Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Summer break 2010

We are 27 degrees and being Auckland, it’s sweltering. Yesterday afternoon one would have sworn that it was going to rain because of the black clouds – but not a drop. It was just humidity.

Prince Williams has been in town the last two days. Aucklanders could not have cared less – only 20 folk turned up to meet him at the airport. Wellingtonians fortunately gave him a better reception. He had a tour of the construction site for new football studio at Eden Park, a hangi a Govt house and then a sail on an America’s cup yacht on the harbour. In wellington he opened something official and had a BBQ at the prime ministers home (Vogel House). Today he is off to Oz.

We had summer holiday at home as usual but we kept busy. A day trip to Waiheke and we took the car so we were able to explore the eastern end of the island including stony batter – great day. So hilly, I was surprised. We then had a hot air balloon ride out west Auckland. Expensive at $320 each for an hour but great fun. Much quieter than I expected – does unsettle the cows and in particular, the horses. Great landing in a paddock right next to a gate and the road – just perfect. Horrible getting up at 4.30am though. We have had a few picnics around, generally south Auckland, and lots of time walking etc around one tree hill in the shade/cool.

I went back to work at Research Office yesterday for just one day as we had a meeting, but am back on annual leave again for the next four days to finish my xmas leave – back to work on Monday 25th.

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