Author Archives: cathmccready

Well to say coronavirus has changed our plans a little is an understatement! In theory at this point we would have been planning our adventure into Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia etc. But no! We could get all maudlin about it, our dream year turned upside down, but there are people a lot worse off than us.Continue reading “Keeping it local.”

Taking a train in NZ is a novelty as there are very few other than commuter trains around cities. The Coastal Explorer took us from Christchurch to Picton. Wow and wow describes the journey. A very early start for us saw us leaving on the train at 7am. It was so worth it, catching theContinue reading “Coastal explorer-just wow!”

I’ve been to Christchurch a number of times, but not since the earthquake, so was interested to see how the city was faring 9 years on. The major earthquake struck on Wayne’s birthday, it was the first year of Papamoa College and we were at Thornton Beach on the first school camp. We all gatheredContinue reading “Christchurch”

We decided with time being short just to hire bikes for a day- gillies! Not the most manoeuvrable or well geared which added to the entertainment! We did a bit of the Otago rail trail and part of the Roxborough trail- 46kms not a bad effort. After the event the camp ground lady recommended WayneContinue reading “Land of the big sky.”

So we came down here, we think 10+ years ago. We did the drive through but thought it deserved another look. We stayed 2 nights in Owaka in a converted hospital, still had that hospital smell or maybe that was from the dudes who were staying there and working at the local meat works! TheContinue reading “Catlins revisited”

Ah the desert… Oh no just the top of the South Island so dry but some fancy fields and irrigation. Started in Auckland with a great evening with Elise before we took the flight to Christchurch and she had to go to work. We are saving Christchurch for later and grabbed a car and headedContinue reading “Heading south!”

When you work 9-5, in my case 7:30-5:30ish in one place, every day you have no idea about what goes on elsewhere! The last few weeks, with the kids now back at school, we really have settled into our temporary retirement! It’s official too, Wayne now has his gold card although we haven’t made muchContinue reading “Mid-week adventures.”

The last few years we have spent some time in January out of NZ with our grandie and other family members. Of course when you live at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world you go on holiday to other beaches, Rarotonga, Noumea and this year Surfers Paradise! The choice of destination thisContinue reading “The Goldie”

Being a teacher in the southern hemisphere January is always holiday time so things were pretty normal. Pay still coming in, festivities and family activities. A few days at home with the grandie always fun. Lego is such a winner as are selfies and making yourself look an idiot. Trip to Auckland to catch upContinue reading “January gone already!”

So here we are! It’s already Feb and I have recorded nothing of my year away from work. Not strictly true I started a blog but hated the site so trying this for size. After 31 years of teaching, with the last few being part of the slt, it was a no brainer to takeContinue reading “The beginning.”