It doesn't have to be all work!

So, the week started with a few days off and sorting things, writing presentation for work and getting my hair cut at last. Si's parents stayed with us till wednesday and enjoyed a few of the sights of Hamilton (there aren't many but can be pretty in the sunshine to head to the lake or the river) On Wednesday lunchtime we drove up to Auckland airport to see them off back home. Had a lovely few weeks together. After saying goodbye, Si and I popped over to Gem and James where we had a lovely dinner together before we headed back down to Hamilton for work the next day.

On Friday, Gem and James headed down to Hamilton for the weekend (because I was working evening shifts) Saturday we got up nice and early to make the most of the day before I had to go into work at 4pm so we headed over to Rotorua for a spot of mountain biking. The redwoods at Rotorua is a great spot which is purpose built tracks within the forest for mountain biking with courses for all levels and bikers only which makes for great fun! After just over 2 hours we headed back just in time for me to jump in the shower and head to work. When I got back in at 10pm they all looked pretty shattered after playing a few hours of tennis, then going for a run after the mountain biking- crazy fools!!
That night, I had possibly the best case scenario - I was on call back for ICU and got woken at 2am to go back to work to fly to pick up a patient, only for me to get in and tell me it was cancelled - you may think that is bad, but in fact, when I get called back into work, no matter how long I stay I get paid for a minimum of 4 hours - yey!!

The next morning we enjoyed a bit of a lazy morning, Gem cooked us a lovely breakfast of eggs benedict before we headed out to raglan for a surf. Really nice conditions in the water and could have stayed out there for hours if it wasn't for the fact that I had to get back to work.

Since the weekend I have had a few nice days in work, and a few days off in the week to prepare for the arrival of Esther Baker!

Oh, well, it just goes to show that even when I'm working the weekend I can have a really great one!

Weekend in Hamilton

This weekend we decided to have a quiet one in Hamilton.
During the week I had the place to myself as Si and his parents went down to Queenstown for 4 days. Bit of a quick trip there but they managed to see what they wanted to see and made the absolute most of it. They managed to book onto an overnight cruise to Milford Sound, which by all accounts is what you should do, but unfortunately they stop running end of May so I wont be able to when I go. Whilst on the boat they got to see the amazing sights as well as take some kayaks out onto the water to see it all up close.

Anyway, enough of what they were up to (as I can't really comment cos I wasn't there) :(
Whilst they were away I was busy in work - some really crazy shifts, but I quite like them, plus I managed to get out one night with a friend which was nice.

On Friday, they returned and I got picked up straight from work to go over to Raglan surfing, the surf wasn't amazing, but glad we went. Unfortunately the sun now sets before 6pm so wont get another after work surf in till next year. After surfing we got some tasty fresh fish and chips in Raglan.

On Saturday we were gonna go over to Taupo, but there was a severe weather warning, and none of us were really up for heading over there as we had seen a lot of what Taupo has to offer in other places in NZ. So, instead we went back to Raglan. On the way over it was torrential rain and as much as Si was getting excited about surfing in the rain, I wasn't and Si's parents can't have liked the prospect of sitting on the beach in the rain. However, luckily, when we got over there the weather cleared into a beautiful day on the beach and in the surf. Saturday night we went out for a nice meal in town, and while Si and his folks continued to drink, I headed over to a work do - the evening turned into a heavy night, when after meeting up with them in a bar at midnight the night progressed into all-round drunkenness and rolling into bed after 4pm.

Sunday, we were all feeling a little sore and took ages for us all to surface. We did however, manage to make it to a beautiful arboretum on the way out to Raglan. Nice gentle walk and good to get a bit of fresh air. Can definitely say that Sunday was a quiet night!!

Bay of Plenty with Si and his folks

During the week Si managed to have a really nice time off with his folks exploring parts of the north island whilst I went to work.
I had a very busy week in work, which as much as it knackered me I prefer to be busy. I did manage to have a nice night out on Tuesday night with the girls, where we went for a lovely meal and a few drinks.

Just to give you a little recap on what Si and his folks got up to.
Monday they went over to Raglan to check out the surf, as well as manage to see bridal veil falls (we went to see them a while ago), Tuesday they went over to Rotorua for two days where they fit in a fair few of the geothermal sights including Wai-o-tapu, kerosene creek, hells gate as well as visit a Maori village for the evening and enjoy a hangi. Thursday they had a nice relaxing day in Hamilton, with a lovely wander round the lake seeing all the wildlife and NZ birds.

On Thursday evening (because I had managed to get Friday off) we headed over to the Bay of Plenty for the weekend. We stayed at a lovely hostel in the centre of Tauranga, after a lovely (massive) meal and a few drinks we headed back for a relatively early night. The next day we had booked to do the swimming with dolphins trip that I attempted in November, unfortunately I was unlucky then so was given a free trip in the hope of seeing them this time. And did we!! We found a pod of nearly 100 common dolphins, pretty big and very very impressive. Plus we managed to get in the water to swim alongside them, unfortunately, because common dolphins like to swim fast you cant free swim with them cos they'll bugger off, so they drop you in behind the boat and get you to hold onto the back while the boats still moving - so so awesome! That night we went out for another good meal and a slightly later night.

Saturday we enjoyed a little bit of a lie in before heading over to Mount Mangaunui for a nice walk up to the summit. unfortunately it wasn't the nicest day but the views were still pretty amazing. After coming down we met up with Gem and James and headed over to Kiwi 360, where we learnt all about Kiwi farming. Not as interesting as it sounds, no really! We did have a few chuckles along the way - mainly involving Si and his stupidity. There was however, a helicopter ride down to the coast for just $59 which is only about £25. Bargain! Of course, I didn't bother with it as I fortunate enough to get the chance to fly with work. Saturday evening we got some food for a nice BBQ and had a very chilled night with beers and cards.

Sunday we had another lazy start, checked out the surf (which was rubbish) and headed over to Waihi to the Karangahake gorge which is a really nice walk and had a lovely lunch in the cafe before heading home for another busy day in work (and Si another week off), I'm telling you now, getting up Monday morning was NOT easy!!

Si's folks arrive

After a relatively easy first few nights, I finally finished on an absolute stinker. Unfortunately, that was the night I really needed an easy one as Si's parents, Roy and Thelma were arriving at lunch time on Friday. After sorting a few little essentials we headed up to Auckland airport to pick them up. Unfortunately their plane arrived early meaning we didn't see them walk through the gate but managed to find them pretty easily anyway.
From the airport, we went via Gem's work to pick her up and head back to hers. We decided that since we all had the weekend off it would be far better to spend it up in Auckland doing some relatively laid back things in order to acclimatise Roy and Thelma. Friday afternoon we sent Si up to Mt Eden for coffee and cake, whilst Gem and I went to do some food shopping. After meeting them we headed up the Mount for some pretty views over the city. That evening we cooked them some of the fish that we caught the weekend before using some of the new recipes from my new NZ fish cookbook. After a few bottles of wine and good chat we finally retired at around 10pm (not bad considering they hadn't got any real sleep on the flight over, and neither had I due to nights!)

Saturday we had a wine tour booked on Waiheke Island, so we headed over to the ferry at about midday, Gem came running along to meet us after having popped into work in the morning to do a post-op ward-round. Unfortunately the weather wasn't amazing, but had enough clearings in order to be able to take in the amazing scenery. After 3 wineries (with plenty of wine flowing) we were all feeling a little tipsy and headed back to Auckland for the evening. Luckily the weather cleared up that evening and we all enjoyed a nice BBQ before heading out to Mt Eden for drinks.

Sunday we headed over to sky tower for a nice brunch. For just $35 you can have an amazing 2 course breakfast with juice and coffee in the revolving restaurant, which is pretty good considering it costs $28 each to just go to the observation deck. We were lucky enough to get amazing weather and therefore perfect views over the city. After breakfast we went to Piha for the afternoon via a trip to a ski sale, where we spent far too much money on ski equipment for the upcoming season. Piha is one of the most famous beaches in NZ (probably cos of its location near Auckland) and is famous for the program Piha rescue (similar to Bondi rescue, but for the Kiwi's) Really stunning beach, maybe accentuated by the beautiful weather.

Sunday evening we headed back down to Hamilton, unfortunately I was in work Sunday so needed a relatively early night.

Auckland and the Coromandel

The week started up in Auckland with Gemma. She currently has an insanely boring job which has the advantage of giving her really easy night shifts, so much so that she often gets 6 or 7 hours sleep. The great thing about that is that she can play with me. Monday however, Si and I had some bits and pieces to sort our with our visa so she had a bit of a lie in whilst we did that. Sorting our visa stuff was a bit of a pleasure though because it involved going back to visit Marc and Lois and their new baby Benjamin who we havent seen for a while. Really lovely having a good catch up and having a cuddle with little Benjamin.
Met up with Gem for lunch in Mt Eden before Si headed back down to Hamilton for work. That afternoon we went into Parnell for wander and then down to Mission bay for coffee, cake and pretty views.

Tuesday I spent the whole day with Gem, went for a lovely lunch in Devonport and then wandered round the shops getting ideas for her wedding- went back to hers and chilled watching Tim Minchin and sifting through wedding mags (probably the first real input into this chief bridesmaid malarky)

Wednesday I headed back down to Hamilton, caught a lift with James who had a survey in Hamilton to finish. Si was off until 4pm so we decided to head out to Raglan for a bit of a surf, wasn't the greatest surf but good all the same.

On Thursday an Friday I was in work, busy but nothing exciting was happening.

Saturday morning we got up early and headed over to the Coromandel to meet up with Jen, Blake, Joe and Kathryn. Between 12 of us we hired out a fishing boat, complete with skipper for the day/evening. Really beautiful, had perfect weather- stopped first for a swim and play around near an island which was super cool - probably the clearest water I have ever swam in, managed to get some cool underwater shots with my new camera. After that we found a good spot and spent the rest of the day fishing. Between us managed to catch about 50 fish, including snapper, blue cod, wrass, pigfish, trevally and some others, probably about $500 worth of fish. Unfprtunately it meant the next 2 hours back at the batch was spent gutting and filleting fish and therefore dinner was only really at about 1pm. we probably only managed to eat about 1/5 of the amount of fish we caught so the rest was divided up for us to take home. That was the first time I have ever eaten fish that I have caught.

Sunday we got up and headed over to Cathedral cove again (our 3rd time) for an afternoon of beach fun. Cant believe it is still beach weather here and its well into Autumn, had fun playing volleyball, modified french cricket (beach bat and ball had to take the place of a cricket bat) and playing in the sea. Shame to say goodbye to the gang, could be a fair while till we see them next - but had a GREAT time.

Next week Si's folks get out here - very excited to see them and have all sorts planned. will keep you posted.xx

V8 and Chiefs

The week was spent in anticipation of Blake and Jen arriving - Si became like an excited child (a personality trait I'm quite used to now)
On Friday evening Jen, Blake, Joe, Kathryn and James headed over to Hamilton for the weekend. yes we were gonna squeeze all 7 in our little flat) That evening we headed over to the Chiefs match.......again a loss!! But had a really good time, the beer was flowing (probably the most I've drank at a match yet) After that the girls went back to ours to get ready for the night out whilst the boys headed for more drinks. By the time we met them they had already sank 4 jaegerbombs. Ended up being a really heavy night out - and a really good one.

Saturday we headed out to Hamilton V8 ITM400 Supercar racing where the streets of hamilton were converted into a racecourse for the weekend. The plan was to start drinking again but everyone was feeling a little bit tender. Was a really great atmosphere and had a great day - even if the sun didn't shine for us. That evening we all went out for a lovely meal together.

On Sunday Jen, Blake, Kathryn and Joe had a flight to catch to the south island, so Si, James and I headed up to Auckland for the rest of the day. I wasn't back in work till Thursday and Si wasn't in till Monday afternoon, so it was a nice opportunity to spend a bit of time with Gem and James. That afternoon we played alot of tennis but unfortunately Gem had to head off on nights so it was a relatively chilled evening.

Sky Sports

Monday to Thursday was pretty uneventful, what with being busy in work. Got another flight over to Rotorua which added to the fun a little.
On Friday night Gem and James came down as they had the day off. Went for a nice meal together before heading to the Chiefs match. Apparently we were seen on sky sports cheering on the Chiefs after their one and only try. Unfortunately another home loss. Getting quite sad now, not seen them win at home.
On Saturday, Si and I headed into work whilst Gem and James went over to Rotorua for the day to see the sights that they still hadn't seen, they got home in time for me to finish work at 4 and we went to a few pubs then had a nice takeaway and played on the wii. Unfortunately didn't finish work till 10 so only briefly got to see him.
Sunday Gem and James headed over to Raglan and we headed back into work. Pretty uneventful day - but what did I expect, working the weekend.