Another small trip
Well Judith and I had a few days leave owing to us so we decided to pack up things for 10 days and just travel...yeah that was the theory...the week before we were to go the dive shop asked me if I would run an Advanced Scuba Divers course on the weekend...well I really didn't have a choice so the first 2 days of the holiday were up in Leigh on course...now for some of my mates out there I'll let you know it was tough...of the 5 students, 4 were university students studying marine biology and all were female...thankfully Judith was there to keep them away from me...
After the weekend in Leigh we raced home, threw our clothes through the washing machine and dryer...repacked our dive gear and headed off to Waiheke Island...we met up with my mate Brent and his wife Rosemary and the kids...Brent wanted us to check out some scallop sights for fishing...we dived on 4 sights and brought back our quota of scallops, some mussels, a heap of cockels and just missed a few crayfish...we had a nice relaxing bbq and a few wines along with excellent company...very sad to leave Waiheke after only a few days...
On returning to Auckland we did the clothes shuffle and threw all our gear back in the washing machine and dryer...repacked the car less dive gear and just headed off...no set destination, just driving...
2nd Christmas in NZ
Well it has been a little while since we updated this site so will try not to bore any of you too much...
December started with Ties and Lies sending us gifts and lots of things about the Netherlands and the Dutch people for "Sinter Klaas" which is celebrated on the 5th december...the bottom photo shows Judith opening pressies like a 8 year old...big grin on her face and a hunger for the chocolate she knew was wrapped up in there somewhere...thanks Ties and Lies...XXX
Christmas was a reasonably quiet time with both of us working although Judith had to work most of the public holiday days...while I slept at home...She finally got a real Christmas tree which she decorated and took great delight in turning on the lights each night..the new year was spent with a few mates from my work around for a bbq and the obligatory few drinks...we then proceeded into the city to the pub for a few more and to watch the firework erupt from Sky Tower...after watching fireworks displays in Sydney the Sky tower display was pretty boring.
New Years day saw Judith off to work and me off to do a 24hour duty on a Coastguard vessel...it was interesting and fun but not really my cup of tea...too many yachties and not really what I was expecting...not too bad though...
Our intrepid adventurer Lesley...yes the same one from Paihia...is living in the Carribbean on a liveaboard dive boat as the instructor...she dropped in for a few drinks and stayed a night telling us all about what she is doing now...Judith and I almost told her to sign us up and we would catch the flight back to work with her...unfortunately we have too many financial commitments here to just drop our jobs and go....(sigh)
The new year has started with a good feeling so we hope that it continues that way...we also hope the new year brings all of you the dreams you wish for...
Love Rob and Judith XXX
