More fun in the sounds, and on Anzac Day

This weekend in the sounds was VERY, (let me say that again!) VERY cool... It was a beautiful, sunny day, the water was calm... and unexpectedly we got to see many, many dolphins. They like to play in the wake behind the boat, so we got a great closeup view, as you can see!! It was so fun watching them jump around and play!! I also attach a photo of a very cool looking thresher shark who was surprisingly unthreatening looking- for a shark.

When I first arrived in NZ I remember being offended that there was no mention of Remembrance Day. What I didn't realize at the time (bad Kelly!) was that NZ commemorates their vetrans on a different day - that day being Anzac day- April 25. Our friends at wikipedia note the following:

"In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies. The plan was to capture Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance. The date, 25 April, was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916." (see more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_day)

I bought my poppy the other day. They don't seem to sell them everywhere here, like in Canada- but instead it was actually people set up on the street. They are also made out of felt, with a little sticker saying something to the effect of "welfare fund" and vetrans.

Something interesting about Blenheim- for a city of 20,000- there are no traffic lights. Traffic is controlled by roundabouts... which are, by the way, great inventions!!!

Another update...

So again I've been a little late and lazy on my postings...

Easter long weekend is especially long in NZ as both Good Friday and Easter Monday are stats. There was a lot of press and discussion, as most stores are specifically forbidden from opening on certain of the holiday days and this causes some controversy. I certainly don't have the rules straight. Everything was pretty much closed Friday, and all the grocery stores etc. as well on Sunday. Certain areas can get exemptions- if they are for example touristy. Certain of the days are also "no advertising" days, which means no ads on radio or TV... The news is a full hour long, and you see a lot more shows in your day... Interesting concept anyway.

Some friends from Nelson came in for part of the weekend and on in Blenheim was the airshow (which I didn't go to, although the planes flew over our house anyway, and I saw them from that perspective). We went on a little walk on the Monday to the Sawtooth gorge, I'll post a few photos from that hike. Note tiny Rita & Karl standing at the bottom of the gorge mouth.

And I'll post another one from the sounds, where I again spent this past weekend.

Not a lot else new to update you all on. It's getting to be winter here, which doesn't excite me a lot. :) My running has tapered off as I find it difficult to get up and head out in the dark. It may be time for a gym membership for the winter months... We'll see.

A few more photos...

Well, it's Easter weekend. A few differences from back in Canada - both the Friday and Monday are holidays. And I also believe one of the days might be one of those "blackout" days in NZ- where there is no advertising on radio or TV. I don't believe those days exist back in Canada- at least that I remember.

Today Blenheim had a Market Day- which meant lots of stalls along Market street and various of the others. It reminded me of the lovely Nelson market, which I miss so much! I did pick up a $10 bargain cookbook, as well as a nut mixture and some veggies. Good deals. :)

And the photos- a couple of shots of Picton, as promised, as well as me trying to capture (but failing) two amazingly beautiful moments in the sounds last weekend. (One was some beautiful light, and the other was a thick rainbow).

Another week...

This past weekend I made the big journey (90 minute drive) to Nelson to catch up with some friends and to visit the markets and to do a little window shopping. I'm in the market for a tent, and was looking at a sale now that the winter is coming... Didn't buy anything at this point, however.

Then it was on to the sounds for more fishing. I attach a real cool photo with more to follow at some point, most likely.

I've managed to catch myself a cold for the first time in quite a while. I'm rather looking forward to the day it ends!

Interesting results in the Quebec elections... It was good to see the PQ come in third!