Uh oh. I think living here is going to cost more than we budgeted for. 🤣
After weeks of not going to the/a gym we finally got back to it today. The gym at the Ruakākā Recreation Centre's machines are somewhat different from the ones at the Levin gym.
I got it figured out though and did a basic routine.
Not great: the punching bag *right next* to the station I was on.
This was a surprise.
Yesterday, as part of signing up to a new medical centre, I had a 30 minute interview with a pleasant and competent nurse. She drew blood for routine checks. The needle went in easily, the process was smooth.
Hence my surprise when I saw this bruising on my arm later …
So, it turns out our fancy new dimmer switches have firmware updates and an app.
US post suspension: 'It seems very strange to not be able to send a package':
New Zealand Post announced last week it was temporarily suspending parcel shipping to the States and would only carry letters and documents.
It said the move was a temporary measure until details of how the tariffs would be enforced became clear.
Darn, I've been meaning to send a small item to a US buddy. Looks like that won't happen any time soon.
A view across the Ruakākā Racecourse from the southwest corner.
It's been a bit rainy.
At the mouth of the Ruakākā River, standing on the north shore.
In a minor triumph, I have found the charger base for the vacuum cleaner!
Meanwhile, it turns out we have our very own White-faced Heron outside the back door. 🐦
A dawn walk at the beach took me to the sandspit on the north side of the Ruakākā River mouth, a wildlife refuge, where birds nest. 🐦
There were quite a few NZ Dotterels and Variable Oystercatchers, along with black-backed gulls, a shag and possibly a duck.
No photos yet, but so far the birds I've spotted around here are:
- Mynah (they don't live as far south as Waikawa Beach)
- Sparrows
- Gulls
- Magpies
- White-faced heron
I may also have heard spur-winged plovers.
I've located my bird feeder, but haven't yet found the food … 🐦
Well, we're moved in! 🏡
At Taupō the other day we stopped to charge the EV and grab a bite to eat. I've also been thinking about buying new shoes and Shoe Clinic was just round the corner.
An excellent assistant called Christine helped me choose Merrel Moab 3 for walking and Merrel Morphlite for round town.
Delicious Roasted Chilli Paste chicken — A well balanced sweet and spicy dish, stir fried with basil leaves, seasonal vegetables and a hint of fresh garlic — at Sukjai Thai Restaurant in Kamo, Whangārei. 🍲
Mild was plenty spicy for me.
We paused on our way to Whangārei at the junction of SH1 and SH15, where I took this photo looking across Ruakākā towards the Hen and Chicken Islands in Bream Bay.
Isn't it beautiful!
Homework for me: learn the Māori names for all these places.
Stayed with whanau in Putāruru overnight. Today we go through to Whangarei to stay at a friend’s place. The dreaded Auckland motorway is today’s challenge.
We took a short break on the shores of Lake Taupō.
We spent a comfortable night at Aspen Court Motel in Taihape. It was warm and had space for both cars.
Today we drive to Putāruru (230 Km away), crossing the Desert Road which has a snowfall warning. We need to do that late enough for the frost to disappear, but before midday to avoid snow.
As a naturally early riser, I realised the best time to charge up the EV was at 5:30 in the morning. No traffic, no competition for the charger. 🤣 I even brought a thermos of tea.
It seemed moving day would never reach its conclusion, but we're now ensconced in a motel in Taihape, having arrived just after full dark.
And that's important because I have trouble driving in the dark because of the glare, especially bad if it's raining.
The rain started at 4 pm today.