Our little suburb makes the "coolest" list

For those of you who would like a little bit more of an unbiased overview of the suburb we live in, check out this little feature on Island Bay, in our local paper. We rather like it anyway.

It's our cool little suburb in the coolest little capital in the world ;-)

At the races

This weekend last year we took a day out to Trentham racecourse. We had a reasonably good day with a couple of winners so decided to have another go.

This year the weather gods have smiled on us more brightly with some stunning sun and only a dash of wind.

Ian has also had a very good run, winning 4 out of 7, while Annalie has won one race he didn't win. And there's still two races to go. Fingers crossed...

Hello South Island sunset

We were lucky to catch this AMAZING sunset tonight on our way back from Island Bay. We have often commented on the beautiful colours that are projected across the sky as the sun goes down. And this is yet another example.

Hello South Island!

Kiwis are a friendly bunch

According to a recent survey of ex pats by HSBC, New Zealand is ranked top as the friendliest country. It's hardly surprising really.

One of the things Annalie noticed during her recent return to the Motherland was that people on the streets tend to avoid contact. It's like the old joke about sitting on the tube and no one makes eye contact.

Here you will regularly get passers by saying "hello", "morning", or "afternoon" without fear of recrimination. So it's quite pleasant to share smiles with fellow Kiwis as we go about our business.

Annalie makes the TV. Briefly

Our cricket outing was broadcast live on NZ Sky Sports. So we recorded it to see if we made it onto the tube.

Sadly there was just a fleeting glimpse of Annalie. And not the most flattering either! Spotted wearing the HRV hat they gave out at the start!

Some half price Twenty20 action

We've probably mentioned the Entertainment Book before. It's a book chock full of vouchers that you can buy annually that gives you loads of money off food and activities.

Tonight we decided to go to a home Twenty20 cricket match with the Wellington Firebirds playing the Northern Knights.

On the off chance, we checked the Entertainment Book and found a BOGOF voucher. Bargain! Come on Firebirds!

And in homage to the last cricket game we watched, Ian dug out his Goodyear Eagles hat for the occasion.

A taste of home

Last time we visited Queenstown we happened upon The British Lolly Shop and were literally like kids in a sweet shop. So we had to try it again.

The shop's Rochdale owner happily hands out free tasters from the old-fashioned jars reminiscent of sweet shops of old.

With the many delights on offer, it was hard to choose. But among the favourites we walked away with were blackcurrant and liquorice, sherbet dips, a Yorkie bar and a can of Dandelion and Burdock! $20 well spent. And he also does mail order! Could be dangerous...but we managed to avoid the $8 jar of Haywards pickled onions. Tempting though it was!

A "Remarkable" tale

The Queenstown skyline is dominated by the stunning Remarkables mountain range. So-named because it is one of only two mountain ranges in the world to run true north-south.

We're sure you'll agree it's worthy of its name for the view alone.

Food and drink views

The amazing weather "down South" afforded us the opportunity to have some beautiful views while enjoying our food and drink. The lakeside setting always makes for a gorgeous backdrop. And having a hire car allowed us to get away a little. It really was hellish!

Historic Bungy!

For those who weren't aware, Queenstown was the birthplace of Bungy jumping. As we were driving by, we thought it would be rude not to take a peek at this historic landmark on the Kawarau River. Without it, Queenstown wouldn't be the adrenalin Mecca it is today!

Don't worry, we weren't that stupid this time. We're saving ourselves for some other new stupid challenges
;-)

A new year escape

Now that Annalie is back in NZ, we've decided to head off for a short break to the South Island to do some silly stuff ;-)

So we flew back to Queenstown. Our first night, however, has been spent in Cromwell, less than an hour from Qtown. Annalie bought Ian a motorbike tour which included a night's accommodation, so here we are.

But chilling by Lake Dunstan is an equally enjoyable way to start the holiday...

A Kiwi Christmas tree

In houses here in Kiwiland they use the same trees as everyone else for Christmas. But just as the northern hemisphere uses poinsettia as a Yuletide symbol, the Kiwis have their own.

As it's summer here, there's not much that's conducive to growing poinsettias at this time, so the intriguing pohutukawa tree is our new symbol.

This specimen is in the garden between our house and our landlord's, Bruce and Vicki's.

The down side is we think it sparks Ian's hayfever!