Home, Home on the Boat.

First....how we arrived here. It is a bit of a long story, so bear with me:)

We left Auckland in Sunday the 19th April, having spent the Saturday visiting with the mother and youngest child units, and cooking our dear friends C and L a salmon dinner. The child joined us and left for his city abode by bus at 8pm. We are so proud of the maturity he has gained in the 2 yrs since we saw him last, and have no doubts he will be just fine for another one or two. We will see him at Christmas on Maui...yes, we have already booked our flights for the new grandson's first Christmas on Maui.
We have a couple of Fix-it jobs to complete for the new parents while there and will enjoy time with them and the other child unit from NZ over the festive season.

After some cold and somewhat iffy weather prior to our departure, the Sunday morning dawned cool but clear. Woohoo! I had rather been expecting a bumpy ride out of the city, but we were in luck.

Auckland airport is fantastic...easy to negotiate and the food is great! Once we had filled out our declaration cards and checked in on the kiosks, our bags were on the conveyor belt and we were free to get a much needed coffee and breakfast food. Our final Flat White (kiwi milk!!!) and bran/walnut muffin with a banana to finish, went down well. We would be getting food on the plane, so we didn't fill up too much.

Our flight was on time, and we took off at just on 11am. Blue skies, and no wind to speak of.

AirNZ is always a pleasure to fly with, and this was no exception. A daytime flight out with yummy food...including the new flavor of Summer Nectarine Ice-Cream..Kapiti brand, of course...was most welcome. Our night time flight was yet to come.

We landed in Honolulu at 9.15pm-ish, and were picked up by the shuttle to the Honolulu Airport Hotel. Nice enough, and the staff were very efficient. We were a little hungry, but had eaten dinner on the plane. It was a small 'snack' of a ham and cheese Panini. No food available at the hotel so we just had showers and went to bed. The aircon was exceptionally noisy, but it helped to drown out the sound of planes taking off...cant have it all ways, I guess:)

We rose in time to get breakfast in the hotel dining room. Something we wouldn't normally do, but we were tired and didn't know where the nearest McDonalds was. Turned out, it was just a block up the road! Don't hate me for eating McD's...it is often the least expensive way to eat, when on a fixed budget. By comparison, a bowl of fruit salad and plate of eggs with corned beef hash and hash browns (I ate about half the meal, it was so huge) for two was almost $50!!!! yikes!

We caught a #19 bus into the Ala Moana Center for a day of looking around and enjoying the local food. By local, I mean the Japanese Department store, Shirokiya. They used to have a store on Maui, and I had always enjoyed the 'local' food there. This Shirokiya has mostly Japanese food, which I was very happy to eat, thank you. We bought a variety of food for Waz to try...Takoyaki (Fried squid) , Garlic Chicken, a Sushi plate and Inari as well.

All of it was excellent and we made sure to return the next day for lunch and more variety. More on that later.

It was warm in Honolulu, but thank goodness for the trade wind. It wasn't unpleasant warm, fortunately.

We stood on the third floor balcony at the Ala Moana Center and took these photos looking towards the city of Honolulu.

 ...and out to sea

 I had fun with my camera in the middle of Neiman Marcus Dept. Store, with the hanging butterflies in the escalator well....

 We met my SIL on the Yacht Basin side of Ala Moana Park.

 Looking towards Waikiki from the Yacht Basin. We are drawn to such places:) funny that!

We had arranged for my Sister-in-law to pick us up near the Center around 3.30pm. She drove us out to their home in Maunawili, through the Pali tunnel and out the other side. It is cooler up there...NICE!

Dinner and lots of catch-up before she drove us back to the Hotel. We had made a decision on our next day's foray into the city, so we slept like logs.

We walked the one block towards McDonalds (we had seen it on the trip into town on the bus), and were delighted to find, across the road, a Melaleuca Store. WOW! I had been wondering how I was going to get some more triple anti-biotic of this brand. I love that product! We bought six tubes. Future proofing!!

Our breakfast was standard...Sausage/egg McMuffin with a Hash Brown each. Water to drink.
Fortified, we caught the #19 bus into Waikiki, this time. We knew there would be a good walk, so we had sensible shoes on. I found that the sole of my right shoe was coming adrift...bah! More fixit coming up!

Walking the streets to find where we could access the beach was a bit of a trial. We decided to go through one of the Hotels along the waterfront, and this proved wise....a coffee shop was right there waiting to take our morning coffee order:) Waz opted for a mango smoothie, wisely.

 The sculpture in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which was beautifully landscaped. These are Hula Dancers.

 Looking back towards the business district.

 Literally, a walk in the park. Bouganvillea in bloom!

 Finally...the beach! We forgot our hats!!! and out of the wind, it was very hot. The hotels along the beach block some of the airflow.

Plenty of people out enjoying the sun/surf and sea on Waikiki Beach.

 Waz and I stood in the cool water for a short while...if for no other reason than to say we have put our feet in the water of Waikiki...I hadn't done that for many years, and this was his first time.

 As you can see, Hotels and condos line the waterfront. These folks were enjoying their infinity edge Hotel swimming pool...many of them with cocktails in hand:) We walked a mile or so along the narrow concrete path in front.

 The renowned 'Pink Palace', the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. One of the first Hotels on Waikiki waterfront.

 Looking along the beach towards Diamond Head Crater.

 Lots of folks in the water, and this Catamaran was taking tourists out for a sail. In the forefront is an Hawaiian Outrigger canoe.

 Bouganvillea is so bright and blousy:)

Having walked as far as we felt able, we decided to make our way back to the Ala Moana Center for more Japanese food. It was a walk of several miles, and we were glad to be on the shade side of many of the buildings, which meant we also got lots of cooling breeze.
On the way we passed the Honolulu Convention Center, which was closed. The interior was photo-worthy, don't you think?

Back to Shirokiya Food Hall.

We had a different variety of goodies, this time, and went downstairs to one of the bakeries for a sweet treat and something to take away for a snack. We were glad we did the latter.

We needed to be back at the Hotel for our night flight out to LA. Arriving there around 5pm was well timed. We had caught the bus back and then walked a block. We were grateful for the opportunity to sit and gather ourselves and rest our sore feet in the Hotel salon. We struck up conversation with a couple from Missouri, and enjoyed their company for an hour or so before catching the shuttle to the airport.
Our flight to LA was jam packed. Not only was it full, but we had a 17 month old baby sitting in our row of three seats. We always feel sorry for the children and parents when flying...baby had to sit on mother's knee and sleep was a long time coming on this 5 hr flight. baby couldn't stretch out in her normal sleeping pose and her poor mother couldn't relax either. We tried our best to catch come winks, but they were not restful. There are no frills offered on internal USA planes. No screens...you are supposed to have your own, these days, and food for sale only. We got water/juice or coffee for free, but nothing else.
We just had time to get a coffee and muffin (bran, again) before boarding the next flight to Houston, TX. Fortunately this is a relatively short flight from LA....about 3 hrs. We were grateful for the sustenance!

I read for most of the flight...Waz had retrieved a book someone had left on a seat in HNL, and I was very engrossed in this Lee Child Novel...I like his Jack Reacher novels.

We had two hours on the ground in Houston before the flight to Tampa. We decided on a meal at Real Food on our concourse, and were happy with our choices there. Fruit salad and sushi. Waz bought fruit salad only. 
I have to say, at this point, that we were really happy to be back in The South. There is such a different feeling to being in the south...We love the food, the manners and people are friendly and welcoming.

Our arrival in Tampa after the short 2 hr flight, was with great relief. Not just the lack of sleep,  but the three flights had taken their toll on us. We were so happy to find our car in the Hotel parking lot where we had left it for the duration. It was VERY dirty, but that didn't matter...a car wash was on the cards for the next day.

Driving on the OTHER side of the road again took all of two seconds adjustment. One feels a bit of a chameleon, at times.

We drove to a local Taco Bell, in Tampa and ate dinner before setting out on the 2 hr drive south to Port Charlotte. Arriving late evening, we tried to open the boat up to allow airflow, but it was hot outside and air wasn't going to happen. We put two fans in the bedroom on full blast, and pulled the bed clothes back to allow us to sleep on top without cover. We slept that way all night, waking in a bit of a lather.

With a bit of jet lag to take into consideration, we rose about 10am and ate our first meal..scrambled eggs with tomato..yum! before putting the first load of four into the washing machine.

Sorting out the baggage, which we were climbing over, at this stage, and putting the contents back where they came from, we managed to empty them all and stow before going next door to visit with Stef and Mia.

Mia glommed onto Waz first up, then demanded to be held by me. She has begun walking since we left, and alternates between that and crawling to get where she needs to be. She has grown and put on some weight, which I noticed when I was tipping her upside down and flying through the air, while playing. She is just as perky and fun as ever:)

Lovely to have a south wind to help dry clothes and give us some much needed airflow through the boat. It is warm..in the 80's (early 30C) and humid. A little rain overnight helped to cool things down a bit, but not much.

We did a large number of chores yesterday (Wednesday) in preparation for the final visit from the carpet cleaners at 9am this morning. The carpets look fantastic now! Cream is not an ideal color for boat carpets, though it looks nice and bright. The salon carpet is now covered by a King sized sheet, to keep the carpet clean, underneath.

Time is not our friend...We had stopped at the supermarket on the way home, on Tuesday night, just as the store was closing, and bought essentials. I am grateful that we did, because it would have been a major issue to go shopping yesterday. Neither the will nor the way, frankly. It was 7pm before we felt remotely like eating, least night, and were grateful for the cold cuts and cole slaw we had purchased the night before.

It is overcast today, for which we are grateful. We have done more chores, and are anxious to see the aircon fella who will re-gas two units for us, as we cannot get any cold air right now. Perhaps tonight we will be able to sleep with the aircon on??

Our plans for the next couple of weeks are a bit up in the air. Waz has reapplied for an extended Green Card...the first he received was just for 2 yrs, and this one will give him 10 years, we hope. We don't know if an interview is required, so we have to stay in the area until we know one way or the other. With our boat insurance requiring us to vacate Florida by June 1st, we may have to re-enter the state by plane, if the interview is later than that date.

Our preferred summer destination is still North Carolina, where we can only stay 3 months, so we will either return to Georgia for a month or more, or go north into Chesapeake Bay. Lots of possibilities there.

We may also have some Kiwi visitors, this year. Friends travelling to Europe are returning via the USA, and we hope to catch them on that return trip:)

I need to go and put the last load of laundry in, so will carry this on in a day or five.

Looks like cooler weather until the weekend! thank you!!!!:)  Ciao for now.

p.s.  My new two burner Induction cooktop was waiting for us when we returned. I just cooked lunch on it with two pans..YAYAY! it works great!!!

How Time Flies ...

..when one is busy travelling and doing.
We are coming to the end of our long trip. It will have been 7 weeks since we left Florida at the beginning of March, and we are talking about what we are going 'home' to, on the boat. Home definitely is where the bed pillows are, no matter what island or state that may be.
We have so enjoyed our time spent reconnecting with friends and family and celebrating milestones such as Poppa's 93rd birthday. Waz's dad is still chirpy and spry and though legally blind, he is active and still has all his marvels:) We took him out to a favorite Thai restaurant for dinner and they kindly gave him an ice-cream plate with Happy Birthday written in chocolate syrup and a single candle to blow out:) He lives independently in a 'group' house with his little poodle, Marcy (male).

 

Another highlight of the trip was getting together with the rellies (cousins and siblings) for Sunday brunch, last week. We had organized this gathering a long time ago, and all were present! Lovely to meet new family members (baby) and see how much all the children have grown.

 

Without the kindness and generosity of our special friends, we wouldn't be able to stay 'home' in NZ for this long, normally. Having given up our physical home to do what we are doing in the USA, we are persons of 'no fixed abode' in NZ. We thank them profusely, and have so enjoyed their company and hospitality.

 

This blog will be brief. I will 'finish' it when we are home in Florida and on the boat and have a few days to gather ourselves and consider the next move, as it were.

There really is way too much to tell, about our NZ trip and so much of it is personal, which I wont be sharing. Suffice to say, the trip has been fabulous in so many ways, and we are sad to leave our senior members and those closest and dearest.

 

Adieu until next week when we begin another chapter of our boat-bound lives.

Lots of Travel!

Tomorrow is the last day of March. How incredible is that! It is Miss Muffins 1st birthday, and we wish we could be in Florida for the occasion, but we cant be there and in New Zealand at the same time.

We left Florida on March 3rd, which means we aren't far off a month out of the state. We flew from Tampa to Houston, first thing in the morning, and then onwards to Honolulu before catching a flight to Maui.

As always, travel is full of challenges, and this journey was no exception:)

After rising at 4.30am to catch the 6.33am flight out of Tampa to Houston, we were a little 'other-worldly' to say the least. We aren't impressed that you now have to buy any refreshments on flights, including the LONG ones of 8 hrs or more. If they are internal (USA) flights, this is always the case. Fortunately for us, the Houston/Honolulu flight was mostly empty, so we were encouraged by the flight staff to spread out and get some sleep, which both of us did. I cant say we arrived in HNL refreshed, but we weren't spacey either.

Honolulu airport is a  bitter disappointment. I am certain it hasn't changed in the 30 years I have been going in and out of this major gateway to the state and nation. It was shocking, to say the least, that the state of repair appears to be the same as when I left  in 2005.

Although we had booked on United Airlines, we didn't realize that our inter-island flight was going to be on a 'puddle jumper' Airline called Island Air. We were told we could find food in the ONE bar at the small terminal there, but when we approached the waitress, she told us there was no food today, because they didn't have a cook working:) ack!

Sooo....we walked (with our bags in tow) to the large inter-island terminal where I had to leave Waz outside while I went through all the security to get a second rate meal that cost three arms and two legs.

We walked back..hurredly...to the small airline, in time to catch our flight to Maui. Fortunately the flight is only half an hour from take off to touch down. We arrived to patchy weather but high humidity, which is normal for this kind of weather. We caught the Dollar Rental car bus to the depot and waited. We were told that 800 + cars go in and out of that depot every day....and it is only ONE of many depots for rental vehicles. Well, we waited and waited, and finally were told that if we had a premier card we could have just walked over and signed in quickly!!! ha!

The view of south Maui shore and around to the west side from Upcountry.

We were expecting a small Ford SUV, but they didn't have any on the lot and we ended up with a 2014 Ford Explorer. It was a large vehicle. Gas was $3.20-ish per gallon, and a smaller vehicle would have been nice.

I don't want it to seem like I am complaining of everything, but to this point we were less than impressed with everything, lol.  Not a great way to start the journey. It isn't a holiday, so we cant call it that, sorry:)

We arrived at the 'kids' home around 6pm, and met our new grand-daughter (8) her mother, and the mother-in-law, whom I had met many years ago while we both worked in a common place (non-profit). Baby was asleep.

Not in Waz's arms, initially, but most children respond well in those arms:)


My son arrived home around 6.30pm and we had a rather emotional reunion. We have seen so little of each other over the past 10 years, and it was so good to reconnect.

 Such a sweetheart, and I have never come across such a serene baby ....he only cried when we was hungry! and that was hardly ever as he was almost permanently 'attached' to his mother:)

 

Three generations:)

 

We were on Maui primarily to support the new parents, do whatever was necessary to allow the new mom to take care of baby, and do whatever was necessary in the home, which they had just moved into.
The home was built by my son's grandparents in the 1960's, and had been remodeled in the early 1990's by myself with my in-laws. The home had recently been rented out, but as is often the case, the renter had abused the home, and much work was needed to put it to rights for the young family.

Waz and I spent much time cleaning, fixing and enjoying getting to know our new grand-family. We feel most fortunate to have found a daughter-in-law who shares so many of our values. They young couple are well suited and we are happy to have a ready-made granddaughter. So many boys in our family!:)

Baby just slept, ate and did what tiny babies do best...

Two weeks passed quickly. We were entertained by good friends who went out of their way to make our visits special. We are most grateful for their friendship and ministrations.

New curtains had been purchased and hung, but some needed re-hemming and others needed cutting and hanging in places that required shorties. A sewing machine was procured and I did the deed. Mom also needed more receiving blankets for baby, so three more were made poste haste.

 

Waz did the hanging and fixing. He is so good at these things. What a team!!!:)

 

We were sad to leave our little family on the 16th March, and head to Honolulu again, for our flight to NZ. At least it wasn't 14 hrs, as it would have been if we had left from LA or SFO.

 

The flight was only 8 1/2 hrs, overnight, and on an Air NZ flight, this time. The Honolulu made food was horrid, but we look forward to the NZ prepared food on the return trip, mid-April.

 

It is always a pleasure to look out the plane window as we approach NZ and see the city below. This time was no exception, although we only saw lights...it was still dark at 6am when we touched down.

 

Auckland airport is one of the nicest...seriously!!!...no bias here!!!...:) and so easy to get through and out to the place where we can order out first Flat White coffee...

Bliss....and it was hot too! None of this tepid stuff we get in the USA:)

 

And of course we have arrived on Middle Earth, which was very much in evidence at the airport.

 

 

Later we drove towards Hobbiton and Matamata which is full of Hobbit-like features.

Anyway, it is now bed time and I need to hit the sack. I will tell you all about our NZ travels in the next post.  Night Night:)

 

 

 

 

We have a new Grandson!

Daniel Christian arrived on his paternal Grandfather's 60th birthday, Feb. 20th, at 2.47pm. He weighed in at 7lbs 13 oz and is 21 inches long.


We are overjoyed! Any new life is precious and none more than kin. We are so happy the birth was without difficulty (more than normal), and that mother and baby are well and happy, if tired.

Congratulations to the parents.

Here he is 2 days old.

My son with his precious son.

 

What more can I say?

 

Aloha

 

Friday the 13th, February

We have been told that there will be 3 more Friday the 13th's, this year, 2015.

 It is a cold but sunny day, here in Sth Wst Florida. The weeks are marching by, as surely as one day follows another, and we are counting down the days until we leave FL for 6 weeks.

There have been lots of 'To Do's' on our list, and 80% of them have been accomplished, along with many that weren't on the list...you know how that goes, right? :)

I am sitting here taking a time out while our young friend, 10 1/2 month old Miss Muffin takes a much needed nap. We delight in watching her for our hosts, and so enjoy the energy and discovery of the very young, especially when they are learning to walk!!! oh joy!

She and Waz have a special affinity, and she actively seeks him out, to his delight. He has taught her to make 'raspberry' noises...you know, the ones where lots of spittle comes out at the same time!!:) She has a very long and active tongue which worries her two new bottom teeth and the one just below the surface, up top. That one wont be long coming down, we think:)

Muffin and Waz watching the birds, outside the window.

I was caught in the act of taking a photo!

 Quite happy to sing to herself and lean against Waz's leg...one hand on the table for reassurance and balance. She is getting very adept at holding something in one hand while attaching to a solid object with the other. She loves to make her way around the sofa and table, occasionally letting go to stand alone.

 Waz makes a good leaning post! She was very determined to get hold of the computer mouse, but he kept it firmly in HIS grasp!

Waz took down three of the outside lamps on the Host's house, to refurbish, during the past two weeks, and those are not back up. It was quite a job to get the old peeling paint off and respray them, but they look great, now.

 

He has also been down in the engine room spray painting various body parts (not his!) and replacing all the belts on both engines...well, one done, one to go! It is cold down there today, so perhaps he will finish that job tomorrow? Although the temperatures are going down; for Saturday, we are expecting high 30's overnight. We are sitting inside with the door closed and welcome sun streaming in the window, albeit with sweaters and sheepskin slippers on!

 

Yesterday was warmer, and we were outside having  wonderful clean-up day. In this photo, Waz is reinstalling the workings of the Pasarrelle, after taking them off to clean and restore. We love to see all the stainless nice and shiny again. All the stuff that was on the cockpit deck go transferred to the dock, and the ceiling was cleaned, and Waz replaced the clothes line and re-pegged it. It wasn't hot enough to dry any outdoor cushions, so those will be scrubbed when we return from our vacation, in April, when the temps are more conducive  that activity. For now, they will be covered up by all the new seat covers I just finished....photos down the page further.

 

 Do we really keep all this stuff on the cockpit?? The dinghy cover got a waterproof spray, and is supposedly drying over the deck chairs.

 Waz is putting the Pasarrelle back together. See how clean and shiny?

 

My winter mission has been to make covers for all the outdoor seating, a new cover for the wheel and dashboard on the Fly Deck, table cloth and covers, and if time permits, to cover some other things as well. The covers do protect against the elements and dust. We find this place to be VERY dusty.

 

We have a boat detailer coming in two weeks to wax the boat and make her beautiful again, so the covers will protect that while we are away.

 

The Fly deck, all covered in blue, looking towards the bow. New tablecloth with shock cord around the bottom to make sure it doesn't go anywhere. This is 100% improvement on the previous tablecloth I had on there, which moved all the time. This one is going nowhere!

 

 

The new wheel and Dash cover. I wont both unpicking any old covers, in future. The dash has had new additions, and I should have made my own pattern. It just seemed easier, first time out, to unpick and use the old as a template. Hmm...we live and learn.

 Looking from the dash towards the stern.

 

 

Of course, Miss Muffin had to 'help' out with some of the sewing. She happily scooted back and forth around behind me, while I sewed, occasionally come to sit and watch. She was VERY fascinated with the needle going up and down, and didn't like being told that thing was an 'owie'!

 

 

 

The corner seat cover isn't pinned down...makes it easier to remove, we decided, as we often like to sit and eat and just enjoy this space. Nice to have it weatherproofed though.

 

The last cover to be made was the cockpit seat cover. This presented few challenges with how to secure it so that the rain didn't get inside and wet the seats themselves...the very reason for covering them...dry! I got around this by putting 'anklets' around the poles, which appear to be very effective, as the fit tightly, secured with Velcro. I have double sprayed this cover with waterproofing, after one application didn't quite do the job

 

 The cover fits neatly and tightly with just one dome on each side to pin it down.

We took the cockpit table off it's pedestal so we could fit the seat cover properly and decided we liked the extra space! :)

I just had to take photos of the cockpit sans 'stuff'. How lovely and clean and tidy it looks, but how devoid of obvious 'life' too. Only the doormat says welcome!

 The table now has a cover too...also with shock cord around and underneath it to keep the cover on no matter the wind. We will keep the covers on when underway, to protect the seats.

When the back curtains are up on all three sides, it is lovely and private on the cockpit and keeps the sun and rain out...for the most part...when we need it.

Note the plants on the back of the fly deck! The dill and mint are flourishing after a couple of heavy downpours. A little fertilizer works well too.

Waz reports that his list is losing some of the numbers, and reminds me that we have all of summer to complete his list:) yeah riiiight! As he says, if we do it all now, what is there left to look forward to?? His excuse ??ha!

We have a new Grandchild due any time now. Our son tells us that Baby (in-utero) is now 7lbs, so he is cooked and can appear at any time....due date is Feb 21st, we believe.
Waz and I will be leaving here to be with the new parents and baby, at the beginning of March, and look forward to 2 weeks with them, getting to know the new family member and delighting in this special new life.:)

We are then going onwards to NZ for a month to visit our precious family members, especially our seniors, now 86 (Mom) and for Poppa's 93rd birthday. Apart from being legally blind, Poppa is still healthy and has a keen sense of humor. He maintains most of his marbles, as does Mom. We are most grateful!

Our friends are kindly putting us up and putting up with us. Thanks to them...we couldn't do this extended trip without their hospitality and kindness. We will do some much needed chores for those who ask, and enjoy just hanging out with familiars, eating fabulous food, supping good NZ wines and Latte...just one or two, as they are expensive in NZ, but the milk maketh the product! Cant beat the grass-fed meat! Looking forward to seeing everyone. Not long now!

Well folks, that's about it for now. Lots of things going on, per normal, but I don't think you want to know ALL the details:)

Ciao for now