New Zealand

My snuggly-buggly

Two years ago we were chosen by a lovely family to take in their precious pup when their lifestyle and her were no longer compatible. Within a few weeks we had broken her of the “no dogs on the furniture” rule from her previous life and she took to the couch and the bed very … Continue reading →

Grandad’s WWII Diary – Monday 26th July – Saturday 31st July 1943

Click here for entry for Tuesday 20th July – Sunday 25th June 1943 Monday July 26 Day 841 Made more enquiries concerning Canal, learnt guarded for six months.  Due early in Aug.  Played cards in afternoon.  Word through that Musso*  ??? had resigned.  Continued letters in evening. Tuesday July 27 Day 842 Spent full day … Continue reading →

Grandad’s WWII Diary – Tuesday 20th July – Sunday 25th June 1943

Click here for entry for Wednesday 14th July (cont.) – Monday 19th July 1943 Tuesday July 20 Day 835 Got parcels ready in case I see Meaty*.  Swimming in afternoon returning early then acting as Pall-Bearer for Maori Boy.  Small walk in cool of evening. Wednesday July 21 Day 836 In morning told could go … Continue reading →

Grandad’s WWII Diary – Wednesday 14th July (cont.) – Monday 19th July 1943

Click here for entry for Saturday 10th July – Wednesday 14th July 1943 Wednesday July 14 Day 829 … from Sicily. Wrote in evening. Thursday July 15 Day 830 Received Marg’s tabacco parcel today, no swimming today but slept instead.  Fit men on guard returned to Maadi – graded men from Helwan taking their place.  In … Continue reading →

Grandad’s WWII Diary – Saturday 10th July – Wednesday 14th July 1943

Click here for entry for Monday 5th July – Friday 9th July 1943 Saturday July 10 Day 825 News through today of invasion of Sicily.  This where the huge convoys which passed through canal have gone.  In evening walked to church arriving to read (news)paper but nothing in it about invasion. Sunday July 11 Day 826 … Continue reading →

Grandad’s WWII Diary – Monday 5th July – Friday 9th July 1943

Click here for entry for Grandad’s WWII Diary – Friday 30th June – Sunday 4th July 1943 Monday July 5 Day 820 Had leave to Ismailia – left Hospital at 7.30 by ration truck.  Could not not see hand-bag suitable for Marg – plenty of wog mades but all very rough – decided to wait and … Continue reading →

Grandad’s WWII Diary – Friday 30th June – Sunday 4th July 1943

Click here for entry for Friday 25th June – Tuesday 29th June 1943 Wednesday June 30 Day 815 Usual swimming etc during day – received Patriotic parcel & cigarettes – large convoy of troop ships passing on way to Port Said. – ships fully loaded – seems likely new operation nearing time.  In evening dramatic … Continue reading →

A whole lot of happenings since my last post

I’m not sure anyone has missed the fact I haven’t done a blog post since the middle of February.  I have a good excuse … my dog ate it.  Ok that is a lie, but I do have a good excuse, which I will relate to you, dear readers (or reader – Hi Mum!). About this … Continue reading →

A hoarder’s guide to movies

I have mentioned a number of times my Dad’s hoarding.  His latest fixation is movies – VHS movies… Some may consider these towers the 8th wonder of world.  I see it as half a skip full of stuff I will have to get rid of when he dies… likely when being crushed under a pile … Continue reading →

Unlocking the treasure chest

One of the gems I was given a few years back from my Grandparent’s estate was this little treasure chest… locked and without a key.   I tried to find someone who might have one online on various antique forums and Freecycle.  No luck there. I called around the banks and was recommended a local branch … Continue reading →

Grandad’s WWII Diary – Friday 25th June – Tuesday 29th June 1943

Click here for entry for Saturday 19th June – Thursday 24th June 1943 Friday June 25 Day 810 This morning went for breakfast – immediately afterwards four of us walked along canal until 9.30AM.  In afternoon usual swim. Much traffic passing through canal – especially invasion boats & barges – seems likely something will soon … Continue reading →

Wordless Wednesday – Tinkerbell, is that you?

Lake Hayes Walkway – near Arrowtown, New Zealand

Since we are staying in Queenstown, not far from the Arrowtown turn off, we decided to take a stroll along part of the Lake Hayes walkway. If you are familiar with the area, we parked at Bendemeer Bay and walked north towards the Lake Hayes picnic area.  Click here for more information on the Lake … Continue reading →

An atheist Christmas feast

Although we don’t celebrate Christmas, we did celebrate being on a work expense account.  Dear work, thank you for paying for this most of this delicious food while we are on call in Queenstown for the week 😉 From left to right, top to bottom – Fresh homegrown cherries which are one of the quintessential Christmas … Continue reading →

Doglets go on their Christmas hols to Queenstown

While humans are on call in Queenstown for Christmas week, the doglets get to go too – on their first long holiday!  Woohoo! Very excited. As soon as we left the suburbs of Christchurch and started travelling faster, doglets were out like a light!  Car rides are the very bestest fun ever!  If you consider … Continue reading →