Singapore

Well here we are again, back in Singapore and ready for the last leg home.     I think I am ready to go home as little things are getting on my nerves here, such as waiting for a long time for the hot water to come through, the room card not working properly in the lift, and the internet connection in the room not working at all.   I am currently sitting in the restaurant, using the Wi Fi connection for one hour.    One must not grumble!    

We have done a little shopping.   Retail therapy.   Walter has finally bought the camera he has always really wanted.    Hopefully he will let me put some of his photos onto the blog.   I bought a computer bag to replace my old faithful one, which in the end could not cope with the weight of all the charges and cords, which came apart on the trip through New Zealand.    

I am eating my favourite food, roti prata dipped into curry sauce.    We are eating this tonight as well.

 Raffles Hotel, such memories there.

 A typical Singapore street, lots of traffic moving fast, and freely.  

 Raffles City Shopping Centre, built on reclaimed land.    Shopping paradise.

And tomorrow, it will be back to London.    Minus some clothes.    How can one lose four shirts and two sun frocks!    And I have no idea where they are.    Somewhere in NZ, is about the closest I can get.
   
Looking forward to seeing our family.   And the UK in all its early Spring glory.

Travelling to Christchurch

We reluctantly said goodbye to Gordon and Margaret, then set off towards Christchurch, travelling over the hills to Blenheim, and then down the coast via Kaikoura to Christchurch.    A picturesque journey, typical of New Zealand.

After we left Blenheim, we noticed the hills of Malborough were very dry and brown, which reminded me so much of the hills surrounding McLaren Vale in South Australia.    Both excellent wine growing areas.   Obviously the combination of cold winters and hot dry summers suit the grapes.

 As in the lower hills of South Australia, the green of the vines contrast with the brown hills.

 Morning coffee!     Hurray we said.  A picturesque stop.   The old railway tearooms converted into a cafe.  Note the Coca Cola bill board, and the painted toilets.   All very colourful.    The coffee was not good though.    I suppose you get a dud one every now and again.

 The sea and mountains.    The road follows the railway line through the area around Kaikoura.   So beautiful.     We had our last feed of blue cod and chips in Kaikoura.    They lived up to our expectations.

We could not resist stopping to look at the seals.    Always a highlight on this road.

 And finally we stopped at the city centre in Christchurch.    A very sad stop.    It looked as if the city had been caught in a war.    For those people who do not come from New Zealand, imagine that the complete centre of the city where you live has been nearly destroyed and is currently behind high fences. Very distressing, and Christchurch used to be called the Garden City, but not any more.    The buildings behind this fence are only a small proportion of the total area.    The buildings that are remaining have yet to be pulled down or tested to see if they can with stand more earthquakes.   The flowers on the fence, as with the many other flowers around, are left behind after the memorial service last Wednesday.

 These buildings are outside the centre zone, but are still being demolished.

 It would appear that the roof of this church is going to be saved.

Then we went to visit my Aunt and Uncle, Bill and Muriel, who are thankful that they live on solid ground near the airport.     All the same they have just had their front room and kitchen repaired and painted.

And yesterday we said a sad farewell to New Zealand, and left by plane, bound for Singapore.

Out and about in Nelson

Tomorrow we leave Nelson, but before we head off back down to Christchurch, here a few photos from Nelson.

Historic Isel House, set in a very beautiful garden.    The flowers are marigolds, with the Nelson emblem and borders planted in parsley.    Very unusual but very effective.

 Yesterday it rained and rained and rained.   No landslides in the hills, thank goodness.   Nelson had many major landslides at the end of last year, and many people have still not returned to their houses.

However, the gardens are badly in need of some rain.    And the plants in Margaret and Gordon's garden has certainly loved the rain.    They all look much perkier today.

 The main street of Nelson in the rain.

 And looking towards the Cathedral, through heavy rain.

Today we went to see 'The Big Kiwi".    A very magnificent specimen, the bird that is, not us.

 We then visited Eyebright, to have a look at the gardens and shop.     The ducks below are real!

 Margaret posing in front of the roses.  

 These scarecrows are so attractive I think they will attract the birds rather than scare them off.

 Then Neville came around for dinner, and could not resist trying out the plastic gun, which is used to swat flies.  

And tomorrow it is ever onwards.   The trip is nearly coming to an end, sadly.

Bowls revisited

Here we are again, playing bowls.   Same game, same rules, same characters, but different location.    This time we visited Bowls Tahunanui in Nelson.     Again a beautiful location, with a very green backdrop behind it.

I am becoming familiar with the terms; bowl, roll up, rink, jack or kitty, ditch, green and if you are up or down, depending on whose bowls are closest to the jack.   I no longer say things like pitch, ball, or gutter.   I think I can even hold the bowl correctly, kneel and smoothly (or not) let the bowl slide from my hand.   I understand that you need to aim the bowl at a point that is some distance away from the jack, depending on the wind, surface or any other obstacle that may affect the curve of the bowl.   

But I just wish the bowl would roll to the place that I am aiming for, rather than curve too far, too soon or too late, or land in the ditch at the back.  

The bright and perfect artificial green, edged on two sides with manicured conifers.   Too beautiful to use.

 The clubhouse, where post mortems about games are held.     The rolled grass green in front.    I am sure this green was built on a slight slope, as my bowls always seem to curve around and roll into the corners on the first rink.

 We had one practice roll up with Gordon on Monday, and then put our names down for the club roll up on Tuesday.    Luckily we were in Gordon's team.    This was especially needed as Gordon managed to score most of the points for us.    A roll up is not tobacco, or anything more adventurous, rolled up in paper, although you might need this when your bowls go in directions not intended.   A roll up in bowls is where people turn up at a club for a friendly afternoon game of bowls.   No competition or prizes.    I thought I needed to point this technical term out for anyone who is not familiar with the game.  

Walter looking the part with his hat from Victoria, Australia, donated by Rudolf.   Walter even looks like his brother, Rudolf, in this picture.   He would have liked to play like Rudolf too.   Sadly this was not to be so.   I am dressed in my more conservative outfit as I was desperate to 'blend' in.

 This is definitely the correct pose, but sadly it did not guarantee that the bowl would land in the correct spot.   In fact my best bowl was when I hit the bowl of a player in the next rink.   The bowls hit mid green, and went off in opposite directions.     The player was not amused, as he was playing in a competition.     Unfortunately the incident sent me into a fit of giggles, which I tried to suppress of course. This did not help my level of concentration.      

 By the evening, after a couple of glasses of wine, I sat on the couch and reflected on the events of the afternoon.    It is very difficult to reflect and smile at the same time.   The consequence is smirking rather than reflecting.     What is there to smirk about, when you still cannot get the bowl to go where you want it too.

But I intend to keep trying to perfect my ability in achieving the perfect curve, in bowls, that is.  

Hanmer Springs

Last Thursday we made our way up through the centre of the South Island, via the Lindis Pass, the McKenzie country, Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo until we came to Geraldine.  Still no views of Mt Cook, elusive behind heavy clouds.    

The McKenzie country, once the home to thousands of sheep, is now full of cows, ruining the beautiful countryside.    Dairy farming is big business in NZ, due to China buying the powdered milk.    Now cows dominate, where once the sheep outnumbered the people.   The roads are full of Fontera trucks collecting the milk, and the water ways are full of cow poo.    A sad state of affairs, but it keeps the NZ economy afloat (in money, not cow poo).

We did not get lost either, mainly due to there being only one road north.    Although once I did turn off the main road in Omarama, due to being desperate for coffee, and did not notice that I had turned a corner.   So after drinking the coffee I continued along the road.   Unfortunately it was going east towards Oamaru and I did not realise this until some time had passed.     Maybe coffee affects my mind.   It is possible!

We love Geraldine, or at least the cafe behind the wool shop.    Delightful garden, good food and excellent coffee.   We then set off very carefully on the scenic route, mindful that coffee may affect my mind and we could end up in Westland.    This very scenic road took us past the mountains, including Mount Hutt, and around to Amberley.    We bypassed Christchurch, and any threat of earthquakes, although you are never safe from them, anywhere in NZ.     

Finally we took the road to Hanmer Springs, to meet up with Margaret and Gordon, and to enjoy a pleasant two days soaking in the hot springs.   The journey took us nearly 9 hours.

We awoke to glorious weather, and headed off for coffee, and a spot of shopping.    Margaret needed a new swim suit (I will not include the price she paid), and I added yet another dress to my collection.

 The weather continued to be glorious for the two days we were there, and it was tempting to jump into a cold pool rather than the hot pools, as the day very warm.  But the therapy was in the hot pools, and this is what we were seeking.

 Walter and I relaxing in the pool, temperature in this pool was about 38 degrees.

 Margaret and I sunning ourselves, before plunging into the pool.  

 We decided that a game of mini golf was also a healthy activity.     Margaret chose me as a partner, which was a bad decision on her part, as I could not hit the ball into the holes and we lost drastically.   And she did not complain either.    A loving sister.

Walter hitting a winning ball.

 Margaret hitting a winning ball.

I am not hitting a winning ball.  I am concentrating though.   Perhaps it was the wrong dress, or the jandals (NZ), or that I am trying to balance on the wooden edge.    Still, I am confident, that with practise, I will be a challenge for Tiger Woods soon.

Sadly there are no action photos of Gordon, due to Margaret and Walter complaining that they do not look so good in his photo.   Spoil sports.

Then on Sunday we reluctantly left, and travelled to Nelson, stopping for coffee at Maruia Springs.   And what a surprise, we thought we had taken the wrong road and landed in Japan.    The resort is owned by a Japanese company, and they have changed the decor accordingly.    The coffee was very good.

 A view of the individual rooms, each complete with its own spa.

 The drive back, was again very scenic.    We are tailing Margaret and Gordon, who are leading the way.   There is only one road, although I suppose you could turn off towards Greymouth at Springs Junction.

And now we are in Nelson, ready to tackle bowls.

Wanaka

After leaving Clyde, we travelled through the valley, alongside the huge waterway, that is now part of the Lake Dunstan.    Before the hydro electric dam was built in Clyde this was a very deep valley with a small river at the bottom.    The remainder of Lake Dunstan is by the new town of Cromwell, the old town is under the lake of course.    It is still very beautiful countryside.    We stopped at Cromwell, the home of the 'Big Fruit', for a small black coffee and a fruit ice cream.   Ice cream in this country is very addictive, and  very fattening, as one scoop is always two large scoops.  

When we arrived in Lake Wanaka, we found the place heaving in tourists, and prices high.    I still managed to spend $200 on a fleece jacket, a woollen hat with possum wool in it, and a fine wool cardigan.   I had a great desire to join in the spending spree, and leave some money behind in Wanaka.   

A picture post card view of Wanaka.    The water level is very low, due to lack of rain there.    Brian is sometimes correct when he tells everyone that it never rains in Wanaka. 

 Relaxing in the back garden of Brian and Susanne's garden.  

 The luxurious apartment that they rent out, which is part of their Bed and Breakfast business.

 A view of their walkway.

One of Brian's many sculptures and art pieces in the garden.

 

More views of the garden, are available on their website, which I think is www.collinsons cottages.co.nz.   It is a marvellous place to stay, great hospitality and wonderful gardens.  

Clyde

Last Sunday (8 days ago) we left Invercargill and headed towards the sunshine in Clyde, Central Otago.   This was not exactly true as we left the sun shining way down south too.   But Central Otago is definitely warmer.   No one can deny that as a fact.

On the way we stopped in Gore for a welcome cup of coffee, before we took the correct road to Clyde.   Last time we took the first road, ignoring signs of course, and headed east.    We travelled along the road for some time before we realised it was not the correct road    All due to my trying to invent the correct place names for the incorrect road.   No sense on dwelling on past mistakes, and the fact that we arrived at David and Catherine's for a very late lunch.    But last Sunday we were fired up with with an enthusiastic zeal for accuracy.   So we took the second road, there being only two roads to chose from anyway.

But before we set off, a photograph of the 'big fish' was a must.    The river running through Gore, is well known for brown trout fishing.

 Central Otago is known for its fruit growing, and at this time of year there was an abundance of plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots.    Yummy.    So we bought a few kilos of apricots from this huge container.   I have never seen so many apricots!   All waiting for jam making and preserving and eating.    When we got to Clyde we found they were only $1.40 kg.      We should have waited.    I wish I could have taken some back to the UK.    No nectarines for me though, after a session of cold sores on my bottom lip, through eating too many nectarines.    They were the ones hanging over the fence of the walk way by Darren's house.    Stolen fruit?

 After greeting David and Catherine, we set off to have a look at their new holiday house, which they have purchased, but is currently being used as a show home at the moment.   It is light and airy and so new.    One day they hope to live in it permanently, but in the meantime it will be a very comfortable holiday house for them and their family.

 Walter looking very comfortable in the lounge room.

 The ensuite bathroom in the main bedroom.    Very smart.

The main bedroom has windows on three sides of the room, which magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

 Already settled in!     Unfortunately the furniture belongs to the building firm, who are displaying the home.

 But back to their current holiday home, which is currently for sale.    A view across the garden to the comfortable chairs on the back verandah.

 The studio flat at the end of their garden.   A lovely sunny spot.

 We went out for lunch at The Orchard, a lovely restaurant set amongst gardens that seems to be modelled on Sissinghurst.    Long paths, enclosed with hedges and vistas at the end.   The owners assured us the garden was their own creation.

 David and I taking a moment to sit in the sunshine and enjoy the garden.

 Admiring the plants.

 We also went for a drive up into the hills above Alexandra.    The area was covered in pine trees which are not native.    Together with the pine trees and rock outcrops we thought we were in the Rockies in America.   We expected to see cowboys ride over the ridges any minute.

 A lovely crop of thistles.    They looked beautiful in the sunshine.

 A collection of rabbit holes, certainly not a native of NZ.    Very much a pest in fact.    We should have gone rabbit shooting!

 Where am I?    I have been in the UK for twenty years and have never seen a hedgehog, and here was one in David and Catherine's garden.

Pine trees, rabbits, thistles and hedgehogs!    NZ has been invaded!