New Zealand
yeap it’s tomorrow, soooooo excited!
Will be posting photos and journals via this blog when I can!
nz itinerary done :)
here’s just some of what we have got planned for this New Zealand trip. Can’t believe it’s just under 2 weeks until we go now. still plenty to organise before we go though.
I aim to update the blog with the travels when I can and if I can (this all depends on internet access).
day one
“kia ora” – “hello” Auckland Airport at 9.00hr
Get to Hotel, Drop luggage and go and grab Brunch/Lunch.
Stroll around AKL at a very leisurely pace, maybe jump on a tour bus?.
Check into hotel at 14.00
meet Andrew the not so wee brother!
then Eat, Drink, Sleep Auckland time!
day two
Check out Auckland!
day three
Check out of hotel and catch taxi to Motorhome Depot
Collect Motor Home for 10.00
Head to Lake Taupo for water sports and other activities - About a 4hr drive from AKL
Check into campsite around 4pm
day four
Lake Taupo Day! Spend your time doing whatever you want! This meant to be one of NZ’s stunning lakes!
“craters of the moon” scenic walk -The turn-off is well sign-posted on State Highway 1 north of Taupo - SEE MORE ON top 5 FREE things to do in lake taupo
day five
Leave Lake Taupo 9.00
Head down Turangi and head west to Taumarunui (14km)
Head along the Forgotten World Highway (SH43) (SEE information sheet) from Taumarunui to Stratford (150km).
*allow four hours and plenty of stops and fill up with Petrol/ diesel at either end as there is no petrol on the actual Highway*
day six
Leave Wanganui Campsite at 9.00hrs
Arrive Wellington and check into Campsite
Night in Wellington
day seven
“A small city with a big Reputation!”
A cocktail and caffeine-fuelled hospitality scene fizzes and pop among the throng.
Wellington all day!
day eight
Am - Wellington
Ferry to Picton at 14.30
Arrive in Picton approx 17.40
day nine
Blenheim today … Winetour!
day ten
Leave Blenheim Campsite early and head East to …
KaiKoura -(Kai = Eat, Koura = Crayfish)
Nin’s Bin - Van for crayfish and nice spot for whale watching too!
Hanmer Springs - whale watching, dolphins, seal and bird life
Head south via Christchurch
day eleven
Queenstown all day
do Skyline and Luge (Kart down)
shotover jet?
Queenstown over night
day twelve
Queenstown to Fox Glacier via route 6
set up at campsite
maybe book heli ride over glacier or do a hike …
day thirteen
a day in Franz Josef Glacier
day fourteen
Leave Franz Josef and head North up the West Coast
day fifteen
Head to Nelson and stay overnight
day sixteen
Nelson to Picton for 11.30hr
Ferry from Picton 13.05hr to Wellington - arrive Wellington approx 16.30hr
day seventeen
Leave Wanganui Campsite at 9.00am
Head north via Route 4 past the Tongariro National Park and Tongariro Crossing and LOTR film sites.
Waitomo Caves are Limestove cave with have Gloworms. Waitomo comes from Wai = Water and Tomo = Hole or shaft.
There is also Black water rafting here too. See the Legendary Black Water Company *$119 for 3 hours
day eighteen
Waitomo to Kaihu today to see the amazing Kauri Forest in the Northland at night! The forest road SH12 to the Waipoua Forest streches for 18km and passes some huge trees!
day nineteen
FREE DAY in Kaihu! Do whatever you want!
day twenty
Slowly drive down to Auckland!
stop sight see and chill - Last few hours in MOTORHOME!
Arrive Auckland and drop off Motorhome for 15.00hrs
day twenty-one
Auckland Day or Excursion
day twenty-two
Hobbiton? - EARLY RISE!!
day twenty-three
Auckland Day, last minute shop
Airport late evening - flight 23.59
New Hearing Aids
Yes i got them (finally)! It was one hell of a wait.
The difference with newbies is that they go behind the ear and not just in the ear.
I reverted back to the “behind the ears” due to the condensation that the old aids were giving in my ears. It became so itchy and hot and sometimes had an effect on the aid itself.
I’m hoping the ‘newbies’ help with the above problem in the long run.
Here’s a photo of the difference in the aids.
Newbies on the left, oldies on the right.
I’ve noticed the improvement in the sound already - I tend to have turn them down whilst in the kitchen (too noisy)!
So true!
(Source: rafaellukasbm, via tealllovers)
Trying to steer clear of the sweet stuff …
but failing big time!
This diet isn’t easy, I mean they never are. And in this case it’s difficult because i make cake for a living so when something is for sampling my guards are down as i want to make sure that the cake i’ve baked is tasty before my samplers try it!
I’m trying to count calories, this is easy when I’m at home … hold on no it’s not, because the cupboards are still full of biscuits and goodies that I refuse to chuck (I hate food waste) ahh!
So I’m trying to cook meals and freeze them ahead to know what kcals and fat goes into them. I’ve tried a few of the Rosemary Conley recipes and a couple are winners but a couple I’ll leave as the taste didn’t do anything for me or Mr C. The Beef Bourguignon and the Baked Bean Casserole was nice. However the Fish Pie was a let down.
Another recipe I’ve tried is the Ricotta Penne Pasta and it was lovely. I’m going to introduce it to Mr C on Wednesday and see if he likes it. The base is made with a good bunch of fresh basil leaves, Stock and ricotta. It was a winner with my Mum and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’m on the hunt for Bury’s Black Pudding as it’s low in fat and want to do the recipe for RC’s Black Pudding Risotto - I love risotto but i know with the butter, parmesan and main ingredient it can be quite high in fat and kcals which is what I’m trying to avoid. Having been on the Bury’s website I now know I can order directly from them - woohoo but the down side is the delivery charge. This comes after searching the major supermarkets and phoning up customer services - yes I want this specific BP!!!
So this week I’m going to make more Beef Bourguignon and then Cajun Chicken Casserole from the RC recipes to fill the freezer.
This week I’ve been falling off the wagon … going to try and turn it around before Tuesday’s weigh in … oh my!
Disclaimer: These opinions are my own.
A little pick me up for these February blues …
After being back for my Second week at Rosemary Conley I learned that a few foods can help beat that blue mood we all feel in these long winters days. I decided to make a soup that my leader mentioned last night at the class and it combines two of the food that help lift that mood.
Red Peppers, Tomatoes and Tumeric Soup
Ingredients
1 x Red Onion (chopped)
4 x Red peppers (deseeded and chopped)
1 x Table Spoon of Tumeric
2 x 400g Cans of Chopped Tomatoes
Vegetable Stock Cube
Hot water
Method
1. Dry fry the onion and once it’s brown add the Tumeric and then add the red peppers.
2. Once they are slightly softened, add the cans of tomatoes and stock cube.
3. Add the hot water, at least a litre to two.
4. Let it simmer for 15-20 mins, then wil a held blender blend to a smooth consistancy.
Note: You can add oregano and basil (both dried herbs) before you blend. i used two vegetable stocks. You can freeze this too but make sure you let the soup cool COMPLETELY before you add to freezer bags and freeze!This soup is low in fat and Kcals!
Most of enjoy and I hope your soup beats these February blues away!
Valentines
Well that day is nearly upon us and although me and Mr C never make a deal of it, I will have to as I think cake should be included in Mr & Mrs/Miss/Ms Cupids’ celebrations!
So I’ll be doing a small range which will include,
:a dozen love heart cake pops
:Cupcakes: Red Velvet and Rose Petal
and a lover’s cake bag which will include 2 cupcakes, 2 cake pops and a small bottle of fizzy.
Please email me at emma@mrscscakes.co.ukif you would like to order any of the above and if you have any questions!
To loop or not?
On Wednesday i was asked if I wanted to have the a loop system stored into my new hearing aids when I have them fitted. Yes! The wait is now nearly over and I will hopefully getting my new hearing aids in the next weeks.
I’ve decided to go back to to “behind the ear” as I think I will experience less condensation in the ear as I get with my current ones. I’m also due new ones too as these oldies are getting to the extent of too many repair jobs in the last year.
The “Loop System” can be seen advertised at most cinemas and most Theatres and can also be used on the phone. i don’t really need it for either the cinema or theatre but there are times on the phone where it is frustrating because either the line is bad or the person at the other end of the phone doesn’t speak clearly or louder or both. I think it would help regarding telephone conversations and it can also cut background noise.
Currently a lot of people I meet don’t notice my hearing aids until I point it out. It’s has it’s plus points but it’s also annoying. I tend to find conversations in busy enviroments hard to stick too, especially when it comes to more than one or two people. I tend to end up drifting in and out of the conversations much to my annoyance and those around me!
So I may end up going with “The Loop” as it might help me stick with the conversation!!
Gigi’s Italian Restaurant, Bonnyrigg
Well I have to to admit I wish I had been to this restaurant before now!
It’s great to have something like this on your doorstep. Gigi’s Italian was first established over a year ago now and has won the title of being “The Best Place to Eat in Midlothian” and I can tell you it gives other places in Midlothian a run for their money as Gigi’s live up to this title!
I booked a table for 4 for my “Birthday Meal Out” through Top Table and was delighted with the service it provides. At the table was my Mum, Dad, Mr C and of course the Birthday Gal … little old me!
The menu looked large but I’ve seen bigger … I was torn between starters but ended going with Bresaola Rucola, which was a good portion of finely cured beef with rocket leaves. Everyone had a different starter and all were very pleased with what they had.
My Bresaola Rucola
Again Mains were just a delicious as all plates were cleared. I ordered the Sofia Loren Pizza, whilst both Paolo and my Dad ordered Veal but different ways and my Mum ordered the Sea Bass which had a delicious sauce. We all cleaned the plates, the portions were a good size too.
The Sofia Loren Pizza - Gorgonzola, Peppers and Balsamic Vinegar
Whilst were we contemplating dessert, the lady who owns the restaurant came over and asked if we enjoyed her meal. It’s great to hear that it’s a local family that took such a huge risk to open a restaurant, but it’s paid off as all the tables were taken when we came in and it was only a Thursday night. Unfortunately I didn’t catch her name but she recommended the Tiramisu which was made in house by one of the staff members and it was gorgeous. Both Paolo and Mum had the Tiramisu but I managed to try a piece of my Mums, as I typically went for the chocolate fudge cake which was nice.
The Homemade Tiramusu
The Chocolate Fudge Cake
Ok, so what it’s not in town but a wee trip on the No. 49 bus and you are there. There is a bus stop on both sides of the road, just slap bang outside the restaurant itself. The ambience is lively and you have the odd Italian waiting singing along with the music. It’s family owned and has the options of gluten free too. I will be going back here as there are so many dishes I would like to try. We were all impressed with with quality and the quantity of the dishes.
Sunday Soup
Well it’s been a while since I made one of my favourite soups and I think it’s help cleared these sinuses out too. I made some adaptions to the Curried Parsnip Soup today. I gave a generous pinch of saffron and two tablespoons of tomato paste.
To accomply the soup we had the Soda Bread loaf I bought from The Dunbar Community Bakery, The soup is very filling and warming … perfect for a snowy and cold day!
You can find the recipe for the Curried Parsnip Soup here.
