Hastings

24/3/23

In the middle of the night, there was an almighty crash down the passage by the mistress. It appears she broke her wee toe on a small ladder propped up against the wall. It is just as well she didn't use the S.... word!! 😂😂 She has now strapped 2 toes together to heal but not so good when she puts shoes on.

Sheep in the City?

This afternoon we went for a ride down the street, to buy the tape and a book her daughter ordered... Computers for Senior Dummies😂😂

Now she went to the local chemist and these lovely ladies were all interested in her holiday with a traveling Gnome. So, a card was left with them as they were all excited about our adventures out of our comfort zone. She thinks our stats will increase yet again.

I stayed in the car to people-watch. Gosh, there are some characters out there doing all sorts of things, but this is gnome business only.

Along the street, she spotted these hanging baskets of colorful plants. Some towns don't permit these now, because of health and safety issues. One might fall on someone's head. OUCH

Plant baskets are a great sight to see

What I will tell you though, is when she drove into the Countdown supermarket a lot of people were gathered around a 4WD and a poor lady had turned out of her park too early and got stuck on a bollard in the middle of the vehicle. Female drivers aye! Bet her hubby won't be impressed tonight as she had help to disconnect from it and a rather large dent. 

Now, this house sit has a small, cute dog called Milo and a cat called Sparkles. Also, a family member staying at present has her own 2 cats but they are very shy, and we do not see them often. 

                      Sparkles sitting on the mistress's knee.

Her dress is reflecting as so bright.

Oh, so cute Milo.

Loved her walk this afternoon. She likes to tell me where she wants to go, and not the other way around. 

 

                                  Yum Spaghetti Bolognaise

 Photos

21st/22nd March

Te Awamutu Wooden Statue

How did the cow get up there? 

Gosh, he is huge.

Waiouru Army Museum

Plug your car in while visiting the museum

Army tank Waiouru

Ghost tower Palmerston North Square

Clock tower Palmerston North

Whaiwhakaaoraro,,,,the deep thinker

in P/North Square

Hokowhitu Lagoon

Perched on a tree stump for a good view

I like this place.

Feilding War Memorial

Amongst the Begonias

Amongst the flowers

I hope she shares that with me

Ahh, she the glass and me the bottle

On our way back in the evening sun

Beautiful sunset on way back to B & B

 Hastings

23/3/23

Hey, an airplane in the main street of Pahiatua.

Another scrumptious breakfast at this posh place, then all packed and checked the road report, and all clear she says. (from the cyclone)

That talking thing was set to roll and we are on our way. Oh the S...word came flying out. The saddle road is closed, and the talking thing kept taking us to the same road when she entered another instruction. 4 times on new roads and the mistress felt things weren't right. She spotted a fella and got the right directions, and we were off.

The mistress was far from impressed with this talking thing, and the air wasn't good, so I kept reticent and read my book. She even got out her maps but were useless as she couldn't read them. Gosh, I hope she can see the road and the other cars. After some reassurance from the mistress, she would get her eyes checked on returning home. She tells me she uses a magnifying glass with a light to read. The joys of growing old she says.

Now the mistress was gasping for a cup of tea and no cafe to be seen in Pahiatua. A bakery had 2 tables only and seats but was taken, and this didn't help at all. Fancy no proper cafe in this place. 

I kept my usual lookout for those red and blue lights, but only those cars were going the other way. Phew. The mistress tells me that the roads were so up and down, and had very sharp corners, that she couldn't go fast anyway.

We stopped at Woodville and Dannevirke, I people-watched while she stretched her legs and window shopped.

The storm damage was close to Hastings, in the paddocks and the roads was clear but we saw how those jokers cleaned it up. The houses looked fine, or they did a very good job cleaning them up.

We arrived at our next house sit, to be greeted by a barking Milo. Oh, so cute she says and gave him lots of pats and scratches. 

The family is just lovely she says, and 2 cats put in an appearance. They all took off without me, to Napier to see their daughter's new home, which is almost finished, but they report there is still quite a lot of tidying up to do especially outside, and a few things inside.

On the way, they pointed out the railway line was totally destroyed by the floods. The incredible mess she says. It will be a long time before any trains will be on that track again. The mistress said she will try and get photos of the tracks before we leave the area.

Keep watch tomorrow for more pictures from past 2 days.

Palmerston North/Feilding

22/3/23

 The mistress had a lovely sleep in a huge, bigger Kingsize bed. She enjoyed a lovely breakfast the owners put on and went into a lot of trouble for her. I say she deserved it. A good variety of fruit then 3 different kinds of toast, 2 of which she makes herself. Then a variety of at least 6 spreads This lady never stops. Always racing around and she is no spring chicken. 

Now she was looking out the window while eating breakfast in this farming area and these Bulls were trying to eat the tree. The bark on the tree was well worn down and she said I missed seeing their huge tongue. It appeared to be huge. Now, these people say that the farmer is low on feed for them and was meant to leave the farm a while ago. Oh, dear poor Bulls I say.

We zoomed off for the day going into Palmerston North and having a good old look around, posing for pictures, it's like the paparazzi. She tells me that everyone enjoys the pictures, and unfortunately a delay to get them on the blog until our next destination tomorrow, being Hastings.

Now the daughter phoned her today to get a new book out "computers for senior dummies" with the suggestion she buy it? That's a big hint. This poor daughter is always getting a text or call for HELP. It's out of stock here so there will be one waiting in Hastings hopefully soon to give that girl a break.

Now as usual I had to stay in the car as the mistress wanted some peace and suggested I enjoy the peace too and for me to catch up on some reading. No way would she tell me where she went, but after at least a couple of hours and a small parcel came to the car. I was told to MYOBB. I did enjoy the quiet and people-watching. Hey, she bought me a surprise. Heart-shaped chocolate. Very yummy I say. I wasn't about to share it either. Does this mean the mistress loves me?????

There was a huge Black Gnome down the street, and she took a photo of it. There is a stainless steel one down in Christchurch. She thinks the Christchurch one is the nicest because it is very shiny.

We strolled around a lagoon and some other places she didn't know the name of, and the camera was very busy. Then the mistress got an idea about popping over to Feilding. It was sunny but a chill wind needing a jacket today at times. We explored and cruised around and went to a nice place for dinner before returning. The staff were interested in us and served a lovely meal with a drink for both of us.!!  

Coming back the sun was shining on the huge wind turbines. So more clicking as it was a great sight. It's 10km long and called the Tararua wind Farm. They have 134 turbines and are located on the Te Apiti ranges. Fascinating to watch she says, because they turn to the wind and all the hills are different sizes. I reckon it would keep those green people happy. But we won't go there.

Nearer to our accommodation, she slams on the breaks and more pictures, but this time of a beautiful sunset. I must say I enjoyed this too. But don't tell the mistress. 

 Palmerston North

21/3/23

Ready to leave Hamilton for Palmerston North. 

The mistress was all ready to do the TV interview and appears her computer camera wouldn't work. She wasn't a happy lady at all this morning. It didn't put her in a good frame of mind and took a while to settle, so I behaved myself just in case she threw a book at me. 

She packed up really well and hit the road with me watching out for those red and blue lights. That's my job you see, because I have to earn my keep, she tells me. We did see a few of those cars, but she must not have been speeding. Phew......she's almost run out of those cards with my picture to give to those fellas.

Now this thing in the car that talks to her about where to go, she has doubts sometimes. But it's called "trust." 

This word often gets everyone into trouble when they don't trust the process. On some occasions she has been right too. Now she reckons it's because MEN designed those talking things.

So that thing eventually got us on the right roads. So sometimes she stopped to take a photo if there wasn't any traffic behind us. The next problem is at this B & B has limited internet access. Shes not amused because she knows you are all waiting on photos.

The mistress needed a couple of stops and one she even turned the car around and went back. Oh no. Sure, enough she eventually came out this place, carrying a bag and small box. Where does she think, this is going to go. She said this car is so roomy she will make a space. Now one of these things are Gnome salt and pepper shakers. So cute she says. Yeah right. Now she wants everyone to know about this shop. It's called Shoppington in Te Kuiti. 

I reckon if the car was empty, she would have filled it. So many things for the garden and home and gifts, like water features of every description and some not too big either, and heaps of statues, she said. Hmmm 

The scenery was good all the way today, which pleased us until a very loud crack/bang happened when it was pouring down and a huge truck went past. I chocked on a minty she gave me, and she said a very loud s..... word. It appears it was a stone hit the window and she is surprised it didn't shatter. Just as well I say because it could have been a drafty trip.

We eventually recovered and got on with the journey as time was marching on.

The route we took to Palmerston North, was via Taumarunui, and Waiouru. 

The mistress discussed this TV stuff with me and thinks that when we get home after our 2 house sits in Hastings, maybe the Tv people want to visit us at home and see all my new and old friends. Jeepers, we are famous. What's going to happen when we get this book published? 

Now I wonder if those poor people in Hastings lost any gnomes in the floods. The mistress is sure they could have floated away, or maybe still in all that muck that's still around.

Now she tells me she wants to Volunteer her services while staying there because there will be limited sightseeing. They could use our help. Hey "our"...... she is sure there will be a job for me too. 

I think she's still flying in that balloon. 😉😉

 Hamilton

20/3/23

Gee whiskers, the alarm went off without a hitch at 5 15am and the mistress was out of bed very quickly. No phone call to say the balloon ride was canceled either. So off we went in the very dark time of day in her little hot sassy red Suzuki Swift Sports.Gosh nobody else was on the road. They must have known to stay off it when the mistress is driving. 😂

It was so dark, as I am never up at this time, and neither is the mistress. Very strange time of day I say. The mistress was very positive that we would take off today. I asked why she knew, and she said she sensed it and could feel it in her bones and water? Says she has angels on her shoulders. What does this mean? More things to look up. Gosh, I don't get any rest on this holiday. I think when I get home, I will have my holiday. I will have to hide somewhere, so she can't find me.

We eventually found these blokes, but the faces on these fellas looked doubtful as the fog was coming in while we waited by Hamilton Lake. It was a long wait, but they don't take risks, and we were very happy about this. It was quite a performance getting it all organized for takeoff at 8.40am.

Putting balloon together

BUT you should have seen her trying to climb into the basket. I wish I could operate the camera, because it was quite a site and worse getting out on our return. The old girl was shaking for a while, but don't tell her that I saw her. She held onto me so tight, and I could feel her legs being very wobbly jelly.

Hooking up

Now this wait made me very anxious and the noise of this thing. The mistress had to shift to the other end of the basket as she wasn't at all comfortable with this carry on, and just as well as I wasn't amused.

Great people on board too. 8 passengers and the pilot/driver/thingy. She said I was to look up in my books as to what this fellas title was.  They all enjoyed the experience. We did too eventually when she stopped shaking and was very peaceful until he pulled the trigger to put more hot air up into the balloon to keep us airborne. The fella said we were 2,000ft up. He is not allowed to go higher because of airplanes. We just hoped he didn't run out of gas. 

The mistress loved the views straight out but not down. I wonder why? She won't tell me either. The locals pointed out where Gordonton was because the tall lanky son lives out there. Just as well we didn't get too close to their place because his partner has horses and wouldn't want them frightened. She would be on his tail!!

It really was worth the nerves and collywobbles for the experience, of being totally out of our comfort zones. Wait till I tell my mates at home.

Getting gas into the balloon

Nearly there and getting nervous now

Getting noisy now

Up up and away

A little fog as we rise

View of Hamilton

Its called LOVE

Now landing in a paddock full of cow pats, and oh poo when someone stood in them was interesting. We all had to help the team who came out to collect us, to fold/roll up the balloon. Bums in all directions. I should have taken a photo of this too. Quite spectacular!!

Landed

Back to Cafe for breakfast

Now in the past 24 hours, this mistress has had a lot of computer problems and the poor daughter in Tauranga tries so hard to help. She keeps apologizing to her. But the daughter just says it's ok your just OLD.

OMG, the TV1 breakfast producer has just asked if we are available tomorrow morning at 8.20am to Zoom. The mistress reckons the daughter has been on the phone with them, but she is denying it. HMMM. 

Gosh, things are really happening here today. The Air B&B lady asked about stats. The mistress was a bit mystified. Then realized how to do it. 5000 followers........Thanks, everyone. Keep reading as loads more to come.

 Hamilton

18/3/23

The mistress was up early today and very restless. As for me, I just Cruise along minding my own business, but she doesn't know that I keep an eye on her too.   But don't tell her though.

The mistress announced that she was going around the Hamilton markets and had written some addresses down to put into that talking thing in the car. She never invited me; huh this will keep. She said I had a lot of reading to do and to make the most of the peace and quiet while she is out. Good idea I say. I rather like this Air B&B. It's the second time we have stayed here, and I know the mistress loves this place. Very quiet and good for contemplating life. Both for her and me.

She says she will recommend it to her friends too.

It appears the markets were very poor and not as good as at home. She couldn't find any Gnomes....phew as the car is chocka.

She found this in town

Yesterday she went to a crystal shop and decided to call in again today. She met a lovely lady there who had published a lovely book and got ideas and contacts for publishing, and it was not as expensive as she thought. So now she's buzzing. Maybe that is why she was restless this morning. She is a funny old thing you know. She gets weird feelings, and things in her head and throughout the day all is revealed. 

Strange woman if you ask me!!

Now she went to investigate where this jolly balloon ride takes off from. There was plenty of room for take-off into goodness knows where, and she said if it pops then a soft landing in the Hamilton Lake would be ok as she can swim. But what about me. I don't do water in any shape or form. Tough she said.

 Oh, it is a tough life being a Gnome. This trip we are on is to get out of our comfort zone, and I think we have done enough already. This is plain stupid if you ask me. But I am not asking you, I am telling you, you are coming with me. I need your support and comfort she says. Who does she think I am? 

She needs a fella for that, a human I mean.

The mistress had a cupper at the cafe on sight and the young lady said that the balloon did take off this morning. So, there can't have been any wind. Hmmm.

OMG, the balloon man has just rung her up. It's all go for Monday.

I'm shaking in my boots and it's only Saturday. 

Now another thing a friend in the early 80s went on a Zip Line at home recently and she thought we could enjoy this too. She asked another friend, in her 70s and she's keen. What's a Zipline? Look it up in your books she says. 

The mistress showed me photos of a car wash she went through yesterday with her son. It takes 3 cars at a time on a conveyer belt. Gosh the north island has lots of weird, computerized things up here.

Sounds like the South Island needs a wakeup call. They are way behind the times she reckons. 

There are 2 cars ahead of us and we the 3rd

The mistress's son takes his work vehicle through, and he enjoys the technology. 

He doesn't take his Camaro through, as he doesn't want it scratched.

 

Now another thing I need to report. She came home skiting that a lady whom she didn't know admired her new dress today. Another thing for her buzzing mood today. She said she likes compliments as all women do. She tells me that the styles she chooses lately obviously suit her.

Does she want a medal or a chest to pin it on? 😂😂😂

Now listen to this...the other day she wanted a car park, and the mall was busy, so as usual she visualized, and also visualized a car coming out of a park for her to go into. Well, she got fed up with the mall parking, so went out on the street and there in front of her a car was backing out.

See it does work she says, have faith even when you get tested. Never give up. hehehe, she is hoping for her daughter and granddaughter read this.!!

Photos from the Bay of Islands

and Cape Reinga

11/3/23 -15/3/23

Being welcomed onto Marae at Waitangi

Maori Carving

Can you find me?

 

Waka

How do I drive this thing?

Gee, she's a big Waka.

Thai meal

Robot Bella delivering meals

I want to drive

Oh No, you are not.

End of NZ road Cape Reinga

View at top of NZ

View on way to lighthouse

The joining of the Tasman and Pacific Ocean 

We are nearly their

Yeah, we are at the end of NZ

On the boat around the islands

One of the many islands

Maori carving

Looking across to Waitangi

Looking down on Russell

Looking down on Russell

From the lookout at Russell

Sitting on the seat of the rickety boat

The captain

A lager for the mistress from the rickety boat rice.

Can you see stupid people in the water at 7am

On the way to the bus on our last morning

Almost at the depot