Monday, January 5, 2009
The promoters hadn't sold many tickets for my solo gig
Some folk are having trouble viewing and commenting on pics on flickr so we will start transferring some more across here too.
Steph singing Travis in a packed pub on Hogmany ;o) It was busier than it looks!!!!!!!!!!
Steph singing Travis in a packed pub on Hogmany ;o) It was busier than it looks!!!!!!!!!!
Rubber Stamp.
Hi, just a quick one to let folks back home know that I had a meeting at immigration today and that all my paperwork is now finalised. The girl was so nice (I think she liked the accent) and she managed to waive the fee ($200) for the work visa component so that I am able to go on holiday and come back as many times as I like(or can afford)
We have been staying with Steve and Shona in Wellington (very kind of them to look after two homeless Scots) but i think we are going to take a well earned trip up North towards Rotorua and relax - or do a sky dive?????? Who knows? ;o)
Other news:
Sports news: We are off to see the Black Caps (NZ) play West Indies at cricket tomorrow - Katie has been told the rules and she is raring to go!
Accommodation: After almost running ourselves ragged over the last three weeks looking at flats we have a new housesit on the go - very bizarre, more details to follow - we are looking after a house, no pets, in Kelburn (quite posh) starting at the end of january for two months. This will save us a small fortune (approx 1000 GBP) and give us a wee bit of stability allowing us to choose a nice home for the rest of the year at our leisure.
Will write more later, hope you are all well ;o)
SB
We have been staying with Steve and Shona in Wellington (very kind of them to look after two homeless Scots) but i think we are going to take a well earned trip up North towards Rotorua and relax - or do a sky dive?????? Who knows? ;o)
Other news:
Sports news: We are off to see the Black Caps (NZ) play West Indies at cricket tomorrow - Katie has been told the rules and she is raring to go!
Accommodation: After almost running ourselves ragged over the last three weeks looking at flats we have a new housesit on the go - very bizarre, more details to follow - we are looking after a house, no pets, in Kelburn (quite posh) starting at the end of january for two months. This will save us a small fortune (approx 1000 GBP) and give us a wee bit of stability allowing us to choose a nice home for the rest of the year at our leisure.
Will write more later, hope you are all well ;o)
SB
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Anyway, we had some great banter with her and her man Peter and after a bit of dutch courage Steph ventured onto the stage to sing some Travis (not bad BTW). We decided Karaoke wasn't going to cut it at the bells, so hastily left to find a lively irish bar, complete with a Piper, we also met lots of Scots and a nice guy from Islay who has been here for two years. After several drinks too many we decided that it was game over and so we decided to head home, not before walking passed a night club blaring out JX's Son of a Gun - remember that old 90's eurorave tune? It was hilarious, loads of old 80's and 90's dance classics that you would remember hearing at the Campbeltown Fair (or the SECC Carnival for all you city dwellers) so we bounced about the walls in there for a wee while before deciding it really was time to go home. The night was great, only to be beaten by an immense hangover today (nothing new there then). Feeling sorry for ourselves and completely incapabale of cooking or doing anything worthwhile today, we rewarded ourselves with a medicinal curry and DVD - just like a sunday night back home.... 
We've only got 3 more nights left in this house before moving on, not quite sure where we'll be but I'm sure we'll get something sorted. It will be hard to leave our house-sit and four legged companions as it really has been a godsend in terms of saving money and relaxation but it will be good to be on our own again as it does feel a little strange - like we have taken over someone elses life!
We'll keep you posted on our living arrangements, but hopefully will have somewhere in the next few weeks.
Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy 2009.
Love K x
P.S The 'bro' in the photo was one of the interesting people we got chatting to last night - hmm can you guess what caught our attention?!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
100 days! or 8,640,000 secs/144,000 minutes/2400 hours
Hi everyone,
Here's a bit of an anorak-ish thing, but as of tomorrow it will be 100 days since we left Scotland. Not the largest amount of time anyone has ever been away from home but it certainly feels long and the fact that 100days away falls on New Years Day is a bit of a coincidence.
Our house sit is almost at an end which is sad but at the same time it is good because we were getting too used to having a big house and a car - both of which we are not going to have for a while yet methinks (if at all)
We have been looking for places to rent here in Wellington and it is surprisingly expensive especially when measured against the wages they pay here. The houses are also a) Predominantly built on the side of a steep hill, great for views not so good in a place prone to earthquakes b) Made of wood c) Have no heating - no, none d) have no double glazing e) Have all been decorated with left over wallpaper and paint from the UK circa 1970's and f) The cheaper options are invariably sheds in other peoples gardens or basements.
The good news is that we will almost definitely get somewhere bigger than we lived in back home ;o) which will be good news but it may be old, cold and unfurnished which will cause more difficulties. We are already speaking to people about lending us furniture and if all else fails it is off to the charity shop we go - lots of people do that here and there's no stigma attached to it. In fact when my mate Dave McG was over in Nelson he bought all his furniture that way and then managed to sell it a year later for profit. Nice work Dave.
It is Hogmany here and we are just chilling out before going into the city tonight, we were very kindly invited to a barbecue by Steve and Shona but we fancied heading into the city to see what's on. However I am not too optimistic, on Christmas Day I dragged Katie down to the city centre after dinner, convinced that the town would be jumping but alas not a bar was open. At least the bus home was free - that's one thing they are good at here, free, regular, reliable buses on Christmas Day. Why would you need to drink and drive?
There are a few things on in town tonight actually, we just have to decide how much we are willing to spend - Zane Lowe the Radio 1 DJ is playing here but it is more expensive than we really want to pay. Regardless of how well known he is he is just some dude playing someone elses records isn't he? ;o)
Oh, I should also fill you in on my Old Firm online adventure the other day. Basically I was emailing all sorts of Rangers Supporters clubs here in NZ desperately looking for somewhere to watch the game (1.30am kick off here) but with no success - there was a group of guys going to a pub in Auckland but Welly wasn't quite so with it. Anyway, I eventually decided to stay awake, drink some beer and utilise free internet access to try and track down some live coverage online which I eventually managed to do. It was some Afghanistan-ish Tv station showing the game with the British commentary which was great. When it cut to the studio though it was all in the local lingo but i presume they were saying "Stupid infidels! We are so powerful we will enjoy this mighty game of football and then we will kill them all! 'Mon the Hoops!"
Was it worth staying up all night just to see a jammy Celtic win? No, probably not. ;o) (Even Osama Bin Laden admits that the chalked off Gers goal should have counted - if you don't believe me just go and ask him, he's probably still in a London suburb laughing at the Infidels searching Afghanistan)
(By the way, this is funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guh5vrwtC80&feature=related)
More news? We went to Karori Wildlife Sanctuary the other day, it's beautiful and we would definitely go again but unfortunately most of the wildlife are birds and you can't really see them (well if we sat around all day we might have) but apparently it's been single handedly responsible for the repopulation of the Tui (a very impressive native bird that can be rather loud in the morning). Tui is also a brand of cheap Kiwi beer.
http://www.kiwi-wildlife.co.nz/Sounds/tui.mp3
Well, I better go for now and start revving up for the massive party tonight - I will give you a full review in due course but for now I think Katie and i are going to take our new running shoes (Christmas pressies) and go for a jog with Jack the dog.
Speak soon, Have a great New Year everyone!
SB ;o)
Here's a bit of an anorak-ish thing, but as of tomorrow it will be 100 days since we left Scotland. Not the largest amount of time anyone has ever been away from home but it certainly feels long and the fact that 100days away falls on New Years Day is a bit of a coincidence.
Our house sit is almost at an end which is sad but at the same time it is good because we were getting too used to having a big house and a car - both of which we are not going to have for a while yet methinks (if at all)
We have been looking for places to rent here in Wellington and it is surprisingly expensive especially when measured against the wages they pay here. The houses are also a) Predominantly built on the side of a steep hill, great for views not so good in a place prone to earthquakes b) Made of wood c) Have no heating - no, none d) have no double glazing e) Have all been decorated with left over wallpaper and paint from the UK circa 1970's and f) The cheaper options are invariably sheds in other peoples gardens or basements.
The good news is that we will almost definitely get somewhere bigger than we lived in back home ;o) which will be good news but it may be old, cold and unfurnished which will cause more difficulties. We are already speaking to people about lending us furniture and if all else fails it is off to the charity shop we go - lots of people do that here and there's no stigma attached to it. In fact when my mate Dave McG was over in Nelson he bought all his furniture that way and then managed to sell it a year later for profit. Nice work Dave.
It is Hogmany here and we are just chilling out before going into the city tonight, we were very kindly invited to a barbecue by Steve and Shona but we fancied heading into the city to see what's on. However I am not too optimistic, on Christmas Day I dragged Katie down to the city centre after dinner, convinced that the town would be jumping but alas not a bar was open. At least the bus home was free - that's one thing they are good at here, free, regular, reliable buses on Christmas Day. Why would you need to drink and drive?
There are a few things on in town tonight actually, we just have to decide how much we are willing to spend - Zane Lowe the Radio 1 DJ is playing here but it is more expensive than we really want to pay. Regardless of how well known he is he is just some dude playing someone elses records isn't he? ;o)
Oh, I should also fill you in on my Old Firm online adventure the other day. Basically I was emailing all sorts of Rangers Supporters clubs here in NZ desperately looking for somewhere to watch the game (1.30am kick off here) but with no success - there was a group of guys going to a pub in Auckland but Welly wasn't quite so with it. Anyway, I eventually decided to stay awake, drink some beer and utilise free internet access to try and track down some live coverage online which I eventually managed to do. It was some Afghanistan-ish Tv station showing the game with the British commentary which was great. When it cut to the studio though it was all in the local lingo but i presume they were saying "Stupid infidels! We are so powerful we will enjoy this mighty game of football and then we will kill them all! 'Mon the Hoops!"
Was it worth staying up all night just to see a jammy Celtic win? No, probably not. ;o) (Even Osama Bin Laden admits that the chalked off Gers goal should have counted - if you don't believe me just go and ask him, he's probably still in a London suburb laughing at the Infidels searching Afghanistan)
(By the way, this is funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guh5vrwtC80&feature=related)
More news? We went to Karori Wildlife Sanctuary the other day, it's beautiful and we would definitely go again but unfortunately most of the wildlife are birds and you can't really see them (well if we sat around all day we might have) but apparently it's been single handedly responsible for the repopulation of the Tui (a very impressive native bird that can be rather loud in the morning). Tui is also a brand of cheap Kiwi beer.
http://www.kiwi-wildlife.co.nz/Sounds/tui.mp3
Well, I better go for now and start revving up for the massive party tonight - I will give you a full review in due course but for now I think Katie and i are going to take our new running shoes (Christmas pressies) and go for a jog with Jack the dog.
Speak soon, Have a great New Year everyone!
SB ;o)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wobbly Welly!!
My god, at 8.45am(ish) this morning I experienced my first earthquake (that I am aware of!) The house and its contents really did shake, rattle and roll, it wasn't at all scary but I just new that things wirny right! Please don't worry though, it couldn't have been that bad as Steph, Jack (the dog) and Leo (the cat) slept right through it ;0)
We've had a quiet and different xmas, which was very nice but reminded us of the importance of family and friends (all year not just at xmas!) Thanks to all the xmas wishes xox
We're going out in the wagon today to scope out areas to rent a house, preferably with a great view, a deck, a heat pump (new zealander's equivalent of central heating - very basic!) a garden and north facing sun (I don't ask for much!) but apparently north facing is best as you get sun all day and some suburbs are much cloudier and windier than others - the weather is a big issue for wellingtonians when considering where to live!
Now that we know where our next pay cheque is coming we're busy planning a wee trip to Lake Taupo and Rotoroua, the big question is.....do we skydive or bungy? - you'll just have to wait and see! Jo, I'll give Auntie Eileen a wee call and hopefully will manage to meet up with her!
Hope you have a cracking hogmanay and will update more as and when it happens!
All the best,
Love K xxxx
We've had a quiet and different xmas, which was very nice but reminded us of the importance of family and friends (all year not just at xmas!) Thanks to all the xmas wishes xox
We're going out in the wagon today to scope out areas to rent a house, preferably with a great view, a deck, a heat pump (new zealander's equivalent of central heating - very basic!) a garden and north facing sun (I don't ask for much!) but apparently north facing is best as you get sun all day and some suburbs are much cloudier and windier than others - the weather is a big issue for wellingtonians when considering where to live!
Now that we know where our next pay cheque is coming we're busy planning a wee trip to Lake Taupo and Rotoroua, the big question is.....do we skydive or bungy? - you'll just have to wait and see! Jo, I'll give Auntie Eileen a wee call and hopefully will manage to meet up with her!
Hope you have a cracking hogmanay and will update more as and when it happens!
All the best,
Love K xxxx
All shook up!
New Zealand Earthquake Report
Magnitude 5.1,
Saturday, December 27 2008 at 8:49 am (NZDT), 60 km north of Porirua.
Information about this earthquake:
Reference Number 3021098/G
Universal Time December 26 2008 at 19:49
NZ Daylight Time Saturday, December 27 2008 at 8:49 am
Latitude, Longitude 40.55°S, 174.86°E
Focal Depth 50 km
Richter magnitude 5.1
Region Wanganui Basin
Location 30 km north-west of Otaki
40 km west of Levin
60 km north of Porirua
80 km north of Wellington
Felt widely across the lower North Island and upper South Island.
Katie was up this morning calling home and felt it
Steph slept through it.
Magnitude 5.1,
Saturday, December 27 2008 at 8:49 am (NZDT), 60 km north of Porirua.
Information about this earthquake:
Reference Number 3021098/G
Universal Time December 26 2008 at 19:49
NZ Daylight Time Saturday, December 27 2008 at 8:49 am
Latitude, Longitude 40.55°S, 174.86°E
Focal Depth 50 km
Richter magnitude 5.1
Region Wanganui Basin
Location 30 km north-west of Otaki
40 km west of Levin
60 km north of Porirua
80 km north of Wellington
Felt widely across the lower North Island and upper South Island.
Katie was up this morning calling home and felt it
Steph slept through it.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Day - Wahey (as Cheggers would say)
Merry Christmas (for real this time)and we beat everyone back home by 13 hours how great is that? And we will continue to have Christmas until your Christmas is over too!
You will be all tucked up in bed back home right now but we are just heading out for Christmas dinner and before we do I thought I would post some pics on the blog - hope you like them. (the cat couldn't be bothered to pose - surprise surprise)
Seasons Greetings and all that, Merry Presents and all
SB
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas from Wellington NZ
Merry Christmas!!! Well, ok, we are not that far ahead - it is actually still Christmas Eve here (I should point out that the NZ clock on this page is wrong we are 13 hours ahead) but I thought while I had a spare few minutes tonight I would write a quick hello and give you an update.
Things are going pretty well here and the house we are looking after is really good (we will post pics really soon so you can see), the couple we are house sitting for are really nice and they left us their car to use for the duration of our stay which has allowed us to do a big Christmas shop today - and lucky we had the car cos, would you believe, it is chucking it down here which is crazy cos yesterday was scorching. Barbecue on the beach tomorrow? Unfortunately we haven't had the West Coast of OZ type weather that we were hoping for so we have booked into a posh restaurant down the road so at least we don't have to cook or clean up. Thanks for the Christmas money Mum, that'll keep us well fed tomorrow and we will be thinking of you all at Aunt Joyce's - loved the photos by the way with cast on Aunt Joyce!
We are just chilling out just now looking forward to tomorrow and we do actually have some presents for each other would you believe - some good (New trainers + clothes) some that aren't really presents as we've had them a week(new mobile phones) and some that aren't really that exciting (we both shopped for each other with a $50 in New World which is a big supermarket - so at least getting a job hasn't went to our heads!! Can't burst the bank yet ;o)
At our house we are looking after Jack (the border collie) and Leo (the cat they forgot to tell us about) - both of whom are actually really pleasant animals and our first impression of Jack was a wee bit wrong he;s just a big baby looking for attention. Luckily my allergies haven't really surfaced and hopefully that's the way it will stay - antihistamines may well be a christmas pressie though.
Before I go here are a few things coming up that may be of interest:
a) We are booked up to see Billy Connolly on his Tour of NZ in February which is great - thanks Dad! I've always wanted to see B.C. live.
b) We are booked up to go to the Wellington Cup which is a big horseracing festival in January.
c) We are planning a big trip in January somewhere before school starts - it might even include a sky dive or something equally mental.
d) I go to immigration on the 6th of Jan to try and get my work visa - apparently it should be ok but isn't really 100% guaranteed on first application.
Ok, well we will hopefully be writing more tomorrow and will hopefully be able to post a christmas photo for you all to see with some photos of our new house and animals.
Merry Christmas.
Steph and Katie
Things are going pretty well here and the house we are looking after is really good (we will post pics really soon so you can see), the couple we are house sitting for are really nice and they left us their car to use for the duration of our stay which has allowed us to do a big Christmas shop today - and lucky we had the car cos, would you believe, it is chucking it down here which is crazy cos yesterday was scorching. Barbecue on the beach tomorrow? Unfortunately we haven't had the West Coast of OZ type weather that we were hoping for so we have booked into a posh restaurant down the road so at least we don't have to cook or clean up. Thanks for the Christmas money Mum, that'll keep us well fed tomorrow and we will be thinking of you all at Aunt Joyce's - loved the photos by the way with cast on Aunt Joyce!
We are just chilling out just now looking forward to tomorrow and we do actually have some presents for each other would you believe - some good (New trainers + clothes) some that aren't really presents as we've had them a week(new mobile phones) and some that aren't really that exciting (we both shopped for each other with a $50 in New World which is a big supermarket - so at least getting a job hasn't went to our heads!! Can't burst the bank yet ;o)
At our house we are looking after Jack (the border collie) and Leo (the cat they forgot to tell us about) - both of whom are actually really pleasant animals and our first impression of Jack was a wee bit wrong he;s just a big baby looking for attention. Luckily my allergies haven't really surfaced and hopefully that's the way it will stay - antihistamines may well be a christmas pressie though.
Before I go here are a few things coming up that may be of interest:
a) We are booked up to see Billy Connolly on his Tour of NZ in February which is great - thanks Dad! I've always wanted to see B.C. live.
b) We are booked up to go to the Wellington Cup which is a big horseracing festival in January.
c) We are planning a big trip in January somewhere before school starts - it might even include a sky dive or something equally mental.
d) I go to immigration on the 6th of Jan to try and get my work visa - apparently it should be ok but isn't really 100% guaranteed on first application.
Ok, well we will hopefully be writing more tomorrow and will hopefully be able to post a christmas photo for you all to see with some photos of our new house and animals.
Merry Christmas.
Steph and Katie
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