Weliington

Ruby and I are on our way into town on the Airport Flyer. Free Wi Fi, fantastic. My sisters internet is kaput so our updates may be a little sporadic. Looking forward to the fireworks and Ruby is hoping for a midnight feast!! Back into the cafes tomorrow. Seeing Matthew soon. Missing the whanau already. The sun is shining and life is still good.

Last day of the year

I have been frantically orgaising accomodation for the last part of the journey. There have been those who have left their manners and kindness locked away and that has caused a few tears. I understand that it is a busy time of year and by no means am expecting something for nothing. However a simple 'no' would suffice, perhaps even 'no thankyou'.
Ruby and I are flying to meet the lovely Matthew in Wellington to continue the journey. He is travelling up by car and then Interisland Ferry as we speak. We have spoken and he is doing cafes on the way. This is great fun and hard work all rolled up together.
My big YAY!! goes out to Athol and Lorraine Potterill at Asure Macy's Motor Inn and Conference Centre. Not only because they are hosting us in Tauranga, but because of their enthusiam and positive energy. Just what I needed at this stage of the game. Thanks

Niki Christmas Day

So we had our family Christmas day today too. Too much food, lots of babies and fantastic to catch up with those from far away. Mika and his Dad were here for the day and it was a bit sad to see them heading off into the sunset. We are planning on catching up on our way around.

Ruby has had fun playing with cousins, siblings and friends and is not so keen to get back to the life of a cafe kid. Not so much fun for her without kids to play with. We are going to have to crash other kid groups along the way!!
I am looking forward to being back with Matthew and am going to miss the whanau here. We are going to my sisters in Wellington for the first few days and are looking forward to tomorrows fireworks from the apartment balcony.
I have approached accomodation options in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne today and hopefully will have a place to lay our heads as we continue on our way.

30th December (our belated Xmas day)

Today I drove up to the Brick Mill Cafe and was amazed to see what can be done with a factory. Pottery, espresso, wool, and art exhibitions all go to show that a factory can have many uses. Good coffee and a nice mushroom bruschetta made along with good conversation made a good morning. The rest of the day is spent celebrating with family, our belated Xmas day, and one of those rare times when we can get everyone together at the same time.

Niki is doing the same in Auckland, a chance to get merry, test family dynamics, and share company, yippee......

29th December

On the road again doing cafes, and today I visit two, with brother in tow. We go to the Dunsandel store and then onto Methven to find Primo Secundo. We can't go via Rakaia as the bridge is closed due to flooding. We go over the gorge and see how swollen the river is, see the photos.

Methven almost seems closed yet we find the cafe, it turns out to be a real gem and Marya is a hoot with a great sense of humour. We spend a lovely time there and get some great shots, Ben starts to enjoy being my assistant. We leave Methven feeling like we have made a new friend, and enjoy the drive back along the long, long, long straight roads that Canterbury is famous for...

27th and 28th December

A couple of days of pottering around, being with family sums up these days. I have started reading a book around perception, and funnily enough it is tied into psychology and how we perceive the world. Did you know that when we blink it is not just to moisten our eye but it is also when we complete a thought. Just watch someone who is really angry and focused on a single thought, they don't blink.

I have made friends with a earthquake shitzo cat called Crooked Tail. Her nerves are a bit frayed and doesn't respond well to loud noises. Yet I have managed to have her sleep on my bed, helps me get through the lonely nights while Niki is away. Funny thing having a partner that I am deeply in love with, I love having the time to myself and being able to do things when I feel like it, yet I really miss her and get lonely. I only have to survive until Friday night..

I have started using the video on the camera, got a proper mic for it, and realising that shooting video is a whole new ball game to shooting stills....

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th December

It’s the day after Xmas and it has been nice to catch up with my brother and his wife from Australia. Yet it also feels a little weird as only some of us are around for Xmas, and we don’t have the official family lunch, Niki and I are having these on the 30^th, me in Christchurch and Niki in Auckland. We spent the afternoon at Hagley park, walking around and Ruby playing in the paddling pool. It was nice to see so many people having picnics and enjoying the sun. That night before Niki goes back for a few days we are treated to what Cantabrians have been experiencing for months, a short earthquake. It hits about 2 am and the first jolt wakes me up. The next three become a little disturbing, and by early afternoon on Boxing day I have experienced another two, one that almost knocked cups off the shelf. For those who haven’t been in an earthquake before, imagine there is a train inside your house, travelling at around 60 mph, rumbling loudly and shaking everything close to it. Well, if you take the sound of the actual train out of the equation then this is pretty much what it is like. I can even hear it rumble off into the distance. This is one event I don’t think a photo can capture.

Over the next few days I plan to do some much needed reading, hopefully the tremors will dissipate. I have a book on photography that I would love to get into; having taken over 5000 photos I feel some reflection on technique is due...