M&J Down Under: June 2001

Kia Ora

Kia Ora

Interesting facts.

NZ. or Aotearoa In Maori, means 'The Land of the long white cloud'. It is quite a young country, geologically active, with tectonic faults and volcanoes, glaciers and rivers constantly building and eroding land. It consists of many islands, the main ones being the North and South island. It used to be part of one land mass, Gondwana, and split off 80 million years ago, taking with it its unique plants and bird life. The first Eastern Polynesian settlers arrived 750 years ago, and the first Europeans to settle arrived in 1769 after discovery by James Cook.

As it is a long thin country, there are several climates and micro climates within, from sub tropical in the North and temperate (similar to UK) in the South. The total population is around 4.2 million ( UK has nearly 63 million) of which 1 million are based in Auckland. Auckalnd also known as the 'The city of sails' (due to a high proportion of boat ownership) is the biggest city, though not the capital, which is Wellinton. Auckland’s weather is warm/hot long summers with mild and wet winters. (average annual sunshine hours= 2050. Manchester=1200 hrs) and (annual average rain=1240mm. Manchester=810mm!) most rain falling as heavy tropical showers in the winter months of June-July

Saturday, 2 June 2001

One Year Here!!

wow time has flew, cliched as it sounds. but its amazing to think we have been here for one year! we arrived and touched down around 2pm on a sunny afternoon. Tired but excited to start our new life down under....
who would have thought this time last year we would have just moved into our new house and be busy decorating etc....
And...
we now have a new balcony (the old one was carpeted ..and you can imagine what it would be like spending 8 years outside!

new decking on baclony

still- we can always find some hammock time!!

hammock time