Sheep in the Paddock

Stephe told me that in New Zealand, everything references to sheep.  For example, when the winds whip up, as they tend to do here in the winter, it turns over little white tops on the water. These are called "Sheep in the Paddock". So ... you know it is a windy day when someone tells you there are lots of sheep in the paddock. 

Today there are lots of sheep in the paddock! Winter is showing itself fully. The first few days that I was here, it was beautiful outside. I could sit for hours on the deck just gazing out at the water, blue and sparkling, a few perfect, white fluffy clouds floating here or there, rainbows appearing spontaneously. On Thursday, Emily and I were down looking at Kapiti from a high overlook. The wind was whipping and it was somewhat cold - though I was underdressed in a thin jacket. A woman stopped to take some photos and chatted with us a bit. She was curious to know if it got this cold in NC, when I divulged that that was where I was visiting from. It is about 50 degrees farenheit right now, so I giggled and assured her that it definitely got colder. She said she was sorry to hear that because she was simply freezing, even despite her fleece and down vest and scarf and gloves! She pointed over to the horizon and said that a front was coming in, and we would likely get storms. She was right. 

It got colder and cool misting rain was spitting yesterday when Em and I took a trip into town. We had lunch at the Black Harp, an Irish pub type restaurant, where we were seeking out fish and chips but found none. Fish and chips are big here, but there were none to be found at the Black Harp. We had reubens there, which they don't know by that name. It was simply called a "baked sandwich of corned beef" on their menu, so I told the Kiwi waitress what we call them in the states. She was very curious and wanted to know WHY they were called that, but I didn't know. HOWEVER I have looked up the story and if you are at all interested, you can  read it here.

We checked out Kirkcaldie after that for tights to keep my legs warm. That is the major department store, and it is truly spectacular. They have all kinds of beautiful things that are very much out of my price range, but still fun to look at! In addition to clothing, they have whole sections dedicated to things like fine coffees and teas and cheeses. I was able to find what I was looking for, as well as try on many spectacular hats. Emily assured me that I would have to purchase a hat from there if I ever made the decision to become a nanny. 

The New World was our last stop on the route home, to pick up groceries. We got the makings for lasagna and a big salad, which I had volunteered to make. I have learned from Emily that you can never have too much: diet coke, mango juice, or bagel chips. I think she buys these every time she goes to the store regardless of how much there is at home. Must ... never ... run out!

I cooked and we watched Might Aphrodite, and following dinner, Em and I hopped in the hot tub on the deck, which was lovely with the front coming in. The cool mist dusted us and big fog hung over the Cook Strait. We had hot tea after rinsing off, and it was nice and cosy to get in my bed. 

Actually , that is where I still am. I had wheatabix with manuka honey, but then opened my bedroom curtains and climbed back in bed, because it seemed like the appropriate thing to do. Emily and Stephe will be sleeping for at least several more hours. The wind is howling around this corner of the house, and the flax is rustling against itself. Mana island is a steely grey, and the rolling hills and rocky shores are foggy, wet, and cold looking. The rain comes on and off. 

I have my bed warmer on and am sitting her contemplating the coffee process, thinking I might tackle it shortly. I turned on the floor in the bathroom so it can warm up for my shower, as I think that would also be in order. Then I think I might climb back in bed ...

Mornings

I think that I am still suffering a bit from a journey halfway around the world. my body hasn't quite figured out what this is all about. I slept better my second night here, awaking only once last night as opposed to 3 times my first night. Still, though, despite staying up late, I was unable to sleep past 7:00 this morning. 

Emily and Stephe are late nighters and hence late risers ... at least late in comparison to my early antics. It is nice, though, to arise in the quiet of the mornings here. Emily has directed me to the muesli and the wheatabix. That was lovely for my first morning but there was one small complication ... I had not been instructed on coffee! We made it together yesterday morning when she awoke and she gave me careful directions about the coffee process and she and Lolo had spent so much time perfecting. I was at least somewhat successful this morning. They have a glass coffee maker that is shaped like an hour glass. You place the cone filter into the top and boil the water. Once the water is hot, you lightly moisten the filter with water. Five scoops of coffee are put into the filter, and then you wet the grounds all over with the first bit of two cups of the hot water. When the grounds are all moistened, you slowly pour the remainder of the two cups directly into the center of the grounds and allow for it to drip. The product is a delectable, very rich coffee. One cup is more than enough to give me my morning fix. 

This morning I needed it, after yesterday. 

The beginning of the day was quite lazy. I lounged most of the morning until Emily got up and showered and got dressed, and took me for a walk through their woods. Lolo had a path cut that winds up the mountain. Despite the fact that it is winter, everything is green and lush. Emily explained that this is because the rains come in the winter. In the summer there is drought, and many of the plants turn brown. Now, the trees are thick with foliage. The branches are high and tight, and the walk through the woods was warmer because the wind doesn't whip through so easily. Emily pushed me on a swing that they put up on the path that spun me out above the trees and made my tummy turn flip flops. Further up the path, we sat on one of the many hand-carved wooden benches and looked out across the forest, watching Iorek chasing sticks and blowing leaves and little dried red mushrooms that scattered the path. The dirt smells strong and rich and brown. Emily told me that sailors claim that when you approach New Zealand from the vast ocean that you can smell the soil before you even catch a glimpse of the land. I believe it. 

We had lunch (cold steak sandwiches, courtesy of my chef extraordinaire sister), and then Emily and Stephe headed into Wellington for a visit with the lawyer, while I explored brochures about all the things to do in New Zealand, from touring vineyards to whale watching to bungee jumping. I was not previously aware that bungee jumping originating in New Zealand! What there is to learn ...

Upon returning, Emily made reservations for us at a fancy restaurant in the city. As I dolled myself up, Emily and Stephe got dressed upstairs. I awaited Emily at the bottom of the stairs, and she surprised me when she emerged! She was very hot and Parisian looking in black, fitted, sheer, lace stockings, red patent leather shoes. She is spectacular and delicious and all that she ever was and more. I like seeing this side of her. 

Dinner was drawn out and delicious. The maitre'd knew Emily and Stephe, and sat us at a prime window seat overlooking the bay. The dining room was wide and open, with unfinished wood floors and a high ceiling, rafters exposed. We were brought tempuraed scallops with a truffle sauce compliments of the chef, and Emily and I had french onion soup with beef cheeks as an appetizer. Stephe ordered us a tere-coco New Zealand sauvignon blanc that was very good and a perfect compliment to my entree of marinated prawns with twice fried plantains in garlic and a spice green tomato sauce, and Emily's Akaroa salmon.  It was all perfect and so filling that we had to turn down desert. Plus, we had a movie to get to!

We went to the Reading Cinema to see Hancock, the newest Will Smith movie about a drunken superhero. Here, you are assigned seats at the movie theater, and the back three rows have large recliners - that is where we sat. If you want popcorn and soda, it is right there in the lobby, and is serve yourself. You only have to pay for food, wine, and beer, if that's what you want. Quite the deal, I say!

I was exhausted by the end of the evening, but Stephe decreed that it was time for me to learn to drive, and this evening was the perfect time to do it. Once back on the edge of Plimmerton, he pulled over and I removed my high heels before hopping in the driver's seat to test my wits and right-hand, left side driving. I did fine! Granted, I think we only passed one or two cars going in the opposite direction. However, I was able to keep my wits about me and the car on the correct side of the road. I think one of the weirdest parts was shifting gears with the left hand ...

The night concluded with Stephe pulling me out on the deck to show me the stars, which are truly breathtaking here. They spanned out clearly over the Cook Strait and shone brightly since it was such a clear night. The milky way glowed clear as day across the sky. If the skies remain clear, we are going to build a fire in the observatory, spread out the lambskins, and get out the telescope. 

I slept well, though I did have a dream that I was informed that since I had passed the computer NCLEX, I was now required to take a written exam. The first question wanted me to identify a knot in a rope and I was pretty livid about it. 

We are journeying into the city today. Emily has some errands to take care of and we are thinking of lunch out and a walk in a city garden, as well as a trip to Alistair's Music so I can pluck on some banjos. 

More to come. 

Love,

L

Arrival

July 7

Who knew there was a paradise left in this world where open arms awaited you at the end of the air bridge when you exited the airplane? Emily was standing there for me, right when I got off the plane in Wellington. She hugged me and welcomed me and was quick to take me over to the airport Fuel for a New Zealand morning cappucino, a welcome treat after 24 hours of travel. It was warm in my hands as she took me out into the winter morning and loaded me up into the BMW station wagon with the steering wheel on the wrong side. Our drive through Wellington proved it to be a lovely city through car windows, with buildings remniscient of New York but winding streets and climbing hills more similar to crawling Italian cities. All of it simply foreign and delightful, good that I was preoccupied with the landscape so my hands would cease from reaching for my invisible steering wheel with which I mentally attempted to direct us to the right side of the road, directly into oncoming traffic. 

We crossed the train tracks and climbed the hills into Plimmerton where Emily and Stephe have their home. The Track winds up and before heading down into the trees we were presented with glorious green rolling hills speckled in little white sheep. The ratio of sheep to humans here is 4 to 1. We rolled up to #67 and unloaded my bags. Emily directed me to my bedroom where I settled my things while she cooked me eggs and an english muffin. I was introduced to the family dogs, Dakota and Iorek, who sniffed and approved of me. The blinds were opened, and as we ate, we gazed over the sparkling waters of the Cook Strait to Mana Island. Mana Island is a preservation island where there are many different birds, but no people and no sheep. As we were eating, dark clouds rolled in from the south and the winds brought sideways hail bouncing upon the deck. However, the sun continued to shine in the north and a rainbow appeared over in the west. 

Emily and I, following some romping with Dakota and Iorek and the observation of this crazy New Zealand winter weather, ventured in her snazzy little sports car (a red BMW Z3) to the northern part of the island to seek out lunch. We actually took the first part of the trip with the top down ... Emily with her crazy curls whipping about in the wind, and me in my borrowed hat and coat, clutching my arms about myself to keep warm. Once the rain started to fall, though, we had to pul over and put up the top so as not to damage her leopard spootted leather interior! We traveled to CoBar for a late lunch, but found it, and every other restaurant in the general vicinity, to have a closed kitchen, we were directed to Eastbourne, about a 4 minute drive further north, where we were able to find a shop that would serve us. Emily had a spinach artichoke quiche while I feasted upon a delectable  New Zealand chicken pesto red pepper ciabatta panini. We followed our meal with a drive to a windy, rocky beach that offered us a smorgasboard of spectacular shells and ocean washed stones, which quickly filled our pockets. They are likely the products of some wild storms that have crossed the islands in the past week or so. We walked and talked and talked and walked and returned to the car just in time for a spectacular setting sun over the Cook Strait. 

Upon returning home, we showed off our treasures to Stephe, who was quite impressed with our finds. We lounged and chatted and decided that dinner would at some point be in order, and worked towards that. Stephe and Emily chatted me up and eventually fed me and made me laugh despite my drooping eyelids. They have finally allowed me the option to climb inside these cosy sheets and prepare myself for my coming weeks of adventure. 

I have a corner room on the main level of  the house. There is an attached bathroom just for me with blue tiles and a small glass walled shower. The window of both the bathroom and the bedroom overlook the deck, facing the bay and Mana Island. There is a beautiful king size bed, with clean white sheets and chocolate truffles on the mounts of pillows. Stephe turned on the bed warmer for me so that it will be fit for sleeping when I climb in. I have been advised by Em to keep half the bed cold and half the bed warm so that if I awake in in the night and am too warm for comfort, then I can roll over to the cool side, and return to the warmth if I awake again too cold. There is also a computer right here at my side so that I can send notes and update my blog whenever I see fit. 

I hear the wind howling outside and am very happy to be right here, where I am. I am looking forward to the coming weeks, and the adventures and relaxing I will partake in!

More to come. 

Love,

Leacey