Hastings / Napier

31/3/23

The mistress got 2 VIP phone calls this morning while walking the dog. The business cards had arrived, all 500 of them. That mistress has been very busy giving out the first 250 and needed more. 

Crickey together with the 6000 currently following us, I guess it's no wonder she was running out.

Then, Suzuki, the local branch phoned with their latest magazine had arrived. The mistress couldn't wait to be getting home. so now the proud mistress is skiting.

Full page Pin up...what a lovely couple they make!!

 I am proud of me too but don't tell the mistress. Her head is already at full compacity.

This afternoon we zoomed off in her very red and black Suzuki swift sport, with stripes, and me watching out for those red and blue lights. 

Now the mistress leaves me in the car for some of the time, because I have so much reading to do, and am a long way behind so I didn't mind at all. 

Then off we went for a photo shoot with yours truly. 

Arh I am too close to the water

Pania a Māori Legend

 

The mistress quite likes these arty things. They always amuse her to no end. 

She spots a Pier; we were off at a fast pace. 

Art Deco

Now the mistress was a long time in this place yacking to everyone about our journey. Sounds like she wants to go back and see a film from the early day's earthquake and the history.

I reckon she wants to have a ride in this car too.!!

Hastings

30/3/23

 Brrrr it is very chilly these days. Those South Island people decided to chuck some of their weather to us. You see they believe in sharing. Well, there are some things you share and some things you don't. So now please we have had enough, and all we require from you is warm sunshine, please.

The mistress's daughter had to sort out some more computer problems today. Gosh, where would she be without her?

She is trying to Volunteer here but navigating the systems she says is a nightmare. A willing worker is happy to do light duties. There are a few things in the pot she says and whatever will be will be. 

Today she went off to meet the next house-sit people. Gosh, a nice bright orange door she says. Probably easy to find in the dark, but the mistress doesn't do much after dark. They have a HUGE dog called Ollie and she tells me he has huge paws. They are the size of her hand. Now that is really huge. I wonder what would happen if the dog stood on me. My mistress said she would take really good care of me and wouldn't allow this to happen. Oh, she is so kind. I am a lucky Gnome.

Do you know she has even checked out the local takeaway places just a short walk down the busy road? 

Now I think she is eager to get home and she has even checked out and booked accommodation near the ferry in Wellington. Now, these boats have a habit of breaking down, or the weather is rough, but she has reassured me that we will think positively, and it will sail on the 22 April 2023 and not a day or two later. Visualize she says. Like we do when finding a car park. There is always a park. The boat will sail especially because we have special Gnome cargo on board the car. OMG if only the boat people knew how many there are. She has told me not to tell them, because they might throw some overboard. Oh heck, can they swim I say? They will be my new mates. I can't wait to meet them. The mistress wouldn't take the special packing off for me to see as each shop went to a lot of trouble to protect each one. We have actually lost count.

Hastings

29/3/23

 

Claimed the mistress's bed.

Now this cat claims her chair and now claims her bed and looks proud of it. Hey good on you mate.

Today the mistress had organized to play Croquet. and when we cruised out there it appears from a fella to do some chores that they canceled today due to last night's heavy rain we got.

On the way back to Havelock there was a cafe called The Figgery.

Take a look at this. 

Do you know what I think this should say?

Gnomes are welcome please ensure your humans are on a leash.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Did you like this, because I did?

The mistress did enjoy this place. Everything was Gluten free, which is good for one of her special friends at home. All items had figs in it. She had a Louise square with fig jam. She came out licking her lips while I had some ME time which I thoroughly enjoyed. Figuring out these humans is a full-time job for me, and I feel I may never understand this one. 

The animals here have got her sorted. The dog had some fresh hot chicken for dinner and later because the remains were waiting to cool before putting in the fridge, the mistress asked the dog would you like some crumbs. What fool would say no!! So, she got some crumbs but wanted more. No No, No, more. The look on the dog's face she wasn't convinced. So, between the cat and dog, there are ongoing battles about who is going to win. (The dog lost)

Now the rain was deafening last night but today sunshine, until the mistress went outside, and it was freezing. The coldest day in 4 months.  She had to dig out some winter woolies from the car. 

Tonight's dinner was a laugh from where I was perched. She couldn't work the elements. Induction cooking. She had to wait until the daughter arrived home. Now the mistress tells me she is allergic to Technology. So, dinner was late but hoped it was worth it. A vegetable frittata. 

 

Hastings

28/3/23

I sit here and ponder these animals that live here, and I have come to the conclusion, that they are just as weird as humans. Gosh, I hope the mistress doesn't throw her book at me!

I am here in her bedroom where it was nice and sunny this morning, minding my own business and trying to have some ME time when this tabby cat found something very small, and she swishes it all around the shiny floorboards. Skating everywhere chasing it until she loses it. Then she finds something else and flicks it high and low having a great time. The thing is I wanted some peace, but the mistress just says it's their house and they can do what they want. Huh, that's me told.

The family member had just come back home to tell us her news.  She invited her to sit on the bed with me.  They were talking flat tack when there was an almighty crash. I flew in the air and both the humans jumped with me and all got a fright. What on earth was going on here to cause such a disturbance. This was very bad for my poor nervous system. My stomach did cartwheels like the day we went up in the balloon. I think I heard the mistress say the s..... word again. Cor blimey whatever is going to happen next around here. The front door slammed when the wind got up.

Later the mistress took the dog for a walk, and I got some peace to settle my nerves. 

They came back to find the cat sitting on the mistress's chair. She announced to the cat that she had news for her, and it was all bad. The cat was told that she has to share the chair. You should have seen the look from the cat. So, I've decided to just keep calm and chill. To put my nose in my book is the healthiest thing I can do. Hopefully, I stay out of trouble this way. 

This afternoon we cruised around this place for some sightseeing. The direction on the signposts led us to Flaxmere and out a wee way into the country area. Goodness gracious came from the mistress. What a sight, dust and dirt piles with rubbish heaped very high. Cars and caravans wrecked and their houses. These poor people she says. We didn't go far because too depressing.

I thought I would need to get her the tissues. We ended up going on another road to Napier. The traffic was kind of heavy, but the mistress is used to traffic.

She caught up with a lot of her friends today on the phone. Something tells me that she is missing them. Hmm. Time is really going fast but does feel like ages since leaving back in Nov 2022. 

The Auntie and Uncle are getting a real giggle out of this blog business. The old Uncle says they are really good and that they are enjoying themselves reading them and to keep it up. Hey, you guys it's hard work for a mere Gnome. I am only a little fella, but I have a big heart for my special mistress, despite what she makes me do. 

Hastings

27/3/23

 Another sunny day here and quite warm the mistress says. Us Gnomes couldn't give a toss as we survive in all conditions. She puts her Glad rags and lippy on and we are off again to see what the day brings.

We go to the newspaper to see if they want a story, and they may phone us later. Then off to the council to see about volunteering our services to this area while we are here.

Crickey, she said OUR services. Hmmm, the mind boggles about this word. On looking up the human language that appears to be a loaded statement intended for me. Cor blimey really. 

Now the mistress volunteers at Age Concern at home and pops in to chat with them. She won't divulge the outcome as it could mean several things here. She remains tight-lipped on this so I will just sit back and wait to see what evolves. I think I will keep my ears open here as it obviously will involve me too. I would like to know first you know because this human has a habit of subjecting me to all sorts of mischief.

I did enjoy yesterday, though, and dreamed of those fish all night going round and round their tanks. Do they get dizzy I wonder because I would for sure. Huh, the mistress says I only have a small brain, but at least it still works 😂😂

I watch her at times and am sure her brain has lost the plot many times. She doesn't know that I am looking at her, so pretend I am thinking of something else. But please don't tell her this information.

Milo

I had my ME time when she took the dog for a walk. Gosh it was peaceful here too. But then they came back. I thought they would be away for hours and hours, but no such luck. Oh, it's a hard life being a Gnome.

Here is my mate who lives here

Hey, I found a mate on the step of this place, and they say he used to let out a rude sound when someone walked past it. I wonder what that could have been because the mistress won't tell me. You see she is mean to me at times. Maybe I will this fella to help me let her tires down as she parks right beside us. Shh, please don't tell her. 

The cat Sparkles came to see the mistress again through the night for the usual cuddle and pat then she kneaded the jolly bread again and the mistress had to be quiet in case she woke the daughter woke up. Then she leaps to the chair in the mistress's room and claims it until the morning. She has to move off when this lady wants to sit down. Oh, she is far from happy about this too and lets her know. 

Sparkles

The tree that came down, in the storm, caused some problems here as the daughter had her house furniture, etc. in it. The size of the stump is huge and completely wrecked their garage and fence. 

The tree stump is HUGE

 Hastings/Napier

26/3/23

That mistress this morning was up and organized and we zoomed off to the local farmer's market. She likes the ambiance she says. What on earth does this mean.? Look it up in your books she said. It would be so much easier if she just told me. That's wasting my time and energy she says, and you have so much more time than me. Now while she was at the market, I looked it up. So, I now understand. They had nice music and people relaxing and eating nice scrummy food fresh off the farm or local bakery. The weather held out as rain was threatened. 

We then went off to see some friends and catch up and I was invited in too when they learned what our journey was about. One of them said I would be too hot in the car and needed out. That mistress said I was an old soul. Jeepers what did that mean? Check out your jolly books she says. Gosh, when am I going to have some ME time. The mistress said that was the first time I had said this. Do you know, she just promised me my ME time. Great, we now have this sorted. She better not go back on her word I say. 

They are a great bunch of people and have lots of laughs, questions, and the possibility of catching up again before we leave this area. They really praised my mistress for being so courageous. I have to admit I kind and agree because when I think about her comfort zone back home it was totally different from today. Gosh does this mean I really care about this strange mistress? She has plonked me in huge places out of my comfort zone. She just makes me and says if she does then I need to too and to think about how proud my mates at home will be with me. It appears I will teach them, so many things that I have learned, and it's good to share knowledge. This is what life is about she announced. We all learn from each other, and it is very healthy to step out when we don't want to. Hmm, I will ponder this on my ME time!!

This afternoon we zoomed off to Napier, and new we were too late for the market that she loves, but we looked around the place just a little today and came across an Aquarium. The mistress tells me that they used to have dolphins jumping many years ago and believes it has all changed now. 

I must tell you something though, she asked the assistant If I had to pay. She must have liked the look of me and let me in free while the mistress got senior rates. Then for goodness's sake, she plonked me in a hole to pose for the camera. I didn't mind really, getting fussed over. She made me feel special.........Ahhhh

Gee look at the size of this fellas gob

Wooh all those fish. I wonder if they noticed me

Hey what are you doing?

She thinks this is ugly

Where is the turtle?

Look at the size of this fella

Hey Mr turtle, you have eaten too much

Holey Moley, he is huge

Cray fish

He is trying to get out

What's this thing on the window

Octopus he is huge

 

 I had to look hard here

Amazing

Shark

Look at these blue boys

Wooh look at this

Hello

Do you know I have realized that I have had so many great experiences that in my gnome world I never knew existed?

There is something big to say about these humans. I shall have to watch my p's and q's from now on.

After the Aquarium we cruise down the road by the sea and saw all this mess on the beach.

Messy

Jeepers

I wonder what they will do with all this stuff on a lovely beach

OMG, the mistress has just told me that we are going out shortly to see if the local newspaper wants a story, to give the people around here a laugh in these tense times they are experiencing. 

Hastings/Havelock North

25/3/23

Last night was the time to meet the animal family that lives here and some only temporary. They came one by one to sniff. Who do they think they are sniffing like this. I don't do this to them so why me. The mistress says yet again it's because I stink when I don't wash. So, she had no sympathy for me. I will think about it and maybe in June or July.....she isn't impressed with me.

The owner's daughter collects cows.

Hey, what are you doing cat?

Now I must tell you something. The mistress had a visitor through the night. It had 4 legs and purred a lot she says. Sparkles like to knead the bread and she has sharp claws. But the mistress did enjoy the visit, then this morning Milo paid her a visit with her dirty paws all down the bottom sheet. She had been outside and was excited to 

see the mistress. 

We went to order more business cards today, as we have given almost 250 away already. Jeepers she ordered 500 this time. 

The Information Centre ladies got a giggle today and were very interested in the mistress. Hey, what about me. I am important too you know. By the time we left the building, they had our website up and had a laugh. I wonder if we made their day. I hope so.

Those ladies talked about this fantastic place called Birdwood's at Havelock North. So, she zoomed off, and we were there in no time, and then the camera comes out and of course, I can't help but pose as people watch us. The mistress and I are getting quite good at this caper now and the viewing numbers continue to rise.

Metal Elephant

Horse Head

Bird

Flamingos

Hippos and Rhinos

Wire sheep

Monkey

Sculpture

Birds

Wire sheep

Cow

Look to the left, baby ducks.

Baby metal Hippo

Sculpture

Bird

Metal sheep

Warthogs

A cheeky fella just appeared over the fence.

Bird

Sculpture

Sculpture, Rhino, Hippo and Giraffes

Sculpture

Learning about Birdwood's

Lamp shades

Hey she shared a beer with me

Roosters

Birds All colors

Yummy Ice cream

Now get this right, but I couldn't fit in another

Havelock North

Havelock city sculpture

As you can see, we really enjoyed today and especially Birdwood's.

The mistress can't stop raving about it. The artistic ability of people is incredible she says. We met and gave away lots of cards to people and they are so fascinated with our very long holiday, house-sitting, and the many things we have done and my mates at home are going to be so jealous.