Post No. 59 - GIVEAWAY!

WIN FREE/THREE STUFF!

We are pleased to announce our first (and possibly last depending on how well this goes) contest!

To celebrate the fact that we have had over 1000 hits on this blog we have 3 (not 2, not 4 but 3) prizes to give away. The prizes are all New Zealand related, souvenir type gifts and at least one of them is collectable.

To be in with a chance of winning one of the prizes please leave a comment or email us with answers to the following questions (3 questions for 3 prizes!):

1. How often do you visit this blog? (daily, weekly, this is my first visit etc…)


2. What features do you like best? – you can choose more than 1. (photos, news, funny stories, links etc…)

And last but not least…

1. What would you like to see more or less of on here? (Kate’s rambling, Graeme’s sporadic posts, info on NZ insects etc…)

Please – if you are reading this post, take a couple of minutes to give us your answers. It would really help us to know who is reading the blog, how often and why!

Entry is open to everyone including friends, family and people we have never met (and all those people I have won stuff from!). If you just stumbled across this blog and don’t have a clue who we are you are still eligible!
I should probably say something here along the lines of – if you are under 18 years of age please ask permission from a parent/guardian before entering – there, said it!

Winners will be chosen at random by putting all the names in a hat (or other suitable container) and closing our eyes whilst pulling 3 back out!

First out of the hat will be given their choice of prizes, then the second person can choose and so on.

Any question (or answers!) – feel free to comment or email us.

We will see how this is going by Friday and decide when we are going to make the drawing.

IMPORTANT NOTE – If you want a chance of winning, please make sure you leave a name we know you by in your comment so we can add your name to the hat.

Post No. 57 - Exciting Stuff

Well howdy-doody! You can now download a Word add-on from Blogger so you can create posts in Word and just send those little puppies right out there into Cyberspace…..interesting. I have plans for this, plans involving multi-coloured fonts, mad fonts you cannot read and maybe

• some


• strange


• looking


• bullet


• points.

Tell me – is it sad that I find this exciting? It’s like when I go into WHSmiths (or Whitcoulls here) and get all happy about stationery. Graeme always looks at me gravely as I try to choose between the purple hard-backed notepad and the spiral bound paperback one with the picture of puppies on it. I just know that he is thinking about the 50 notepads I already have at home and wondering why on earth I feel I need a new one.

Then of course I need a new fancy pen to go with the new notebook. “Tell Me”, I say to him, “shall I get the purple gel-ink one or this one that has a heart and some fluff on it?” He looks at me more intently probably wondering just how he is going to get me to the mental hospital without me getting wise. I could be wrong, he could be trying to work out the time difference to work out if any pubs will be playing the latest Rangers game. In fact – that’s probably it isn’t it?! That or he is trying to count my freckles.

Anyhow – on to more important things. The Snoopy pyjamas always come in handy when I want to do the snoopy dance, helps get me in the mood. I was certainly snoopy dancing my way around the living room last night when we realised the blog has now had over 1000, yes that’s 1000 hits! Okay so you need to take off at least 250 of those – being me and Graeme having a peek or posting. But that still leaves a lot of people looking at our blog. Reading about us. We might even be famous. Wow!

So in honour of all you fabulous people out there, we are going to have a competition.

Now I read a lot of blogs (some of my favourites are linked down the sidebar over there () and one of the things I really love about blogs is that loads of bloggers give stuff away. Free books are like birthdays and Christmas all rolled into one for me! I love the chance to win something.

So seeing how much I like it, I thought some of you, out there, might get a little excited too! Obviously the prizes will be New Zealand themed (as this is what this blog is supposedly about although I can understand how some of you may not be aware of that!). So I will go out this weekend and round up a prize or two to giveaway.

And think of something suitable you all need to do in order to be in for the chance of winning. Perhaps I will send you all on a quest……hmmm, will get my thinking cap on.

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED!

Post No. 56 - What can I do?

Okay people, here's the thing. I have a job as a temp but its not what I want to do with my life. I want a job I love.
Obviously top of the list is writer/author - however that one may take some time so in the meantime I could do with some help and suggestions.
Lets call it 'Find Kate a Job she Loves' (I love catchy titles!)

So far on the list of possibles:
- Chocolate Taster
- Professional Reader
- Proof Reader
- Racing Car Driver (only joking!)
- Kennel Manager
- Travel Agent
- Lady of leisure
- Professional Blogger
- Party Planner
- Wedding Planner
- Celebrant (is that right? a person that performs marriage ceremonies?)

Okay - so thoughts? What can I do? Do any of the above fit the bill in your opinion. What else can you think of?

Of course I forgot a really fun one....

....trampolinist (or would that be trampoliner?)

....and yes that is me!
....and I still have all my body parts intact and unbroken!

Post No. 55 - What's that noise?

Side note - big wave to anyone who has been directed here from our update email!

On Saturday I was sat reading a book while Graeme played on the xBox (what an exciting life we lead!) when there was this sudden rushing, roaring, banging noise. I asked Graeme to turn the TV down and tried to work out what it was......oh my gosh was this some kind of natural disaster that they keep warning us about over here....the ground didn't seem to be shaking so what could it be? Well we stepped out on the balcony to this view:



to help that image become a little clearer - here's the same view taken during daylight:



See that building being lit up in the 1st picture - thats where Graeme works! Luckily it wasn't a fire. It was an amazing fireworks display going off in the Square. The photos we took just didn't do it justice.

And it was great to look about us and see other people standing outside looking up at the fireworks as well!
The man in the place behind us had pulled a chair out and was sat eating his tea off his lap while he watched the display!

Post No. 54 - Beautiful

Manawatu River

We finally got out to see some of the scenery. Headed out to the Victoria Esplanade Park. It was lovely. We went a little off the main path and came across the river. If you squint at the picture you will see a bridge. Everyday I drive over that bridge to get to work!

The weather was great today and everyone here in Palmy obviously agreed with us as the park was packed. They have aviaries down at the park with loads of different kinds of parrots. Had a lovely late lunch in the Cafe Esplanade before coming back home.

Asked Graeme if he would be willing to do a post - he said maybe so keep your eyes peeled.

Best head off just now as its Sunday night and I have a lot of stuff to get sorted for the week ahead.

Hope you have all enjoyed your weekend!

Post No. 53 - a bit of fun

I like quizzes. I know most of the stuff is just made up and it doesn't really reflect who you are but its fun to answer a few questions and then see if you agree with what your answers reveal about you!

So I went and found this for you all - enjoy!

Your Summer Ride is a Beetle Convertible

Fun, funky, and a little bit euro. You love your summers to be full of style and sun!

What's Your Summer Ride?

It may be winter here but it has been a fine day today - very sunny with a lovely blue sky. I am sitting here typing this to the sound of birdsong outside. And if I stand up and look towards the right, out of the window I can see the mountains - isn't life great!

Which reminds me - we really need to get out and about with the camera and get some pictures of Palmy for you all to see!

Post No. 52 - It's about time...

...don't know about you lot but I think its about time Mr McCrae made another appearance on here. What do you all say to that?

If I can get enough comments showing him how much is adored and needed then I might just be able to persuade him.

You might need to ask some questions for him to answer as so far his excuse has been 'I don't know what to say'.

So folks, the ball is in your court. If you are desperate to stop my mad ramblings and maybe actually hear something about life in New Zealand then vote now.

For the uninitiated amongst you - you just need to click on the word 'comments' below this post and then do your thang.

And now in my best geordie voice - You Decide!

Post No. 51 - Too many Books, not enough money!

Sky Tower, Auckland, At night (well thats kinda obvious!)

Hmmm, wanted to post tonight just to keep you all on your toes but didn't have a clue what I was going to say. So I went and wandered round some favourite blogs of mine (a few of the blogs I read are listed as links on the side bar) - and there you were all thinking I came up with the blog idea all my myself! Yeah right!

So I visited Jill Shalvis's blog and read all about her new release 'Get A Clue' - it sounds fabulous! A romance novel slap-bang in the middle of Cluedo! And if you head over to Jill's blog you will realise she is a very funny lady!

I happened to 'stumble' (thats what I am telling Graeme anyhow!) across Fishpond the other day - which looks like the NZ equivalent of Amazon (although much smaller) - have already started my wishlist so those of you who wish to show your admiration for me or just buy me a birthday present (22nd October people!) let me know and I can send you a copy! I warn you - its very long!

There are just too many books in the world and not enough time and money to read them! Good job I joined the library - eh?!

Oh and newsflash - John Cleese is doing a tour of NZ November and Decemeber. It seemed like fate that he was in Palmy (the Broadway where we saw Joseph the other week) the night my Dad arrived to come visit when he is such a fan. It was too much of a gamble to book tickets for that night so instead we are seeing him in Auckland a week later. Can't wait - all 3 of us (Dad, Graeme and me) love Monty Python and Fawlty Towers so be prepared for lots of silly quotes (and walks!) on the run-up!

Post No. 50 - A little light relief

Post No. 49 is probably the most serious, spiritual (really?) and (dare-I-say) intimate post I will ever publish on this blog. To prove to you all that I haven't gone completely serious on you here is something a little refreshing for you:

Raining Cats and Dogs - Even Graeme had a chuckle over this although he still holds his opinion that all cats are, in fact, evil. (Who knows, maybe this proves it).

And to continue with the dog theme - todays photo shows off the amazing art work of DJ. Yes folks, that really is a drawing of a whippet on the back of my jumper!

Post No. 49 - Finding Courage and Following Dreams

When Graeme and myself first began to talk about coming to NZ a lot of you may have wondered if it was ever going to happen.
And then, when it got to the point of no return (probably around the time we booked flights, sold our flat, sold our furniture and resigned from our jobs) a lot of people began to tell us how brave we were.
I don't think either of us had given courage and bravery (are they the same thing?) much thought up until that point.
And once we started saying goodbye to so many people I certainly began to wonder if it was stupidity rather than bravery....I still don't think I have made my mind up either way but I have tried to remember my 'courage' ever since we left.
And to re-assert my courage, I am going to tell you all a little story:

Are you sitting comfortably boys and girls?

There is something about me that many of you may not know.
I want to be a writer.
I long for the day when someone pays me to write down words - hopefully in a cohesive order (look at that - she has started using fancy words already!)
I have wanted this for a very long time and have spent the last 5 or so years spending a lot of time researching how to be a writer.
So much time in fact, that I have NOT spent enough time actually writing!

This blog - although I didn't necessarily realise it right at the start - has helped me to re-realise my long-held dreams. This blog has given me an excuse to write.
I enjoy writing it & hope that you - my audience! - enjoy reading it.

So I am declaring my intentions to the world - now you all know & I have become accountable!
I have signed up for a free online course at Barnes&Noble in Romance Writing to help kickstart me. (You should go and have a look as they have a wide range of courses!)

And you - my wonderful audience - made up of family, friends, acquaintances and possibly some strangers who are so charmed by me that they keep coming back for more - can offer me support.....just by coming back here every now and then and reading what I have to say.

Thanks for listening (or should that be reading?!)

Post No. 48 - People who own porsches shouldn't....

Finally got some pictures of the car and have uploaded them onto the Gallery. The usual suspects should have recieved an invite to view them. If you haven't got an invite and fancy being nosy just drop us an email. (I am too lazy to add a mailto link here so you will need to look us up!)

Here is a taster -

See that burgandy car behind ours? Thats a porsche....if you squint and stare hard enough you will see something that your eyes won't believe. The car seats have zebra skin covers. Now just don't get me started on how wrong that is! Its not a particularly nice porsche but it would look a darn sight nicer without the tacky adornments.

Okay - thats my rant over! Now I get to gloat over how nice our car is! Its gorgeous! The place I work is away out of town (less then a 10 minute drive though!) and once I head across the bridge the speed limit goes up to 70k (okay, still not as fast as I would like!) - its amazing, so quiet and it accelerates so fast that I have to be pretty careful to keep an eye on my speedometer!

We have a distinct lack of CDs here in NZ. All the CDs we wanted kept are at Dads house and we have only bought a couple since we arrived:
- A CD of Monty Pythons Life of Brian - absolutely hilarious so no good for driving!
- Acoustic Chillout - I was expecting great things here but its just someone playing a keyboard badly....all the songs sound the same and Graeme was begging me to turn it off as soon as he realised it was 'elevator music'!
- Finally I bought The Pretenders Greatest Hits - 'tis okay but having had that in the car since Wednesday I am now ready for something different.

Tonight I plan to let myself loose with the Music file on this laptop - it pretty much contains a copy of every album me and Graeme have ever owned (and a few we haven't!). I used to love making Mixed tapes as a teenager so this should be fun!

Does anyone have any songs suggestions for the first of my many driving mix CDs?

Post No. 47 - Apologies for the interruption to service

Sugar Loaf Island Marine Park, New Plymouth

Its been a hectic week between both of us working full-time, playing netball, attending tuppaware parties and picking up our new car. Tonight is the first night where we don't have anything on!

Haven't had a chance to get pictures of the car yet as its always dark by the time we have a spare minute but will hopefully be able to get some pictures up over the weekend. The car is gorgeous - I love it! I've been using it to drive to work and its so quiet - I have to keep checking I haven't stalled it! Graeme has reserved the driving at weekends spots so he gets to drive it as well as me - only fair I suppose! Although he says he will let me drive when we go to new places occassionally so I can get used to the bigger roads and state highways (scary scary places!)

The netball was certainly an experience - the other people playing (in our team and the opposition) were obviously very experienced and extremely fast! I had a lot of trouble getting the rules as they play it differently to the way I was taught but it was fun. I may play again in the future - we will see! Graeme has already played again as they were a player short on Wednesady night!

The Tuppaware party was also a new experience - a good one! There was a cooking demonstration using the equipment and the recipe was chocolate fudge muffins - wow - they were delicious! If Graeme is lucky perhaps I will try to make them at the weekend (although I don't have all the superdooper Tuppaware cooking stuff so they probably won't be as nice - thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!)

Work is going well (I think!), its something completely different to anything I have done before so requires a lot of concentration so I am really tired! The people are all friendly and willing to answer my endless questions. I will have to wait till I know a bit more before I can decide whether it is for me or not though.

We are hoping to get out an about at the weekend in the car to see some more of the local scenery - will hopefully have some new photos for the blog/kodak gallery next week.

Post No. 46 - A Social Whirl!

Well first day at work seemed to go well (you might be best consulting with my new colleagues though just in case I have my head in the clouds again!).
Was to start at 9am and knew it only takes 5-10minutes to get there in the middle of the day so decided to leave just before 8.30am in case traffic was bad. Was there for 8.35am twiddling my thumbs in the carpark for 10 minutes!
I believe my title is "Content Analysist" and when I actually manage to work out what I do I will be sure to let you know!
In a nutshell and from what I know from one day - basically the Online Services team (which I am part of) is responsible for checking all information put on the internet and intranet. We offer a helpdesk service for staff and are currently migrating info from about 8 different ources into 1.

So we shall see if I am correct after a couple of weeks and hopefully have a handle on what I am doing!

The social whirl title refers to the fact that I have been invited to a Tuppaware party on Thursday (not quite as exciting as Ann Summers methinks!) and as the Netball team at Graemes work is short of players tonight we are both playing. The netball should be hilarious as I have not played properly since primary school! I told G to warn them that I didn't have a clue!

No photos today as my dinner is almost ready and then we need to mentally prepare ourselves and go and buy Graeme some track pants ready for netball.

How are you all doing?

Post No. 45 -

This is the current picture on my desktop:

Graeme thinks its quite weird and thought it strange when I asked him to take this picture. It is the tunnel leading to the Durie Hill Elevator in Wanganui. I think it has come out great! So it currently resides on my desktop (until I get bored of it and find a better one!) and now on here as well!

So tomorrow I start work as a temp. I am surprised I don't feel more nervous. I think it may have to do with the fact that I am desperate to get out and get to work and start meeting people! That or it will all hit me in the morning and I will forget what way to turn when I drive out the driveway!

Last night we saw Joseph at the Regent on Broadway. It was great, very enjoyable. The theatre is beautiful, not quite as grand as the Kings in Glasgow but its hard to believe someone had to save it from demolition! Some highlights from the show were the Pharoah being an Elvis impersonator and a reggae number from one of the brothers!

Today we were shopping again! I can't believe how much time we have spent in shops since we arrived in Palmy - we are definitely ready for a few weekends with a shopping ban (might be easier for Graeme then me!). Should be easy now we have all the necessities! And then we can actually spend some time seeing the local area before we start to venture a bit further!

Post No 44 - Mussels and Joseph

Dolphin at Marineland, Napier

Today we went to a lovely little bistro cafe on the Square for lunch. We had gourmet wedges (v.posh!) and a chefs platter. On this platter was some stuffed mushrooms, pork balls, olives (yeuch!), houmous, pate and mussels. Graeme convinced me I would like them and that they were not slimy so I tried one and I must say not too bad - might even try again!

We finally got the telly - woohoo! so DVD player and XBox are currently being plugged in (obviously I am leaving that to the expert and having nothing to do with it!) Also bought a cordless phone which is in the bedroom so we don't have to get out of bed early at the weekends to call the folks. Another thing on our purchase list was an answerphone so Lou - feel free to ring up and practise your Scottish accent/sing me some songs!

Tonight we are going to the Theatre to see 'Joseph and the Technicolured Dreamcoat', the show is only on for 2 performances today and tickets were v. cheap at $35 (£14 approx) each including booking fee. Looking forward to it.....'I close my eyes, draw back the curtains, to see for certain, what I thought I knew'! Good job its not Mr Donovan in the starring role as I may have reverted back to my 8 year old self where I fancied Jason Donovan something rotten! How sad was I!

Other news - we finally bit the bullet and signed the sales agreement for the Holden Astra which is now on order so should be shortly driving a brand new car - exciting stuff!

Post No. 43 - Many weird and wonderful things

Okay, so now we have broadband in the house I am spending way too much time online! But this is my last day of being a lady-of-leisure so I am spending the day in style - in my Snoopy pyjamas! I really must go and get dressed soon though and get some 'stuff' done. I'm not too keen on 'stuff', 'stuff' always seems to take hours of my endless free time away from me. Things I catagorise as 'stuff' include: washing clothes, washing up, hoovering, dusting, ironing, and anything else I have no wish to do but have to!

So I am making a stand - I am taking a couple of hours out of time to do random things, I have been linking from one strange thing to another online and found these:

You're The Poisonwood Bible!

by Barbara Kingsolver

Deeply rooted in a religious background, you have since become both
isolated and schizophrenic. You were naively sure that your actions would help people,
but of course they were resistant to your message and ultimately disaster ensued. Since
you can see so many sides of the same issue, you are both wise beyond your years and
tied to worthless perspectives. If you were a type of waffle, it would be
Belgian.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Lovin' it! So has anyone actually read aforementioned book? And would anyone wish to comment on whether description suits me to a tee? Thought not! The religious background I am deeply rooted in would have to be my worship of chocolate and tiramisu obviously! And of course the majority of you are all resistent to my message because none of you leave us any comments! And I don't have a problem being a Belgian Waffle as long as I get to pour syrup over myself!

Enough of that nonsense and on to the next:

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Now thats more like it! I can put up with the moody comment as the rest is quite nice. Not quite sure what my freak flag looks like but will need to remember and leave it at home on Monday so I last for longer then 1 day in my new job!

No pics today as I want you all to go and do these quizzes and let me know what you came out as!

Post No. 42 - Developments

1) As of last night we now have broadband in the house so at least one of us will
probably be online everyday.
2) I have heard from the recruitment agent and will be starting work on Monday, have
an appointment today to find out a bit more so should be able to tell you more
later.
3) Hoping to buy a car over the weekend so I can drive to work rather then take the
bus.
4) Still no tv - and to think I could be rewatching Desperate Housewives as they are
just showing the first series here.

What else? Let me think....the sun has been splitting the sky these last 2 days. Thats great when you are in the sun but as soon as you hit some shade or it gets dark it is really really cold! We thought we might be getting away from that whole 4 seasons in 1 day thing when we left Scotland but it seems to have moved up to a whole other level!

I have been averaging reading 1 book a day since Graeme started work - now the world is full of books and I still have quite a few left to read, however, any reading recommendations would be gratefully received!
I have been reading loads of vampire and ghost stuff and am really starting to spook myself out. There are loads of weird noises as its a new place to live and I keep jumping and shouting "Who's there?"! Yep - those neighbours really adore me! Think I will have go back to some straight RomCom without a hint of anything supernatural!

And the thing that is giving me a good giggle with the library books is that someone who seems to have similar reading tastes to mine (as I have found this in at least 3 books now) has taken it upon themselves to correct any spelling or grammatical errors in the library book! They put crosses through words and write the correct spelling in the margin! I don't even do that to my own books let alone ones owned by other people! The thing is once they have pointed something out you can't help but notice any other mistakes that pop up. God help me if they ever stumble across this blog and my terribel typos!

Now for todays photo...some big fluffy baby penguins at Kelly Tarltons in Auckland...

Post No. 41 - That Lizard thing named

Those of you that have seen the photos with descriptions on Kodak Gallery will be aware how much my memory fails me when it comes to giving things their proper name!
Well today I am posting this picture for you:

so I did a little googling and came up with its proper name - it's a TUATARA and I sure hope I never come face to face with one without a pane of glass between us. The other thing that really freaks me out here is the Weta - like a humungous cockroach beetle thing and I swear I actually nearly stepped on one here in Palmy in the motel carpark - eeek!

Still at home today and getting really sick of it, although I have found a new way of passing the time - playing all the music I like that Graeme would be cringing at! So far this morning, I've had some Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Elvis, Andy Williams and of course, some good ole Lionel (that would be Ritchie - NOT Blair!). Will be following all that up with some Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, Ultimate Dirty Dancing and of couse, Chick-Flick Love Songs. A pure girly heaven. If only we had the telly and then I could have a proper chick flick fest!

Well I am off to sing out of tune and dance like a looney around the living room - the neighbours will love me! Then I have a gazillion phonecalls to make chasing up TVs, Xboxes, catching up with the recruitment agent, sorting out some stuff with the bank, and finally harrassing the car salesman about waiting times for new Astras!

Post No 40 - Rainy Days and Mondays

Well today is Monday and its very rainy! The rain was so heavy it actually kept us awake last night. Of course...the roof is metal (I think) so all raindrops land in stereo!

As I now seem to be able to upload photos without too mich hassle I will try to remember to post a few each week, a random selection. I will try to remember a description with each one! So as its Monday and I am back to being a lonely housewife (or should that be lonely house-fiancee?) I decided on this one for today....


This is the view from our balcony - you see that tall blue-glass building in the background (between the balcony and trees) - thats is Graeme's office building! You can also see the building from windows in the main and spare bedroom. He walks to work each morning and it takes less then 10 minutes!

We have arranged to get broadband connected at home so shortly will be a lot more 'available' for emailing, chats etc. Hoping to be online by Friday.

Other than that its pretty quiet around here. Still haven't got a tv, we put one on order last weekend and still don't know when we will be able to get it. I mean, its not like we can't live without telly but I feel my video-ezy memebership is going to waste here!

Went to look at cars yesterday....Holden (the Oz manafacturer) buy in the Vauxhall/Opels from Europe and put their own badge on them....anyone have any comments about Astras?