Hi, we're back to provide a couple of weeks worth of updates. Still kickin' it in Kaikoura. (so don't expect much exciting in this update)
Day 85,
Today Andrea got up a little early to do some paperwork for her job at the cafe. After a little breakfast we did our cleaning at the hostel then had a quick shower and some lunch. After lunch we talked with our friends Cally and Fran about moving into a flat together. We have decided that we need to get out of the hostel. It is way too loud and we are getting sick of cleaning. Andrea headed to work after we did a little research into apartments and I headed down to look at Cray Cottage where Cally lives. Along the way I stopped to ask about jobs at a Thai restaurant (no luck). In the evening we relaxed and watched a little television.
Day 86,
Andrea got up early to clean because she had to go to work at the Cafe. I did the normal cleaning shift and relaxed at the lodge waiting for Andrea to come back from her split shift. We spent a couple of hours hanging out together before Andrea headed back to work. I went to the local internet cafe to do a little bit of internet stuff before I headed back to the Dusky to cook dinner and relax.
Day 87,
Andrea went into work, but wasn't feeling well, so she came home and rested. I did my regular bathroom cleaning (actually, I have been doing more bed making lately). See below...
Then went down to talk to Cally about a house that we were going to look at. Andrea was feeling better, so we went to look at the house. The house is rented by a coworker of Andrea named Jana and her husband David. It was a nice house and not too far from town. After our visit Andrea headed to work and I went to the movie store ($1 for old movies every Monday!!). Then I headed down to Cray Cottage to watch a film. Back at the lodge Andrea and I watched another movie before heading to bed.
Day 88,
We woke up and had our typical free breakfast before Andrea headed to coffee training at Hislops and I went to do more cleaning. When Andrea got back we had a nice brunch and hung out with our friends from the Lodge. Then we watched the classic, "Caddyshack". We had some great fish n chips from a new shop just up the road and then watched a movie down at our friend Mickey's flat with our friend Sara. We ended the night doing some laundry and relaxing in our room.
Day 89, (May 20th)
Our last day at Dusky Lodge!!
We woke up had some breakfast and did some cleaning. After completing our last day of cleaning (yippie!!) we packed up our stuff and got ready to head out. We said bye to some friends and got a ride down to our new house. We moved in with Andrea's coworker and her husband. They seem like great people, the house is nice and the price was right. After moving in we unpacked a little then headed down to town to have some lunch and watch some local rugby.
It was really cold and windy, so we didn't stay too long. Instead we headed over to the grocery store to stock up on some good stuff. Back home we made a nice dinner then watched some TV with our new housemates.
Day 90,
We slept really well in our new house. It is really quiet (except for the trains). After a nice breakfast and some e-mailing, Andrea headed to work for a little while. She came home and we had some lunch and watched a movie. Then Andrea headed back to work. I relaxed at home a little longer before heading out to support our friend Jessica as she led a karaoke night at a local pub. After the karaoke I headed down to say hi to some friends at another local pub, then headed up toward Hislops to meet Andrea and walk home with her. We made it home and went to bed.
Day 91,
We slept in and relaxed most of the morning and early afternoon. I took a ride back down to the lumber mill to see if they had any work (no luck). When I got back we watched a movie and then Andrea headed into work and I headed to Cray Cottage to hang out with Fran and Cally. When Andrea finished Fran went and picked her up and we played some cards at their place. We headed home after a game of rummy and hit the sack.
Day 92,
Andrea worked a split shift and I spent most of the day inside relaxing, reading and watching TV. The day was pretty rainy and cold so my only adventure out of the house was to meet Andrea on her way home from her first shift at work to look at running shoes at the local sports store. Nothing in stock, but some coming in soon, not sure if I will get some because they are pretty expensive. Later that evening we just relaxed and took it easy.
Day 93,
Another cold and rainy day. Not much happening again today. Andrea headed to work after a nice breakfast and some internet work. I stayed home reading and relaxing. When Andrea got home we watched her favorite TV shows (Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice).
Day 94,
Andrea had a triple split shift today with a morning meeting then working the lunch shift and the dinner shift (wow!). I had a zero split shift (no job yet). Anyway, we had some breakfast when Andrea got home from her meeting and then I chilled at home while she worked her second shift. I met her at work to get a cup of coffee (free) and walk with her back to our house to get some late lunch. We watched a little TV, then Andrea headed back to work and I stayed at home being productive (not really). After work we watched a movie and relaxed.
Day 95,
One of Andrea's days off so we took advantage. We slept in (fyi sleeping in for me is now sleeping past 9:30 am, it used to be sleeping past 7:30 am) and had a late breakfast. We did some internet stuff and chatted with Jana. She is from the Czech Republic and Jana and David are heading to the Czech in a few weeks for a month. Then we headed out on our bikes to do a big exciting trip to the grocery store (yeah food). After unpacking our groceries we went down to have "a cuppa" (cup of tea or coffee) with Cally and Fran. Then headed back home to have some dinner. After dinner we headed down to one of the local pubs (there are only 3) with Jana and David to compete in Quiz Night. We won (thanks David) and got a $50 bar tab. We finished the night playing pool and drinking our tab.
Day 96,
Andrea's second day off, so we slept in again. The weather was poor, so we spent the day watching movies, TV, relaxing and signing up for Facebook. Yep, we have taken the leap and opened Facebook accounts. We now feel like we are really hip, and in with the in crowd!
Day 97,
No much happening today. We did a little laundry, went to get a couple of things at the grocery store, did some internet stuff and watched a little tele. Then Andrea went to work and I went to look for work (nothing yet). I stopped by Hislops Cafe to get a free coffee and then went home to do a little more internet stuff. When Andrea got home from work we did a little reading then went to bed.
Day 98,
We woke up and had some breakfast before heading down to town to do a little shopping (Queen's birthday weekend, so big sales). Andrea had to head into work, so I walked around town a little more before going to get a free coffee (boy do I love free coffee drinks). After a coffee drink I headed down to Cray Cottage for an adult drink with Fran and Cally. We had a couple drinks then went down to a local pub to listen to and dance to a New Zealand DUB band called Soul System. Andrea came down and met us after work and we had fun enjoying the band and our friends.
Day 99,
We woke up and had a quick breakfast before heading down to "Meatworks" surf location for the O'Neill Coldwater Classic surf competition. It was a little cool and windy, but the suring was awesome.
The competitors had the coolest place to warm up.
It was a nice old bathtub with a bonfire underneath. Way cool.
The surfers also had interesting transportation, living quarters, clothslines...
We had a great time...
and the surfing was really amazing...
including the longboarders...
What a cool competition and what an amazing location...
Unfortunately, Andrea had to head to work, so we went back into town with Fran. Later that afternoon I headed back to the surfing competition and then went over to Cray Cottage for some drinks and cards. Fran went to pick up Andrea after work and we played another game before heading down to a local pub to see what was happening. We were really tired, so we headed home after just a couple of minutes in the bar. What a cool day watching the surfing.
Day 85,
Today Andrea got up a little early to do some paperwork for her job at the cafe. After a little breakfast we did our cleaning at the hostel then had a quick shower and some lunch. After lunch we talked with our friends Cally and Fran about moving into a flat together. We have decided that we need to get out of the hostel. It is way too loud and we are getting sick of cleaning. Andrea headed to work after we did a little research into apartments and I headed down to look at Cray Cottage where Cally lives. Along the way I stopped to ask about jobs at a Thai restaurant (no luck). In the evening we relaxed and watched a little television.
Day 86,
Andrea got up early to clean because she had to go to work at the Cafe. I did the normal cleaning shift and relaxed at the lodge waiting for Andrea to come back from her split shift. We spent a couple of hours hanging out together before Andrea headed back to work. I went to the local internet cafe to do a little bit of internet stuff before I headed back to the Dusky to cook dinner and relax.
Day 87,
Andrea went into work, but wasn't feeling well, so she came home and rested. I did my regular bathroom cleaning (actually, I have been doing more bed making lately). See below...
Then went down to talk to Cally about a house that we were going to look at. Andrea was feeling better, so we went to look at the house. The house is rented by a coworker of Andrea named Jana and her husband David. It was a nice house and not too far from town. After our visit Andrea headed to work and I went to the movie store ($1 for old movies every Monday!!). Then I headed down to Cray Cottage to watch a film. Back at the lodge Andrea and I watched another movie before heading to bed.
Day 88,
We woke up and had our typical free breakfast before Andrea headed to coffee training at Hislops and I went to do more cleaning. When Andrea got back we had a nice brunch and hung out with our friends from the Lodge. Then we watched the classic, "Caddyshack". We had some great fish n chips from a new shop just up the road and then watched a movie down at our friend Mickey's flat with our friend Sara. We ended the night doing some laundry and relaxing in our room.
Day 89, (May 20th)
Our last day at Dusky Lodge!!
We woke up had some breakfast and did some cleaning. After completing our last day of cleaning (yippie!!) we packed up our stuff and got ready to head out. We said bye to some friends and got a ride down to our new house. We moved in with Andrea's coworker and her husband. They seem like great people, the house is nice and the price was right. After moving in we unpacked a little then headed down to town to have some lunch and watch some local rugby.
It was really cold and windy, so we didn't stay too long. Instead we headed over to the grocery store to stock up on some good stuff. Back home we made a nice dinner then watched some TV with our new housemates.
Day 90,
We slept really well in our new house. It is really quiet (except for the trains). After a nice breakfast and some e-mailing, Andrea headed to work for a little while. She came home and we had some lunch and watched a movie. Then Andrea headed back to work. I relaxed at home a little longer before heading out to support our friend Jessica as she led a karaoke night at a local pub. After the karaoke I headed down to say hi to some friends at another local pub, then headed up toward Hislops to meet Andrea and walk home with her. We made it home and went to bed.
Day 91,
We slept in and relaxed most of the morning and early afternoon. I took a ride back down to the lumber mill to see if they had any work (no luck). When I got back we watched a movie and then Andrea headed into work and I headed to Cray Cottage to hang out with Fran and Cally. When Andrea finished Fran went and picked her up and we played some cards at their place. We headed home after a game of rummy and hit the sack.
Day 92,
Andrea worked a split shift and I spent most of the day inside relaxing, reading and watching TV. The day was pretty rainy and cold so my only adventure out of the house was to meet Andrea on her way home from her first shift at work to look at running shoes at the local sports store. Nothing in stock, but some coming in soon, not sure if I will get some because they are pretty expensive. Later that evening we just relaxed and took it easy.
Day 93,
Another cold and rainy day. Not much happening again today. Andrea headed to work after a nice breakfast and some internet work. I stayed home reading and relaxing. When Andrea got home we watched her favorite TV shows (Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice).
Day 94,
Andrea had a triple split shift today with a morning meeting then working the lunch shift and the dinner shift (wow!). I had a zero split shift (no job yet). Anyway, we had some breakfast when Andrea got home from her meeting and then I chilled at home while she worked her second shift. I met her at work to get a cup of coffee (free) and walk with her back to our house to get some late lunch. We watched a little TV, then Andrea headed back to work and I stayed at home being productive (not really). After work we watched a movie and relaxed.
Day 95,
One of Andrea's days off so we took advantage. We slept in (fyi sleeping in for me is now sleeping past 9:30 am, it used to be sleeping past 7:30 am) and had a late breakfast. We did some internet stuff and chatted with Jana. She is from the Czech Republic and Jana and David are heading to the Czech in a few weeks for a month. Then we headed out on our bikes to do a big exciting trip to the grocery store (yeah food). After unpacking our groceries we went down to have "a cuppa" (cup of tea or coffee) with Cally and Fran. Then headed back home to have some dinner. After dinner we headed down to one of the local pubs (there are only 3) with Jana and David to compete in Quiz Night. We won (thanks David) and got a $50 bar tab. We finished the night playing pool and drinking our tab.
Day 96,
Andrea's second day off, so we slept in again. The weather was poor, so we spent the day watching movies, TV, relaxing and signing up for Facebook. Yep, we have taken the leap and opened Facebook accounts. We now feel like we are really hip, and in with the in crowd!
Day 97,
No much happening today. We did a little laundry, went to get a couple of things at the grocery store, did some internet stuff and watched a little tele. Then Andrea went to work and I went to look for work (nothing yet). I stopped by Hislops Cafe to get a free coffee and then went home to do a little more internet stuff. When Andrea got home from work we did a little reading then went to bed.
Day 98,
We woke up and had some breakfast before heading down to town to do a little shopping (Queen's birthday weekend, so big sales). Andrea had to head into work, so I walked around town a little more before going to get a free coffee (boy do I love free coffee drinks). After a coffee drink I headed down to Cray Cottage for an adult drink with Fran and Cally. We had a couple drinks then went down to a local pub to listen to and dance to a New Zealand DUB band called Soul System. Andrea came down and met us after work and we had fun enjoying the band and our friends.
Day 99,
We woke up and had a quick breakfast before heading down to "Meatworks" surf location for the O'Neill Coldwater Classic surf competition. It was a little cool and windy, but the suring was awesome.
The competitors had the coolest place to warm up.
It was a nice old bathtub with a bonfire underneath. Way cool.
The surfers also had interesting transportation, living quarters, clothslines...
We had a great time...
and the surfing was really amazing...
including the longboarders...
What a cool competition and what an amazing location...
Unfortunately, Andrea had to head to work, so we went back into town with Fran. Later that afternoon I headed back to the surfing competition and then went over to Cray Cottage for some drinks and cards. Fran went to pick up Andrea after work and we played another game before heading down to a local pub to see what was happening. We were really tired, so we headed home after just a couple of minutes in the bar. What a cool day watching the surfing.
Fun stuff!! Those surfers look amazing! Thanks for the card & postcard. Sounds like you're in a good routine. Love you- JoAnn
ReplyDeleteFun stuff! Looks like you're in a good routine. And you've got to love that free coffee! Thanks for the card & postcard-- Love you!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn