A number at last

We had a lovely, quiet weekend. Eddie worked on Saturday morning on some road works and that was about that.

We finally have our importers number, so the dodge computer can be released from customs - at last. Now we have to find out what duty they are going to charge, which may cause some wailing and gnashing of teeth. As we couldn't get one in NZ we don't see why we should have to pay any duty, so we will see.

Eddie broke his glasses on Thursday. The optician gave him a loan pair which were for distance, so on Friday night we went and got him a pair of $10 reading ones from the Warehouse. It was driving him nuts with two pairs of glasses. He was talking to Jim about it and he said I've got a spare pair of bifocals, which Eddie tried and found them to be a perfect fit. Hopefully his will be ready today.

Caravan show

We had a fine weekend which was nice.

Yesterday, we went to the caravan show in Hamilton's Mystery Creek. It's a great venue and a lot different than when I went to a Field Days event many years ago.

We went to check out diesel heaters which are quieter than our gas one. We also wanted to look at side walls for our awning, but there wasn't anyone there from an awning company. We thought that was a bit odd. we liked the heaters, but they are quite expensive, so we will ponder on them for a while longer.

We didn't buy anything but we enjoyed looking at the new caravans about the place. Some were really nice and others not so much. The new Rockwood fifth wheelers are really beautiful. I'm afraid we dribbled on the upholstery a bit. Perhaps if we win lotto......

I don't think I have mentioned the problem with the dodge.
It began by the battery going flat. The auto electrician did a bit of work on the alternator, but it kept going flat. He checked the computer and realized that was where the problem was. He sent it away to a computer repair place and when it came back it was charging ok but running on 5 cylinders. So back it went and when it came back it was only running on 4 cylinders!  Eddie found one in America that is a re conditioned one. It arrived in the country on the 11th September and we have been waiting for customs to send it on ever since. Because of its value, Eddie has had to apply for an importer's licence number. We sent the application form  away on Friday night and now we wait again. Hopefully we will have it by the end of the week.

Spring in Centennial Drive

Eddie was away last week. He took a load of steel and some machinery to Christchurch and Oamaru. Then he went on to Roxburgh and brought home an old digger that is going to be done up and put into the museum that the company has. He had a good week away, but was glad to be home. He has found some nice places for us to check out when we go down there. Hopefully that will be about this time next year.

Spring has sprung again and the flowers in Centennial Drive are looking lovely.

Apparently it is only 15 Fridays to Christmas. Just to cheer you up ha ha

Mt Maunganui

We had a nice weekend with lots of sunshine and it is still sunny today! That makes 4 days in a row!!

On Sunday, I went for a walk up, down and around Mt Maunganui with the tramping club. We also went out on to Leisure Island and up Mt Drury. It was a cold wind, with lots of white caps on the waters of Pilot Bay.

lambs on Mt Maunganui

Kowhai trees in bloom, full of tuis.

Matakana Island

Matakana Island

Overlooking Mt Maunganui township

a view from near the top

Mt Maunganui from Mt Drury.

Pilot Bay from Mt Drury.

10 km Walk at Kinloch

Saturday was a lovely sunny day in Taupo, where my sister in law, Janice, and I did a 10 ks in the Taupo event series. It was Janice's first event and she did really well. She got quite competitive towards the end catching up with people and going past them. We might do another one in November in Mount Maunganui. The walk was around trails at Kinloch on the shore of Lake Taupo. Quite pretty and a lovely stream too.

The new computer for the dodge is on its way, so hopefully it will be here by the weekend. We might have it back by next week. We hope.

Sunday was wet and so is today. I wish we could share it with the Australian farmers.

Janice walking the trails

Janice and Kay about to start.

One of the views of Whangamata Bay