Week 18

Sunday 19th March. Back painful. Not up to doing much apart from take it easy. Rob back from Pahia. Thinking of something to write! How about Possums! They were introduced into The country back in the 1800's. Someone thought it a good idea to breed them for their fur. Not a good idea! Unlike their "home", in Australia, New Zealand has no natural predators. They were declared a pest in the 1940's and in the 80's there were about 50 million, yes 50 million of the little critters. The population is now down to 30 million. They eat leaves and buds always going for the freshest new growth. They take over the habitats of birds. They can decimate large areas of forest Cullen Street sunset Cullen Street sunset . They can also carry bovine TB. A lot of damage caused by these cute looking marsupials. As they are nocturnal they are rarely seen apart from road kill of which there are many. We don't have to drive very far before we see one lying at the side of the road. Monday 20th March Foggy autumnal morning. Another resting day! Monday morning is generally house keeping day. I was able to do my jobs and N got the vac out as usual. Being a nice, compact little abode it's easy to keep clean and tidy. Had thought of going to the beach in the afternoon but really didn't feel up to it. Tuesday 21st March First day of Spring/ Autumn depending on which hemisphere one is in. Windy day. Had visit in the afternoon from Jill and John. Our friends from Matakana who exchanged houses with on our last trip. Good to catch up with them, spent a pleasant afternoon chatting Town Basin, Whangerei Town Basin, Whangerei . Back improving slightly. Wednesday 22nd March. Rain overnight. Still quite windy. Cards pm. I took chair and pillow so was able to sit pretty comfortably. I partnered Margaret and N was partnered with Len. Len valiantly tried to impress the "three fundamentals" of the game into N but afraid he was on a lost cause ! Lots of laughs. Thursday 23rd March. Day out to Whangerai. Rather cloudy and showery but eventually weather improved. Parked at the Town Basin. Strolled around there and looked at shops. Had lunch at the Serenity restaurant which Margaret had recommended to us. Very nice portion of snapper with chips. Looked in the information centre and then into adjoining ceramic gallery. An exhibition of lighting work which was very impressive. Back to the car and did a shop at New World before leaving for the journey home. Stopped for a short break at Langs Beach. Beautiful, no wonder it is an expensive area to live. Friday March 24th. I went into the library in the afternoon. I'm really going to miss having all these books. Back to downloading onto the Kindle when we leave! Rob back with Jonny about 7.30. Sat out on the deck and chatted. Still mosquitos about so long trousers and sleeves. Saturday March 25th Town Basin, Whangerei Town Basin, Whangerei . Rob to work. I heard him in the showers and then went back to sleep until 9.30am! Jonny still asleep, sat out on deck and had breakfast. Jonny woke at 10.15. Jonny and I went into the Heads to see if he could have a haircut but they were booked up. Shame as he really does need a cut! Then into Mangawhai to the weekly market. Back home played cards. Rob back 1.30. More cards. Jonny and watched programme about super yachts. Rob and Jonny went to shops. Rob started preparing for evening meal. We are expecting Danni and Dan so doing roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. Watched programme about shark fishing. Meat in and veg prepared we sat on the deck and had aperos. Danni and Dan expected 7-7.30 and they arrived 8.45! Rob did a sterling job getting the timing right for the meal. Brought table in as it started to rain. Good to see Danni again. Yorkshire puds went down well!