SYDNEY!!

Last week I had an AMAZING week with a few of my bestest friends.

Tuesday evening I travelled up to stay over night with some very generous family friends, Jean and John who put me up and fed me an amazing meal. I got up at 3.30am to fly to Sydney to see Loz, Tom and Helen. Arrived in Sydney at 7.30 to amazing weather. We decided to head straight over to Manly beach for the day, we spent the day shopping, catching up and chilling on the beach in over 30 degree temperatures. That evening we showered in the public showers and headed out for a nice dinner on the beach front where Tom joined us after work.

Thursday we headed over to palm beach, the set of home and away- where we all bought the surf life saving T-shirts just to look cool. Again spent the day on the beach, the four of us - showered in the public showers and went for a really really posh 8 course meal. Apparently one of the best in Sydney. Really amazing evening.

Friday we woke up to our 'Christmas Day' celebrations (our 3rd pre-christmas-christmas) we started the day by sea kayaking and then went to the fish market to buy christmas dinner, which consisted of oysters, calamari, prawns and mussles (oh and a baked potato for some carb to soak up all the alcohol.....it didn't!)
After dinner and lots of alcohol we headed into sydney for more drinks

Saturday we woke up with sore heads (some worse than others...Tom ;)) Went for a lovely brunch before saying goodbye to Helen then Loz and I headed over to Bondi beach to chillax (Tom had to go to work) Saturday evening Loz and I went out for a lovely thai meal and chilled with a dvd.

Sunday I headed home after having an amazing few days :(

Simon spent the weekend with Gem and James and a few of the Hamilton crew up north of Auckland near goat island, went snorkelling and camping - in typical camping style, it rained!!

Tauranga and swimming with dolphins

Last week was spent between spending time with twinny Malps and marathon on-calls - but had a great end of the week in Tauranga.

Being on 14 hour shifts on Wednesday and Friday was a little annoying - especially since the weather is just getting better and better. Thursday Gem and I decided to have a bit of twinny action on the hockey pitch which resulted in a grand total of 4 goals between the 2 of us (ok, so she got 3 but was sat on the left post!) Fab game of hockey and reminiscent of our medics mixed hockey days.

Saturday morning we got up at 6am and headed over to Tauranga to swim with the dolphins - spent 9 hours sat in a wetsuit on the boat to see all of 1 dolphin swimming the bow......was fun all the same and we did get a free trip to try again another time - so not really a disappointment. Saturday evening we celebrated Nat's birthday with a lovely meal and a very good night out (maybe a little to many tequilla's and sambucas though)

Sunday we hit the surf for a nice lazy day surfing, gentle waves and very chilled.

Now, I've just arrived in Sydney to spend a few days with the girls (and Tom)....yey

Photos to follow.x

Gemma's 1st weekend here

GEMMA ARRIVED ON THURSDAY!!!

So, that is my biggest news at the moment.

After getting up at 3.30am on Thursday morning Si and I headed up to Auckland Airport to pick them up. Luckily, I didnt get called in on Thurs but poor old Si was in and headed straight off to work (although he was on psych which is a bit of a doss). Thursday evening when Si got in we cracked open the champagne to celebrate their arrival and their engagement and then took them out for an AMAZING meal (think I've found the best restaurant in hamilton!) James asked Si to be an usher, which he was dead chuffed about, and obviously I'm chief bridesmaid, which I already knew (think that was a given). Gem has set the date as 21.1.12 so I think we have a few days to sort out arrangements.

Friday I was called into work, so my total weeks worked added up to a humungous 16hrs......tough life. Gem and James went out to buy themselves a car and then picked me up from work. Friday evening we went to a house party for the RMOs (junior doctors), it was a fluro party (everyone dressed in fluorescent colours) and the closest thing to an american frat party I've ever been to....they'de turned their entire house into a night club, spray painted fluorescent colours all over their living rooms, blocked out daylight and installed black lights.........crazyness.

On Saturday morning we headed over to Rotorua for the day where we went zorbing, swooping, bungy jumping...not to forget a round of crazy golf just to add to the adrenaline activities. On Sat nght we were exhausted so had a more chilaxed evening with a few beers and the wii.

Sunday we headed down to Waitomo for another caving experience (see my 1st weekend blog) but this time we did the black abyss which involved abseiling down 40m into a pitch black cave, flying fox through the caves, black water rafting in inner tubes, caving, and climbing water falls - really cool and I think James said it was one of the best things he's ever done.

Gem left me this morning to head up to Auckland to sort themselves out somewhere to live. They are currently staying with family friends just outside the city but think they'll be back here in a few days as the place they've signed up for isn't available until next Thursday.

So, hopefully more fun and games next weekend (although I am on-call next Friday...booo!)

Not much to report

Unfortunately, we didn't get to go on any exciting trips at the weekend. I'm back on short notice - well, I was meant to be next weekend but since GEMMA IS HERE, I have swapped it so that I can get next weekend off with her!

We did, however still manage to get in a good bit of exercise and fun. Si played his 1st match for his tennis club on Saturday morning (and won) and in the afternoon we decided to hit Raglan. Finally bought ourselves our own surfboards and now we need to learn how to surf. (Si is looking quite good, I'm not!) Although, I did manage to stand up properly and ride the wave all the way in - that is progress!

Headed to Raglan again on Sunday only to realise that after driving all the way there we had forgotten our wetsuits - doh!! we were just so excited about being back on the boards. Decided to give it ago anyway - wasn't to bad!! Still cant believed we surfed without a wetsuit in November though......brrr!

This week is all about preparing for Gem - Get here soon!!

The weekend I heard the news!!

Friday arrived with no real plans for the weekend - not like us, but when it's only been 4 days since out last excursion with on-calls mixed in there 2 it's no surprise. So when we got home we packed a few things for all eventualities and got in the car with a map book. Decided to head over to Mount Mauganui, Simon drove whilst I rang the places in the Lonely Planet looking for a place to stay - Managed to have a bit of time to go for a drink or 2 when we got there.

Up to a beautiful day on Saturday - headed out to hire some snorkel gear and hit the sea. Really great way to spend a day.
Saturday we did the same as the night before but headed down to Rotarua for a day. Booked into a cheap hostel for the night and headed out for amazing steak and some drinks watching the All Blacks beat the Wallabies.

On Sunday we managed to get ourselves booked into the polynesian spa for my amazing birthday present from Tom (an hour's mud wrap and massage) followed by use of the natural geothermal pools set at different temperatures. After getting out of the spa I realised I had 4 missed calls from Gem......thats a bit weird!! Finally, she tracked me down whilst I was having lunch to give me the news that she is now engaged! Amazing news just wish I could see her.....well I will in a week! Don't know how I'll be a decent chief bridesmaid from over here though, will prob need a little help from home.

Sunday afternoon was spent in the stunning weather - going for some beautiful walks around Rotorua. And we even managed to fit in some cray golf (I won - not sure where that puts us in the Bara/Malpo world series. I'm thinking that I'm winning)

Another awesome weekend...roll on the next!