Tony Pepperoni

At the weekend we celebrated our good friend Tony's 40th Birthday - known to some of us as Tony Pepperoni, amongst other things! Tony is a Londoner who has been in Kiwi-land for many years, married to the gorgeous Denyse who is a kiwi and they have two stunning girls. You have probably seen them mentioned many times before on this blog!

For Christmas Michael and I were given some Experience Vouchers by our lovely family, and from a list of 'experiences' you can choose whatever takes your fancy. Saturday night we thought would be an ideal opportunity to stay in Wellington City and enjoy the night properly so we used some of the vouchers as a stay in a hotel.

We have had some really nice nights in hotels and some not so good ones too, so we were little apprehensive, however this time we didn't need to be. We stayed at the James Cook Hotel and our room, although small, was lovely. Modern and clean, just what you need - and not only that, the best pillows I have ever had the pleasure of in a hotel. And if you weren't happy with your pillow you could order 'pillow service' and someone would run up with a whole host of pillows for you to try out!

Shame about the view however!

Bethany stayed at my much appreciated friend Jo's house, and of course Denver went into the kennels which he just can't get enough of, Homelands is definitely his second home now.

After lazing around in the hotel on the afternoon we popped on our party clothes and headed out early evening, we met up with everyone at JJ Murphy's which definitely had that Irish spirit. We also got to spend some time with our fabulous friends Stef and Rich, it was good to see them, plus we also got to meet the many other lovely friends of Tony and Denyse too.

Onwards we went in true Kiwi style to our restaurant (as we were late!) which was for the evening called Tulsi - Indian Cuisine of course. I am partial to an Indian meal, it's something I grew up eating and my mother can cook up a mean curry (despite not having any Indian relations) and so I always enjoy trying new restaurants, and of course to find something similar to what we had in the UK is a bit of a mission - Kiwi food is very different.

It made us smile to see something written down that we had only ever heard mentioned before - English Hot!

Anyway, the meal was lovely, the wine flowed a little too easily and the conversation was delightful. Very successful, and I think we all had a lovely time. I had a wonderful chat with Denyse's sister - I was very much appreciative of her advice regarding children and what to expect as the years go on!

Afterwards we tumbled out into the street with our tummies full and headed for a place called Good Luck which is a strange name for a nightclub, a name we associate more with our favourite Chinese back in the UK. Anyway, a club it was, and fantastic it was too.

Yippee for proper music! Not an 80's hit in sight and we loved it, Michael and I danced together and just loved the Hip Hop tunes that were blaring out. The place of course was absolutely jammed and our party started to filter off -I naturally managed to grab some photos before they left!

After saying goodbye to everyone and a final Happy Birthday to the old Pepperoni we hung around dancing for another half hour before tottering back to our hotel, making a loud fingers over lips 'shhhh' type arrival just before 2am.

A fantastic night!

Bethany came back with treats and was very pleased, a successful sleep over - yey! Bethany has done nothing but ask when she can do another one. Denver didn't want to leave the kennels and although excited to see us was obviously miffed by the fact we had taken away his fun.

Oh damn, it's such a shame really, our children fine without us. Just means we need to plan more nights away just Michael and I more often!!!

Happy School Days

I am pleased to report that all is going well for Bethany at school, she is absolutely loving it!

I linger in the morning just watching what she is doing, if I head over for a goodbye kiss and cuddle I normally get a wriggle and an embarrassed voice that says "get off mam". 5 going on 15 I think.

Bethany can now read really well, we struggled at home to teach her, but within the first week she was off recognising words and sounding out the letters to make the word. Everyone said it would take off once she started school - how right they were!

This week has been EOTC week - which is Exercises Outside The Classroom week. It started on Monday with the children taking their bikes or scooters to school and having a talk from a Policeman about Road Safety. It sadly rained all day so the children never got to test their skills on the playground, so it was rescheduled for Tuesday. Thursday was a great day as the children got to explore tents that were put up at the school and have a Teddy Bear Picnic. Today we were greeted as we arrived at school by a huge climbing wall!

Wednesday was the best day however. I volunteered to go along as parent helper for the day as they were short on numbers. We walked roughly 20 minutes down to the little shopping centre. From here we walked to a Nursing Home where the children had prepared to sing some songs for the older community.

It was really lovely, I must admit I was a little worried - old people and children together - my worst nightmare!! But seriously it was great, the children sang fantastically, getting through the New Zealand National Anthem (first in Maori) and then in English, followed by a few other songs they had practised at school.

The Nursing Home were then presented with a huge flower which was made up of all the children's hand prints - with the words 'have a happy day'. We were also absolutely bowled over when one of the teachers announced that we should sing happy birthday to one of the ladies in the home - and sing we did when we found out she was turning 103!!

Afterwards the children were allowed to go introduce themselves to the people in the home, Bethany absolutely loved it - she really couldn't get enough of meeting them and talking with them. Most of the children shyed away, some scared at what they saw, but Bethany had to be dragged away which was really sweet.

Onwards we went back to the park where the children ate lunch and then blew off some steam playing in the play area and playing games with the teachers.

Our last hour was filled with a 'behind the scenes' tour of the Physiotherapist, the Travel Agents and New World the supermarket. All very interesting, especially seeing how a supermarket is away from the shoppers and the shop floor.

We had a great day, it was really nice to also have chance to talk with the children, despite my charade of not being keen on children I secretly enjoyed myself (but don't tell anyone!).

Bethany has really settled well and it has made things for me a million times easier too. I was having such a hard time with it all but as time has gone on its become easier, my days seem to fly by and despite the early days of not knowing what to do with myself, I now do not have enough hours in the day.

The Easter Holidays will be here soon and I am looking forward to being with my girl again, also looking forward to having time to do what we want and not feel pressured by a routine. It's good news all round and we are all enjoying the new changes immensely.

Weekend Walkies

Once again we popped on our walking shoes and headed out. The weather wasn't the greatest and we did most of the walk under our hoods. The choice of walk this time being a place called Tunnel Gully, I had heard about it from my wonderful friend Julie who takes her boys ('boys' being Fortnum and Mason her Basset Hounds!).

The walk was really lovely, a nice simple forest track that had been superbly marked out. All the usual wonderful forest delights were there, the smells, the sounds - it always takes me on a journey into my childhood days.

Some of the trees we saw were amazing, they were huge!

As we headed into a clearing we smelt something like never before, rows upon rows of Eucalyptus trees - it was just wonderful! I could imagine myself popping a picnic blanket down, a nice soft cushion and a good book whilst enjoying the fabulous aroma.

As we headed round the corner we came to a really long tunnel - of course hence the name of Tunnel Gully. Named for its link with the historic Rimutaka Railway between Wellington and the Wairarapa, this is a 221m long tunnel named Mangaroa Tunnel, built between 1875 and 1877. The tunnel's working life ended in November 1955 when the new Rimutaka Tunnel was opened.

We ventured only half way before the thought of possible overhead Weta's got the better of us and we retreated!

Lucky that we headed out at that point, because look who we bumped in to!!

It was nice to see Julie there, she was right in her recommendation. The walk was lovely and we really enjoyed our time there. Of course next time we need to do it in better weather so we see a little more than just the hoods on our coats!

Meeting John Grogan

Does the name sound familiar??

Well it should do, Mr John Grogan is the author of Marley & Me, you may know it better from the blockbuster movie that is showing in the cinema right now.

Last night I was lucky enough (along with my gorgeous friend Jo) to go to a cocktail evening in the company of Mr Grogan, which was held at the Holiday Inn hotel in Wellington City. It was such a lovely evening, people filled the room chatting over a nicely chilled wine and a few canapés. Mr Grogan joined us and mingled talking with various people.

Mr Grogan entertained us with a wonderful talk on the inspiration that was Marley - for those of you who don't know - this is a true story. He also went on to tell stories of what had happened since his book took off, being part of movie when it was made and then going onto his new book which is out now called The Longest Trip Home.

Afterwards we got to meet John and have a little chat whilst he signed his new book which I had just bought that evening. I was also cheeky enough to ask for a photo!!

It was truly inspirational listening to John. He was an ordinary man (and still is of course!) who wrote a story from the heart, one that has touched every single dog owner like never before. With the movie being made it will reach an even further audience, even those who have never had a dog will relate.

It was humbling to be in his presence, and I feel so very inspired. I am so pleased to have met him, thank you Mr Grogan for being gracious enough to share your journey with us.

Dog Squad Part 3

Once again we popped on our SPCA capes and stood anxiously smiling at the shoppers heading in and out of New World in central Wellington City.

Bethany came along too, she was an absolute star shaking the bucket for the whole hour and offering stickers to those who donated. Although this time she demanded we take a chair for her to sit on and she was dressed up!

Denver of course lapped up the attention, he has developed so much - and grown too. Looking back at the photos of the last Dog Squad we did he is now huge! He didn't need his halti this time either which was just awesome.

Such an interesting and different mix of people - the ones who pretend to be looking at their phones or receipts so as not to make eye contact. The kids who run over with panicked parents running behind. The old dears who get down to pat the dogs but then could not get back up again. The young boy who cradled his skateboard, grunted, nodded and dropped in a coin.

Julia and her lovely daughter stood side by side the whole day, welcoming new volunteers and patting their dogs, and getting us all into position - they are truly awesome and deserve a whole lot of gratitude for what they do.

Denver Dawes once again did us proud - raising a nifty $124.50.

The total for the whole day reached $2204. If you passed a dog on Saturday whilst doing your food shopping and popped in a coin or two, be damn proud of yourself for all you have done. The SPCA thanks you.

A Rare Occurance

Yesterday Michael had a day off work which meant a whole 6 hours together of free time without Bethany!!

Gone are the BC (before children) days when all we needed to worry about was maybe eating at some point in the day. Our day started with getting organised for school, washing, hoovering and doing general chores. After breakfast we donned our walking boots and headed to the car, onwards for a forest trek!!

Just over the hill of Wainuiomata you are greeted with the most stunning countryside and views. This then leads to the coast, but before the coast we are met by the bottom end of the Rimutaka Forest Park. The park is huge, covering 220 km's. This area has been developed superbly and at the visitor information you can select the type of walk you want to do - anything from two days to a half hour. We opted for the '5 mile walk' estimated to take 2 hours.

The pathway was excellent, it took us deep into the luscious forest, over the ridge line and back down the other side, despite the estimated 2 hours it only took us an hour and a half, and that was with me stopping every five minutes to get my breath back!

On one of the below photos you will see a giant spiderweb, it was hard to get a decent photo of it but my goodness whatever made that thing must have been huge, the web could have captured a cow! Remind me not to walk the forest in the dark!

So instead of heading home straight away we took Denver to the doggy exercise area, and then we sat and had a picnic lunch. A really lovely day out, a much needed mammy and daddy time, one which we will have to do again soon.

105 Today!!

A gorgeous yellow Labrador came into the world 15 years ago today and she was named Poppy.

Poppy could tell some stories I bet! In the 15 years she has been part of so much, she has watched Michael and Helen grow, leave home and have children of their own. She has watched her loving 'mother' Lynn grow beautifully older and never leave her side - Poppy has probably been told the most interesting secrets.

Anyone who has a dog will know how much a part of the family they become, Poppy has been a loyal and loving member of the family since the day she arrived. I have heard some of the most hilarious stories that only is possible from a Labrador!

We miss her very much, but it's so wonderful to know she is still going strong, still making us smile and still holds that mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Happy 15th Birthday Poppy!

Bush Fires

Things we used to read in the local paper about the rest of the world whilst we were back in England did what they were supposed to do, shock us, interest us, yet never affect us. Of course reading about all the doom and gloom in the world was the norm, since being here in NZ I now never go near a newspaper or watch the news - in a way if I don't know about it, then I wont worry about it.

Yet one thing we can't escape being on the other side of the world are the issues that affect our every day lives. Things like earthquakes, landslides and flooding are all every day occurrences here in New Zealand, but worse still on the hot days we are plagued by bush fires.

Of course most of you will know about the horrific happenings in Australia - our neighbour. The unbelievable bush fires that ripped through most of Victoria is just unbearable to think about. Being so close, New Zealand is affected deeply by what happens there, I have ran into numerous people who had family caught up in the disaster and we have donated to the appeals to aid recovery. But the most devastating is the story of a family of 6 who originally decided to move to New Zealand but then changed plans last minute and moved to Oz. After only being there for 2 weeks in their new home their life journey was cut short when they were killed in the fires.

In our previous home here in Wellington we witnessed many bush fires, some sadly were deliberately caused. You may remember this story from April 2007 when upon returning from Kindergarten we weren't allowed into our street due to a bush fire opposite our home. At the time it was all new and interesting to us (hence the light hearted blog post) but it isn't until you are part of it that you realise how scary it can be.

Just the other day the forest land to the back of our home was the victim of it's most deadliest enemy, and fire raged for many hours. The streets were lined with people taking photos and watching it - always amazes me why people do that?

I took photos from our garden instead!

Our thoughts are with the people affected in Oz, despite the silly 'we hate our neighbours' thing that the Kiwis do, it's something we can sympathise with endlessly.