Back to work

Well it is now a week since I started work here in New Zealand. The first 3 days - at the end of last week, were induction in which we received lots of information about Audit New Zealand, the work we are expected to do and some background to the bodies we will be working on. All a bit intensive not least because days start at 8am here. Part of the process was also to provide us with our pc's and all of the necessary IT - unfortunately it did not work out well as my pc had not been set up properly and so it had to be returned. I didn't get it back until Friday and it worked OK during the day but once I got to my accommodation it wouldn't work again. I had intended to catch up on things like blogging last weekend but was not able to. However, all was sorted yesterday so I am now fully contactable by electronic means and am now able to blog.

So what is Palmerston North (Palmy) like? Nice little university town about the size of Loughborough. Nice square - right outside my accommodation block, with park in the middle and shops, bars, etc around the outside. Shopping is OK! My apartment is OK although there are things I would like to have which I don't but for the most part can manage without. Two large supermarkets are within 5 minutes walk of the block too. The photo at the top of this post is of TSB Tower (where I live) from the square. Unfortunately, I don't have that view - I look out over the buildings at the back. Speaking of which you might have noticed that I have posted photos to some of my previous posts now that I have been able to access them.

Work is OK and they have provided me with a pool car to use during the week. This is actually quite limited as it is not that far to and from the office and that is where I am at the moment. Things are prone to change from day to day though so no telling where you will be next. Almost all cars here are automatic and so I keep trying to use the brake as a clutch! Really need to demobilise my left leg!

The weather since I got here has been pretty good. In Wellington it was pretty much how I remember summer as a child, mostly warm and sunny with some cloud about. We have had a little rain too - or to be more precise, quite a lot today. Forecast is good again for tomorrow though. Not sure what I will do this weekend, maybe just stay local and see what is here. Next weekend is bank holiday again - Wangarai Day (signing of the treaty with the Maori) so am looking at going up to Rotorua or maybe Lake Taupo. Watch this space!

Holiday ends

Today is the last day of my holiday and tomorrow work starts. It has been a bit lonely being a lone traveller in Sydney and here in Wellington. However, I have tried to make the most of my time here and have visited a few of the sights. Yesterday was a bank holiday so not much was open in Wellington but I decided that I would take the cable car - which is really a funicular railway, to the botanical gardens and then walk back down. The views up there were terrific although the weather wasn't brilliant. However, it improved considerably on my way down. I did get wet in the morning though - that will teach me to buy the waterproof I need! I also did some geocaching - some of you will already know what that is and others won't so for those of you who don't check it out on www.geocaching.co.uk. I had been tasked with releasing 2 travel bugs to race back to the UK so had to find 2 separate caches on the same day. I started with a list of 7 but only managed 2, I have been unable to find 4 of the others - partly due to them being in very busy areas which makes true searching almost impossible. However, 2 was enough and one of the travel bugs has been picked up already.

Today I took a bus - yup public transport - to the Karori Sanctuary which is just in the suburbs of Wellington. They are trying to preserve the native animals, birds and plants and have enclosed a huge part of the hillside to prevent imported species getting in (well not birds obviously) and to create favourable conditions for a variety of threatened native species. The kiwi is one of these but as it is nocturnal I didn't see any of those. I did see quite a few others though, many of which I could not identify but a few that I could - from the boards they have up round the sanctuary. Unfortunately, as the birds are all flying past at speed for the most part it is not possible to photograph them but I did take a few photos and some video.

Tomorrow is the first day of the secondment so time for work. Guess from now on weekends will be my holiday time and I will be trying to get around as much as possible then.

Sunday 18th January

I have now been in Wellington for 3 days - well almost - and have hardly managed to do anything. I spent some time on the first day wandering the streets locating places then on Saturday - my first full day - went out to try to get the walking gear (boots, waterproof, rucksack) that I need while I'm here. Unfortunately I don't seem to have my shopping head on and so have only managed to buy a daysack. This is not good as we had rain yesterday and more forecast! I have been very tired since I arrived and have had an upset stomach so haven't really felt like doing much. I guess it is just a combination of crossing time zones and too much rubbish to eat. There are loads of places to eat here - far too many to choose from - but I really haven't felt like it much so have mainly eaten prepack salads, yoghurt and fruit from a local supermarket. It is also a bit awkward being a lone diner - not quite sure what to do while you sit waiting for food etc. Fortunately I will not be alone much longer as the rest of the secondees should be here by Tuesday night - not that I know any of them but I have been in contact with one so should at least know when she arrives.

Today I have been to visit the National Museum - Te Papa - which is only a short walk from the hotel and on the sea front. It was very interesting and, I would think it is more so for children as there are an awful lot of interactive bits and sections specifically for kids to do things.

I also took a walk to the Audit NZ offices - which turn out to be above a few shops! They are near the Parliament buildings and the Cathedral. I have once more taken loads of photos and will upload as soon as I can. At least now I have put in the link to the photos that I have uploaded so you can see the South Africa ones!

Tomorrow I plan to take the cable car (funicular railway I think) to the botanical gardens and then walk down to the city again - better hope it doesn't rain!

Stage 3 - New Zealand

Three weeks after leaving home I have finally made it to New Zealand. I am now 13 hours ahead of UK time so communication with family will be by emails mainly I think, although I have been told about a mobile phone package which has reasonable international call rates so may go that route yet.

I was up very early this morning (4:30) for my flight to Wellington so once again I am absolutely shattered - should have recovered by the time we start the induction on Wednesday though. The flight was truly uneventful although being greeted at the departure gate by the news channel showing the plane crash in the states was a bit unnerving. The plane approaches Wellington from the top of the South Island and I think I can safely say I have never seen anything like it before. Looked like loads of forested mountains (although probably not mountain height) surrounded by the sea. Probably a bit like the Norweigian fjords but as I haven't seen them I can't be sure! I am really looking forward to getting out and seeing some of the island now. When I arrived at the hotel it was already mid afternoon - lost another couple of hours - so I haven't had time to do anything yet. I did find out that it is bank holiday on Monday though so everything will be shut! Wellington Day apparently. Typical bad timing!

After I got back to my room last night I realised that although I said I had walked my legs off in Sydney I hadn't actually said what I'd done so:

Day 1 - Walked to the harbour (about 30 minutes), located the steps up onto the bridge and walked across - on the footpath not the bridge spans like Kerry! Although there were loads of people doing that. Then I walked back again, round Circular Quay and up to the Opera House. By then I was very hot and thirsty so stopped for a drink looking over the harbour before taking a walk round the Botanical Gardens and Domain then into Hyde Park and down to the Anzac Memorial before going back to my room for a rest. I returned to the harbour in the evening for my meal and watched Rhapsody of the Seas leave port - she had been moored in the harbour all day.

Day 2 - Walked across to the Chinatown part of the city - not so far from my hotel, intending to visit the Chinese Gardens but they weren't open so went on to Paddy's Market. Hundreds of stalls there so could have spent all day but I was very good and only stayed a short time before going back down to the harbour to get a harbour cruise. This gets you round an awful lot more of the bay. I took an Explorer ticket so was able to get off and board a later one wherever I chose. I got off at Watsons Bay and had a lovely walk up the cliffs and then down into the bay where I dipped my toes in the sea (South Pacific) before going back to the harbour to catch the next boat and on round the rest of the tour. Once more loads of photos and video but unfortunately I can't get them off the camera until I get a laptop from Audit New Zealand - so about another week yet.

Well I think that brings us all up to date now - until I have had time to explore Wellington

Moving on again

My time in Sydney has almost come to an end already. I thought I had 3 days here but with the flight times and delays getting from the airport it really only turned out to be 2 useable days. I have walked my legs off trying to see as much as I can. I have seen a lot but unfortunately not enough time to do anything justice. It has been very hot - up to 40degrees today in parts of Sydney and there are a few bush fires in the west of the city area - nowhere near where I am though. This afternoon it clouded over and we had lots of thunder and a bit of rain. It is now a little cooler and a lot windier - not good for the firefighters! Once again I have loads of photos which are still in the camera at the moment - I will upload to Flickr when I get to Wellington and promise to link here as soon as Claire tells me how! In the meantime you can see my photos on Flickr. Someone also said I can upload video to Facebook - something else to look into when I get time!

I have to be up at 5am tomorrow for a 6am pickup and 10am flight. I hope to be online again on Saturday so more news of my travels then

Stage 2 - Sydney

Today I have arrived in Sydney and lost almost half a day in the process. Yesterday (12 Jan) morning I left Cape Town at 10am to fly to Johannesburg where I met up with Richard Milligan and family. They are just coming to the end of their stay in South Africa and very kindly spared some time to take me out to lunch to fill some of the time I had to wait there. We went to Emperors Palace which is a very impressive gambling place. Apparently it has only been built in the last 12 years but looks a lot older. Anyway, we had a wander round and then had lunch and then returned to the airport where we had a coffee. I had booked my luggage through to Sydney from Cape Town so I didn't have to do any more checking in - just wait. The flight started boarding on time but ended up almost an hour late taking off due to delays in boarding and then a closed runway meant all arrivals and departures had to use the same runway. Once we were airborne everyone was kept in their seats for over an hour due to bad weather so even the refreshment service was delayed. Flight itself was Ok but as always I can't sleep on the plane so manged to watch 4 films and finish my book. Saw a lovely full moon before they closed all the blinds. No sunrise today though - blinds had to be kept closed until what was about midday Sydney time as we were supposed to be sleeping.

Arrival at Sydney was OK then a very boring transfer to the hotel, arriving about 5pm. Hotel is OK. Not had much chance to check out the location yet - I just need to get some food and some sleep and be ready to roll tomorrow morning.

Almost time to move on

It is now 2 weeks since I arrived in Cape Town and tomorrow I will be moving on to Sydney - which I am quite nervous about. I've had a great time here and met loads of very friendly people. The weather has been fantastic and the sights amazing so I'm really glad I came. Unfortunately I have already missed 3 birthdays, Tom, Derek and Claire so sorry to all of you but I trust you got your cards OK. I will also be missing a whole load more before I get back to UK - including my own!

We are winding down now here so not much to report on new sights. We went on Friday night for another great meal in a very unlikely place. A restaurant on the docks called Panama Jacks which looks as if a strong wind would blow it down! Great food though. Then on to Doodles where some of John's friends were celebrating their wedding anniversary. Another late night and too much booze. Seems to be the lifestyle here - amongst the white south africans anyway. Other things they like doing - running, cycling and kite surfing, so generally very active lifestyles.

Big braai party today as my farewell to Cape Town. I will not post again now until Sydney, by which time I should be able to attach the photos!

Thursday 8 January

Well another four days have passed in the blink of an eye. On Monday we went up Table Mountain. You have to choose your day carefully for this because there is quite often cloud on the top which spoils the views. However, we chose well and only had to wait an hour for the cable car to the top. That in itself was quite an experience as it is a car holding about 30 people which slowly revolves as it goes up a very steep cliff face. Once at the top we had a walk round the immediate vicinity of the cable station then had lunch before exploring further afield. It was quite an experience as I was able to look down on some of the other places I had seen in earlier travels.

On Tuesday Alta had arranged for me to have a manicure (also pedicure and facial on Thursday) for a Christmas gift. Afterwards we went down to the Waterfront to book a tour to Robben Island for Wednesday before driving out to Stellenbosch to visit a vineyard. This is part of the Wine Route and there are lots of vineyards you can visit. We went to the Spiers Vineyard because they also have a cheetah enclosure (about 6 animals) which Fleur was keen to see, and also a very good restaurant. Unfortunately by the time we had visited the cheetahs we had left it too late to taste the wines. However we had a booking at the restaurant, Mojo, which is very African in style. It is an open air venue with tables in trees, under trees, under tents and in a large marquee. The food is a serve yourself buffet with huge choices and I tasted a few African dishes including mealie meal, sweet potatoe and antelope as well as a few others whose names I cannot remember. It was a very good night out - if somewhat expensive by African standards.

Yesterday we visited Robben Island which is famous for being the prison of Nelson Mandella. This entailed a ferry visit, a bus ride round the island and a tour of the prison conducted by a previous political prisoner. The island itself has also been used for other purposes before the incarceration of prisoners, including the housing of lepers until they found out leprosy was not contagious and sent them all back to the mainland. The tour was very interesting and I'm really glad I went although I did not feel how I expected to about it. The commentary given by the ex-political prisoners is all very one sided and I couldn't help feeling that, whilst they had been badly treated many of them (including the one who was our guide) was a terrorist who had been imprisoned for using and being in possession of firearms and explosives. I just felt that maybe some input from those who used to be the warders there for instance (many of whom still live on the island anyway) would have given a more balanced view. They are after all extolling the reconciliation of the races.

Today has been a very quiet day at home - apart from the trip to the beauty salon for my facial and pedicure. We have visited the places that I wanted to see and now we will be spending some time relaxing before I set off for Oz.

Sunday 4th January

Well what was supposed to be a nice relaxing day today turned out to be quite an exhausting one. We decided to walk along the beach from Big Bay - where John Lives - to Melkbos which is the next place down the coast. We thought it would be a nice Sunday stroll but it was further than expected and took over 2 hours of walking in quite soft sand a lot of the way. When we finally reached Melkbos we made our way off the beach - and found ourselves behind locked gates so couldn't get onto the road. We had to go back over the dunes and to the beach again and carry on for another half hour before we finally reached the public beach area and civilisation. We had a very well deserved cold drink or 3 and a pizza. Even the dogs were exhausted! Once we had recovered we decided to take a taxi back - but couldn't even find one of those going the right way. In the end a restaurant called one for us and we eventually arrived home about 5 hours after we left it. The road trip back was about 8km so the beach walk must have been more as the road is direct and does not follow the coast - no wonder we were all tired. Tomorrow we plan to go up Table Mountain - as long as the weather holds and there are no clouds over it!

3rd January 2009

One week here already - how time flies. Yesterday we went down to Simonstown which is a naval town - very colonial looking but still an active naval base, and the home of the cape penguins. They weren't on the beach because it was full of locals making the most of the last few days of the holidays but we did see quite a lot nesting under bushes. We then drove on down to Cape Point which is the southern most part of Africa and where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We skipped the funicular railway to the lighthouse at the top and walked up instead - very good for the legs and bum I think! We also did the additional Diaz Walk which was a bit nearer to the actual point. This was downhill so a welcome break - trouble was we had to walk back up again to get back to the car. John's Hummer attracts lots of attention wherever we are and I'm sure it must figure in a lot of people's photos from the times we see people taking photos against it. It does help when it comes to getting a parking marshall to find a space and keep and eye on it while you're gone. This is something else I've found different here - you pay them a couple of rand (about 10p) when you come back!

Anyway, Cape Point is also home of the baboons but we hadn't seen any on our drive down or while we were actually at the point but on our way out of the nature reserve I spotted one sitting on the roof of a building so we stopped in a nearby visitor centre car park. Sure enough after a few minutes there were quite a few around. You have to be very careful as they can snatch bags, cameras etc but we kept a distance and I managed to film them and take a few photos. Even the baboons like the Hummer - one climbed on the back and was trying to take the wiper off when John scared him off. As we were outside at the time I have got that on film too.

Today was the Kaapse Klopse - a festival of marching bands and dancing with a caribbean carnival feel. Once again lots of film and photos. Hope I can get a cable or card reader soon so that you can all see my photos.

Still lots to do here so will post again soon

Stage 1 - Cape Town

I left home at lunch time on Boxing Day for the journey to Heathrow. This was truly uneventful except for some very slow traffic on the M25 but we arrived in plenty of time anyway. I left from Terminal 5 which is quite something, shiny and new but easy to use and loads of shops but mostly upmarket ones. Unfortunately I didn't get the hoped for ugrade so it was the usual cattle class cramped seat for 12 hours - not as bad as Eurpean flights though which is just as well. I didn't manage any more than about 15 minutes sleep in the whole journey but it was still very exciting to watch the sun rise over African mountains. The plane landed about 15 minutes early at 6am - 4am UK time! The passage through customs and collecting the bag was quite quick too and John and his girlfriend, Alta, were there to meet me. By 7am I was sitting in the front seat of a dark orange Hummer on my way to his home in the Blaaubergstrand area of Cape Town.

We sat by their pool and had a cup of tea then, when the world had got up, went to a beach front restaurant, Doodles, for breakfast. This was a lot like an English breakfast and certainly gave me some much needed energy.

Later we took a stroll along the beach but otherwise had a leisurely day so that I could recover from the flight. Unfortunately, despite having but sun cream on I managed to burn my face and shoulders. Consequently I am now peeling - not a pretty sight.

When we got up on 28th (Sunday) it was quite cloudy although not really cold. I was quite pleased as it gave me a chance to heal the sunburn. We went to a couple of flea markets which are a mixture of car boot sale and african crafts markets. Quite interesting to see. Monday was also cloudy and whilst we were in town shopping the rain came down. It rained quite heavily for much of the day so not much done that day either.

Tuesday (30th) was once again sunny and we took a drive up to Signal Hill to see the Noon Gun fired. The views from up there were teriffic. We saw loads of hang gliders jumping off from up there too. We also went to town to an area called the Waterfront - harbour area but loads of entertainers there too. I have taken loads of video and photos but have just discovered that I don't have the right connector to upload the photos so I will have to get one - most things are available here in Cape Town from street vendors at the Robots (South African name for traffic lights). In the meantime though no photos to accompany my blog.

Yesterday was New Year's Eve and we had to shop for some things we needed for a themed party we went to last night - Hats and Shirts. Quite a good party and not as full on as the alternative invitation which was at a bar. I managed to survive without a hangover - although I did have to sleep late to recover. Today we went into Cape Town for the Kaarpse Klopse only to find it isn't until Saturday this year. So plan B was the castle but that was closed so it was on to plan C which was a trip to Camps Bay. This is a very upmarket area of Cape Town - except today when all of the blacks and coloureds make it their own. The roads were solid traffic for several miles in both directions and the beach and foreshore were solid bodies. It was quite an odd experience. Most of them don't have proper swim wear so were there in their underwear or shorts and t shirts.

So - now we are up to date again. I will try to post more regularly so that I don't forget anything - and upload photos as soon as I can.