Christmas Day 2008.
The day startd earlyish (in fact I haven't been up this early on CHristmas Day since i was a kid and tappingbetty & son-of-royboy, used to wake everybody up at 6 am to see what santa had brought us). Tappingbetty and Tapmum picked me up at 7.30 am and we headed off to Viewbank to Son-of-Royboy's (aka brother #1)for our first Christmas meal of the day.
KT (almost 9 yr old niece) was cooking pancakes with raspberries & whipped cream, tapmum had made Bircher muesli, & son-of-royboy had burned some croissants, for our breakfast.
I had to 'sing for my supper' as KT had got a download card for her nintendo ds and it wasn't working so my tech skills were called upon to find out what system file was missing and to install said sytem file (which I did).
My time in front of the pc did not end there. 11 yr old nephew was having trouble downloading to his new ipod nano - so I sorted that out for him - I am definitely favourite aunty there at the moment.
BollocksPants (aka Brother #2) rang from England to wish us all a merry xmas and catch us up on his news, and Be-There-With (aka brother #3) rang from NZ where he, s-i-l, and the feral cherubs, are spending Xmas - got a merry xmas from 3yr old nephew (as well as a detailed chat about dora the explorer!).
We exchanged family presents before TappingBetty, Tapmum and I headed for Southbank for our Christmas lunch.
This year's venue was La Camera and it was a great choice as we had a superb 3 course meal.
It was a set menu - choice of 3 entrees, 3 mains, and 3 desserts. TappingBetty had won an excellence award from her work - which was a $100 restaurant voucher - and she very generously put that towards the meal.
Now it's home, feet up, relaxing with my xmas presents, and not feeling like eating again today.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Noisy Librarian - rant alert
Well Friday was one of those days - it started out brilliantly then went steadily downhill.
For the first time ever we used an online booking program (eventbrite) for out school holiday program tickets. And it worked - it worked better than we could have imagined.
Accusations of catastrophism were made (in the light of our evident and profound relief at the lack of problems) but given the volume of bookings - staff, software, and patrons all coped brilliantly.
The high was soon replaced by disbelief(and many other D {and f} words) at news of a colleague's misfortune.
Then the ice cream van ran out of ice cream a the work Christmas party.
Could the day get any worse? Well yes it could.
When I got home there was a letter from the Body Corporate Manager waiting for me.
Apparently he has received 'numerous' complaints of loud music coming from my flat (the music, not the complaints), and of loud music being played (by me) outside of the hours prescribed by law.
Loud music -me?
Loud music late at night - me?
Now those of you who know me will know I am uber nerd - when I am at home I watch TV, frolic at the computer, and read.
I seldom, if ever, play music outside the prescribed hours (let alone loud music).
I don't listen to the radio.
If I've got music on it's while I'm doing housework and I turn it up so I can hear it over the vacuum cleaner - but I sure-as-hell don't vacuum after 10pm or before 7am (11pm & 9am weekends).
On the rare occasions I do vacuum it's in the middle of the day! And, as I mainly listen to show tunes, soundtracks etc., it raises the question is it possible to play "The sound of Music" loudly?
I put all this in an email to the Body Corporate Manager - along with mention of my long standing tenancy here, and the fact that the previous owners used me as a selling point for the unit ('ideal, long standing, quiet tenant').
Despite all these protestations what really p****d me off was the fact that the anonymous complainant went straight to the body corporate - they didn't talk to me, or pop a note in the letterbox, or slide a note under the door.
I suspect this is a case of mistaken identity - the guys in the flat next door work nights and they like their 'doof doof' music loud and late.
I also have a prime suspect for the complainant - I know almost all of the tenants in the other flats - except for the people who moved in downstairs a couple of weeks ago - not really sure how I can broach the subject with them - as I haven't met them or crossed paths with them yet. (I suspect introducing myself to them with boombox on shoulder blaring out selections from South Pacific would not be the way to go!)
Stay tuned for further developments.
If only I used my power for quiet instead of evil.
P.S. Everybody I have told this tale has laughed hysterically at the thought of me playing loud music late at night - should I be insulted or offended?
For the first time ever we used an online booking program (eventbrite) for out school holiday program tickets. And it worked - it worked better than we could have imagined.
Accusations of catastrophism were made (in the light of our evident and profound relief at the lack of problems) but given the volume of bookings - staff, software, and patrons all coped brilliantly.
The high was soon replaced by disbelief(and many other D {and f} words) at news of a colleague's misfortune.
Then the ice cream van ran out of ice cream a the work Christmas party.
Could the day get any worse? Well yes it could.
When I got home there was a letter from the Body Corporate Manager waiting for me.
Apparently he has received 'numerous' complaints of loud music coming from my flat (the music, not the complaints), and of loud music being played (by me) outside of the hours prescribed by law.
Loud music -me?
Loud music late at night - me?
Now those of you who know me will know I am uber nerd - when I am at home I watch TV, frolic at the computer, and read.
I seldom, if ever, play music outside the prescribed hours (let alone loud music).
I don't listen to the radio.
If I've got music on it's while I'm doing housework and I turn it up so I can hear it over the vacuum cleaner - but I sure-as-hell don't vacuum after 10pm or before 7am (11pm & 9am weekends).
On the rare occasions I do vacuum it's in the middle of the day! And, as I mainly listen to show tunes, soundtracks etc., it raises the question is it possible to play "The sound of Music" loudly?
I put all this in an email to the Body Corporate Manager - along with mention of my long standing tenancy here, and the fact that the previous owners used me as a selling point for the unit ('ideal, long standing, quiet tenant').
Despite all these protestations what really p****d me off was the fact that the anonymous complainant went straight to the body corporate - they didn't talk to me, or pop a note in the letterbox, or slide a note under the door.
I suspect this is a case of mistaken identity - the guys in the flat next door work nights and they like their 'doof doof' music loud and late.
I also have a prime suspect for the complainant - I know almost all of the tenants in the other flats - except for the people who moved in downstairs a couple of weeks ago - not really sure how I can broach the subject with them - as I haven't met them or crossed paths with them yet. (I suspect introducing myself to them with boombox on shoulder blaring out selections from South Pacific would not be the way to go!)
Stay tuned for further developments.
If only I used my power for quiet instead of evil.
P.S. Everybody I have told this tale has laughed hysterically at the thought of me playing loud music late at night - should I be insulted or offended?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christmas whimsy
O Fiona of wonder, Fiona of might,
Fiona of royal beauty bright.
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
from the Christmas Song Generator.
So here it is, merry Christmas,
Everybody's having fun.
Look to the fiona now,
It's only just begun.
Merry Christmas
from the Christmas Song Generator.
On the first day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
A fiona in a pear tree.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
from the Christmas Song Generator.
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless fiona
The silent stars go by.
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
from the Christmas Song Generator.
He sees you when you're fiona,
He knows when you're awake.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
from the Christmas Song Generator.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Christchurch
Love Christchurch -had awesome digs -a short walk into cathedral square - and we saw our first kiwi (bird, not new zealander).
Caught the gondola fromHeathcote Valley for a spectacular view across Christchurch & surrounds.
Christchurch has tourist trams so we felt quite at home. Did a lap on the tram to get our bearings and then headed for the arts precinct. It is housed in the former university buildings - the uni outgrew the space and moved out and the area has been turned into a brilliant arts precinct. There are many arts and crafts shops, galleries, exhibition spaces, theatres, and the fudge cottage (not a cottage made out of fudge but rather a shop that makes, and sells, fudge. They also do tours of the kitchen - the day we were there we saw them making choc orange fudge (always one of my favourites).
The arts precinct is across the road from the botanic gardens, and the museum.
The museum had an excellent display of maori artefacts and the gardens provided a place of shade while we ate our sandwiches and pondered the rest of the day.
Whilst TappingBetty climes to the top of the Cathedral, I headed to the central library where my collection of library related brochures increased dramatically (and now includes a brochure on what to do if a tsunami strikes.)
Caught the gondola fromHeathcote Valley for a spectacular view across Christchurch & surrounds.
Christchurch has tourist trams so we felt quite at home. Did a lap on the tram to get our bearings and then headed for the arts precinct. It is housed in the former university buildings - the uni outgrew the space and moved out and the area has been turned into a brilliant arts precinct. There are many arts and crafts shops, galleries, exhibition spaces, theatres, and the fudge cottage (not a cottage made out of fudge but rather a shop that makes, and sells, fudge. They also do tours of the kitchen - the day we were there we saw them making choc orange fudge (always one of my favourites).
The arts precinct is across the road from the botanic gardens, and the museum.
The museum had an excellent display of maori artefacts and the gardens provided a place of shade while we ate our sandwiches and pondered the rest of the day.
Whilst TappingBetty climes to the top of the Cathedral, I headed to the central library where my collection of library related brochures increased dramatically (and now includes a brochure on what to do if a tsunami strikes.)
Monday, November 10, 2008
Glacier to Greymouth
Well the rain had eased the next morning when we dragged ourselves from our comfy (warm) beds ready to catch the bus to Greymouth to connect with the first of our scenic train trips.
We were catching the TransAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch. The trip is 223 kilometres and takes four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.
It was overcast and drizzly when the train eventually left Greymouth (almost an hour late for some reason) but the scenery more than made up for that. We spent most of the trip on the open air viewing platform (getting very windswept in the process) which provided us with great views.
There were a lot of track works being carried out which meant that from time to time the train was forced to slow down (good for photo oportunities, not so good for punctuality).
The scenery was spectacular - viaducts, picture perfect river views, a lot of postcard moments. (Soon to be posted to flickr)
The closer we got to Christchurch the better the weather became. When we finally rolled into Christchurch it was sunny and bright and we were very happy campers as we headed for yet some more outstanding accommodation.
We were catching the TransAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch. The trip is 223 kilometres and takes four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.
It was overcast and drizzly when the train eventually left Greymouth (almost an hour late for some reason) but the scenery more than made up for that. We spent most of the trip on the open air viewing platform (getting very windswept in the process) which provided us with great views.
There were a lot of track works being carried out which meant that from time to time the train was forced to slow down (good for photo oportunities, not so good for punctuality).
The scenery was spectacular - viaducts, picture perfect river views, a lot of postcard moments. (Soon to be posted to flickr)
The closer we got to Christchurch the better the weather became. When we finally rolled into Christchurch it was sunny and bright and we were very happy campers as we headed for yet some more outstanding accommodation.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
A glacier called fox
The weather had cooled and the sky was a tad cloudy as we left Queenstown before breakfast and headed for Fox Glacier and points beyond.
Today's bus was a 12 seater and it was a pretty good dozen also. Apart from us there were 2 cops from Christchurch, 2 french backpackers, an elderly Queenstown lady visiting friends at Fox, a young american missionary, an irish backpacker, a mother and son heading for a craft market.
We had a lot of fun on the 6 hour drive - the weather grew steadily worse the further we got from Queenstown. We stopped for lunch at a salmon farm (salmon, salmon, and more salmon) - where we bonded even more as the rain beat heavily on the roof of the cafe.
By the time we were dropped off at our motel at Fox Glacier the rain had obviously set in for the day. The clouds were low and dark and the mountains were barely visible through the mist.
Our motel totally rocked. I can highly recommend it. It's a 2 minute walk from the main drag (1 minute from the pub).
We got a local guy (Murray) to drive us out to the glacier. He picked us up at the motel and then waited in the carpark while we dragged our sodden selves to the base of the glacier. (He also supplied us with yellow plastic ponchos to try and keep us a tad drier than our waterproof jackets were doing).
There were quite a few tourists, apart from ourselves, trudging grimly towards the glacier. No one wanted to miss the opportunity so yellow plastic ponchos and purloined Bunnings umbrellas seemed the order of the day.
Heads down we trudged past the sign warning us not to stop for the next 200 metres (or someone might hit us on the head with a rock - avalanche warning perhaps - can heavy rain cause avalanches? - yep); exchanging wry, waterlogged grins with the hardy souls making their way back to the car park.
We exhanged bows with the Japanese gentlemen (in suits and ties -see note re: Bunnings umbrellas), wondered at the 3 young guys in boardies, t shirts, and thongs - they were wet, couldn't get any wetter I guess - and finally reached the glacier.
Everything was grey - sky, glacier, horizon, hills, but no matter we were there. I'm sure it would be even more spectacular without rain but it lost none of it's scenicicity in the rain (we just didn't stand there as long as might otherwise have been the case).
Murray had shown us photos he'd taken over the past 30 years which clearly showed how much the glacier had moved during that time - it was truly awesome to gaze upon and we would have really liked to have helicoptered over it, but the weather had grounded all glacier flights - ah well, it was still an inspiring sight.
It was a couple of soaking wet tappers who made their way back to the motel and curled up in front of the heater with books and hot chocolates (instant I'm afraid...Jarrah chocolatte fudge) as darkness came a few hours early due to that danged rain.
Today's bus was a 12 seater and it was a pretty good dozen also. Apart from us there were 2 cops from Christchurch, 2 french backpackers, an elderly Queenstown lady visiting friends at Fox, a young american missionary, an irish backpacker, a mother and son heading for a craft market.
We had a lot of fun on the 6 hour drive - the weather grew steadily worse the further we got from Queenstown. We stopped for lunch at a salmon farm (salmon, salmon, and more salmon) - where we bonded even more as the rain beat heavily on the roof of the cafe.
By the time we were dropped off at our motel at Fox Glacier the rain had obviously set in for the day. The clouds were low and dark and the mountains were barely visible through the mist.
Our motel totally rocked. I can highly recommend it. It's a 2 minute walk from the main drag (1 minute from the pub).
We got a local guy (Murray) to drive us out to the glacier. He picked us up at the motel and then waited in the carpark while we dragged our sodden selves to the base of the glacier. (He also supplied us with yellow plastic ponchos to try and keep us a tad drier than our waterproof jackets were doing).
There were quite a few tourists, apart from ourselves, trudging grimly towards the glacier. No one wanted to miss the opportunity so yellow plastic ponchos and purloined Bunnings umbrellas seemed the order of the day.
Heads down we trudged past the sign warning us not to stop for the next 200 metres (or someone might hit us on the head with a rock - avalanche warning perhaps - can heavy rain cause avalanches? - yep); exchanging wry, waterlogged grins with the hardy souls making their way back to the car park.
We exhanged bows with the Japanese gentlemen (in suits and ties -see note re: Bunnings umbrellas), wondered at the 3 young guys in boardies, t shirts, and thongs - they were wet, couldn't get any wetter I guess - and finally reached the glacier.
Everything was grey - sky, glacier, horizon, hills, but no matter we were there. I'm sure it would be even more spectacular without rain but it lost none of it's scenicicity in the rain (we just didn't stand there as long as might otherwise have been the case).
Murray had shown us photos he'd taken over the past 30 years which clearly showed how much the glacier had moved during that time - it was truly awesome to gaze upon and we would have really liked to have helicoptered over it, but the weather had grounded all glacier flights - ah well, it was still an inspiring sight.
It was a couple of soaking wet tappers who made their way back to the motel and curled up in front of the heater with books and hot chocolates (instant I'm afraid...Jarrah chocolatte fudge) as darkness came a few hours early due to that danged rain.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Arrowtown
Arrowtown had been recommended to us by so many people that we thought we'd better make the effort and have a look!
We caught a local bus out there and found a delightful (but heavily tourist focused) little town. They had a library which was open in the morning. It was a small library on the corner of the main street (and it featured on a postcard of the achitecture of the town.)
They had a trolley of ex-library books for sale on the front verandah (I picked up a Robert Crais pb for 50c). The trolley was being well and truly picked over by tourists, such as myself, looking for bargain holiday reads.
We then strolled along the main street and treated ourselves to a superb hot chocolate from Patagonia cafe (Arrowtown branch). The hot chocolate is in a huge soup tureen (those big black ones) and when you order a hot choc they ladle it into the mug, add a home made shortbread to the saucer (or the lid of the takeaway container), and voila. It's nice to see the takeawayers getting the same saucer treats as the drink-ins.
Anyhoo as well as a Patagonia cafe, and a Remarkable Sweets shop and a very nice jewellery store, and several galleries (art, photography, craft) and many tourist shops, there is also a chinese museum as Arrowtown was home to many Chinese during the gold rush.
After lunch in one of the many cafe's it was back to Queenstown where we'd planned a relaxing afternoon cruise on the lake.
Dinner was fish n chips (fush n chups) from the kiosk near the Novotel which we ate looking out at the sunset over the lake.
A great day.
We caught a local bus out there and found a delightful (but heavily tourist focused) little town. They had a library which was open in the morning. It was a small library on the corner of the main street (and it featured on a postcard of the achitecture of the town.)
They had a trolley of ex-library books for sale on the front verandah (I picked up a Robert Crais pb for 50c). The trolley was being well and truly picked over by tourists, such as myself, looking for bargain holiday reads.
We then strolled along the main street and treated ourselves to a superb hot chocolate from Patagonia cafe (Arrowtown branch). The hot chocolate is in a huge soup tureen (those big black ones) and when you order a hot choc they ladle it into the mug, add a home made shortbread to the saucer (or the lid of the takeaway container), and voila. It's nice to see the takeawayers getting the same saucer treats as the drink-ins.
Anyhoo as well as a Patagonia cafe, and a Remarkable Sweets shop and a very nice jewellery store, and several galleries (art, photography, craft) and many tourist shops, there is also a chinese museum as Arrowtown was home to many Chinese during the gold rush.
After lunch in one of the many cafe's it was back to Queenstown where we'd planned a relaxing afternoon cruise on the lake.
Dinner was fish n chips (fush n chups) from the kiosk near the Novotel which we ate looking out at the sunset over the lake.
A great day.
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