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| Lunch while the cat's away |
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| Sunshine! |
With the birth of Elsie in January 2011 Joel and I decided to take 9 months out to spend as a family in New Zealand. This blog will follow what we get up to while we are down under. There won't be any hilarious adventures or witty prose. Expect the mundane with the ordinary - a detailed recording of the minutiae of our domesticity. This blog is for us, for posterity and those of you currently far away wondering how we are getting on. If it's details you're after – you’ve come to the right place!
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Home Alone 2
Home Alone
Today Joel, His father (John) and my father (Max) all headed off to Great Barrier Island for 6 days of fishing, hiking, building and general manliness. Joel's family have a wonderful cottage at Schooner Bay - it's located in the bush with walking access only. It's a really special spot, there is no electricity, but the wood burner stove produces heat for cooking and hot water in the taps. Joel and I last spent time there on our Honeymoon in November 2009. The place is perfect as is but it could also benefit from some serious maintenance. Over the years various tenants have left a lot of inorganic rubbish around the place (like old sewing machines, car windscreens, beer crates etc) that now prove to be quite a challenge to remove as you have to carry it all out.
Joel and John planned to spend some time fixing up the chimney, baiting the rats, and clearing some trees. Max's role (that he took very seriously) was to catch fish and keep the boys fed. I could sense a lack of confidence when Marjan packed him off to Great Barrier laden with bacon & egg pie, sausages, steak and basically enough protein to feed them all for a week.
Anyway, all the men converged on Huia last night and spent a LONG time packing their vehicle for the ferry crossing this morning. John brought a truck full of building supplies from Northland (fence posts, generators, ladders, a chimney). Max brought a truck full of fishing supplies and food from Taranaki. Luckily Joel travels light. Into one truck it all had to converge. They were under the house for HOURS sorting it all out. In the end Max removed the back seats from the truck and they managed to get everything in. Well everything except poor Joel. He had to squeeze into a tiny hole in the back with the fence posts! Luckily they only had a 40min drive to the ferry terminal and a 15min drive at the other end.
This morning they all set off at about 4.30am to catch their early ferry. The weather is perfect for the ferry crossing. I have the day all to myself.
It will be quite strange not having Joel around for a few days as we have been basically joined at the hip since April. But I am looking forward to spending some time bonding with Elsie and just having some time to myself.
I am going to head down to Taranaki tomorrow, I'm picking up my Grandmother from the Northshore and she is going to drive down with Elsie and I. We're having a girl's weekend while they have their boys weekend.
Hopefully the weather will be nice as you can borrow mobility scooters to use in New Plymouth on the Coastal Walkway and in Pukekura Park (and it's free - go New Plymouth District Council!). Apparently last time Grandma was down there she had the mobility scooter going as fast as possible on the walkway. This I would like to see.
I'm a wee bit nervous about the drive - Elsie and my Grandmother - precious cargo!
Joel and John planned to spend some time fixing up the chimney, baiting the rats, and clearing some trees. Max's role (that he took very seriously) was to catch fish and keep the boys fed. I could sense a lack of confidence when Marjan packed him off to Great Barrier laden with bacon & egg pie, sausages, steak and basically enough protein to feed them all for a week.
Anyway, all the men converged on Huia last night and spent a LONG time packing their vehicle for the ferry crossing this morning. John brought a truck full of building supplies from Northland (fence posts, generators, ladders, a chimney). Max brought a truck full of fishing supplies and food from Taranaki. Luckily Joel travels light. Into one truck it all had to converge. They were under the house for HOURS sorting it all out. In the end Max removed the back seats from the truck and they managed to get everything in. Well everything except poor Joel. He had to squeeze into a tiny hole in the back with the fence posts! Luckily they only had a 40min drive to the ferry terminal and a 15min drive at the other end.
This morning they all set off at about 4.30am to catch their early ferry. The weather is perfect for the ferry crossing. I have the day all to myself.
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| Ferry Crossing to Great Barrier, 19 July 2011 |
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| Ferry Crossing to Great Barrier, 19 July 2011 |
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| Ferry Crossing to Great Barrier, 19 July 2011 |
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| Ferry Crossing to Great Barrier, 19 July 2011 |
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| Ferry Crossing to Great Barrier, 19 July 2011 |
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| The Laden Vehicle |
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| Ferry Crossing to Great Barrier, 19 July 2011 |
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| Ferry Crossing to Great Barrier, 19 July 2011 |
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| Arrival at Great Barrier Island |
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| Great Barrier Island |
I am going to head down to Taranaki tomorrow, I'm picking up my Grandmother from the Northshore and she is going to drive down with Elsie and I. We're having a girl's weekend while they have their boys weekend.
Hopefully the weather will be nice as you can borrow mobility scooters to use in New Plymouth on the Coastal Walkway and in Pukekura Park (and it's free - go New Plymouth District Council!). Apparently last time Grandma was down there she had the mobility scooter going as fast as possible on the walkway. This I would like to see.
I'm a wee bit nervous about the drive - Elsie and my Grandmother - precious cargo!
Monday, 18 July 2011
On the menu
So far....
Accepted foods:
Accepted foods:
- Kumara
- Pumpkin
- Parsnip
- Carrot
- Potato (mixed with a sweeter veg)
- Apple
- Pear
- Mango (but needed help to pick it up as slippery!)
- Baby rice / Farex (but only mixed with breast milk or other purees
- Avocado
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Fishing, Brunch and Sunshine
Today Joel got up early and headed out for a quick fish. In about 15 minutes he was back with this Kahawai. Fab!
After that we headed to Maggie's for brunch. Maggie made home-made bagels - clever lady. We had them with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and red onion, yum! Elsie tried some smoked salmon - she looked a little perplexed but swallowed it!
After brunch we headed down to Wood Bay to enjoy the sunshine. Another miserable Winter's day...
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| Kahawai |
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| This is how our Kahawai ended up... |
After that we headed to Maggie's for brunch. Maggie made home-made bagels - clever lady. We had them with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and red onion, yum! Elsie tried some smoked salmon - she looked a little perplexed but swallowed it!
After brunch we headed down to Wood Bay to enjoy the sunshine. Another miserable Winter's day...
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| Wood Bay |
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| Wood Bay |
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| Wood Bay |
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
More Milestones
After such a big day we didnt think it could get any more exciting but just as we were changing her for a bath she found her feet!
Milestones Milestones
Today we had some big old milestones for little Elsie:
Firstly and most importantly she did her first poo since starting solids and it was stinky! She's also been doing really smelly farts! We're terribly proud.
Secondly she sat in her new high chair for the first time today (and ate more Farex of course). She loved it! We thought she would because it is up high where she can see what is going on.
She's such a big girl now!
Firstly and most importantly she did her first poo since starting solids and it was stinky! She's also been doing really smelly farts! We're terribly proud.
Secondly she sat in her new high chair for the first time today (and ate more Farex of course). She loved it! We thought she would because it is up high where she can see what is going on.
She's such a big girl now!
Thursday, 7 July 2011
The Baking Curse Lifts?....
Well it seems there may be light at the end of the tunnel with regard to the baking. With our shipping my oven thermometer arrived and I have been checking out the realities of my new fan oven.
It seems that when I was setting the dial to 160C it was actually cooking at around 190C. I adjusted the dial until I got exactly 160C in the oven and I had to set the dial to 115C! So the oven is less accurate at lower temperatures. Interesting huh.
Using this new setting I baked a banana cake - and I had my first success. Voila!
It seems that when I was setting the dial to 160C it was actually cooking at around 190C. I adjusted the dial until I got exactly 160C in the oven and I had to set the dial to 115C! So the oven is less accurate at lower temperatures. Interesting huh.
Using this new setting I baked a banana cake - and I had my first success. Voila!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
First Farex
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| Nice 'stach Elsie |
Today we started feeding Elsie her first big girl's food. We began with good old Farex (which is ground rice) mixed with breast milk. She took right to it and finished it all up. There is still no sense of enjoyment (or other) from her with regard to food. But she does seem keen for it - reaching out for it, getting in there with her fists etc. The plan is to start with rice for a few days, building up from one to two or three feeds a day and then start introducing other vegetables and fruit purees.
We are also quite interested in trying a bit of 'baby-led weaning' which is basically where the baby feeds themselves with finger foods from the get go - instead of your typical Farex and purees. Apparently babies can chew even before they have teeth. The idea is that you just put an assortment of soft finger foods on the baby's high chair tray and let them explore and eat what they want. It's supposed to make them more adventurous eaters among other benefits. I haven't done this yet because we don't have a high chair or any suitable foods. Must get on to that.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Dawson's Falls and Wilkes Pools
Buoyed along by the great walking and good weather Joel and I decided to spend an extra day in Taranaki and to head around the mountain to Kaponga (South Taranaki) to check out some walks on the other side.
We drove inland via Eltham where we stopped at the Galaxy Cheese Factory. Then we headed around to Kaponga and up to the mountain. We could see all the way across to Ruapehu while driving around to Kaponga. There was some cloud about the mountain but as we drove up the mountain we broke through it and it was lovely and sunny up the top.
We walked down to Dawson's Falls and then did the Wilkes Pool loop. A gorgeous gorgeous walk. Out little lady slept through most of it again!
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| Mt Taranaki from the South |
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| Doing what we do best at Dawson's Falls |
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| Rocking those woollens |
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| Wilke's Pools |
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| Wilke's Pools |
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| Wilkes Pools |
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| 'The Hill' - Mt Taranaki |
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Taradise
Another day in Taradise. Joel and Max headed out on the boat and came back with a great catch.
Once they returned Joel and I took a rather romantic evening stroll up Smart Road where I grew up. Taranki is so beautiful.
Once they returned Joel and I took a rather romantic evening stroll up Smart Road where I grew up. Taranki is so beautiful.
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| Max in his element |
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| Mt Taranki from the sea |
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| The catch |
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| An evening stroll up Smart Road |
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| Smart Road |
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Te Henui
Another day in Taradise
Today the sun was still shining so we walked the Te Henui walkway en familie. Gorgeous walk, happy baby, great day. At the end of the walk to you come out at East End Beach.
There is a very enterprising man there will what is essentially a caravan called the 'Big Wave Cafe'. These folk pump out good espresso right on the beach - and you can enjoy your cuppa in a retro lounge chair if you wish. After our walk we sat, drinking flat whites, looking out to sea, watching the world go (skate, run, bicycle) by until the sun finally set. Still can't believe it's the middle of winter. Glorious.
Today the sun was still shining so we walked the Te Henui walkway en familie. Gorgeous walk, happy baby, great day. At the end of the walk to you come out at East End Beach.
There is a very enterprising man there will what is essentially a caravan called the 'Big Wave Cafe'. These folk pump out good espresso right on the beach - and you can enjoy your cuppa in a retro lounge chair if you wish. After our walk we sat, drinking flat whites, looking out to sea, watching the world go (skate, run, bicycle) by until the sun finally set. Still can't believe it's the middle of winter. Glorious.
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| Another eventful walk for Elsie |
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| Elsie and Granddad at East End Beach |
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| Strike a pose Max |
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| Grandma and Granddad checking out the horizon |
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| Elsie and Grandma |
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| Granddad |
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| Jo and Elsie just chilling by the sea |
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| Big Wave Cafe |
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| Happy Tramper |
Friday, 1 July 2011
Backpack...
Today we headed up to North Egmont to try out the new baby backpack (we're Trade Me regulars now...). Elsie loved it. We had high hopes because it ticks all her boxes namely:
- It's forwards facing
- It's adult height
- It carries her from place to place
Everything a nosey baby needs.
We took advantage of the nice weather to head out on a walk through the Goblin Forest at North Egmont. We didn't go far as we weren't sure how Elsie would get on in the back pack. We rugged her up in her some of her finest knitwear and off we set. After much intial licking and sucking on the the back pack she promptly fell asleep and had a great nap. The great thing with the back pack is that it has a stand for when you take it off. So you can just but the backpack down on the ground (with the baby still asleep in it) while you have your lunch. Which is exactly what we did. Marjan had made us all ham rolls which we ate outside the Mountain House.
Nice
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| Getting all rugged up with Grandma |
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| Happy in the backpack with Dad |
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| Big eyes! |
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| Tastes good too |
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| Eery Goblin Forest |
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| The navigating ladies |
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