Am back from my blog-free sojourn in N.Z. I was kept so busy visiting various in-laws and out-laws I didn't really miss the daily posts - not writing mine or reading others. I became part of their sedate and unchanging world and I think if I had tried to excuse myself to go off for a quick blog, they would have thought I was using an Aussie term for a bodily function.
Took very few holiday snaps. It would be impossible to beat the photos on the N.Z. tourist brochures. But after our drought I so enjoyed the green of the countryside, and the vivid colours of the rhododendrons and other unfamiliar shrubs.
Walking around the hilly suburbs of Wellington's harbour - where almost every house has a millionaire's view - is a delight. The downside to that, of course, is that they have terrible access to and from their homes. Negotiating the steep, narrow and winding streets is a nightmare; with parked cars on either side and barely a single car lane left between, it took a while before I could work out which was the correct side of the road, as everyone is forced to drive in the centre. But when a vehicle comes from the other direction, one or other will politely back away to allow the other to pass. No wonder those compact cars are so popular!
Enjoyed a recently produced Kiwi movie while I was there - 'The Fastest Indian in the World' starring Anthony Hopkins. Unlikely to be an award winner, but worth seeing; Hopkins is always good and this role was very different from others he's been in.
Some stiff breezes on my last day reminded me why they refer to it as 'Wundy Wullington'. And that's probably why no-one even noticed the 3 earthquakes recorded in the city the previous day - their buildings are being constantly buffeted by the wind.
Came home to find the place much greener than when left. Amazing how quickly the grass and shrubs recover after a shower of rain. Also amazing how quickly we fall back into our usual routines after being away.
Welcome back, Jude! Um..who took care of the cat while you were gone?
Posted by: pat | November 05, 2005 at 09:31 AM
Welcome home Jude. Has your accent chunged?
Posted by: Tjilpi | November 05, 2005 at 10:05 AM
Negotiating the sttep and winding roads must be worth it if that is their view!
Posted by: kenju | November 05, 2005 at 01:19 PM
Welcome home and to blogsphere Jude! What a beautiful view!
Posted by: Sonia | November 05, 2005 at 08:59 PM
Welcome back. We missed you!
Posted by: Jerry | November 06, 2005 at 02:43 PM
Oh Jude, I am such a dill. For weeks every time I checked your blog it would come up at your last posting before going away. Here it is 18/11 and I've only just realised that you are back. Glad you had such a wonderful time. Talking of windy Wellington reminds me of when my husband and I were on our honeymoon in NZ (38 years ago - we arrived there the day Harold Holt (Aussie PM) drowned), we wanted to take photos from the top of Mt. Victoria. It was so windy that we had to hold each other up so that we had any chance of taking the shot.
Posted by: Alice | November 18, 2005 at 09:06 PM