Our Peeping Tom

Almost every evening we're paying attention, and once or twice when I've been up to take Matt to work in the morning, we've seen someone looking in our window. I've started to document his peeping in case something develops down the road.

Incredible views from home... (aka church bulletin covers)

That is a sheet of rain about to get those sailboats.

Every so often, there is a big boat that parks at the pier out front.

Something very special is happening between those two islands.

No shortage of Holy Water in our little bay.

Blessed is thy pier.

We feel so spoilt (NZ style spelling) enjoying these views daily. We are so lucky to be here!

Fresh Fish!

A fresh Tarakihi and brand new filet knife. The native NZers are lacking in their Frenchiness, and refer to it as a fill-it knife.

Sharper!

Every Saturday there is a fish market just around the corner from us. We've been enjoying the stuff straight off the boat. Matt, who is a little out of practice, has become the fish fileter at home.

We Miss Pickles!

This is a photo of Matt and Pickles. Pickles is the lovely sulphur-crested cockatoo that welcomes guests in the lobby of the Angus Inn (our home for the first 2 weeks). Don't be fooled by the photo, Pickles likes me (Kosette) best.

Mount McKerrow

We went back to the Rumitaka forest for another beautiful hike, scratch that, tramp (Previous visit was on my birthday). It was a pretty good climb up to the 700 meter summit. I admit I was a little whiny at first, but it was all well worth it. We got to see some amazing views of the Wellington bay area before the fog closed in on us.

Keep Walking, Keep Walking...

The old (upper left, first in NZ) and the new (lower right).

We learned all about lighthouses and their families. This is the original up on the hill. It was too often obscured by fog so they built a new one down below.

Ever since we arrived in NZ there has been a feeling of being watched. We finally figured out why.

The road we live on ends just past the town of Eastborne, but it keeps going as a gravel road out to two different lighthouses. If you keep walking, and walking, and walking, you eventually encounter some green pastures and beautiful views. It makes the 3 miles (5k) on gravel almost worth it. Next time we will definitely rent bikes.

Picton

Our ferry ride to the south island. The trip over was smooth and calm, the way home rough and rolling. We learned not to sit near the bathroom, as this is where most people are trying to get to while they are vomiting.

Tramping (hiking) is very serious business in NZ, so you have to follow the rules. Kosette is shorter so she always has to walk in the back.

The view of Picton and the sounds from up on the hill.

Another view of the sound.

There are giant bumble bees everywhere, about the size of the end of my thumb.

Our first NZ outhouse experience, nicely decorated with local flora.

We stayed at a bed and breakfast hosted by Ian and Paula. Ian gave us a crash course on tramping in the mud, "Don't be a cautious man with hasty feet." I have tested this theory; Ian speaks the truth.

We made a quick trip to Picton, just across the Tasman sea on the South Island. We left Saturday morning, caught some dinner and Brazilian folk music, then did some local tramps in sunday before heading back. We're hoping it's the first of many trips to the South Island.

The Internet

Hello everybody!

There aren't any pictures for this post, I apologize. We have been trying for two weeks to get internet at home and are still working on it, hopefully it will be here next week. I guess they can't figure out how to get the internet up the cable car. I just have email at work, the blogged is blocked. :(

I've finished three weeks of work, including four calls. So far it's going well, I think the worst of the growing pains are over. The hours are 8-4, with call nights 4-midnight, so the hours aren't too bad. Kosette has been staying home and being domestic. We've really enjoyed slowing things down and enjoying life.

Thursday night we went to see Inception at the Embassy theater - the theater that premiered Lord of the Rings. The movie and the theater were both great; next time I'm going to pay $3 extra for the leather seats.

I was on call Friday, today we got up and caught the interisland ferry to Picton on the South Island. It's been raining all day, we're having dinner and catching some live music tonight, hopefully walking some of the Queen Charlotte track tomorrow, weather permitting (pictures to follow).

Thanks to everyone for keeping in touch. We miss you!

Matt and Kosette