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Published: September 24th 2006
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Mount Maunganui
A seal sunning himself on rocks 16/9/06
Hi folks me again, sorry it has been a while since I filled in some information for you. Just been busy being lazy. Normal day starts around 10.00 - 10.30 when Aunty Tina phones me from work and I have just got out of bed !!!!!! Could easily get used to this.
I have had an interview for a job this week and should hear before Friday if I have got the job or not. It is in a supermarket and the shifts are 10 hours (aarrgghh). If they don't start till 10.00 I should be OK.
Last Saturday we went off to Mount Maunganui and we were determined to dip our toes in the Pacific. When we arrived the sun was shining so we decided to have a walk around the Mount and then go down to the beach for our picnic. By the time we had walked round, the sun decided to hide behind the clouds and the wind started to blow. So, we had our picnic in the car and watched the clouds roll on by. Toe dipping can wait a bit longer.
After The Mount we decided to visit McLaren Falls, but
Mount Maunganui Again
Me and Uncle Andy with Peter Pan Island in the background because of the lack of rain they have been having the falls were more like trickles, but I have inserted a photo and you can get some idea of what it might look like in the winter.
At the car park there were 6 chickens which are very tame and were obviously used to people being about. They were expecting some food from us but surprisingly there was none left. They followed us as we were walking about and Uncle Andy decided to throw his apple core at them and the biggest one ran off with it, much to the disgust of the other 5. I was creased up laughing watching them. They looked totally hacked off that they all didn't get something to eat. See the photo and see Uncle Andy's face - brilliant.
23/9/06
Went off to Pirongia today to a craft fair. The weather was brilliant and me and Aunty Tina have got red bits to show for it. We never put on sun tan lotion, but you live and learn. There was a Scottish Bagpipe band playing in the street. They all wore 'see you jimmy hats' (tartan hats with ginger hair) and
McLaren Falls
Uncle Andy and his pals !!!! wellies. It was well funny to see them. Uncle Andy didn't do a dance (thank god) but I'm sure there was a small tear in his eyes!! Nothing there that we wanted to buy but the cheeseburger at the end was worth the visit.
24/9/06
The drive today was through farming country and I can tell you this - there are NO sheep in New Zealand - it is all cattle and dairy farming especially in this part. Fed up seeing them!!
We went through a place called Paeroa and they have a drink here called Lemon and Paeroa which is 'World Famous in New Zealand'. Haven't tried it yet. For some strange reason they have put a big bottle of this on show on the High Street - WHY. If I find out I will let you know.
We then went down to Karakahange Gorge. Uncle Andy has been wanting to do this for ages (apparently). It is an old gold mine and a lot of the ruins have been left and it's amazing to see how they got up there. Some bits are steep.
The sun was splitting the skies and we ALL
put sun tan lotion on and Aunty Tina put spray on to stop the stingy things biting her (she was the only one who got bitten ha ha). We had to walk over two suspension bridges not very nice, felt like we were drunk after them. Running over them doesn't help either they move even quicker. Went up some wooden steps into what they called the 'windows'. Dark tunnels with windows cut out so you can see down the river/gorge. Amazing to see but with only one torch which Uncle Andy had in front made it difficult to see. Me and Aunty Tina just laughed our way through and tripped quite a bit. Well funny.
Walked back down and around the top of the river and back to the car park but decided to carry on down and see where it brought us out. Crossed another bridge over the road and went through an old railway tunnel. We could see the light at the top but couldn't seem to get to it. This one was darker than the other one. We eventually found out it was 1 kilometre long (about 0.6 of a mile) and it was uphill. Again
World Famous in NZ
Big Bottle of Lemon & Paeroa and Me and Uncle Andy Uncle Andy had the torch at the front and we just struggled on behind him falling in puddles and ruts the old railway line had left behind. There were some kids in there who thought it would be fun to make ghost noises - not funny. Then walked back down the other side of the river/gorge back to the car park and eventually had something to eat. Fainting by this stage.
All in all must have been about 5 miles walked today and caught a bit of sun on the arms and face. Must get the shorts out and make you all jealous when I come back with my tan.
Next weekend Uncle Andy is helping someone move house so me and Aunty Tina are going shopping. Just a girlie day out. Will let you know if the shops are any good or am phoning home for a New Look parcel OK.
Will update again next week and will keep you informed on the job front.
Take care.
Ebo xxxxxxxxxx
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sarah jones
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Hi Ebs Glad to hear and see that you are having fun in NZ. Your dad has forwarded the TravelBlog to me so we can all see what you are up to. Hope you find a job soon (your dad's idea). Keep in touch. Love Sarah, Uncle ALi and Aunty Margaret