots of places to walk - what more could a person ask for. 

Saying that the showers were rubbish, trying to shower with Matthew this morning was, lets say, interesting!

One of the nice things about being away is just being able to play with the kids whenever.  This morning at around 8am Matthew was zooming (okay walking) up and down the boardwalk outside the motorhome on his scooter.  It was a great sight, with the sea in the background.  One japanese tourist even took a photo of him!!  I shall miss that when I return to work (not the tourist, the freedom!).  One of the things I am determined to do on my return home is go camping more with the kids.  Just taking a weekend out of the routine is what life is all about in my opinion. 

"DAD, GO AWAY, I'm fed up of you keep taking photos"

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So on we go to Bowentown where Steve has great visions of catching supersize cod for us to eat for the next week (yeah dream on Steve).  We were in Bowentown (aka Waihi Beach) when we first arrived in New Zealand.  Matthew is much more confident in the park than when we first arrived, he even manages to hoist himself up onto the trampoline which is quite a feat - must be a lot stronger in the arms now.

Steve goes fishing, with Matthew.  I go to sleep with Lloyd!!  I've been feeling a little under the weather the last couple of days, so get some much needed rest.  I think I slept for about 3 hours this afternoon - what a waste of a day, but nevermind.  Steve doenst have any success with the fishing - its all weeds apparantly.  Amazes me that we have travelled the length and breadth of New Zealand and he hasnt found anywhere decent to fish - well apart from the place invested with sharks that is.

"Mum - you asked for shells?"

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Steve has now changed thoughts and is focusing in on the Bay of Islands as the next big fishing spot.  Me, well I feel like this has turned into Steve's fishing expedition, but what can you do?  Yesterday he was trying to dress Matthew and completely missing his legs with the shorts because he was talking about fishing - it does drive you a little crazy after a while.  On the plus side his back is now recovered (I think - I dont ask as dont want to tempt fate).

Lloyd can now turn over from back to front.  Cant do the other way yet, but dont think it will be long.  He seems very strong in the legs now, and is often kicking his bum in the air when on his front and is starting to move himself about. Not great really as no room to swing a cat in here, so have been having to put him in his cot a bit more where is safe.

And more shells - thanks Matthew!

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Tried to exchange my book today with no success.  Went into a book exchange shop (very weird, we dont get these in UK I dont think), but she didnt want the book.  Why call it book exchange I ask myself.  Anyhow bought another book for 9 dollars (£3.60, total rip off would be 50p at home) as figured could have 2 on the go.  Then found out in Bowentown camp park they do book exchange, justs costs 20 cents.  So tomorrow will be over there swapping my novel for hopefully something readable.

I realised there was a change in the flight dates the other day.  When we originally booked we were due to leave NZ on 21st April.  Checking tickets this has been moved to 20th April on the tickets we got in January.  Bit of a mess up as motorhome is booked til 21st, and have no room in hotel in FIji for 20th.  So decided just to book an extra night in Fiji rather than talk to airline about it.  So we leave on Friday 20th April now.  Will have to do some serious thinking about the packing as we have bought toys and clothes whilst here, not sure how it is all going to fit in the bags.  Air New Zealand are not generous with their allowance either, in theory they can count the car seats and buggy as part of baggage allowance which would take us over the 4*20kg limit.  Plus we need to take all the nappies and wipes, etc for 10 days in Fiji....

I can see why people are overweight over here.  There is a lot of junk food for sale in the supermarkets, not as much of a selection of fruit and veg as in england.  For instance today went to both a supermarket and a roadside fruit/veg shop and couldnt get any strawberries or raspberries for Matthew.  They dont seem to sell stuff like baby sweetcorn or mange tout.  It all seems to be seasonal gear really.

They also seem to eat a lot of bread here, the bread aisle is disproportionate to the rest of the shop.  I think the supermarkets would drive me mad if I lived here permanently, it will be sooo nice to go to Sainsbury's.  How sad is that - missing Sainsbury's!!!

Other things we have noticed about New Zealand.  Well on the whole people are friendly than england, though there are some miserable buggers as you always find.  There are lots of old people around, and apart from in Queenstown we havent seen many backpackers.  People in cars dont tend to give way at all, especially to big ugly slow motorhomes.  They also dont give way when you are walking, its like the car is king.  Strange, and different to places like the US, and even the UK I think.

People can be blunter out here, as can newspapers and signs.  For instance there was a traffic awareness sign the other day that was pointing out traffic lights and said something like "bloody slow down" which I thought was a bit  OTT.  I dont believe there is much tolerance for the non-norm.  And there definitely is a class system out here, no matter how much it might be denied.  It seems to me that the maori people are looked down on a bit, and they tend to keep themselves to themselves.  It seems more distinct than in say London where there is a great mix of different people.  We have had locals, and english people, talking to us negatively about the different races in england - which has surprised and upset me.  This has all been older people though, so may be more of a generational thing rather than a society problem.  I have heard english people saying they have moved out here to get away from the foriegners in the UK.  Seems odd as they are, in essence, foreigners here!

Tomorrow I lose my wireless connection, will have to find a new one so may be a few days before I am online again.  Please, please email me as it's nice to hear from people.  As you may be able to tell am going a little stir crazy just having Steve and 2 babies to talk to!

BTW: Pictures are a bit of a con as from previous day, sorry - didnt take any in last couple of days.