Road Trip

Rosie has been super pooped and a little less shiny. 
Work is crazy and pushing my very small limits.
So rather than sleep for two days this week, I brought Penfold for a Road Trip up north.
We both loved the drive, roaring around long sweeping bends with a backdrop its hard to believe isn't a painting.
Sitting at lunch time with wine and my book, bliss.  But not as much as visiting Thermal pools, like sitting in a bath in the sunshine!  I kept almost falling asleep and came out so relaxed I was space cadet number one.

Eating out on my own was always something I enjoyed and has been a while.  Its fascinating watching how other people behave and interact when out for dinner.  Laughing to myself how rude and arrogant people are to people who are just doing there job. I just feel sorry for them, they lose so much being that way.  But contrasted by lovely kind, laid back people who arn't self important,  seeing the glow around them.  It was like watching a play from the back seats, love it, people are fascinating.

A playing kitten and tortured mum wandering around the resturant.  One of the waitresses telling me how much she liked my skirt, that she saw me earlier and was admiring it.  Dipping in and out of the world in my book to the world I'm in, perfect.

The mountains here are glorious and regal, they are always there, no matter what is put in front of them.  Like a deep soulful place, just out of reach, always seeming far away.

So my second day off will be filled with a walk (meander), brunch and the smile inducing drive back down to the penninsula.
To what feels like home at the moment. 

I feel slightly discombobulated at the moment.  I can't work it out in my head or write it down, so hopefully the spin cycle will sort it.  I guess its just down to so many new things a big change in life and discovering the real Rosie.  All good and realising thelovely happy thing still will bend and bow in the wind.

Over and out Rxx

The Dream

I have been in Akaroa a month, it is stunningly beautiful and it is not wearing thin.
I thank everyday for being here, feeling so lucky and very happy indeed.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day, roasting hot, the sky deep blue, the ocean sparkling and the mountains shining in their green glory.

I enjoyed a yummy ice cream on the beach:

I made a picnic and headed off to a little cove for the evening:

I am still working hard but loving it and who wouldn't working somewhere like this, or not like this but this:

Loving life here and savouring every moment.  Everything seems to have slipped into place here and however long that lasts it feels great.

Rxxx

Akroa does Africa

Everyone knows about it, but no one really knows why or how or who.  But someone has created this amazing sculpture and plopped it on a hill just outside of town

.

He is so awesome, down to the gear stick for his tial and the birdie on his head.  Spent ages working out all the different parts that had been used.  Very tempting to make friends for him.
Apparently there is a Giraffe somewhere, but no one seems to know where..............

Rxxx

Firsts

New world, New year, New things;

Eating Paua
Kayaking
Watching the stars on the roof of a house
Seeing a Rhino in NZ
Making a Latte

Other awesome things;

Walking to work along the beach
Having a Maori Tattoo designed for me
Sitting on the wharf watching the sun set
Drinking fizzy wine in bed in the middle of the afternoon
Hearing the waves lapping
Baking food for paying customers

Content and warmed

Rxxx

Rosies day Off

A Day off work in Akaroa look s a bit like this...........

R xxx

Coromandel Pics

Nzmas

I have popped my Southern Hemisphere Xmas cherry.
It was a most pleasant pop!

Have to admit to slightly dreading xmas, as its a wobbly time for me, but decided I can just treat it like any other day, just enjoy a day off work.  That I did, the sun was shining bright, the sea a glistening, so a day at the beach was had.  It is a mere hop across the road, so when it got too hot, could pop back for a snooze!  I had a good swim in the ocean, which wasn't at all too cold.  There is little platform that you climb onto to have wee rest, which was a nice little meeting spot, everyone happy to be playing in the sun between face stuffing sessions.  I viewed a 'sport' I have to say was a new one on me.........a jet ski, a man attached to a long hose, powerful jets of water and man is pushed up into the air.  Most odd, slightly reminded me of Inspector Gadget, but with added face planting. 

In the evening we had a bbq, which was lovely.  I purchased some most tasty Chorizo sausages from the butchers and we all made a dish.  I then fancied a walk on the beach to clear my head and ended up on the wharf with a group of peeps playing guitar and singing with lightening glowing in the mountains surrounding us, a lovely way to see out the day. 

Akaroa is a beautiful spot,  a nice wee town and stunning views from work.  It is taking me a wee while to settle again, I haven't really met any locals mostly travellers, its quite touristy and I miss Corromandel!  I know it just takes me a while, once I have somewhere to live and made a few friends I will be all good and feel less out on a limb!  I have been here nearly a week now, I am sitting watching the dramatic weather come in over the mountain behind the hostel.  Yesterday was 27+ degrees today its rainy and tomorrow a max of 14 degrees!  Crazy country. 

Its good to be working, less than a week of not working was sending me funny, seems my brain needs to be occupied or it goes into melt down mode trying to entertain itself!  Its a nice cafe I work at, right on the water, I can hear the waves crashing in under the cafe when in its quiet and surrounded by stunning mountainous views.  Its a bust spot, on the go from start to finish, but busy is good and being chucked in the deep end has its benifits once bunny has removed itself from headlights!
I thought I may be just washing up wench, but have actually done mostly front of house, learnt new stuff already.  I served drinks for the first time and can work the till (mostly), there have been some crazed beeping moments when the till has a liitle moment, user error I'm totally sure.  But I'm workung on the principle if you smile sweetly, most people will overlook the incompetence!  Actually been quite pleased with myself.

Xmas wildlife spot - a huge eel type thing swimming in the stream flowing under the hostel. Gi huge he was.
Hilarious work moment - walking into kitchen, to be told to turn around, a colleague with a tissue, to be told I had bird crap all down my back!  He kindly cleaned me up!  I wonder how long it would haventaken for a customer to tell me! 

The question still remains, is this good luck?

Rxxx