IRIS' 9TH BIRTHDAY

Good morning from Wanaka, New Zealand.   Joan and I have now been down here for two weeks and have about five weeks to go.  Today, August 22^nd is Iris’ ninth birthday. Iris is our youngest grandchild and we are very happy for her. We’ll be going over tonight to Dan and Annie’s for a big dinner celebration. Iris has been counting down the days with great enthusiasm and looking forward to lots of presents.  She is very outgoing, has lots of friends, does very well in school and participates in many extraordinary activities. Her wit, wisdom, sense of humor and, yes. sarcasm, keeps us very entertained.

 

Update on NZ winter weather:  we have been fortunate so far, very little rain, one day of very light snow flurries, lots of sunshine and mild temperatures mostly in the mid 40’s.  This affords me no excuse to not get out and walk but still I’m pretty good at faking injuries and sickness.  Joan is not buying it at all.  If fact yesterday was such a beautiful day that we got a lot of steps in and, as always, enjoyed the gorgeous views.  Today is a bit cloudy but decent so another stroll is in order.

 

This weekend Dan and his family are heading to Dunedin, Annie’s home town, to celebrate four separate family members birthdays.  Dunedin is on the East coast about 170 miles from here.  As mentioned in previous posts there are no freeways on the south island so this becomes about a three and a half hour journey.  We’re not going along so we have about four days to entertain ourselves which means going to a movie, going out for dinner, reading, walking and napping.  I’ll be worn out by Monday night!!

 

It’s vey interesting being away from the US for so long.  The things we tend to do at home seem somehow important but when we arrive and have been here a few days they become somehow irrelevant.   We miss friends for sure, but otherwise, it’s just fun to be in a completely different environment.  Certainly a slower pace here but I think it is very healthy (except for the cookies, pastries and ice cream). 

Next week Joan and I intend to go on a drive to see more of this gorgeous countryside.  I’ll be checking out the NZ atlas to find a route we haven’t taken in the past and then head out exploring.  Perhaps towards Mt. Cook, about a two hour ride from here.  As mentioned previously the driving over here is on the left side of the road, like England, so a lot of attention must be paid.  Having the steering wheel on the right is a constant reminder.   We both are aware of the danger of forgetting and I rely on Joan to give a shout out if I start doing something stupid,  So far, so good, and to be honest it’s not very difficult.  (I hope I didn’t just jinx us!!).  

 

More to come.