Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Movember
From what I hear Movember has already hit Scotland - well it is a big deal here and all the guys at my work are doing it for charity so I thought I would join in. The one time in my life I will probably have a good excuse to have a stupid moustache and I may as well do it while most of the people who would find it the funniest aren't around to have a good laugh at my expense.
As someone who is always happy to laugh at myself though I thought it would be rude if I didn't keep you updated with some daft photos of my progress. Details on how to donate money will appear at some point)
Progress hasn't been that fast and i keep growing all my stubble back in to change my mind about what shape of tache I want but in the next few days i will be posting a photo of my best tache to date (after my next shave.)
In case you didn't know, Movember is all about raising money and awareness for/of prostate cancer and depression in men http://nz.movember.com/about/
trip to auckland
I said you would get more about the trip to Auckland for Lorna's 30th and here it is....
When Katie and I arrived in Auckland I can honestly say that it felt like we were folk from the wee village visiting the big city for our once a year visit. It was busy, loud and exciting and made us realise just how small (compact ;o) Wellington really is. You can be out for dinner in Welly and meet 10 folk you know through work - it felt good to be in Auckland and have the power of anonymity once again. It's amazing how much I have missed that!
Anyway, Katie and I spent the first half of our first day marvelling at the choice of shops, the almost normal fashion sense and mainly at the fact the wind wasn't blowing. We spent the rest of the day and night in the pub with Lorna, Iain, Julie, Paul and anyone else that wanted to join us. Iain and Lorna took us to a bar called the Patriot that catered for all of the British isles and served Tennents on tap. I must say that the long journey hadn't improved the taste much but it was like an old friend paying a visit. (it was still better than the pint of TL in the Clachan though)
We pretty much spent the rest of the weekend having a great old time seeing the sights and staying at Lorna and Iain's "jungle house" - so named cos it really did feel as if it was in a rainforest or something - surrounded by trees and plants. Twas a pretty cool spot - and only 60 seconds from the beach.(which was where it wasn't like a jungle - unless we are talking about a jungle on a tiny remote island where most of the island is a jungle with only a beach separating it from the sea.)
We went out for dinner on the Saturday with Geoff from Iain's work - and his wife Adine - both of whom were really nice. And once again we got drunk and took silly photos which you will now find on flickr.
We also went hunting on the Monday for a karaoke bar - Lorna was keen to give us another rendition of Wired for Sound whereas I was all about some more classic rock with one hand shoved in my pocket. Alas though all the karaoke bars were the type where you hire a private room and Lorna and I really felt that our performances merited an audience so we went for more drinks instead.
All in all, we had a great time in Auckland celebrating not only Lorna's 30th but also new jobs for Iain and Lorna. Iain now has a fantastic job wih the Auckland Blues rugby team and Lorna now has a full time teaching post - well done by the way guys.
I am heading back to Auckland to see their new house in a couple of weeks when I will be in town to see the mighty Pearl Jam. Awesome - cannae wait.
SB.
When Katie and I arrived in Auckland I can honestly say that it felt like we were folk from the wee village visiting the big city for our once a year visit. It was busy, loud and exciting and made us realise just how small (compact ;o) Wellington really is. You can be out for dinner in Welly and meet 10 folk you know through work - it felt good to be in Auckland and have the power of anonymity once again. It's amazing how much I have missed that!
Anyway, Katie and I spent the first half of our first day marvelling at the choice of shops, the almost normal fashion sense and mainly at the fact the wind wasn't blowing. We spent the rest of the day and night in the pub with Lorna, Iain, Julie, Paul and anyone else that wanted to join us. Iain and Lorna took us to a bar called the Patriot that catered for all of the British isles and served Tennents on tap. I must say that the long journey hadn't improved the taste much but it was like an old friend paying a visit. (it was still better than the pint of TL in the Clachan though)
We pretty much spent the rest of the weekend having a great old time seeing the sights and staying at Lorna and Iain's "jungle house" - so named cos it really did feel as if it was in a rainforest or something - surrounded by trees and plants. Twas a pretty cool spot - and only 60 seconds from the beach.(which was where it wasn't like a jungle - unless we are talking about a jungle on a tiny remote island where most of the island is a jungle with only a beach separating it from the sea.)
We went out for dinner on the Saturday with Geoff from Iain's work - and his wife Adine - both of whom were really nice. And once again we got drunk and took silly photos which you will now find on flickr.
We also went hunting on the Monday for a karaoke bar - Lorna was keen to give us another rendition of Wired for Sound whereas I was all about some more classic rock with one hand shoved in my pocket. Alas though all the karaoke bars were the type where you hire a private room and Lorna and I really felt that our performances merited an audience so we went for more drinks instead.
All in all, we had a great time in Auckland celebrating not only Lorna's 30th but also new jobs for Iain and Lorna. Iain now has a fantastic job wih the Auckland Blues rugby team and Lorna now has a full time teaching post - well done by the way guys.
I am heading back to Auckland to see their new house in a couple of weeks when I will be in town to see the mighty Pearl Jam. Awesome - cannae wait.
SB.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Macca's birthday
These photos are from our hilarious trip up to Auckland for Macca's birthday. more of the the story to follow.......
Friday, November 6, 2009
Mr. Brown's leap of faith.
I was in Christchurch recently with the kids and we visited a climbing centre. I was stitched up and had to jump off a pretty high log and grab onto a trapeze that when I was up there felt like a mile away. I am not the biggest fan of heights but hey, when a 12 year old lad has just done it you can't really bottle it can you?
if you ever do get bored......
Here's a suggestion - at the top of the page there is a button called "next blog". Next time you almost fall asleep at our chat then push this button and you will be off on a blog adventure through space and time. If you keep clicking the button you will be transported to such essential blogs such as "Cat Lady Fashion" and "Freak of Metal".
There is a comment I could make here about how people will write any old garbage and that people will read any old garbage but I wouldn't want you to think we were talking about our blog..........;o)
There is a comment I could make here about how people will write any old garbage and that people will read any old garbage but I wouldn't want you to think we were talking about our blog..........;o)
The 100th post
Hi everyone,
This - would you believe - is the 100th post! (worth waiting over a month for?)
So in true anniversary style let's take a look back at some of the highlights of our trip so far.............actually - it's a kind of "self drive" anniversary tour where you can look through the archives at your own leisure. ;o)
Suffice it to say that we have done a lot over the last 12 and a bit months - there was the Bed Supper Club in Bangkok, The elephant experience in Chiang Mai, the tour of Sydney, meeting ex-jordanhillers in Australia at random moments, our west coast of Australia camper van road trip, our Koala adventure near melbourne, stalking Stefan Dennis from neighbours, arriving in NZ and all of our house sit adventures with Jack the crazy dog and the cat who liked to get close to the stuffed toy cat.
Yes, it's been a busy old time and I feel that it's actually been ten years not 1 - which is a great thing. Time goes by so quickly blah blah blah but Katie and I certainly do try to fill our time - maybe when we are 50 we will have a lie in and do nothing but until then it's onwards and upwards.
We really miss you all lots and we do think about you all an awful lot (even more so since Katie visited you all), we also now have photos up on the wall (finally) of everyone back home - we've had empty photo frames on the wall for a while - we ordered photos but they went missing in the post but we have them now and it's great to see everyone back home. If you have any favourite photos of yourself or Scotland then please feel free to post them to us or email them to us and they might make "the wall".
Ok, I will go for now but the very impending next couple of posts will be 1) Katie's trip back home 2) Steph's efforts at growing a moustache for Movember. 3) Wellington firework's extravaganza
Watch this space. (please) ;o)
This - would you believe - is the 100th post! (worth waiting over a month for?)
So in true anniversary style let's take a look back at some of the highlights of our trip so far.............actually - it's a kind of "self drive" anniversary tour where you can look through the archives at your own leisure. ;o)
Suffice it to say that we have done a lot over the last 12 and a bit months - there was the Bed Supper Club in Bangkok, The elephant experience in Chiang Mai, the tour of Sydney, meeting ex-jordanhillers in Australia at random moments, our west coast of Australia camper van road trip, our Koala adventure near melbourne, stalking Stefan Dennis from neighbours, arriving in NZ and all of our house sit adventures with Jack the crazy dog and the cat who liked to get close to the stuffed toy cat.
Yes, it's been a busy old time and I feel that it's actually been ten years not 1 - which is a great thing. Time goes by so quickly blah blah blah but Katie and I certainly do try to fill our time - maybe when we are 50 we will have a lie in and do nothing but until then it's onwards and upwards.
We really miss you all lots and we do think about you all an awful lot (even more so since Katie visited you all), we also now have photos up on the wall (finally) of everyone back home - we've had empty photo frames on the wall for a while - we ordered photos but they went missing in the post but we have them now and it's great to see everyone back home. If you have any favourite photos of yourself or Scotland then please feel free to post them to us or email them to us and they might make "the wall".
Ok, I will go for now but the very impending next couple of posts will be 1) Katie's trip back home 2) Steph's efforts at growing a moustache for Movember. 3) Wellington firework's extravaganza
Watch this space. (please) ;o)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
our new hoose
http://www.nz.open2view.com/Property/206358
Check out our ridiculously nice new home.............we're not showing off, it's only for three months and we are paying for it! It'll be nice while it lasts though, especially with our summer around the corner.
;o)
Check out our ridiculously nice new home.............we're not showing off, it's only for three months and we are paying for it! It'll be nice while it lasts though, especially with our summer around the corner.
;o)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
365 days - are you kidding?
Well folks, can you actually believe it's been 365 days exactly since we left sunny Glasgow behind and headed for Thailand, Australia and then onto New Zealand?
Nope, nor can we - and I really think that working has made at least the last 8 of those months disappear way too fast. Flippin' work!
Anyway, in case anyone is really losing sleep with worry about whether we will ever return or not - we'd like to put your mind at rest and say that we are definitely still only visiting NZ and not settling.
To prove this we are moving out of our great flat this weekend and moving house for 3 months to another flat elsewhere in Wellington (pictures to follow). I think we are trying to move as often as possible so that we don't feel settled (or so we get the best deals possible!) And it is definitely working ;o) We have actually lived in 6 different houses in Wellington since arriving in December 08. Couple of drifters that we are!
This is also as good a time as any to say that even though we are having a great time over here and it is everything we wanted it to be - we both miss home lots and we think about our friends and family every single day. We can't wait to see you all again and I (Steph) for one really miss the streets of Glasgow (crazy I know). Thanks to you all for keeping in touch and helping us out here and there when things go wrong back home that we can't fix it from here. Thanks for all the birthday and Christmas gifts that you have sent - they have all been very much appreciated.
Lastly, an apology (not always a strong finish to a blog entry I know but bare with me here) - sorry for not being in touch with everyone more regularly via the telephone and emails etc. it doesn't mean we are not thinking about home - it's just that with 6 house moves and various crazy holidays we sometimes don't have the energy to write lots of emails or stay up late to call home.
All the best everyone, Slainte Mhath
Steph and Katie.
Nope, nor can we - and I really think that working has made at least the last 8 of those months disappear way too fast. Flippin' work!
Anyway, in case anyone is really losing sleep with worry about whether we will ever return or not - we'd like to put your mind at rest and say that we are definitely still only visiting NZ and not settling.
To prove this we are moving out of our great flat this weekend and moving house for 3 months to another flat elsewhere in Wellington (pictures to follow). I think we are trying to move as often as possible so that we don't feel settled (or so we get the best deals possible!) And it is definitely working ;o) We have actually lived in 6 different houses in Wellington since arriving in December 08. Couple of drifters that we are!
This is also as good a time as any to say that even though we are having a great time over here and it is everything we wanted it to be - we both miss home lots and we think about our friends and family every single day. We can't wait to see you all again and I (Steph) for one really miss the streets of Glasgow (crazy I know). Thanks to you all for keeping in touch and helping us out here and there when things go wrong back home that we can't fix it from here. Thanks for all the birthday and Christmas gifts that you have sent - they have all been very much appreciated.
Lastly, an apology (not always a strong finish to a blog entry I know but bare with me here) - sorry for not being in touch with everyone more regularly via the telephone and emails etc. it doesn't mean we are not thinking about home - it's just that with 6 house moves and various crazy holidays we sometimes don't have the energy to write lots of emails or stay up late to call home.
All the best everyone, Slainte Mhath
Steph and Katie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)