So once we'd had showers, had breakfast, washed up and were ready to go out, it was 12.30. We opted for something simple and non-taxing. Mini-golf!
 |
| Lining up the shot |
Friday, 20 July 2012
New Zealand Day 2
Alex was the first to wake up today at 10.30am! We even had to wake Christopher up too! Result!
So once we'd had showers, had breakfast, washed up and were ready to go out, it was 12.30. We opted for something simple and non-taxing. Mini-golf!
So once we'd had showers, had breakfast, washed up and were ready to go out, it was 12.30. We opted for something simple and non-taxing. Mini-golf!
New Zealand Day 1
So it's been a rather mad day! We had time to kill on the beach yesterday while we waited for our evening flight, so me and Adrian sat and watched the kids play on the sand and in the sea. We met a lovely Australian couple called Beverly and Kevin (Bev and Kev!), and talked to them for about an hour and a half. Then quick change back to the hotel and jump in the taxi.
At the airport I must have looked really suspicious - 'randomly selected' for testing for signs of explosives....then 'randomly selected' 10 minutes later for a physical search. Luckily no bombs on me today :-)
Flight slightly delayed so by the time we landed, grabbed a taxi and found the motel - 1.30 in the morning - and very very cold (about minus 1 degree - and coming from Brunei - that's really cold!).
Up again and off to get the van - which is really comfortable with all mod cons :-) We haven't done much today other than get ourselves organised, get some lunch, sort out an emergency phone and I bought a hat as my ears were cold!
The campsite itself is good as there is a playground, indoor pool, internet, washing facilities etc. Here's a few pictures of what we have been up to...
At the airport I must have looked really suspicious - 'randomly selected' for testing for signs of explosives....then 'randomly selected' 10 minutes later for a physical search. Luckily no bombs on me today :-)
Flight slightly delayed so by the time we landed, grabbed a taxi and found the motel - 1.30 in the morning - and very very cold (about minus 1 degree - and coming from Brunei - that's really cold!).
Up again and off to get the van - which is really comfortable with all mod cons :-) We haven't done much today other than get ourselves organised, get some lunch, sort out an emergency phone and I bought a hat as my ears were cold!
The campsite itself is good as there is a playground, indoor pool, internet, washing facilities etc. Here's a few pictures of what we have been up to...
 |
| Our home for the next three weeks |
 |
| Good playground at the campsite |
 |
| Surprise surprise - Alex is reading |
 |
| Wot no bed? |
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Australia Day 2
Cracking night's sleep :-) Bed very comfortable and I was as snug as a bug in a rug. We decided to take the kids off to Dreamworld today as it had been recommended. Theme park basically with lots of rides. Quick ham sandwich for breakfast before into the transport to get there. It was a good 40 minute drive so took a while. The bargain was, the kids went back to school this week in Australia, it's winter, it was overcast, so the park was virtually empty. No queues all day for anything!
 |
| Last night - wine on the balcony |
 |
| Waiting for taxi |
 |
| Still waiting for taxi! |
 |
| Open your eyes Christopher! |
 |
| Just arrived! |
 |
| Kenny the Koala! |
 |
| Which way first? |
 |
| My kiddiwinks... |
 |
| Reprobates all of them! |
 |
| A very unfortunate looking wet bottom after riding the river rapids! I haven't wet myself - honest guv! |
 |
| Holly getting her hair braided so she can look like an Australian surfer chick :-) |
And finally, the girls went on something called 'The Tower Drop' - I declined - you can see why from the video!
Monday, 16 July 2012
Australia Day 1
It seems almost surreal that we are here in Australia - everyone seems really friendly and just genuinely want to help out wherever they can.
We arrived at the hotel at around 8.15 am having flown through the night (with the noisy 'no sleep' toddler two rows in front) hoping to drop the bags...but...the apartment is empty - we can walk straight in! RESULT!!
This is the view from our little flat for the three days. It was pretty overcast this morning - but is now clear blue sky - I'm enjoying a glass of red while blogging and watching the fit surfer men on the beach :D
It's colder than I expected it to be and Christopher has been especially cold - he's not used to it - probably doesn't remember anything else. It's probably around 19 or 20 degrees (Australia's winter) and he's shivering, so we went off to find him a proper coat. Goodness knows how he is going to cope when we get to snow next week in NZ!
So, we had a bit of a rest in the room as we were pretty knackered after the travelling, girls flaked out in their room...
Then out for a brisk walk along the coastline....just beautiful scenery....
 |
| So we are here - this is the view from hotel. |
This is the view from our little flat for the three days. It was pretty overcast this morning - but is now clear blue sky - I'm enjoying a glass of red while blogging and watching the fit surfer men on the beach :D
It's colder than I expected it to be and Christopher has been especially cold - he's not used to it - probably doesn't remember anything else. It's probably around 19 or 20 degrees (Australia's winter) and he's shivering, so we went off to find him a proper coat. Goodness knows how he is going to cope when we get to snow next week in NZ!
 |
| Our pool - bit too cold for me, although the kids might go in later. |
Hats from Nepal to keep warm have come in useful!!
 |
| Alex 'helps' Christopher with his hat! |
 |
| Woolworths! Not what you think! This is a supermarket....with a delicatessen....ham......lots of different sorts of cheeses AND YOGURT!!!!!!! |
 |
| Life is good :D |
 |
| Hmmmm...... |
Then out for a brisk walk along the coastline....just beautiful scenery....
And back to the apartment again for another glass of wine :-)
Travelling
So....after waiting for the day to come around for almost a year (we booked last Summer) - we're off to Australia and New Zealand.
EXCITING!!!!
We tried to keep the packing way down as I knew we'd be in the camper van once we got to NZ and I didn't want to be tripping over cases for three weeks! Christopher was beside himself...
So we arrive at KL ready to board the next plane, when a rather unexpected twist occurred! We were under the impression that as British Citizens we didn't need a visa to visit Australia (that's what the website says) - BUT if you read on...it says you do need an eta (electronic travel authority) which we hadn't realised! Aaargh! What to do - they ask us for it at the desk...
They call for assistance....we begin to panic....
When a lovely lady called Nik came to our rescue - I will be writing a letter of thanks to the airline. She took us to the business class lounge, phoned the Australian Embassy, found the right website, helped us fill in the forms, then phoned the Australian Embassy AGAIN to check the travel authority was granted (it normally takes up to two weeks to come through). THANK YOU NIK!!! The picture below is of the kids camped outside the business class lounge while we waited to find out what was happening.
So, from here on to the flight (about 7 hours 30 minutes) on to Australia. Not a bad flight - through the night - would have been perfect if it wasn't for the annoying toddler two rows in front who just wouldn't shut up!!!
Anyway...we are here :-)
EXCITING!!!!
 |
| Trying to pack 'light' |
 |
| I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it... |
 |
| Bag went on at 8.30am - even though we weren't leaving until midday! Christopher is also wearing his 'Wiggles' T-Shirt because they're from Australia! |
 |
| Alex was an awful lot more relaxed about the whole thing! |
 |
| So - flying to Kuala Lumpur - then change at KL to go on to Gold Coast - lots of hanging around! |
So we arrive at KL ready to board the next plane, when a rather unexpected twist occurred! We were under the impression that as British Citizens we didn't need a visa to visit Australia (that's what the website says) - BUT if you read on...it says you do need an eta (electronic travel authority) which we hadn't realised! Aaargh! What to do - they ask us for it at the desk...
They call for assistance....we begin to panic....
When a lovely lady called Nik came to our rescue - I will be writing a letter of thanks to the airline. She took us to the business class lounge, phoned the Australian Embassy, found the right website, helped us fill in the forms, then phoned the Australian Embassy AGAIN to check the travel authority was granted (it normally takes up to two weeks to come through). THANK YOU NIK!!! The picture below is of the kids camped outside the business class lounge while we waited to find out what was happening.
So, from here on to the flight (about 7 hours 30 minutes) on to Australia. Not a bad flight - through the night - would have been perfect if it wasn't for the annoying toddler two rows in front who just wouldn't shut up!!!
Anyway...we are here :-)
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Out for a walk
Went out for a walk a few days ago, took a few pictures. This is a 'recreational park' called 'Nine Hills' - and there were certainly were some climbs!
Then...after all that walking...guess what we found??!!
Friday, 13 July 2012
Our House!
So Adrian has finally made it back home - and with more pictures! We're really pleased with the new house so I thought I'd upload a few more photos for you to look at.
This is the kitchen - I particularly like how the bread oven is being used as a wine rack :-) These are also the stairs down to the cellar.
This is the kitchen - I particularly like how the bread oven is being used as a wine rack :-) These are also the stairs down to the cellar.
This is the whole of the kitchen diner.
Snug :-)
Living Room - area of plasterboard will be finished before we move in.
Another bedroom - four in all :-)
We're very excited about the whole project and very much looking forward to Christmas which will be our first stay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)