We're alive!!

Yea! Internet services (though it seems a bit dodgy at the moment - up and
down. Driving Don mad). But I've thinking glass half full - it's more
service than we had last week! So it has been 10 long days since you all
heard any updates from the McLeod clan. Of course, Don did post a couple
little snippets from the caves and of the rain fall; but more on that
latter. So much has happened that I thought I would give you a list of
highlights and lowlights (yes, there is such a word, I learned it from my
hair dresser) from my perspective, which is after all the important one.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The beaches and the walks we are able to do. Twice last week after work we
headed out to the beach to cavort in the waves and suck up the gorgeous
weather. It's one of the activities I imagined us doing when I first
committed to coming here. We also have done a couple of spectacular walks.
One was just over at the Mount (15 minutes from the house). It goes
around the base of the large mountain across the bay from us - there is one
that does go up and over but we are working up to that one. The walk is
supposed to take 45 minutes but we were out there a good 2 hours, what with
all the scampering around and side trips the boys took along the way. We
also did another short 30 minute hike with past weekend at Waitomo, over
rushing rivers and gorgeous rock formations in to a natural arch. Some
parts of the walk I felt like I was in a scene from Jurassic Park with all
the lush vegitation around me and the cliff walls towering above my head.
Definitely 'Lost World' kind of stuff.

The Waitomo Caves. This is a well known tourist destination that we made
our way to on Saturday. The weather was marvy and we had a 50% off coupon
clasped to our chests so we signed up for the 3 cave tour. Stalagmites and
stalactites galore and throw in a magical boat float in blackness with only
glow worms on the cave ceiling above you - truly something I'd recommend to
everyone.

Our neighbors. Not only do they have a pool, an eight year old son (as
well as 2 older kids) and the most amazing dog, they are truly kind and
lovely people themselves. Chris and Jackie are their names and we are
learning that there is no such thing as just one drink with them. Jackie
is a white wine drinker and has the most amazing ability to refill your
glass endlessly without you even noticing. Twice now I have had to be
helped home and laid into bed!! On Saturday they had us over for a bbq
with 2 other couples which was a very kind thing to do. It was a fun
evening.

LOWLIGHTS:

The 120 mm of rain that fell on Sunday. This was a long weekend here in
Tauranga and many a plan was dampened/cancelled because of the deluge that
fell from the sky. Good thing we did the cave thing the day before because
driving was not advised. The bucket outside our back door was filled by
the rain, so we literally got a bucketful. Lots of TV for the boys that
day, and we hosted the next door neighbor's boy (Jack) for a few hours. As
my mom said, mother nature manages to screw up long weekends all over the
world!

The cockroaches and rat(s). Yep, all manner of unpleasant things around
here. The cockroach count in the house is up to 4 and there was one even
in the office the other day. Connor has killed one, cuz the bug spray had
taken most of the zip out of it - but in general they are very fast movers.
The rat was encountered sitting in the alley way up the block. Happily
sunning himself, brazen as all get out. We could have touched him if we'd
wanted. Thanks but no. Don tried to deny the reality of rats in the
neighborhood by suggesting that perhaps it was a possum (he wasn't with the
kids and I when we saw it), but the neighbors quickly disabused him of that
idea. Definitely a rat. Ick.

The general price of things. It's wacky how expensive some things are.
Cars, houses, gas, milk, utilities - all very dear. We came here knowing
that, we'd done our research so we just close our eyes and our minds and
buy what ever we need. Also, the stuff you can't get at the grocery store
is irritating. No shortening for baking, tiny bags of chocolate chips
(major snack food for me!!), no tahini for Don, no big marshmellows for
rice krispie cakes. If anyone comes over here, I may fund an extra bag
full of the supplies I'm itching for :)

So there it is, my update for the moment. Hope everyone is enjoying
themselves in Canada. We anxiously await word on Cathy and Doug's new
arrival - could we possibly end up with 3 kids in the McLeod clan born on
the 19th??? Connor would be tickled. And now that her belly button has
popped, the moment must be close at hand!

V