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| Our view of Auckland from the Marina at West Harbour |
In the words of Alanis Morissette, "Isn't it Ironic" . We searched the South Island for a Motor-Home and came north as we were unable to find anything. Then we got all settled in Auckland and found one in Dunedin that ticked most of the boxes. So Bill was booked on a return flight to check it out, and happily the money was worth spending.
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Beautiful Autumn colours
in the street |
We have now paid the deposit on our new home, and will pick it up on the 10th May when we fly down. Another Hino, same length as Big Yella but wider, which gives that much more storage. Sadly it's not yellow, but blue & white. So have to get creative re a name. More on the next Blog (including photos).
So as I say we have settled into Auckland life once again (for those of you that don't know, we lived here 30 years ago- pre children - but of course Auckland then was a much slower, less crowded place, we left it then because we thought it was too busy and too crowded!)
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One of our early morning walks
up over the motorway - with all the
new growth in motorways, there are
plenty of walkway/cycle ways |
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Portaloo's on a construction
sites. For "Men" only at that! |
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Some of the high density development
being built in Hobsonville |
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Another morning walk through another
development looking across to the West |
There has been HUGE developments in infrastructure to cater for all the new subdivisions that have gone in to Auckland over the years. We had a trip up to Warkworth to visit nephew Paull and Marta with Oscar & Bailey, who moved north of Auckland a couple of years ago to buy something affordable and have a good lifestyle. Well in that two years it's unreal how much development has happened up there. But with the motorways, comes easy access for Aucklanders to head north for delicious cafes and shops, to get away from the madding crowd.(yeh right) Without the growth in population, you wouldn't have all these wonderful places to visit for meals and shopping. Just as we found overseas, it's hard to get that balance between enough people to sustain a lifestyle and too many making it overcrowded. Another nephew James with Katie are looking at moving from Auckland to Wellington to buy their first home as they have the same opportunities employment wise, but much more affordable first home. Shannon & AC are proof of that in buying their first home in Evan's Bay, Wellington. Handy to central Wellington, across the road from the sea, looking forward to visiting once you move in in July. Sadly no room for a bus though! Ah the sacrifice we will have to make!
Staying at West Harbour (Upper Harbour or Hobsonville depending on the reason for giving your address), you wouldn't know we were in Auckland . Wayne & Kate live in a culdesac so the street is fairly quiet, they have lived here for 30 years when it was a new area and now with all the mature trees, the bird life is amazing.
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One of Bill's projects -
replacing the door frame |
We have been enjoying morning walks in the area, Bill cramps our style (Wayne & I) with our coffee stops (waste of time says B), but otherwise enjoyable.
What is also evident is the huge focus on high density housing we are seeing on these walks. Hobsonville, the old airbase that catered to the large sea planes (another interesting story) is now a hive of building,with many multi level row houses, different to what we normally see. Some of the houses do stand alone at 1.4million but most are more modest joined row houses for first home buyers at 750k, yes AK is only good if you need to be here. Thankfully we are here by choice and won't be here all that long.
Another thing we have noticed is how much warmer it is up here compared to Nelson. I keep an eye on our home town, it can vary from 5 to 10 degrees warmer up here. For mid April it is very warm, not swimming weather but no blankets at night yet.
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| Preparing the Ribs for smoking |
We have been enjoying catching up with old friends and more family, picking up where we left off, in some cases a few weeks ago others a few months and some a few years even. The only difference being they are property millionaires now, compared to us from down south. Along with the social activities Bill has been helping Wayne with renovations and I have helped Kate a little in the garden.
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| The result! So tender |
Then there are the meals! With our Flatmates, there appears to be a constant outdoing of meals. The spin off of this is some lovely meals. Wayne out did us with his smoked beef ribs-very impressed.
We have yet to get out and about on our bikes, perhaps this weekend over Easter, weather permitting. Cyclone Cook is on it's way!
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Bill & Wayne struggled to open a bottle
of Moa Cherry Wheat Beer,
this photo was taken once the cork
dribbled out......... |
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Ah! Enjoying the beer after it was
finally opened
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