A wee update

Wow, talk about un-prolific posting... sorry- sorry...

Last weekend I went to the Havelock Mussel festival where I ... did not eat any mussels. Mark the flattie had made us some that week so I didn't feel the need to try them again. I did however find some other yummy non-mussel -y food, so that was good.

This weekend some friends were in town to complete the "Grape Ride", a 101 km bide ride finishing at one of the vineyards near town. It was great to catch up with some of them, and it was also my first weekend that I've spent in Blenheim since moving here. Being in that environment really made me want to do some more race type stuff- like another half marathon, perhaps! It was also the first weekend I took a dip in the pool at the house, and BRRR was it cold. :) We visited some beach about 15 or so minutes out of Blenheim- it was more rugged and rocky than Tahuna back in Nelson. Sunday we visited the markets in blenheim which are not nearly as big as Nelson- but I will return there to get fresh produce in the future, for sure. We also ventured out to Picton for part of the day and did a little walk up to the top of some hill for a great view of the place. I love Picton! :) We also ate on this ship, that maybe crashed or maybe something broke, or something and is now a restaurant. Picton (the small town of 5000) is much more touristy than Blenheim since it is where the ferrys land- so we played tourists and wandered the shops. There was a really great art shop- making me wish I had buckets of money to purchase some. :) I only purchased a few magazines...

I'll try and post a few photos of Picton in the next while.

Driving photos...

For your interest... check out NZ roads...

First is the train track through the roundabout (we have one of these in Blenheim too). Second is a one way bridge (of which there are a plenty!) however this one you also get to share with a train!! These were both on the main road down the west coast, so this gives you a little sense of what driving in NZ is like.

I've also included a pic of me next to a "holiday tree", only they are everywhere here.

Another update

Last week saw me try mussels as one of the flatties cooked them up.  I did NOT try the raw oysters he also brought home...

 

The weekend saw us take out the new car all the way down to Hokitika for the Wild Foods festival. I didn't eat too wildly- just possum. No huhu grubs, or beetles for me... No crocodile either.  I did find PEROGIES!!! for the first time in NZ.  How exciting!  And the 3L V6 did an impressive about 28 mpg.  Not so bad, I'd say for all the curves.  Weather was fantastic, lots of people out, and we came back via Punakaki.  I'll try and post a few pics about the crazy one way bridges, and the bridges that share the road with the train, and the roundabouts with train tracks. :)

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A few more photos...

Me at the finish line for the half, Auckland the city of sails, and Sam the beautiful at the beach on Christmas Day

A few photos...

I've been bad at posting photos so here are a few... The Malbourough Sounds... including me fishing.

Fishing...

My first week in Malborough has come and gone. I've settled into my new flat, gone for a run, have begun the new job, and have begun figuring out how to drive on left side of the road.

 

I spend the weekend in the Sounds, where I caught my first fish ever!  Snapper is on the menu for my supper tonight.    The weather was fantastic and it was a great weekend out there.  I'll try and get some photos posted eventually.

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