A Quiet Saturday

Saturday 23rd September 2010

Not really sure about today. The weather was blustery again and intermittent showers kept driving against the lounge window every so often. Spoke to Dad on the phone and he seems to be improved upon the last time I spoke to him just before we came away, so that is good. Kath and Maxine went to the supermarket for provisions. Kath is doing very well so far and we haven't touched the wheelchair since it was put into the rear of the hire car. She managed to walk around OK which is a good sign. After they returned, we eventually all set off for a day out but myself, Kath, Maxine and Harry were following the other car driven by Vernon. We had no idea where we were going other than 'out for lunch' to somewhere nice. As we made our way through the various roads, Maxine and Harry were guessing where it was we were heading only to be proved wrong each time we took an unexpected turn in the opposite direction to what they anticipated. After travelling down through Auckland city centre past the Sky Tower and turning left, we eventually came to a halt in a pub car park where we were informed that the lunches were very good. Once inside, I took a photo of the Chef's Special board which consisted of Cheese & Tomato sandwitches (that is how it was spelt....see photo attached). We all laughed at the supposed expertise of the chef and decided we would eat elsewhere. How is a cheese & tomato sandwich a speciality ? Next place was in Ponsonby, a seemingly affluent area of Auckland and this was reflected in the price of the drinks which just happened to fall on my turn to pay. After picking myself up off ther ground and paying $63 for the round, we were informed that the chef had gone home until 5pm but we could have bar snacks. We ordered chips, potato wedges, bread, prawns and various other small dishes before tucking in to our feast.
We made our way back to the Winchester Wine Bar where Kenny & Helen have friends and then went back 'home' to Darren & Maxine's. Later in the evening we ordered pizza's for everyone from hell.co.nz where you can choose how hot you want the pizza, either Flame Kissed, Forked Tongue, Ring of Fire or Hot as Hell. I shared with Kenny and we ordered onions, roast garlic, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach with a chilli guide of Ring of Fire. I can eat chilli's and hot curry's but this was mind-blowingly hot. We kept having to stop for cold water and at one point, Kenny had a yoghurt to take away the burning sensation in his mouth. We did however, manage to finish it but phewww, was that hot.
We sat around planning various trips out. Kenny and I fancy going white water rafting next weekend but not sure about anyone else. Darren, Maxine & Harry have just recently come back from a trip to the Queenstown in the south island where they went rafting and they were all tipped out in the rapids. Looked dangerous but fun and I fancy a g0 myself. We are all going to Waikeke Island tomorrow as the weather forecast is good so we may even get chance to swim and sunbathe for the first time this holiday. I am flying down to Nelson in the South Island on Monday to see Neil Kitchen who I used to work with in Bradford a few years ago. I booked the flight yesterday and am spending the night at his house before returning on Tuesday. Kath is staying in Auckland whilst I am away. Don't feel sorry for her, it was her choice and she was talking to someone this afternoon who is a hairdresser and beautician (fingernails and the like) so I think it may cost me whilst I am away. Kath and I are also planning upon a trip to Rotorua with an overnight stop on Wednesday/Thursday and at some stage we are all going fishing so the rest of the time here is pretty much accounted for but we will see what happens.
All for now, goodnight bloggers.