The continuing saga

I'm begining to think that I'm a very bad blogger....no wait I probably am a very bad blogger. Oh well.....ignoring my blog....ignoring my kids.....just another of my own little quirks.

So where was I? Oh yes In Aukland, NZ and headed to Rotorua, NZ

This was my first experience with hostel living. I soon discovered that the rooms are small and it's like living in a co-ed dorm (which isn't all bad considering my run in with a guy in a towel)

Rotorua is home to a large aboriginal population called the Maori. As such there are many touristy things to do in the area based on their culture. New Zealand is even considered a bi cultural country. So without furthur ado here are a few pix I took while there.



I went to a Maori ceremony and feast cooked in the traditional way called a Hangi. What you see here is a Maori challenge of peace.



Got to go 65 metres below sea level while caving.



This is Nigel, he was my guide for my white water rafting adventure.



Visited a geothermal spa called Hell's Gates. Had the most wonderful mud bath....you haven't lived until you've had a mud bath.



And since you asked.....yes I did partake in the night life of Rotorua. Although soon after I took this the grumpy security guard told me to get down off the bench.

Now where is the knitting and the stash enhancement you ask.....it is coming...trust me it IS coming.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Reports from Down Under...part one

Since Kathy asked.....

My journey Down Under was like no other experience I've ever had. I don't want to say that it was a once in a lifetime event as I plan on returning to my beloved Australia in the not so distant future. I also plan to continue to enjoy life to the fullest and have many more amazing adventures.

First stop Aukland, New Zealand. My aunt lives there and I wanted to spend time visiting her. I didn't see much of the city as much of my time was spent with my aunt. This is something that I've been meaning to do for a long time.

Our first stop was the Sky Tower. The tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. I took quite a lot of photos of the city from the top of this tower including (what I've been told are really scary) these two.

Afterwards, while taking photos of the tower from the outside, I started up a conversation with a total stranger. You will find that this is normal for me and something that I do frequently. Turns out this guy, Matt, is from the same city that I am.

Aukland is a great city and deserved more of my time, but since I did not have the luxury to be a casual tourist, I could not afford more than three days. In that time I did some bush walking, ocean swimming, sight seeing and some wandering around the city on my own.

What is New Zealand without a sheep picture???

Next time.....Rotorua, New Zealand

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

The Crash of the Clash

I had such high hopes for this movie, Clash of the Titans. It had everything going for it. The movie had everything it needed: great actors, timeless story, good special effects and a gorgeous Aussie accent. But somehow when you put all those components together something happened. The movie fell short of something great. I really can't describe it.

Towards the end I really didn't care if Andromeda was saved or if Perseus made it out of Medusa's lair. It didn't matter to me if Hades defeated Zeus or not and if Argos was destroyed by the Kraken....oh well. Not even being in 3-D helped this movie especially since it cost more for admission.

I really wanted to see this movie because, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, I really like the 1981 version of Clash of the Titans with none other than Harry Hamlin. The acting was bad and over the top but at least I cared about the characters.

But what really ruined this movie for me, what really took the cake, what, to this day, makes my blood boil at the thought of wasting 106 minutes on this movie is.......I forgot to bring a knitting project with me to work on while I watched the movie.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Pacific

Kia Ora (translation-hello)
Guess where I am......hahahaha....Aukland NZ. I am having a wonderful time and want this vacation to last forever. I suppose everyone says that about their vacations.

Today I swam in the ocean. Now for those not living anywhere near a coast you might understand what a special event this is for me. I grew up on the East Coast of Canada and have lived on the West Coast and have spent many an hour swimming in the ocean. Some may think that the events of today wouldn't mean anything to me.

If you thought that, you couldn't be more wrong. Today I went swimming in the Pacific from the other side. This water was special, this water belonged to New Zealand and the Kiwis were gracious enough to share their little slice of heaven with me.

I swam, I floated and turned all pruney. I parked myself on my towel to let the sun dry me off and then I fell asleep.

Yeah...big mistake.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

There are times in life when I lack the words to describe how I feel. This is one of those times.

Tomorrow I will embark on a journey of discovery. I am going through the air, across the country and over the ocean. I am going by myself. Bringing someone with me would only defeat the purpose of the trip.

I want see new lands and meet new people. I want to breathe in the ocean air from the New Zealand side of the Pacific and listen to the music of her people. I want to embrace Australia as my own and feel her earth under my feet.

To experience all that travel has to offer and hear the stories of the people is something I long to do. So tomorrow I start down the road, hopefully to a better understanding of the world around me and possible of myself.

Pictures will be taken and socks will be knit. Friendships will be renewed and created. Memories that last a lifetime will be made.

And if I'm very lucky, when I get home, I won't find that the kids have taken over the house with DH cowering in a corner.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

A tail of Two Kitties

Against all logic and massive allergies, last June DH decided that we needed to get a cat. I really wish that he would let me sit down when making these types of announcements. I am worried about possible brain damage because I hit my head on the floor when I go crashing to the ground.

The mom of one of the teen's friends told us about a neighbour with kittens to give away. So the arrangements were made in secret and DH and I went the following Saturday under the guise of grocery shopping. He wanted a female kitten and they had two left, both female. He chose one and I jokingly said "let's take both".

I feel at this point I must interrupt and remind everyone that despite being a bonafide ogre, DH is an animal lover, through and through. So after chatting with the owners of the mama cat he broke down and said, "we might as well take both".

So I scooped up both kittens, stuck them in the box and ran to the car before he had the chance to change his mind.

At first the kittens, named Picasso and Monet, spent their nights in the basement then it was the garage for their nocturnal frolics. As we live in the boonies, it was DH's plan all along to have the cats play rodent control and so far they have done their job very well. Being litter mates the two were extremely attached and rarely left each other's side. The kids were over the moon about adding to the zoo and the kittens have become apart of the family. Regularly they could be found sleeping with one of the kids or getting chased by an irate knitter with a tangled mess of yarn.

This tale does not have a happy ending I'm afraid. Living in the country, there are rodents but there are also larger, more dangerous creatures. We have not seen Monet in over 36 hours and there are strange tracks on our property. There were sobs and tears this morning and quiet reflexion this afternoon. Now there is acceptance.

Monet

Monet and Picasso having a nap

It is something that we must deal with living out here in the boonies but doesn't get any easier. Goodbye Monet, we love you.

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

My new toy

Yup....Even I can not resist peer pressure forever. As much as I wanted to remain strong and stand firm in the belief, that I could live without the bonds placed on society, by the evil empire, called telecommunications. I didn't need a cell phone. I was living life to the fullest without a cell phone. The one time in my life when a cell phone could have come in handy I had three men drive by me, stop and ask if they could call someone to help get me out of the ditch.

But then last week happened. The universe spun around a little too quickly and I had to jump on the cell phone bandwagon. I was more than 45 minutes late to pick up DD #2 from school. I was in the middle of nowhere because some brilliant person (oh wait I was the only on in the car at the time) decided to take back roads instead of the highway. If I had a cell, I could have called the school and let them know that I was on my way. Instead I made the principal and a teacher stay the extra 45 minutes without any idea that I was actually coming to get her.

So I researched my options online and talked to the guy at work whose sole purpose in life is to communicate on his cell. I found a basic phone, a good service provider, a monthly plan that is reasonably priced and is good value for the money. And to top it all off, my phone is RED!!!!!

But the best part of all is......the phone came with a free knitting bag.

That's what its for....isn't it???

Until next time

Yours in Yarn

The Fibreholic