Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Hit The Ground Running - NZ Edition

It's been a busy time since I landed in New Zealand a week and a half ago. The first thing I did when reaching Auckland was replace my sim card. This turned out to be fortuitous, because when I walked over to the domestic terminal, I discovered that I had printed the wrong papers for my connecting flight. Luckily I was able to get into my email to get the right ones! (But not until after having trouble getting into my email... of course.)
After landing in Wellington, not 5 minutes after being in the car with Chris, he got a call asking for help to move furniture. I didn't mind. But it was tough work moving furniture for an hour after having travelled for 18 hours!
Later on in the day Chris' brother John joined us and we walked up Mt Kaukau. Doing this hike on the same day as landing in New Zealand seems to have turned into a tradition.

The next day I went hiking with Chris and his friend Rodger to check traps around one of the wildlife sanctuaries. They kill the mice, rats, stoats, and other nonnative species to help preserve the native birds. Before we went Chris told me how terrible it was to get a hedgehog because they get all mushy when they die. Sure enough, one of the traps had a hedgehog and Rodger said something to the effect that he hated getting hedgehogs because they get all mushy. Luckily this one was freshly dead and easily removed. I can now take "see hedgehog" off the bucket list, but add "see live hedgehog" to it. We climbed to the top of a rather steep trail and saw an enormous yellow bush called Golden Tainui.

A few days later I joined my friend kiwipurler for a day around Wellington. We went to a saturday craft market. Anna Gratton was there. I didn't buy any yarn, but I did take a picture of the yarn I was thinking about buying. Once I figure out the amounts I need, some of that yarn will be mine. (Note: it's 912 yds for $18NZ!)

The day was so lovely. We walked along the waterfront and talked about life stuff. It's always fun to catch up with a friend.

As it turns out, she had a surprise in store for me. The only problem I have is, which do I knit up first?

5 comments :

José said...

Sounds like a good start to your NZ adventure !
Oh, and that Anna Gratton link.... you do know how to tempt a gal... ;-)

Alicia said...

Wow, busy busy! Way to start your adventure off well!

Rachelle said...

I'm about to cast on with some of my Earth Wear, my Anna Gratton has to wait though. You'll love NZ's yarn options, and if you ever get into spinning there's a lot of lovely fibre to be had as well!
Will you be coming to Christchurch at all? Our guild is now in new rooms (our old rooms are still closed after the earthquakes) and Christchurch is a great place to start on a yarn hunt

Jennifer said...

What fun! I'm excited to read all about your new adventures. Just make sure to take many amazing photos! (oh wait, you always do that!).

DKnits said...

What beautiful pictures and tempting yarn! I wouldn't have been able to just take a picture of them!

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