Wellington

21/4/23

The mistress was up early today, and Ollie didn't quite know what was happening until the mistress explained that his family would be home soon. We were now home wood-bound and farewell to Hastings and the friends we made.

OMG, the car is so full, and she left a small gap to see out the back window. She put stuff all around me but left me a space to keep an eye out for those red and blue lights. It rained further down the road but was a good trip with a couple of stops. I didn't see any Gnomes hop into the car either!! But I did see a small Gnome size book plonked in front of me called "Wisdom". What on earth does wisdom mean. The mistress announced that if I read the book then I would find out.? It's a very strong word she says, and adult humans usually have a lot of wisdom/knowledge that they have learned over the years and share with others. Older adults usually have the most wisdom. Hmmm, I will have to think about this.

 We get to our accommodation and the mistress is extremely tired. Hey, she was in bed by 8pm. That's so early for her. Rained all night she says.

22/4/23

Ferry to Picton

Our Ferry arriving from Picton

Another early rise as the mistress didn't want to rush, so had plenty of time to get to the Ferry. We were 3rd in the queue and had such a long wait, but she did her word find puzzle while we waited. The drizzling rain didn't ease up until we were out of Wellington.

Happy Rocking away on the ferry

All aboard and we are sailing.  I am very happy rocking away watching all that is going on around us. Everyone was hungry as was just past 1pm. Hey, the mistress had a glass of bubbly to settle the nerves about getting us to Wellington and the ferry. But I reckon she did well, but Shh don't tell her this.

We met some lovely people, on board and the mistress couldn't open her bottle so asked the chap next door if he could take the top off. Huh, we found out later he had a special ankle monitor for home detention. Jeepers he is a criminal and he sat beside us for a while to eat his lunch. When he moved away, he put his hood up and stuck to himself. No wonder. I wonder what conviction he created to have such a thing on his leg. At least he was kind to my mistress and that's the main thing.

A lovely couple Mike and his wife Allison sat at that table and the 3 of them yacked their heads off all the way to Picton. The mistress forgot to ask them if they wanted to come and see all my friends, at home as they were coming to Chch.

The mistress disappeared for a few minutes and when she came back a lady came and whisked us up to the Captain on the Bridge. Allison came as chief photographer. Jeepers not everyone is allowed up their so we are very lucky. Now Derek the shy captain didn't really want to be part of this and preferred the mistress sat in his seat, which she did. Mighty comfortable she says. The view out to the sea was amazing. So much glass I needed my sunglasses. Derek was a great chap and young Sue our escort asked us our story and that it's not every day they get a visit from a Gnome. They will post our pictures to their hall of fame!! Sue came to visit us before we arrived in Picton and said she was impressed with the blog and would keep reading it. She was a lovely young lady and seemed excited to meet us. 

Sitting in the Captains seat

A happy lot. A great photo

On the Bridge, big enough for a party I say.

Calm waters

She looks half sloshed

We traveled to Blenheim for the night, a nice motel, and Chinese for dinner which the mistress said she could cook better than this but wasn't in any state to cook tonight. Hey, she was in bed by 7pm. So early for her. I shall keep an eye on her I think.

23/4/23

Home today. Shes up early and I need to report that she ate her breakfast on the road with her cup of tea. Now I haven't seen this before, keen to get home I reckon. Left at 8am for some petrol, she didn't want to make the car too heavy for the boat yesterday. I was worried we might sink if we were too heavy, and also all the extra Gnomes on our car. Beautiful sunny day and not too much traffic. The only lights we saw was from an accident at Ward. Some big red lights too from a fire engine. We just hoped everyone was ok. I kept my eye on the dashboard for her speed and did well I say. Opps unless there is a ticket in the mail that we missed. 

Now we stopped at Kaikoura for a cupper and oh no, 2 extra passengers. Just where were these going to perch. Right at my feet she says. There was a small area, but these fellas are quite big from what I could see. She left room for me to see out thank goodness.

We were heading down the road and wondered why 2 large boats and a lot of people were watching from the beach, and saw dolphins, dozens of them playing and jumping out the water. Rather interesting to watch and close to the shore with Kayaks out there too. The people on the tourist boats, we could hear their excitement. 

Look for the dolphins playing

Watching the Dolphins

Home sweet home. The mistress remembered where we lived. Amazing. But hey I have to tell you she forgot where to find the cups to make a cup of tea, then at dinner time....she didn't know where the salt and pepper were. She opens several cupboards and drawers too!!

Now a lovely neighbor who looked after the outside watering in our absence left a casserole in the fridge with a welcome home sign pinned to the fridge. Awesome and the mistress is very grateful. She will have it tomorrow as she's not feeling that great tonight.