rockin start to the year!

On our last day in Nelson on Monday we went for a drive out to Motueka where I stayed 2 years when I was 18 and 19 for a couple of months in apple season to work on apple orchids. On the way we stopped at a fruit winery for some tastings and I couldn't help but buy a few bottles of the yummy apple & feijoa cider mmm. Motueka had in some ways changed a lot since I had lived there with a lot of new cafes and bars but it still looked like the sleepy little hippy town I know. We went to Hot Mama's Cafe for a yummy lunch and then a wonder through the shops. On the way back we stopped at the coast to see an old boat ruin and then at Mapua for some real fruit frozen yoghurt. It was James and I turn to turn so we did some shopping then made lasagna and enjoyed a last evening with everyone letting off fireworks.

Tuesday it was up early and off to the airport to fly back to Auckland. Mum met us at the airport and we drove back to her place on the North Shore. I had forgotten just how big Auckland was and enjoyed looking at all the sites on the drive. We spent a relaxing day catching up and a quite night as the next day was New Years Eve.

After a relaxing morning at Mum's (I can see a theme happening here..) we went for a drive out to the new Albany shopping centre and had a lot of fun shopping before Amy turned up and then did more shopping and catching up with her. Then it was home to quickly get ready for New Years. Dad picked me and James up and we went round to my cousin Yaron's place for bbq and some drinks. From there I jumped in a cab and went to Takapuna to meet with Amy and some of her friends. After a few drinks in Taka we headed to the viaduct and to meet with Andrew at Pasha. It wasn't long until we were all outside watching the fireworks off the skytower at midnight. Then it was a blur of horrible, packed bars until I had had enough and went home.


Thursday I woke up and Amy picked me up to drive up north to Tawharanui beach. It was a long drive but lovely weather and a wonderful beach. There were about 3 or 4 different sections and after walking through all of then found a real quiet spot to settle in and read mags and snooze in the sun. All too soon it was nearly 6pm and fearing that they may lock the gate we headed back to the car. It seemed much quicker getting out of the beach and we stopped at Warkworth to have some yummy fish and chips near the river. Then it was s slow creep in all the traffic back to Auckland. A lovely start to the new year!


Friday I woke up and drove round to my old flat to see Dave and Cec. It was just a little weird being in my old house and was lovely to catch up with them. Then it was back to mum's to relax before heading over to Amy's for the trip to Coromandel. There were four of us in the car and by the time all the girls were ready and we had stopped for some dinner we ended up at the Coroglen Tavern around 9pm. Just in time to see Autozamm play and then Opshop. Opshop were really great live and I got a brief chance to say hi to Jason while he was being swamped by fans after the show. Then it took just over 2 hours to drive back and crawled into bed around 2am very happy.



Saturday we headed out to Kumeu with Ian, Mum and James for a lovely lunch at a brewery. We had to be back straight after for James to go to work and then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxing at mum's.


Sunday it was up and out to Westhaven to go sailing. My dad's new berth is so close to the city and therefore also very close to where we live. Makes a huge difference as not much drive and then not far to sail straight into the harbour. It was a windy day so perfect for sailing and we were soon sailing past the city, then Devonport and the bays, past Rangitoto island and ended up putting down the anchor next to Brown's island for some lunch. Tales of all the fish leaving the harbour due to so many boats being out made us not keen to fish so instead we all snoozed after lunch. Then it was time to head back to the city and quickly home and changed before being picked up by Amy to go the King's Arms to see Elemeno p and Supergroove. We got there just in time and Elemeno p hit the stage with their catchy tunes and soon had us jumping around. Then after a short break it was Supergroove and was so good to see this band that I had liked so much when I was younger. They had some great new songs and played all their great old ones. At the end of the concert both bands were on the little stage and performed 2 rockin songs together.


So today I slept in and have been sorting out photo's and vids and writing this blog. Will have to get round to studying soon and will call a few peeps to see what this new week will bring. Laters..