The critters of the commute

I am constantly amazed at all there is to see here on this tiny island. While there are all kinds of wildlife around both islands, I actually see all of these animals on a daily basis during my drive to work. There are 3 bison, about 10 ostriches, and 20 or so horses, but hundreds of cattle and thousands of sheep including hundreds of brand new lambs right now. It is also shearing season so most of the sheep are clean shaven. The total sheep population of NZ has gone down over the past few years; there are only 33 million!

The amazing beauty of New Zealand

We continue to be amazed at the beauty of our new home down under. From the clouds lying low in the western foothills of the Southern Alps, to the view from the top of the Mt. Hutt ski field with the mountain tops breaking through the cloud layer, to Tyler continually enhancing his kitchen skills, we are truly amazed every day. Now if it would just stop raining, we could enjoy the outdoors even more and you would once again see new photos of everyone spending time outside.

Galen enjoying all things Kiwi

Galen continues to have a great time in NZ. He has played two rugby matches for the hometown Rolleston Rugby team (under 11 1/2 league, so some big farmboys on other teams). He got his dog fix from Nipper as we had dinner with new friends in Kirwee, and he showed Rick the real way to make the upper crust for Rick's famous homemade apple pie. He pretty much loves all things Kiwi, and if school didn't keep getting in the way, he would enjoy it even more.

The view from the Summit Trail hike that Sydney and Rick took when the rest of us were either too tired or covering the clinic. She hadn't hiked Taylor's Mistake the day before so here legs weren't so tired. Of course, Rick did both hikes and wasn't complaining, but he's used to this stuff.










Sydney in her favorite Movin Shoes sweatshirt. You know Rick, always getting that free advertising even if he isn't still in San Diego. Some things never change.
Even on a misty day, the view back to the ocean is pretty amazing. We're headed up to this trail tomorrow, so hope it is clear so we can take more outstanding photos.

Shopping in NZ

Turns out you have to be a little careful when shopping in NZ, and there are always interesting new signs to follow. If you need eggs, don't look in the coolers, just the shelves as they don't keep them in the reefer.
If you need hamburger, don't grab the first meat roll you see as it may be intended for your four-legged friend! Some Americans thought that the meat actually was dog meat intended for human consumption. Not to worry, it is wet dogfood and no, we haven't accidentally eaten any yet.
What, you don't know what a trundler is? That would be your grocery cart, and like in the U.S., if you don't tell people where to put them when they are done, they will leave them standing around in the parking lot.
Our new favorite, that would be the gigantic chocolate chip cookies from Cookie Time. We live a couple of miles from the main outlet warehouse and have found it impossible to drive past without stopping in to fill up on some great cookies (for the kids of course).

Change is good, because I said so!

Well, the fun and games of our initial arrival have ended, and real life has set in. The kids got their fill of playing with Oliver and Belle (Ollie is in the photo), watching endless hours of rugby and the Tour de France, and enjoying feast after feast with our friends Rick and Lynn Vandertie in Papanui. But now we have moved to our temporary residence in the rural bedroom town of Rolleston, the kids have started school, and there is no TV and no dogs to play with, so things aren't quite as grand. On the bright side, Sydney's class is going on a ski trip to Mt. Hutt on Friday, Galen was able to sign up for the local under 11 rugby team, and Felicia has been able to navigate herself around Christchurch without getting lost, so there has been a bright side of things. I was going to put a photo of Sydney in her school kilt on here, but she would surely hate me forever if I did.
Work at the clinic is quite smooth so that bodes well for my year down under, and we are busy planning our multiple trips around the island in an effort to see as much as we can in the next year. We are really looking forward to having visitors from the US as there is so much to see and do, and with two cars there is plenty of room for everyone. Tyler and Nick are well on their way to golfing the entire South Island and are planning their trip to Wellington to see a concert in August. They have also taken a bite out of the local food economy and continue to rave about the grand food of New Zealand.
Whoops, lost track of time, must get ready for work. More photos to follow.

I'm not in Kansas anymore

Sitting in the Auckland airport watching the rain and clouds and realizing that it will be at least a year before I see desert again. Coming in to Auckland there was nothing but green hills and trees. Although it was cool with grey skies upon arrival, it has now progressed to a steady rain that will likely follow me to Christchurch in an hour when I head there on my next flight. The red-eye from LAX was uneventful with plenty of sleep and a row of empty seats for sleeping pleasure. Still can't believe that the plan that seemed so far in the future is now here and I actually start working on Monday. Imagine my excitement when I read in the paper that the swine flu has overrun the local clinics here. So I get to deal with mass hysteria again on this side of the world. The kids are having a great time at Hume Lake, Felicia is happily preparing the house for our departure, and we will all be together again in a week or so.