Cooooooooold!!

Time for another little update! We've been in Holland for a little under 3 weeks now and boy is it cold here! I've been trying to keep up the short sleeved shirts and jandals for the first week but I've given up after some serious frostbite! We've seen the last of autumn and the colours where really nice. Did not last long though because some serious winds blew the trees clean really fast.

We have had quite a bit of snow as well. Jeroen had never seen snow fall before so that was really cool for him! He's been riding on a sleigh with grandma and that was a big success as well.

We've been visiting friends and family as well and it was nice to see everybody again. It was also a bit scary as it was like we'd only been away for a couople of weeks, not 2 years. You immediately pick up where you left before and fall straight back into your old routine.

I've also been visiting my new work a couple of times and am really looking forward to starting work there. Only a couple more days before I start. Means we'll be having some income again and can move on with looking for a place to live and a car to drive. I'll try and put on some pictures of my new job when I can.

So all in all things are slowly starting to take shape.

The eagle has landed

Well, we've made it! 28 hours of traveling, and not a lot of sleep, but we've arrived safely in Holland. Not only that, but Floyd has arrived safely as well and has been sleeping at my feet last night. So a VERRY big thank you to the galls at FVC Thames for looking after him and to Kerry in Particular for getting him safely over here.

I'll put some more photo's up of our last days and the trip later today so watch this space.

UPDATE:

By the time we left Motueka we were nearing the end of our holiday. We decided to drive quite far down towards ChCh to be able to spend another 2 days there. The first day we managed to get to Kaikura. With the recent snowfall the Kaikura ranges looked spectacular. It never ceases to amaze to see the ocean with its tropical blue colour on one side, and snowcapped mountains just on the other side. Very nice indeed. Driving over there took us all day so we just stayed the night there.

The following day we drove towards Hanmer Springs and the plan was to stay our last 2 days there. Except it turned out that Hanmer was nothing like we expected. In all the brochures and TV commercials it is made out like it is some kind of little alpine village. When we arrived however it turned out to be just a regular village at he bottom off some hills. It was nice, but nowhere near as spectacular as we envisioned.

So off we went again, straight through to ChCh so from there on we would not need to drive any further. In ChCh we had one relaxed day where we took the Gondola. Both jeroen and Jasper LOVED it. We had a little picknick at the top and then drove on to Sunmer and spent some time at the beach. After that back to the motel unit and to bed.

The following day we sold Big Bertha. We expected major problems with Jeroen who LOVES Big Bertha and who got really upset with the idea of us selling her. When we told him that she would not fit the plain and that we would take her to another little kid who could ride in her he was satisfied with that and no more tears where shed. In fact, when we got on the plane he looked around and said, "Big Bertha does not fit the plane daddy, there are too many chairs in here".

After that, it was one last day of relaxing at the campsite, jumping on the jumping pillow and time to go to the airport at night. First 2 flights where perfect. Kids sleeping, plnae half empty so we could get seats we wanted, a bassinet for Jasper and really nice Air NZ flightcrew.

Los Angeles was hell. We had problems with the tickets which took us over an hour to resolve. then there were the security measures. Instead of just transferring from one flight to another we had to clear customs, collect all our luggage, check it in again, and then go throug "security". far out. Lots of notes stating that you will be treated with respect and dignity and friendly. Well not by the overweight, underpaid unhappy bunch of wankers that manned our checkpoint. take shoes of, check stroller, check backpack, kids screaming and crying blue murder and the one of the wankers looking at you and saying: you should try it from this side.... Yeah whatever, I feel sorry for you.... NOT.

In spite of our 3 hour transfer time we only made it to our connecting flight with 25 minutes to spare before boarding started. The last flight was knackering. Older plane, no personal entertainment system and two kids wide awake. To make things worse Jasper got some colic and screamed for 25 minutes. Again the flightcrew came to the rescue and one of the girls took Jasper to the galley, sat him on her lap and fed him some canned fruit. Hats off. I know it is there job but they went to great lengths to make us all as comfortable as possible.

So after the last 10 hours we landed in Amsterdam to find friends and family waiting. Funny thing was that it felt we had only been on vacation just a couple of weeks. Nothing has changed in these 2 years and allready NZ seems such a long time ago it's frightening! By then we were pretty knackered so after Floys was collected it was off to home for some tea and then an early night.

By now we are getting back in our rhythm. I've been to see my future colleages and with a lot of familliar faces that felt really good. For now we're going to visit friends and relax a lot before we have to start work again.

I'll try to put on some pictures of my new job soon so the thames ladies can see where there resident nerd has ended up! Hope everybody in NZ is doing well and will give you a call soon to catch up. Either that or we can have an MSN/skype date for the latest gossip. Enjoy the summer because the weather here is not exactly sunny!

Cheers,

Maarten, Esther, Jeroen and Jasper

Salmon fishing

Today we went Salmon fishing at the Anatoki salmon farm. To get there we had to drive across NZ windiest road. And that was no lie. Not a straight piece on it. We went from Motueka to Takaka and you have to cross this big great hill. So we twisted and turned our way from sea level to 800 meters and then down again, I think Cath needs to get her bike over here and do that one. That should give her a workout.... hopefully..,. ;-)

The valley on the other side was absolutely gorgeous. A wide green stretch with rivers winding their way through, patches of popular trees and huge snowcapped mountains on either side. After two days of rain today the weather was perfect. Lots of sunshine with a little chill in the wind.

The Salmon farm was in a beautifull location and was run by a dutch couple. they made the move to NZ 4 years ago. they were really nice and we had a good time chatting with them. But of course there were salmon to be caught as well. Jeroen was really looking forward to catch a fish with me. Sowo got our rod sorted, got a brief talk about how to kill them after you caught them and off we went. It did not take long for us to catch the first fish! Jeroen helped land it and was super exited. then esther had a go. I Took Jasper from his stroller to have a look as well and promply his hat was blown of straight into the water.... Bugger. But, not to worry, we had a rod and reel hadn't we?? So of I went to try and catch myself a hat. Well, that did not quite work out, but in the process I did catch another salmon, twice as big as the first one! Unfortunately we forget to take pictures of that one.

After all that it was time to get the fish prepped and hot smoked on the spot. One with basil and garlic and the other fish with tandori spices. I have to say that was some of the best fish I ever had! Absolutely delicious and a definite recommendation should you ever be in the area!

After that it was some time to play in the sandpit and enjoy the weather. After that time to go back home again. Esther took Jeroen into the swimming pool and that was a big succes. I did not take any pictures but hes really enjoying it and getting braver by the minute, going down to his neck and splashing about.

OK, that's it for today. Wouldn;t want to bore you to death.

Motueka, and here to stay

And a short one. today we've driving the Queen Charlotte drive (no idea who she was by the way) from picton to Motueka. Motueka is the town closest to Abel tasman national park. Some of NZ nicest beaches are here and with the weather clearing up we're looking forward to spending some time on them. the campsite is great, there is a jumping pillow and we've decided to stay here for the next four nights. Both the kids and us are exhausted by all the driving we've been doing. So prepare for some gloriious each shots in the next few days!

Windy Wellington

Update 6+7 Wellington

On Monday we set of to go to Wellington. Another 300 Kms but mostly over flattish terrain so should not take too long. the trips started out well, but after a while we got slowed down by..... a house.

Arnica told me before that NZ was the only country where she'd ever been overtaken by a house! So as we were driving along we suddenly saw a little truck with a sign: “caution house” on the back of it. In front of that was a huge articulated lorry with a 2 bedroom house on the trailer. The damn thing was so wide it blocked both lanes of the road and so high it hit the overhanging power and telephone lines on several occasions! In front of the lorry 2 cars where directing trafic. at some places the other cars had to of the road and onto the shoulder to allow the house to pass. And during all that they managed to keep the speed up pretty good! I think they averaged about 80 Kph! Fortunately every now and again the whole convoy moved over to the side to let the cars trailing behind it past.

Close to wellington we stopped at Mount Bruce. Here they have a little bird sanctuary. There was a short bush walk and we got to see a kiwi real close in the kiwi house. Jeroen got a real fright when two Kaka (native NZ parrots) got into a fight and came thundering down the little track we were walking on and zoomed by our heads!

After that we reached wellington without further incidents. In the evening tristan came by for a cup of tea. He and Saskia live about ½ an hour away. Saskia had to work late but it was great cathing up with Tristan. Of course he had to go on the Jumping pillow as well and soon kids were flying all over the place!

The following morning we went for a short walk in Wellington and took the cable train up to the botanic gardens. Unfortunately we spend quite some time looking for a place to park so our time at the gardens was somewhat limited. The fact that I always want to be early did not help either.

By the time we got on the ferry the winds had picked up to gailforce so the first part of the journey was a bit bumpy. Fortunately after we passed the Wellington harbour entrance the waves were not too bad and the rest of the trip was comfortable. Both Jeroen and Jasper slept most of the trip. When we arrived it was off to the holliday camp in picton and go to bed.