There's a Silversea Cruise ship in port this morning, The Silver Cloud. Rather appropriately named, as that is the state of the weather - cloudy and threatening rain later. We've had two or three "southerlies" since arriving which bring in wind and cold from the Antartic. Not the summer weather we expected, though warmer than Cashiers. The Kiwis say February is always warmer than January, but that may be putting a nice slant on the predictions. The local Pictonians have set up a small market in the park in honor of the Silverseans. I suppose the cruiseline will have arranged wine tours for many of the passengers.
As for my internet situation, I'm using a Vodaphone "stick" which is supposed to provide broadband service and plugs in through a USB port. That's information for you technically astute folks. The tower, I am told is on the mountain to our west, and doesn't provide good coverage to those of us just below it in the valley. It has been suggested I take my computer to the beach across the harbor and try there! Don't think so. So.... I recieve 2 bars out of 5, and it's not a strong enough signal to up-load pictures. The alternative, which I have not yet tried, is the cafe wi-fi in Seabreeze, a nice place on the corner. I have subscribed to their wi-fi, but haven't tried up-loading pictures there yet. That may be a good solution.
Instead of going to Havelock today, as planned, I think we'll walk the foreshore, check out the cruisers, and see what the little market is offering for sale. I doubt there's anything we haven't seen in our visits to the farmers' market in Blenheim or the "boot sale" there. We do love local markets ! I have a picture of all the fruit on our counter after our last excursion to market: plums (wonderful), apricots (the best and it's high season), cherries (finished now), peaches (it's hard to beat SC peaches), bananas (not so good - imported from the Phillipines), and new season apples. The vegies are equally beautiful, and we've enjoyed "silver beet" which is a variety of chard and very sweet, plus new potatoes, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, spring onions, etc.
Won't bore you with the description of fresh fish and mussels. We eat at home most of the time with all this bounty. And, cooking is part of the fun. Our landlord obviously does not use her kitchen much. I've had to buy a couple of decent cook pans and borrow some casseroles from the realtor.
Her come the cruise folks. Too bad it isn't a nicer day! When we get sun sparkling off the water in the harbor, there's not a prettier place in the world.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Lunch at Wairau Winery
Lovely lunch today at Wairau River Winery in Marlborough wine country. Resolved the email issue with a computer guy in Blenheim, visited the very nice big grocery store there, and celebrated with a glass of SB and excellent fresh food which appears to be the signature of winery restaurants. We've eaten in three so far (Wairau, Allan Scott, and Hunter) and have been greatly impressed! Guess we'll have to try them all.
I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog, and hope I can download a photo or two with this one. (Sorry, just tried but after 15 minutes my picture of a double rainbow on the harbor still hadn't loaded.) I'll have to try another process. Our internet connection is not strong, but it may be the best I can do.
We've done all the major walks in the area, including a three-hour one yesterday out to the end of The Snout, which is a long peninsula extending into the Marlborough Sound from Picton. There are lots of people walking the trails, even young girls alone. Surprising that no one is at all concerned about "safety" issues. Some of the high school age girls are even running - must be track athletes. Today is the first day of the new school year.
It's so nice living in town and right on the harbor. We see the Wellington ferry coming and going several times a day, the train comes and goes to Christchurch, and the water taxis run in and out to the Queen Charlotte Track. There are fishing boats going in and out, a sailing school in operation, and various privately owned boats tied to the docks. Today I see a jet boat in harbor. The float plane lands in our "front yard," right in the middle of all the other water activity. Our park is full of tourists, children playing, and back-packers on their way. It's fun to see it all from our balcony.
Also, how nice to have a grocery store two blocks up the street. "Oh, honey, would you pop down the street and pick up a nice pinot noir for dinner?" No problem.
The weather has been cool. It's nice for hiking, but it's pretty cool for sitting out yet. Everyone says February is the warmest month. We've had two "Southerlies" with lots of wind, clouds, and temperatures in the low 40's. They blow through in about 12 hours. Then, there's sunny days, blue skies, and cool breezes again.
Until I can resolve the photo issues, you'll have to imagine paradise on a Pacific Island with the nicest people you've ever met, and Bill, too.
I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog, and hope I can download a photo or two with this one. (Sorry, just tried but after 15 minutes my picture of a double rainbow on the harbor still hadn't loaded.) I'll have to try another process. Our internet connection is not strong, but it may be the best I can do.
We've done all the major walks in the area, including a three-hour one yesterday out to the end of The Snout, which is a long peninsula extending into the Marlborough Sound from Picton. There are lots of people walking the trails, even young girls alone. Surprising that no one is at all concerned about "safety" issues. Some of the high school age girls are even running - must be track athletes. Today is the first day of the new school year.
It's so nice living in town and right on the harbor. We see the Wellington ferry coming and going several times a day, the train comes and goes to Christchurch, and the water taxis run in and out to the Queen Charlotte Track. There are fishing boats going in and out, a sailing school in operation, and various privately owned boats tied to the docks. Today I see a jet boat in harbor. The float plane lands in our "front yard," right in the middle of all the other water activity. Our park is full of tourists, children playing, and back-packers on their way. It's fun to see it all from our balcony.
Also, how nice to have a grocery store two blocks up the street. "Oh, honey, would you pop down the street and pick up a nice pinot noir for dinner?" No problem.
The weather has been cool. It's nice for hiking, but it's pretty cool for sitting out yet. Everyone says February is the warmest month. We've had two "Southerlies" with lots of wind, clouds, and temperatures in the low 40's. They blow through in about 12 hours. Then, there's sunny days, blue skies, and cool breezes again.
Until I can resolve the photo issues, you'll have to imagine paradise on a Pacific Island with the nicest people you've ever met, and Bill, too.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Still Having Internet Problems
I'll keep trying. A case of Allan Scott in the pantry. Glorious weather today. We are happy.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Technical Difficulties with Internet
We arrived in Picton Friday with no problems except tired from flying and waiting in airports. The weather was gorgeous - lots of sun and a cool breeze. We enjoyed lunch at Hunter's Winery in Blenheim on the way to our condo. NZ is everything we remember - beautiful scenery, clear air, bright colors, and charming friendly people. Our accomodations are exceptional and very comfortable. Our bedroom has a glass wall on the front with sliding doors onto the balcony overlooking the harbor, as does the living area. On Saturday, the Picton Maritime Festival kept us entertained all day with live bands, lots of happy children, food vendors, and even fireworks in the evening. It was so nice of the locals to host a festival right across the street for us on our arrival!
The only problem we have is the internet connection from our condo is not working, but our realtor is letting me use her computer temporarily, and the issue will probably be resolved in a day or two. Then I can post more frequently, and hopefully put some pictures up on line. Not being an extremely competent techie, I couldn't get the satellite connection device to work which was provided for my computer.
This morning Bill and I did a two hour hike to the top of the "mountain" behind the town to enjoy the view of the harbor and Marlborough Sound. It was strenuous, but I guess our life at the usual 4000 ft. elevation where we live stood us in good stead. It was a beautiful hike with fern trees, cool shade and breeze, plus sunny overlooks.
Life is good, and we'll get the computer issues resolved eventually. In the meantime, our helpful friendly realtor is donating this computer so I can check my emails in her office. You keep checking in, and we'll be up and running (when not hiking) soon. Love to all.
The only problem we have is the internet connection from our condo is not working, but our realtor is letting me use her computer temporarily, and the issue will probably be resolved in a day or two. Then I can post more frequently, and hopefully put some pictures up on line. Not being an extremely competent techie, I couldn't get the satellite connection device to work which was provided for my computer.
This morning Bill and I did a two hour hike to the top of the "mountain" behind the town to enjoy the view of the harbor and Marlborough Sound. It was strenuous, but I guess our life at the usual 4000 ft. elevation where we live stood us in good stead. It was a beautiful hike with fern trees, cool shade and breeze, plus sunny overlooks.
Life is good, and we'll get the computer issues resolved eventually. In the meantime, our helpful friendly realtor is donating this computer so I can check my emails in her office. You keep checking in, and we'll be up and running (when not hiking) soon. Love to all.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Why Picton?
We visited Picton only once in 2010 as our point of departure by water taxi to The QCT, staying just two nights - once on the way out, and once with very sore feet, on our return. We loved the small restaurants and pubs, and took particular note of the new condos being built overlooking the sound and the ferry terminal. Checking the latter out by internet, we found several for rent at a very reasonable rate. It didn't take long to choose our favorite and make the arrangements for a long-term stay.
There are lots of car rentals in Picton because most tourists leave their car or campervan in Wellington (or Picton) and pick up a new one on the opposite side. There are also a number of interesting short walking tracks around the area. We may rent some bicycles and explore a little further without a car. I've recently discovered a number of sailing and small boat tours, a sea horse acquarium, and a "snorkeling with the seals" tour. I hope the little furry creatures are friendly.
Sounds like a great place. I'll let you know.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Living Abroad in New Zealand
On Jauary 18 we fly from LAX once more to New Zealand. We have traveled extensively in both 2008 and 2010 throughout both the north and south islands. Obviously, since we are returning again, we are hooked on both the country and its friendly residents, the Kiwis. This trip we are relocating to NZ until March 30.
By definition, "living abroad" appears to have no time requirement. Bill and I have rented an assortment of cottages, flats, houses, and historic apartments in a variety of countries for one or two weeks at a time, never feeling we had moved abroad but were visiting or vacationing.
Only last winter, we spent two weeks in a gorgeous 17th century two bed-room flat overlooking the medieval streets of Montpellier, France. We shopped in the local markets and stores, visited the local museums and monuments, drove out to visit Carcassonne and Nimes, and attempted to strike up conversations with the locals, a task made difficult by our modest fluency in French. We had some unique adventures. Bill ordered lamb kidneys one evening (by mistake) and enjoyed seeing them flambe'd at the table more than eating them. We also "broke" the "techno toilet" in the master bath. If you want to read more about that trip and previous ones, go to our other blog site: www.readingbetweenthewines.blogspot.com
On our upcoming trip to New Zealand, we are renting a condo in Picton, a small town on the north coast of the south island. We will stay there for the entire ten weeks while making short day trips to spots we want to hike, eat, or taste wine. The famous Marlborough wine district is only a thirty minute drive south. We will take longer trips to Wellington by ferry or to Abel Tasman National Park, but Picton will be our home. If you'd like to see our condo, you can do a virtual trip on-line, www.holidayhouses.co.nz/18451, or come for a real visit while we are there.
Considering the lack of a language barrier and the friendliness of the "natives," we hope to make new friends, find the farmers' markets, learn the Haka, do a little fishing, try out new recipes, and live like Kiwis. I'll let you know how it works! Hopefully, we'll find a community center, some classes in Maori language and culture, a tennis and/or bridge game, and some hiking/walking buddies. We're hoping for warm summer weather in the southern hemisphere and lots of fresh summer vegies.
Stay in touch by checking this blogsite or subscribing in the box provided above. I'll probably be posting every two or three days with pictures and videos of Bill (more likely me) doing the Haka. You can also reach us, as always, by e-mail.
By definition, "living abroad" appears to have no time requirement. Bill and I have rented an assortment of cottages, flats, houses, and historic apartments in a variety of countries for one or two weeks at a time, never feeling we had moved abroad but were visiting or vacationing.
Only last winter, we spent two weeks in a gorgeous 17th century two bed-room flat overlooking the medieval streets of Montpellier, France. We shopped in the local markets and stores, visited the local museums and monuments, drove out to visit Carcassonne and Nimes, and attempted to strike up conversations with the locals, a task made difficult by our modest fluency in French. We had some unique adventures. Bill ordered lamb kidneys one evening (by mistake) and enjoyed seeing them flambe'd at the table more than eating them. We also "broke" the "techno toilet" in the master bath. If you want to read more about that trip and previous ones, go to our other blog site: www.readingbetweenthewines.blogspot.com
On our upcoming trip to New Zealand, we are renting a condo in Picton, a small town on the north coast of the south island. We will stay there for the entire ten weeks while making short day trips to spots we want to hike, eat, or taste wine. The famous Marlborough wine district is only a thirty minute drive south. We will take longer trips to Wellington by ferry or to Abel Tasman National Park, but Picton will be our home. If you'd like to see our condo, you can do a virtual trip on-line, www.holidayhouses.co.nz/18451, or come for a real visit while we are there.
Considering the lack of a language barrier and the friendliness of the "natives," we hope to make new friends, find the farmers' markets, learn the Haka, do a little fishing, try out new recipes, and live like Kiwis. I'll let you know how it works! Hopefully, we'll find a community center, some classes in Maori language and culture, a tennis and/or bridge game, and some hiking/walking buddies. We're hoping for warm summer weather in the southern hemisphere and lots of fresh summer vegies.
Stay in touch by checking this blogsite or subscribing in the box provided above. I'll probably be posting every two or three days with pictures and videos of Bill (more likely me) doing the Haka. You can also reach us, as always, by e-mail.
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