tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57800115351950261922012-02-16T07:36:55.702ZOriginally titled "Life at the end of the world... NZ" this blog was about my experiences living in New Zealand for 2 years. As I'm now back in Ireland I think a name change is required hence the "From Ireland..." name.eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.comBlogger2361100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-35808149112923742442012-01-07T15:16:00.001Z2012-01-07T15:21:09.291Z

as we're going out for dinner tomorrow night. This was the message that I got, via OCS, from Dave on Thurs 15th Dec. Me: Oh, okay. Where and what time? Dave: Nosh in Dalkey at 7pm. Me: Okay. You do know that tomorrow is both our Christmas team lunches so we'll be eating a v late lunch.Dave: Yes I know but it's already booked.Me: Okay.So, even though I'd been spoiled with a surprise

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-28194989759008125062012-01-06T20:05:00.001Z2012-01-06T20:05:42.382Z

Well it's only been about 6 weeks since I wrote up part I and ended saying that i hoped that it wouldn't be too long before I got to Part II... ah well!Oh my... i've just realised that Part I finished with us leaving for Macau... I thought that i had at least managed to cover Hong Kong and Macau already but it would appear not.The ferry journey across to Macau was grand, less than an hour I think

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-79614961730528400022011-11-27T19:08:00.001Z2011-11-27T19:10:13.244Z

In October we finally got to our annual holiday. We needed to be on Lang Fang in China by the third week in October for my brothers wedding so we decided to work our holiday around this visit. After much deliberation and with the help of the itinerary that a friend of mine had used some years we decided that we'd fly in to Hong Kong for 3 nights, visit Macau for 2 nights before getting a flight

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-20697549832136085782011-05-02T19:58:00.001+01:002011-05-02T19:58:13.930+01:00

Last July I decided that I'd like to try my hand at gardening so I got my self an allotment until for the remainder of that year. Looking at an allotment plot it doesn't seem all that big but as it turns out, when you're a complete novice on the gardening front a little space takes a lot of maintenance. By September I was heating up there at 9am on a Sunday morning because I was too embarrassed

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-59133828807985709212010-12-19T09:40:00.001Z2010-12-19T09:40:11.434Z

It's the Sunday before Christmas and I spent last night baking the Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake followed by Bridget Jones' Diary on TV while wrapping my Christmas presents. Now I know that this may not sound like the most exciting way to spend a Saturday evening but as I had had a fairly tiring week I found this wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable.There's snow outside again this morning.

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-88952337320552868322010-12-03T19:23:00.000Z2010-12-03T19:23:29.750Z

I love it!

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-71144147102138223952010-08-04T17:08:00.001+01:002010-08-04T18:46:58.684+01:00

My youngest sister Jill got married in the middle of the July. It was a wonderful day with everyone looking wonderful. The bride was 20 mins late walking up the aisle, which I personally love as Jill is never ever late for anything. Not that Billy was worried...The mother of the bride looked mega elegant walking up the aisle with her grandson (who was more concerned about where his mother,

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-11061043386811117672010-07-27T21:40:00.001+01:002010-07-27T21:41:15.442+01:00

Friday was our last day in Istanbul. For this day we had the Topkapi Palace planned for the morning (after our Starbucks coffee (best of a bad lot) of course) and the Aya Sophia in the afternoon. Then dinner (rather disappointing for both of us unfortunately) and a ferry crossing from European to Asian side of Istanbul and back again to get some sunset photos.It took us about three hours (or

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-87557021577475887382010-06-22T21:23:00.001+01:002010-06-22T21:23:40.363+01:00

The Bosphorous Strait forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia with parts of Istanbul on either side; hence my references in earlier posts about heading across to the European or Asian side of Istanbul. On Thursday we took a ferry sailing up the Bosphorous Strait from Eminonu up to Anadolukavagi. The sailing takes about 90 mins each way and we had 3 hrs onland during which time we

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-70442021219967317952010-06-19T18:23:00.001+01:002010-06-19T18:23:59.286+01:00

WednesdayAs on Monday morning we were up early after another overnight train journey; this time from Ankara back to Istanbul. It looked like it was going to be a sunny warm day so happy vote from me!Got the ferry back across to Europe (aka European side of of Istanbul) and tram up to the Sultanhamet stop in the Old Town. A bit of wandering around before we finally found our hotel but find it we

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-13360794170655597042010-06-07T18:19:00.001+01:002010-06-07T18:22:08.598+01:00

TuesdayWoke up in our lovely room in the Arch Palace in Goreme. It was fantastically bright and sunny and warm outside. I was happy :)We had a yummy breakfast on the terrace with lovely view over Goreme.After breakfast it was checkout time, store the bags an doff to get that coffee that I desperately needed (it had been 48 hrs by now) before heading off the Open Air Museum. The coffee tasted

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-30549084974620344582010-06-06T15:06:00.002+01:002010-06-07T18:22:52.477+01:00

MondayI had the alarm set for 6:45am on Monday morning as our train was due to arrive in Ankara at 7:07am. We were up and ready just in time without any rushing. Turns out that we could have had an extra hour in bed as our train didn't get in until just gone 8am! From the train station we had to get to the ASTI bus station where we were going to get a bus to Goreme in Cappdocia. According to

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-61297371550871901112010-06-05T18:47:00.002+01:002010-06-07T18:23:50.330+01:00

SundayUp, not particularly early (9am) and down to a wonderful breakfast on the terrace. Lots of cheeses, breads, tomatoes, cucumber and freshly squeezed OJ. Yummy!! The terrace was on the Bosphorous and if I walked out to the edge of it the Mosque in Ortakoy Sq was visible. A wonderful first breakfast :)While in Istanbul breakfast was to be my favourite meal - bread and cheese, tomatoes,

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-16812005687645638442010-06-05T18:20:00.001+01:002010-06-05T18:20:54.577+01:00

SaturdayLeft home at 7:50am Sat morning and it was a beautiful day outside. For the first time in what seemed like a long time I walked down to the bus stop wearing a t-shirt and not even feeling slightly chilly! It was wonderfully sunny and warm... We were sitting beside a young Turkish guy who had spent the previous 4 weeks in Ireland visiting his new born son. He was very friendly without

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-86594649339541850022010-05-16T20:05:00.001+01:002010-05-16T20:05:27.589+01:00

Today, for the first time in about, oh, 9 years i attended a yoga class. Actually it was a 2h yoga workshop - Relax, Refresh and Renew to be precise. I'm not sure what i expected but what I experienced wasn't necessarily it. I guess I thought there'd be 1.5 hrs of some sort of gentle Hatha yoga followed by a 30 min guided meditation at the end. Actually it turns out that there's a sort of

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-12871469366313851452010-03-09T21:06:00.001Z2010-03-09T21:31:43.326Z

Hmm... okay so it's been 3 or 4 weeks since my last posting so it's not quite frequent but if I can manage 1 a month then that can't be too bad can it??Ridiculously busy at work at the moment so in true Aoife style my sleeping patterns are a little shot but expecting them to settle back to "normal" fairly soon.Outside of work it's been a little surprising in that we've had some rather beautiful

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-66897802782843459842010-02-14T10:11:00.001Z2010-02-14T10:11:46.888Z

When I was living in NZ I got in to the habit, whenever I posted a blog entry, of posting a link to that entry in Live Journal. I did this because I have Irish and NZ friends who use LJ alot and didn't have an RSS feed to my blog. When I moved back to Ireland I continued to do the same thing. The difference of course is that I haven't exactly posted alot since my return. Anyway, when I

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-79318371008392133262010-01-17T20:30:00.001Z2010-01-17T20:30:18.335Z

Hard to believe that this photo was taken nearly 7 months ago... seems like a lifetime ago! The thing is I fully remember how knackered I was at this stage too... I can't believe I'm smiling in this photo. A combination of seeing the hut and the camera I'd guess :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-38905182222061655092009-12-09T10:12:00.001Z2009-12-09T10:18:17.054Z

As I made my coffee this morning I was just thinking how delicious it is to have a random day off work slap bang in the middle of the week! During the course of the year I always make sure to keep enough days to give me a decent week or two off out of the office over Christmas. This year we have to take 5 days unpaid leave instead and all holidays need to be used up. Had it not been for little

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-68576985040065740882009-11-23T20:46:00.001Z2009-11-23T20:46:18.487Z

I don't even know where to start. The last thing anybody really wants is a minute by minute update of the last 2 months so I'll try to avoid that. I'm sort of readjusting to life back here. In one way it feels like I was never away and in the other my life in Wellington is still very much part of me. Firstly, the former point is so so wrong! I lived in Wellington for 2 years so it should not

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-51393639109522412912009-11-05T20:39:00.001Z2009-11-05T20:39:03.248Z

Back on line. At last. Can not believe it's taken the red company (wouldn't do to be naming names would it?!) so long to get me a modem and set up. 3 weeks!! Promise to try and write some form of update soon :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-79796320939202999562009-09-20T19:27:00.002+01:002009-09-20T19:30:29.668+01:00

I'm back a little under 5 weeks and my life in New Zealand feels like another lifetime. I know we all get that feeling a few days after we get back from hols.. you have a great holiday and then suddenly, one day, it's as if you were never away. That's what has happened in relation to my life in NZ. I wasn't expecting it though. I think 2 years deserves more than that but there doesn't seem to

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-32774990901042644562009-08-26T09:53:00.002+01:002009-08-26T09:55:38.725+01:00

I had quite a fun day yesterday. Lots of silly little things that probably don't sound like fun to others but which I enjoyed :) I was meeting Dave in town at 12:30 so I headed in earlier to spend some time in Hodges Figgis and Waterstones (big bookstores). I'm still thoroughly enjoying the fact that books cost so much less here. Unfortunately not much in the way of good 3 for 2s in HF so I

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-37621540304513507392009-08-23T22:47:00.003+01:002009-08-23T22:55:12.131+01:00

Well I no longer live in New Zealand, I live in Ireland again. So, as somebody pointed out to me a while back the name of this blog is no longer apt. I'm open to suggestions 'cos I certainly can't think of anything to call it.I've been back since Tues afternoon. The weather has been relatively warm actually but not quite as bright or sunny as I would hope for for August. Actually even though

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-1986393304659680022009-08-19T15:29:00.001+01:002009-08-19T15:30:57.248+01:00

Meet Matthew my godson and nephew... I think we might have a future bookcrosser in our midsts here :)However as he loves the camera (seriously this kid poses for photographs) he did act nice and take a break from his reading to pose for the camera. But I do like that "What, I'm busy here" look on his face.

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-60904754155300132012009-08-01T23:16:00.001+01:002009-08-01T23:16:58.981+01:00

Yesterday morning I met some friends for brunch at Midnight Espresso in Wellington. I'd only been in there once before to have a coffee so it was my first eating venture there. There were four of us (the usual international crew of a German, a Canadian, an American and an Irish person) and we all ended up ordering variations on the same thing - pancakes with banana and fruit, pancakes with

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-77990073114407168822009-07-09T08:19:00.001+01:002009-07-09T08:19:51.297+01:00

I met an English but living in Kiwiland friend for lunch today. We were discussing my return back to Ireland in August and she asked if I would keep up my blog once home. It made me think... when I started this it was purely my trip to New Zealand. And I've certainly posted less and less as time goes on so I reckoned I wouldn't. But she'd like me to so I will... and it's so I can give Dani

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-49387304457086408162009-07-07T21:20:00.001+01:002009-07-07T21:22:36.660+01:00

For some bizarre reason I thought to myself last Wednesday (1st July) that it would be interesting if I could take a photo a day for the rest of the year. Then I thought a little longer and decided that I'd start with trying it for a month and carry on if I managed that. It started with thisLast Saturday we had finished breakfast out at Maranui Surf Life club cafe when I thought "oh... I have

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-72948995671949292682009-07-01T04:49:00.002+01:002009-07-01T04:51:07.829+01:00

I really must write up a proper blog entry on my Lake Waikaremoana tramp. I was so looking forward to it and to be honest I absalutely loved it! No I didn't always find it a doddle, and yes it was cold but it never rained on us (amazing considering we were walking for 4 days in the depths of winter!) and we didn't meet anybody on the track or in the huts until the last day. How cool was that?

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-43615883522748749592009-06-11T21:40:00.005+01:002009-06-12T00:35:34.290+01:00

We may have had some grotty weather this winter in Wellington (and it's only June) but we then also get some beautifully calm evenings. And walking down by the waterfront on those evenings, in the dark, is such a pleasure with the lovely lighting that has been set up under bridges to provide lovely colours reflecting on the water.Night Lights I'll miss this.

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-3273051672277896832009-06-04T10:41:00.001+01:002009-06-04T10:48:43.970+01:00

So the weekend just past was the last long weekend here in New Zealand until, eh, October I think it is! Unlike the Northern Hemisphere we have Christmas to look forward to in the middle of winter. Here in New Zealand... zilch! Anyway, I got the ferry over to Picton on Fri evening with a couple of friends I met on my Easter tramp. After the horrible storms that we'd been having recently the

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-42895281611817497132009-05-27T07:50:00.001+01:002009-05-27T07:50:39.913+01:00

The last couple of weeks the weather has been fairly icky to say the least. I understand that it's sort of winter now but it's only May and we've had some fairly horrendous storms with lots of rain and wind. Last weekend isn't even worth talking about other than to say that for most people it literally was a DVD weekend. I on the other hand managed to be out for a bit of it. Saturday I was

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-32763890219000547292009-05-17T10:45:00.001+01:002009-05-17T10:45:52.128+01:00

Over the 20 or so months that I've lived in Wellington I've made a number of Icebreaker purchases. Warm tops, t-shirts, cami-tops, socks etc. Today we visited the Icebreaker outlet store in Otaki where I made a few purchases. On the way home I was asked how many Icebreaker items of clothing I now own. Not that many I thought, just like, 2 warm zip tops, 3 t-shirts, oh and the green sleeveless

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-58652554349832426002009-05-03T07:43:00.001+01:002009-05-03T07:43:50.326+01:00

I'm to be Matthew's Godmother (yippee!!!)I'm moving back to Dublin in August (not so yippee)I have a load of ironing to do... but nice cake to follow it up with :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-55749625652491828212009-05-03T07:39:00.001+01:002009-05-03T07:39:48.222+01:00

The winter temperatures are definitely starting to do their best to let us know that before long they'll be here in full force. Last week was cold as was yesterday. But in wonderful New Zealand style, when the sun is out it feels about 5 degrees warmer than it actually is. This is one of the weirdest things about New Zealand weather; the air temperature is cold and you have 3 layers on. You

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-77204831025796720002009-04-19T06:14:00.001+01:002009-04-19T06:14:26.168+01:00

Okay so I know that I just don't have the will power required to blog, in detail, the second, third and fourth days of the Abel Tasman trip last weekend so thought I'd try and provide some sort of abridged version... so here goes.Day 2 (Saturday) was the longest day and involved walking from Torrent Bay to Waiharakeke Bay. There are two tidal crossings on this route and it's the latter one at

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-69799906771190515342009-04-15T07:58:00.001+01:002009-04-15T07:58:49.232+01:00

Found this site (magmypic) and I couldn't resist having a bit of fun :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-37821441701726297002009-04-14T10:21:00.001+01:002009-04-14T10:23:18.315+01:00

For Easter I did the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk with the WTMC tramp which was basically a 4 night 3 day tramping trip (the 4th day was basically a 90 min walk out to the road end and then a 5 hr drive back to Picton. We got the ferry across to Picton on Thurs evening after work and from there we got driven to Marahau where we were camping for the night. It was about 1am before we got to Old

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-13563533809015909272009-04-14T09:13:00.001+01:002009-04-14T09:13:33.994+01:00

After 3 days of tramping and then on the 4th a 90 min walk to the road end and then a 4.5 hr drive to Picton, today was wonderfully quiet. I had arranged in advance to take today off and I'm so glad that I did. It was gone 11pm before I got back last night. I didn't manage to sleep quite as late as I would have liked this morning but that didn't matter too much. So, what did I do on my day

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-71354305699618558072009-04-05T09:20:00.001+01:002009-04-05T09:24:33.925+01:00

As I mentioned previously I'd been to Mount Cook twice before last weekend but had not yet successfully seen Mount Cook itself as my visits always seemed to coincide with less than pleasant weather in that area. I did see the peak up close on the flight to Queenstown but I really was hoping to see it whilst in Mount Cook National Park itself. And I did!We arrived in to the national park last

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-4736174722043641612009-04-03T09:58:00.001+01:002009-04-03T10:00:01.894+01:00

Last Sunday I flew to Queenstown to meet up with Dave, Brian and Carol who had been enjoying a trip down the Sth Island from earlier in the week. It was a great day for a flight down that way and I got to see Mount Cook up close and personal on the flight. It was fantastic to be up so close to it and looking across (rather than up) at the peak in so much detail. Beautiful. After meeting up

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-61710128168805768212009-03-27T05:18:00.001Z2009-03-27T05:18:39.534Z

It's getting close. For a long time Maggie and Fergus were way ahead of all my other flickr photos but the Herb Garden has been really going for it the last while. It has just got past Flinders Ranges and is now only 3 views behind the pups. Looking at my flickr stats it's almost always viewed as a result of a search for "herb garden" on images.yahoo.com I like watching this race :)By the way

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-55572006244829111572009-03-23T08:08:00.001Z2009-03-23T08:08:46.239Z

So last month a friend suggested that a few of us go on a "cruisey" tramp in to Totara Flats, camp for the night and then tramp out the next day. The idea was that while there we could fish, take some photos, chill, read, sleep or do whatever we fancied. In the end six of us were free to go last weekend so the date was set.I have to be honest and say that come Saturday morning I was not

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-15254247195369735162009-03-11T06:24:00.001Z2009-03-11T06:30:38.675Z

I'm getting bad at keeping this blog in any way up to date. I don't think that this will necessarily improve that but but no harm in a quick update. Our "long hot" (eh, yeah right!) summer is potentially on the way out though I'm hoping that it's actually just been in hiding for the last few weeks and is going to surprise us all by making an appearance next week and then not going anywhere for

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-3100062771658262222009-02-28T06:55:00.001Z2009-02-28T07:00:59.645Z

It's possible that myself and other women who work (I felt the phrase "working women" left me open to slagging) are responsible for the credit crunch! Not men who work, women. I'm particularly fond of this snippet "It would be ludicrous to suggest that women should be sacked purely to give men their jobs. In many cases, their jobs should be abolished as well". http://www.irishtimes.com/

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-37496707311944335682009-02-28T02:42:00.004Z2009-02-28T02:48:32.773Z

I'm not tramping this weekend. Dave is. It's raining outside... lots. I'm glad I'm here writing this and not out in the rain, up a mountain with a pack on my back. Off for my 90 Balinese massage soon and have bought in dinner supplies for later on. I'm settled for the evening :)Had a fairly busy/chaotic/lots on week at the office. By yesterday afternoon I was well ready for the weekend and

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-34175017019580274942009-02-16T19:12:00.001Z2009-02-16T19:12:32.503Z

So, you might think that I was going to have a great weekend anyway what with Matthew finally putting in an appearance, but it was even better than that as apart from the fact that I got to constantly say "Have I mentioned that I have nephew?" or "Have I mentioned that I'm an Aunty?", we did the Tongariro Crossing this weekend. For those of you who don't know, this is an alpine walk between

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-10428055556256436492009-02-15T06:12:00.001Z2009-02-15T06:12:09.346Z

My nephew Matthew Anthony Maguire was born on Thursday 12th February 2009 in Philadelphia, USA. He is my first nephew and to say my day was made when I received a text at 8:20am Fri morning at work is to put mildly. I was practically skipping about the place. I've been away all weekend so catching up on new photos now... happy days :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-41634752686506080762009-02-08T08:25:00.002Z2009-02-08T08:28:14.625Z

Friday was Waitangi Day here in New Zealand so we had the day off work... which was great! Myself, Dave and Amanda did a day tramp (hike to folk outside of NZ) up to Mt Kapakapanui. Apparently there are great views from the summit (1100m) so I had my camera packed up in my day pack. As we drove to the road end I got a fairly good hint that I might not be taking any photos from the summit as I

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-1671409105492150162009-02-04T04:54:00.003Z2009-02-04T06:42:31.635Z

It's arrived!!!154 episodes, 112 hrs of viewing. 5 hrs of extras.My complete The West Wing DVD box set has arrived :)That's my TV viewing sorted for the next few months then!

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-21708204342898009952009-01-29T05:38:00.001Z2009-01-29T05:38:45.295Z

1. Eat proper lunch (i.e. one with some carbohydrates in it) on those days where I'm climbing after work. Might help. That is, might actually have strength to do something!2. It's day 12 and my basil plant is still alive (saying this will of course now most likely cause jinxing and hence death of basil plant)3. I'm hungry.4. Tasty home made pesto for dinner :)5. 4 days until I become Aunt for

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-27195252571076887642009-01-20T07:42:00.001Z2009-01-20T07:42:53.082Z

I get varying views of my photos on Flickr every day; some days I get lots of views, other days I get one. What I'm discovering though is that the same photo is cropping alot more than it doesn't. This photo has had 23 views over the last 28 days. But bizarrely, the total number of views ever is 23. I can only assume that this has something to do with a tag that I added but I can't see

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-39388236588290246412009-01-14T06:41:00.001Z2009-01-14T06:41:27.333Z

I realised earlier I haven't posted in about a week. Nothing overly exciting occurring which is probably part of the reason. Yesterday afternoon we were back a week; now it seems like an age since I was home! In fact last Tues afternoon when I walked back in the door here seems like something in the far distant past. It's odd. Work has been busy but I've been trying to keep it under control.

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-55553564651806448712009-01-06T21:39:00.001Z2009-01-06T21:39:02.327Z

I'm back in NZ. Guess I got back to apartment some time after 5pm yesterday afternoon. Not really sure of the time to be honest; the bright afternoon/evening confusing after the dark afternoons/evenings back in Ireland!Oddly enough I'm not sure how I feel about being back. It's good on the one hand but on the other it just feels weird. It's as if it's been ages since I've been here and yet

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-57974314206986107262009-01-04T20:56:00.001Z2009-01-04T20:56:31.249Z

Ye Gads, would the powers that be please do something about Dublin Airport? Please? Pretty pretty please? What a palarva this afternoon it was getting in there. Fiona gave me a gratefully accepted lift to the airport this afternoon. We nipped out on the M50. When we came off the M50 things started to slow down. A lot of cars going in to the airport so it took a while (only about 5 mins I

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-71065864656080934982009-01-03T17:43:00.002Z2009-01-11T05:05:46.144Z

Over the last couple of days I've noticed some lovely reflections of the winter sun on still water. Yesterday I headed down to Birr in Offaly (or Awfully as my much teased younger sister referred to it; just the once mind you!) for the day. It was a very cold day but it was nice and bright out. In the morning we had a lovely walk around the gardens of Birr Castle Demesne. The grounds are

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-54322149305182926812009-01-01T17:36:00.001Z2009-01-01T17:36:50.846Z

This afternoon I headed in to town again to meet up with Eims and Liz for lunch at The Farm restaurant on Dawson St. I had eaten there once before when I was home in March and it was a less than a good meal, however this time the food was much better. In fact the menu was totally different as if it was a different place but having said that I know it was named The Farm in March too so I'm a bit

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-44871348142686584102008-12-31T19:57:00.001Z2008-12-31T19:57:13.786Z

I'm not sure that I've been in to town so often in such a short period of time as I have been in the last few days (except of course when I'm working!). In a sense it's been interesting observing the crowds... and trying to decipher how people can shop in those crowds. I guess if I'd been in shopping mode I might have actually got some bargains but I'm afraid that I don't do crowds and post

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-12177727602253145262008-12-27T19:26:00.003Z2008-12-27T19:33:54.706Z

My Mum's dog, Megan, certainly likes her comfort. When in the house she likes to lounge in her basket...or across my brothers lap.She's also well capable of the haughty lady muck look as well when out on a walk (she loves walking on walls too!)And even then she's still a bit of a twit! I'm sitting here watching The Chronicles of Narnia and I've had to put her back in to the kitchen because she

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-16254455346677402972008-12-26T11:27:00.001Z2008-12-26T11:27:58.498Z

On Tuesday I headed in to town with the purpose of, in no particular order, finishing off some shopping, experiencing Christmas feeling/atmosphere in town, buying some cheese from Sheridans, meeting up with Dave, saying hi to some friends in the Dublin office, and then meeting up with a couple of friends for dinner. I arrived in at 1 and within an hour I was wondering if I really had the energy

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-7287624568595790902008-12-22T12:46:00.001Z2008-12-22T12:46:47.299Z

Couple of weeks back it was cold in Dublin. Very cold. And it's December so I packed accordingly. Lots of icebreaker tops thrown in to the suitcase. Sure that'll keep me warm! And it would. The problem is that it's not actually that cold out there - sixteen degrees earlier! So I'm a little warm. The other thing which I didn't think of enough when packing is that a couple of nice dresses

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-42061560892234978192008-12-21T17:15:00.001Z2008-12-21T17:15:14.685Z

Well, it was a long but relatively hassle free journey back to Ireland... we left Wellington at 10am Sat morning (kiwi time) and I arrived at my parents house here in Dublin at about 11am Sunday (Irish time, so that would be midnight Sun night kiwi time). The first leg seemed longer than the second even though it was actually the other way around. I guess that was down to being awake for the

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-3164472643640717232008-12-19T05:30:00.001Z2008-12-19T05:30:58.897Z

Right I'm ready for my holidays now :) I *think* I've left everything all organised in office for while I'm away. I managed to get out a little early today... just before 5pm and I left with, totally unexpectedly, 3 bottles of wine! I arrived in this morning to find a bottle (nice cellophane wrapping and silver ribbon) sitting on my desk from one of the PMs whose project I'm managing the

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-31853104356726498102008-12-18T06:57:00.001Z2008-12-18T06:57:29.775Z

since I've posted. Not sure that this is going to be particularly long/interesting either.Had a great birthday last weekend. I love opening birthday cards and each of the ones that i received from my sisters and parents were addressed slightly differently which amused me. Lovely presents too... I'm very much looking forward to my Deluxe Facial in my favourite beauty salon in Wellington (

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-51861592853289797202008-12-07T06:18:00.002Z2008-12-07T08:12:02.275Z

What a weekend... I can't get over how hot it's been! Leisurely coffee/brekkie on Sat morning. Then we headed off to On Yer Bike to hire me a mountain bike before we headed off to cycle the Rimutaka Rail Trail. This was an interesting experience for me considering that the last time that I was on a bike was in 1997! A tad wobbly at first but that didn't last for too long. I have to say that

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-51018569076823066162008-12-01T06:28:00.002Z2008-12-01T06:32:31.285Z

the brown baronOriginally uploaded by edartrI just love this! So so cute :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-17890920971123059672008-11-29T01:08:00.001Z2008-11-29T01:08:00.388Z

The Kiwi dollar has been weakening over the last 6 months and I got quite excited when I was getting about $2.10 per euro on my credit card. The other day I got a rate of $2.34 to the euro and that prompted my brief lunch time clothes purchases. But... I have been talking about getting a 55m-200mm lens for my camera. They're cheaper here than back home and the shops match prices if you seem

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-40186293581221074372008-11-27T08:38:00.001Z2008-11-27T08:38:13.101Z

Well, I've managed to whittle down the large number of photos that I took on hols to the 27 that I've put up on flickr. Needless to say I have many more that I could put up but I'm trying to show some restraint :) Week back at work is fine... been pretty busy. Just 16 working days to Christmas break :) Will be a long journey home but I'm looking forward to it!No climbing or running at the

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-67586312231124965672008-11-24T09:06:00.007Z2008-11-24T09:33:34.351Z

Sth Island was great. Don't even know where to start. Visited Picton (dodgy motel - I slept on floor), Christchurch (stayed with some friends), the totally breathtaking Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook National Park (2nd visit there and I still haven't seen Mt Cook - the mist at back of photo is Mt Cook), Arthur's Pass (cold but so so beautiful), Punakaiki, Cape Foulwind (I love the irony of me staying in

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-90244312761373569182008-11-13T00:16:00.001Z2008-11-13T00:17:34.753Z

not only did I run the 5km run but I did it in 28 mins 36 seconds :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-59112011127624443222008-11-12T07:58:00.001Z2008-11-12T07:58:45.673Z

I did the 5km.I don't know my time as I was so focussed on getting over the line that I totally missed the rather huge big timer right in front of me! Hopefully I find out tomorrow.Foot/leg is pretty sore but then again it was sore before I started so reckon it's fair to say that it isn't any better.Calves feeling a little sore now... maybe time for some more stretching!Pretty happy with myself.

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-35791475859159521022008-11-11T08:18:00.001Z2008-11-11T08:18:38.857Z

Yesterday evening we went to see and listen to Hesperion XXI perform in Wellington town hall. Unfortunately both of the female vocalists were unable to perform as they were ill but... I need to just say that the music was wonderful. The instruments were wonderful... the oud had a beautiful sound from it. Jordi Savall's 360 year old viola de gamba was just beautiful with a fantastic performance

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-32529602871786693412008-11-11T08:04:00.002Z2008-11-11T08:13:17.572Z

Last Sunday we had a wonderfully leisurely day which was needed by both of us though probably for different reasons! Dave had valid reason in that he had been involved in a 12 hr mountain bike team event the day before... I had been supporting :) Kiwis really do these things properly... there were some serious tents set up with tables, chairs and BBQs. We weren't too bad either (thanks Ian!)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-83954549563586526032008-11-11T07:56:00.001Z2008-11-11T07:56:43.969Z

So, tomorrow evening is the 5km corporate challenge run that I put my name down for about 4 weeks ago. I'm not a runner but I thought I'd try try running as a way of getting fit. I'd heard that the best way of starting running is to do intervals - walk, run, walk, run etc. So, I did a bit of a google and found the podrunner intervals podcast and decided that I'd start on the First Day to 5km

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-83138532071025376482008-11-06T09:18:00.003Z2008-11-06T09:28:42.292Z

Been a very busy and somewhat stressful week. By last night I was exhausted by the time that I got back from my last camera class but at least I did get a good kip last night.Today was busy like other days but after work it was out for a cocktail and some food at C3 in Chews Lane in Wellington. It's not somewhere I've been before but when I've walked past I can't say I've ever been thinking "I

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-57487273388513307742008-11-02T05:56:00.003Z2008-11-02T06:07:37.956Z

that's been this weekend. Karen arrived up on Friday evening so after getting back from airport we went for a chilled walk along the sea front and then back here for some dinner... followed by some yummy banana cake :)On Saturday morning I had my photography course field trip down in Civic Sq. This area is chosen as it's close to the water front, there's the library and there's normally loads

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-84247863132457502432008-10-30T07:45:00.001Z2008-10-30T13:04:47.980Z

A hectic busy day at work especially this afternoon. At points I was literally running from person A to person B to meeting C to meeting D. And weirdly I thoroughly enjoyed it... last time I had a day like this was in early-mid August. Luckily my climbing partner was unable to climb this evening (unfortunately she is not well) as I didn't get out of the office until well gone 6pm. Then home

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-39192778381684371582008-10-23T07:20:00.001+01:002008-10-23T07:49:03.192+01:00

Climbing tonight. No foot cramps. I did pretty good. I got past that point on that wall - the green wall (see this post). I was well pleased. But what pleased me even more was that I not only got past that point but I made it to the top :-) It was hard; not one of those walls where there's just one difficult part and once you're past that it's a breeze, oh no, but I was half way there and if

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-50511408808567266922008-10-22T10:08:00.001+01:002008-10-22T10:08:39.346+01:00

Today in a meeting, one of the project managers that I am working with referred to me as "Ether". Not once, not twice, but every time that he mentioned my "name". Trust me, I fully understand the difficulty that the name "Aoife" can provide to anybody outside of Ireland, and I have indeed been called many things in my time but can somebody please please please explain to me how "Aoife" could

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-19527625943442705942008-10-22T10:04:00.001+01:002008-10-22T10:04:10.964+01:00

I'll try to keep it brief and to the point but...it's October and Kirkcaldi and Stains have Christmas trees up in their windows. October. Not even November (I'm not a fan of Christmas trees in November either mind you), but October. It's just wrong!

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-66935486462343415122008-10-18T03:26:00.002+01:002008-10-19T09:16:26.983+01:00

well I didn't make it on my hike as indicated in my previous posting and well, I took it out on my credit card. Now in fairness I did go for a run this morning but it seems that pay back of some sort was still required.. so a number of hours later I've bought some cute shoes (can't get a photo I like so none - will try again later), a book, some running and trail socks, running shorts, running

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-26972844915353846492008-10-17T20:58:00.001+01:002008-10-17T20:58:21.945+01:00

Not impressed at all. Had somewhat fretful sleepless night as bit worried about keeping up with hike today. Up at 7:35am. Packed. Big breakfast. Out door and boots on in plenty of time. Quite nice outside (nasty weather not due until after lunch). And before I get to exit of building left hurting with each step. Alot. On top of foot up to ankle. Get outside, flex it a bit. Hurts. Relace

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-20586887791288944072008-10-17T08:55:00.001+01:002008-10-17T08:55:44.899+01:00

I'm trying to do this honest. It's Friday evening and at 9am tomorrow I am due to be on a bus to Eastbourne where I will start on a day hike with some folk from the club (Medium, not Easy grade!). I suspect it'll be relatively long but hopefully I'll manage that fine as I'll only be carrying a day pack rather than a full pack. The downside is the weather... spring may be here but every now and

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-73132985688505264342008-10-14T10:30:00.001+01:002008-10-14T10:30:27.940+01:00

I seem to be recovering reasonably well from my tramp at the weekend even if ankles and hip bone a little tender :) We had a beautiful weekend weather wise and as it's the school holiers here there was a risk that the hut we were walking to would be fairly busy. Dave had been thinking about buying a 2 person tent so it was decided that this was a good opportunity to do that; he'd carry it up

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-33179877985361077902008-10-12T07:30:00.001+01:002008-10-12T07:30:17.784+01:00

I could write a blog entry about our tramp (good, long, great weather) this weekend... but that would require more energy than I currently possess. So I won't. No real reason for this particular entry then of course but not sure I'm awake enough to worry about that :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-87778314571203870552008-10-10T08:52:00.003+01:002008-10-10T08:58:18.776+01:00

I'm not actively following the leadup to the American elections but let's face it, it's hard to ignore. And we've heard so much about this Sarah Palin (anybody even know who Obama's running mate is??), not much of it good so I did a little youtube search to find something to make me smile :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-49228053832536600482008-10-09T08:54:00.001+01:002008-10-09T08:54:20.300+01:00

I honestly do not know how much more I can take of this "green" wall. Tonight was my fourth week attempting this and I'm tired of getting stuck at the same point every week. I think I could deal with this if I was getting a bit further on each attempt but getting stuck at the same point... well, trust me when I say that I was not "being too hard on myself" (Spencer's words not mine). I'm tired

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-53896971728194705922008-10-01T07:31:00.003+01:002008-10-01T07:39:32.281+01:00

Last Saturday evening's very tasty veggie degustation menu that I had at Citron...Degustation Menu Amuse BoucheA small bite of food to amuse the mouth, invigorate the palate, whet the appetiteEggplant mousseline w cocoa nib & micro greensCherry tomato w olive paint, avocado, purple potato crisps& tomato oilParsnip dumplings on sweet corn puree w glazed baby onions,truffled chestnut & cumin

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-52097659685139676812008-09-30T08:55:00.001+01:002008-09-30T08:55:39.496+01:00

Quick note to say hello again. All good here... spring is really trying to show it's face though yesterday and today I'm afraid that it got lost somewhere along the way. Definitely a little cold today and the October and November wind is starting to show it's face.Saturday evening we went to Citron for what I can only describe as a wonderful meal. We arrived at 8pm and finished at 11:45pm...

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-72006926628944229912008-09-25T08:55:00.001+01:002008-09-25T08:55:47.056+01:00

So a few days back Kathleen awarded me the following:This is a Portugeuse aware meaning "This blog invests and believes in proximity". Kathleen and myself went to uni together in Scotland (she's Scottish and I ain't and neither of us currently live in Scotland). We didn't keep in touch much after we graduated but somehow or other (I'm not sure how) we got in touch a few years after I'd left. We

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-18062852353054370152008-09-16T08:40:00.001+01:002008-09-16T08:40:38.884+01:00

So apart from cooking and eating tasty cupcakes from Tempt this weekend, we also headed out to Somes/Matui Island on Sunday for a few hours. We did spend a few hours out there last Jan or Feb I believe and have been intending to head back in ages. Our original plan was to bring a picnic out with us but I'm afraid that our lack of planning meant that we just grab some sambos in New World before

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-66832719804096665472008-09-16T08:27:00.001+01:002008-09-16T08:27:52.575+01:00

Thanks to all of you (here and on LJ) who seemed so sure that dinner would turn out okay! It did. Well actually, it wasn't fantastic but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I think one has to have a little more energy than I possessed that day to this meal properly (quite a bit of prep) and it needs to be served with some nice to stop that empty plate thing happening. Next time maybe I'll

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-68289525185982988922008-09-13T08:36:00.001+01:002008-09-14T08:11:01.462+01:00

I don't have a good feeling about tonights dinner. At all. I'm a little worried. I've made (it's in the oven as I type) a vegetarian shepherds pie with goats cheese creamy mash. I've made this a number of times in the past though admittedly only when cooking for friends as it's little time consuming to make and there's a bit of washing up involved afterwards. But it's yummy. Ordinarily.

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-25324105041356809012008-09-12T06:36:00.001+01:002008-09-12T06:36:31.048+01:00

Today I splashed out and bought a Nikon D40 camera. I'm signed up for photography course which starts in a few weeks and I had intended on borrowing an SLR for the course as compacts not suitable. In my head I reckoned that I'd buy an SLR after the course though I have to admit that I was/am reluctant to spend alot of money on a camera. Anyway, it was pointed out to me last night that

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-4338179196691144242008-09-10T10:15:00.002+01:002008-09-10T10:16:20.284+01:00

I guess many of you are probably already familiar with this but every time I see it I stop and watch.. it's great :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-66986117135598634842008-09-10T10:08:00.001+01:002008-09-10T10:08:18.557+01:00

We finally got to see The Dark Knight in The Embassy cinema last night. This is a beautiful cinema that was totally refurbished for the premiere of The Lord of the Rings. This is only the second time that I've been to see a movie here and though the seats were lovely and comfy I have to say that the volume was just too loud. This is a long movie and for the last half hour I was covering my

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-55307420550413346202008-09-09T07:48:00.001+01:002008-09-09T07:48:12.059+01:00

Well we had a fair bit of rain last week and we're having a fair bit of rain this week, but Sunday was a wonderful respite with no rain and lots of sun! As the sun had been forecast we decided on Fri evening that we'd get up early on Sunday and head out to Castlepoint.Castlepoint is about 65km east of Masterton which itself is about, some bigger distance north of Wellington. Hey I'm no good

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-78767972833882307122008-09-04T20:47:00.001+01:002008-09-04T20:49:42.950+01:00

"Wellington. Just rain all day and a high of 12"This is literally what the radio broadcaster said earlier when giving the weather forecat for today. I think it's the use of the word "just" that I find so amusing :)

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-68841801020782127872008-09-04T09:04:00.001+01:002008-09-04T09:04:45.139+01:00

That pretty much was the reaction that my feet got out of me this evening when I was attempting to climb and even when I was just belaying! The outcome was that I did one climb as my feet were totally misbehaving. We were wondering if it was because they had just got too cold with all the standing around in advance. The advance standing around was because it was the launch of the Wellington City

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780011535195026192.post-87377566474321446732008-08-31T06:45:00.003+01:002008-08-31T21:51:15.614+01:00

Seems that I didn't pack too much (not clothes anyway) nor too little. I had a wonderful tramp with some of the best weather we've had in ages (i.e. it didn't rain!). Our weekend tramp started Camp Kaitoke where we took a track that let us join up with the Dobson Track. From there we walked along the Dobson Track before doing a relatively steep descent down to Smith Creek Shelter. Ordinarily

eefahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826582114083862195noreply@blogger.com1