Day7 rolls into 8

Driving, there is something disconcerting about realizing I am on the wrong side of the road as someone approaches me. Augh! Luckily I am choosing to drive narrow windy roads without much traffic. The views are spectacular, I am inclined to stop frequently so not making much progress. Went for a delightful swim this morning, then continued north into the Bay of Islands,past Frenchman's Swamp and on to Russel where I posted a letter. Took a short ferry ride to Opua then got fuel in Paihia. Then visited the Waitangi treaty grounds. Maori canoes were impressive, one holds 160 , 80 paddlers. I visited the building honouring all the Maori signatories ( I think) amazing carvings inside. I was so amazed I didn't take any pictures... Oh well. Onto another gravel road to Haruru falls and then back onto highway to Puketona. Went into Kerikeri and an organic grower there pointed me to another vista filled drive, better than the last, there just are not enough superlatives folks. OMG this place is stunning! However the number of no camping signs is disappointing, I am currently contemplating a side trip up into Doubtless Bay and another night in a campground. Stuff keeps coming up for me, I am alone by choice and examining deeply the choices I made by coming here. 20 years ago I am sure I would have stayed and rode the wave. Things have changed apparently from the limited challenging struggles to prosperity and easy access to just about everything. I am having trouble defining what it is I am trying to describe, Stephen described it as an insularity and ability to deal with whatever comes along. Me I am on the outside looking in. I am a social being and this forced solitude surrounded by folks who barely see me is challenging. In a good way. My ego could use some humility eh? Yes and this is merely the first week ending here folks, who can say where I will be in a month?
Bless you all,
I have huge gratitude for the love and support I am feeling from my friends and family.
checkout the pictures at Picasa

Hanging out in Albany

Whew! Driving on the right side is challenging. A friend of a friend who is now a friend. (yeah that is silly) Fraser and Liz are putting me up with splendid hospitality, driven me all over, showing the sights and helping negotiate the technicalities of vehicle registration, cell phone formatting (yes I have a number... don't call me yet!) and money exchange. The foliage and bird life continues to impress me, walkabout feels somewhat unreal, although a trip to the mall is always a good reality check. Summer time and folks are dressed for it.
Yesterday we took a trip up north to Puhoi, where a very established quaint and rustic pub serves beer outside on fairly gnarly picnic tables. Didn't get into the library , but it is functioning. There are beaches everywhere, this is the place, greater Auckland has many miles of sandy beach and none are crowded. Today the plan is to do a little more driving get some more supplies and then go kayaking on the high tide. Tomorrow I will head north on my own.

day 3

Clear skies last night and then the waning full moon. Great to hear from folks via email and my "landlord"on his phone. I spent too much time arranging things so folks could see my pictures, still working out how to let everyone know about the blog. Steep learning curve.
Woke early and spoke with Elke via Skype very cool.
Walked down past the beach and bridge, around to the camping part of the park and followed the track up to a waterfall,lotsa puddingstone boulders making caves, overhangs and some sweet little pools. Yes I climbed up,stripped down and jumped in, sorry no pictures of that. It was refreshing. Wandered down to ocean, looking at the trees attempting to identify as many as possible. It is so lush, verdant and buccolic.I wonder about the affect all this has on folks, I feel still overwhelmed by the majesty and novelty, flowers everywhere, hydrangeas growing wild and the incredible scents wafting past me, smells so sweet and then acrid and so many faintly familiar. Not to mention fallen fern fronds filling up the underbrush.

Day 2

I slept and hung out had some issues with the electics and the DSL (switches on the wall plugs!) Anyway I will post some pictures now that I am online again. Did I say I hadn't changed any money? Did I realize how far out this place is? I managed to buy some food, starvation diet for a few days, and Monday being a holiday means... no banks. This presents a challenge to obtaining my wheels as does getting back into town. I am trusting the universe to provide the perfect solution. In the meantime I will make contact with the van sellers.
The folks who were staying here on my arrival told me about a hike I might enjoy so after feeding cats I walked down the hill along the beach and up the road beside the river. saw some sheep! and a pleasant stream. What called to me was a hike (they call them tramps here) up the side of the hill/mountain I could see from the house. 2.5 hours and right away I had to scrub my shoes and spray some disinfectant to protect some ancient trees. It was pleasant hiking/tramping through the completely unfamiliar flora, although I did recognize a few houseplants. When I got to the giant tree and sat down I realized I aint 25 anymore and besides when was the last time I hiked uphill? There was an interesting sounding bird flitting around the canopy, which I intend to identify... later. A short extra trail to the top of Goat peak sufficed to satisfy my need to accomplish something, I took some vista pictures and descended rubbery legs and all expressing gratitude all the way. Walked the beach, had some fish and chips and returned to fall deep asleep. When I awoke I discovered the switch turning on the DSL and here I am back in the present moment!

arrival Auckland

Well i made it. I thought my legs were going to seize up squished between the seats. Luckily I had an empty seat beside me after they moved me to accomodate a screaming baby. And there were lots of little ones on the flight. I was pretty engrossed in The Hobbit, had curried beef for dinner a beer and a glass of wine. Watched 2NZ flics and vicariously various hollywood offerings on other folks' screens. Eventually when I realized sleep was impossible, I got what a great distraction the movies are for forgetting how sore my butt was. Champagne as we crossed the dateline (at 4am NZ time) then breakfast arriving at 6 local time. Feeling kinda misaligned I started out answering emails then realized I can send everybody the update via blog. Amazing sunrise , it is overcast here. This place is getting noisy and crowded, almost time for me to call. Will update once I settle and get some sleep. Small reality check, a house sparrow just landed at my feet, telling me to get moving.THANK GOODNESS this blog program saves automatically. The net connection quit. I decided to make it all happen. dazed and confused I changed $5 made a phone call, left a message, looked at the map and decided it was time. Hired a cab after discussing the price $80-$90 (!) It was an entertaining
drive, that went on and on and on. $118 later we arrive at a beautiful site overlooking a bay and to the west the Tasman Sea, the small community of Huai. I am here to housesit and kitten watch while Brian and Miranda are at a music fest.

pre- pre departure

I start here! Getting stuff together seeing my kids last minute and taking some time with Elke before the moment of departure. This is it my debut! I have been warping up a belt expressing my creative juices, assembled a loom and consumed a bottle of beer (a big bottle of beer). Tonight we opened up the net and found this spot where I can blurt out my thoughts and feelings as I progress through the adventure. Time to reflect on what is important and what is possible.