Boxing Day, 27/28th December (Guest editor Hilary Hodge)
Well for those who follow Luke and James blog once again I have been designated by’ he who shall be obeyed’ to be the guest editor during my stay. Unfortunately I cannot replicate the amusing and insightful blogs which Luke does so expect a much more prosaic approach!
So what has happened so far. Sedbergh to Napier in one continuous journey is not a fun thing to do but something to be endured. Luke was appalled that I had ‘wasted’ money by upgrading to business class but I knew it was the only way I could survive the journey. ‘Take note of everything about business class’ Luke demanded as he said he would always be to mean to ever travel that way. So what are the benefits? The main one is that you can lie down properly and sleep comfortably which is what I spent most of the 27 hours flying time doing. I estimated that you have about 3 times the space you would have in cattle class – hence the huge difference in cost. Then there are the privileges – going down the priority lane to have bags checked - although unfortunately I missed that advantage as I hadn’t realised at Manchester – it was stamped on my ticket but being of a rather unobservant bent I didn’t notice until later ! - having white linen tablecloths plus decent meals with wine and drinks on tap as required, getting on and off the plane first so you are first in the queue for passports etc and ever attentive cabin crew to see to your every need.
We landed at Auckland around midnight and then I had to get the shuttle bus to the hotel. Next morning back to the airport for the one hour flight to Napier. So I arrived safely in Napier to the forecast of rain – must have brought it with me from Sedbergh! I was met from the plane by a friend of the boys as both were at work. However Luke came home for lunch and then took me out on his visits around the ‘council estate area’ visiting the tenants. If he hadn’t told me I would have thought it was ordinary housing as in comparison to England the housing stock looked much the same as other areas.
As by the evening the threatened rain stayed away we were able to sit outside and consume too many beers catching up with our respective lives.
29th December
James has finished work until 23rd January but Luke had to work today so James and I had the day to enjoy together. We both went to the chiropractor for a ‘top up’ before our trek next week – an interesting experience at his home which I had been warned was pretty chaotic – but the treatment was good.
We met up with Luke for lunch at Zig Zag where Luke had worked. It in a good location in the art deco town which is Napier and which reminds me of places in my childhood before the redevelopment mania took hold in England.
James and I then went to the lido and I swam outside and we sat in very warm pools and had a sauna. The evening brought odd spots of rain and an overcast sky but the threatened downpours have yet to materialise. However I awoke at 4am to a heavy downpour and it was still raining when I woke up. Never mind it is warm with it!
My first impressions – lots of lovely bird song, stunning trees and masses of colour from a wide range of flowers and plants, tin roofs on many houses, lots of space and houses of many and different designs but mainly built of wood and bungalows predominate.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Christmas in the sun... there is somthing not normal about that
21/12/11-23/12/11
work, work, work but its christmas sooon
24/12/11
Well its Christmas eve and after a day of work we were looking forward to a sunny Christmas and low and behold the weather looked like it was going to play ball! That evening our friend Tory came round and we watched a movie ate food and wondered what Santa would be bringing. Unfortunately for James we had not send the change of address cards to Santa's little helper so whilst there was a tree and a chimney we were quite sure Santa would not be able to find him...
25/12/11
We woke to a white Christmas... sorry I mean a bright Christmas. The sun was out, there was not a cloud in the sky and we were ready for our first kiwi Christmas. First up was breakfast for James, Tory and me. Of course this was outside in the sun and was leisurely. Jealous yet? Before long we were off to the beech complete with 3 deck chairs, bbq, chilly bin, sun tent, badminton set, body boards and wet suits. Well we thought we best hit all the bases! The day its self was of course fantastic. We ate, sun bathed, played and swam. Quite why we celebrate Christmas in the northern hemisphere in the winter is beyond me. If only we could move the dates to mid summer. That way travelling 12,000 miles would not be necessary to get the Christmas sun. Dam geography and pesky traditions of celebrating on the 25th December
Post beech we were all rather brown and in some cases red. Not to be detailed we headed up to R&R's for dinner. Roger had forgotten that I was catering so alas we ended up with more food that you could shake a stick at. Roger being roger had also requested that I wore a shirt that I had bought in Auckland. When I arrived the git had the exact same one...grrrr
After a leisurely dinner and skipping both mothers we fell into the hot tub, drank more wine and were merry. Anyone missing the cold and or snow? We concluded that the best place for that weather was only on the front of cards!
26/12/11
Ross visits his mother on Christmas day and as this requires a 5 hour trip each way he was not back. This was not good for his business as there was a cruse ship in for the day. So with a mild hangover I hit the port and began selling his tours. a few hours later and I had 16 punters signed up and Ross was back to take them out. Well one loves selling stuff and being flamboyant so its a good partnership really.
Post sales and it was back up to R&R's where the boys were emerging from their slumbers. A round of breakfast later complete with bucks fizz and we were set for the day. Piling into the card James, Tory, Ross, Crag and I hit another beech, had a walk, sunbathed and relaxed. On our travels we encountered meant other Kiwis' who had gone camping. Now this is not camping as the Brits know it. There are no small wet tents congregating in a damp field with a stinky toilet block. No the Kiwis' do it properly. First up select a spot you can drive your truck to. Unload a tent the size of a house, dining tables, proper cutlery, fire up you gas BBQ, and reline next to your beer fridge. Now that's what I call camping.
27/12/11
After much talking about mums arrival I woke with a start as I realised that she would be with us the next day. A round of lawn mowing, sheet washing and shopping then occurred. Feeling prepared we headed off to another beech (any one spotting a trend here) for an afternoon with R&R. Post beech we were ready for rehydration so we cracked open some wine and admired the view.
Dinner was Tory's treat so he and I drove over to a very popular fish and chip shop where after a 45 minute wait we were rewarded with some fantastic food. Back home reclining of the sofa we ate and watched the sex in the city movie. Sentimental trash but a nice way to end the Christmas break.
28/12/11
Its H day. After 36 hours of travailing, admittedly business class, Hilary was due on the other side of the world. Ross collected her from the airport and deposited her at our house. After popping home from work for lunch with her we decided that a trip round the Nui was in order. The Nui is the ghetto social housing estate where I work. Ross was unsure mum would be safe but as mum pointed out it is hardly toxteth!
Post work we spent the evening catching up and drinking far too much beer! would you expect anything else?
Mob: 021 2432887
work, work, work but its christmas sooon
24/12/11
Well its Christmas eve and after a day of work we were looking forward to a sunny Christmas and low and behold the weather looked like it was going to play ball! That evening our friend Tory came round and we watched a movie ate food and wondered what Santa would be bringing. Unfortunately for James we had not send the change of address cards to Santa's little helper so whilst there was a tree and a chimney we were quite sure Santa would not be able to find him...
25/12/11
We woke to a white Christmas... sorry I mean a bright Christmas. The sun was out, there was not a cloud in the sky and we were ready for our first kiwi Christmas. First up was breakfast for James, Tory and me. Of course this was outside in the sun and was leisurely. Jealous yet? Before long we were off to the beech complete with 3 deck chairs, bbq, chilly bin, sun tent, badminton set, body boards and wet suits. Well we thought we best hit all the bases! The day its self was of course fantastic. We ate, sun bathed, played and swam. Quite why we celebrate Christmas in the northern hemisphere in the winter is beyond me. If only we could move the dates to mid summer. That way travelling 12,000 miles would not be necessary to get the Christmas sun. Dam geography and pesky traditions of celebrating on the 25th December
Post beech we were all rather brown and in some cases red. Not to be detailed we headed up to R&R's for dinner. Roger had forgotten that I was catering so alas we ended up with more food that you could shake a stick at. Roger being roger had also requested that I wore a shirt that I had bought in Auckland. When I arrived the git had the exact same one...grrrr
After a leisurely dinner and skipping both mothers we fell into the hot tub, drank more wine and were merry. Anyone missing the cold and or snow? We concluded that the best place for that weather was only on the front of cards!
26/12/11
Ross visits his mother on Christmas day and as this requires a 5 hour trip each way he was not back. This was not good for his business as there was a cruse ship in for the day. So with a mild hangover I hit the port and began selling his tours. a few hours later and I had 16 punters signed up and Ross was back to take them out. Well one loves selling stuff and being flamboyant so its a good partnership really.
Post sales and it was back up to R&R's where the boys were emerging from their slumbers. A round of breakfast later complete with bucks fizz and we were set for the day. Piling into the card James, Tory, Ross, Crag and I hit another beech, had a walk, sunbathed and relaxed. On our travels we encountered meant other Kiwis' who had gone camping. Now this is not camping as the Brits know it. There are no small wet tents congregating in a damp field with a stinky toilet block. No the Kiwis' do it properly. First up select a spot you can drive your truck to. Unload a tent the size of a house, dining tables, proper cutlery, fire up you gas BBQ, and reline next to your beer fridge. Now that's what I call camping.
27/12/11
After much talking about mums arrival I woke with a start as I realised that she would be with us the next day. A round of lawn mowing, sheet washing and shopping then occurred. Feeling prepared we headed off to another beech (any one spotting a trend here) for an afternoon with R&R. Post beech we were ready for rehydration so we cracked open some wine and admired the view.
Dinner was Tory's treat so he and I drove over to a very popular fish and chip shop where after a 45 minute wait we were rewarded with some fantastic food. Back home reclining of the sofa we ate and watched the sex in the city movie. Sentimental trash but a nice way to end the Christmas break.
28/12/11
Its H day. After 36 hours of travailing, admittedly business class, Hilary was due on the other side of the world. Ross collected her from the airport and deposited her at our house. After popping home from work for lunch with her we decided that a trip round the Nui was in order. The Nui is the ghetto social housing estate where I work. Ross was unsure mum would be safe but as mum pointed out it is hardly toxteth!
Post work we spent the evening catching up and drinking far too much beer! would you expect anything else?
Mob: 021 2432887
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Fabulous darling
12/12/11-21/12/11
Well I have had my last day at Zig Zag. What a relief. It’s not a bad place to work its just so dam boring and predictable. Yippee for freedom and a job that I like. On the Jobs that I like front the new role as Housing Manager (Housing Officer) is still going well. I am encountering a few problems that I never saw in the UK. Banana trees growing too much and causing havoc in the gardens. Heat pumps being stolen... well once I worked out that a heat pump was in fact an AC unit that also blows out hot air, half the population wearing black and red (the gang colours) and people of all age calling out yo bro, hay bro or in fact any sentence finished with the word bro. The normal things are still in existence, not paying rent, hiding when I turn up to the door, overgrown gardens and rubbish. Oh it’s just like being at home but with sun and effective AC in the car!
The weekend heralded a trip up to the big smoke. After work we hit the road with Roger and Ross and drove the 5 hours to Auckland. For those of you who know us well we don’t travel more than 2 hours in the UK unless it’s for the week. Into this you can read the fact we wanted a big night out where there were lots of people.
Arriving quite late we had a quick tour of the bars before heading back to lady Leaubo's rather swish flat. He was away but his presence was felt everywhere for his apartment was furnished exquisitely with a lot of white paint, fragile ornaments and terrifying surfaces. One barely dared to breath for it may damage something. Clearly this was a man without children as the coffee table was made of natural stone and would stain it you put anything on it, the sofas were fantastic but would be forever ruined if we spilt wine upon them. All 4 our us relaxed but not quite enough to the point of relaxing enough to cause damage. 10 out of 10n for being fabulous 0 out of 10 for livability!
The next day we headed to downtown Auckland and had brunch in the sky tower. The largest building in the southern hemisphere. What’s more it revolved so we could see the whole city and by goodness there is a lot of it. During brunch an number of people flinged themself off the top of the tower but not to a certain death as they were paying for this experience. We kindly declined instead opting to take in the views. To our left were the occupy Auckland protestors, centre a church with Mary looking aghast at a pregnancy test kit and to the right a fantastic number of very large boats.
Post brunch and it was into the throng of the shoppers. I knew James liked shopping and people but I always thought that I did not. Well after 3 months in Napier I was ready for the crowds, shopping and seeing people. We shopped and even introduced R&R to the opshop (2nd had shop) where they bought some clothes.
Exhausted we returned to the apartment to drink bubbly wine and lament the weather. For the weather had only gone and bloody done it... done what I hear you ask. Well as a wise woman once said it does not rain abroad and being in New Zeeland we can’t be much more abroad relative to the UK but no one told the weather that. Not only did it rain it rained like a really bad day in Manchester. Maybe the weather is trying to ensure we are not homesick. Well we are not and could it please stop raining. For the last few months it has been fantastic but as those dam school holidays approached the weather got worse and it’s been overcast for days. It better get its act together before the 25th or we shall be asking for a refund from the New Zealand tourist board. On their web sight there are no pictures of people enjoying Christmas day in the rain. As James may say whilst shacking his fist at the sky bloody well sort it out....
Ok post bubbles and a nap we were heading out to the heart of gay Auckland. First up was SPQR a fantastically hip and chilled out, busy establishment serving the most wonderful pizza. Oh to be surrounded by a throng of people once more. Dear god it sounds like we like cities more than we realised! Post food it was off to the bars and pubs where we partied until the sun came up... quite literally!
Ok so Sunday we slept from 6am-2pm, got in the car, drove home via Burger King and collapsed into bed. Not what one would call making the most of your time in a new city but hay one needs beauty sleep!
19/12/11-20/12/11
Back to work and back to reality. Well briefly. Monday came and went as did Tuesday day but the evening required more socialising up at the beehive (R&R's). Here we mused upon the fact that no one had any Christmas decorations up not even in the council estate I was working in. I am in heaven James not so much. Now back home at least one tenant would have injured themself by tapping there lights into the mains but here there is not a sausage. This put into context the popularity of a nice middle class street in Auckland that was bedecked like a upscale council estate!
James has been working hard and changing the unit he works on. Last week was an away day and this week heralds the cold reality of change. Its rather hard work and all consuming. No doubt a blog of his experience will no doubt follow.
21/12/11
Well it’s a year today since Colin died. Wow that has gone fast. Much time thinking of him and his life has ensured. I am comforted by the fact that mum has lots of people around her today and that she is visiting the bench. As always well done sedbergh you are taking good care of her!
Well I have had my last day at Zig Zag. What a relief. It’s not a bad place to work its just so dam boring and predictable. Yippee for freedom and a job that I like. On the Jobs that I like front the new role as Housing Manager (Housing Officer) is still going well. I am encountering a few problems that I never saw in the UK. Banana trees growing too much and causing havoc in the gardens. Heat pumps being stolen... well once I worked out that a heat pump was in fact an AC unit that also blows out hot air, half the population wearing black and red (the gang colours) and people of all age calling out yo bro, hay bro or in fact any sentence finished with the word bro. The normal things are still in existence, not paying rent, hiding when I turn up to the door, overgrown gardens and rubbish. Oh it’s just like being at home but with sun and effective AC in the car!
The weekend heralded a trip up to the big smoke. After work we hit the road with Roger and Ross and drove the 5 hours to Auckland. For those of you who know us well we don’t travel more than 2 hours in the UK unless it’s for the week. Into this you can read the fact we wanted a big night out where there were lots of people.
Arriving quite late we had a quick tour of the bars before heading back to lady Leaubo's rather swish flat. He was away but his presence was felt everywhere for his apartment was furnished exquisitely with a lot of white paint, fragile ornaments and terrifying surfaces. One barely dared to breath for it may damage something. Clearly this was a man without children as the coffee table was made of natural stone and would stain it you put anything on it, the sofas were fantastic but would be forever ruined if we spilt wine upon them. All 4 our us relaxed but not quite enough to the point of relaxing enough to cause damage. 10 out of 10n for being fabulous 0 out of 10 for livability!
The next day we headed to downtown Auckland and had brunch in the sky tower. The largest building in the southern hemisphere. What’s more it revolved so we could see the whole city and by goodness there is a lot of it. During brunch an number of people flinged themself off the top of the tower but not to a certain death as they were paying for this experience. We kindly declined instead opting to take in the views. To our left were the occupy Auckland protestors, centre a church with Mary looking aghast at a pregnancy test kit and to the right a fantastic number of very large boats.
Post brunch and it was into the throng of the shoppers. I knew James liked shopping and people but I always thought that I did not. Well after 3 months in Napier I was ready for the crowds, shopping and seeing people. We shopped and even introduced R&R to the opshop (2nd had shop) where they bought some clothes.
Exhausted we returned to the apartment to drink bubbly wine and lament the weather. For the weather had only gone and bloody done it... done what I hear you ask. Well as a wise woman once said it does not rain abroad and being in New Zeeland we can’t be much more abroad relative to the UK but no one told the weather that. Not only did it rain it rained like a really bad day in Manchester. Maybe the weather is trying to ensure we are not homesick. Well we are not and could it please stop raining. For the last few months it has been fantastic but as those dam school holidays approached the weather got worse and it’s been overcast for days. It better get its act together before the 25th or we shall be asking for a refund from the New Zealand tourist board. On their web sight there are no pictures of people enjoying Christmas day in the rain. As James may say whilst shacking his fist at the sky bloody well sort it out....
Ok post bubbles and a nap we were heading out to the heart of gay Auckland. First up was SPQR a fantastically hip and chilled out, busy establishment serving the most wonderful pizza. Oh to be surrounded by a throng of people once more. Dear god it sounds like we like cities more than we realised! Post food it was off to the bars and pubs where we partied until the sun came up... quite literally!
Ok so Sunday we slept from 6am-2pm, got in the car, drove home via Burger King and collapsed into bed. Not what one would call making the most of your time in a new city but hay one needs beauty sleep!
19/12/11-20/12/11
Back to work and back to reality. Well briefly. Monday came and went as did Tuesday day but the evening required more socialising up at the beehive (R&R's). Here we mused upon the fact that no one had any Christmas decorations up not even in the council estate I was working in. I am in heaven James not so much. Now back home at least one tenant would have injured themself by tapping there lights into the mains but here there is not a sausage. This put into context the popularity of a nice middle class street in Auckland that was bedecked like a upscale council estate!
James has been working hard and changing the unit he works on. Last week was an away day and this week heralds the cold reality of change. Its rather hard work and all consuming. No doubt a blog of his experience will no doubt follow.
21/12/11
Well it’s a year today since Colin died. Wow that has gone fast. Much time thinking of him and his life has ensured. I am comforted by the fact that mum has lots of people around her today and that she is visiting the bench. As always well done sedbergh you are taking good care of her!
Monday, 12 December 2011
PARTY PARTY PARTY
7/12/11- 13/12/11
Another few days at work and then it was the weekend. My new Job is going well and I remembered just how much I enjoyed working in housing. We may be 12,000 miles away from home and a few of the procedures are different but social housing tenants are the same the world over. Many a good tenants, a few are completely chaotic and a small number cause all the problems. I was taken to the estate that everyone told me was awful and not a place to go… well it would be the upmarket accommodation and area in the UK! In my hour driving round I saw only one of each of the following- boarded up house, graffiti, wrecked car and a drug deal. I think I will be ok here.
So onto the weekend and what a weekend it was. Saturday and we headed out to James staff Christmas lunch. Much eating, merriment and a game of cricket later and we were heading back to get changes for our main party of the weekend.
We were off to a studio 54 themed party. No for those who don’t know what this is (me included) it was a fabulous nightclub in 1980’s America. In essence anything went. James dressed in 80’s gym gear with white socks to the knees with meat written on the side, tiny running shorts a vest and head bands. True to form I opted for drag. The costume and make up were borrowed from various people but obtaining size ten heals was a challenge. After visiting 3 shops and enlisting the bemused shop assistants I eventually found a pair of heals that went with my dress. Yes the hurt but buy god they were fabulous darling!
All made up we headed up to Roger and Rosses with a few friends for pre drinks. The odd looks we got on the way only encouraged me to roll down the windows and wave to my “admirers!” After pre loading the booze we headed up to the party which was conveniently located up a goat track from R&R’s. Normally no problem but heal, a short dress and fishnets did prove to be somewhat of a challenge!
As the party progressed the frivolity increased and came to a crescendo when James pushed me into the pool. Normally this would be more prerogative and stupidity level but James excelled as this lady was storing the camera and phone down her knickers at the time. There was a collective hush as I entered the pool but calm remained as I had the realisation that this single act had wiped the slate clean on a decade of my stupidity! A price well worth paying one thinks.
Post party we stumbled down the goat track and fell into R&R’s hot tub for a post party party as only the Kiwis could do. Oh for a warmer climate in the UK!
Another few days at work and then it was the weekend. My new Job is going well and I remembered just how much I enjoyed working in housing. We may be 12,000 miles away from home and a few of the procedures are different but social housing tenants are the same the world over. Many a good tenants, a few are completely chaotic and a small number cause all the problems. I was taken to the estate that everyone told me was awful and not a place to go… well it would be the upmarket accommodation and area in the UK! In my hour driving round I saw only one of each of the following- boarded up house, graffiti, wrecked car and a drug deal. I think I will be ok here.
So onto the weekend and what a weekend it was. Saturday and we headed out to James staff Christmas lunch. Much eating, merriment and a game of cricket later and we were heading back to get changes for our main party of the weekend.
We were off to a studio 54 themed party. No for those who don’t know what this is (me included) it was a fabulous nightclub in 1980’s America. In essence anything went. James dressed in 80’s gym gear with white socks to the knees with meat written on the side, tiny running shorts a vest and head bands. True to form I opted for drag. The costume and make up were borrowed from various people but obtaining size ten heals was a challenge. After visiting 3 shops and enlisting the bemused shop assistants I eventually found a pair of heals that went with my dress. Yes the hurt but buy god they were fabulous darling!
All made up we headed up to Roger and Rosses with a few friends for pre drinks. The odd looks we got on the way only encouraged me to roll down the windows and wave to my “admirers!” After pre loading the booze we headed up to the party which was conveniently located up a goat track from R&R’s. Normally no problem but heal, a short dress and fishnets did prove to be somewhat of a challenge!
As the party progressed the frivolity increased and came to a crescendo when James pushed me into the pool. Normally this would be more prerogative and stupidity level but James excelled as this lady was storing the camera and phone down her knickers at the time. There was a collective hush as I entered the pool but calm remained as I had the realisation that this single act had wiped the slate clean on a decade of my stupidity! A price well worth paying one thinks.
Post party we stumbled down the goat track and fell into R&R’s hot tub for a post party party as only the Kiwis could do. Oh for a warmer climate in the UK!
Monday, 5 December 2011
. Mad Brits and beaches and a Job. Yippee!
1st Dec- 6th Dec
Thursday and after a flurry of phone calls from housing new Zealand (HNZ) we moved from asking me to hold off on making a decision to offering me a job. It was very much like having one bird in the hand and two in the bush. Put that way HNZ agreed to offer me the housing access manager job but in not so subtle language suggested they may like me for the tenancy manager job which they were interviewing for the following week. I agreed that beauracracy was difficult and I would be amenable to either option. Result… I have a proper job at last. Yippee.
Friday and I am up bright and early and off to do some more voluntary work at Hank and Johns. Today’s manual labour was filling in a large trench. Oh the joy of being hot and sweaty and doing something practical. Payment… a dip for me James and Roger in their new $25,000 dollar hot pool. Oh if we had some spare cash and were going to live permanently in NZ we would so have one of these!
Post manual grunt work Roger, James and I hit the beach for some body boarding. For us brits it was a beautiful if not a little windy day. 30degrees and sunny. Apparently the kiwis thought we were mad as we had the beach almost to ourselves. A true kiwi does not venture to the beach before the Christmas holidays. Madness I say. Back home the beach would have been packed, everyone pissed and no one in work on Monday. Oh yes and they train tracks would have melted but as they don’t have trains in this part that’s not a worry.
Post beach it was to Roger and Ross’ for dinner. But alas my abscess was back and being on medication I could not drink. For once in my life I actually volunteers to drive. Normally we would walk or get a taxi back not that I am a dipsomaniac or anything!
Saturday,7.30am and I was trying to sell Ross’ wine tours to the cruise ship visitors. The week before I had filled his bus in 40 minutes using a combination of a strong Brit accent, a loud blazer and lots of eye contact. Alas these customers were keeping their wallets firmly in their pockets. I was not too disheartened though as none was selling anything to anyone.
With James still tucked up in bed I hit the beach with Hamish (a Brit doctor from James ward) and went body boarding. Again another nice and sunny day and the beach deserted. Kiwis should NEVER come to the UK as they would be somewhat disappointed with the temperature and could well freeze.
Back home for midday and after a bout of house cleaning we had a friend over. Reclining in the sun, playing cards and doing not very much apart from eating some dinner somehow lead to midnight. Bliss.
Sunday and it was off to the farmers market to stock up on supplies. Ethically great as everything’s local. Financially even better as it’s cheaper and what’s more after three months of searching we found someone to make us some bacon chops (bacon cut 2cm thick). Yummy. The afternoon well more sitting really and planning the next few months ahead.
Monday and it was my first day at work. OK so I don’t officially work there yet, I am working for free and taking the time as paid leave when mum comes and I am not sure which role I will be taking but never the less it was nice to be back in a housing roll. As a brucie bonus the computer system was the same as I used back home. The day revolved around meeting customers and assessing their need for housing. As a trial I applied and despite my fictitious self-earning only 150 quid per week, suffering from domestic violence and living in a garage I was not eligible. They would however help me with a bond for the private rented sector!
Post work James, Tory and I hit the gym before heading home to watch our other lover on the TV…Harry from spooks!
Tuesday- well work and gym really not much to report.
Thursday and after a flurry of phone calls from housing new Zealand (HNZ) we moved from asking me to hold off on making a decision to offering me a job. It was very much like having one bird in the hand and two in the bush. Put that way HNZ agreed to offer me the housing access manager job but in not so subtle language suggested they may like me for the tenancy manager job which they were interviewing for the following week. I agreed that beauracracy was difficult and I would be amenable to either option. Result… I have a proper job at last. Yippee.
Friday and I am up bright and early and off to do some more voluntary work at Hank and Johns. Today’s manual labour was filling in a large trench. Oh the joy of being hot and sweaty and doing something practical. Payment… a dip for me James and Roger in their new $25,000 dollar hot pool. Oh if we had some spare cash and were going to live permanently in NZ we would so have one of these!
Post manual grunt work Roger, James and I hit the beach for some body boarding. For us brits it was a beautiful if not a little windy day. 30degrees and sunny. Apparently the kiwis thought we were mad as we had the beach almost to ourselves. A true kiwi does not venture to the beach before the Christmas holidays. Madness I say. Back home the beach would have been packed, everyone pissed and no one in work on Monday. Oh yes and they train tracks would have melted but as they don’t have trains in this part that’s not a worry.
Post beach it was to Roger and Ross’ for dinner. But alas my abscess was back and being on medication I could not drink. For once in my life I actually volunteers to drive. Normally we would walk or get a taxi back not that I am a dipsomaniac or anything!
Saturday,7.30am and I was trying to sell Ross’ wine tours to the cruise ship visitors. The week before I had filled his bus in 40 minutes using a combination of a strong Brit accent, a loud blazer and lots of eye contact. Alas these customers were keeping their wallets firmly in their pockets. I was not too disheartened though as none was selling anything to anyone.
With James still tucked up in bed I hit the beach with Hamish (a Brit doctor from James ward) and went body boarding. Again another nice and sunny day and the beach deserted. Kiwis should NEVER come to the UK as they would be somewhat disappointed with the temperature and could well freeze.
Back home for midday and after a bout of house cleaning we had a friend over. Reclining in the sun, playing cards and doing not very much apart from eating some dinner somehow lead to midnight. Bliss.
Sunday and it was off to the farmers market to stock up on supplies. Ethically great as everything’s local. Financially even better as it’s cheaper and what’s more after three months of searching we found someone to make us some bacon chops (bacon cut 2cm thick). Yummy. The afternoon well more sitting really and planning the next few months ahead.
Monday and it was my first day at work. OK so I don’t officially work there yet, I am working for free and taking the time as paid leave when mum comes and I am not sure which role I will be taking but never the less it was nice to be back in a housing roll. As a brucie bonus the computer system was the same as I used back home. The day revolved around meeting customers and assessing their need for housing. As a trial I applied and despite my fictitious self-earning only 150 quid per week, suffering from domestic violence and living in a garage I was not eligible. They would however help me with a bond for the private rented sector!
Post work James, Tory and I hit the gym before heading home to watch our other lover on the TV…Harry from spooks!
Tuesday- well work and gym really not much to report.
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