Sunday, December 28, 2008

Where do I start? New Zealand at last after 15 months and approx. 13,000 nautical miles. This place is as close to Heaven as you can get. It's like Canada and the US in the 50's full of trusting, friendly people ,all with great attitudes and a sense of humour. The people and the countryside are beautiful. I'll try to briefly describe some of the photos I've just posted. The shot of a bungalow, silver car and Linda is our rented place about a 5 min. walk from Don Pedro that is moored in the Whangarei town basin. It's new, charming and quiet with great landlords who are also sailors. Pat and his BMW are in there. We both got 2nd hand cars, ours is a great little Honda Accord, $1900. We will resell it for at least $1500. after using it for 8 months..not bad. There is a pastoral shot of horses and lounges under a tree. This is the "farm" of Doug and Helen, friends of Kay and Craig from "Little Wing" whose photos is also here. We had a Xmas Eve party with our boating friends John, Nancy and their girls from Meridin, Glen, Marilyn and son,Jaryd, from Tin Soldier. Also Pat, Andy,(Linda's oldest son) and Bronwyn, his partner(she's in the Santa hat). Marilyn is the one dancing with the camera, work it baby, work it!!! There are also some pix of the trails around our bungalow as NZ is a country of "trampers"(walkers) and there are great hiking trails around every city and in all parts of the countryside. You are never more than 10 minutes from a god "tramp"- even in downtown Auckalnd.
It's difficult to know what to show you as every corner of every road has beautiful pastoral, coastal and mounain views. Oh yeah, Pat continues to enjoy his job, helping run a small Bay of Islands charter sailboat company, teach sailing and doing general dock work.
Well, the battery is dying and its time to go. Oh yeah, we haven't met a New Zealand wine we don't like and they are CHEAP, $10. gets you a very very good bottle. Until the next time. Love to all. John, Linda and Pat